Northshore Fire Foundation Accepts Donation from American Medical Response

Sunday, January 24, 2010


Pictured, left to right: John Hougland, K.C. McCoy, Firefighter John Burrow 

At the January 19 Northshore Fire Department Board of Commissioners meeting, K.C. McCoy and John Hougland, representatives from American Medical Response (AMR), donated $2,148 to the Northshore Fire Foundation. The foundation was established by the Northshore firefighters to help those in need within the local community in ways that they are unable to while performing fire department duties. John Borrow, the founder of Northshore Fire Foundation, accepted the generous donation.

In 2007, the Zone 1 fire departments contracted with a single provider for Basic Life Support (BLS) transport services. American Medical Response was the successful bidder. As part of the contract, AMR provides a charitable donation of up to $20,000 each year – a share of which goes to a charity of each participating agency’s choice. The Northshore Board of Fire Commissioners designated the Northshore Fire Foundation as the department’s charity of choice.

The Northshore Fire Department has enjoyed a positive working relationship with AMR for many years that is enhanced by this contractual agreement. Service to its citizens has improved in the form of reduced response times for ambulances. Fire department out-of-service times have decreased and some of its low income citizens have received transport fee reductions.

The Northshore Fire Department and the Northshore Fire Foundation wish to thank AMR for their generous donation. 



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Shorewood third, Shorecrest fifth in six-way gymnastics meet; three athletes injured


Shorewood’s gymnastics team placed third, with Shorecrest fifth in a six-way gymnastics meet at the Cascade Elite Gymnastics Center January 16. Bainbridge High School won the competition with 156.35 points, followed by North Kitsap with 142.35, Shorewood with 125.7, Kingston with 118.05, Shorecrest with 115.8 and a team representing the three high schools in the Bellingham School District with 72.5.

Tyanna DeNova of Shorewood placed second on the uneven parallel bars with 8.4 points. Teammate Julia Hayes placed fourth on the balance beam with 7.6 points.

Shorewood's co-captain Kyla Riley (pictured, on crutches) broke her left fibula during floor warm ups. It was originally feared that she would need surgery, but instead she will be in a cast for three weeks and then a walking boot for 2-3 months.

Susan Riley, Shorewood coach, said, "Kyla is one of our top gymnasts, so that was a hit for our team. I am happy to report that the other Varsity members really stepped up to help make up for the lost points of not having Kyla complete."

The other SW girl injured is on the JV. She had a very slight sprain and was told to be out of play for a week to let the ankle rest. An athlete from Bainbridge suffered the most severe injuries, spraining both ankles so badly that she may be out of competition for the rest of the year.

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The Shoreline Journal newspaper

The Journal newspaper, based in Edmonds, previously published local, monthly newspapers in Shoreline, North Seattle, Northgate, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard and University, with increasing coverage of local news. In November, they collapsed all those editions into one paper, with more generic coverage.

According to an article in the online Enterprise newspaper, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December to restructure their finances.

Lynnwood-based Metropolitan Graphics filed Chapter 11. The company is the parent of the Journal Media Group and publishes the monthly Journal newspapers in South Snohomish and North King counties.
Enterprise article here.

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Bachman Placed In DePaul University's Athletic Hall of Fame

Ray Bachman, Shoreline Community College's second year Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, will be inducted into the DePaul University's Athletic Hall of Fame next weekend in Chicago, IL.

Coach Bachman played on the 1967 DePaul Men's Tennis Team that finished 22-3 and qualified for the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship.

SCC Tennis season will kickoff in April.

Photo of Coach Ray Bachman by Wilson Tsoi
 

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To the Editor: School District denied the community a full airing of the issues

While I appreciate the concept of saving taxpayers' money, the official King County Voters' Pamphlet is the publication that most voters turn to, especially for these special elections. In addition to offering voters the text of the actual measure, the Voters' Pamphlet also allows for arguments for AND against the measures, giving voters a fuller picture of what they are being asked to approve or reject.

