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Monday, March 31, 2014

Tent City #3 leaves St. Dunstan's Saturday

Tent City 3 at St. Dunstan's
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg
Saturday, April 5 is moving day when Tent City 3 loads up to move to Tukwila and they could use your help with the packing. How about spending at least part of your Saturday helping at St. Dunstan's, 722 N 145th St? If you bring a friend the project will go even more quickly.

--Marc Weinberg



Transportation Corridor Study Open House Thursday 5pm

Join Shoreline City staff and neighbors along Richmond Beach Drive and NW 195 and 196th Streets for another opportunity to review street design options related to mitigating traffic impacts from the proposed Point Wells development.

Thursday, April 3
5:00 to 8:00pm
Richmond Beach Library
19601 21st Ave. NW

The City would like to hear from all of the residents in lower Richmond Beach. 

"Please consider coming, especially those who have not had the opportunity to attend any of the first five workshop meetings. Mark your calendars and join us to ask questions and provide your thoughts and feedback. A final recommendation will be developed over the next few weeks. Your input is critical."



Senior Services seeks nominations for the 2014 Inspire Positive Aging Award

Senior Services is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Inspire Positive Aging Award.

King County is filled with older adults, whose lives inspire us about how to age with grace, enthusiasm, creativity, hope, and energy. They quietly make life better for others even as their years advance. Senior Services created the Inspire Positive Aging Award in 2006 to recognize such inspiring elders.

“Is there a senior in your life who has inspired you?” asks Senior Services CEO Paula Houston. 
“You may have a parent, mentor, older neighbor or high school teacher, whose life exemplifies positive aging through community involvement, healthy living, relationships, and endurance—all the traits we ourselves hope to exhibit as we age. Join us in celebrating positive aging and nominate someone you know for the Inspire Positive Aging Award.”

The recipient of the 2013 Inspire Positive Aging Award was 78-year-old Dotti Lydon. She currently dedicates her energy and enthusiasm to volunteering at the Lifelong AIDS Alliance after retiring from a career in service to others as a registered nurse.

The deadline is May 2, 2014 and nomination forms are available online. Those eligibile are individuals 60 and over who live in King County. Anyone is eligible to submit a nomination.

The recipient receives two domestic, roundtrip airlines tickets to a destination of his/her choice and a one-year membership to his/her King County senior center. The individual who nominates the recipient receives a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card.

The Inspire Positive Aging Award will be announced on May 31, 2014 at Senior Services’ Annual Meeting. The free lunch meeting is open to the public, however, seating is limited and advance registration is required.

Established in 1967, Senior Services promotes positive aging for thousands of seniors and their families each year through an integrated system of quality programs and senior centers. 


Take me out to the ball game: Shorewood vs Shorecrest softball and baseball bonanza Saturday


This Saturday, April 5, enjoy an entire day of cross-town softball and baseball as the varsity and JV teams from Shorewood and Shorecrest play at the Meridian Park Fields.

Enjoy a hot dog meal for $5 - listen to the Shorewood pep band - and perhaps win something in the free prize drawings.


Shoreline Public Schools Foundation annual breakfast and lunch raises $110,000

There was a full house for the luncheon

Photos by Steven H. Robinson

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation held its annual fund-raising and recognition events with a breakfast and a lunch last week which raised over $110,000. The funds came from numerous individual donors, with matching amounts from business and anonymous donors. The focus for much of the funds will be "Summer School Scholarships" to help kids keep up academically.

Kurt Campbell from CampbellNelson presented a check for $20,000
to Board members Cindy Pridemore (left), Development Director,
and Jill Brady, Co-President 

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) raises funds and enlists help from the community to support the Shoreline Public School District. Their goal is to fund academic enrichment and also to support basic educational needs, to help all students in the district learn the academic and work-life skills needed to achieve their potential.

Foundation President-Elect Ken Altena congratulates
scholarship winners Remy Dang and Elizabeth Perez Garcia

The annual event is a celebration of Shoreline Schools, a display of the previous year's projects, presentation of the current scholarship winners, in a coming-together of the schools community

Kellogg students representing the Kellogg One Love Cultural Diversity Festival
which honors the 30 countries of ethnic origin of Kellogg students
pose with School Board Director David Wilson

The SPSF board is comprised of parents, community members, educators and alumni who share a desire to support academic excellence for every child and every school in the Shoreline district.

Those who missed the event can still donate online


Dolphins swept by top NWAACC opponent

#7 Jacob Iverson (Clackamas OR), Shoreline Short Stop
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

The Shoreline Dolphins kicked off Northern Region play last weekend taking on Edmonds Community College. Edmonds is currently the top team in the Northern Region and first in the NWAACC Coaches Poll. The Dolphins found out why. Shoreline was swept losing both double headers against the Tritons.

On Saturday the Dolphins traveled to Edmonds to begin the series. Mitch Mondor (West Linn, OR) was on the mound for game one facing the Triton's Zach Johnson. Shoreline was unable to string hits together, leaving them shut out for a final score of 5-0. Jacob Zanon (Southridge, OR) had a great day at bat going 3 for 3 including a double in the second inning.

