Free workshop on heat pumps July 29, 2026

Shoreline Heat Pump Program Presentation

Join Energize Shoreline for a free Energize Shoreline workshop to learn how heat pumps can both cool your home in the summer and keep it warm in the winter—while using less energy. 

You’ll also learn how to save money on installation, including a $2,500 discount, and get connected with trusted local installers who can guide you every step of the way. 

Hot weather is becoming more common, and the City of Shoreline is here to help you stay comfortable at home. Learn more here

WHEN: July 29, 2026 from 1:00 - 2:00pm
COST: FREE
LOCATION: Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center, 18560 1st Ave NE
REGISTRATION: Call or visit the senior center 206-365-1536

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Energize Shoreline Increases Access to Home Cooling During Increasingly Hot Summers

Hotter summers are here, and the City of Shoreline wants to help you stay cool. 

Energize Shoreline is offering free workshops this summer to help residents learn about heat pumps — energy-efficient systems that heat, cool, filter, and dehumidify your home.

What You’ll Learn

• What heat pumps are and how they work
• What incentives are available—including up to a $6,000 discount*
• How to connect with qualified local installers

Workshop Schedule

All workshops are in-person at Shoreline City Hall and online via Zoom. Registration is required to attend online. If you attend in person, you can register at the door—no need to sign up in advance!

Workshop #1: Saturday, July 25 from 9:00-11:00am

Includes a vendor fair with local installers!

• 9:00-10:00 a.m.: Vendor fair (City Hall)
• 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Workshop presentation (City Hall and Zoom)

Workshop #2: Thursday, July 30 from 6:30-7:30pm

Workshop #3: Tuesday, August 18 from 6:30-7:30pm

Register for the online workshop series at ShorelineWA.gov/GoElectric.

Benefits
If you attend a workshop, you are eligible for:

• An exclusive $2,500 or $6,000 discount* on a qualifying heat pump
• Help with rebates, incentives, and financing
• Support from local, qualified installers

What is Energize Shoreline?

Energize Shoreline is a City program that makes upgrading to a heat pump easier and more affordable. 

Energize Shoreline is a program that provides free educational workshops about heat pump technology and exclusive savings on heat pumps for Shoreline residents. We connect you with local installers, offer financial incentives, and help you make the switch to a heat pump with confidence.

Learn more: ShorelineWA.gov/GoElectric

*The Energize Shoreline discounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited availability while funding lasts. Terms and conditions apply. See program website for full details.

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Porch Solar, Plug-in Solar, Balcony Solar

Plug in solar panel

By Sarah Phillips

The news is full of the rising cost of electricity. The Seattle Times reported on June 18, 2026 that Seattle City Light anticipates rate increases of 9.5 percent for each of the next three years.

Are there any solutions on the horizon?

Maybe, although it is not legal in Washington, several states including Utah and New York are allowing individuals to purchase plug-in solar, also called porch solar or balcony solar.

Three names for the same thing. 

Plug-in solar is an innovation in the solar industry. These units cost between S500-1000, can be purchased at stores like IKEA or Home Depot, and generate solar power for your home. 

The solar panel itself is a small unit that generates a direct current (DC). An inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC), which goes into your house or apartment’s electrical system through a standard wall socket.

The panels are portable

Plug-In solar is being used in Germany. In the last three years over 1 million installations have occurred. 

It is surprisingly simple. Utah and New York have recently passed legislation to allow Plug-in Solar. As of now, Washington state does not allow these units.

The energy from these small units do not fully replace all your energy costs. They are however a low-cost clean energy and they can be used in outage prone areas like Lake Forest Park when the plug-in solar is connected to a battery. 

Because they are portable, they can be moved from one home or apartment to another. Power to the People: How 'Balcony Solar' Could Help Fight Rising Utility Costs

The research suggested that the payback period is about 5 years. The payback period depends on several factors:

• the cost of electricity
• the cost of the initial unit

Can they be purchased in Washington state? Not yet. What needs to happen is similar from state to state.

1. Define a new class of small solar systems, distinguishing plug-in solar from the larger rooftop arrays that existing rules were designed for.
2. Exempt small systems from utility interconnection requirements and approvals, eliminating permitting delays and expensive interconnection fees.
3. Require product safety certifications, protecting both consumers and utility workers.

