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Sunday, November 30, 2025

Just a few weeks until the Solstice

Solstice Walk at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
Photo courtesy KBG

Just three more weeks of The Big Dark (with a few sun breaks) until the winter Solstice on December 21, 2025 at 7:02am PST and the days will start getting longer.

Kruckeberg will celebrate the occasion with their Solstice Walk. More information on that later.


Free movie night at Third Place Commons December 7, 2025

Holiday Movie Night Featuring The Grinch

Join us for a free, family-friendly screening of the holiday classic, The Grinch:

Sunday December 7, 2025 at 5:00pm
Third Place Commons (Lake Forest Park Town Center, right by Third Place Books)
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

Sponsored by Always Summer Ice Cream Café and Third Place Commons, this free event is open to all ages. You can grab your favorite treats from Always Summer Ice Cream Café downstairs, including crepes, sundaes, ice cream, and hot chocolate to enjoy during the movie.

Come celebrate the season with us!


Always Summer Café launches two brand-new crêpes

Always Summer Café is thrilled to announce the launch of two brand-new crêpes—crafted with care for both light brunch and relaxed afternoon snacks.

Banana & Chocolate
Sweet option: 
Banana & Chocolate Crêpe

A warm, delicate crêpewith sliced local bananas and drizzled with rich dark-chocolate. Perfect alongside your morning latte or as a mid-afternoon treat.

Savory option: 
Pesto & Cheese Crêpe

Delicate crêpe filled with fragrant basil-pesto sauce, artisan cheese, topped with arugula and sun dried tomatoes. Ideal for a savory snack between errands or a light lunch pairing.

Crafted by a husband-and-wife team of professional designers, the café is rooted in the greater Shoreline area and devoted to welcoming spaces, handcrafted dessert, and small-batch indulgence.

Pesto & Cheese
Whether you're stopping in for your first coffee of the day or taking a break mid-afternoon, these crêpes bring something a little extra to our menu. We wanted to offer both a sweet moment and a savory one — and make it easy to just treat yourself and stay a little longer.

Stop by Always Summer Café to enjoy your choice of crêpe alongside one of the café’s signature small-batch, handcrafted locally-made ice-creams or a craft coffee.

Always Summer Café is located by the lower level entrance to Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Contact information

Theater Review: Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol is a gleefully unhinged holiday romp

Mrs. Dilber's Christmas Carol
at The Phoenix Theatre
Written by Arthur M. Jolly
Directed by Eric Lewis
Playing November 28 - December 21, 2025
Friday and Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 2:00pm

Review by Kindle Carpp

Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol reimagines Dickens’s classic from the viewpoint of Scrooge’s long-suffering housekeeper, and the result is a gleefully unhinged holiday romp. 

When the Christmas spirits meant for Scrooge arrive at Mrs. Dilber’s bedside—desperate to reach him on schedule—she seizes the moment not for moral enlightenment, but for a chance to secure the velvet bed curtains she has long coveted. What follows is a madcap chain of misadventures that spins the familiar story into something wonderfully askew.

If Lucille Ball’s I Love Lucy and Dickens’s A Christmas Carol ever collided, this production is the delightful chaos that would emerge. The show leans fully into its farcical spirit, delivering slapstick sequences, tongue-in-cheek asides, and quick-fire wordplay that keep the audience laughing from start to finish. The humor lands with confidence, and the pacing never loses its buoyant rhythm.

Dorothea Koetje’s costuming further enriches the production. From the vivid, imaginative designs of the Christmas spirits to the sweetly coordinated Cratchit children, every ensemble piece feels thoughtfully crafted and period-appropriate without losing the whimsy the show embraces. Even within the farce, there’s a visual cohesion that pulls the world together.


The cast is a true highlight, showcasing impressive versatility as nearly every actor takes on multiple roles. Each performer brings their characters to memorable life, making it nearly impossible to single out one standout among them. Their shared commitment to big choices, bold physicality, and genuine ensemble chemistry elevates the comedy at every turn.

The script’s funniest moments hit especially well—Mrs. Dilber’s rousing call for “revolution in the streets,” and the delightful chaos that follows, is a particular crowd-pleaser. Throughout, the production balances irreverence with heart, never forgetting the warm holiday spirit at its core.

Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol may twist the classic tale in outrageous directions, but it does so with such charm and confidence that it becomes its own kind of holiday tradition—one that reminds us that laughter, too, is a gift meant to be shared.

The Phoenix Theatre Edmonds is located at 9673 Firdale Avenue, ​Edmonds, Wa 98020 in the middle of the 2nd floor of the rear building in Firdale Village.


Spectacular mushrooms

Photo by Virginia Donnelly

Seeing all those mushrooms in the Shoreline Area News today made me decide that I wanted to share my cool fungus.  

This one is growing on a stump in my yard.  

--Virginia (Gini) Donnelly


Greenhouse Winter Market ended the farmers market season on a high note


Story and Photos from the Shoreline Farmers Market

What an incredible weekend! We are still buzzing from the success of our first annual Greenhouse Winter Market! This event marked the spectacular close of Shoreline Farmers Market Season 14, and it exceeded every expectation.


More than 50 incredible local small businesses had the opportunity to share their special creations and hearts with our community.

Shoppers voted with their dollars! Many vendors reported record sales, with some even selling out completely, a huge win for our local entrepreneurs!

A massive thank you to our incredible host and event partner, Sky Nursery! They offered a beautiful, warm space and stellar staff support. Magical!


The market’s impact goes far beyond sales. We are thrilled to have supported the vital food access work of Hopelink and their food pantry in two significant ways:
  1. Vendor Fees Donated: All vendor booth fees (kept intentionally low to help incubate small businesses) were donated, raising an amazing $2,760!
  2. Pantry Staples Drive: We asked visitors to bring pantry staples, and wow, did you show up! Together, we donated over 1,100 pounds of food this weekend alone.
We are truly filled with gratitude and joy after this last event of the season. Thank you to every vendor, shopper, volunteer, and staff member who made this possible.


Let this celebration inspire you to know that one small act can make a difference in your community. Small businesses and food access programs continue to need your support year-round.

See you next season! 


What Seniors need to know about renting - December 2, 2025 online

What Seniors need to know about renting
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
1 - 2:45pm
Online - register to get link

Are you a senior looking to understand your rights as a tenant? 

Learn everything you need to know about:
  • Fees and deposits.
  • How to deal with maintenance requests.
  • Finding safety and community in your housing.
  • Evictions in senior housing.
Tenant Law Center attorneys may be available during presentations for general legal information, and we share legal aid resources during each presentation. 

If you’re currently living in King County and being threatened with eviction, contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 206-267-7069 or hjpstaff@kcba.org.

TO REGISTER: Go to Rent Smart: Information for Senior Renters on the Seattle Public Library website


Empower Your Community with Life-Saving Skills This Holiday Season - open house December 2, 2025

Photo courtesy WestCoast CPR Training
At WestCoast CPR Training, we believe in the power of community and the importance of being prepared. 

This Thanksgiving weekend, we are excited to offer a special opportunity for everyone in our community to learn and practice essential life-saving skills.

Free Open House Event: Learn Hands-Only CPR and Use a Defibrillator Trainer

Join us this Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 4:30pm to 6:00pm at our WestCoast CPR Training center at 17544 Midvale Ave N. Suite 201, Shoreline, WA 98133. (206) 629-5295

 This free event is open to everyone and provides a unique chance to gain hands-on experience with compression-only CPR and defibrillator trainers. Our state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable instructors will guide you through the basics, ensuring you leave with valuable skills that could save a life. 

Certifications are not included, but the knowledge you gain is priceless.

Special Thanksgiving Promotions

In addition to our free open house, we are thrilled to offer the following promotions to help you stay safe at work and home.

  • For Businesses: Book a private CPR & First Aid class for your workplace by December 31, 2025, and receive $100 off your training session. Empower your team with life-saving skills and enjoy peace of mind knowing they are prepared for any emergency.
  • For Individuals: Book a CPR class in December and receive a FREE CPR mask with your training. Use the promo code "Thankful" at checkout to take advantage of this special offer. It's the perfect time to learn a new skill and give yourself or a loved one the gift of safety.
At WestCoast CPR Training, we are committed to making our community a safer place, one class at a time. We look forward to seeing you at our open house and helping you gain the confidence to act in an emergency. Together, we can make a difference.