This is a significant issue for the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park area, as we no longer have a local publication to assist in informing residents of the issues before them. By only using a mass mailing from the school district that most people will not even recognize as voter information, the community has been denied a rigorous debate about the measures in this special election - particularly the bond measure for Shorewood and Shorecrest.

I truly hope that the Shoreline School Board was ONLY thinking about saving district funds. Even if that is the case, they have denied the community a full airing of the issues by failing to include ballot information in the King County Voters' Pamphlet, with arguments for and against included.

Carolyn Armanini
Lake Forest Park

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Shoreline Community College long-range planning meeting

Shoreline Community College is offering the public an opportunity to participate in developing a long-range plan for the campus.

A public viewing and presentation of preliminary proposals for the campus will be available from 6 - 7:30 pm, Tuesday, January 26 in the PUB Quiet Dining Room on campus. Consultants from Schacht Aslani Architects of Seattle will show renderings and make a slide presentation. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and submit feedback.

Schedule:

  • 6 pm, view informational materials
  • 6:30 pm, slide presentation
  • 7 - 7:30 pm, view materials
For more information, see the SCC Website

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Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras In Concert on February 7


The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras will present their 2010 winter concerts on Sunday, February 7, at the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center in Shoreline.

“The Cascade Youth Symphony will be playing several traditional crowd favorites,” says Music Director and Principal Conductor Gerry Jon Marsh. Included will be “Marche Militaire Francaise” by Camille Saint Saens, Tschaikowsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy” and “Symphony No. 9” (the New World symphony) by Dvorak. “All of these are not only fan favorites, but they’re also fun and interesting for our young people to play,” Marsh says.

Performing earlier in the afternoon will be the Cascade Junior, Cascade Premiere and Cascade Sinfonette orchestras. Tickets will be available at the door and are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $8 for groups of ten or more; $5 for students; and $25 for a family package.


Marsh, who is celebrating his 26th anniversary as CYSO Music Director, says the organization is working this year to develop intergenerational ties between young people and senior citizens throughout the area who love great music. Part of this initiative involves working with public, private and home-school organizations, as well as with community service organizations and senior-living communities. Marsh is also a music professor at Seattle Pacific University.

For those who especially enjoy younger musicians, the Cascade Sinfonette Orchestra will present the three-movement “Carmen Suite No. 1” by Georges Bizet and the “Finale from Symphony No. 9” by Beethoven, beginning at 3:00 on Feb. 7th. The Cascade Sinfonette is conducted by Karen Helseth and Daniel Wing.

Following them will be the Cascade Premiere Orchestra, conducted by Tam Osborne, which will perform Haydn’s “Symphony No. 104” (the “London” symphony) and a piece called “Broadway Tonight” by Bruce Chase.

Completing the afternoon concerts will be the Cascade Junior Symphony, under the baton of Todd Mahaffey, playing the “Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major” by Mozart, featuring horn soloist Elizabeth Janzen, followed by “Three Dances from ‘Henry VIII’” by Edward German.

The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras, presented by Kennelly Keys Music and Classic KING-FM Radio 98.1, are comprised of five merit-based youth symphony ensembles. With student players from eight to 21 years old from throughout King and Snohomish Counties, CYSO has been working cooperatively with regional schools for more than 30 years to provide after-school hours instrumental music instruction and performance opportunities to talented young musicians.

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Vote Yes Yes Yes ... and Yes

Commentary / Diane Hettrick

You have your ballots. It's the weekend.  Just mark everything Yes and mail it in now. Don't forget to turn the ballot over to vote on all three school issues.
 

Vote Yes for the Library measure. It's the continuation of an existing tax which provides a substantial portion of the King County Library budget and provides us with three fine libraries in Richmond Beach, Shoreline, and Lake Forest Park.

There are two levies and a bond for the schools. The Maintenance and Operation Levy or M and O provides 21% of the budget. We only failed the M and O once, during the Boeing Bust. Some people think we have never recovered. Vote Yes for the M and O. The second levy provides specific funds for technology in the schools and is written so the funds can be used for hardware, software, or training, depending on the specific needs. Vote Yes for the Capital Tech LevyBoth of these continue existing levies.


