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Friday, March 31, 2017

Kagi emphasizes role of early learning, foster care in Democrats’ budget

Evan Smith
By Evan Smith

State Rep. Ruth Kagi says that the Democrats’ proposed state budget helps children by expanding early learning programs and by reforming foster care.

Kagi, chairwoman of the committee on early learning and human services in the State House of Representatives, spoke at a press conference in Olympia Monday with other leaders of the House Democratic majority caucus, as Democrats presented what they call a “Family friendly budget.”

She said the Democrats’ budget keeps a commitment to helping children enter kindergarten ready to learn by opening 3,000 new positions in pre-school programs.

Kagi added that the Democrats’ budget reforms foster care by paying for a new Department of Children, Youth and Families and by increasing the number of case workers.

Kagi, who also is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, represents the 32nd Legislative District, including the city of Shoreline and part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, the city of Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace.

The Democrats proposed budget would enhance these programs while taking steps toward meeting the State Supreme Court’s requirements that the legislature provide full state support for public schools. It does so by increasing taxes on businesses with the highest revenue and by imposing a capital-gains tax on the richest Washington residents.

Democrats contrasted their proposal with the budget proposed by the Republican-led Senate majority, a budget that would have deep cuts to early learning and other social programs.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com



AG Ferguson files $2.1M campaign finance lawsuit against Tim Eyman

AG Bob Ferguson
Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed a campaign finance lawsuit against Tim Eyman, alleging improper personal use of $308,000 in contributions made to political committees, concealment of contributions totaling $490,185 and misleading reporting.

The lawsuit also accuses for-profit signature gathering firm Citizen Solutions of participating in a scheme to conceal campaign money the company funneled to Eyman.

If successful, Eyman and his for-profit company, Tim Eyman Watchdog for Taxpayers, could face $1.8 million in penalties, plus $308,000 in reimbursement.

Citizen Solutions and one of its principals, William Agazarm, could face penalties up to $924,555.

Ferguson will also ask the court to bar Eyman from participating in or directing financial transactions for any political committees going forward.

A 2002 agreement permanently barred Eyman from serving as treasurer for political committees.

Yet, the lawsuit alleges, Eyman still managed to weave an elaborate web of financial transactions to hide campaign funds, enriching himself while keeping his contributors and the public at large in the dark.

This scheme duped contributors who thought they were donating to one initiative, but instead were supporting Eyman’s personal expenses and a completely different initiative.

“Taking kickbacks from contractors, using campaign funds for personal expenses, redirecting donations made for one initiative to a different initiative — it’s hard to imagine what more Mr. Eyman could have done to show his contempt for our campaign finance disclosure laws,” Ferguson said.



Photos: Shorewood baseball v Everett in home game Friday

Shorewood baseball vs Everett
At Meridian Park Field
Friday 3/31/17
Final score SW 2 Everett 0

Photos by Wayne Pridemore


Shorewood's starting pitcher Jaiden Kellum throws in the top of the 1st inning.



Thunderbird Bryan Host slides into second base but is tagged out.



Shorewood 3rd baseman Tanner Oxnevad reaches for a bare hand catch. 
He made the catch and threw out the runner at first base.



Shorewood's Kaden Draves takes a good cut at the ball.





Shorecrest Senior honored as WIAA Athlete of the Week in golf

Jac Longstreth competing at State 2016
Photo by Rob Longstreth
Each week throughout the school year, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) recognizes twelve varsity athletes, a male and a female from each of the six classifications, who exhibited an outstanding performance for the previous week.
 
Jac Longstreth, a Senior from Shorecrest High School, was nominated by a community member and selected by WIAA staff as one of the Athletes of the Week for achievements in Golf.

Longstreth placed as the top medalist at the Whidbey Island Shootout Golf Tournament on 3/21, finishing first out of 81 golfers.


In recognition of the accomplishment, each Athlete of the Week winner receives a congratulatory letter from WIAA Executive Director, Mike Colbrese; a commemorative WIAA State Athlete of the Week t-shirt; and a certificate. Winners are also posted to the WIAA website.



Shorewood tennis sweeps the singles, takes 2 of 3 doubles to win the victory over Meadowdale

WESCO SOUTH 3A TENNIS
At Shorewood 3/31/17

SHOREWOOD 6 MEADOWDALE 1

Sasha Gaeth won her seventh straight set match
without dropping a set.
Photo by Arnie Moreno

Singles 

1. Sasha Gaeth SW def. Bear Lund MD 6-0, 6-0

2.Bretta Petersen SW def. Isabel Reonal MD 6-4, 6-1

3. Meredith Rand SW def. Johdi James MD 6-4, 6-1

4. Maddie Bong SW def. Hope Nakata MD 6-4, 7-6 ( 7-2 )

Doubles

1. Mari McLaughlin / Nomin U MD def. Marin Counter / Emily McDowell SW 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 ( 7-5 )

2. Anna Soper / Summer Cornell SW def. Leona Osterber / Emily Davis MD 6-3, 6-2

3. Michelle Yang / Tess Galley SW def. Nika Perez / Sade Banks MD 6-2, 2-6, 6-4


Shorewood evened their Wesco South league record to 1-1 after a loss to Lynnwood on Thursday. The T-Birds overall record is 3-4.

