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Sunday, July 31, 2022

Gloria's Critters: Down here, Mama! I'm down here!

 
Photo by Gloria Nagler

(Baby ultimately gave up and clambered back down to the deck floor, with Mama following shortly thereafter)

--Gloria Z. Nagler




Ballot drop box was at the Shoreline Farmers Market Saturday

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
 
The ballot drop box for the August 2, 2022 (deadline 8pm) election was right by the Shoreline Farmers Market on Saturday. 

The market is gone until next Saturday but the ballot box will be there until Tuesday.

Another chance to multi-task is the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market on Sunday. The ballot drop box is right next to the stalls, by the LFP City Hall.



COVID-19 Local Case Numbers as of Friday, July 29, 2022

KING COUNTY HOSPITALIZATIONS
COVID-19 Local Case Numbers as of Friday, July 29, 2022

UW Med: Booster shots with existing vaccines offset some Omicron evasion tactics

Dr. John Lynch, Medical Director, Infectious Diseases, Harborview Medical Center says:
“I am very pro-booster. I think that if you're eligible for boosters in any way, shape, or form – you should definitely get them. For those who are eligible for that second booster, absolutely get it on board. 
"I do not think that waiting for an omicron-specific booster or vaccine in the fall is necessary. We really know we're in a surge right now with a highly transmissible variant.”

King county cases

Cases in past 7 days - 5,066
Average daily cases - 758

King county hospitalizations

Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 111
Average daily hospitalizations - 16

King county deaths

Deaths in past 14 days - 37
Daily average deaths - 3


Seattle Cases

Cases in past 7 days - 1,872
Average daily cases - 279

Seattle Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 29
Average daily hospitalizations - 4

Seattle Deaths

Deaths in 14 days - 12
Average daily deaths - 1


Shoreline cases

Cases in past 7 days - 137
Average daily cases - 20

Shoreline Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 2
Average daily hospitalizations - <1

Shoreline Deaths

Total deaths - 146
Deaths in 14 days - 1
Average daily deaths - <1


Lake Forest Park cases

Cases in past 7 days - 32
Average daily cases - 5

Lake Forest Park Hospitalizations

Total hospitalizations - 39
Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 0
Average daily hospitalizations - 0

Lake Forest Park Deaths

Total deaths - 7
Deaths in 14 days - 0
Average daily deaths - 0



The Origin of the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza

Shoreline Veterans' Recognition Plaza

Look for the veterans group at the Shoreline Farmers Market
August 13 and September 10, 2022

The Origin of the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza

By Doug Cerretti
Photos courtesy Shoreline Veterans Association except as noted

It all began over ice cream. 

In early 2010, Veterans Frank Moll and Bob Grasmick were attending an ice cream social at Ridgecrest elementary school. Frank was sitting at a table when Bob approached and asked what he was up to. 

Dwight Stevens, left, and Frank Moll, right taking brick orders
at a community event. Photo by Jerry Pickard.
Frank said he was working on à plan to honor veterans in Shoreline. As they continued talking Bob invited Frank to join Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion and Frank said he would join if Bob would join him to help with the plan to honor veterans. 

Both agreed. Soon after, Frank Moll recruited Dwight Stevens to work on the project and the Shoreline Veterans Association was formed with Frank Moll as Founder and Dwight Stevens as Chairman. 

Bob Grasmick, left, being presented a certificate by Commander Larry Fisher.
Photo by Jerry Pickard
Besides Moll, Grasmick and Stevens, other Legion Post 227 members joined the Shoreline Veterans Association including Raymond Coffey, Russell Greaby, Gerry Shogren and Post 227 Auxiliary members Lois Grasmick (Bob's wife), Phyllis Moll (Frank's wife) and Marcia Sanders. 

Other members who joined the Association were Sonny Alvarez, John Fahnestock, Marcie Riedinger and Lynn Cheney. 

On July 28, 2014 the Shoreline City Council voted 7 to 0 for approval of the Veterans Recognition Plaza after a presentation by Dick Deal, City Parks Director, and Dwight Stevens, Chairman of the Shoreline Veterans Association. 

Architect's design
The Association then set to work with a goal of building a Veterans Recognition Plaza adjacent to Shoreline City Hall. Post 227 Member, Chris Eggen, who at the time was Shoreline Deputy Mayor, helped secure the cooperation of the city and an architect was commissioned to design the plaza. 

