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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lorna Luft’s “Songs My Mother Taught Me” at the Edmonds Center for the Arts

Lorna Luft in tribute to her mother, Judy Garland
A Daughter’s Tribute to Her Famous Mother - Judy Garland

Celebrate the legend, music and memories of Judy Garland with her daughter Lorna Luft at Edmonds Center for the Arts on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available online or by phone at 425-275-9595. Ticket prices range from $35-$40, $15 for youth. Additional service charges may apply.

Lorna Luft’s career has encompassed virtually every arena of entertainment including stage, film and television, best-selling author, recording artist and Emmy nominated producer. 

Born to Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna made her television debut singing on her mother’s series, The Judy Garland Show, at age 11. At 16, she shared the bill with her mom on Broadway in a month long concert engagement at New York's famed Palace Theater.

By 19, she was starring in Broadway on her own in Neil Simon’s hit musical Promise Promises, and has continued to tour and perform on and off Broadway, on the London theater stage, and in many regional and national touring theater presentations. 

Judy Garland and daughter Lorna Luft
In 1998 she decided it was time to share her personal story of life with Judy Garland and published Me and My Shadows, which spent nine weeks on the New York Times best-seller list. 

In 2004, she debuted her powerful one-woman show, "Songs My Mother Taught Me."  As one of her most ambitious career projects, this multi-media production features Lorna’s affectionate yet vibrant renditions of her mother’s most beloved songs, combined with home movies and memories of growing up with Judy Garland.

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA), is a non-profit performing arts facility located in picturesque downtown Edmonds, Washington. Located in the historic original Edmonds High School building, ECA was remodeled and opened in October 2006 to be a cultural resource for the Puget Sound region through performing arts presentations, community partnerships and education outreach programs.



Republican precinct caucuses Saturday



All Republican caucuses in the current 32nd legislative district will meet this Saturday, March 3, 10 am at the Aurora Church of the Nazarene, 1700 N 175th St, Shoreline 98133. (Corner of N 175th and Meridian Ave N, across from Meridian Park Elementary School and Ronald Bog).

Doors open at 9am and the caucus begins at 10am.

This Saturday at locations across Washington State, Republicans will Caucus to kick off the cycle of selecting our Presidential Candidate to defeat Obama in November. 
We do not have a Presidential Primary, the only way Republicans speak out is to participate in the Precinct Caucuses.....and we want you to be there!

The state convention will be held in Tacoma, May 31 - June 2, 2012.

Washington State on iTunes U: free, open access to K-12 education-related content

OLYMPIA — Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn announced today that students, teachers and families now have online access to a growing source of free, Washington-based educational resources.

“Washington State on iTunes U is the school that never sleeps,” Dorn said. “This is a free and open resource with podcasts and videos ideal for the teachers, students and families in our K-12 community.”

iTunes U is a site within Apple’s iTunes Store that offers free, educational content in the same, downloadable ways that people listen to music and watch videos. Washington State on iTunes U centralizes online resources into three categories — instruction, assessment and professional development.

The list of content contributors for Washington State on iTunes U is varied and expanding. Teachers, district and ESD staff and people who work with public media outlets and community-based organizations have shared video and audio content. The functionality of Washington State on iTunes U makes it easy to find, download and play content created by Washington educators for the teachers, administrators and students who work and learn in state schools.

“Schools and government agencies are looking for ways to deliver low- or no-cost access to civic and educational content,” said Superintendent Dorn. “iTunes U is one channel we can offer that organizes and presents high quality educational content at no cost to schools and the public.”

Extending light rail from Northgate to Lynnwood -

Extending light rail from Northgate to Lynnwood

Sound Transit has been studying potential light rail routes and station between Northgate and Lynnwood along Interstate 5 based on results of environmental scoping and community input received last summer and fall. Recently the Sound Transit Board of Directors took a major step toward expanding mass transit by confirming that light rail is the best mode of transit and I-5 is the right corridor to study based on ridership, travel times, service levels and cost.

Drop on by! Let's have a chat

Learn where the light rail route could be located along I-5, see where stations are being considered and ask questions of project staff.

Join us at any of these locations

SEATTLE
Tuesday, March 13, 4-6:30 p.m.
Bitter Lake Community Center
13035 Linden Ave. N.

Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. *Correction
Safeway Pinehurst
12318 15th Ave. N.E.

EDMONDS
Saturday, March 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Top Food Market Street Café
21900 Highway 99

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Tuesday, March 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. *Additional date
Mountlake Terrace Library
23300 58th Ave. W.

Thursday, March 22, 4-6:30 p.m. *Correction
Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion
5303 228th St. S.W.

SHORELINE
Wednesday, March 14, 4-6:30 p.m.
Dale Turner YMCA
19290 Aurora Ave. N.

Thursday, March 15, 4-6:30 p.m.
Shoreline Library
345 N.E. 175th St.

Friday, March 16, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Top Food Market Street Café
1201 N. 175th St.

LYNNWOOD
Monday, March 19, 4-6:30 p.m.
Lynnwood Recreation Center
18900 44th Ave. W.

Wednesday, March 21, 4-6:30 p.m.
Lynnwood Library
19200 44th Ave. W.

Taking public transit to one of the sessions? Try the new regional trip planner.

For more information email or call Roger Iwata, Community Outreach Corridor Lead, 206-689-4904.





Photo: Cold and clear and the mountains are out

Cold and Clear. Olympic Mountains on a crisp day.
Photo by Lee Lageschulte.

This photo was taken on Sunday, February 26, which was a very cold, but clear and sunny day. The mountains were definitely out and putting on a great show.

Shoreline and Lake Forest Park also have views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Send us some shots of the other mountains or readers in other places will think we only have one mountain range.