Sophomores Sasha Gaeth and Bretta Petersen led a sweep in singles for the victory.

Senior Meredith Rand and freshman Maddie Bong also won in singles for the T-Birds.

Gaeth won her seventh straight set match without dropping a set.

Anna Soper and Summer Cornell, Michelle Yang and Tess Galley also won in doubles.

Shorewood will meet up with league and Shoreline rival Shorecrest at Kellogg middle school courts Wednesday April 5th with matches starting at 3:30pm.

--Coach Arnie Moreno



Shorewood tennis loses to Lynnwood in close match Thursday

WESCO PREP TENNIS 3/30/17
At Shorewood

LYNNWOOD 5  SHOREWOOD 2

Singles

1. Sasha Gaeth SW def. Olivia Nguyen LY 6-0, 6-0

2. Holly Davis LY def. Meredith Rand SW 6-3, 1-6,

3. Jamie Quach LY def. Maddie Bong SW 6-7 ( 4-7 ), 7-5, 7-6 ( 5-7)

4. Rachel Walsh LY, Summer Cornell SW 7-5, 6-4


Doubles

1. Taylor Fahey / Reilly Walsh LY def. Marin Counter / Emily McDowell SW 6-4, 6-4

2. Michelle Yang / Anna Soper SW def. Ashly Dixon / Jennifer Kumesan LY 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

3. Rebecca Ochoa / Maika Truong LY def. Tess Galley / Violet Murphy SW 7-5, 4-6, 7-5


The Shorewood T-Birds lost to Lynnwood 2-5 in a close match that had three matches go to three sets. Shorewood lost all three sets to give Lynnwood the edge.

Winners for the T-Birds were Saha Gaeth in singles and Anna Soper and Michelle Yang in doubles. Gaeth won her sixth straight match in straight sets.

Shorewood will host Meadowdale this Friday March 31 with matches starting at 3:30pm.

--Coach Arnie Moreno



Feise, Osborn have only hits in Shorewood’s home softball losses to Stanwood Wednesday and Meadowdale Friday​

Sophie Feise had Shorewood's only hit in a 4-0 home loss to Stanwood Wednesday, and Haley Osborn had the Thunderbirds’ only hit in a 9-0 Friday home loss to Meadowdale.

The Thunderbirds take a 0-6 Wesco 3A record (0-8 overall) into a week off before an April 8 game with Shorecrest at Meridian Park.

Before the Wednesday and Friday home games, Shorewood had lost 11-1 Monday at Mountlake Terrace in a game shortened to five innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

The Shorewood junior varsity defeated Stanwood 13-10 Wednesday to take a 3-1 Wesco 3A record (4-1 overall) into a Friday game with Meadowdale and a Tuesday, April 4, 4pm home game with Nathan Hale.

Score for game: Shorewood vs. Stanwood at Meridian Park, Wednesday, March 29


BATTERY
STANWOOD - RILEY SYKES (10 Ks, no hits), EMMY TUFFY (5) AND ANNA FOSTER
SHOREWOOD - BONNIE PAULSON AND ALLISON NAMBA

HIGHLIGHTS
STANWOOD: AMANDA GIVENS 3-4 (2B), EMMY TUFFEY 2-3, CHEYENNE STEVENS 2B, MEGAN MALONEY 3B
SHOREWOOD: SOPHIE FEISE 1-1

Score for game: Shorewood vs. Meadowdale at Meridian Park, Friday, March 31


BATTERY
MEADOWDALE - KATE HOUGHTON (9 Ks) AND EMMA HELM
SHOREWOOD - BONNIE PAULSON AND ALLISON NAMBA

HIGHLIGHTS
MEADOWDALE: CARRIE PETERSEN 3-4, LAUREN DENT 2-4 (2B )
SHOREWOOD: HALEY OSBORN 1-2

--Coach Paul Jensen



Photo: Crescent moon

Photo by Lien Tisdale Titus


It's always special when the clouds clear out enough to get a good moon shot - and even more special to get a perfect crescent moon, complete with topical features.



I've tried the new moon tilted in the air 

Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster 
As you might try a jewel in your hair. 

(Robert Frost (1874-1963), U.S. poet. "The Freedom of the Moon.")  

                             

SPSF awards scholarships to local students

SPSF President Ken Altena presents scholarships
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

At the annual fundraising breakfast and lunch for the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, on Thursday, $1000 scholarships were awarded to Hannah Cheung and Lindsey Ernst, to be used at the college, university, or vocational school of their choice.