In the second game at Edmonds the Dolphins had Bradley Spencer (Montsano) to start. The Tritons had hot bats to start scoring four runs off of three hits in the first inning. The Dolphins were able to get one run in on a single by Jimmy Billings (Lake Stevens) to score Jorgen Arneson Edmonds-Woodway). The final score was 7-1 Tritons.

On Sunday at Meridian Park the Dolphins started strong holding the Tritons, who are used to scoring early, for the first two innings. In the third inning the Tritons opened up the game scoring six runs on a succession of singles and errors by the Dolphins. Shoreline had six errors in the game making it difficult to hold off a strong team like Edmonds. The Tritons went on to score 6 more to make it a 12-0 game earning Colin Samuelson III his second win of the season.

In the final game of the series Shoreline got off to a rough start allowing seven runs in the first inning. As Josh Lang (Mill Creek) struggled at the mound the Tritons' Chris Osborne hit a three run home run to make the score 10-0 early in the second inning.

Mike McCormack (Bellevue) came in for the Dolphins and was able to hold the Tritons scoreless for five innings only allowing three hits. Shoreline was also able to string hits together. They scored three in the bottom of the second off a triple by Connor Cucculu (Anchorage AK).

The Dolphins were able to score again in the fifth off of a Arnesen double and passed ball. Shoreline came close to rallying for a win but it fell short and Edmonds walked away with an 11-7 victory sweeping the series.

The Dolphins look to improve against rival Bellevue College this upcoming weekend. They travel to Bellevue on Saturday and then return to Meridian Park to finish the series on Sunday, April 6th. Both dates will be double headers beginning at 1:00pm.

Complete Dolphins schedule and results are available on the Athletics website. Watch all games on YouTube. Follow @SCCDolphins and @PhinSCCBaseball on Twitter and like on Facebook for daily Dolphin updates.


Crime in Shoreline A-Z - Weather is better and the kids are getting in trouble

Crime in Shoreline A - Z
3-17 to 3-23-2014

Every week - death investigations, suicide attempts, domestic violence, violent people with mental issues, suicide attempts, arrest warrants, drivers with suspended license, credit card identify theft, runaway kids, wandering seniors, well-being checks, natural deaths, driving violations with DUI drivers, tracking sex offenders - and here's the rest:

A - A transient female who declines any assistance or shelter placement, a hoarder with carts and carts of things has made the alleyway between 25th and 26th NE in the 15000 block her home. She moves her property intermittently - most recently in a resident's backyard shed. She was Trespassed from that property.

Adolescents - Students started a fight on Instagram and finished it in person the next day at school / Juvenile ran away from home, leaving note saying he didn't want to be around their fighting any more / Student's iPad was stolen from backpack while he was working in the student store / Five 17-19 year old boys with two large jars of marijuana in Richmond Beach Park after hours. Marijuana confiscated, warnings given, parents notified / Adolescent males get in an argument at 13xx N 160 and one alleges assaulted by others / Juvenile male caught shoplifting a bottle of alcohol - he was later released to his mother

Alcohol, Drugs - Two men found passed out in car at Ballinger Commons from drugs, probably heroin / Man unable to care for himself due to alcohol intoxication was taken from near Richmond Beach QFC to detox

Arrest - Police investigated report of burglary in process and found person who had climbed through the window of a padlocked house - person apparently was in a civil dispute with resident - but police arrested person based on outstanding warrants / Stopped vehicle wanted by Seattle Police at 167xx Ashworth - passenger admitted gang affiliation and was arrested on several warrants

Assault - Fist fight at Shell station 17255 Aurora

Bicycle - Found bicycle 199xx Linden, unable to locate owner  

Burglary - 23xx NW 204th glass door broken, cash and jewelry taken / 167xx Ashworth

Car prowl - 5xx N 166th took change from ashtray and rummaged glovebox / 167xx Fremont - passenger window broken but car not entered - car had alarm / Window smashed and duffel bag taken 5xx N 172 / 16xx N 185th car entered and GPS units left behind / 12xx N 173rd window broken and backpack taken / Unlocked vehicle at 173xx Stone Ln - perp left on bicycle / 174xx Ashworth - car broken into / 163xx Densmore - tools stolen from truck / 185xx 8th NW - plumbing tools and hunting bow stolen from vehicle / Vehicle in parking garage of the Stewart Apts 192xx Aurora - window broken / Vehicle in secured underground parking at The Blakeley - window broken and items taken / 149xx Greenwood car prowled, plastic case taken and later recovered by owner 

Cars stolen –  Vehicle stolen from Lake Park Condos N 200th / Car stolen from N Jackson park n ride on 147xx 5th NE / Honda Accord stolen from Aurora Village Transit Center

Found - Found stolen vehicle at Echo Lake Townhomes / Person caught running from stolen vehicle, in possession of stolen plates / Stolen vehicle found at Ballinger McDonalds

Fraud - Victim's BECU MasterCard used - but she is still in possession / Ten Catholics with fraudulent IRS tax claims after identify theft from Seattle Archdiocese / Catholic had fraudulent purchases on her account from Walmart in Georgia / Resident received a check from a bank they don't use, stating that check could not be deposited because of "insufficient information" - resident called police instead of providing information