Next began the campaign of raising the needed funds. The Veterans Recognition Plaza would contain five benches, five granite obelisks representing the military services, a flagpole at the center of the plaza and an area paved with red bricks that could be engraved to honor a veteran.

Whenever veteran-related meetings occurred over the next several years, you would see Dwight Stevens manning a table, selling bricks to raise funds. 

Dwight Stevens and County Councilmember Rod Dembowski
In addition the Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 of The American Legion made a significant contribution and King County Councilman Rod Dembowski arranged for the county to make a large contribution for the project. 

When it became clear that the needed funding would be forthcoming, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of July 6, 2015. After six years from inception the plaza was completed and a dedication ceremony was held May 21, 2016. 

Groundbreaking
The plaza is a thing of beauty and a fitting tribute to the many veterans who have served and future veterans who are currently serving their nation. Unfortunately, Frank Moll passed away before seeing the results of the project he started.

Dwight and Helen Stevens at the dedication
The nearly 500 bricks that are already in place at the Shoreline Veterans Recognition Plaza by Shoreline City Hall are a permanent reminder of our Friends and Relatives who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines to preserve our hard earned and fought for Freedoms.

The Veterans Recognition Plaza is located north of Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Buy a Brick

Engraved bricks to honor Veterans past and present can be purchased for a $100 donation. A single brick can be engraved with the Veteran's name, service branch and years served. You can choose to have your brick engraved at the Plaza or shipped to you to display at home. This would be a great gift to honor a Veteran family member or friend.

Bricks can be purchased online from The American Legion Post 227’s webpage or you can print out the order form, fill it out and mail it in with your check or credit card number. Purchases are tax deductible as the Shoreline Veterans Association is a 501 (c) 19 non-profit.

In the near future, the Shoreline Veterans Association will have a booth at Shoreline Farmers Market https://shorelinefarmersmarket.org/home 
August 13 and September 10 from 10 am to 2 pm. 
Sample bricks will be displayed and orders taken.



LFP Police recover vehicle stolen in Woodinville and other actions

VEHICLE THEFT – 14000 NE WOODINVILLE DUVALL RD, Woodinville: On July 17, 2022 around 1pm, a vehicle was stolen from a parking lot while the victim was visiting a business in the area. 

Deputies were able to obtain security footage. The vehicle was later involved in an eluding incident with Lake Forest Park Police and was recovered.

Patrol Calls 07/15/22 - 07/22/22

Your officers responded to 217 calls for service or self-initiated incidents which included the following:
  • 60 Traffic related events
  • 31 Extra patrols / Business checks
  • 25 Suspicious circumstances
  • 8   Thefts
  • 6   Alarms
  • 4   Welfare checks
  • 3   Residential Burglary
Please call 206-364-8216 if you have anything to report. 



I-5 ramps to 236th St in Mountlake Terrace to close overnight next week

Sound Transit Contractor crews will close the ramps connecting I-5 to 236th St SW from 11pm to 5am nightly from Monday, August 1 through the morning of Friday, August 5, 2022 while they continue work on the Mountlake Terrace Station, part of the ongoing Lynnwood Link expansion project.

The HOV direct access ramps will close nightly at 10pm and reopen at 5am Monday, August 1 through the morning of Friday, August 5.



Battles of the Bands tickets on sale now for shows on Aug 1, 2, and 6


2022 ShoreLake Battle of the Bands
August 1, 2, and 6, 2022
Pfingst Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park

ShoreLake Arts is excited to announce that ShoreLake Battle of the Bands is this week.

Our semi-finals line-up is an exciting mix of music genres. The City of Lake Forest Park will be rockin’ on August 1 - 2, where each night five local bands compete to make it to the finals on Saturday, August 6. Not only will there be music each night but grab some dinner or dessert at the food trucks.

All shows will feature a beer garden (21+) with craft brews provided by Monka Brewing Co. Seasonal favorites include Galaxy IPA, Cherry Lime Sour, and Blonde Ale.

Monday, August 1

Music by: Now or Ever, Altigi, Alex Vile, Snacks at Midnight, and Jamn.

Featured Food Trucks:

Tuesday, August 2


Music by: Stargazy Pie, Souls Worn Thin, Cottage Corpse, Rug, and The Stillvettas.

Featured Food Trucks:

Saturday, August 6

The top 2 winning teams from each night of the semi finals compete in the FINALS.