Richmond Beach Running Club - Burke and Starbucks on Saturday


Join us this Saturday for the flattest run around.  We'll meet up at the Starbucks behind the Lake Forest Park Town Center on Bothell Way and take a jog on the Burke Gilman towards UW.

There is no real safe place to stretch, so come prepared and ready to run at 8:00am.

Super flat. Run anywhere between one mile and ten miles. Go any pace. Your choice!

FYI, there will be an optional speed workout for interested folks.

Don't forget to stick around for coffee afterwards.



Central Washington University Winter Honor Roll

The students attending Central Washington University named below have qualified for the Winter Quarter 2017 honor roll.

Central undergraduate students who earn a 3.5 or better grade point average, on a 4.0 scale, while carrying at least 12 graded credit hours of study are eligible for the honor roll. CWU is located in Ellensburg, Washington.

Balagot, Aaron Celso Shoreline Senior
Doran, LiLi Nixin Shoreline Senior
Hanson, Reese Maxwell Shoreline Sophomore
Henderson, Cory James Shoreline Senior
Hensel, Rebecca Mae Shoreline Freshman
Lin, Shiya Shoreline Senior
Mentele, Laura Shoreline Sophomore
Smith, Madison Shoreline Junior
Bateman, Michael Joseph Lake Forest Park Senior
Boyer, Anessa Marie Lake Forest Park Senior
Munchinski, Sarah Lake Forest Park Sophomore
Riley-Payne, Jordan Alexander Lake Forest Park Senior
Still, Avery Lee Lake Forest Park Senior
Walsh, Elisabeth Marie Lake Forest Park Junior
Larson, Jon Kenmore Senior
Penwell, Julie Kenmore Junior


Don't let a little rain stop your need to garden

Come to the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center and create you own indoor garden!

Instructor Maryellen Swanson will help you make "beautiful, magical, sustainable terrariums for your patio, deck or indoors".

She will be at the Senior Center on Tuesday, April 4th, 1:30-3:30pm with all the materials you will need.

The fee is $22 for Senior Center members; $25 for non-members.

Maryellen is a Seattle garden designer and delighted to bring her art to Shoreline!

Register at the Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave NE #1, on the Shoreline Center Campus or call 206-365-1536 to pay by credit card.

Digging in the dirt can be fun, even if it's indoors!



Proposal to extend wetland at Ronald Bog - meeting Apr 13

Ronald Bog wetland to be extended
Photo courtesy SummerSet Arts Festival

The City of Shoreline and Sound Transit are proposing that the main meadow and portions of the lake of Ronald Bog Park be converted to a protected wetlands area with restricted public access.

Portions of the plans include:
  • the “Kiss” sculpture being re-sited elsewhere
  • the shelter by the lake being moved and rebuilt.

The Rotary-planted tree Arboretum on the east side of the park would remain accessible, and new walking / running trails might be built on the same side of the park, parallel to I-5.

The proposed change to Ronald Bog Park is due to Sound Transit locating wetland mitigation there to replace wetlands being disturbed / removed near the fire station in 155th related to the elevated guideway.

City of Shoreline residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting on this topic, to be held in Shoreline City Council Chambers on April 13th, 7pm-8:30pm, at City Hall located at 17500 Midvale Ave N.

For more information on the Lynnwood Link visit SoundTransit LLE, or about the wetland mitigation, email City planner Juniper Nammi


 

Public Art City of Shoreline #4: Dew Beads

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


City of Shoreline Public Art Collection
Hamlin Park 16006 - 15th Ave NE
City of Shoreline 1% for Art Program 2010

Dew Beads  Kristin Tollefson, artist. Colored concrete with aggregate, concrete, glass and stones

Artist's Statement: The spheres in Hamlin Park are inspired by the park's natural features: the trees that ring the open space, the undulating terrain.

The necklace of cascading concrete and glass beads appears to roll downhill, joining the wooded picnic area with the play area and marking the entrance to the park.

The work doubles as playful seating, perches for the human visitors to the park. Like beads of morning dew, they glisten and invite closer inspection.