Hit and run - Unoccupied vehicle side-swiped by driver who did not stop

Indecent exposure - Unknown male in vehicle exposed himself to SCC student at 160th and Greenwood 

Larceny - Customer selected two pounds of salad from salad bar at Central Market and left without paying / 15xx NE 177th patio chairs stolen / Passport stolen from home / Two TVs stolen from unsecured area of The Blakeley / Purse stolen while owner was at Spay and Neuter Clinic in North City

Larceny - shoplifting - Refund fraud at Home Depot / Tried to steal jig saws from Home Depot / Stole alcohol from Aurora Safeway / Tried to steal a bag of tools from Home Depot / Subject stole a tent from Sears / Subject took tools from Sears - booked on warrant / Two women stole hair extensions from Avas Beauty Supply on Aurora / Female shoplifted items from Sears then escaped in getaway car waiting for her outside / Unknown suspect stole alcohol from Aurora Safeway

Mail theft - Incoming mail stolen from a locked mail box 201xx 21st Pl NW

Robbery - Possible robbery of person, unknown exactly where it occurred 

Suspicious - Family dog found unknown male in backyard of residence in early morning hours - man fled on foot

Trespass -  Trespassed drunken male passed out at table inside 9000 building at SCC / Unwanted customer Trespassed via phone from Children's Thrift Shop / 11xx NE 152nd mentally ill person Trespassed for throwing garbage and feces over the fence into neighbor's yard / Two women in restroom at Aurora McDonalds refused to leave - suspected drug activity / Person violated Trespass order and was arrested for Criminal Trespass at Gateway Starbucks / Person who stole food from Central Market Trespassed

Vandalism - Back window on vehicle smashed out 5xx N 172nd / Female threw brick at car / Unknown person drew cherubic faces on windows of Nursing Assistant school at Gateway Plaza / Victim's parked vehicle, driveway, and windows were egged 185xx 30th NE / Vehicle damaged at Forest Villa Condos, possibly by BB gun / 

Vandalism, parks, schools - none this week

Z - No reports of vandalism in parks, schools, or churches this week

For other weeks of Crime in Shoreline, see the Features section on the front page.


Save a piece of rock and roll history in Shoreline

Add your name to the plexiglas panel
as someone who helped save the Seattle Sound

Help Preserve The "Seattle Sound" At London Bridge Studio in Shoreline

The long-beloved, globally-adored “Seattle Sound” is made up of many elements, and one of the most noteworthy is in how music is recorded at London Bridge Studio. 

World-changing, monumentally successful, and scene-defining recordings from Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Temple Of The Dog, Mother Love Bone, Blind Melon, Candlebox, and 3 Doors Down were created in the warm, analog cavern of Seattle’s London Bridge Studio. 

More recent bands include Fleet Foxes, Minus the Bear, Death Cab for Cutie, Mary Lambert, Cat Power, Brandi Carlile, One Republic, and so many other artists. The idea of a studio as a collaborative instrument is proven by London Bridge Studio’s track record, with help from its vaulted ceilings, an expansive floor to ceiling brick wall the width of the room -- and above all, the classic and extremely rare 1973 Neve 8048 Mixing Board.

Part of the Neve Mixing Board

The rich essence of globally adored music from London Bridge Studio has everything to do with the Neve. Over 2500 hours and several laborers were dedicated to hand-wiring and fabricating the Neve Mixing Board, built in a way that is deemed too expensive in this digital age. Now the Neve needs to be completely refurbished to be accessible to the music community for another 40 years.

The Neve has been responsible in helping to make history with releases such as Soundgarden's GRAMMY-winning Louder Than Love, Pearl Jam's multi-platinum debut Ten, and countless influential recordings that account for a total of over 25 million records sold. It has been in use nearly every day since its installation in 1985. Repairs are costly and have become more frequent. 

London Bridge Studio owners Eric Lilavois, Geoff Ott, and Jonathan Plum, have seriously weighed and discussed fervently their options for the Neve; the studio needs some help in keeping its big heart beating. 

“We came to the consensus that the Neve was simply too important to the Seattle music community to replace it,” said Lilavois, “Rather than raise our studio rates and make the studio inaccessible to the local and global music community, we're inviting those interested in preserving this rich history to take part in the restoration and help ensure this board's accessibility for another 40 years."

Based on the feedback from countless artists, musicians, and music fans familiar with London Bridge Studio’s historical significance, Ott, Plum, and Lilavois believe that the community can come together and ensure the inspirational sound people love coming out of Seattle retains that intimate, history-soaked, expansive range and depth, qualities that only recording at London Bridge with the Neve can provide. 

“The board is so warm sounding, it’s just built to make music," Plum said. “There are but a few left in the US .”  

Through the campaign they have launched on the fundraising website Indiegogo.com, London Bridge Studio is raising $75,000 for the restoration and longterm preservation of the Neve. 

“We’re asking our community for support,” said Ott. “The importance of the Neve and its historical significance can provide opportunities for generations of artists to come.” 