View YouTube video showing simple installation

Plug-In solar on display

Interested in seeing one of these units for yourself? The LFP Climate Hub and Third Act will be showing off one of these units at the July 19 Farmers Market. Drop by to see how it works.

Photo used with permission BrightSaver

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North City Water District presents: Sustainable Vegetable Gardening May 12, 2026

Come learn how to make your existing landscape—large or small—produce great food!

SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLE GARDENING
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:30–8:00 pm
at North City Water District

1519 NE 177th Street in Shoreline
Click for directions >

Attendees enjoying the large presentation screen at the April 2026 class

Growing your own organic food is a fun and delicious way to garden in the Pacific Northwest. Vegetables, berries, and fruit trees need special care to thrive, but your time and energy will pay off with great tasting, nutritious, homegrown food. Best of all, food crops can be incorporated into any existing landscape, large or small!

Class is free, but you must register to attend.

• Contact us in advance by email to customerservice@northcitywater.org or 
• call our office at 206-362-8100.

About the Presenter:

Ladd Smith

In 1994, Ladd Smith co-founded In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes, with his business partner Mark Gile, out of his lifelong passion for protecting the environment. 

In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes is a provider of organic based landscape services in King, Snohomish and north Pierce counties. 

He earned his BS degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Nevada, Reno. 

Ladd has been a regular presenter for King County’s highly successful Natural Yard Care Neighborhoods program and on various organic landscaping topics for almost 25 years.

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Seattle City Light testing new unplanned outage notifications

Seattle City Light is testing a new unplanned power outage notification system to alert customers about power outages and restorations via text or email. Log in to your Utility Services website account to verify your information to ensure you receive these timely alerts.

During this pilot phase, only outages affecting a small number of customers will trigger an alert. Large and high-volume outages will not be included until full implementation. 

At City Light, we strive to provide the best possible customer service. With this new feature, we can proactively communicate with customers when outages occur and when they are resolved. We understand that unplanned outages are inconvenient. 

Letting our customers know when their homes and businesses are affected allows them to make informed decisions, whether that means working from another location, picking up dinner on the way home, or staying with friends and family.

How does it work?

When a power outage affects your service address, text and email alerts will be sent out within 5-10 minutes. Communications will be sent from either 888-442-7594 or no-reply@seattle.gov notifying you of an outage at your home or business. Save this phone number and email address to your contacts to ensure swift and efficient delivery.

Once power is restored at your home or business, we will alert you that the power is back on.

Customers who already have a cell phone number or email address associated with their City Light accounts will automatically be enrolled to receive alerts. Participation in the system is free. However standard text and data rates may apply.

To set your preferences or to opt-out of receiving alerts, follow the instructions on this page.

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Emergency gas main repairs taking place on 47th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) subcontractor Infrasource is conducting an emergency gas main repair in the 20000 block of 47th Ave NE following a leak discovery on April 1, 2026. Lake Forest Park Public Works crews responded.

The repair involves replacing a flange valve originally installed in 1962. Due to the age and condition of the infrastructure, crews have determined that temporary fixes are not viable based on past experience, and a full replacement is necessary to ensure safety and reliability.

Construction is taking place within a recently overlaid section of roadway. Residents may experience traffic disruptions in the area while repairs are underway.

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Teamsters ratify contract with Republic Services

Teamsters Locals 38, 117, and 174 overwhelmingly ratify new contract with Republic Services
Photo courtesy Teamsters

Saturday January 31, 2026 the three Teamsters locals that represent Republic Services workers, Locals 38, 117, and 174, came together to vote on a new contract.

The history-making joint agreement was ratified by margins well over 90%.

Locally, Republic Services provides pick up of trash, yard waste, and recycling for Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.

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Sally Yamasaki named 2025 Water Protector of the Year

Commissioners Bill Donahue, David Hammond, Eli Zehner with recipient Sally Yamasaki and General Manager Alan Kerley on the right.

Each year, the Lake Forest Park Water District recognizes a member of our community whose actions help protect the water resources that sustain us all.

Sally Yamasaki has demonstrated outstanding commitment to community-based environmental stewardship, particularly through her involvement in native forest restoration and public education efforts. She played a key role in the Miyawaki Urban Forest initiative, helping organize community participation, native plantings, and outreach that strengthen watershed health and improve stormwater infiltration.