Featured Food Trucks:

Buy your tickets for Battle of the Bands now and save. Ticket options include multi-day ticket packages and a limited-edition collectible glass which can be used to purchase beer at a discount.

Whether you’re a “One Hit Wonder” - coming for just one night $7.00, a “Platinum Record” coming for all three nights $18.00 or taking home the “Grammy” all three nights plus the Battle of the Bands pint glass and beer $30.00, we can’t wait for you to discover new music while supporting local, up and coming bands. Tickets are on sale now.

Which band will take home the grand prize and studio time at the world famous Robert Lang Studios? Come on Saturday night to vote for the People’s Choice Award and make your voice heard.

ShoreLake Arts is proud to present this event with major support from 
individual donors, like you.

Questions can be emailed to Teresa at programs@shorelakearts.org

ShoreLake Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts. Established in 1989.



Goat Fund Me: Goats to return along the Interurban Trail

Filbert at Midvale Gardens

Derek Creisler, from Diggin' Shoreline's Midvale Gardens project, announced that he has received permission from Seattle City Light to graze goats on the section of City Light land on the southeast corner of N 192nd and the Interurban Trail in the Echo Lake Neighborhood.

The goats are the property of Earthcraft Farms which rents them out to clear unwanted vegetation, particularly on difficult to access sites.

Derek has set up a GoatFundMe (ok it's a GoFundMe) site to raise funds to pay for the goat rental.

The goats have been at the site several times before and are very entertaining and very popular.




August events at Third Place Books - a mixture of virtual and in-person

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Third Place Books 
Intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way
Lake Forest Park
August 2022 EVENTS
Please note: all times below are Pacific Time.
 
Both virtual and in-person events require registration in advance. Unless ticketed, events are free and open to the public. See thirdplacebooks.com for details.
 
() – denotes ticketed event
() – denotes event for children or middle grade readers
 
 
Tuesday, August 2 at 6pm (Virtual)
Tehlor Kay Mejia with Aiden Thomas
Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows
In this series finale, our lovable, intrepid protagonist dives into Mexican folklore and makes discoveries both wondrous and fearsome. Aiden Thomas, author of Cemetery Boys, joins in conversation.
 
Tuesday, August 2 at 7pm (Third Place Books Lake Forest Park)
Jamie Ford
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy: A Novel
From the author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet—now with more than 1 million copies in print—comes a new tale of the love that binds a family together across generations. Qian Julie Wang calls it "a book that will stay with readers and reshape how they engage with their own lives and legacies. To read it is to be transformed—and to transcend." 
 
Thursday, August 4 at 6pm (Virtual)
Melissa Blair
with Marie Lu, Roseanne A. Brown, and Zoraida Cordova
A Broken Blade
Conceived as a love letter to BookTok’s avid fantasy community, and drawing from her own experiences as an indigenous woman, Melissa Blair’s A Broken Blade is a gripping, action-packed story of anti-colonialism, rebellion, and heart. Join us for this exciting virtual panel!
 
Tuesday, August 9 at 4pm PT (Virtual)
Jesse Ball with Max Porter
Autoportrait
in partnership with Powell's Books, Seminary Co-Op Bookstores, and Community Bookstore
The author The Divers' Game and Census discusses Autoportrait, a mesmerizing homage to Édouard Levé's work of the same title. Max Porter, author of Lanny and Grief Is the Thing With Feathers, joins in conversation.
 
Wednesday, August 10 at 7pm (Third Place Books Lake Forest Park)
Dr. Julie Pham with Dr. Elisebeth VanderWeil
7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work
The CEO of CuriosityBased discusses her practical guide that provides tools for deciphering the unspoken code of workplace respect. Dr. Elisebeth VanderWeil, Organization Development Specialist for Pioneer Human Services, joins in conversation.
 
Thursday, August 11 at 6pm (Virtual)
Ingrid Rojas Contreras with Alexander Chee
The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir 
From the author of the “original, politically daring and passionately written” (Vogue) novel Fruit of the Drunken Tree comes a kaleidoscopic memoir that reclaims the author’s family's otherworldly legacy. Alexander Chee, author of How To Write An Autobiographical Novel, joins in conversation.
 
