Showing posts sorted by relevance for query 5 acre woods. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query 5 acre woods. Sort by date Show all posts

Volunteer Work Party at 5 Acre Woods Saturday

Friday, September 7, 2018


Join the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation for their monthly Saturday work party to remove ivy, create restoration trails, and restore forest health at the newest park in Lake Forest Park.

Saturday, September 8, 9am-12noon

The park is located on the west side of 40th Place NE at the intersection of 45th Place NE in Lake Forest Park.

Come dressed for all weather. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven terrain/mountain beaver holes. We will have a limited number of tools available so please bring your garden shears, loppers, folding hand saws or metal rakes but leave your power tools at home. Don't forget your gloves -- some people are sensitive to ivy sap. Snacks and water will be provided.

Walk to the woods, or park along 40th Place NE (see map). Check in at the volunteer table to sign a liability waiver and learn what to do. No experience required. Children 14 yrs and under require parental liability waiver and must be accompanied by parents.

Regular work parties will take place on the 1st Saturday of the month unless specified otherwise.

Work Party Questions? email Polly Saunders or call 206-999-1406.


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46th District Legislators meet with constituents in Town Hall

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

From left, Rep. Javier Valdez, Rep. Gerry Pollet
and Sen. David Frockt at Town Hall meeting

Photo and text by Steven H. Robinson

Legislators from the 46th District held a town hall Monday evening, April 16, 2018 in Kenmore to report on the recently completed state legislative session.

Senator David Frockt
Representative Gerry Pollet
Representative Javier Valdez

Report on the Washington legislative activity for 2018

Accomplishments 

Budget approved for Washington Education to include faculty raises and to pay fines levied by the Washington State Supreme Court for not fully funding public education. Projected end of local education levies which would impact Special Education if changes are not made to current funding.

Representative Pollet stated that there needs to be a progressive form of taxes in the state to cover funding needs.

The House passed, but the senate did not, a bill to cover NARCAN in high schools and dormitories to combat the issue of Opioid related deaths.

The legislature passed gun laws to ban “Bump stocks” and the banning of guns for individuals convicted of Domestic Violence. Also, individuals with mental illnesses may voluntarily have their names listed to not be able to purchase firearms. (Rep Valdez encouraged the audience to contact friends and relatives in other districts to contact their own legislators to influence them to vote for the proposed gun laws)

Voter registration legislation allows for people to register to vote as late as election day and youth can register to vote ahead of time if they will be 18 by election day.

Other accomplishments:
  • Green Act 2.0
  • DACA access to higher Education in the State of Washington
  • Breakfast after the bell to allow students to receive a free meal even after the school day starts.
  • Net Neutrality for internet access enacted for the state of Washington.
  • Funding for a Kenmore pedestrian pass over Bothell Way related to Sound Transit.
  • Funding found for LFP culvert replacements to return salmon runs
  • Acquisition funds for the 5 Acre Woods Park and maintenance
  • Funds for siting study for the Sound Transit 3 parking garage.
  • Funding for Public Boathouse in Kenmore
  • Funding for Rhododendron Park in Kenmore
Things not passed by the legislature

No repeal of the death penalty

No re-evaluation of Sound Transit evaluation for car tabs.

Not supported was Governor Inslee’s directive to prevent the Department of Licensing from giving information to the Federal Government without a Court Order or Warrant, when related to Immigrant's status or application for a Driver’s License.

A short question and answer period was allowed at the end of the meeting.

Topics related to air quality related to the asphalt plant, gun control, property tax reductions, funding for public works and thanks to the legislators for their work.



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Letter to the Editor: Catherine Stanford for LFP City Council

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

To the Editor:

Catherine Stanford has served her LFP community for the last thirty years: ten years on the Planning Commission, two years as a Board member of Third Place Commons and a key player in establishing the Farmer’s Market, and almost twelve years on the City Council. Catherine was a strong voice in favor of the acquisition of 5 Acre Woods. Her dedication to our community is the very definition of experience.

The redevelopment of Town Center and the Sound Transit Parking Garage is a serious consideration for many of our neighbors and we want to set the record straight.

a. At no time did Catherine or the LFP City Council support the developer's proposed plan to build 1,100 new residential units at Town Center. Council recently unanimously voted a 6-month moratorium to allow the Planning Commission time to consider development impacts prior to making their recommendation to the Council for potential code revisions.

b. The current codes were adopted in 2006 by a previous Council. Those codes leave the city vulnerable to development proposals that are not consistent with the character of Lake Forest Park.

c. A large majority of LFP residents voted to approve ST3, which included a proposed Parking Garage and Bus Rapid Transit down 522. This was NOT a decision by the City Council, and they have limited authority to determine the final plan.

Catherine has the endorsement of the 46th District Democrats, State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, State Senator David Frockt, and many others. Catherine believes in open and transparent government; financial responsibility; preservation of our environment; and appropriate local development to enhance our community.

