Shoreline Area News

All weather in one photo

Sunday, March 1, 2026

So here is an illustration of why our weather is to difficult to predict. Everything is going on in this photo - rain, sun, wind, clear skies, cloudy skies, probably no snow but we don't seem to do that anymore (waiting for the skies to open now that I've said that in writing...

--Diane Hettrick

Business Spotlight: Cariño Coaching and Consulting: Empowering Growth, Connection & Purpose

Local Spotlight brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, DestinationShoreline.com

Cariño Coaching and Consulting: Empowering Growth, Connection & Purpose

In the heart of Shoreline, Cariño Coaching and Consulting is helping individuals and organizations grow with intention, confidence, and heart. Founded by Jennifer Martinez, this purpose-driven coaching practice blends strategic planning, personal development, and relationship-centered support to help clients step into their fullest potential. Rooted in community and guided by compassion, Cariño exists to create space for healing, growth, and meaningful transformation.

Q & A with Jennifer Martinez, Cariño Coaching and Consulting

Q: How long have you been in business?
A little over a year, but just really putting more time into it in the last 6 months.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?
It has been a lifelong goal of mine to start my own business that can serve the community. After years of coaching, program creation/management, and strategic planning in the education and nonprofit sectors, I decided it was time to step out on my own. I love connecting with people, building relationships, sharing experiences, and supporting the growth of others — and now I can do that my way.

Q: What service does your business provide for our community?
My mission is to empower individuals and organizations to become the best version of themselves through personalized coaching and tailored consulting.

Q: What do you love the most about Shoreline?
Shoreline has been my home since I moved here in 2012 and I love the community here and the way they support each other. I love being able to go to my local coffee shop or being at the park with my 6-year-old and seeing people I know that I am excited to have conversations with.

Q: What inspires you each day?
Each day I am inspired by the people around me. Whether that is my kids being amazing humans, my husband making sacrifices, my friends breaking ceilings, or my neighbors stepping up to take care of each other. I see it, I feel it, and it inspires me.

Q: What has been your proudest moment in business so far?
When I finished my website and shared it with the world. I told myself there is no going back now and took the leap to do this.

Q: How does your business support or give back to the local community?
I am here to help our community thrive by helping folks ground themselves and move forward with intention and whimsy. If we all can do this as individuals, then we are much more equipped to support each other as a collective.

Q: What future plans or goals do you have for your business?
I hope to add more group classes in the future like a monthly Crafting and Conversations group, and an Emerging Leaders Growth Cohort. I would also like to do some targeted support work with other mom business owners like myself.

Q: What’s your next upcoming event?
I have an upcoming Healing and Growth Cohort that I would love for folks to come join. There will be four online group sessions with a focus on healing your mind, body, and soul. I am bringing in a nutritionist and an artist to facilitate some of this work. There will also be three individual sessions to start planning the growth that comes from healing. And just for fun, I am also including a T-shirt and journal too! I have kept this affordable, with different payment plans in order to make this an accessible experience.

Q: What is Cariño (Kah-ree-nyoh)?
When I was young, my dad used to tell me that you should do things “con cariño.” While this is hard to translate and has different meanings in different regions, for us it essentially means you need to approach whatever you are doing with love and care. I strive to build trusting relationships “con cariño” with all my clients.

Connect with Cariño Coaching and Consulting
206-327-1033
carino-cc.com
jennyblossom@me.com
Instagram: @carino_cc

Destination Shoreline is brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, Real Estate Broker with Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline, Front Door Creative, Success Minded Leader, Bri Crow Creative, Phases Clinic, Become a Destination Shoreline Partner, learn more here

A Celebration of Growth, Nature, and Health at Kruckeberg Speaker Event and Annual Meeting March 12, 2026

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation invites the community to its highly anticipated Speaker Event and Annual Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N. Doors open at 5:30pm.

Join us for a captivating evening as we reflect on the major accomplishments of 2025 and preview the exciting initiatives we have planned for 2026.

Afterward, Friday Elliott, the founder and head blender of Friday Afternoon Tea, a family-owned, Seattle based tea company, celebrated for its imaginative loose-leaf blends and immersive tea experiences, will present on tea gardens and the history of biodynamic permaculture practices for cultivating healthy ecosystems.

Following her presentation, she will offer an immersive comparative tasting exploring the nuanced differences between wildcrafted and cultivated teas. Prepare to be enlightened and inspired!

This free event is open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with this expert in tea craft while learning about the foundation’s role in preserving and sharing the botanic garden with the community.

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation stewards the City-owned Kruckeberg Botanic Garden in partnership with the City of Shoreline, ensuring this four-acre public garden remains a place of conservation, education, and community connection.

For more information about the Spring Plant Sale or membership, visit http://www.kruckeberg.org and follow us on Facebook.