Thursday, August 11 at 7pm (Third Place Books Lake Forest Park)
Panel Event: Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis: Women Writers Respond to the Call
We welcome local authors Donna Cameron, Sophia Kouidou-Giles, Marianne Lile, Anne Liu Kellor, Brenda Peterson, Kate Jessica Raphael, Ashley E. Sweeney, and Barbara Wolf Terao for a night of readings from the anthology Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis: Women Writers Respond to the Call. 
 
Monday, August 15 at 7pm (Third Place Books Lake Forest Park)
Mark Armour
Intentional Balk: Baseball's Thin Line Between Innovation and Cheating
An honored baseball expert tackles the history of cheating in America’s pastime in a new book co-authored by Daniel Levitt. Intentional Balk offers an engrossing chronicle of America's pastime and the players, coaches, groundskeepers and management who for more than 150 years have sought any advantage to win at all costs.
 
Saturday, August 20 at 10am PT (Virtual)
Women in Translation Month: Brenda Lozano with translator Heather Cleary
Witches: A Novel 
The beguiling story of a young journalist whose investigation of a murder leads her to the most legendary healer in all of Mexico, from one of the most prominent voices of a new generation of Latin American writers. Heather Cleary, the novel’s translator, joins in conversation.
 
Saturday, August 20 (All locations)
BOOKSTORE ROMANCE DAY
Celebrate Bookstore Romance Day in store with 20% off all romance titles and complete our scavenger hunt for a chance to win a store gift card! Online purchases of romance books get our exclusive vinyl sticker and romance bookmark while supplies last. 
 
Thursday, August 25 at 7pm (Third Place Books Lake Forest Park)
Casey Parks with Sarah Neilson
Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery
Part memoir, part sweeping journalistic saga: As Casey Parks follows the mystery of a stranger's past, she is forced to reckon with her own sexuality, her fraught Southern identity, her tortured yet loving relationship with her mother, and the complicated role of faith in her life. Local writer Sarah Neilson joins in conversation.
 
Saturday, August 27 at 11am PT (Virtual)
Women in Translation Month: Katie Whittemore (with special guests!)
in partnership with Community Bookstore, the Transnational Literature Series at Brookline Booksmith, and Brazos Bookstore
To celebrate Rochester–based publisher Open Letter’s Translator Triptych—in which one translator curates three simultaneously-published works in translation—Third Place presents a conversation with translator/curator Katie Whittemore and authors across the country. Featuring Wolfskin by Lara Moreno, Mothers Don't by Katixa Agirre, and Bad Handwriting by Sara Mesa, all translated by Whittemore.
 
Monday, August 29 at 5pm PT (Virtual)
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel
From the bestselling author of Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo comes Carrie Soto is Back, a vulnerable new story of ambition and the cost of greatness. Third Place Books is proud to partner with Random House and bookstores across the country to present a behind-the-scenes of Reid’s latest release. Tickets required. See thirdplacebooks.com for details.
 


Saturday, July 30, 2022

Scene on the Sound: On a warm day...

Photo by Jan Hansen

On a warm day some folks open their doors and windows.

Photo by Jan Hansen


School Board meeting Tuesday - virtual and in-person

Shoreline School Board, Superintendent, and Finance Staff

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 6:00pm. 

The meeting will be held in person at 6:00pm in the Board Room, Shoreline Center 18560 1st Ave. NE and streamed via Zoom.

Board meeting presentations:
  • First Reading: K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Plan
  • 2022-2023 Preliminary Budget Update – General Fund
  • June 2022 Financials Update
Action item:
  • Adoption of Revisions to Policy 2161, Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

If you would like to provide written public comment for the Regular Board Meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those who attend in person or via Zoom.

Link to join board meeting via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89112588932?pwd=SWNqbGlkT0xLZXg0bkJMOXhNZHU3UT09
Webinar ID: 891 1258 8932
Passcode: 907047
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Link to meeting agenda



Violent death in quiet Richmond Highlands neighborhood Friday morning

The 16700 block of Linden Ave N. from Google Maps
Statement from Shoreline Fire:

At 8:32am Friday morning, July 29, 2022, Shoreline Fire was dispatched to a Medic Weapons call to the 16700 block of Linden Ave N. 

Upon our arrival, a patient was being attended to by KCSO.  

We then determined the patient was deceased.
 
The scene was left to KCSO. 

Here is their tweet from the call.

These are the only official statements so far.

Shoreline Community College apparently has a classroom in the area. The college sent out an alert correctly listing the location of the incident as Richmond Highlands Park and closed all classes and activities for the day.