We urge voters to check the facts, and then vote for Catherine Stanford for LFP City Council, the one candidate who has dedicated her time and energy in service to our community.

Theresa Greco, George Piano, Betsy Piano, Hilda Thompson, Chuck Paulsen, Karen Paulsen, Marty Ross, Judy Altman, Jeff Altman, Linda Holman, Tony Holman, Norman J. Lieberman, Jeff Weissman, Janet Norem.
Lake Forest Park



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Candidate Stephanie Angelis LFP City Council Pos 3 schedules Parks Meetup and Talk sessions

Friday, September 17, 2021

Horizon View Park
Stephanie Angelis, candidate for Lake Forest Park City Council Position 3, invites you to explore more of Lake Forest Park's gorgeous Park System and chat about the important issues that impact everyone. 

Bring your ideas and layers for unpredictable weather!
  • Parks Meetup and Talk - September 19th 2021 - 10am -1pm - Horizon View Park 19845 47th Ave NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
  • Parks Meetup and Talk - September 25th 2021- 10am -1pm - Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve - 17337 Beach Dr NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
  • Voter Registration Day! - September 28th 2021 - 11am - 3pm - Bring a clipboard to volunteer or come down to get yourself registered! Lake Forest Park Town Center (near 3rd Place Books and Bus Stop) - 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
  • Parks Meetup and Talk - October 9th 2021 - 10am -1pm - Blue Heron Park - 17043 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
  • Parks Meetup and Talk - October 23rd 2021 - 10am -1pm - 5 Acre Woods Park - bring your gardening tools/ gloves if you like for invasive plants! - 18678 40th Pl NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
  • Halloween Festivities - October 31st 2021 - 4pm - 8:30pm - Please participate in hosting one of LFP's covid-safe Halloween Trick-or-Treat Houses OR come around to enjoy our yearly artistry, it will be spooktacular! (Please RSVP for address list)
  • Voting Day! - November 2 2021 5pm - 7:59 pm - Lake Forest Park City Hall Ballot Drop Box - Last chance to get your ballot in to be counted, don't be late! - 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
Our ongoing series of Park Meetup and Talk Events are lovely opportunities to connect candidates with the community.

Please RSVP on Facebook (Stephanie Angelis for Lake Forest Park City Council) or AngelisForLFP.com and feel free to contact us directly to volunteer!

As always we invite other candidates and local community leaders to join us in building community, you never know who might be there! Hope you can join us!

Thank you!

Stephanie Angelis
Environment ~ Community ~ Affordable Housing



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Lake Forest Park Council Committee of the Whole meeting Monday

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Lake Forest Park Council Committee of the Whole meeting is Monday January 25 at 6:00pm at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

Items up for discussion:

  1. Tree Ordinance Update:  Consideration of Tree Board Recommendations and Referral to Planning Commission
  2. Joint Discussion with Mayor Johnson regarding Commissions
  3. Council Feedback Regarding Engagement in 5 Acre Woods
  4. City Attorney Contract: Deputy Mayor Stanford Proposal
  5. Seattle King County Economic Development Council: Deputy Mayor Stanford
The meeting will adjourn at 8:00pm.



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Lake Forest Park Council Candidate Stephanie Angelis

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Ballots were mailed October 16, 2021 for the November 2 general election.

Stephanie Angelis is running for council position 3, currently held by John Wright, who is retiring at the end of his term. Larson's opponent is Jon Lebo.

Stephanie Angelis
Stephanie's statement:

I am very excited to represent and serve the diverse populace of Lake Forest Park on our amicable City Council. Through ongoing community engagement opportunities I’ve received some amazing feedback and learned just how much residents care about the administration of this City we share. Please  remember that local elections matter because they impact people’s lives most directly. I hope to receive your vote as I conclude the campaign! 

As a child I was fortunate to attend Shoreline public schools, Parkwood and Einstein, graduate from both Shorewood and Shoreline Community College and culminate with an undergraduate environmental degree from the University of Washington. 

I have spent the bulk of my life in the surrounding community, enjoying parks and visiting the streams. I have worked directly with disenfranchised folks, spoken for unheard communities and advocated for needed changes for safety successfully. I have volunteered for almost ten years in community leadership and spent four years directly helping and advocating for those in most need. 

Out of college I performed energy efficiency  outreach for residents all over the state representing  utility programs. I was able to lead our team to exceed rebate uptake goals and expectations. My love for community education and connection has only grown with time. My service and commitment to our Lake Forest Park community deepen as we develop a shared future and verbalize the ethics of our little town together. 

The following will be my priorities in office:
  • Listen and Engage with Community Members 
  • Form a Strong Climate Action Plan to Support Vulnerable People from Extreme Weather 
  • Implement Required Regional Transitional Homeless Housing
  • Support our Parks, Sidewalks and Street Safety - Please Vote Yes on Prop 1!
Encourage Affordable Housing while Maintaining Environmental Ethics, Aesthetic and Sustainability Goals 

Please always feel free to share your comments with me online, by phone or in person. Hope you’ll join me at the final Parks Meetup and Talk events listed below! 