“You know, it's the difference between listening to an old record on an old stereo versus listening to something off of your iPod. It really suits rock 'n' roll. I think musicians like me are drawn to those older desks, not just because they're legend and lore but also because they do something really specific that is hard to emulate or re-create digitally." --Dave Grohl
Team Neve t-shirt design

For a contribution to the cause you can be a part of Seattle music’s future. There is an exciting assortment of perks that range from a limited print “Team Neve” t-shirt to a $15K perk in which you can have your music recorded and produced by Rick Parashar, producer of Pearl Jam, Blind Melon, Temple of the Dog, and Alice in Chains, and co-founder of London Bridge Studio. 

For $250, you can have a name, quote, or dedication, permanently engraved on the fully restored Neve (limited amount of engravings available.)  

For more information about the available packages and gifts with support, see Be a Part of Seattle Rock History.


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Three Shoreline City Council meetings Monday


City Council Meetings are held in the council chambers at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Monday, March 31, 2014 – Special Meeting 5:30pm
Development Decision Making Process

Monday, March 31, 2014 – Regular Meeting 7:00pm
Agenda Highlights
  • Proclamation of Cesar Chavez Day
  • Action on Resolution No. 356 supporting King County Transportation District Proposition No. 1, Sales and Use Tax and Vehicle Fee for Transportation Improvements
  • Discussion of Proposed Ordinance No. 684 Updating Record Keeper and Authorizing Rulemaking for Investment Policies in Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 2.30
  • Discussion of Extra Help Policies

Monday, March 31, 2014 – Special Meeting 8:30pm

 





Munch and Mulch at Kruckeberg Sunday

Mulching at Kruckeberg Gardens

You can never have too many cookies. Join KBGF staff and volunteers to spruce up the garden for spring. We will edge and weed beds, lay down mulch, plant trees and shrubs in the Demo Garden, and, as always, bring snacks to share. No one will go home hungry.

Mulch and Munch Volunteer work party at Kruckeberg Gardens, 20312 15th Ave NW,  Sunday, April 6 from 1-3pm. Carpooling is encouraged.

Families with children and school groups are more than welcome to join. Email Vicki for more information.


Book Review by Aarene Storms: Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret  by Jennifer Echols

Bailey and her younger sister Julie grew up singing and playing fiddle on the bluegrass music circuit. At the behest of their parents, both girls would sing and play with anyone who asked, on the premise that any woman inviting them onstage might be Reba McIntyre in disguise.

The girls grew strong "chops" as musicians, but they've always played together ... until a record company swooped in to make Julie a solo star, leaving Bailey alone and (as far as she's concerned) unloved.

Bailey is sworn to silence about the record deal, and her parents even threaten to withhold her college tuition if she plays music in public, which might steal thunder and publicity from Julie's record release. But Bailey can't not play. So her grandfather finds her a backwater gig in Nashville, playing backup fiddle for Elvis, Dolly, and Hank impersonators at the mall. And that's where Bailey meets Sam: talented. Good-looking. And driven by a need to succeed.

The romance between Sam and Bailey is rocky, mostly because of Bailey's secret, but also because of Sam's ambition. This reader remains unconvinced that there is a "dirty little secret" at all -- more of a weird publicity gimmick. Bailey is a strong, talented character, and I never did understand (or believe) that she was inadequate. Rather, I wondered if her parents needed a good strong talking-to by somebody who knows better than to treat teens like disposable toys.

Those points aside, the story is enjoyable, the music biz deets are right on target, and the sex is tactful-but-steamy.  

This is a fun, forgettable read for older teens.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


Sunset School Park Community Garden dedication Saturday

Gardening shed and raised beds

Sunset School Park Community Garden Dedication
Saturday, April 5 from 10am to 11am
Sunset School Park, 17800 
Date: 04/05/2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 
Location: Sunset School Park
Shoreline 98177

Join the City of Shoreline, neighbors and community gardeners in celebrating the grand opening of the Community Garden at Sunset School Park located at 17800 10th Avenue NW. After a short ceremony, the garden will be dedicated and open for use.

Construction of the community garden finishes this week. The shed, all 34 garden beds and pathways will be open for use beginning April 1. A dedication ceremony will take place at 10am on Saturday, April 5.

Bids open for a Phase 2 contractor on April 3. Construction is anticipated to begin in May to construct a new accessible pathway between the lower and upper fields, tot play equipment and swings, half court basketball court, and athletic field improvements.

The city successfully received a $65,000 Youth Sports Facilities grant from King County to help implement the Phase 2 project.

The site was dedicated on October 19, 2013 as a new park in the Shoreline park system. A community garden of approximately 30 plots was constructed in March to complete the Phase I improvement project.

Overview and History

Sunset Elementary School closed in 2007 and the community, led by the Friends of Sunset Park, have worked for several years to bring their vision of a park on the site a reality. A Master Plan was adopted by City Council in June 2010. The School Board approved a resolution declaring that the Sunset site is not currently required for school purposes and authorizing the temporary surplus of the property and demolition of the buildings. In January 2013 the City Council adopted the Sunset School site as an addendum to the Shoreline School District/City of Shoreline Joint Use Agreement to allow the City to maintain the site as a public park; while still being owned by the Shoreline School District.