The 16700 block of Linden Ave N runs from the corner of Richmond Highlands Park to the playing fields at the south end of the Shorewood High School campus.



Karaoke Night at Drumlin, Saturday 8pm


"Wouldn't it be funny if Drumlin turned into a Karaoke bar for April Fool's Day?" It started off as a joke, but soon took on a life of its own. Shoreline residents let their voices be heard that night, and it was clear: this has to happen again. Round 2 is set for Saturday!

This time Drumlin will be hosting Baby Ketten Karaoke, which possesses one of the most expansive online song libraries available. It hails from Portland, Oregon and the Baby Ketten Klub, open 7 nights a week. Nestled in southeast Portland, the club offers private karaoke rooms and a vegan menu. (Go Portland!) 

Lucky for Seattle-area residents, Baby Ketten has now expanded into Washington.

Karaoke translates from Japanese as "kara" (empty) "oke" (orchestra). Empty Orchestra. It's the stripping away of vocals from a track, and allowing the music to stand on its own. What makes Baby Ketten's style interesting is how songs are deconstructed, allowing him to layer in his own instrumentation. 

The end result is a completely unique song selection. Additionally, patrons will be able to download the Baby Ketten app, and peruse the immense song catalogue.

It will be getting started around 8pm, this Saturday July 30, 2022 at 522 NE 165th in the Ridgecrest neighborhood. People are encouraged to show up early to secure a seat.



Shorewood students win in 7th Annual Snohomish Summer Smash

Girls Gold Singles Champion Rylie Gettmann
Last weekend, the tennis courts at Snohomish High School were packed with action, as 165 players from over 30 high schools duked it out to see who would come out on top at the 7th Annual Snohomish Summer Smash. 

When the smoke cleared, among those posing with the coveted Champion t-shirt was Shorewood's Rylie Gettmann, who took the Girls Gold Singles title over teammate Emily Lin

Gettmann earned her second t-shirt with the Mixed Doubles title, teaming with Edmonds resident Luke Madath of Bishop Blanchet.

Aranya Banerjee - Bronze Boys Singles Champion
Shorewood continued the strong showing with Aranya Banerjee claiming the Bronze Boys Singles title, and Mari Brittle taking Girls Silver Singles.

Girls Silver Singles Champion Mari Brittle

In the Boys Gold Doubles competition, Dillon Wells from Lake Stevens teamed with Snohomish's Will MacDonald to claim the title.

In Girls Gold Doubles, the Lakeside duo of Addie Streidl and Mariella Porcarelli bested Meadowdale's Sydney Wright and Edmonds-Woodway's Emma Wetzel. 

Rounding out the division champions are Richard Bahn of Kamiak in Boys Silver Singles, Nathan and Jayden Salman from North Creek in Boys Silver Doubles.

Keegan Britten and Dillin Jorgensen from Snohomish in Boys Bronze Doubles.

Jackson's Kayla Shin and Jasmine Wijaya in Girls Silver Doubles.

Makenzie Dauer of Snohomish in Girls Bronze Singles, and Dauer teaming up with Snohomish teammate Anyston Cox in Girls Bronze Doubles.

The skills camp is directed by Kraig Norris.



WeatherWatcher: Excessive Heat Warning extended until Sunday night

A sunny day at the Edmonds Beach
Photo by Lee Lageschulte
The National Weather Service in Seattle has extended the excessive heat warning through 9pm Sunday night. High temperatures are expected to continue into the upper 80's through Sunday. Shoreline is sliding into the cooler side of the heat wave now so we should be getting a little bit of relief this weekend.

Here's what the forecast models are expecting high temperatures to be at the Echo Lake/North Ridge weather station this weekend:

Saturday: 89-90°F
Sunday: 85°F

Want cooler temperatures? Head toward Puget Sound. The Richmond Beach neighborhood has been consistently topping out at around 4-6°F cooler than most areas in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

High and low temperatures for July 2022 compared to average
at Shoreline Weather's Echo Lake station.

Here are the high and low temperatures at both stations this week:


Forecast after the weekend calls for cooler weather, with drizzle or rain showers possible Monday. 

Temperatures will come down into the 70's for highs and lows will be in the upper 50's. Thunderstorms are possible over the mountains so it's possible we might be treated to a lightning show sometime next week. 