The bond provides the financial capability to rebuild the two high schools, while keeping our tax levels stable. The language says rebuild/remodel to give the design teams flexibility depending on what happens in the architectural process. My personal opinion is that both should be razed to the ground. If we only build high schools every 50 years, they should be built to last 50 years without patchwork repairs to aging structures.


Portable classrooms at Shorewood. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Shorewood is a 1951 elementary and a 1953 junior high with a connecting roof. In spite of being five blocks long, it has never been big enough for the students to eat lunch in the cafeteria and it has been almost a decade since all students had room to assemble together in the gym. It takes 30 minutes to lock-down the school in case of emergencies, all too common these days. There is a village of portable classrooms behind the old Ronald School. They are windowless, cold, claustrophobic spaces and you have to go outside to get to them,

Shorecrest, built in 1961, is crumbling around the students. An assistant principal spends 75% of her time dealing with plumbing and electrical problems. Students have gym class with rainwater dripping on them from the leaking roof. In the meantime, all the districts around us have built state of the art high schools. Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds-Woodway, and Lynnwood High Schools are beautiful structures, reflecting the community value for education. Our community values education and history. Now that we have an apparent settlement with the Museum, the only reason to vote against the bond is gone.  Even opponents of the bond have been supporting the two levies.

Wonderful things still happen in our schools. Better things would happen in better buildings. Vote Yes for the Bond.

Vote Yes Yes Yes Yes and mail in your ballot now - there's no drop box north of downtown, so don't wait.


Diane Hettrick is a member of the Citizens for Shoreline Schools 

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Join the Shoreline Photowalk January 31

Spring is just over the horizon, after a long, dark winter. It's a great time to think about getting outdoors for some of that precious daylight. In that spirit, Shoreline resident Dorrena Ortega has started a group to meet and walk around the area, practice some photography, and just enjoy the sights of Shoreline. All are welcome to come and participate at no charge, regardless of photography experience.

The first Photowalk takes place on Sunday, January 31, from 3 to 4 pm. Walkers can meet at the North parking lot of Shorecrest High School and then may enter Hamilin from the baseball fields above the parking lot. Participants may want to bring appropriate clothes and shoes, as it may be cold or wet.

For more information, you may email Dorrena or visit the Shoreline Photowalkers Facebook page. Walkers are encouraged to join to share photos that they've taken on the walks. The Shoreline Area News will also be featuring some of the photography, so even if you're not able to attend, keep an eye out here for shots from this and future Photowalker events.

Photo by Bernard.

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Evan Smith: A heavy February ballot

By Evan Smith ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

The four measures on the February ballot in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park are among nearly 40 on ballots around King County.

Last February, there were only two.

The difference? It’s the year to renew maintenance-and-operations levies in school districts around the State.

The levies are good for four years, and most come due at the same time.

School districts and other government entities can now propose ballot measures on set dates in February and April and on the primary-election ballot in August and the general-election ballot in November.

Recent legislation eliminated the March elections date, but Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel told me recently that most entities use the February date anyway.

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YMCA Hosts Free Open House

Enjoy the day at the Dale Turner Family YMCA this Saturday, January 30, from 10 am - 2 pm.  Everyone in the community is welcome to come and experience the Y for free. In addition to swimming, playing basketball, and using the cardio and strength equipment, the YMCA is also offering some special 101 classes for its most popular activities, Zumba (Latin cardio salsa) and indoor cycling.