Ridgecrest food drive half-way to goal - continues to end of December


Many thanks to those who have been dropping off food and other much needed items for the Ridgecrest Neighborhood Food Drive for Hopelink- Shoreline’s Food Bank.

So far, we have turned in 740 pounds towards our 1,300 lb goal. The collection drive continues through the end of December. Your contributions are so appreciated. Be sure to let your friends and neighbors know about our efforts.

Together, we are making a difference.

--Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association


Saturday, November 29, 2025

Thanksgiving sunset

Photo by Lee Wolfe

Friday evening gifted us with a lovely sunset. 
It was a nice improvement from our rainy Thanksgiving Day.
--Lee Wolfe


 

Free mobile dental clinic for senior citizens on Friday December 5, 2025

The Senior Activity Center is excited to host a dental clinic offered in partnership with Medical Teams International.

This clinic will provide urgent dental care services, including fillings, extractions, and comprehensive exams, all at no cost.

Thanks to the support of Cambia Health Foundation, they are focused on serving seniors as part of their priority area, Healthy and Connected Aging.

Services offered include: Basic dental exams, X-rays, Fillings (restorations for cavities or tooth decay), Extractions, Blood pressure screenings

Friday December 5, 2025 with appointments scheduled from 9am to 2pm

REGISTRATION - Call or visit the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center 206-365-1536


Accessibility Features on Mobile Devices December 3, 2025

Come to a free, interactive workshop covering features on Apple and Android. 

We will discuss features for hearing, vision, and speech along with other disabilities. We will guide you through settings so you can customize them to make your mobile devices easier to use!

Wednesday December 3, 2025 from 1 - 2pm

FREE but REGISTER - Call or visit the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center 206-365-1536



Presentation: Getting the Most Out of the Sale of Your Home December 1, 2025

Real estate expert and 
attorney Laura Henderson

Join us for a free presentation by real estate expert and attorney, Laura Henderson, who will provide a full walk-through of the sale process, how to address deferred maintenance, and what repairs or modifications you should make to maximize your revenue from your sale.

Monday December 1, 2025 from 12:30 - 1:30pm

Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center 18560 1st Ave NE Bldg. G, Shoreline WA 98155

FREE but REGISTER - Call or visit the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center 206-365-1536


Mushroom season

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

By Diane Hettrick

Lee sent this photo of an exuberant growth of mushrooms growing around a section of a tree trunk. 

Photo by Pam Cross
This is mushroom season in the area. I have one section of lawn which is under a couple of fruit trees and it always gets mushrooms. The thing that surprised me is that it's not always the same variety.

I usually have the kind in Pam's photo and they look exactly like the dead leaves from the fruit trees. 

And they all look like the rotten pears that the squirrels and raccoons and birds and rabbits left behind. I never walk on that part of the lawn.

Photo by Jon Ann Cruver
But one year I had the ruffled mushrooms that grow in a fan from the ground, and another year I had a few of the fairy mushrooms like the one in Jon Ann's photo that look like a pixy should be sitting under them.

I used to get the plain tan ones and they are apparently not poisonous because my mother-in-law used to pick them from the ground and eat them.

Photo by Jon Ann Cruver
They hardly last a day. They appear and the next day they have changed shape, somewhat like the one in Jon Ann's second photo, and the next day they are gone.

The Puget Sound Mycological Society has information on their webpage and on their Facebook page.




Share some love - and money - with the Senior Activity Center

Community quilt
Photo courtesy Senior Activity Center

Many of us gathered with family and friends for Thanksgiving. We spent time with those we love over a meal and shared stories. It’s also a time of reflection, and this year the Team at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center has much to be grateful for.
Our instructors and volunteers facilitated classes and events that brought in over 35,000 unique visits to the Center
Our mighty Board and team of volunteers hosted 10 Rainbow Bingos and 5 Trivia Nights
Over 1,230 older adults became members
Financial support grew through local businesses 
And the cherry on top? Our neighbors on Nextdoor selected us as a 2025 “Neighborhood Fave”!

The Center turned 50 this year. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we need the support of our community to ensure our sustainability. Our goal is to raise $60,000 by December 31. We’ve already received $3,500; thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

This Thanksgiving weekend, please tell your family, friends, and neighbors what the Center means to you, and encourage them to give. You can show your thanks by making a donation today - right here!

The photo is a section of the community quilt that residents of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park contributed to over the summer. It’s symbolic of our first 50 years as your Senior Center.