I hope to have your vote on November 2nd

✅ Stephanie Angelis, Lake Forest Park City Council Position 3. Thank You!

  • Parks Meetup and Talk - optional work party - 5 Acre Woods 10/23/21 10am-1pm
  • Halloween - please contact directly- 10/31/21

Stephanie@AngelisForLFP.com



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LFP City Administrator's Report March 10, 2016

Thursday, March 10, 2016

By Pete Rose, City Administrator, Lake Forest Park

 I. Intergovernmental and local issues update

Meetings: The City Administrator attended the SCA Manager and Administrator meeting on March 2. The University LINK light rail station will open March 19 to Husky Stadium. The light rail from there to downtown Seattle will be an 8 minute ride. PSRC is planning an upcoming meeting on the UW campus to test the line. The opening will also feature a huge test of the integration strategy between Sound Transit and Metro Transit.

There was a brief legislative update at the same meeting. Final budget negotiations are underway. The houses are at cross purposes as to the use of the rainy day fund to assist in balancing the supplemental budget. City issues are once again taking a back seat to budget balancing. Stormwater grants and toxic clean-up are funded from the same tax on petroleum. There is a huge shortfall due to oil prices, and there is some wrangling over which program will receive the greater burden of the cuts. The public records legislation (reasonable hour limits) has died, but made it further than any other bill that would limit the reach of the PRA has ever made it. Police Body camera legislation is still moving and may pass.

II. Internal City Information: 

Acting City Administrator: The City Administrator is off site to a major risk management training and Frank Zenk will be Acting City Administrator from March 4-9.

Long time Police Support Officer Jackson Beard has resigned to pursue a career in fire service. Beard was very instrumental in helping Police work through its staff shortage in 2015, and is a certified trainer in some officer skills, such as firearms qualification. The position is covered by Civil Service.

Both robberies that occurred last month in LFP have been solved. The same suspect committed both crimes. Witness and citizen information was critical in developing the leads resulting in the arrest and recovery of significant evidence. Another example of our partnership with the community.

The School zone camera on NE 178th is back on line.

Municipal Services: 
Passport services processed almost a thousand
applications in two months

To date, the Lake Forest Park Passport Office has processed 948 passport applications and $32,000 in processing fees and photo revenue in just the first two months of 2016! We anticipate we will exceed the projected income revenue if this trend continues for the remainder of the year. In an effort to reduce the wait time during this rush for passport renewals, the City has hired five part-time passport agents from neighboring cities to meet the demand on Saturdays. Lake Forest Park Passport Office is one of two passport acceptance agencies open on Saturdays for passport applications. Passport Office hours are Monday and Friday, 12-5pm, and Saturdays, 10am-4pm.

One of the major driving forces behind this upswing in applications is the 10-year anniversary of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI first went into effect in 2007 requiring U.S. citizens to have passports to travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. In 2007, 18 million people applied for U.S. Passports, and many of them will choose to renew early in 2016 to avoid the rush and additional costs!

Public Works:

Metal art sculpture outside of City Hall was cleaned this week. 

Rodger Squirrell crafting a prototype
of the original piece in front of City Hall.
Rodger Squirrell is a Lake Forest Park resident and artist. He won a competition for the development of a “signature piece of public art” for the City’s 50th Anniversary. Mr. Squirrell works in metal. His pieces range from small mushroom art that is in his garden to eight feet tall metal scriptures. 

The piece for the City is a collection of five pentagon pillars of various heights that have a water motif. This gift from the Garden Tour will be located on the City property at the intersection of Ballinger and Bothell Way.

Additional shoulder work will be needed prior to the street overlay this year. Team members are preparing this year’s overlay roads. Street sweeping routes are under way and general shoulder cleanup is in progress.

Public Works has restocked all the First Aid kits throughout City Hall and Public Works Operations Facility as well as the city vehicles.

Slope mowing and vegetation management is ramping up.
The team is doing their best to keep on it with limited resources

Elevator, sprinkler and general security alarms have been recertified for the year by their respective companies. This includes the Sonitrol emergency panic buttons throughout the different departments. 

Drainage culverts are being cleaned from this winter’s weather events as well as vactor service cleaning will happen later this year. The vactor service is cleaning the catch basin in certain zones and assists with water quality for our streams. This program is a proactive measure that also helps to meet the city’s required NPDES II permit activity. 

Numerous street signs repaired throughout the city due to the wind events in the last several weeks.

Park maintenance is also beginning to ramp up with the trails, vegetation, drinking fountains, irrigation, garden areas, playground equipment inspections, asphalt trails, parking areas, lighting, and tennis court maintenance, etc.

III. Council Information: The upcoming PIC meeting at SCA will include a discussion of the ST3 process, which is of significant interest to Lake Forest Park.