In addition to regularly scheduled programs, the following activities are planned for the open house:

  • Belly Dancing Demo 11:30 am
  • Indoor Cycle 101 12:00 pm
  • Zumba Workshop 101 1:00 pm
  • Open Swim with slide 1:00 pm
Don’t miss out, this is also the last weekend where you can become a member and pay no joining fee (up to a $125 value). Visit /daleturnerymca.org for a full list of facility features and class schedules. 19290 Aurora Ave. N. p. 206.363.0446

--Stacy Segal, Strategic Development Director. Dale Turner YMCA

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Evan Smith: Why Shoreline School issues aren’t in the voters’ pamphlet

Saturday, January 23, 2010

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer


Your voters’ pamphlets that arrived this week had nothing about the three Shoreline School District issues on the ballot.

That’s because the School District would have had to pay for the cost of printing and distributing its share of the pamphlets, most of which are distributed outside the District.

The King County voters’ pamphlet that comes to residents of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park goes to residences in seven ZIP codes. Four of those ZIP codes are completely outside the District; the other three are partially in the District and partially out. Rather than pay for distribution to all those people outside the District, the Shoreline School District chose to send its own mail piece at a cost of $4,500 for printing and $2,000 for postage.

The Shoreline District wasn’t alone. Eight of the 21 King County jurisdictions with measures on the February ballot chose not to use the voters’ pamphlets.

Using the voters’ pamphlet was more cost effective for the King County Library System, the Seattle School District and other large entities.

When I talked to representatives of both the School District and the County elections department Friday afternoon, neither was able to give me an estimate of what the School District’s cost would have been for a place in the pamphlet.

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Kenmore Condo Fire Determined Accidental

Friday, January 22, 2010

By Teri Jones, Northshore Fire Department

The King County Fire Investigator has released a fire cause determination for the January 18 condo fire at the Harbor Village Condos in Kenmore. The cause is determined to be accidental. A person was replacing a microwave oven above the stove. A combustible material was placed on the glass stovetop to protect it during the installation. As the person left the condo unit, one of the stovetop burners was inadvertently turned on, igniting the combustible material on the stovetop. The estimated loss to the condo unit is $220,000.
A fire in one condo unit affects everyone living in the building. The fire can spread leaving several occupants without a home, or worse, it can take lives. The condo building was built in 1982, before building and fire codes required fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems be installed in this type of occupancy, leaving occupants without the added protection of these life-saving systems. Fortunately, no one was injured at the incident.

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Shoreline CC Defeats Rival Edmonds In Overtime

The SCC Men's Basketball Team defeated Edmonds CC 86-80 in overtime on Wednesday night in the SCC gym. Shoreline dominated the first half and went into half-time with a 42-33 lead. Edmonds came out in the second half and cut into the Shoreline lead and took the lead late in the game. ECC committed a foul with 1 second left in regulation and SCC hit the front end of a one and one to send the game into overtime.

Jesse Vaughan led Shoreline with 20 points, followed by Ryan McCorkle's 17 points.

Shoreline is now 11-3 on the season, 5-1 in the NWAACC Northern Region and leads the division. The Dolphins face second place Peninsula College on Saturday at 4:00 PM in the Shoreline gym. Peninsula is 8-8 on the season and 5-2 in the region.


Photo of Ryan McCorkle by Wilson Tsoi

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Edmonds CC Defeats Shoreline In Women's Basketball

The Lady Dolphin Basketball Team dropped a 80-55 game to rival Edmonds CC in NWAACC Northern Region action on Wednesday night. The Lady Dolphins hung tough in the first 10 minutes of the game, but ECC pulled away late in the first half and Shoreline could not recover.

Ana Haberman led Shoreline with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Lynsey Sandum added 18 points. Caitlin Johnsen collected 9 rebounds for the Lady Dolphins as well.

Shoreline is 1-13 on the season and 0-6 in the region. Edmonds moves to 6-8 overall and 4-2 in the region. SCC plays again on Saturday afternoon at the SCC Gym against Peninsula College at 2:00 PM in a NWAACC Northern Region contest.


Photo of Lynsey Sandum by Wilson Tsoi

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Shorecrest, Shorewood students advance to state DECA competition

By Craig Degginger
Public Information Officer
Shoreline Schools


The following Shorecrest and Shorewood High School students placed in the top three in their respective categories at the Area DECA competition held recently at Shoreline Center, and have been invited to compete in the DECA State competition March 4-6, 2010 in Bellevue.