Briarcrest Neighborhood celebrates anniversary this Saturday


Also, remember the Best Piecrust Contest. 
For contest information, contact Ian Taylor, 206-725-1377. 

To volunteer for set-up, food service, or clean-up

See the Briarcrest Neighbors webpage for more information

Briarcrest is the light blue-green on the map


Quick Start Shoreline business workshop Tuesday

 Quick Start Shoreline business workshops for Tuesday, April 1 and Tuesday April 8

The Tuesday Quick-Start Shoreline Business Workshop for start-up, existing or potential business owners will be held on Tuesday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 8 from 12 noon to 1:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N. The workshop is free; feel free to bring a snack or a brown bag lunch.


"Employment Basics", Presented by Susan Fuller, 
Law Office of Susan K. Fuller, PLLC. 

April 1
Business Law: Hiring your first employee(s) what you need to know.

April 8
Business Law: How to hire a contractor to help your business and how to know if they really should be an employee.

Thinking of hiring employees? Learn some of the basics of hiring and working with employees before taking the plunge.
  • What is the difference between an "employee" and an "independent contractor"?  
  • What sorts of things can be asked of an applicant?  
  • What is a "Non-Compete" clause vs. a "Non-Disclosure" clause?  
  • What is the "FMLA"?  What does the Washington Law Against Discrimination cover? 
  • What is the Seattle Sick and Safe Leave, and do I have to comply? 
  • Learn about these and other issues at this presentation.

Susan K. Fuller PLLC
For more than 20 years, Susan Fuller has represented clients in federal and state courts in all sorts of disputes. 

She has worked with engineers, architects, storeowners, manufacturers, tradesmen and businesses of all types.

Ms. Fuller is a business and commercial lawyer who works with entrepreneurs to help them achieve their business goals, including protecting their business.


First Thursday artists at Garden Essentia open house Thursday


Meet April Featured Artists
  
Timothy DeHan - Photography
Susan Stearns - Whimsical Garden Art 

April 3rd - 4:00 - 8:00 (open house)
20152 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline 98155
206-453-3920  

Come enjoy a refreshment and meet local husband and wife team Timothy DeHan and Susan Stearns. Their art will be on display and available for purchase throughout the month.  

Attendees (between 4:00 - 8:00pm) will have an opportunity to win one of Timothy's framed photos plus a $10 Garden Essentia gift certificate.  

Timothy DeHan
  
My photography passion is with flowers, landscapes and nature. As my wife's hobby is gardening she gives me amazing opportunities to capture the beautiful things she grows. Living on a greenbelt, wildlife encounters are also abundant.

Susan Stearns

I have always been fascinated with making something from nothing. I enjoy coming up with creative new uses for bits and pieces of other things to make something new. My creative side also gets put to use while making hypertufa pots and concrete objects.  The possibilities are endless! 


Print out this flyer - help Shorecrest Spree when you buy at Third Place Books on Saturday


Spring Shopping for Spree!

Come on in to Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park on Saturday, April 5th and 20% of your purchases can go to support Shorecrest Senior Spree.

The offer is good all day (9am-10pm) but you must print out and present this flyer for your purchase to be credited to Shorecrest High School PTSA.

Support local business and help provide a fun, safe, and memorable graduation night experience for our teens.

For more info see the SC Spree page


Boys soccer games to be telecast starting Friday

The Live Video Production Club of Shorecrest and Shorewood will be presenting the first of four boys soccer telecasts this Friday, April 4, at 7:30 on Ch. 26, the Shoreline Educational Access Channel.

Shorewood senior Carrie Jensen, captain of the T-Birds girls soccer team, will be joining play-by-player Frank Workman for the call of the game.

Other telecasts this spring will include Shorecrest hosting Stanwood on Wednesday, April 9, and the Scots/T-Birds rematch on Monday May 5.

Plans are to produce a playoff game in May as well.

For those wishing to catch the games via the internet, they can be viewed via Live Streaming Video.


Rebecca Miner named as Superintendent of Shoreline Schools

The Shoreline School Board voted unanimously Saturday to name Rebecca Miner, current superintendent at White Pass School District, as Shoreline's next superintendent pending successful completion of contract negotiations. Miner would begin serving as superintendent on July 1, 2014.

“We feel strongly that Rebecca Miner is a great fit for Shoreline,” said Board President Mike Jacobs. “Her absolute passion for education and breadth of knowledge were evident throughout our interviews with her and at the community forum on Thursday. We look forward to welcoming her and her husband Timothy Buckley to our community.”

Miner is completing her third year as Superintendent of the White Pass School District in Randle, Wash., near Mount Rainier. Her prior experience includes four years as Assistant Superintendent in the Washougal School District, where her primary focus was on teaching, learning and assessment. She served two years as Special Services Administrator in the Vancouver Public Schools, Vancouver, Wash. Her building level experience includes one year as Associate Principal at Columbia River High School and three years as Associate Principal at McLoughlin Middle School in Vancouver.