--Text courtesy City of Shoreline



Shorewood - Lynnwood dual track meet scores

Track and Field
SHOREWOOD-LYNNWOOD - 3/30/2017
Shoreline Stadium
Dual Meet Scores - Through Event 35

Men: Shorewood 74.00  -  71.00  Lynnwood

Women: Shorewood 103.00  -   46.00  Lynnwood

Individual events and scores here



Shorecrest girls' tennis sweeps Mountlake Terrace Next match 3/31 at Edmonds-Woodway

Shorecrest Girls Varsity Tennis
Photo by Robert Mann

Shorecrest Varsity Girls' Tennis
Wesco 2A/3A   3-30-17
At Mountlake Terrace High School

Shorecrest 7 - MLT 0
SC Overall record 4-1

Shorecrest players and scores listed first

Singles

1.  Anna Burke Gr 10 v Lauren Lee 6-1, 6-1  W
2.  Sophie Ivens Gr 10 v Lisa Fernandez  6-0, 6-0  W
3.  Eli Parsek Gr 12 v Natalie Rajcich 6-1, 6-0  W
4.  Julie Moss Gr 12 v Jennicer Tran 6-0, 6-2  W

Doubles

1.  Tess Farnam Gr 12 v Angelica Andrade
     Bella Saunders Gr 10 v Emma Agricola 6-0, 6-0  W

2.  Kim Tran Gr 10 v Jessie Sullivan
     Kate Wiper Gr 12 v Kim Nguyen 6-1, 6-0  W

3.  Coco Hart Gr 11 v Rosie Lee
     Sydney Leek Gr 11 v lDorian Puliao  6-2, 6-2  W

Exhibition

1.  Nastay Kot Gr 11 v Lydia Lui
     Zulka Bayasgalan Gr 12 v Nhung Lam  8-*

2.  Katie Jerauld Gr 11 v Katerine Perez
     Emma Leek Gr 9 v Vorahati Jinght  8-*

--Coach Robert Mann

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Seattle International Film Festival in Shoreline - volunteer opportunities


Volunteer with the Seattle International Film Festival in Shoreline


SIFF is actively recruiting volunteers for the 43rd Seattle International Film Festival, May 18 – June 11, 2017 and is excited to be in Shoreline again this year from May 26 to June 3.

We will officially kick off this year’s festival with our Annual Volunteer Meeting on Sunday, April 23, 11am to 1pm at the SIFF Cinema Uptown, 511 Queen Anne Ave N.

We are pleased to extend an invitation to you and yours to join us for the 2017 SIFF Annual Volunteer Meeting.

Additionally, we'd love to collaborate on group volunteer opportunities during the festival itself - between May 18 and June 11, 2017 - on the SIFF Venue Crew.

We are looking for groups of four to six volunteers who all are at least 16 years old by May 18, 2017.

Venue Crew volunteers are the Face of SIFF. They work at the different theaters serving as the on-site staff who provide line control, scan tickets and passes, clicker count patrons, hand out ballots, and usher guests to their seats.

An average volunteer shift is four hours. Shifts are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday between 4pm and 10pm, and Friday through Sunday between 10am and 11pm. Shifts are scheduled based upon programming needs.

We can coordinate the preferred day, time-frame, and location. To schedule a group volunteer opportunity, complete and return the Volunteer form by April 15.



Military Women's Night at the American Legion Tuesday in Shoreline

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, April 4, 2017. The meeting will begin with a very special program.

You will get to hear from women have served courageously in the armed services. Female veterans of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard will discuss their military experiences.

There will be time for questions at the end.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, 98155.

All military veterans, guests and people in the community are welcome to attend.

A social, meet and greet time is held from 6:30 pm to 7:00pm. The meeting starts at 7:00pm sharp and refreshments will be served after the presentation, after which guests can depart. Members are asked to remain for the continuation of the meeting.

Come early so you can check out the Post library that contains many militarily related books, video tapes and DVDs. People in the community can borrow, use and return any of these items at no charge. They are encouraged to stay for the program as well.

Post 227 members look forward to seeing you on April 4.



New RADAR program helps Shoreline PD understand behavioral health issues

By Sam Tilford


One program in Shoreline is hoping to build relationships between the police department and the behavioral health community by providing training and one-on-one contact.

The Shoreline Police Department’s Response Awareness, De-escalation and Referral program, or RADAR, trains deputies to provide safe and effective responses when handling situations involving people with behavioral health problems.



Richmond Beach event.jpg
Deputy Ben Emmons introduces the RADAR program while also offering advice to community members about their own encounters with people with behavioral health issues at a Richmond Beach Community Meeting on January 10.
Photo credit: Kimberly Hendrickson



RADAR is a complement to the mandatory eight hour crisis intervention training required by the state that helps reduce the use of force between police and individuals with behavioral issues and the repeated use of emergency services. Shoreline PD also offers an optional 40 hour CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) program, in which 25 percent of the department is required to participate.

This is in compliance with the Doug Ostling Act, which established requirements for CIT training statewide. Ostling, a mentally ill man, was shot and killed in his home by Bainbridge Island police officers in 2010. Responding officers did not know Ostling had severe mental illness when responding to his call for assistance, despite the fact that he had recent, previous contacts with Bainbridge police.

“Had officers known more about his BHI, or strategies that might have helped him in a crisis situation, deadly force would have been a less likely option,” RADAR Program Coordinator Kimberly Hendrickson said.