DECA helps students to develop skills for successful business careers, build self–esteem, experience leadership and practice community service.

Accounting Applications Series:
2nd Place - Kelsi Flores, Shorecrest
3rd Place - Zach Ottey, Shorecrest

Apparel and Accessories Marketing:
1st Place - Raven Sass, Shorewood

Automotive Services Marketing:
2nd Place - Eimanne El Zein, Shorecrest
3rd Place - Lucia Wyss, Shorecrest

Business Services Marketing
1st Place - Blaine Weber, Shorewood

Food Marketing Management
1st Place - Cassie Pate, Shorewood
3rd Place - Kara Ekhardt, Shorecrest

Hotel and Lodging Management
1st Place - Tasha Tieu, Shorewood
2nd Place - Leif Danielsen, Shorewood

Marketing Management
1st Place - Joe Gladow, Shorewood
2nd Place - Peter Berquist, Shorewood

Retail Marketing
2nd Place - Jen Danner, Shorewood
3rd Place - Brian Na, Shorewood

Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series:
1st place - Matthew Rotter , Shorecrest

Sports and Entertainment Marketing
1st Place - Tuugii Bayarsaikhan, Shorecrest
2nd Place - Ian McCluskey, Shorecrest
3rd Place - Harrison Torrence, Shorewood

Technical Sales
2nd Place - Jen Danner, Shorewood

Advertising Campaign
3rd Place - Molly Shearer and Maeve Regan, Shorewood

Buying and Merchandising Management - Team Event
2nd Place - Brian Na and Peter Lam, Shorewood
3rd Place - Tony Nguyen and Charles Nguyen, Shorewood

Hospitality Services Management - Team Event
2nd Place - Sara Al-zeer and Nora Marouf, Shorewood

Travel and Tourism Management - Team Event
3rd Place - Linda Hwang and Julia Kim, Shorewood

Sports and Entertainment Management - Team Event
2nd Place - Wuen Ong and Marianne Feng, Shorewood

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Free Winter Concert

On Saturday, January 23 at 7 pm in the Richmond Beach Congregational Church UCC Sanctuary, there will be a Piano Concert featuring pianist Elizabeth Morgan. This performance is free to all and open to the public.

A native of San Francisco, Ms. Morgan grew up studying piano with Sharon Mann. She was teaching assistant to David Dubal at The Juilliard School and radio host of Tuesday Morning Classical on WKCR, 89.9 FM, New York, for two years. Ms. Morgan graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in the spring of 2009 with a PhD in historical musicology. She is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance, also at UCLA, and living in San Francisco.

The performance is called “The Virtuous Virtuoso.” It is a conversational recital program of works taken from Jane Austen’s collection of keyboard music. The recital will include some talking in-between pieces, where Elizabeth will tell the audience about the accomplished woman in the late Georgian and Regency periods, and talk briefly about Jane Austen and her relationship to music. Read more about Elizabeth Morgan on her website.

The church is at 1512 NW 195th on the corner of 15th NW and Richmond Beach Rd. 


Photos from Elizabeth Morgan website








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NEWS FLASH: School District and Museum Board reach agreement

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Representatives from the Shoreline School District and the Shoreline Historical Museum Board of Trustees met on January 21, 2010 and have reached an agreement in principle that will address both parties’ interests. This agreement will allow the Museum to support passage of the February 9, 2010 School Bond Proposition #2 and assures the future of the Shoreline Historical Museum in the Ronald School Building. The agreement is dependent upon passage of the School Bond measure.

The details of this agreement will be presented for approval by each group’s Boards and made public by January 25, 2010.


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North Puget Sound Regional History Day Contest: Friday, March 19

About 400 north King County students in grades 6 through 12 will be displaying the results of their historical research at the Shoreline Center on Friday, March 19 as part of our History Day contest.