Staff has reviewed the grant application provided by the Stewardship Foundation for the SPU surplus utility property (5 Acre Woods). This application will be submitted to Conservation Futures with a couple of procedural amendments to conform with City processes. It has been signaled to the leadership of the Stewardship Foundation that this is an agreement to apply, and that further deliberation and planning would be needed by the Council to consider accepting the property. 

Shoreline 145th Preferred Option: Mayor Johnson, City Administrator and Councilmember Kassover attended the “reveal” for the corridor plan. The concept between Bothell Way and I-5 can be described as having some widening at the signalized intersections to improve transit access and enable queue jumps for the busses when the signal starts its green phase. There is limited widening for the four blocks between the signals, but a little to improve transit passage, sidewalks and a treed green strip. Bicycle corridors will be moved outside the 145th corridor. The Shoreline City Council will consider the proposal at its April 4 meeting. The Shoreline Council has proposed a joint meeting with the LFP Council on June 11.

Joint Meeting Proposed: The City of Kenmore has proposed a joint meeting with the LFP Council and Northshore Fire District Board on April 4, to discuss the emergency management coalition and several matters of joint interest, including SR 522 and ST3.

Legislative Steering Committee Update: 
  • State: The City’s request to transfer the $475,000 in the State Capital Budget from a park and ride to a corridor study has been included in the proposed House, Senate and Governor’s supplemental capital budgets. This is very encouraging news and it appears likely that the transfer will be included in the final capital budget. March 10th is the last day of the session. The Senate and the House are also working on a supplemental operating budget. The Senate’s proposed operating budget is traditionally not friendly to cities and includes eliminating the $2 million in funding for Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). There are discussions of not passing a state supplemental operating budget but the Governor has indicated that he will call a special session to ensure a supplemental budget is passed. The only policy bill on the City’s legislative agenda that has not died is the police body camera bill related to public records. The bill is on the Senate floor but seems unlikely to pass this year. 
  • Federal: A new bill called the Green Stormwater Investment (GSI) Act has been introduced. It would codify a Green Stormwater Reserve Fund in the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This would establish a permanent 20% reserve within each state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund dedicated to projects with a green stormwater component and make funds available for operation and maintenance associated with projects. The GSI act would also prioritize projects that utilize GSI for competitive federal transportation grants and infrastructure grants. It would also extend the duration of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Permits (NPDES) from five years to ten. City representatives are travelling to Washington D.C. on March 21 for meetings with the congressional delegation to discuss the City’s federal legislative agenda. Senate will not be in session during the meetings so the City representatives will meet with Senate staff. The House will be in session. 


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Notes from LFP City Council candidate forum

Friday, October 18, 2019

Candidates on the stage, from left Lorri Bodi (standing), Catherine Stanford,
Phillippa Kassover, Tom French, Tracy Furutani. At the podium is LWV
moderator Amanda Clark
Photo by Mike Remarcke


On Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Third Place Commons held a forum with candidates for Mayor and City Council. Around 110 people came to hear what they had to say. The moderator, Amanda Clark, and timekeeper were from the Mercer Island League of Women Voters.

City of Lake Forest Park, Mayor
Jeff Johnson - incumbent, unopposed
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 2
Catherine Stanford - incumbent
Lorri Bodi - challenger
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 4
Phillippa Kassover - incumbent
Brett Newsham - no show
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 6
Tom French - incumbent
Tracy Furutani - challenger

Mayor Johnson is running unopposed, so he gave a report and left the stage to the council candidates. Brett Newsham, who filed against Phillippa Kassover, was a no-show.

Mayor Johnson said that when he won a tough election for Mayor eight years ago, he thought he knew everything. The reality is very different and he appreciates the opportunity to spend four more years in the office. The city is doing well. This is an important election. This council will be dealing with big issues, including decisions for mall and parking garage.

Attendees browsed the tables of information before the forum.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Position #2

Catherine Stanford appreciates that LFP is different. She said that we have the challenge of being a small city in the middle of the fastest growing area in the county and we need to accept the challenge. Her strengths are her experience with council and community and relationships outside of the city.

Lorri Bodi said it's time for a change. We need a new voice on the council. She was an environmental attorney for NOAA. She has worked with the PTA, and in her job negotiated with state and local agencies and tribes on water and stormwater issues. She can manage budgets and negotiate. She said that the city process has been complicated and hard to follow.

Position #4

Phillippa Kassover talked about finding LFP over 12 years ago and how happy she is with a community full of smart, engaged people. As a councilmember she reads, researches and asks the tough questions. She said that council needs to do better to help people learn what we do.

Position #6

Tom French has lived in LFP for 50 years. He went to Brookside, Kellogg, and Shorecrest. He said that growth needs to be in line with our values. He would accept 150-200 apartments at Town Center. He strongly supported the September moratorium. His priority is public safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and he advocated for the first new sidewalk in LFP. He is a champion for the environment and the values of LFP.

Tracy Furutani filed in part because feels that races should be opposed. He is most concerned about the climate crisis and thinks solutions should start at the municipal level, that they will percolate up to state and federal levels. How can we preserve what we have for our kids in the future?