Encounters between officers and individuals with BHI occur on a regular basis. In 2015, Shoreline PD responded to over 500 incidences, according to research analyzing King County 911 call center data.

In a survey conducted by Shoreline PD, 86 percent of Shoreline deputies surveyed reported having either daily or frequent contact with people with BHI, and 75 percent of responding deputies were not satisfied with the options available to them for handling these kinds of calls.

“Police within Shoreline really just felt unprepared from an information standpoint,” Hendrickson said. “Behavioral health calls are very complex, RADAR really speaks to having more tools and information before responding to calls.”

The RADAR response plan lets deputies know, prior to arrival at a scene, that they will be encountering an individual with a behavioral issue. Deputies and a program navigator, who is professionally trained in mental health, work together with community members before crisis events occur. This allows deputies to gather de-escalation information, such as what calms down specific BHI community members.

For example, in a meeting with one BHI community member, RADAR representatives found that the individual loves sports and the best way to calm them down is to talk sports with them.

“Our goal is to really recognize that these people are in crisis and that their mental health is compromised,” Deputy Tim Meyer said. “We want to get them help, which usually means sourcing them into the right programs, and we want to do so without the use of force.”

People with a behavioral issue often have difficulty complying with instructions. As a result, many encounters between law enforcement officers and individuals with a behavioral issue involve force being applied or other kinds of physical contact, including being arrested or sent to jail.

The Washington Post estimates that 240 people with behavioral issues were shot and killed by police nationally in 2016. This represents around one in four of all fatal police shootings.

Between 2014 and 2015, there were 27 use of force incidents reported by Shoreline deputies. Around one-quarter of these incidents involved people with behavioral issues, according to data from the RADAR research team. This is a number Shoreline PD believes they can reduce going forward.

“At the heart of this program is the commitment to build stronger relationships with people in the community who are affected by BHI,” Hendrickson said. “Shoreline residents affected by BHI read stories in the news about police incidences that go badly. We want to ensure incidents like this never happen.”

Shoreline PD hopes to see the RADAR program in police departments statewide. Here Deputies Ben Emmons (left) and Tim Meyer speak at a Council of Neighborhoods meeting in January. Photo credit: Kimberly Hendrickson


The other aspect of this is individuals with behavioral issues being taken to jail rather than medical facilities. Meyer gave a recent example of a man with behavioral issues who accidentally stopped a commuter train near Richmond Beach by wandering onto the tracks.

“In the old system we would have booked that person for trespassing,” Meyer said. “Now that we have this RADAR program we recognize he did not have criminal intent. His intent was not to mess up the train schedule, his intent was that he likes trains and wanted to be there.

Meyer suggests that rather than taking him to jail the better option is to take him to a medical facility to get him the help he needs.

“If the battery in your car goes dead and you go to a tire shop you haven’t really fixed anything,” Meyer said. “We need to get you to the right spot to fix whatever circumstance got you there.”



Public stigma impacts how people with behavioral issues are treated in their communities. RADAR navigator Susie Kroll says part of the reason individuals with behavioral issues have not received proper treatment over the years is because of lasting stigmas. This includes withholding help, avoiding contact, forced treatment, and segregated institutions.

“There is a stigma that these are crazy people who hear voices and are going to go out and kill people and that is just not true,” Kroll continued. “Your family, your friends, your neighbors, the people you work with can all suffer from some sort of behavioral health issue.”

Kroll, who is also a Behavioral Health Clinic Manager, hopes the program will help erase stigmas surrounding BHI.

“People with behavioral health issues and mental health diagnoses have long been the subject of stereotypes,” Kroll said. “By building relationships within our communities, providing information and showing we are here to help, we believe we can really make a lasting impact.”

The RADAR program was funded through a Department of Justice grant and King County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency tax fund. Hendrickson says the it is self sustainable, and plans to run for many more years.

The program went into effect January 1 and will be evaluated by researchers at George Mason University and the Police Foundation in 2018. They will analyze data to determine if there is a decrease in use of force between police and individuals with behavioral issues and if individuals with behavioral issues are calling in less frequently.

For more information on the RADAR program, and to see if an outreach visit might be appropriate, contact Kimberly Hendrickson.

RADAR representatives still recommend calling 911 when involved in a situation with someone with a behavioral health issue that presents a threat to themselves or other people.

Correction 3-30-17: Deputy Meyer's name was misspelled and the first photo identified the wrong deputy.
Updates 4-4-2017


CANCELLED; Calling all Green Schools - free workshop for educators, staff, parents, PTA, Apr 6

UPDATE: The organizer did not receive enough registrations and has cancelled the workshop in Shoreline.




Free K-12 workshop - receive training and resources to green your school. Thursday, April 6 from 4-7pm at the Richmond Beach Public Library, 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline 98177.

Register here and learn more here.

Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.