“I am honored to have the privilege to be joining the Shoreline School District,” Miner said. “My visits there and conversations with members of the community demonstrated the close-knit nature of the District. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve the board, staff, families and community members of Shoreline in the coming years as we build on your tradition of excellence.”

As a teacher for nine years, she taught English, journalism, American Studies, and advised the student newspaper at Kelso High School; she taught social studies at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and taught Spanish and Special Education at McLoughlin Middle School, both in Vancouver.

Miner earned her B.A. in English at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. She earned her Masters in Teaching at Willamette University, Salem, Ore. Her superintendent credential is from Washington State University, where she is now completing her doctorate in educational leadership. She was raised in Vancouver and graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School.

She will succeed Sue Walker, who is retiring June 30 after eight years as superintendent.

Rebecca Miner's community forum from Thursday, March 27 can be seen online.


Tech Talk: The Mythology of Macs and Malware


At Sunday’s Computer Q/A at the Commons, one of the participants shared her experience at a local Apple store while buying a new Mac. Multiple employees assured her that she didn’t need any anti-virus software. I was shocked that they told her the only reason they needed malware protection was if the system would also be booting Windows.

What?
Yes, Macs can “dual-boot” between Apple’s OS X and Microsoft Windows if set up to do so. If you do that you should definitely add an anti-virus to your Windows installation if one is not already available. 

However minimizing the risk of malware inflection on OS X itself is a kind of response I would have expected a few years ago, not in a contemporary Apple Store.

My Virus Roots
Ironically, the first virus I ever personally encountered was a Mac virus called WDEF in 1990. I was managing tech support for a small company making both Mac and PC software. Like most viruses of that period, WDEF’s primary goal was to simply keep replicating itself, hitching a ride on any available floppy disk to go to from Mac to Mac.


While WDEF did cause some specific Mac II models to crash, that was due more to bugs in the virus than any malicious intent. WDEF first made its appearance in 1989 amongst colleges and universities. It was accidentally shared through some disk-based computer magazines and some commercial software, including a version of Microsoft Excel for the Mac, released in 1990.

It made its way to our door through Grammatik, one of the first grammar-checking programs available for either the PC or the Mac. It was also easy to remove, thanks to one of the first commercial anti-virus programs available, Symantec AntiVirus for the Macintosh or SAM as it was more commonly known. This was about the time that Peter Norton’s company merged with Symantec but a good five years before Norton launched Norton Anti-Virus for Windows 95.

So Why Do People Think Macs are Immune to Viruses? 
For people aware of the Mac’s viral past, they say that OS X’s multiuser functionality, improved component isolation and better security eliminated most technical concerns about viruses. Of course, that was the same argument used about the same time for Windows XP over earlier versions of Windows. While both OS X, Windows, and malware have continued to evolve, these opinions also continue to be shared as fact.
“OS X has fewer flaws than Windows”
A flaw is a general term, but if we narrow the definition to a vulnerability that can be exploited by malware, there are some good reasons why people might think this. Because of business customer needs, Microsoft has created a predictable and quite public monthly update time knows as Patch Tuesday to provide updates and security patches. This and regular press coverage of these security updates can give the impression of Windows as an extraordinarily flawed system.

Apple’s update and security patches are less predictable or publicized. Apple's only security update this year was at the end of February. It lists 19 security fixes and one additional update for its Safari web browsers version to fix in recent versions of OS X. Microsoft’s total security updates this year for all Windows versions and Internet Explorer was two for January, seven in February, and four released in March, a total of 13.

“OS X does not get viruses like Windows does”
Yes, OS X does not have the same technical “attack vectors” (as security experts call them) that Windows has. However, there are many similarities in how malware can infect Mac and Windows systems. 

Third-party components like Oracle’s Java or Adobe Flash have been a popular vehicle for Mac malware. Mac are the only OS with this problem. Most of Windows 8.1 security updates have been to fix problems with Flash.

Social engineering is a prime cause of inflection on both the Windows and Mac systems. Anti-virus software not only monitors system vulnerabilities but protects users who may be deceived into installing something unknowingly harmful. Some people have argued that adding an anti-virus to a Mac will lead to a false sense of security. Telling people that Macs don’t get viruses could have the same result without any protection.


“OS X is a less attractive a target as Windows because of its small user base”
It is true that OS X Mac users make up only about 7.5 to 15 percent of the computer market, depending on who is counting (examples, NetMarketShare, StatCounter). While Windows has a bigger bull’s eye for malware developers and distributers to hit, it doesn’t mean that Mac users are more secure.

Some Apple employees discovered that first hand in February 2013 when their systems were inflected through flaws in a third-party plug-in. As security expert Charlie Miller said at the time, "The only thing that was making [a Mac system] safe before is that nobody bothered to attack it. That goes away if somebody bothers to attack it."

Last year at their Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced its Mac install base had grown to 72 million machines. Though still a low percentage of system overall, if a majority of that installed base is not using anti-virus protection, it sounds like fertile ground for an attack.

So what can you do to protect your Mac?
Start with a greater awareness of how your system can be attacked from a technical and social standpoint.