“Drink Me: Use and Imagination in the Ceramic Arts” at Shoreline Community College gallery



SCC Art Gallery Exhibit supports NCECA Conference in Seattle

The Shoreline Community College Art Gallery exhibits “Drink Me: Use and Imagination in the Ceramic Vessel,” from March 8 to April 17, 2012. The exhibit, which offers ceramics in various forms, was planned by college art faculty to support the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Annual Conference, “On the Edge” to be held in Seattle March 28-31, 2012 at the Washington State Convention Center. The College Gallery is listed on conference materials as a local gallery to visit. Shoreline is only one of many galleries to have ceramics shows during the conference timeline.

“The SCC Art faculty saw the NCECA Conference title as a forum for diverse responses around the framework of one idea. Not wanting to tie artists to one form, we chose a single function: Drink Me: Use and Imagination in the Ceramic Vessel,” SCC College Gallery Director Natalie Niblack stated.

The exhibit is a collection of clay vessels created by a number of ceramic artists including faculty, students and invited professional artists. Works will be shown by Meg Hartwig, Tyler Lotz , Saya Moriyasu, Tom and Elaine Coleman, Ginny Conrow, John Dix, Toyoda Mokugen, Jack Troy, Robert Fornell, Jeffrey Hanks, Reid Ozaki, Judith McCarthy, Sue Roberts, and Charles Krafft and others.

A reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 29 and also from 5 to 8 p.m., March 30, 2012 at the College Gallery at Shoreline Community College at 16101 Greenwood Avenue North in Shoreline.

Clay Club exhibit
Additionally, SCC Art Professor Bruce Amstutz will curate a student show in the Library with the same dates and open hours as the “Drink Me” show. Brendan Fuller (ceramic tech and Clay Club advisor) will give an exhibit of past guest presenters at the college. This show will be titled, "Lasting Impressions: Work from Two Decades of Guest Artists" and the open hours will be March 24 to April 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The College Gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday. Shoreline Community College is located at 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, just north of Seattle city limits.



BECU presents $500 check to Shoreline Public Schools Foundation

Erin Vautier, branch manager of BECU and Cindy Pridemore, President of SPSF.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore.


Erin Vautier, branch manger, of BECU presents Cindy Pridemore, the President of Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, a check donation for $500. The donation was presented at the Grand Opening of the BECU Shoreline Branch on Tuesday, in the Gateway Plaza at 185th and Aurora.

The entire staff of the new BECU poses with Cindy Pridemore,
President of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation


The presentation was part of the grand opening ceremonies for the BECU community financial center.



County Council adopts climate change plan

The Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous approval today to legislation adopting a strategic approach in addressing climate change in King County

“Setting goals and measuring our progress towards addressing climate change are important parts of being better stewards of the environment,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, co-sponsor of the ordinance. “Today’s action makes sure King County will continue to prioritize efforts to protect our environment, which is critical to our economy, health, and quality of life.”

When the Council adopted the countywide strategic plan in 2010, one of its goals was environmental sustainability—reducing climate pollution and preparing for the effects of climate change on the environment, human health and the economy.

The County has many policies and programs that help reduce emissions and address the impact of climate change. The purpose of the ordinance is to identify those programs, measure their effectiveness in meeting their specific goals, and provide information on whether those programs are helping the County achieve its goals.

The ordinance calls for the County Executive to present a Strategic Climate Action Plan to the Council by June 29, 2012. The focus of the current plan would be focused on county operations and areas of direct influence. The legislation calls for the Action Plan to be updated in 2015 and would expand to include ways the county can influence community-level emissions and mitigating impacts.



Coffee with a Friend: Diva Espresso on 145th

Corrected 02-29-2012 1:09pm 
Vicki Michels is a woman on a mission - and that mission is to find every coffee shop in the area where you can get a good cup of coffee and sit down to enjoy it with a friend. She has consumed many mocha mint non-fat sugar-free lattes and raspberry muffins in search of information to share with our readers.

Exterior of Diva Espresso
Photo by Vicki Michels


DIVA ESPRESSO
14419 Greenwood N
(SW corner of 145th and Greenwood)
206-417-1639

By Vicki Michels

Situated in what looks to me like an old garage space, the modern Diva Espresso provides a cozy stop. The location is the north edge of a strip of shops on the west side of the street. The Seattle Golf and Country Club is just north across 145th, providing a quiet, green view.

DIVA is part of a chain of six coffee shops, owned by partners in Seattle. Others you may have seen are located in West Seattle, Greenlake, Harborview, Downtown, and Lake City. The beans are roasted by the Highlands Coffee Company, which attributes their fine quality to "human dignity" based on "decent, evenhanded, fair and equitable relationships between grower, broker, roaster, and consumer."

Counter at Diva Espresso
Photo by Vicki Michels

The shop provides all the standards: lattes, coffees, smoothies, soft drinks, and baked goods. (I visited this last summer and had a "Creamsicle Princess" – it was wonderful! )

This is a fairly intimate place, not really kid-friendly. It is more of a place to drop in, meet friends, hang out for a while and chat or work on a computer. It is not exactly "in" Shoreline, but located just across the street.

HOURS:
Open – Mon-Fri, 5:30 a.m.; Sat, 6 a.m.; Sun, 7 a.m.
Close – Mon-Fri, 9 p.m.; Sat, 9 p.m.; Sun, 8 pm.

FOOD:
There is a limited selection of baked goods. The focus here is more on the coffee and specialty drinks.

PARKING:
There are perhaps 10 spaces. Parking is in front of the building and along the driveway, usable by anyone shopping in the strip.