Metro considering simpler bus fares; public invited to weigh in

Metro Rapid Ride bus
Photo courtesy Metro Transit
King County Metro Transit wants to hear from the public as planning begins to make paying fares to ride the bus faster, easier, and simpler for everyone.

Transit riders in King County and the greater region struggle with the complexity of Metro’s fare structure. It includes a peak-time surcharge and two zones with an adult-fare surcharge on trips crossing the zone boundary during peak.

Metro and the six other regional transit agencies that represent the ORCA (One Regional Card for All) smart-card system have committed to looking at simplifying fares across all agencies as they prepare for improvements and modernization of the ORCA system.

As part of that process, Metro is considering options that would allow for speedier boarding, improve safety for drivers, help increase ridership and further reduce barriers for vulnerable populations.

This month, Metro invites the public to provide direction on fare change options and longer-term work on fare-related issues by participating in an online questionnaire. In April, the public will have additional opportunities to provide feedback on fare change options via a second online survey and open houses.

The public can find the survey as well as sign up to receive updates via Metro’s fare review website.

The deadline for the survey is April 7.


Free workshop for freshwater shore line landowners Apr 6 in Kenmore

Photo courtesy King Conservation District


Beautify and care for your streamside property.

Thursday, April 6th, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Kenmore Library 6531 NE 181st St, Kenmore 98028

Join us for a FREE workshop to learn from experts how to protect and beautify properties along streams, lakes and wetlands. Sponsored by the King Conservation District.

Topics Include:
  • Minimizing pollution runoff on your property 
  • Controlling invasive weeds 
  • Utilizing native plants for wildlife habitat and erosion control 
  • Adding value and beauty to your yard naturally 
  • Learning about environmental regulations that impact your property 

Register HERE.



Shoreline and Northshore firefighter teams compete in Scott Stairclimb at Columbia Center

Northshore Fire team in front of the 788' Columbia Center
Travis Ross, Brandon Kuykendall, Pat Sullivan, Chris Hoffman and Kyle Colletti.
Photo courtesy Northshore Fire


1,900 firefighters from eight countries participated in the 26th annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb at Seattle's Columbia Center on Sunday, March 12, 2017.

Firefighters ran and walked the 69 floors of stairs and 1,356 steps after raising money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which funds research and patient services for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.

Each participant had to raise at least $300 in order to participate. The teams raised money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees.

This is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world.

The race was done in FULL structural firefighting gear: boots, pants, and coat (liners intact), helmet and gloves. Breathing apparatus was worn and USED every step of the course.

Top racers finish in as little as ten or eleven minutes, while the average participant takes about 20 to 30 minutes to finish.

Northshore Fire said "Great job to everyone that participated in the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb this weekend and great job to our Firefighters."

Shoreline Fire team at a fundraising event at Central Market
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Shoreline Fire had seven climbers.

"Mark Merlino had the fastest time up the 69 flights in all the gear (adding 50-70 extra pounds) in 14:47 minutes! Mike Mentzos, Keenan Miles, Moses Cochran, Terrance Lewis, Amanda Brassfield, and Justin Hansen."

Participants have until Friday to turn in the money they have raised, but all are hoping the event will surpass the $2.3 million the event raised in 2016.

The race results are here - fascinating to read for the places they come from and how many people they sent.


The Firefighter Stairclimb was started by Shoreline firefighter David Engler. Here's his story.






Notice to Dog Owners of Lake Forest Park and Frequent Animal Acres Park Users

The City of Lake Forest Park was notified Wednesday, March 29, 2017, of a stray dog that was picked up at Pfingst Animal Acres park, 17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, and taken to PAWS, where it tested positive for the Parvo virus.

This is extremely contagious and can be transmitted when in contact with an infected dog’s feces. To view more about Parvo and symptoms please visit WebMD

From WebMD: Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors.

This is a good time to make sure your dogs are up-to-date on their vaccinations, and always, pick up after them!



Wednesday, March 29, 2017

World Concern responds to Drought Crisis in Somalia

Somalia drought - the lake is drying up
Photo courtesy World Concern

Shoreline-based humanitarian organization World Concern is responding to the worsening drought crisis in Somalia.

According to UNOCHA, 6.2 million people in Somalia — half the population — are facing acute food insecurity. Of these, nearly 3 million need urgent, life-saving assistance. The prolonged severe drought is raising fears of famine equal to or worse than the 2011 Horn of Africa famine that killed 260,000 people.

“We are gravely concerned about the worsening drought crisis unfolding right now in Somalia. This severe drought is threatening the lives of children and families who are in dire need of immediate assistance. Families have lost entire herds of livestock -- their only source of income, and are migrating in search of food and water,” said World Concern President Jacinta Tegman.
“World Concern has worked in Somalia for 35 years, and we’re on the front lines of this disaster. We were there during the 2011 famine, and we’re responding again now with emergency aid to those who are suffering. We ask for prayers and support to assist as many as possible.”