Teachers in classrooms throughout the state are having their students follow the National History Day
model to complete projects that develop their ability to think critically, go well beyond textbooks to do research in primary source materials, and develop their communication skills. Some of those students show their work at a series of contests sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society.

These students have used primary and secondary sources to inquire into topics of their choosing that are related to the theme announced by the National History Day program. This year’s theme is “Innovation in History: Impact and Change.” We now get to see their historical papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances, and websites.

Three-person teams of judges will critique their work and select the best representatives to compete at the state contest to be held this year at Bellevue College on Saturday, May 1.

Adults with an interest in helping students develop their skills can become members of our judging panels by contacting judging coordinators Gayle Edwards and Don Wilson at the
History Day email.

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To the Editor: Moving Museum building might be win-win for all sides

I have been watching the public comments and letters to the editor concerning the Shoreline Historical Museum that is located in the Ronald School Building on land owned by the Shoreline School District.

I have tried to think of how this problem could be handled creatively so that everyone wins in the end. It seems to me a possible solution would be to move the Ronald School Building to the City Center area off Aurora between 175th and 185th. While it may cost some funds to move the building, it seems to me that a deal could be worked out among the Museum, the School District, and the City of Shoreline. City land could be used for the Museum, the School District would be free of dealing with the Museum, and the Museum could continue unfettered by the School District. Also, the City Center property is close to the school so the Museum could serve the students as it would have otherwise.

I would hope both the Museum folk, the School -District folk and the City would consider moving the building as a win-win for all involved.

June E. Howard
Shoreline

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Savani World Jazz Quintet

The Savani World Jazz Quintet will perform on January 30 at 7:30 pm at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church at 14724 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155. This all-female group plays jazz arrangements of Latin American Folkloric tradition featuring the great music Divas of this culture. See a short performance on You Tube.

Single tickets: Adults $15.00 Seniors $10.00 ~ Children to age 18 are free.
All concerts on Saturday evening ~ Subject to change without notice

206-363-7994 or email the office.

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To the Editor: YES to Libraries on February 9

This February, King County Library System has a bond measure on the ballot. (Proposition 1) Not surprisingly the Friends of Shoreline Library Board voted to support the proposition. But perhaps that is because we know what that support means to the libraries. We live in Shoreline where we have the luxury of two libraries. The bond however, is for all of the 45 libraries in the King County system. A yes vote will mean a homeowner with a $400,000 house will pay .50 for each $1000 assessed value. The increase is approximately $32, or the cost of a single hardcover book.
I could go on about what cutbacks would be necessary if the bond does not pass- about 10% of services, staff, books, movies, CDs, hours- -but I would rather ask you to think about what the library means to our community. Libraries are busier than they have ever been. I personally know many folks who have been to the library for help with their resumes; I know children who go to storytime, and many more students who use the library for school assignments, and computers. I have been to author programs, summer reading events, writing programs and even a flower arranging presentation. Remember the KCLS circular that we receive? It lists programs in the system, and does not even begin to list all the programs available. And I haven’t begun to mention those things called books that we use- KCLS has the 3rd largest circulation in the nation! 90 percent of Shoreline/Lake Forest Park citizens have a library card- and use it. All of King County boasts the same high rate of library use. We all need to support Proposition 1 with a YES vote on February 9. We simply can’t afford to lose what we have.

Mary Jo Heller
Shoreline

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Friends of the Community Breakfast


Friends of the Community Breakfast
Thursday, February 11, 7 – 8:30 am
Third Place Commons

Every year, Friends of Third Place Commons runs the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market and produces more than 800 events for the community.  From Playtime for young children and their caregivers, to student performances on stage, to weekly Mah Jongg for seniors, there is something for everyone in the Commons, and every single offering is free-of-charge.