The process of creating a community quilt, where many individuals contribute a small piece, represents how a community that works together can build something far greater and more diverse than any one person could do alone.

If every member donated $50 to celebrate our 50th anniversary, our "community quilt of support" would exceed $60,000!

Donations will also be accepted from non-members!

The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center is physically located in the Echo Lake neighborhood of Shoreline. It serves all of both cities as well as north Seattle. 


Business Spotlight: Percy & Poppy: Handcrafted Florals That Bring Joy & Creativity to Shoreline


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

Percy & Poppy: Handcrafted Florals That Bring Joy & Creativity to Shoreline

There’s a new floral studio blooming in Shoreline and it’s already bringing warmth, color, and creativity to homes and businesses across the region. 

Percy & Poppy, founded in 2025 after years of behind-the-scenes floral passion, is all about community, connection, and the magic that flowers spark in everyday life. With bespoke designs for homes, local shops, weddings, and celebrations big and small, Percy & Poppy infuses heart, artistry, and intention into every arrangement.

Q & A with Percy & Poppy

Q: How long have you been in business?


A: Percy & Poppy officially started this year, after years of designing florals as a passion project. I finally decided to bring it to life in 2025!

Q: What service does your business provide for our community?

A: Percy & Poppy Florals brings beauty, connection, and joy to the Seattle/Shoreline community through bespoke floral design. I provide thoughtfully crafted arrangements for homes, local businesses, weddings, and special events—helping people celebrate moments big and small.

Beyond flowers, my goal is to cultivate community: partnering with neighborhood cafés, boutiques, salons, and wellness studios to elevate their spaces; offering seasonal pop-ups and bloom bars that bring people together; and supporting local makers, venues, and fellow small businesses through creative collaborations.

Whether it’s a weekly subscription, a lobby installation, a bouquet bar, or wedding florals, I aim to offer a service that makes our community feel more connected, inspired, and welcomed.

Q: What’s one thing you wish your customers knew about you but never ask?

A: I wish people knew that Percy & Poppy is named after my ragdoll cat, Percy. She’s been my little sidekick through everything, and naming the business after her just felt right. It brings a bit of her sweetness and comfort into everything I make!

Q: What inspires you each day?

A: Flowers have always been my go-to when I need to lift my mood or brighten my space. Percy & Poppy was built on that feeling, and creating arrangements that can offer that same warmth to others inspires me daily.

Q: How do you approach customer service, and what sets you apart?

A: I really try to make every customer feel heard and taken care of. Flowers are personal, so I spend time getting to know someone’s style, vision, and the little details that matter to them. Whether it’s a wedding, a subscription bouquet, or a last-minute gift, I want the whole experience to feel easy, thoughtful, and customized.

Q: What’s your next upcoming event?

A: I’m so excited for my next events! First up is a holiday pop-up on 12/11 from 4–7pm at Valerie Madison in Madrona, where I’ll have dried wreaths, garland, and holiday-themed floral arrangements and bouquets available for purchase. It’s the perfect chance to pick up festive pieces for your home or gifts for loved ones. More details are on my Instagram!

Then on 12/13, I’m hosting a bloom bar in partnership with ELM Candle Bar in Capitol Hill. When you grab a ticket, you’ll get to make your own custom candle and build your own bouquet. It’s such a cozy, creative Saturday activity, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s beautiful creations!

Connect with Percy & Poppy

16336 Ashworth Avenue North
952-769-7410
percyandpoppy.com
percyandpoppyflorals@gmail.com
Instagram: @percyandpoppyflorals


Destination Shoreline is brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, Real Estate Broker with Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline. Whether you’re planning to sell, buy, or simply explore your options, Kate Ledbetter is ready to provide expert guidance tailored to your unique real estate needs, visit KateLHomes.com for more information.


Free Meals from Shoreline churches

Ronald Commons Cafe

Residents are responding generously to the Hopelink food drive. But the social aspect of sharing food is also important.

Several churches in Shoreline host free meals where you can sit down with other people. After years of sit-down dinners, PoPy's Café ceased sit-down meals when the pandemic hit but now hands out boxed meals weekly. 