Question: In the redevelopment of Town Center how would you protect Third Place Commons (TPC)?

Tom: we need to talk to Merlone Geier Partners (MGP). If that doesn't work, the community needs to step up.

Tracy: we don't want to alienate MGP - they could just walk away. The city buying the land is the only way to have what we want. Otherwise we have to negotiate carefully.

Phillippa: we have a partnership with MGP and need to work together to preserve TPC.

Catherine: I will fight to keep The Commons and the farmers market in LFP. She was instrumental in getting the market started.

Lorri: The Commons keeps our community unique. MGP should be our first effort. The agreement says that MGP has to provide 10,000 ft of indoor and 10,000 ft of outdoor space.

From left: Lorri Bodi, Phillippa Kassover, Tom French,
Tracy Furutani. Out of frame, Catherine Stanford.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: PSRC recently reclassified LFP as a Small to High Capacity Transit City. Do you support this reclassification?

Lorri: We are doing a good job of meeting the GMA (Growth Management Act) objectives for 2035. There are opportunities to do more over time so we can grow in balance and in scale with our values.

Catherine: She doesn't support LFP being a high capacity city. LFP was put in that category because of the Bus Rapid Transit. She's on the PSRC Executive Board and will tell them what we will tolerate.

Phillippa: We are the culmination of two watersheds and sitting on an aquifer. We are the last remaining urban forest in the area. These sensitive areas can't tolerate much more growth.

Tracy: No. He said he's horrified that we were put in that category.

Tom: He agrees with all of Vision 2050 from PSRC. Bothell Way has capacity for growth.

Question: What are your plans for keeping small businesses in the area, particularly Town Center?

Phillippa: MGP is the landlord. We don't control what goes on here. We need to build a good relationship and partner with MGP to encourage them to bring in the businesses we want.

Catherine: We need to keep the small businesses and encourage more. Council discusses it a lot. Small businesses have challenges and struggle.

Lorri: Town Center is the community hub and so much more. The City needs to make its expectations very clear and not be a pushover when it comes to our values.

Tom: We need to work with MGP and as a community to incentivize the small businesses. We created zoning to allow specific businesses in a special area, which creates walkability.

Tracy: Businesses need to pay for licensing and B/O taxes. We need to look into the city regulations and make them less onerous.

Question: The environmental impact statement was flawed and driven by development interest. Comment.

Tom: the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) needs to be reflective of our values. It's critical to adhere to the vision statement. We need more conversations with the public.

Tracy: The council needs to communicate what's going on with the process.

Phillippa: For the DEIS the developer asked the consultant for studies of 1500, 1000, and 700 new apartments. There was no other input so that's what they studied.

Catherine: The DEIS was a shock to everyone. We don't have to listen to the consultant. The Planning Commission makes recommendations and the council decides.

Lorri: The DEIS process was seriously flawed. There should have been some direction from mayor and council and a wider range of options studied. The "no change" option was for 700 units.

110 people attended the forum
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: Would you support a parks bond to improve parks and acquire more land?

Catherine: I would support one if other groups would partner, as was done with 5 Acre Woods.

Lorri: We are Lake Forest Park with no access to the lake and few parks. She wants to expand and improve parks but would explore other options before going to a bond issue.

Phillippa: We are underserved for families and it's a tragedy that we have no lake access. A bond is premature. We need to study and seek outside funding.

Tom: we opened a fund for open space and trails. A bond issue is on the table but we don't want to shortchange public safety and other priorities.

Tracy: Bonds are expensive and have to be paid back. More parks would require staff to maintain them. Can't rely on volunteers only. We have to make sure we can maintain what we acquire.

Question: You want a walkable city but our streets are unwalkable and very dangerous. Would you put in sidewalks?

Tracy: Sidewalks are needed but we have to prioritize. Need to find outside money. And would we take people's property?

Tom: Need to separate traffic from where people walk. As the region grows there will be more traffic and people need to be safe.

Phillippa: the Safe Streets study was very revealing. Safe routes to school need to be the highest priority. We need to set our priorities and work on a long term funding plan.

Lorri: When the transit stations open we will have people driving through LFP to get there. We need to find funding sources and do what we can, like lower the speed limits.

Catherine: The council included Safe Streets as one of the Big 5 projects. There's a list of priorities but these are expensive issues. Safe routes to school is the first priority.

Question: What would you do to improve communication with citizens?

Incumbent councilmembers pointed out that they cannot speak for the council until a vote is taken, only for themselves. The City Administration is different and council doesn't control it. The city has no communication department - they were let go in the downturn and have not been replaced. They need to have a communications strategy and staff it. Perhaps hold quarterly town meetings.

Challengers mentioned Seattle's Office of Neighborhoods, office hours for councilmembers, meetings with neighbors and community.

Question: What does our city do to meet the climate challenge?