Update OS X promptly. Any system vulnerabilities for which Apple has released fixes need to patched as soon as possible. Otherwise Apple’s security update notices simply become a menu for how the bad guys can attack your system. If you are still running an earlier version of OS X, consider upgrading to Maverick as it will protect you better than previous OS version.

Update or Eliminate third-party apps and plug-ins. Old versions of Java and Flash provide plenty of opportunities for malware infection. If you need them for programs you run or websites you visit, update them. If you don’t, remove them. 

In addition, unpatched applications like Microsoft Word 2008 can be susceptible to “boobytrapped” documents. Documents of this type were circulated amid allegations of abuse in Tibet, Syria and East Turkestan in the last year.

Be mindful of what you install or consent to. With human factors a major input point for Mac malware, you need to be smart about your actions.

Think twice about opening email attachments, especially if the sender is unknown to you or is something a known sender would not normally do.

Know what you are actually clicking on in an email message or unusual web link.

Avoid peer-to-peer networking connections like “torrents” as they can often contain malware.

Add an anti-virus monitor. As in Windows installations, these are free tools like Sophos’ Antivirus for Mac  or avast! Free Antivirus  or paid versions like ESET Cyber Security or Kaspersky Internet Security. An added benefit of many of these tools is the ability to detect Windows –based malware and avoid passing them on to others.

Those of you who have heard me speak before on security know this is the same advice I share with Windows PC users. Since Windows and Mac users live in the same world, it makes sense to take the same precautions. Even if statistically, Mac users are less likely to be infected, the distinction fades pretty quickly the moment you become that statistic. Protect yourself from that moment.

Do you have a follow up on this topic or technical question on that needs to be answered or explored? Please share it with me at brian@bostonlegacyworks.com. Your question may show up here on Tech Talk.

Brian Boston supported Microsoft products during his 18+ years with the company and now teaches, consults, and troubleshoots a wide range of software and hardware devices for Boston Legacyworks.



Echo Lake Park improvement update

Phase I Echo Lake Park improvements
Click to enlarge

Improvements to Echo Lake Park are coming this year through a King County Trail Levy approved by voters in 2007. The City worked with the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association and the community to complete a master plan for the park over the last few years. Advertising for bids on the project is anticipated in mid-April, and the opening for bids will be in early May. After a contractor is identified, the construction schedule will be announced.

The Phase I construction project includes new toddler play equipment; renovated restroom improvements (one unisex stall design); porous asphalt pathways; regraded, seeded and irrigated open lawn area; benches and picnic tables.

For more information visit the City’s project webpage or contact Maureen Colaizzi, park project coordinator.


Saturday, March 29, 2014

Spring Maintenance Tips from Irons Brothers

Spring flowers at Sky Nursery
Photo by Lee Lageschulte
From the Irons Brothers newsletter

Spring is here! Officially on March 20 we started the season. It feels like Spring has sprung, it is tax season, the days are longer and the sun has started to show up. In fact, there were a few days last week that it almost felt like sandal weather!

So what are your Spring plans? Some begin to garden and work on their yard, others start their Spring cleaning. These are both very important, but we also have some helpful suggestions  for work around the house you can do to prepare for the Spring season.

SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS:

  1. Furnace/ Air Conditioner Unit - check filters and change, schedule a service call
  2. Range Hood - check and clean your filters
  3. Bathroom Fans - clean fans and check for mildew or mold
  4. Fireplace / Chimney - check your chimney, clean your firebox, check the flashing
  5. Attic - check for signs of roof leaks or pests
  6. Basement - check for leaks, cracks, mildew, mold, rot
  7. Crawl space - check for pests / wildlife, check the insulation and vapor barrier
  8. Exterior of home - check paint, caulking, putty and address any needs
  9. Decks and patios - wash, clean, and seal as needed
  10. Landscaping and ground cover: start Spring pruning and plan your landscape maintenance routine
  11. Sprinkler system - service and start system
  12. Clothes dryer - Clean filter, check duct for lint
  13. Fire extinguishers - check pressure, recharge or replace
  14. Smoke detectors - test, replace batteries if needed
  15. Water heater - check for leaks 

Don't neglect your house, take care of it and you will reap the benefits. Our homes are the largest investments most of us make in our lifetime, protect your investment and maintain it!

Not sure how to do some of the tasks noted above? Let us help you. Contact us to take care of your small projects and maintenance issues before they become large projects with high cost implications. Click here to contact us or schedule an appointment through our website.  


Shorecrest starts Wesco 3A tennis season with victory at Marysville Getchell

The Shorecrest girls’ tennis team takes a 1-1 Wesco 3A record (1-2 overall) into a Monday, March 31, home match with Meadowdale after a 6-1 victory at Marysville Getchell Monday, March 24, and a 5-2 loss to Glacier Peak Thursday, March 27.

Shorecrest and Meadowdale meet at Shorecrest’s home Kellogg Middle School courts at 3 p.m. Monday, with junior varsity teams from the two schools playing at the same time at Meadowdale High School.

The Shorecrest junior varsity has a 1-1 (1-2) record after a 6-1 home victory over Marysville Getchell and a 7-0 home loss to Glacier Peak.