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church
722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133
Tuesdays 5:00PM – 6:30PM
Sit down or to-go meals

Prince of Peace Lutheran (PoPy’s Café)
14514 20th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98133
Wednesdays 5:00PM – 6:00PM
To-go meals

Ronald Commons Café at Ronald United Methodist Church
17839 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
Thursday 5:00PM – 6:00PM
Sit down or to-go meals

Calvin Presbyterian Church
18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline WA 98177
3rd Monday (1/19, 2/16, 3,16) from 6PM-7:30PM


Watercolor & Dream Workshop: Home at The Creativity Loft December 3, 2025

Watercolor & Dream Workshop: Home
at The Creativity Loft
Wednesday December 3, 2025 from 6:30-8:30pm

Our dreams - ideas, wishes, or hopes - need stability and a "home" to expand from.

In this workshop, you'll be guided with watercoloring to discover what home means to you so you can best fuel your creativity.

Walk away with a tangible snapshot of your dream fuel in watercolor, clear next steps, and tools to get unstuck on your dream journeys.

Experience guided by creative career coach and watercolorist, Laura Kiyoi.

These workshops are a sacred space for dreaming and community at The Creativity Loft in Shoreline every first Wednesday of the month.

No experience required & supplies provided.

Tickets: Watercolor & Dream

Classes are held at The Creativity Loft in North City 1539 NE 177th St D, Shoreline WA 98155


Jobs: City of Lake Forest Park Director of Public Works

Lake Forest Park, WA
Director of Public Works
Full-Time - $155,707.56 - $200,476.08 Annually
Category: Public Works
Department: Public Works
Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2026 salary step schedule will be as follows: $160,379.80 - $ 206,490.36 annually.

Reporting to the City Administrator, the Director of Public Works plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Public Works Department including engineering, project management, surface water management, planning, building, sanitary sewer, City facilities, maintenance, and parks. 

The Director's work involves developing and implementing departmental policies, planning and executing both short and long-range programs, coordinating departmental activities with other City departments and private or civic organizations, and is responsible for maintaining the physical assets of the City’s streets, bridges, sanitary sewer systems, storm water management systems, parks and other City properties and buildings. 

Budget management, including capital planning and future financial forecasting, is essential, along with the ability to prepare and present technical materials to the City Council, agencies, and the public. In addition to administrative duties, the Director is expected to provide hands-on support during emergency situations.



Friday, November 28, 2025

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a peaceful day, enjoying family and friends, and that you don't eat too much.

I am thankful for 
  • my daughter, who cheerfully took on the job of hosting Thanksgiving, allowing that task to skip right over me (just as well. I once melted a turkey bag on my turkey)
  • Carl Dinse, who handles all the tech stuff for the Shoreline Area News
  • All the people, past and present, who contribute articles and photos, particularly those who have been regulars over the years
  • All the people who send in tips and reminders and politely advise of errors
  • Everyone who encourages friends and associates to read the Shoreline Area News

Shoreline Area News

 

Bingo and Santa at free family event at Shoreline Elks December 13, 2025


Shoreline Elks is putting on an opportunity for families to have a little fun together for free.

There will be free pictures with Santa followed by free bingo where winners get to pick the prize.

There will be snacks as well. 

Saturday, December 13, 2025
  • Noon - photos with Santa
  • 1:30pm - Bingo
Please RSVP by December 11 at elks1800@hotmail.com or 206-364-1800 (landline) to ensure adequate food and prizes.

Shoreline Elks Lodge 1800 at 14625 15th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155


Faster than turkey - Town & Country recipe for Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Yield: 4-6 Servings

Cozy up with classic comfort! This cottage pie features savory beef and veggies topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Prefer a shepherd’s pie? Simply substitute the beef with ground lamb.

Ingredients:
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 ½ lbs ground beef
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 c beef broth
  • 1 c frozen peas
  • 3 c prepared mashed potatoes
  • 1 c shredded white cheddar cheese
Preparation:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 
  2. Coat a large skillet over medium heat lightly with olive oil. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed. 
  4. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then pour in the beef broth. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the frozen peas and remove from heat. 
  5. Spoon the beef mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Dollop the mashed potatoes over the top and spread to cover the filling. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the potatoes.
  6. Place the dish into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let pie rest for a few minutes before serving.Options:
Alternately, you can use an oven-safe pan, such as cast iron, to build the pie in directly. Top the filling with mashed potatoes and transfer to the oven, eliminating the need for a baking dish.