In addition to her restoration work, Sally has served the community through public service, including on the Lake Forest Park Water District’s Advisory Committee and the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Her contributions reflect a strong understanding that protecting water resources begins with responsible land stewardship and engaged communities.

“In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership and Dedication to Protecting our Local Waters through Native Forest Stewardship,” the Lake Forest Park Water District is honored to present Sally with the 2025 Water Protector of the Year Award.

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Seattle City Light power line-clearance work in Lake Forest Park

Examples of what could occur from proper line clearance pruning.

Seattle City Light is committed to ensuring safe and reliable power delivery to the residents of Lake Forest Park. 

Vegetation has been the largest single cause of electrical outages on their system and they have begun performing additional regularly scheduled link clearance work through their system network. 

They are planning on working soon within the City of Lake Forest Park to begin this maintenance effort.

To prevent power outages, Seattle City Light is required to maintain a proper clearance between vegetation and /power lines, wherever possible. This clearance distance is consistent with Washington Administrative Code 296.24.960 and arboricultural industry Best Management Practices.

Maintaining these clearances may require significant structural pruning that alters the tree's natural growth form and shape. 

City Light makes every attempt to respect the trees' form and property owners' aesthetic values while ensuring the required clearance distances are met. 

Seattle City Light only contracts with qualified line clearance tree trimmers who adhere to ANSI A300 arboricultural pruning standards. For work within the City of Lake Forest Park, they have hired Davey Tree Service. 

These standards include:

• Using directional pruning techniques
• Emphasizing proper cuts to minimize damage to the trees
• Not “rounding over” or “balancing” trees for symmetry

To reach out directly to Seattle City Light with any questions regarding this upcoming work, you can contact them via email at SCLvegetation@seattle.gov

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PSE's Beaver Creek Wind Farm in Montana is now fully operational

Beaver Creek Wind Farm in Montana
Photo courtesy PSE

BELLEVUE, Wash. (Aug. 19, 2025) – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is proud to announce that its Beaver Creek wind farm, a utility-scale wind project located on the high plains in Stillwater County, Montana, is now fully operational.

The Beaver Creek wind farm is the latest addition in a growing list of renewable energy resources that PSE has brought online as it works toward complying with Washington state's ambitious clean energy laws. By 2030, the amount of new, non-emitting generation resources PSE will need to have is more than the utility has accumulated in its 150-year history.

The wind farm has an initial nameplate capacity of 248 megawatts (MW), enough energy to power about 83,000 homes a year. Montana wind has a high production rate that is especially valuable during extremely cold weather in the Pacific Northwest, when high pressure systems mean that Washington wind farms produce less energy.

"The Beaver Creek project moved from construction to full operation in just over a year, demonstrating what's possible when we combine innovative planning with strong partnerships,” said Mary Kipp, president and CEO of Puget Sound Energy.

“I want to particularly thank Montana's state and local officials for their support and collaborative approach that helped make this aggressive timeline possible. Their partnership has been instrumental in bringing this important energy resource online to serve our customers.”

PSE has been a partner in Montana's energy economy since the 1970s and continues to invest in the state of Montana and its communities. Learn more about these projects and PSE's work in Montana at www.psemontana.com.

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Republic Services resumes normal collection

Nationally, the Teamsters union and Republic Services resolved their contract dispute. 

Locally, Republic Services resumed their normal pick up schedule in King and Snohomish counties on Monday July 21, 2025 ending the two week strike.

Impacted customers will receive a credit for the service portion of their bill on their next statement. 

Republic Services currently plans to collect double the amount of garbage, recycling, and organic materials on the next regularly scheduled service day at no additional cost.

Customers will be serviced on their normal collection day and should leave out all their containers

For the latest updates or questions, please contact Republic Services Customer Service at 206-682-9730 or visit their website at Republic Services.

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Lake Forest Park and Kenmore residents haul their own garbage during sympathy strike against Republic Services

Line up to drop off garbage at Lake Forest Park

Story and photos by Jamie Holter

Thousands of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore residents are still without waste and recycling pickup service as Republic Services enters a second week of suspended operations.

Republic Services unionized workers are honoring a nationwide Teamsters strike that was called July 9, 2025.

Republic workers unload a resident's car

Lake Forest Park is one of the few cities with nearby waste drop-off locations. Most western Washington cities have yet to hear when and where they can offload their mounting garbage.