Not large, but welcoming
Photo by Vicki Michels

SEATING:
There are two cushy loveseats and 5 tables. This is not a large place, but is welcoming.

COMPUTER/INTERNET:
Wi-Fi is provided. The password is simply posted and available to everyone to use.



Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Join the Relay For Life of Shoreline - raise awareness of cancer, raise funds, and celebrate life

Relay For Life of Shoreline - June 2-3, 10am-10am (overnight event) at Woolsey Stadium at King's Schools, 19303 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. Admission: FREE.

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is an event to celebrate cancer survivors, remember the loved ones we have lost, and fight back against this terrible disease.

This overnight event brings teams of 8-15 people together to walk around the Woolsey Stadium track all night to raise cancer awareness.

A party-like atmosphere prevails as team members camp out on the surrounding grounds to enjoy music, food, fun, entertainment, and raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services and programs.

There is strong support for those wishing to be involved.
There are meetings every first Wednesday of the month until the event: March 7, April 4, May 2 - from 6pm-7pm at Arbor Deli at King's Schools, 19303 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.

These meetings welcome all team captains, team members, cancer survivors, caregivers, and anyone else that wants more information on how they can participate.

For more information please contact Kara Fortney or visit the web page.


SCC Men's Basketball will play Mt. Hood CC Saturday at NWAACC Championship










The Shoreline Community College Men's Basketball Team will face the NWAACC Southern Region Champions, the Mt Hood Community College Saints, in the first round of the NWAACC Men's Basketball Tournament in Pasco, WA on Saturday, March 3 at 2:00pm.

North Seattle CC lost to Whatcom Community College on Saturday night in Bellingham, WA 86-72 and SCC locked up the 4th seed from the NWAACC Northern Region with NSCC's loss.

SCC will go into the game with a 16-11 record overall, 10-6 in the region. Mt. Hood is 21-7 overall and finished 12-2 in the Southern Region. SCC is in the same bracket with Tacoma CC and Walla Walla CC and will play one of those two schools in the second round win or lose, as the NWAACC Championship is a modified double elimination tournament, with all teams guaranteed two games. But you must stay on the winners bracket side to win the championship.

All tournament games will be carried on iFiberTV at a fee of $10.00 per day for all games that day at the NWAACC tournament. SCC will Tweet the games on the SCC Tweeter Account - @sccathletics.



Flags at half-staff on Thursday, March 1

Governor Chris Gregoire has directed flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Thursday, March 1, 2012, in memory of Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu who was killed in the line of duty early on February 23.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, March 2.

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

A memorial service in honor of Trooper Tony Radulescu’s life and service to the citizens of the state of Washington will be held on Thursday, March 1, at 1 p.m. at the ShoWare Center located at 625 West James Street in Kent.



City of LFP 9th Annual Earth Smart Green Fair Saturday, March 17, 10am-2pm



Earth Smart Green Fair, Saturday, March 17, Third Place Commons. Free community event.

Looking for a way to make you and your family the greenest of green? What better a way than to stop by the City of Lake Forest Park’s 9th Annual Earth Smart Green Fair on St. Patrick’s Day!

This fair presents the perfect opportunity for you to sport your green: there will be free food, free giveaways, over 16 booths of great information and 2 great free speakers with free door prizes!

Come learn how to reduce chemicals in your personal products, at home, and within your family’s everyday routine. You can even gain some inside tips and tricks as to how to start—improve—your home vegetable garden. All ages are welcome.

Choir of the Sound "Dare to Dream, Dream to be Free!"



The Choir of the Sound winter concert theme features songs and dreams of liberation and freedom from throughout history. 
It is sure to be an unforgettable experience with our special guests the Total Experience Gospel Choir and the Seattle Jewish Chorale.
Tickets are on sale now through Brown Paper Tickets.
  • Saturday, March 10, 2012; 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 11, 2012; 3:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church 6215 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA

Single Ticket Prices*
  • General Admission $18.00
  • Senior (60+)/Student  $16.00
  • Groups (12 or more)   $14.00
  • Children (under 12)  $9.00
  • *Single ticket prices include Brown Paper Ticket handling fees
Purchase Tickets:
*  Online
*  Through Brown Paper Tickets' 24-hour hotline at 1-800-838-3006
*  Tickets will be for sale at the door as they are available.

Ticket Questions?
Email or call 206-528-9990

Reception for Don Warrick, 2012 Shoreline Support Person of the Year

The members of the Shoreline School Board
and Sue Walker, Superintendent,
cordially invite you to a reception honoring
support staff members
and
Don Warrick of Syre Elementary School, 
2012 Shoreline Support Person of the Year
Monday, March 5, 2012,
6:30 p.m., in the Shoreline Center Lobby.
Refreshments provided by Shoreline Food Services

All district staff and community members
are invited to honor Don 
and express their appreciation to all of our
caring and dedicated support staff members. 
Shoreline Support Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated March 5 to 9.



300 Friends for breakfast at Third Place Commons

Oops - we overcounted the house in the first publication of the story. Corrected 02-29-2012 1:13pm
2012 Friends of Third Place Commons Breakfast
Photo by Kieran McKeon

By Constance Perenyi

On February 9, Friends of Third Place Commons celebrated the beginning of our 12th year with our most successful breakfast ever. We welcomed 300 guests, and exceeded our fundraising goals. We also had a lot of fun.

Every year, board members of Friends of Third Place Commons select a community partner to honor at the breakfast. In 2012, we honored the Lake Forest Park Youth Council and the Interact Club at Shorecrest. Both groups contribute greatly not only to Friends, but to Lake Forest Park and beyond. And as they have in the past, they made the breakfast run smoothly, from helping with set-up to serving.