Olympic Fly Fishers to hear from J. Michelle Swope at March 10, 2026 meeting

J. Michelle Swope

The Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds is excited to welcome J. Michelle Swope as our guest speaker on March 10, 2026, from 6-8pm at the Lake Ballinger Center, 23000 Lakeview Dr, Mountlake Terrace.

J. Michelle owns and operates Crow Creek Fly Shop, in Roslyn WA, and brings more than 30 years of experience as guide and instructor.

Her presentation will center on creeks and streams she grew up fishing - just a short ferry ride from Edmonds.

She will cover fishing techniques, offer tips for fishing along Hood Canal and further north toward Port Townsend.

Club meetings are free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30pm.

For more information on OFF or J.Michelle visit olympicflyfishers.com

A Mild Winter and Hints of Early Spring

Photo courtesy LFPSF
A Mild Winter and

Hints of Early Spring

From the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation

February often feels like a month “in between”—part winter, part spring—and our Puget Sound weather only adds to the drama. Some years bring ice and snowstorms; others, like this one, gift us with milder, drier days.

Statewide, January 2026 ranked as the 12th warmest since records began in 1895. Temperatures ran 2–5°F above average across most of Washington, especially in the higher elevations of the Olympics and Cascades. Meanwhile, precipitation reached only 64% of normal, and many areas saw an unusually long stretch—over two weeks—without measurable rain.

Snowpack data as of late February tell a mixed story: only the Washington Pass region sits above 100% of normal, with Mt. Baker at 54% and most of the rest of the state below 40%. That thin snowpack raises questions about possible summer drought and earlier-than-usual wildfire risks. Though late-season storms could still help, the window for rebuilding our water reserves is narrowing. The Farmers’ Almanac suggests we might yet see colder, snowier spells in March—so don’t put away that cold weather gear just yet!

In Your Yard February and March

Our own gardens and yards are small but powerful parts of the larger ecosystem. What we do at home can help support pollinators, birds, and soil health while keeping our landscapes resilient through the seasons.

Here are some timely things to do around your property in the Lake Forest Park area this month:

Hold off on the big cleanup. Many native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects are still overwintering in leaf litter or hollow stems. Wait until consistent daytime temperatures reach the 50s before removing debris.
Mulch and amend soil. Spread compost or leaf mold around perennials and garden beds to build healthy soil structure before planting.
Begin pruning. Late February through March is ideal for pruning fruit trees, shrubs, and dormant perennials—before new growth appears.
Plan and plant early crops. Cool-weather vegetables like peas, spinach, kale, and radishes can go in the ground as soon as the soil can be worked. Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors under lights.
Refresh bird habitats. Clean feeders, birdbaths, and nest boxes. Anna’s hummingbirds are nesting now, and chickadees and wrens will soon follow.
Add native plants. Early bloomers such as red-flowering currant, Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), and serviceberry provide early nectar for hummingbirds and pollinators while brightening still-bare landscapes.

As days lengthen and the first buds unfold, you can almost feel the region waking up. The hum of busy Anna’s hummingbirds, the appearance of snowdrops and forsythia, and the slow emergence of bees all remind us: spring isn’t just coming—it’s already stirring in our backyards.

State disciplines two King county health care providers

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions against the following health care providers in our county.

The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., dentists, nursing assistants, counselors).

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” section of the Department of Health website(doh.wa.gov).

The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700.

Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.

In February 2026 the Department of Health charged certified medical assistant Rama Chan (CM60375211) with unprofessional conduct. Chan allegedly used two naturopathic physicians’ DEA and national provider numbers without permission to authorize approximately 50 prescriptions for phentermine.

In February 2026 the Department of Health charged Man Lee Nancy Yeung with the unlicensed practice of massage therapy and notified her of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Yeung does not hold and has never held a credential to practice massage therapy in Washington. In October 2025, a department investigator confirmed Yeung was providing massage therapy without a valid credential.

Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.

Sno-King International Folk Dancers say farewell to winter

Photo by Mary Ann Tracy

Sno-King International Folk Dancers say farewell to winter -- But winter did not prevent us from dancing.

In one month we did dances from at least Bulgaria, Poland, Russia, Spain; Belgium, Turkey, Greece, Ukraine; Italy, Germany, Portugal,Romania; Israel, Macedonia, and Albania. Bolivia, England, Slovakia, France. Even Lapland has a dance. Armenia, Bosnia, Serbia, yay! Scotland, Canada, USA!

Come and dance every Wednesday from 7:00-9:00pm.