Phillippa: The city joined the C4C - Caring for Climate organization which helps municipal leaders take steps on climate action. We need to look at the city's carbon footprint, take steps to reduce it, then reach out to everyone to do the same.

Tracy: The C4C has assessable, measurable goals. We can create ordinances about zoning, better building practices, and reducing our carbon footprint.

Tom: Our tree canopy has actually increased a bit in in the last few years. We need to work as a community to reduce our footprint.

Lorri: We can use examples from other cities - change building codes, use alternate energy like solar cells.

Catherine: We have tree ordinances that protect our canopy. Trees pull carbon out of the air. Automobiles create the most carbon and Sound Transit and public transit will get people out of their cars. We have set backs from our streams.

Ballots have been mailed out and are due back by November 5. There is a drop box for ballots by City Hall and no postage is required to mail in ballots.




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Parker's leveled to the ground - grand history a pile of splinters

Sunday, November 18, 2012


After the demolition equipment, Parker's is a pile of rubble
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The venerable Parker's Ballroom, home to Seattle's rock and roll history, was recently leveled to the ground. Most recently a sports bar, Parker's had a glorious past as one of the homes to early Seattle rock and roll.


By Peter Blecha, June 05, 2002


Parker's Ballroom

Seattle’s venerable Parker's Ballroom (which opened in 1930 on the "New Seattle-Everett Highway," now known as Aurora Avenue N) held a unique place in Northwest music history. Like a few other local dancehalls, it spanned all of the sequential musical era’s from the wild jazz days of the Prohibition Era right on up through the forties swing scene, from the rise of rock ‘n’ roll in the fifties, to the psychedelic sixties, and onwards to the heavy metal, disco, and punk rock scenes of the seventies. Unlike most other historic dancehalls, Parker’s survived into the twenty-first century before being demolished in 2012.

A Remarkable Architectural Marvel

The roadhouse was founded by its namesake, Dick Parker (d. 1940), a meatpacker by trade, who purposefully limited his search for a building site to those located just outside of Seattle’s northern city limits (then drawn at 85th Street). This was in an effort to escape various harsh city ordinances that restricted public dancing and other nightlife activities. In the end Parker acquired a 5-acre plot at 170th Street on the "New Seattle-Everett Highway" and in 1929 construction got underway.

Parker's self-built hall was some sort of a remarkable architectural marvel: the thing was basically a 20,000 square foot wide-open dance floor with absolutely no posts obstructing. When Dick Parker's Pavilion opened for business in 1930, they kicked off a long streak of booking popular local acts (including Putt Anderson & his Dixieland Band, and orchestras led by Frankie Roth, Burke Garrett, and Max Pillar) and a number of national stars as Tommy Dorsey’s, Guy Lombardo’s, and Jan Garber's orchestras.

With alcohol Prohibition still in effect and the Great Depression dragging the economy down, times were so tough that by 1932 Parker had resorted to advertising his dancehall as “Dick Parker’s Roller Rink” in order to attract a different clientele -- skaters. Sometime after Parker passed on in 1940 (and with his wife Dodie following soon thereafter) the hall was inherited by family and one sister, Kelma Shoemaker, took over as manager.

Seattle's Segregated Music Scene

The years went by and the big-band dances continued, but by the mid-fifties a younger crowd was developing an interest in the new rockin’ R&B sounds that were gaining momentum. Although Seattle had a couple pioneering R&B acts active at the time, they were not being booked at Parker’s nor at other major halls. The main reason being: This was still a day and age when the town was saddled with two different -- and racially segregated -- musicians unions, each of which had their turf well marked. The bigger, and white, union (AFM No. 76) claimed the lucrative downtown hotels and ballrooms and north-end rooms while the other, black, union (AFM No. 493) necessarily settled for the nightclubs in the central city and the strip of rooms south of downtown spread along Jackson Street.

Times were changing though -- and in fact the two unions finally merged in 1956 -- but not without a few skirmishes. It was that year that KCPQ-TV (Channel 13) decided to produce a new teen-dance show, Rock 'n' Roll Party. The problem was, they’d chosen a black band (Billy Tolles & the Vibrators) as the program’s host band and they wanted to broadcast it live from Parker's -- a room that was traditionally within AFM No. 76’s “zone.”

The late Dave Lewis, another local black bandleader, once recalled that Parker’s also wanted to hire his combo for some shows, but the white union balked and pointedly reminded the hall’s management that the north-end was still their area and that the booking of black acts there just couldn’t be allowed without risking the mounting of a boycott picket-line. Parker’s brave reply was nonnegotiable: Either the union would overlook their hiring of Billy Tolles’ group and the Dave Lewis Combo or the hall would never hire local white musicians to perform there again. To Lewis’ recollections, accommodations were suddenly made and a new era began with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Party.