Friends of Third Place Commons was delighted to present them with the award, and then to welcome Siri Hulbert to speak about her experiences teaching youth and working with the Interact Club. As she concluded her remarks, the Junior Varsity of the Shorecrest Hip Hop Club took the stage to energize the Commons.

The breakfast was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone in the Commons. 

A dozen years is enough for a generation to come of age. The children who stood barely as tall as the chess pieces in the Commons are now in high school, still in the Commons, but now focused on their laptops as they study. The sixth grade band members who played in public for the first time on our stage are in college, and we often see them at the Farmers Market when they come home during the summer. 
Many of the high school students who diligently studied at the big wooden table are now parents themselves. If they are lucky enough to be in the area, they can bring their babies to Playtime, and remember how much fun they had in this magical place when they were younger.

In the fall of 2011, Friends of Third Place Commons hosted a special evening for Shorecrest students and Lake Forest Park Rotary to envision the future. Without fail, all of the students spoke with passion about how important the Commons, the Farmers Market, and the entire Town Center is to them. Their vision of the future evolved around a vital community space at the heart of a thriving city. On the morning of February 9, everyone at the Breakfast shared that vision as we celebrated the last 12 years and welcomed the next generation growing up in the Commons.

Friends of Third Place Commons is grateful to our sponsors and community partners for invaluable support. For more information, please visit our website, and Like us on Facebook.



Kruckeberg Botanic Garden’s Spring Bulbs and Ephemerals Weekend

Snowdrops
Photo courtesy Kruckeberg Gardens

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden’s onsite MsK Rare and Native Plant Nursery is opening for the season March 2. 

To kick off the open season, the Nursery is having a sale on select spring bulbs and ephemeral plants. Visit March 2-4, Friday-Sunday, for discounted prices on these lovely spring flowers.

In conjunction with the sale, we are offering the following free events:

Spring Bulb Container Seminar
March 3, 1-2pm

At this free one-hour seminar we'll show you how to combine flowering bulbs and ephemerals to create a seasonal container garden. If you choose to buy supplies at the Garden after the seminar, staff will provide hands-on support for your project.

Spring Ephemerals Mini Tour
March 4, 1-2pm

The Garden is full of lovely bulbs and ephemeral groundcovers that flower in the spring and then go dormant as summer nears. During this free one-hour tour you’ll learn about the Garden's collection of spring ephemeral plants and how you can incorporate these showy, short-lived plants into your garden.

Pre-registration is requested for the seminar and the tour. Please email or phone 206-546-1281 to register, or you register online on the events page.

Please note that parking at the Garden is limited. When visiting, please carpool or use alternate means of transportation when possible.



Historical tour of Acacia mausoleums Saturday

Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Lake Forest Park is co-sponsoring an event with the Shoreline Historical Museum. This event is a walking tour of the mausoleums at Acacia on Saturday, March 3 beginning at 11 AM in the Lakeview Mausoleum. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The Acacia Mausoleum is a structure containing 7730 crypts and 9500 cremation niches.

Construction began on this building in 1929 with the first phases completed in 1931. The mausoleum covers 3.5 acres and is illuminated entirely by natural light. In addition to the stained glass ceilings, there are 29 massive works of stained glass throughout the building. The gothic architecture of this building is impressive.

Construction on a new mausoleum, the Lakeview Mausoleum, began in 1977. The feature of this sun-dappled two story building is a center atrium holding a Japanese garden, waterfall and reflecting pools.

The tour will highlight a number of prominent individuals from our region, including US Senators, Mayors, actors/actresses and well-known leaders of the Seattle/Shoreline/Lake Forest Park region.

An outdoor walking tour of Acacia will be held on Saturday, May 5 beginning at 11 am.

Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home
14951 Bothell Way NE
Seattle, WA 98155
206-362-5525

Seattle Storytellers free story swap Friday

The Seattle Storytellers Guild hosts a free monthly Story Swap for listeners and tellers on the first Friday from 7-9 pm at the Bridge Coffee House located at 2150 North 122nd Street, Seattle, WA 98133. 

You are invited to join them on Friday, March 2nd at 7 pm. 

Storytellers tell traditional and personal stories for adults of approximately 5-8 minutes each. Everyone is welcome to tell a story and the evenings are always a magical delight. Cynthia Westby hosting.

Coffee and snacks are available for purchase.

The Seattle Storytellers Guild, founded in 1982, is a nonprofit organization of tellers and story enthusiasts who actively promote the art of storytelling for adults and kids. The guild provides a forum for traditional storytelling, sponsors professional events, and provides performance and training opportunities for tellers at all levels. 

Our membership includes professional storytellers, writers, folklorists, traditional storytellers, oral historians, speakers, musicians, elders, ministers, health professionals, librarians, and teachers. Storytellers of all levels and interests are welcome."

Notes from Shoreline City Council meeting Monday February 27

Shoreline City Council Meeting February 27, 2012
By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Shoreline Public Works Director Mark Relph and Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire presented information for discussion on the potential annexation of 145th Street which runs along the southern border between Shoreline and Seattle. 

Shoreline does not own any of this right-of-way but is affected by 150 accidents a year, traffic jams and dangerous sidewalks not ADA accessible. McIntyre said the corridor is in need of significant capitol improvements which will increase with tolling from Lake Washington bridges and the operation of light rail. 

McIntyre recommended a corridor study with the participation of the City of Seattle, WSDOT, Sound Transit and Metro Transit. Her report said, “The only way improvements to 145th Street will be undertaken is if Shoreline instigates, designs and constructs them” since the improvements are not a priority with any of the three entities with jurisdiction over the road. But taking over 145th Street would represent an added financial responsibility of $130,000 annually. 