Beginner classes start again on Wednesday March 4 and Wednesday March 18, 2026 at 6:30pm, before the regular dance. We also teach something at the regular dances.
Wednesday March 11 starts at 6:45pm for teaching of a set dance.
Saturday March 14 is the FAREWELL TO WINTER PARTY, 7:00-9:00pm. There will be a special guest performance of the IN FOLK MOTION CLOGGERS, something not to be missed. Snack finger foods are welcome, to keep everyone fueled up.
And save the date: Wednesday April 1, April Fool's Day, 7:00-9:00pm there will be live music from the band INVARTIM at the APRIL FOOLISHNESS PARTY.

Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood.

$8.00 guests; members $6.00.

Information:

website
Email: dancesnoking@gmail.com
Phone: 425-610-9393 (leave a message)

Jobs: City of Shoreline - Extra Help – Assistant Camp Director

City of Shoreline

Extra Help – Assistant Camp Director
Job type: Extra Help
Opening date: 02/20/2026
Salary: $21.79 - $24.82 Hourly
Closing date: Open till Filled

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.
Position is open until filled; 1st review 3/11/26; 2nd review 3/25/26
We are seeking one (1) Camp Director for our Camp Shoreline summer camp program at Meridian Park Elementary School.

These are seasonal and non-benefited 40 hour a week position, with the exception of June 29^th-July 31^st, where this position will work no more than 28/hours a week:
Monday - Friday 8-hour shifts, between the hours of 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Paid camp director training will be scheduled in May and June.

Camp Shoreline summer program dates (Additional hours available earlier in the summer for planning): Camp Shoreline: June 22nd– August 21st

The successful candidates will be able to work all or most of the program dates.
Candidates will also be asked to work the following break camps if their schedule allows. School's Out program dates (ability to work these camps, not mandatory to apply):

Spring Break: April 20th -24th
Winter Break: December 21st - Jan. 1st

The successful candidates will be able to work all or most of the program dates.

Scope of Work
The Camp Director serves as the primary lead for City-sponsored day camps, overseeing programs held during Shoreline School District breaks and throughout the summer season. This role is responsible for the safety, supervision, and engagement of preschool and school-aged participants (ages 3–11). You will lead a team of staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality recreational experiences, including arts, sports, and special events.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

Direct Supervision: Provide daily mentorship and oversight for a team of Camp Leaders, Assistant Directors, and Counselors-in-training.
Team Coordination: Act as the "Lead of Leads," ensuring all staff are clear on their roles, schedules, and safety responsibilities.

2. Program Planning & Execution

Curriculum Development: Oversee Assistant directors to ensure they plan and implement a diverse weekly calendar.
Resource Management: Organize and inventory all supplies needed for activities, ensuring the camp stays within its seasonal budget.

3. Participant & Safety Management

Inclusion & Engagement: Ensure activities are developmentally appropriate for both preschool and school-aged groups.
Risk Management: Maintain a safe environment by strictly adhering to City safety protocols, including first aid and emergency procedures.
Behavioral Support: Provide guidance to staff on managing group dynamics and resolving camper conflicts positively.

4. Administration & Communication

Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for Shoreline parents, addressing concerns and providing daily updates on camp highlights.
Operational Reporting: Maintain accurate records for attendance, incident reports, and staff hours.

Please apply at: Extra Help - Assistant Camp Director

Daffodils

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Is it spring yet?

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Moses

Cartoons by Whitney Potter

KCRHA activates Tier 2 cold weather severe weather protocols February 27 through March 1, 2026

Activating Severe Weather:

February 27 – the morning of March 2

With overnight temperatures below 35 degrees for three days or more in the forecast, KCRHA is activating Tier 2 cold weather severe weather protocols beginning Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1 and winding down the morning of Monday, March 2.

As always, we may extend activation if the forecast shifts, in alignment with our Severe Weather Policy.

Cold Weather Shelter Information

Workshop on dealing with anxiety - March 6, 2026

Christine Vervitsiotis, LMHC
Anxiety Toolkit - There are many reasons why anxiety can increase as we age, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by worry, discomfort, and sleepless nights.

There is no ‘quick fix’ but there are many tools that we can use to calm both the body and the mind.

Join us for a practical conversation about anxiety!

In this workshop, we will explore why specific anxiety reduction techniques work for specific types of anxiety. We will also spend a good amount of time practicing these skills together.

Led by Christine Vervitsiotis, LMHC

WHEN: March 6, 2026 from 10:30am – 12:00pm

COST: Free

LOCATION: Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center, 18560 1st Ave NE

REGISTRATION: Call or visit the senior center 206-365-1536

Shoreline Council passes resolution in support of immigrant protection

The council chamber was full for the consideration of immigrant support

Shoreline Solidarity and Fortify! Washington volunteers mobilized in support of immigrant protection at the Monday, February 23, 2026 meeting of the Shoreline City Council.