A slight chance of showers and partly cloudy skies looks likely to stick with us through all next week.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



Shorewood class of 2002 reunion

 


Hi Shorewood Class of 2002! It's been 20 years and we are ready to celebrate, reminisce, and have some fun.

Saturday August 13th 7:00pm to 10pm:

Let's kick off the reunion weekend with fun at Optimism Brewery. Significant others welcome. Admission includes 3 drink tickets. Food trucks will be there through 9pm.

Sunday August 14th 12pm to 3pm:
Shorewood High School - 17300 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133

Let's walk the halls of Shorewood High School again! Join us for family day at the school field. Admission covers food trucks and lawn games. You are welcome to bring your own lawn games, chairs, and blankets to sit on.

Tickets are available at eventbrite. Reunion Facebook group Shorewood Class of 2002 Reunion



Friday, July 29, 2022

Destinations: Blue Angels launch at Jet Blast Bash Festival August 6-7

Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet taking off from Boeing Field in 2019.
Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight.
Outdoor family festival offers the closest experience to Blues’ Seafair Takeoffs
SEATTLE, July 28, 2022—The Museum of Flight’s annual Jet Blast Bash outdoor flightline festival, is the closest event to the Blue Angels’ dynamic takeoffs and landings for the Boeing Seafair Air Show August 6-7, 2022. 

And after their performance in the Air Show, the Blue Angels pilots will be at Jet Blast Bash to greet the visitors and sign autographs. Plus, The Blue Angels new F/A-18 Number 8 Super Hornet will be on view at the festival all weekend. This family weekend event runs from 10am – 4pm and features fast planes, live music, food trucks, a beer garden and family activities.

Museum admission is required, granting full access to the galleries (open 9am to 5pm on August 6-7), special indoor presentations and the Museum’s new exhibit, The Walt Disney Studios and World War II.

C89.5 DJs on-site will be broadcasting a high-energy soundtrack, plus live music by The Afterparty. Brian Shul, legendary SR-71 pilot, will be available for meet n' greets and gives his famous presentation both days.

Jet Blast Bash has become the Museum’s most popular family festival, complete with bouncy houses. The event also features nearly two dozen Chevy Corvettes of all vintages, plus representatives from dozens of community partners with clubs and museums focused on planes, trains, automobiles and ships. Inside of the Museum there are more events and presentations about the history of the Blue Angels.

The Planes Exclusively at Jet Blast Bash
In addition to the new Blue Angels Super Hornet, a rare World War II AT-19 aircraft is being flown to the Museum for the weekend.

WWII Stinson AT-19
This World War II-vintage Stinson AT-19 is the military version of the Stinson Reliant, which was a popular luxury plane of the day. The AT-19 was used mainly as a small transport for cargo and personnel. This particular plane flew for England’s Royal Navy in the East Indies during the war, and is now based in Auburn, Wash. and part of the Rainier Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.

Blue Angels Number 8 F/A-18 Super Hornet
This Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet is assigned to the team’s event coordinator, Number 8. The plane is not normally flown in air show performances, but can be used if-needed.

The Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98108-4097
206-764-5700



First Landmark Tree named in Shoreline

An American/Sweet chestnut (foreground), the first designated Landmark tree in Shoreline. Trees in the background (Douglas fir, madrone, Douglas fir) were deemed Right of Way (ROW) trees and denied Landmark status.

(You, too, can nominate a tree for Landmark Status)

By Kathy Kaye
Member, Save Shoreline Trees Advisory Board

A little-known program within the City of Shoreline allows homeowners and residents alike to nominate trees for Landmark status, a designation that bestows recognition of the tree by the City and protection from removal. 

As defined in Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC) 20.20.048, a landmark tree is, in part:  
“Any healthy tree over 24 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh)
that is worthy of long-term protection due to a unique combination 
of size, shape, age, location, aesthetic quality for its species…” 
 
If you are a homeowner, you can nominate your own tree. If the tree resides in a city park, anyone can nominate it for Landmark status. Only private and public trees qualify for this designation.

Right of Way (ROW) trees — also confusingly called public trees or street trees — cannot be nominated, as we, as homeowners, later learned. 

These are mature trees close to roads, walkways and sidewalks, and there are plenty of them throughout Shoreline. The City rejects Landmark status for ROW trees because they fall under SMC 12.30. Landmark Tree designation falls under SMC 20.50.350.  