The spring has receded underground and has almost disappeared
Photo courtesy World Concern


World Concern is delivering emergency water to 10 communities, and cash transfers and emergency supplies to drought-affected families in the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland. Over the next four months, 84 trucks, each carrying 8,000 liters of water, will deliver water to communities in need. And more than 1,300 families will receive cash transfers to buy food and meet critical needs.

Two-year-old Saleban had severe
acute malnutrition
Photo courtesy World Concern
More than 360,000 children in Somalia are acutely malnourished.

Two-year-old Saleban was visibly thin and had suffered from diarrhea for two-and-a-half months when World Concern staff discovered the toddler during an assessment of the village where his family is staying temporarily.

The family traveled here in search of water and food after losing all of their animals to the drought, said his mother, Xaawo. World Concern helped Saleban get to the hospital, where he’s receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition.

“We are very grateful to World Concern for their help and kindness that they have shown us by taking care of our son,” said Xaawo.

The family also received emergency food rations and cash for food.

More information on World Concern’s programs or donate here



Lake Forest Park residents in the middle of a police man hunt

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
By Diane Hettrick

Some Lake Forest Park residents ended up in the middle of a police drama Sunday night and into Monday morning.

Police and K9 officers blocked roads, searched back yards and green belts, splashed through the stream, and ran intermittent bursts on sirens.

Residents listened to police scanners and watched the action from their bedroom windows. Some tried to investigate in person and were politely turned back by officers.

Police vehicles from Shoreline and Lake Forest Park saturated the area. One resident counted ten vehicles on her street.

The activity lasted until 2am. At 4am a police vehicle was still parked in the area.

It all started at 11pm Sunday night.

A Metro Transit deputy saw a Dodge Charger being driven recklessly on Ballinger Way NE near I-5. The vehicle continued eastbound on Ballinger and the deputy lost sight of it so he did not pursue.

The deputy continued eastbound on Ballinger. When he came to 40th Ave NE and Ballinger Way he saw the vehicle in the middle of the road with a damaged tire.

Apparently the driver had lost control of the car and hit a curb hard enough to severely damage a wheel. It sounded like an explosion to nearby residents.

As the deputy approached the car, the driver tried to drive off, but the tire and wheel were so badly damaged he could not go very far.  The car made it about 35 yards. Then the driver jumped out of the car and ran. No one else was in the car.

The driver was a light-skinned African American male, about 5'9".

A gun was found in the car on the floorboard, but it was not stolen. The car was not stolen either. The owner had lent it to her brother.

It is unknown at this time if the suspect is the brother.



700 local students at Shoreline Math Olympiad

Jubilant Mathletes with their medals 

The 19th annual Shoreline Math Olympiad was held on Saturday March 11th on the campus of Shoreline Community College.

This event is brought to you by the Shoreline Math Olympiad committee and our amazing sponsors, Shoreline School District, Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, James Alan Salon, Menchies Shoreline, Smart Service Shoreline, Chuck Olsen Kia Chevrolet, and Shoreline Community College.

Ridgecrest Elementary

Over 700+ students participated this year from 17 public and private schools in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. It is a free event open to all 4th – 8th grade students who want to challenge themselves with fun individual and team tests.

Hot Dog USA Jump Rope Team
entertained the crowd


This year, Shorecrest JV hip hop team and Hot Dog USA jump rope team entertained over 900 spectators and Mathletes in the gym before the awards ceremony.

Superintendent Rebecca Miner and School Board Member David Wilson
handing out medals


Event sponsors, city and college dignitaries help hand out medals including: Guy Hamilton Academic Dean for SCC Science, Health Occupations and Professional Tech programs, Steve Bogart SCC Math faculty, Lourdes Gutierrez SCC Math faculty, Shoreline Schools Superintendent Rebecca Minor, School Board members David Wilson and Dick Potter, Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts, and Shoreline Public Schools Foundation Board Members Ken and Jennifer Altena.



2017 School Participation Results

  • 1st place  - St. Mark Catholic School with 53.62%
  • 2nd place - Syre Elementary with 37.93%
  • 3rd place - Briarcrest Elementary with 34.51%
  • 4th place - Shoreline Christian with 31.15%
  • 5th place -Highland Terrace Elementary with 30.77%

Some of the area principals who came to cheer on their students

Shoreline Math Olympiad awards medals to the top 40% of the individuals participating, and the top 60% of teams participating. We do not break ties. If there are many award winners starting at 1st place, medals for the top 40% or 60% students will vary.

Team and Individual Awards listed here 

Save the date for the 20th annual Shoreline Math Olympiad next year on Saturday March 10, 2018! Check the website for test samples and details closer to the date.