After being asked to "agendize and pass Fortify! Washington's Immigrant Protection Model Resolution in two weeks" at the February 9th meeting by a group of supporters and speakers, the Council agendized Res 560 for consideration at the Feb 23rd meeting.

Action on Resolution No. 560 - Affirming the Shoreline City Council’s Commitment to Shoreline Being an Inviting, Equitable, and Safe Community for All and Supporting Efforts in the Washington State Legislature and by King County to Support and Protect Immigrant Members of Our Community - Sponsored by Councilmember Scully and Deputy Mayor Pobee

Supporters filled the council chamber as the councilmembers considered the wording of their resolution supporting immigrant citizens and protecting the community against ICE overreach.

In the end, the resolution passed unanimously.

'Election access shouldn’t be decided along party lines' Secretary Steve Hobbs' statement after Trump's State of the Union

Steve Hobbs, Washington
Secretary of State

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs' statement after Trump's State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, I attended the State of the Union as Sen. Cantwell’s guest to help sound the alarm on the SAVE America Act. During the address, President Trump directed Congress to pass the SAVE Act, repeating false claims of mass fraud in American elections.  

These comments should be deeply concerning to all Americans. Voting is a sacred right for all citizens, and  election access shouldn’t be decided along party lines. Dedicated state and county election officials strive to ensure Washington’s elections are accurate, transparent, and secure. Their experience,  professionalism,  and commitment to public service are what make elections great in Washington.   

To repeat what I said before the State of the Union yesterday: The SAVE America Act doesn’t save anything. Here are some common-sense truths about Washington elections: 

Voting by mail removes barriers to citizens’ ability to participate in our democratic process.  Washington continues to improve voter access while maintaining the integrity of our elections. We should be doing everything we can to increase voter  participation for all eligible Washingtonians.

Washington’s voter roll maintenance processes support an accurate and well-maintained system. Election officials use data from multiple sources to ensure ineligible voters are regularly removed from the voter roll.

Actual incidents of ineligible voting are incredibly rare. There have been just 15 cases of noncitizen voting in the state of Washington - out of 1,620 nationally - between 1982 and 2025.  Washington uses paper ballots, which are a physical record that can be recounted and audited as many times as needed.

Our elections face real risks, and we lost valuable federal partnerships in 2025 when several critical federal security programs were defunded. 

The SAVE America Act is voter disenfranchisement masquerading as election security.  It would make voting harder for eligible citizens while failing to address the real risks election officials face. 

Proposed federal legislation and comments made by national authorities undermine election security and accessibility. Instead, federal actions should protect vote-by-mail elections and advocate for voters’ rights and data privacy.

Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections

Lake Forest Park welcomes new Public Works Director, Nova Heaton

Nova Heaton has been named as the new Public Works Director for Lake Forest Park.

Nova Heaton, Public Work Director
City of Lake Forest Park

Nova is a civil engineer with over two decades of experience delivering public infrastructure projects in both consulting and local government. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Iowa in December 1999.

Nova has served in a range of public-sector roles, including nine years with Snohomish County, five years with the City of Arlington in Planning and Development, and three years as Public Works Director for the City of Snohomish.

Her technical expertise includes utility systems, roadway design, environmental projects, and park planning and development. She has led the design of roads, bank stabilization projects, fish passage improvements, and stream reconstruction efforts, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and long-term system performance.

Nova has a particular interest in long-range and multimodal planning that supports safe, resilient, and connected communities, and she developed and implemented Complete Streets policies for both the City of Arlington and the City of Snohomish.

Nova also brings significant experience in emergency management, including event response and leadership through post-event damage assessment, repair, and recovery. Her background includes budget management, project management, and collaborative problem solving, with a proven ability to work effectively with community members, local partners, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful projects.

Rob Oxford: Are You Seriously Going to Eat That?

Bacon drizzled in chocolate sauce

By Rob Oxford

As far as I'm concerned a bologna sandwich isn’t a bologna sandwich unless it has Lays potato chips on it. Not next to it on the plate, but between the bologna and bread. And there’s no substituting the chips, they have to be Lays. I guess in a pinch, Ruffles will suffice?

As an adult, that had been the extent of my adventurousness when it came to unique flavor combinations. Up and until I was introduced to peanut butter on a hamburger.

Weird food pairings are nothing new. In fact, a simple Google search will reveal dozens of “Top 50 Lists”. Special thanks to Buzzfeed contributor Hannah Dobrogosz for sacrificing her own taste buds for this article.

Her research revealed pairings such as mustard on watermelon. Tater tots dipped in applesauce. Flaming Hot Cheetos and vanilla bean ice cream. Caramel syrup on cheddar cheese curds and bacon drizzled with chocolate syrup? I mean, who thinks of this stuff?