One Legendary Night

Meanwhile the top white teen band in town, the Frantics, became the first combo to sign a recording contract with the new local label, Dolton Records. Dolton had just gotten off to a remarkable start by issuing a No. 1 national hit by the Olympia-based teen vocal trio, the Fleetwoods. Then the label signed the Frantics (who also cut a few 45s that became national hits) and began booking the two acts together at live shows – including one legendary night at Parker’s. It was on February 21, 1959, that the Fleetwoods and Frantics both performed there as opening acts for a visiting star, Bobby Darin. And, in fact, the Frantics were actually hired to play with Darin who came out west without a band. The Frantics’ bassist, Jim Manolides, once recalled that:

“We got this job at Parker's on a Sunday night. We knew for several weeks that we got this big gig coming so we already knew his [hit] songs -- “Splish Splash,” “Plain Jane,” “Queen Of The Hop” -- but in this case we learned both sides of all his records! So, he brings his own piano player with him, Dick Berke, and we play Parker’s. He loved it! He was just thrilled! The place was packed! There were 1200 people. And after he does his little show he came and joined the band! He sang Ray Charles' "I've Got A Woman" with us and then he started playin' the piano a little bit and he was singin' -- and playin' the drums! He just loved it and had a really good time” (Interview).

Jerry Lee's Dance Shoes

By that point Parker's Ballroom was the hottest dancehall around, but then something occurred that caused the hall to suddenly ban rock 'n' roll shows outright. The last straw for management was the night that that Jerry Lee Lewis performed there. Besides whipping the crowd into a riotous frenzy, the maniacal Lewis also had the poor judgment to leap upon the house's new piano (as per his usual live routine) to dance. Well, so the story goes, Mrs. Shoemaker rushed out on the stage mid-song driving the rockabilly wildman down with a broom and publicly scolding him for scratching her instrument with his shoes.

As a direct result of that incident the management swore that there would henceforth be no more rock 'n' roll dances at Parker’s. This turn of events was a sore loss to area teens, but after a year passed one ambitious young band, the Viceroys, somehow convinced the house that their crowd was well-behaved and around late 1960 they were given one shot. The Viceroys -- and an audience that apparently understood what all was at stake -- managed to successfully pull off a dance that went without any untoward altercations. Rock 'n' roll was back to stay at Parker’s.

For years (after Prohibition ended in 1934) Parker’s existed as “bottle club” whereby customers brought in their own booze (kept in a brown paper bag under their tables) and the house sold them “set-ups” -- a glass half-full of ice and perhaps some mixer. This arrangement was the legally prescribed way of running a club right up until 1961 when political leaders (in anticipation of the throngs of visitors expected to attend the upcoming 1962 World’s Fair) loosened a number of overly-restrictive old laws pertaining to nightlife, including strict noise ordinances and rules for liquor establishments. As a result, Parker’s was among the many local rooms that were finally free to sell beer and/or other alcoholic beverages.

Teen-Dances of the Sixties

Around that same time, Parker’s and Shoemaker’s nephews, Vern Amondson and Skip Horn, took over management and teen-dances became a weekend staple there for years. Many nights saw crowds in excess of 1,000 show up to dance to hit acts like the Beach Boys and Them (w/ Van Morrison).

But mainly, it was the Northwest stars like Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Kingsmen, the Sonics, and the Wailers who fueled so many dances there over the years. But it was another local combo, the Dynamics, who were the hottest draw at the hall and after recording a gig there, the resultant The Dynamics with Jimmy Hanna LP was issued in 1964 to great success. The album’s liner notes (as penned by label head, Tom Ogilvy) accurately noted the band’s significant influence on locals:

“If you were at Parkers’ Ballroom in Seattle recently, then you witnessed a new trend. The Dynamics were present and smokin’ with a big band sound. This has become a regular event for various kinds of fans whether they be listeners, members of other musical groups or just people who like to burn by knee-poppin’ across the dance floor.”
The Dynamics were a genuine phenomena, their LP became an essential in the record collection of every fan of the horn-driven “Northwest Sound,” and Parker’s Ballroom became solidified as the center of the north-end’s teen-dance action.

From the Sixties to Psychedelic

As the years went by Parker’s would successfully weather the changing times -- but only by going through radical updates. In 1970 the hall was recast as the psychedelic black-light drenched Aquarius Tavern. And although its first scheduled dance in this new incarnation was a flop -- the Buddy Miles Express was a no-show -- the place succeeded very well over the years bringing in such acts that ranged from A–Z, including (to name but a few): Aerosmith, America, BTO, Badfinger, the Byrds, Albert Collins, the Guess Who, Albert King, the Ohio Players, Johnnie Otis, the Righteous Brothers, Al Stewart, George Strait, Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Toots and the Maytals, the Ventures, and Warren Zevon.

In addition, a whole new generation of local bands – including Burgundy Express, Bighorn, and a group called Heart -- developed sizeable fan-bases in part because of their Aquarius appearances. In fact, one of Heart’s shows there in 1975 was captured live on tape and a few years later (after they’d broken out as an international hit act) those recordings were issued on the Magazine LP. But there were many other legendary nights at the hall including the time several years later when Motown superstar Stevie Wonder made a surprise visit to sit in and sing a few songs with Bernadette Bascom and her funky dance band, Epicentre.