In late June of this year, we received Landmark status for one of our trees, a 75-year-old American/Sweet chestnut hybrid that is 41 inches dbh. Formal recognition of our tree was a six-month-long process with twists and turns throughout. Nonetheless, our tree is now protected and its status recognized as the first Landmark tree in Shoreline. 

Background

In December of 2021, we nominated four of our mature trees for Landmark Status as described in the City’s Administrative Order 000068 053107. If Landmark status is granted (if it meets arborist criteria) and you are the homeowner, the City will create a covenant to be attached to your King County property records. 

It states that the tree cannot be removed without City approval, even if you sell your property. The homeowner pays for the covenant, currently $205. 

The process to get the ball rolling

We contacted Shoreline’s Department of Planning and Community Development about our intentions to obtain Landmark status and they walked us through the “process.” 

But really, there is no process, currently, for a homeowner or resident to follow. It is up to the individual to create his or her own proposal. The City recognizes this, stating to us that few residents in Shoreline have requested landmark status and that it, along with us, will be going through these steps for the first time. 

What to Include in your proposal

Our proposal was very simple and took a little more than an hour to complete. It included our names,  address and phone number, pictures of the trees and a brief description of each: name of the tree, diameter at breast height and approximate age. We emailed our proposal to the city and waited.
 
Over the next several months, the City kept us informed about what was happening with our proposal. We also knew that the City requires an arborist — hired by the City but paid for by the homeowner — to assess the trees under consideration and write a formal report. This report determines if Landmark status is granted. We agreed and the city contracted with The Watershed Group in Kirkland. 

A big problem

In April, the City informed us that three of our nominated trees would not be considered for Landmark status because they are public or right of way (ROW) trees. The City asked if we wished to continue with an assessment of the chestnut and we agreed.
 
Assessing the chestnut

In early May of this year, an arborist with The Watershed Company and an assistant City planner reviewed our chestnut tree. Both were professional and thorough, and we spent several hours asking and answering questions. The arborist could not determine what type of chestnut tree we had and showed us pictures of several examples. He took samples of fall leaves and nut casings but stated that he would return in the summer once the tree had fully bloomed to obtain leaf samples. His final determination was that the tree is a hybrid of Castanea dentata (American chestnut) and Castanea sativa (Sweet chestnut). And we received Landmark status. We paid The Watershed Company $785, a reduction in the original estimate because only one tree was assessed. 

Happy for our tree

We are relieved to know that one tree on our property will be protected from removal even if we sell our home. However, we realize that at any time the city can remove three other trees we have maintained for 26 years. 

In reality public trees are the citizens’ trees, just like trees in parks, and should have the same protection. 



Burning truck carrying propane and oxygen tanks explodes on I-5 downtown Thursday

WSDOT crews at the burnt out remains
of the truck fire on I-5
By Diane Hettrick

As if the ferry crashing into the dock weren't enough, a spectacular fire on I-5 at Mercer shut down all lanes of the freeway.

According to The Seattle Times

A truck carrying propane and oxygen tanks caught fire Thursday afternoon on Interstate 5 in Seattle, prompting authorities to close all lanes of the freeway while fire crews extinguished the blaze.

The fire started shortly before 1:10pm on the southbound freeway between the Lakeview and Mercer Street exits.

“Tanks are exploding,” the Seattle Fire Department said on Twitter shortly before 2pm. “Please avoid the area.”

The northbound lanes reopened at 2:30pm, a little more than an hour after the fire was reported. The southbound express lanes opened later in the afternoon, and three other southbound lanes opened in the early evening. Officials opened the remaining southbound lane about 7:30pm.


The driver was not injured. The fire and explosions were apparently all from his cargo. Seattle Fire is still on scene at this point. Fire retardant covered the road. It looks like something is still burning - the smoke cloud drifts toward the drivers trapped on the southbound lanes. Some traffic is getting through northbound.
A crew is working on the overhead sign. One SB lane has been opened to traffic.

Videos showed a fireball with black smoke reaching high in the air. Exploding tanks bounced along the roadway. (sorry - no visuals we can publish).

The sign appears singed.

Traffic was backed up five miles.

Photo courtesy Washington State Patrol

Seattle Fire spent several hours making sure the fire was out before turning the scene over to WSDOT.

Bridge inspectors checked out the elevated roadway. WSDOT crews came in to remove the burnt out truck and clear the roadway. WSDOT construction crews brought in equipment to work on the damaged overhead sign.

All photos courtesy WSDOT except as noted