Council members agreed to authorize the study. Even though council member McConnell said, “We don’t have the funding for this,” Mayor McGlashan said “We need to seriously look at it. We heard a lot about accidents on 145th when doorbelling. For safety we need to continue the process.” Council member Roberts said, “Doing nothing is not fair to residents of Southern Shoreline.” Council member Hall said, “We have a vision of a higher level of service here.”

Transportation Planner McIntire discussed the developing Pedestrian System Plan which prioritizes sidewalk projects. She said they used a score card to evaluate which sidewalks should be built first. Council member Eggen objected to the method which he said didn’t take into account safety as the number one priority in the decision making process. Council member Hall said he thought all the criteria covered safety. Council member Winstead suggested keeping the scoring process, but before deciding on the final sidewalk priorities council members walk the streets under consideration and get a feel for how safe they are.

The Shoreline City Council voted to adopt the 2012 Comprehensive Plan docket for public review prior to the council’s yearly vote to amend the plan. Amendment 4 was submitted by Save Richmond Beach and was not put on the docket. It would require extra time and resources including hiring a consultant to modify traffic models to address the level of emergency services affected by the proposed Point Wells development. Council member McConnell said that there are other means to maintain the quality of life in Richmond including limiting the road capacity to 4,000 cars.



Photo: The New Moon with the Old Moon in Her Arms

A waxing crescent moon along with Venus to its lower left
over Puget Sound-Richmond Beach, WA.
Photo by Frank Kleyn - 2/26/2012

"I saw the new moon late yestreen
With the old moon in her arm;
And if we go to sea, master,
I fear we'll come to harm."

  --The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens


WeatherWatcher: Possible snow event to come


  1. The week ahead: showers, snow and rain both, nothing major yet, but it could be.
  2. Last week highlights: lots of rain!
  3. Last week's weather data.

The week ahead:

So as I mentioned last week, we have favorable conditions for a possible snow event to strike. We got a taste of this over the weekend, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been, or could be. That being said, here's the deal:

We have a lot of cold Arctic air built up in British Columbia, Canada, which provides a very potent source of snow generating weather for us. We have a storm track right now that is generally taking moisture-laden Pacific storms right through the middle of Washington State. 

A daily shift happens all the time in how far north, or south these low pressure centers and troughs track. We are flirting with the freezing point in temperature, while maintaining the inflow of moisture off of the Pacific Ocean. 

It looks like we will flip back and forth between rain showers and snow showers for the remainder of our week. The biggest potential is Tuesday afternoon/evening. Shoreline and Lake Forest Park in particular are in the bull's eye of a Puget Sound Convergence zone that all models are indicating will develop. This will bring the snow level down to sea level in this convergence band. 

Here's where it will keep you guessing. Tomorrow morning will start out as rain showers, maybe with snow mixed in. Tomorrow evening colder air may filter into the region, at the same time this convergance zone may develop. If all this happens at the right timing we will receive a pretty significant dose of snow, to the tune of 1-4 inches, maybe more.

Due to the uncertainty of the balance between the cold air, and the warmer Pacific storms, it is difficult to say how the rest of the week may go. Most consistently we are looking at rain showers at times, and snow showers at times, as some systems pass to the south of us, and other systems pass through the middle of us for the week. If there is a slightly bigger shift southward, we will get much colder with more snow.

Currently there are no winter weather advisories or watches right now, but I suspect this may change, I will keep my twitter updated as things change, as well as try to send updates here.

Keep in mind that most mornings this week we will have temperatures below freezing, so watch out for ice in the roads during the morning commutes.

Last week:

As mentioned, we would be wet. We received 1.62 inches of rainfall, which was the most significant weekly rainfall all month. This winter has been drier than normal, despite the moderate La Nina.

Last week's data:
  • High temperature: 48.7ºF (Tuesday)
  • Low temperature: 34.2ºF (Thursday)
  • Rainiest day: 0.57 inches (Tuesday)
  • Total rainfall: 1.62 inches
  • Warmest day: 47.0ºF (Tuesday)
  • Coldest day: 39.2ºF (Sunday)
  • Average temperature: 41.9ºF

Warmest and coldest days are based on average temperature of the entire day, starting at midnight. All other averages are based on the whole week. All weather data unless otherwise noted is sourced from Carl's Shoreline Weather Station.



King County Council supports “Blue Alert” for law enforcement

At its Monday, February 27 meeting, the Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous support in urging the Washington State Legislature to act on a bill creating a “Blue Alert” system for law enforcement officers.

The motion urges the Legislation to adopt HB 1820 and establish a “Blue Alert” notification system. Modeled after AMBER alerts, Blue alerts would use media resources to inform the public about crucial information regarding suspects who have seriously injured or killed law enforcement officers. If adopted, Washington would join seven other states that have created their own law enforcement notification system.

In 2010, the Council passed a motion urging the Legislature to pass the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act which placed on the ballot a constitutional amendment giving judges the ability to deny bail to those facing a life sentence. The constitutional amendment passed with 85 percent of the vote.



College, private investor, working on housing for Shoreline Community College students

The soccer field at Shoreline Community College is the preferred site
for a privately funded, 400-bed student housing project. Photo courtesy SCC.

By Jim Hills

Shoreline Community College and a local investor are moving ahead with plans to bring student housing to campus.

Shoreline resident David X. Lee, and the college have been in discussions over the past year, according to Daryl Campbell, college Vice President for Administrative Services. Campbell presented an update on the project to the college Board of Trustees during a regularly scheduled Feb. 22, 2012 study session.

In September, 2011, Lee and the college signed a memorandum of understanding to look further at the details and viability of the project. Campbell told the trustees that both sides are now excited about moving ahead.
“Assuming the necessary processes and approvals move ahead as planned, we could start building on campus in the next year and a half,” Campbell said.