From what I know now, college students at 3am. That’s who!

pickle margarita

The other evening, my girlfriend approached me with a piece of bologna, wrapped around a pickle smeared with peanut butter. My immediate response was, “you’re not seriously going to eat that are you?” I had failed to notice that half of it was already gone. I guess pickles are the go-to for weird flavor combos.

For instance, pickles have long been recognized as a favorite for pregnant women. Some enjoy them straight out of the jar, while others may crave pickle pizza, pickles and cream cheese or pickle cheesecake. I still remember when deep-fried pickles sounded like a nutty idea. Now they're available at every state fair in America.

The intense, salty and sour taste of a pickle helps manage nausea and can satisfy cravings caused by hormonal changes. Also, pregnant women experience an increase in blood volume, which raises the need for sodium and electrolytes. Because of the brining process, the high salt content in pickles helps maintain this balance.

Not recommended during pregnancy, but a company called Beatbox now offers a Pickle Margarita.

Rob's Dad in the mess hall

My Father, a Mess Sgt. at Madigan Army Hospital, would prepare meals for upwards of 600 – 700 soldiers each day. At three meals a day that equates to roughly 1800 – 2100 meals…per day. Large quantities of food. For his 3 children at home, this meant larger than normal portions and growing up during the depression as he did, food did not go to waste.

We became accustomed to having the same meal, only slightly different, for several nights in a row. This could occasionally result in a “weird food pairing”. Quite often it would be chipped beef on toast that my father would affectionately call S.O.S. or “stuff” on a shingle. The next night it might be the same “stuff”, but with leftover peas added. Blech! Not my favorite.

Neither was his famous salad consisting of a pear half on a leaf of lettuce with a dab of cottage cheese or mayonnaise in the middle. A popular southern dish from the 50’s and 60’s. To me, yet another weird food pairing. I’m sorry, but cottage cheese always reminded me of something in the fridge that had gone bad.

Finally, another food pairing established in England during the 17th century and brought to North America is cheese slices on apple pie. To residents of the state of Vermont, not so weird after all. In fact, the tradition is so strong that a House Bill was signed in May of 1999, declaring apple as the state pie and stipulating that a “good faith” effort be made to serve it with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, a glass of cold milk and a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I’m good with the pie, ice cream and especially the cold milk. But please, give my slice of cheese to the mice.

If you have a favorite “weird food pairing” you’d like to share, please feel free to comment.

Who am I to judge?

Jobs: City of Shoreline Extra Help – Camp Director

City of Shoreline

Extra Help – Camp Director
Opening date: 02/20/2026
Salary: $22.92 - $26.42 Hourly
Closing date: Open till Filled

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.

Position is open until filled; 1st review 3/11/26; 2nd review 3/25/26.

We are seeking up to (5) Assistant Camp Directors for our Camp Shoreline summer program who can work during all the listed program dates. Assistant Camp Director positions include:

40hours/week Meridian Park 7-11 Assistant Director - Position can only work 28hr/week during month of July
40hr/week Meridian Park LPP Assistant Director - Position can only work 28hr/week during month of July (2 openings)
20hours/week Spartan Rec Center LPP Asst. Director position (with option to work an additional 20hrs/wk as day camp leader, please note can only work 28hrs/week during month of July)
40hours/week Spartan Rec Center Activity Asst. Director (only from 7/27-8/21)

If you’re seeking 40 hours per week, please also apply for the Day Camp Counselor position. If hired as an Assistant Director (20 hours/week), you may also be eligible for a Day Camp Counselor role to reach a total of 40 hours/week.

These are seasonal and non-benefited positions:
Monday - Friday
8 hour or 4 hour shifts depending on the specific position (see below), between the hours of 7am – 6pm.
Paid assistant camp director training will be scheduled an average of 16 hours between April- June. In June there will also be a 6 - 8 hour onsite training and 20-40 hrs allotted for pre-camp planning.

Below is an example of the 2026 annual schedule.
Camp Shoreline summer program dates

Camp Shoreline: June 22nd - August 21st

School's Out program dates:Spring Break: April 20th -24th
Winter Break: December 21st - Jan. 1st

The successful candidates will be able to work all or most of the program dates.

Scope of Work:

General Assistant Director- 40 hours/week: Provide staff/camper supervision and leadership at Camp Shoreline offsite location for youth ages 5-11. Assist site director overseeing general camp operations. Provide planning and leadership support for Camp Shoreline’s 7-11 year old camp and Lil’ Playground Pals camps. Plan and lead a variety of activities including but not limited to visual and performing arts, sports, creative movement, team and individual games and sports.