Shoreline Town & Country Market 15505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline WA 98133


Shorewood PALS Club and Life Skills Program donates 1,590 pounds of food to Hopelink

Shorewood PALS Club and friends
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The PALS Club and Life Skills Program would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing Shorewood families who made generous contributions to their Food Drive benefiting Hopelink!

Club members loading the food
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The students were able to donate 1,590 pounds of non-perishable food to support local families who may have otherwise gone without this holiday season. 

Food collection for Hopelink
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

And the best part? Hopelink shared that this is their largest donation in the last three months! 

Thank you for showing what the Shorewood and Shoreline community is all about—compassion, generosity, and taking care of one another.

Shannon Braddock honored by King County Council


At Tuesday’s King County Council meeting, the council presented the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service to Shannon Braddock in recognition of her steady, thoughtful, and bold leadership as County Executive from April 1 through November 25 of this year.


Celebrate Beginnings & Endings at the Shoreline Historical Museum and its Miyawaki Forest

SHORELINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM & MIYAWAKI FOREST 
invites adults & kids to celebrate beginnings & endings 
Saturday December 6, 2025 from 3.30-5pm

HAPPY CREW from left: Robby Grillo, Maureen O'Neil, Diane Lobaugh, Lee Keim, Polly Cook, Armand Micheline, Bruce Scholten, Kenneth Doutt, Char Erickson, Judy Moore

Story by Bruce Scholten
Photos by Martha Young-Scholten

URBAN BREAK? Shoreline Historical Museum and its Miyawaki Forest can give you a lift. Even a place to sit & relax, since incoming executive director Robby Grillo and outgoing director Kenneth Doutt installed stone benches, provided by board president Armand Micheline. See slugs bugs and butterflies. Stroll the garden, reading clay signs with plant names in English and Lushootseed, the first language spoken in the Duwamish Territory.

Two years ago, with support by SUGI (Sustainable Urbanisation Global Initiative) Lake Forest Park and Shoreline Rotary Clubs, King Conservation District, the Duwamish dxʷdəwʔabš Tribe and others, hundreds of volunteers planted 3000 square feet of garry oak, Oregon grape, salal and more indigenous vegetation in close proximity. 

Since then, volunteer weeding and watering helped some plants grow nearly six meters high! Benefits include better air quality, cooling, traffic noise reduction, water retention and CO2 sequestration. 

Robby Grillo and Kenneth Doutt setting a bench in the Miyawaki Forest

Volunteering involved networking for several public events, sparking new friendships. Outgoing director Ken Doutt said the successful years-long process was, ‘One of the greatest experiences of my life.’ New executive director Robby Grillo is working closely with Doutt on the transition.

Adults and children are invited to our Miyawaki Forest’s celebration of beginnings and endings, December 6, 2025, Saturday 3.30-5pm. Enjoy hot dogs, apple cider cake, and warm drinks! Consider volunteering to help our Miyawaki Forest thrive!

Museum and garden are located at 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133. Phone: 206-542-7111

Information about the Miyawaki Forest


Jobs: Aqua Club General Manager

Aqua Club
General Manager
Salary range: $55,000 - $75,000 based on experience and qualifications

Aqua Club, Inc. is currently searching for a General Manager to oversee the Club’s recreational aquatics and tennis programs and facility operations. Established in 1959, Aqua Club is a private swim and tennis club located in the Uplake neighborhood of Kenmore, Washington.

Job Description - General Manager

The General Manager (GM) of Aqua Club is a full-time annual salaried position that reports to the elected Board of Trustees. The GM is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Club, its grounds, and facilities, and ensures a healthy, safe, rewarding, and enjoyable environment for all members and their guests. The GM manages an assistant general manager, a staff of lifeguards, and works in collaboration with other Club employees (bookkeeper, clubhouse rental manager, individual program coaches) and elected Board members. 

The GM is responsible for oversight or execution of their duties, delegating to direct reporting staff as appropriate, performance to approved annual budget, and providing regular updates to the Board. This on-site position requires a willingness to work flexible hours and be a visible presence at the club, particularly during the high season (May-September), which requires more hours than the low season (Oct-April). The GM should expect to periodically work on weekends and during club events, particularly during the high
season or throughout a scheduled maintenance or repair project.