While specific details of the plan are not yet in place, the concept is to build a 400-bed housing facility that would be open to all students. The facility would likely include a dining facility, conference area, classrooms and other programming areas. Parking on campus during peak usage times is already tight so the proposal includes adding parking to accommodate the live-in students.

Project costs could be in the $20 million range, but no state funds would be used. The project would be privately funded by David Lee and his partners, Campbell said. Lee lives in the area while the son of at least one of the partners attended the college, Campbell said.

The building would be built to the LEED Gold standard. “Mr. Lee is very interested in making this building something that the college and community can be proud of,” Campbell said.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The standards provide independent, third-party verification that a project addresses key areas of human and environmental health, including: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The preferred location for the project is the current soccer field and track at the north end of the college property.
“We identified and toured three potential locations,” Campbell said. “The soccer field offers the most flexibility.”

The college men’s and women’s soccer teams do use the field, but the school doesn’t field a track team. “We’ve had previous conversations with the City of Shoreline about using their soccer fields (at Shoreview Park, adjacent to the college),” Campbell said.

Lee’s real estate representative on the project, Marguerite Knutson, told the trustees that they liked what they saw. “The site is level, clean with good drainage,” said Knutson, who is a broker with the Oak Tree office of Windermere Real Estate. “It has low campus impact, low neighborhood impact; great for the students.”

The college had been moving through a Master Development Plan (MDP) process with the city when the housing proposal came from Lee. Campbell said that process was put on hold over the fall and winter, but would now resume and include the housing project. “The city has been great to work with,” Campbell said.
“Campus housing is a terrific move that would allow SCC to attract and retain some of the best students from around the world,” said Dan Eernissee, Economic Development Manager, for the City of Shoreline. “In addition, on-campus housing provides a built-in audience to attend and appreciate the hundreds of performances and exhibits already happening on campus.”

Board Chair Gidget Terpstra asked about the staffing impacts of adding housing to the college.
“There will be impacts on the organization,” Campbell said. “We’ll need an Office of Student Life, which we don’t have now.”

While the housing would be open to all students, the project would also be of significant help in recruiting international students. About 600 students from 34 countries attend Shoreline, a number that has bounced around by about 10 percent over recent years. Currently, Shoreline’s international students live in home-stay arrangements or rent housing.

In 2010, Shoreline Community College President Lee Lambert announced a strategic initiative to grow that number to 1,000 in five years. While he has said that adding college housing isn’t necessarily required for program growth, it is very helpful.

“As a parent, whether you’re sending your child thousands of miles away and across an ocean or across town, you want the most assurances you can have for their safety,” Lambert said. “College housing adds to the peace of mind for those parents who are entrusting their children to us.”

Other community colleges who have added housing have seen their international-student numbers grow in recent years. Edmonds Community College officials added housing three years ago and their numbers have continued to rise as have those at Green River and Seattle Central community colleges.

Besides building the housing, David Lee and his partners are also offering Shoreline a base for student recruitment efforts in China. “They have a beautiful new building in Xian and have offered us space in that building,” Lambert said.

Campbell said that next steps would be mainly around regulatory issues, including conversations with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, re-starting the MDP process and first steps toward city approval.



Barter Party at Meridian Park March 10 - community invited

Goods to barter. Photo by Naomi Murphy

Meridian Park Neighborhood Association, with help from Backyard Barter, is hosting a potluck, live music, barter event on Saturday, March 10th from 6 until 9pm at Meridian Park Elementary-Cafeteria (corner of N. 175th and Meridian Ave N.)

6:00 - 7:00 pm Barter Set up and Preview
6:00 - 7:30 pm Potluck Dinner
7:00 - 9:00 pm Community Barter

Kids should bring a t-shirt to decorate.

More goods for barter and the youngest barterer.
Photo by Naomi Murphy.

There will be a tremendous variety of food, homemade items and trade-able goods represented. Bring something to trade and join the fun!

Potluck and Live Music (3 groups!) will be great fun for all. 
 Open to everyone!



Monday, February 27, 2012

Open house for three preschools on Saturday, March 3

An Open House will be held at North City Education Center, Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Three co-op preschools will be open for tours: 
  • North City Co-op
  • Shoreline Co-op
  • Shorenorth Co-op

Visitors can get information about how parent education credit is offered at the preschool, what is meant by a play-based education, and how children benefit by being enrolled in a co-op. 

The Center is located at 816 NE 190th St in Shoreline. Go to the North City Co-op website or call 206-362-4069 for directions or more information.



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Low-income housing proposed in Richmond Beach - church, neighbors, and HopeLink react

The Long-Range Planning Committee of the Richmond Beach Congregational Church, located at the corner of Richmond Beach Road and 15th NW, has proposed working with Hopelink to build and maintain a 24-unit housing development on church property. The housing would be administered by HopeLink, to provide places for families to live while they get back on their feet.

A group of nearby residents have formed a group called RBCC Neighbors, whose stated goal is to "make sure our concerns are seriously considered by the church and city." 

The "Neighbors" have distributed a list of questions and concerns. The "Church" has responded, and "Hopelink" has added information pertaining to their experience in the field of low-income housing. Their comments are interspersed below.

Hopelink: Hopelink is grateful to have been chosen as a partner by the Richmond Beach Congregational Church to address the needs of low income families in our community.  It is critical that, together, we maximize community resources to expand affordable housing opportunities.  Last year, Hopelink turned away 1,446 homeless families who truly needed our housing services.  This is a 43% increase from 2010.  Hopelink’s housing program provides families with comprehensive services to help them achieve permanent housing and gain skills for self-sufficiency.  Hopelink takes the safety of the clients and the communities in which we serve very seriously.  We are committed to safe, healthy communities and work to ensure this through initial resident screening and deep, continued community involvement.   Hopelink has managed housing for homeless families throughout North and East King County since 1986 and has deep roots in many local communities, including Shoreline.