Girls’ tennis: Shorecrest 6, Marysville Getchell 1
At Marysville Getchell High School, Monday, March 24
Singles—
Ciferri (MG) def. Rachel Stevens (SC) 6-0, 6-3;
Lauren Rutter (SC) def. Huffman (MG) 6-1, 6-4;
Alina Tran (SC) def. Lee (MG) 7-5, 3-6, (10-3);
Rosa Rice-Pelepko (SC) def. Palomo (MG) 6-2, 6-0.
Doubles—
Karena Tien-Molly Mrozek (SC) def. Tuazon-Uhler (MG) 6-1, 6-3;
Zaya Tsolmon-Lucy Sui (SC) def. Morales-Mendoza (MG) 6-3;
Bianca Dang-Botinda Lyeli (SC) def. Meissner-Santos 6-4.

Girls’ tennis: Glacier Peak 5, Shorecrest 2
At Glacier Peak High School, Thursday, March 27.
Singles—
Mahler (GP) def. Rachel Stevens (SC) 6-4, 6-0;
Karena Tien (SC) def. Roberts 6-4, 2-6, 6-3;
Ramsey (GP) def. Alina Tran (SC) 7-5, 6-2;
Rosa Rice-Pelepko (SC) def. Black (GP) 6-0, 6-1,
Doubles—
Davis-Sneesby (GP) def. Molly Mrozek-Zaya Tsolmon (SC) 6-1, 6-1;
Ellingsen-Albrecht (GP) def. Elizabeth Parsek-Lucy Sui (SC) 6-1, 6-4;
Glacier Peak def. Botinda Iyeli-Bianca Dang (SC) 6-3, 6-4.
VARSITY GIRLS DUAL-MEET TENNIS STANDINGS
Wesco 3A South ….. Conf…. Overall

Glacier Peak ............. 1-0 ...... 1-1
Meadowdale ............. 1-0 ....... 1-2
Shorewood ...........,,.. 0-0 ........ 2-0
Shorecrest .............,.. 0-1 ....... 1-2
Mountlake Terrace ,,, 0-1........ 1-3

Wesco 3A North

Stanwood ………….. 1-0……. 3-1
Everett …………….. 1-0…… 2-2
Marysville Getchell . 0-0…… 2-1
Oak Harbor ……….. 0-1…… 3-1
Marysville-Pilchuck.. 0-1…... 0-4


Quotable quotes


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People are self-centered to a nauseous degree. 

They will keep on about themselves while I'm explaining me." 

--Piet Hein 


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Tax help in April at two local libraries

Tax Help at the Shoreline Library

Thursday, April 3 and 10, 4:30-8pm
Saturday, April 5 and 12, Noon-4pm
Walk in

This free assistance is provided by the American Association of Retired persons on a first come, first serve basis. Bring last year’s tax return with you. Electronic filing will be available.

Shoreline Library
345 NE 175th Street, Shoreline 98155

Tax Help at Richmond Beach Library

AARP Tax Help
Friday, April 4 and 11, 10am
Pre-register

Free individualized tax preparation assistance provided by trained AARP volunteers. No age or income limits. Bring picture I.D., documented proof of Social Security Number, and last year's return as well as any current tax documents.

Schedule your appointment by calling the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 206-365-1536. Walk-ins will be accommodated as time permits.


Shorewood takes Friday 6-0 home baseball victory over Everett, Saturday 10-0 home victory over Edmonds-Woodway into three games with Shorecrest

Shorewood’s 3rd baseman, Spencer Jacobs,
dives to stop a line drive down the line.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The Shorewood baseball team follows a 6-0 home victory over Everett Friday and a 10-0 home victory over Edmonds Saturday with a three-game series with Shorecrest.

Thunderbird Harrison Jacobs fouls off a pitch
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Shorewood’s home victory over Everett Friday gave the Thunderbirds a 2-0 Wesco 3A record. Nick Edney hit 2 for 3 for Shorewood. Winning pitcher Ben Tracy gave up 5 hits in 5 shutout innings to improve his record to 2-0.

Shorewood’s Aaron Okamura beats the toss by the Everett pitcher to 1st base.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The Thunderbirds has a 5-0 overall record after defeating Edmonds-Woodway Saturday, March 29. Cory Longacre hit 3 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI; teammate Steffen Torgersen hit 2 for 2 with 3 runs scored.
Ian Oxnevad takes the throw to 1st base for the out.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The Friday junior varsity game at Everett and the Saturday morning JV game between Shorewood and Edmonds-Woodway at Meridian Park were rained out.

Thunderbird Steffen Torgersen makes a diving attempt at a line drive.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Shorewood and Shorecrest (0-2 Wesco 3A. 1-4 overall) meet Tuesday at 4pm at Shorecrest, Wednesday at 7pm at Shorecrest and Saturday at 5pm at Meridian Park.

Head Shorewood baseball coach, Wyatt Tonkin,
has the Thunderbirds off to a strong start in the young season.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Junior varsity teams from the two schools play Tuesday at 4pm at Meridian Park, Wednesday at 4pm at Shorecrest and Saturday, April 5, at noon at Meridian Park.