Activity at Spartan Recreation Center (only 7/27-8/21): 20-40/hours week (possible opportunity available to work additional 20 hrs/wk as a day camp leader for a maximum total of 40hours/week.). Provide staff/camper supervision and leadership at Camp Shoreline’s Activity Camp at Spartan Recreation Center. This position is shared with another assistant who will work 6/22-7/24. The assistant is responsible for planning and implementing creative and engaging activities each day of camp for a classroom of 35 children ages 7-11. Activities include, but are not limited to, arts & crafts, nature and science exploration, cooking and performance arts.

Lil’ Playground Pals- 40 hours/week -This position will plan and oversee Camp Shoreline’s 5-6 year old camp program at either Spartan Recreation Center or Camp Shoreline’s offsite location at Meridian Park Elementary School. The assistant director supervises and works with day camp leaders to lead campers in a variety of age-appropriate games, sports, art projects.

Please apply at: Extra Help - Camp Director

Jobs: WSDOT IT Systems Administrator – Entry (Project)

WSDOT

IT Systems Administrator – Entry (Project)

Shoreline, WA – Headquarters
$76,456 – $102,866 Annually

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently seeking a non-permanent IT Systems Administrator to support the Northwest Region’s (NWR) end-user computing environment, delivering frontline technical services that keep desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile, and peripheral systems reliable, secure, and operational for staff and project teams.

In this role, you will provide hands-on troubleshooting, installation, configuration, maintenance, and customer support for hardware, software, operating systems, and mobile technologies, ensuring technology readiness for regional operations and high-profile transportation infrastructure and mega projects. Working closely with regional IT staff and business partners, the position will help maintain system performance, resolve incidents efficiently, and contribute to a stable, secure computing environment that enables the agency’s mission.

Our top candidate will have foundational systems administration knowledge, problem-solving and diagnostics ability, familiarity with Windows and mobile platforms, and clear communication and documentation skills.

See link for more information, including details on how to apply: LINK

Shear Jazz Does Latin at Darrell's Tavern

Sunday afternoon March 8, 2026 at Darrell’s Tavern

Local jazz!…SHEAR JAZZ performing live

from 4pm – 6pm followed by the Darrell’s weekly

Sunday JAZZ JAM 7pm – 10pm

Get in on the Fun!

— at Darrell's Tavern

18041 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133

Morning is breaking

Friday, February 27, 2026

Photo by Jan Hansen

Puget Sound is still in pre-dawn darkness, a heavy cloud layer hangs west of the Kitsap Peninsula, and The Olympics glow in the sunrise.

All school levies pass in King County - one bond fails

Echo Lake Elementary, Shoreline School District

13 King County school districts had levies on the February 10, 2026 ballot.

They all passed.

Three districts had an approval rate over 70%

Mercer Island 74% - 4 elementary schools; 1 middle; 1 high school

Vashon Island 77% - 3 schools 1 elementary 1 middle 1 high school

Shoreline 73% for the regular levy and 77% for the technology levy Here's a list of schools in the Shoreline district

Riverview had a bond issue on the ballot which failed. Northshore had a bond issue that passed. The bonds were for capital expenses - new school, upgrading current schools. and the like.

Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub… and be prepared to leave forever changed: Shoreline College Theater’s production of Cabaret seduces and stuns

Cabaret at Shoreline College Theater

16101 Greenwood Ave N Main Auditorium, Shoreline, WA 98133

Friday February 27 - Sunday March 8, 2026

Theatre Review By Kindle Carpp

Photography by Maleah Nicole

Seedy, cheeky, and deliciously campy, Shoreline College Theater’s Cabaret invites audiences into the decadent glow of the Kit Kat Klub and delivers an experience that is as entertaining as it is unsettling.

From the moment patrons enter the space, it is clear this is not a traditional proscenium production, but an immersive descent into 1930s Weimar Berlin, one that seduces with glitter before revealing its shadows.

Set in early 1930s Germany, Cabaret follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw as he arrives in Berlin and becomes entangled in the city’s intoxicating nightlife and in a romance with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.

Cliff takes up residence in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house, where her tender courtship with the gentle fruit seller Herr Schultz unfolds alongside Cliff and Sally’s more volatile relationship.

These parallel love stories exist against the ominous rise of the Nazi regime, and as nationalism tightens its grip, both romances fracture under the weight of a rapidly changing and increasingly dangerous Germany.

What begins as carefree indulgence slowly gives way to something far more sobering, mirroring the societal collapse happening just outside the club’s walls.

Shoreline College Theater transforms its performance space into a striking replica of a Berlin cabaret club. Small cabaret tables place audience members directly in the action, and servers weave through the crowd offering trays to front-row patrons, blurring the boundary between observer and participant.

The scenic and environmental design is stunning, immersing the audience in a world that feels intimate, dangerous, and alive. The live band, positioned on a raised gallery at the back of the stage, becomes an ever-present force, underscoring the action with rich atmosphere while remaining fully integrated into the visual landscape.