Neighbors: While we understand the church's desire to help formerly homeless people in a meaningful way and its need to live out its mission in this community, we also feel strongly that the scope and size of this plan is not appropriate for our single-family neighborhood.

Church: The 24-unit figure for the proposed Hopelink project is a maximum number arrived at based on the current zoning of the church's property (R-6), the total size of the church's property (2.9 acres) and the 50 percent density bonus granted by the city for the construction of affordable low-income housing.  The city requires that the units be townhomes, rather than "stacked" apartments.  The size, shape, and elevation of the actual portion of the church's property available for development, combined with the townhome requirement, may result in an ultimate number of units lower than 24.

Neighbors: Density Bonus
Apparently the church would take into account the entire footprint of its four parcels of land and lease all four parcels to Hopelink to take advantage of the bonus density granted to low-income housing under Shoreline Municipal Code 20.40.230.  Since two of the parcels are already completely used by the church building and parking lot, that leaves only two parcels available for the proposed housing. Manipulating the requirements for the low-income density bonus deviates from the integrity of the code.  

Church: Density Bonus 
The RBCC-Hopelink project is a direct result of an effort by the City of Shoreline to increase low-income housing availability.  The density bonus is not something that is unique to the RBCC-Hopelink project.  It is offered by the city to anyone building affordable low-income housing.  And it is the city that takes into account the entire size of the church's property, rather than the size of the two parcels where the project would actually be built, in calculating the maximum number of units.  This is not some special dispensation that has been requested for this project.

Neighbors: Traffic
Traffic on 15th Avenue NW and the intersection of 15th and Richmond Beach Road are identified as problem areas in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Plan developed by the Richmond Beach neighborhood and Shoreline traffic engineers. At the community meeting it was communicated that there would only be about a dozen cars difference (which seems like a conservative estimate). However, impact is based on “trips” each residence represents not the number of cars owned. The number of trips includes not only residents but guests, commercial activity, repair services, etc. as well. No matter how it is relayed, any extra traffic load on 15th and at the intersection could be the tipping point for serious problems affecting congestion and safety.

Neighbors: Parking
Parking is an ongoing problem for nearby neighbors during large events held at the church, Horizon School and within the community. During these events people park on private property and park illegally on both sides of the street blocking the pedestrian walkway. The plans allowed one spot per apartment.  No matter what attempt is made to control the parking issue it is unrealistic to assume this problem would not continue to spill out into the neighborhood on a more frequent basis and become a larger problem.   

Church: Traffic and Parking
The church is not aware of any recent incidents of improper parking along 15th NW by church members or attendees of church activities, and  reminders are frequently  made to  discourage any illegal parking.  The residents of the proposed Hopelink project will be very low-income, primarily single mothers with young children.  Many of them will be unable to afford cars and will be dependent on public transportation.  Hopelink has implemented a one-parking-space-per-unit standard at all of its properties and it has historically proven to be fully sufficient.  The potential impact of the project on traffic was discussed with city planners early on and they did not feel it would be significant. 

Neighbors: Richmond Beach Low-Income Housing Availability
King County Housing Authority (KCHA) recently purchased the 115-unit Meadowbrook Apartments in the 1400 block of NW Richmond Beach Road. KCHA's primary interest in purchasing the property, according to its Deputy Director Dan Watson, is to preserve “workforce” mixed-income housing that accepts Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The vouchers provided to low-income families give them the flexibility to live anywhere with moderate prices that accept the vouchers. Currently there are 28 Section 8 renters in Meadowbrook. Watson said HCHA plans to invest about $1 million for improvements over the coming year and an additional $3.5 million in repairs and upgrades over the next five to seven years.  

Church: Low-Income Housing Availability
There is a backlog of over 1100 families in north and east King County waiting for affordable low-income housing.  Even with the Meadowbrook Apartments and other proposed projects in the  Shoreline area, the demand for such housing far exceeds the supply.

Neighbors: Property Values
At the community meeting studies were introduced that showed low-cost housing had little or no impact on surrounding property values. Several studies available online showed that when the density of a project does not fit the surrounding neighborhood property values are affected. 

Church: Property Values
There is multiple-unit housing all along Richmond Beach Road and also further north on 15th NW.  The proposed RBCC-Hopelink project does not represent an unprecedented case of such development in the immediate area.  And anyone who has seen existing Hopelink housing facilties knows that they are designed and maintained at a level that meets or exceeds the standards of for-profit multiple unit properties.  Hopelink invites any interested parties to schedule a tour of existing properties to get a feel for how they manage properties and for the “look” of the developments.

Neighbors: Special Use Permits
The church obtained a conditional use permit to operate in a residential zone. Then another permit was secured to operate Horizon School and another to house cell phone towers representing several wireless companies. The church has benefited financially from each arrangement while the neighborhood has borne the impacts. Now the church proposes a 24-unit apartment complex that would require additional permits. How many exceptions to the R6-low-density residential property are allowed? Isn't the property already in non-conforming status? 

Church: Special Use Permits
The church has been in its current location for over 50 years, long before there was a city of Shoreline.  The property immediately to the west of the church, and most of the residential property around the intersection of 15th NW and Richmond Beach Road, is zoned R-18.  The Horizon School housed at RBCC has been in operation since the 1980s.  The cellphone "towers" are actually antennas that are mounted in the church's bell tower and are invisible to the community.  The church has not applied for any special permits or exemptions in conjunction with these developments and will not be doing so for the Hopelink project, which is permitted under the church's existing zoning as described above.