On Thursday, a steady stream of residents entered the Lake Forest Park Towne Centre parking lot near city hall to transfer garbage into the line of waiting Republic Services trucks. Republic workers moved quickly to direct traffic and help customers with bags.

Republic brought in workers from across the country to help manage the backlog. “I’m here from Florida. I’ve worked for Republic for 18 years. We’re just up here to help out,” said one worker.

Worker directing traffic

Republic Services sent updated information to My Neighborhood News Network Thursday afternoon.

“We are prioritizing critical customers this week and working as quickly as we can to resume service. We have drop-off locations in six [Western Washington] cities and are adding more in the coming days. The most recent service updates can be found here.”

Lake Forest Park times and locations can be found here. The dates and times will be updated as available.

“We have deployed several Republic Services employees from other areas to assist with collections, and our management team is working with temporary labor to manage the drop-off locations.

"We are grateful to our city partners for their collaboration and support as we worked to set these up for residents,” the statement continued.

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Energize Shoreline to offer free workshops on installing heat pumps

Learn how to improve your home’s comfort and save money with heat pumps!

Hotter summers are here, and the City wants to help you stay cool. 

Energize Shoreline is offering free workshops this summer to help residents learn about heat pumps — energy-efficient systems that heat, cool, filter, and dehumidify your home.

What You’ll Learn

• What heat pumps are and how they work
• How to save money on installation — including a $2,500 discount*
• How to connect with qualified local installers
• What rebates, incentives, and financing options are available

Workshop Schedule

All workshops are in-person at Shoreline City Hall and online via Zoom. Registration is required to attend online. If you attend in person, you can register at the door—no need to sign up in advance!

Wednesday, July 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Includes a vendor fair with local installers!

• 6:00–6:30 p.m.: Vendor Fair (City Hall)
• 6:30–7:30 p.m.: Workshop Presentation (City Hall + Zoom)
• 7:30–8:00 p.m.: Vendor Fair continues (City Hall)

Wednesday, August 6 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 20 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Register to attend the workshop online

Workshop Benefits

Residents who attend a workshop are eligible for:

• A $2,500 discount on a qualifying heat pump
• Help with rebates, incentives, and financing
• Support from local, trusted installers

What is Energize Shoreline?

Energize Shoreline is a City program that makes upgrading to a heat pump easier and more affordable. We connect you with local professionals, offer financial incentives, and provide guidance on how to install your new heat pump system.

Learn more: ShorelineWA.gov/GoElectric

*Note: The $2,500 discount is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Terms and conditions apply.

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Kenmore and LFP residents: Take your garbage and recycling to Lake Forest Park City Hall

As the Teamsters' strike against Republic Services enters its second week, Republic Services is offering a drop-off service for LFP and Kenmore residents at Lake Forest Park City Hall.

Free waste drop-off days: 

• Thursday July 17, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 
• Friday July 18, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Lake Forest Park and Kenmore residents can drop off garbage, compostables, and recycling at the LFP City Hall parking lot 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 from 9:00am to 3:00pm Thursday and Friday July 17-18, 2025.

Have your material in bags. Republic Services will be on site to assist. 

Thank you for your patience during Republic Services’ work stoppage.

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Where Does It Go? - Recology explains the details July 23, 2025 at the Shoreline Library

Where Does It Go?

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 6:30-7:30pm

Shoreline Library

345 NE 175th St, Shoreline WA 98155

Cost: Free

For adults

Discuss your questions about how to recycle and compost at home.

Learn what happens to the materials you recycle and why it is important to recycle from a Waste Zero Specialist at Recology.

Please register here. Attendees will receive a free compost pail and a recycle bag, courtesy of the City of Shoreline and Recology. Supplies are limited.

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Republic Services drivers on strike - no collections in Lake Forest Park or Kenmore until contract is settled

Republic Services drivers on strike

SERVICE INTERRUPTION 

As of this Friday, July 11, 2025, residential and commercial waste collection services in Lake Forest Park and Kenmore have been interrupted by a work stoppage at Republic Services due to an out-of-market labor dispute.

Republic will be providing updates to customers and both cities are monitoring the situation.

Republic Services has indicated that, as with inclement weather service delays, they will collect double garbage, recycling, and organic materials on your next regularly scheduled service day at no additional charge.