The production opens with commanding confidence, as Max, the Kit Kat Klub owner, played by Quinn Musil, welcomes the audience with easy charm and sharp comedic timing. Musil establishes the club’s anything-goes atmosphere immediately, setting the tone for the controlled chaos that follows. Their presence grounds the environment and provides a believable sense of place, making the audience feel like true guests of the establishment.

As the Emcee, Ava Hjelle delivers a spellbinding performance that anchors the entire production. Hjelle’s stage presence is magnetic, effortlessly commanding attention the moment they appear. Their performance balances playful mischief with an undercurrent of menace, allowing the character’s dual nature to emerge gradually. Vocally and physically precise, Hjelle guides the audience through the evening with confidence and control, making the Emcee both irresistible and deeply unsettling.

Mariah Matney’s Sally Bowles is vibrant, wounded, and compelling.

Matney brings strong vocal power to the role, delivering Sally’s musical numbers with confidence and emotional clarity.

Beyond her vocal strength, Matney captures Sally’s emotional armor, the careful distance and practiced indifference of someone protecting herself from further hurt.

Her performance reveals the character’s vulnerability in layers, making Sally’s emotional journey feel authentic and deeply human.

As Cliff Bradshaw, Duncan Thorvilson finds the perfect balance between awkwardness and sincerity.

Thorvilson’s physicality and demeanor establish Cliff as an outsider, allowing the audience to experience Berlin through his uncertain perspective.

His emotional arc unfolds with clarity, particularly as Cliff begins to understand the reality of what is happening around him.

Thorvilson portrays Cliff’s heartbreak with sensitivity, making his final moments especially resonant.

Clara Spain’s Fraulein Schneider is both vocally impressive and emotionally grounded. Spain brings warmth and practicality to the character, making her hopes for companionship feel sincere and earned.

Her performance captures the character’s inner conflict as she weighs love against survival, and the emotional restraint she displays makes her eventual choices all the more heartbreaking. Spain’s chemistry with Sean Noble creates one of the production’s most touching relationships.

Sean Noble portrays Herr Schultz with gentle optimism and genuine warmth. Noble makes Schultz deeply likable, emphasizing his kindness and hopeful outlook. His portrayal captures the tragic irony of a man who believes in the goodness of his country even as it turns against him. Noble’s final moments onstage are quietly devastating, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Katherine Maldonado’s Fraulein Kost adds bold personality and sharp energy to the boarding house scenes.

Maldonado creates a vivid and memorable character whose presence reinforces the social environment surrounding the central relationships.

Her performance adds texture and dimension to the world of the play, contributing to the production’s sense of authenticity.

The ensemble deserves tremendous credit for maintaining the production’s dynamic energy. The choreography by Fiona Palazzi is intricate, provocative, and energetically executed, capturing both the exuberance and the underlying tension of the era. Each movement feels intentional, reinforcing the emotional and thematic shifts of the story. The ensemble’s commitment ensures that the Kit Kat Klub feels like a fully realized world rather than simply a backdrop.

The tonal shift in the second act is handled with impressive control. The carefree escapism of the first act gives way to an atmosphere of unease, and the cast navigates this transition seamlessly. What once feels playful begins to feel menacing, and the weight of political reality settles heavily over the characters.

The production’s final moments are breathtakingly ominous. As the cast gathers onstage, the visual composition and stage direction create an image that lingers long after the lights fade. It is a striking reminder of how quickly normalcy can give way to darkness.

In today’s political climate, Cabaret feels especially resonant. Its exploration of complacency, nationalism, and denial serves as both historical reflection and contemporary warning. The contrast between the Kit Kat Klub’s glittering escapism and the harsh reality beyond its doors creates a powerful emotional impact that stays with the audience well after the performance ends.

The performance reviewed featured Ava Hjelle as the Emcee, Mariah Matney as Sally Bowles, Katherine Maldonado as Fraulein Kost, and Clara Spain as Fraulein Schneider.

Several roles are double cast, and other performances may feature Felix Coble as the Emcee, Lauren McDonogh as Sally Bowles, Sofia Gelder as Fraulein Kost, and Lochlan Willard as Fraulein Schneider. The entire cast delivers strong work, and the depth of talent on display suggests that alternate performers bring the same level of commitment and skill.

Shoreline College Theater’s Cabaret is immersive, entertaining, and deeply affecting—an unforgettable evening of theatre that reminds us how easily the line between spectacle and reality can disappear when the lights go down.

You leave the Kit Kat Klub changed, whether you expect to or not.

Ballinger Thriftway competes in Can Madness event

Ballinger Thriftway 20150 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 in Ballinger Village is competing against other grocery stores to collect the largest number of cans of food for Hopelink in the Fight Against Hunger February 27 to April 3, 2026.