Reincarnations and Further Reincarnations

By 1980 the hall required some spiffing up and the owners committed themselves to a $1,000,000 remodel in an effort to revamp it as a full-blown "supper-club." With an all-new commercial kitchen, the renamed Parker’s Restaurant also continued to bring in major touring stars like Elvin Bishop, Blue Oyster Cult, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Crowded House, Joan Jett, B. B. King, Marshall Tucker, John Mayall, Simply Red, and Tina Turner.

In the 1990s, the building reincarnated yet again -- this time into a gambling joint called Parker’s Sports Bar & Casino. That business was closed in 2012, and the building was demolished that November. 

Sources:
The Dynamics with Jimmy Hanna LP, The Dynamics, Bolo Records (BLP 8001), 1964; Sally McDonald, "Now It’s Parker’s Again and Dancing Cheek to Cheek," North Times, July 2, 1980; Rick Nelson, "Headliners At Parker’s Since ’71," Tacoma News Tribune, March 30, 1993; Pete Blecha Interviews with Skip Horn, October 5, 1989; Billy Tolles (The Vibrators), 1993, 2000; Dave Lewis, 1983-1995; Ron Woods, Terry Afdem, Jimmy Hanna (The Dynamics), 1983-1988; Jim Valley (The Viceroys), 1983; Jim Manolides, Ron Peterson (The Frantics), 1984-1998; Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart), 1998; "Parker's Casino and Sports Bar May Be Headed for Demolition," Shoreline Area News, August 21, 2012 (http://www.shorelineareanews.com/2012/08/parkers-casino-and-sports-bar-may-be.html); Skip Horn, email to HistoryLink.org, November 13, 2012, in possession of HistoryLink.org, Seattle, Washington.
Note: This essay was updated on November 14, 2012. By Peter Blecha, June 05, 2002


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November theft of trees from Southwoods Park

Sunday, March 28, 2010

By Janet Way, Of Paramount Importance
In November 2009, at least 16 significant trees were cut in Shoreline's Southwoods Park.


The incident took place originally in November 2009. On Thanksgiving, a citizen observed trees being removed from the park by at least two individuals, a truck loaded with logs leaving the Shorecrest Parking lot next to Southwoods. This new park was created with funds from the 2006 Shoreline Parks Bond, after many years of advocacy from citizens to protect the nearly 16 acre site which is an unusually large forested area, formerly owned by Shoreline Schools ad Shoreline Water District.

The witness had taken down the license plate # of the truck and noted that many of the trees were freshly cut near the main trail crossing the park.

So, on Thanksgiving Day, Charlie and Bettelinn Brown called to report the incident to the KC Sheriff's office and a deputy came out to their home to discuss what happened. Charlie had walked the park and counted at least 16 stumps and sawdust showing recent cutting of the logs nearby. The Sheriff's Deputy investigated and spoke to the witness.

Apparently, the license plate check revealed that the plate was stolen. So City staff and police have been unable to identify the perpetrators of this theft.


You can see by the above photo depicting SWPG member Charlie Brown demonstrating the size of this tree which was cut, that this was a very deliberate and significant theft of our publicly owned trees, which were of a very "significant" size. This particular double trunk tree appears to have been about 2-3 ft in circumfrance. (Charlie is holding up a "weed wrench" on loan from the City to measure the size of this tree cut. These devices are available to citizens who would like to remove such weeds as Holly or Scots Broom).

We attended an "Ivy Out" event at Southwoods last weekend and photographed the damage and also witnessed the dedicated work of SWPG (South Woods Preservation Group) and neighbors who have been doing careful stewardship work there for the last 5 years, to remove invasive plants such as English Ivy, English Holly, Himilayan Blackberry, Laurel hedge and other invasive plants which had taken over a large percentage of this park property over the last 50 years. The Ivy and Holly are especially destructive, by crowding out natives and smothering the native growth there.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Shoreline Police Department and/or Shoreline Parks Director Dick Deal 206-801-2630 or Parks Maintenance Superintendent Kirk Peterson 206-801-2610 and report it.
Call 911 FOR EMERGENCIES and POLICE ASSISTANCE
Shoreline Police Station
1206 N 185th St
Shoreline, WA 98133
206-801-2710
After Hours: Call 911 or non-emergency 206-296-3311
Office Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm

Or, if you ever witness any similar incidents of tree cutting or vandalism, please report them to the City and Police.

All trees in Parks are protected under the City's care, though if a tree should be deemed a "hazardous tree" it can be removed by City staff. Please help us care for our parks. Citizens are the "eyes and ears" for City staff. If you see something, say something.

These trees belong to the taxpayers and residents of Shoreline.  Vandalism is a crime YOU can help solve by reporting incidents and documenting what happened. Thanks for caring.


Photos and article courtesy Of Paramount Importance

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