 

Impacted customers will receive a credit for the service portion of their rates on their next bill. We sincerely appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Republic Services is a national company and drivers are members of the Teamsters union - Local 174 in King and Snohomish counties. More than 2,000 Teamsters are currently on strike across the country at this moment.

Recology has a current contract with Teamsters
and services are currently uninterrupted

Shoreline and parts of Seattle are served by Recology, which has over 26 collections companies that provide integrated services to more than 2.5 million individuals and more than 100,000 commercial customers in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Recology drivers are also members of the Teamsters union. 

Teamsters Local Union No. 174 has a contract with Recology CleanScapes King County Inc., which includes operations in Shoreline. This agreement, which began on April 1, 2021, is set to continue through March 31, 2026.

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Knockout Gardens: Winning the War on Water Use with Great Plants and Techniques June 4, 2025

KNOCKOUT GARDENS

Winning the War on Water Use with Great Plants and Techniques

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 6:30–8:00 pm

at North City Water District

1519 NE 177th St, Shoreline WA 98155

If you’ve always wished your garden looked like it was designed by a professional but didn’t have the know-how to do it yourself, this class may well change all of that! 

Learn how to create stunning plant marriages; how to use short plants to support taller specimens to avoid stakes or ties; and how to use trees and large shrubs already in your landscape as focal points to create gardens with seasonal interest that will knock your socks off!

Class is free, but you must register to attend.

• Contact us in advance by email to customerservice@northcitywater.org or 
• call our office at 206-362-8100.

Marianne Binetti

About the Presenter:

Marianne Binetti cannot contain her enthusiasm for growing food, flowers and foliage plants in containers. 

She has a degree in horticulture from WSU and is the author of many books including “Container Gardens for Washington and Oregon” (Lonepine Press) and she writes a syndicated garden column appears on HGTV and leads garden tours around the world. 

She gardens in containers and in the ground on two acres near Enumclaw. You can follow her garden tips and seasonal advice on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Learn More and Follow Marianne:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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LFPWD Plant Exchange April to September with Kick-off April 22, 2025

The Lake Forest Park Water District is all set to celebrate Earth Day with our Plant Exchange Kick-off event which will be at the District yard on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

In 2019 we started an annual plant exchange which was a great success. Thank you to the many participants and the variety of their contributions!

Beginning in APRIL and running until SEPTEMBER consider taking part in this exchange as you tend your garden, and divide plants. Come down and peruse the plants at our office near the entrance gate.

Our list of guidelines is short, please continue to:

• Identify your donations as best you can with tags.
• Bring your plants in pots. (We have 1 gallon pots available if you need them)
• Leave as many plants as you take.
• Please don’t bring invasive or noxious weed species*

The community of LFP is legendary for its gardens and generosity, let’s share the wealth here!

*Noxious weeds - King County has information and identification guides including this Citizen’s Guide. You may even be interested in using your smartphone to report noxious weeds. Details here.

We currently have a number of the following plants in our yard!

Remaining from last year:

• Coast Black Gooseberry – Ribes divaricatum
• Puget Sound Gumweed – Grindelia integrifolia
• Pacific Crabapple – Malus fusca
• and more!

Our new 2025 stock

• Clustered Wild Rose – Rosa pisocarpa
• Salmonberry – Rubus spectabilis
• Tall Oregon Grape – Mahonia aquifolium
• Red Stem Ceanothus – Ceanothus sanguineus
• Henderson’s Checkermallow – Sidalcea hendersonii

Lake Forest Park Water District
4029 NE 178th St
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

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Joint meeting of North City Water District, Northshore and Shoreline Fire Departments

The North City Water District, Northshore and Shoreline Fire Departments will hold a joint meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00pm, at the North City Water District Headquarters 1519 NE 177th Street, Shoreline WA 98155.

On the agenda:

• Sound Transit status for Lynnwood Link the NE 145th St/SR 522
• Fircrest Facility
• Shoreline Fire Department 
• Regionalization Update
• Staffing Update 
• Capital Projects Update 
• Training Opportunities
• North City Water District 
• Capital Projects Update
• Flexnet system

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Classifieds: Fire commissioners to meet with North City Water District

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of Shoreline Fire Department will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for a joint Board meeting with North City Water District.

Location:

North City Water District
1519 NE 177th Street
Shoreline, WA 98155

Notice posted by: 

Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
March 3, 2025

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