"We are hosting a friendly competition between our store and other to see who can come out on top for food donations. Cash donations bins are located at checkstands."

Every item donated gets you one raffle ticket. Names drawn will get the chance to purchase an allocated whiskey.

Puget Sound, Salish Sea, and where to buy the map

Map by Stefan Freelan

By Diane Hettrick

The beautiful map of the Salish Sea that we published last week stirred up a lot of conversation about names so I did a little research.

Capt. George Vancouver

Capt. George Vancouver was part of the British Royal Navy, who led an expedition to map the unknown areas of the Pacific, while looking for the fabled "Inside Passage" which was said to lead from the east coast of America to Asia.

He explored and charted parts of New Zealand before heading to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and the Pacific Coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Along the way he named multiple features which still bear his name - two cities, two mountains, a river, and a large island. Many features he charted were named for friends and former associates.

He sailed all the way into Puget Sound, and reaching the end, proved it was not the Inside Passage. His lieutenant, Peter Puget, was instrumental in exploring and charting south Puget Sound, using a small boat to explore every inlet and island. In recognition, Vancouver named the south sound Puget.

The name eventually came to refer to the north sound as well but the borders were ill-defined.

Professor Bert Webber

This lack of definition greatly bothered Bert Webber, faculty of Huxley College of Environmental Studies at Western Washington University located in Bellingham. He came to the issue out of concern for oil spills in Puget Sound. He was part of a scientific group that studied the ecology of the northern section of our waterway and the ebb and flow of salt and fresh water.

He stated, "We know the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia are an estuarine ecosystem that forms an inland sea. In order to better manage the resources of this ecosystem we needed to understand how this inland sea works. In order to better understand the inland marine sea, we needed to be able to accurately and consistently reference it, and to do that, it needed a name."

Harvey Manning, a noted Outdoor author in Washington State, suggested that the name “Whulj” (a traditional Salish name) be used for U.S. water north and west of Port Townsend, but not including “southern Puget Sound”.

That name did not catch on.

Every agency that lived on or dealt with an aspect of the waterway had a different description and a different name for the area. “Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound and the Juan de Fuca Strait,” “Georgia Basin Puget Sound Ecosystem” were two such names.

But slowly "The Salish Sea" was catching on, describing the area from the Pacific Ocean to the reaches of the south Sound.

Webber spent years advocating for the name and a unified description of the area it referred to.

The map of the Salish Sea

Webber said

"As the Salish Sea name became more widespread, maps of the inland sea started to appear. "None of the early maps approached the quality of that produced by Stefan Freelan of Western Washington University in 2008. This map has found local, national and international attention."

Cartographer Stefan Freelan has a website with many wonderful maps. The Salish Sea map can be downloaded or purchased.

Jersey Mike’s 16th Annual “Month of Giving” Celebrates Special Olympics Athletes Nationwide

Shoreline Jersey Mike's in Aurora Village

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is joining forces with 62 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations throughout Washington for the 16th Annual March “Month of Giving” campaign.

During the month of March, Jersey Mike’s customers will have the option to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or make a donation when placing their order to help 44 local Team Washington athletes and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

The games will be held June 20-26, 2026 in locations across Minnesota’s Twin Cities, with the University of Minnesota as the official host venue. Nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 16 sports including athletics, gymnastics, swimming and basketball, with pickleball and cornhole making their debut.

Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving campaign culminates with “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, March 25, when local Jersey Mike’s restaurants will give 100 percent of the day’s sales – not just profit – to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and the local state programs attending the USA Games.

On Day of Giving every single dollar that comes in nationwide, whether in-store, online or through the app, will go to the cause. Day of Giving is Jersey Mike’s busiest day of the year, when some crews arrive as early as 4 a.m.

The Month of Giving traditionally supports more than 200 local charities nationwide. For the second time in the 16-year history of Month of Giving, Jersey Mike’s owners and operators throughout the country will support this single, important cause dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), a mission that transcends the boundaries of sport to address discrimination in all its forms.

Jersey Mike’s hopes to exceed last year’s record-breaking national fundraising total of $30 million.

Canyon Park: 24016 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Ste B 300, Bothell WA 98021

Shoreline: 1289 N 205th in Aurora Village, Shoreline WA 98133

Lynnwood: 19620 SR 99, Ste 103, Lynnwood WA 98036

For a list of restaurants in your area, please visit our charity listing by state.

About Jersey Mike’s

Founded in 1956 as Mike's Subs with one location in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Jersey Mike's has grown into a premier franchisor with more than 3,200 locations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit jerseymikes.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

About Special Olympics USA Games

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games—scheduled for June 20-26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine—is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations.

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