Neighbors: Density Load
Although it is not a major or even secondary arterial, 15th Avenue NW already bears increased density from Maple Knolls (townhouses approved by King County right before city incorporation for an unacceptable density under Shoreline's code) and the Cottages (a residential high-density option no longer available in Shoreline). The associated traffic and parking from Kruckeberg Botanic Garden has recently been added. Adding a 24-unit complex encroaches on the very nature of this single-family neighborhood. We bought our homes and made our life investment in this specific neighborhood along 15th Avenue NW because it was zoned single-family and provided the quality of life we wanted for our families. With construction of this complex the character of our neighborhood will be forever altered. 

Church: Density Load
The proposed RBCC-Hopelink project is within a block of the intersection of 15th NW and Richmond Beach Road, and virtually all of the traffic from the project will be within that block, which is primarily occupied by the church.  The idea that the project will have a significant impact along the whole length of 15th NW north of Richmond Beach Road does not square with the facts of its location and the needs and capabilities of its prospective residents. 

Neighbors: Summary Statement 
As you consider these issues please keep in mind that we are the ones who are here every day of the week, not just Sunday. Though we understand the church's need to live out its mission in this community, we have to believe it does not mean to live it out at the expense of the very community it purports to serve. As homeowners we have made a deep commitment to this community and neighborhood. And we are against this high-density plan.

Church: Summary Statement 
The decision by RBCC's congregation to undertake the project with Hopelink was not made lightly or in haste.  It is the result of several years of careful consideration of alternatives for the best use of the church's property in view of the needs of the congregation and the community.  RBCC will not benefit financially from the project.  Use of the land will in effect be donated to Hopelink under a long-term, dollar-a-year lease.    We feel that the proposed project can meet a pressing social need and also be a good neighbor.  RBCC and Hopelink will be hosting a public meeting in the near future to provide information and solicit neighborhood input on the project.  And the neighborhood will be kept involved as decisions are made regarding the design and operation of the proposed facility. 

Hopelink Comments
Hopelink clients have resided and thrived in their respective communities without incident or any complaints from their neighbors. This housing would be staffed by Hopelink daily with a nearby manager on call 24/7.
The units are devoted to permanent housing, meaning that families will reside in the community for a year or more while they work toward self-sufficiency.  There will be no emergency shelter or temporary residences on-site. 
Clients come to Hopelink for a myriad of reasons born from financial difficulties which can mean they have lost their jobs or homes, been overwhelmed with medical bills or are chronically underemployed. The residents here will be comprised primarily of adult parents and their children looking to get back on their feet.



Doing Well and Doing Good: The Boeing Company

Elizabeth Warman
Boeing
Elizabeth J. Warman, Director, Global Corporate Citizenship – NW Region will be the final speaker in the Shoreline Community College Global Affairs symposium on business and philanthropy: Doing Well and Doing Good.

Worldwide the Boeing Company and its employees gave $147.3 million in 2011 to help improve people’s lives and communities. More than $15 million of that went to communities in the Pacific Northwest to support education, health and human services, arts and culture, and the environment.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 7-8:30 pm
Shoreline Community College, Room 9208 PUB (map)

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Part of the Business Philanthropy and Development Symposium, organized by the Global Affairs Center.


3A Basketball: Shorecrest girls punch tickets to Tacoma


Oniye Chibuogwu's 34 points and 14 rebounds led Shorecrest past Timberline 51-47.

From our news partner, The Seattle Times

MILL CREEK — Oniye Chibuogwu, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, was virtually unstoppable for the No. 8 Highlanders (20-4), who advanced to the Tacoma Dome for only the second time in school history.

Shorecrest's five seniors, who have played together since grade school, will try to improve on their 1-2 record at state in 2010.

Chibuogwu did anything and everything she pleased on the block, finishing with a career-high 34 points to go with 14 rebounds.


Shorecrest now moves to a State 3A quarterfinal game against Cleveland of Seattle (20-6) Thursday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome. The Shorecrest-Cleveland winner will play in a semifinal game at 7:15 p.m. Friday against the winner of another Thursday semifinal game between Kamiakin of Kennewick and Franklin of Seattle. The losers of the two games meet Friday at 12:15 p.m.


In the Saturday, Feb. 25, regional game, the Scots trailed 10-9 after the first quarter and took a 24-22 halftime lead before Timberline tied the game at 37-37 after three quarters, but Shorecrest outscored Timberline 14-10 in the final period.

Through 24 games, Brianne Lasconia leads the Scots with 417 points for an average of 17.4 points per game.

At Jackson High School, Mill Creek. Saturday, Feb. 25
Timberline      10 12 15 10 — 47
Shorecrest-       9 15 13 14 — 51

                    Shorecrest Scoring:
Brianne Lasconia
8

India Matheson
5

Onyie Chibuogwu
34

Mickey Greenburg
3

Keegan Monson
1

Allison Jones
0

Annie Schlachter
0

Lindsey Shattuck
0

Janie Uppinghouse
0

Shorecrest Season Scoring:
Player

Games
Points
P/G
Brianne Lasconia

24
417
17.4
Onyie Chibuogwu

24
242
10.1
Janie Uppinghouse

24
218
9.1
India Matheson

18
157
8.7
Mickey Greenburg

24
96
4.0
Keegan Monson

22
47
2.1
Allison Jones

23
45
2.0
Annie Schlachter

23
38
1.7
Lindsey Shattuck

23
37
1.6
Kathryn Lindsey

15
12
0.8
Haley Magaoay

12
5
0.4