Photo credits Tom Chin, Josh Chow and Forest Graff

Veronica Cook inducted into Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame

Veronica Cook
Bowling Coach Hall of Fame
Friday, March 24, at the Shorecrest Spring Sports assembly, teacher and coach, Veronica Cook was presented with the 2017 WSBPA award, being inducted into the Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame.

The Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association (WSBPA), for the past 52 years has inducted coaches that go above and beyond the time at the bowling alley.

Veronica personifies a Hall of Fame coach. Over the past five years, she has worked tirelessly to build the Shorecrest program and has had great success.

Veronica joins Tammy Ceesay (Shorewood) as the only women to be inducted into the WSBPA Coaches Hall of Fame.

Both high schools are looking for new bowlers. If you have a student interested in bowling next year, contact:


Come dance - all free and all fun - Saturday in Lake City

No judgement - just dancing!
Come dance with us on April 1-- PLEASE!

The 2017 Northwest Western Swing Scholarship recipients and instructors have been in workshops and rehearsals for three months.

The Workshop Band is ready for the big dance this coming Saturday -- but a dance band needs dancers, and that is you!

Don't say you cannot dance, because there is a dance teacher there to get you started and help you during the dance.

It is ALL FREE and ALL FUN.

Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Lake City Eagles (Aerie #1, address: 8201 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA; phone: 206-762-5125)

Saturday April 1, from Noon – 4:00 pm
NO CHARGE

12:00 – Dance Instruction by MaryLee Lykes
1:15 – Dance to the Music of the NWWSMS Workshop Band
2:15 – Dance Instruction by MaryLee Lykes
 3:00 – Dance to the Music of the NWWSMS Workshop Band

Sponsored by the NorthWest Western Swing Music Society

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Kellogg Middle School's Production of "Into the Woods Jr.”


Come see Kellogg Middle School students perform in an upbeat version of the Tony-award winning musical, “Into the Woods.” 
 
A witch sends a childless baker and his wife on a task to collect a red cape, a white cow, a golden slipper, and a lock of yellow hair. The couple heads for the woods to begin their quest, where they quickly become swept up in the interwoven plots of familiar fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel.

Will the baker and his wife be able to complete their task on time and remove the curse that has plagued their childless family? Find out this weekend when you attend the play at Shorecrest High School. Opens Thursday!

This fun and comedic musical is appropriate for family audiences.
  • Thursday, March 30th at 7:00 PM
  • Friday, March 31st at 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 1st at 2:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 1st at 7:00 PM

Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Avenue NE, Shoreline 98155

Adults $8, Students $5



Reminder: Eat a Sub - Help a Charity



ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29:

EAT A SUB, HELP A CHARITY

100% of Sales at Jersey Mike’s Seattle Area Locations

Will Be Donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital

All proceeds, all day will be donated

Jersey Mike's in Aurora Villlage



CoderDojo for kids at Richmond Beach and Shoreline libraries


We’re turning the meeting room into a coding lab for kids and teens.
Don’t miss it!

Ages 7 to 17, ages 12 and younger with adult. 

CoderDojo is a free, volunteer run program. Explore coding in an open, collaborative environment for youth. Join the group anytime for self-directed online learning. No experience necessary.

Bring your charged laptop or tablet (a limited number of devices will be available for checkout during the program for those who don’t have access to a laptop or tablet).

More information here

This is a drop-in program. Registration not required.

Questions? Contact Leslie Carter, Youth Librarian, lacarter@kcls.org.

Richmond Beach Library • 19601 21st Avenue NW • Shoreline 98177 • 206-546-3522
Monday-Thursday, 10am-9pm • Friday, 10am-6pm • Saturday, 10am-5pm

Shoreline Library • 345 NE 175th Street • Shoreline 98155 • 206-362-7550
Monday-Thursday, 10am-9pm • Friday, 10am-6pm • Saturday, 10am-5pm • Sunday, Noon-8pm

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities is available; contact the library prior to the event if you require accommodation.


LFP COW meeting Thursday

The Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole has scheduled a Special Meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2017, 7pm at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

The topic of discussion will be the mayor's proposal for court restructure.



Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Wrought Iron Fence for culvert in Town Center

Rustic fence to be replaced with something more substantial
Photo by Jerry Pickard


The City of Lake Forest Park has executed a contract, using the small works roster procedure, with Eagle Fence and Landscape to fabricate and install a wrought iron fence on the walls of the culvert opening in the Town Center.

This is one of the final punch list items for the Lyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project. This fence replaces the wrought iron fence that was in place prior to the project.

The contract amount is $14,434.29. Costs will be reimbursed by the state through a funding agreement for the Lyon Creek Flood Mitigation Project.



Rainbow Girl rummage sale Saturday

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Rummage Sale 
Support Rainbow Girls
Saturday, April 1, 2017
8:30 am – 3 pm
household items, clothing, furniture, lots of misc.

753 N 185th Street, Shoreline, the Masonic Hall