Please support your Commons at the annual Friends of the Community Breakfast on Thursday, February 11.  Yes, it starts at 7 am, but even at that early hour, Friends knows how to throw a party. You will enjoy coffee and a delicious breakfast from the Honey Bear and Great Harvest Bread Company.  You will be entertained by this year’s emcee, award winning author Garth Stein, and you’ll have a chance to sing happy birthday to Friends of Third Place Commons as we celebrate our first decade.  This year, we honor our long-time community partner the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center.  Join us, and help kick off our next ten years!

Breakfast tickets are $40 per person, and $300 for a table of 8 friends.  You can purchase online or at Third Place Books.  Questions?  Call 206-366-3302, or email .  Friends of Third Place Commons is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and is registered with the Washington State Charities Program.  Contributions are tax deductible.

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To the Editor: Everyone should take a deep breath and remember our manners

I have read with dismay the increasingly vitriolic and insulting tone of the Schools-vs-Museum debate. I would like to ask everybody to take a deep breath, remember the manners we were brought up with, and not write in email what we would be ashamed to say in person.

I see that we have a shining opportunity to improve our schools: our children's individual future, and the soul of our democracy in which any family's children can be educated without coughing up ten grand a year. If it's true that we only have access to state funding if we move this year, it would truly be a shame to lose it.

I love our museum, a rare place to see what came before the pavement and shopping malls; and appreciate those who lived other lives here and made ours possible. A museum crammed into the basement and charged "market rate" commercial rent is not the great resource we have right now. I have lived in many areas and I know that our museum is both unusual and valuable. Our pictures and artifacts are not just dusty relics, they tell us about real people who lived real lives here - not celebrities or state leaders, but people like us who wanted the best for their families.

I reject the false choice between our future and our past. I want to educate our children and honor our pioneer grandparents and great-grandparents; as well as our Native American ancestors. I am asking our Shoreline School Board members who are charged with using our tax money responsibly, to give us a plan that accomplishes both objectives. I know that you are intelligent professionals and you can do this.

Educate our children without destroying the best link to our past.

Sarah Kaye
Shoreline

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Ferguson Chair of King County Council for 2010

Looking forward to meeting the challenges facing the County

Councilmember Bob Ferguson was elected Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council today by a unanimous vote.

“I look forward to serving as Chair in a time of great challenge facing the state and local governments. We must be reform-minded and ensure that government is transparent and accountable,” said Ferguson. “By working collaboratively with my colleagues, the Executive, and other regional stakeholders, we will meet our challenges and reform King County.”

As Chair, Ferguson will set the agendas for meetings of the Council and coordinate the referral and scheduling of legislation. In addition, the Chair is responsible for the general direction of the Council’s resources and oversight of legislative branch employees.

Ferguson, a King County native, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and his law degree from New York University. Prior to joining the County Council, he practiced law at Preston, Gates, and Ellis (now K&L Gates) and is a licensed Washington attorney.

Ferguson was first elected to the County Council in 2003. He was elected again in 2005 following the reduction of the 13-member Council to nine. Ferguson ran unopposed in 2009. Ferguson represents District 1, which includes Bothell, Kenmore, north Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and part of Woodinville and unincorporated King County.

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Diversity Quilt presented to the City of Shoreline


Artist Marita Dingus was chosen by a jury panel to oversee the creation of artwork by the public at the 2009 Shoreline Arts Festival with the theme "Weaving a Cultural Tapestry." Over 300 festival attendees created "dolls" or figures from recycled materials, which the artist has assembled into a border framework. The finished piece, "Diversity Quilt," was presented to the City Council on Monday, January 11, and was installed on the 4th floor at Shoreline City Hall.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council was pleased to coordinate this project, sponsored by the City of Shoreline as part of its Diversity Strategy. Marita Dingus is well-known regionally and nationally through her many public art commissions, exhibitions at major institutions such as Seattle Art Museum, and is represented by Francine Seders Gallery in Seattle.

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Looking for work? No computer? Shoreline Goodwill can help!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Public can use Goodwill computers for career-related activities 

For people who need a computer to search the Internet for jobs, or get advice on preparing a resume and applying for jobs online, Shoreline Goodwill’s Job Training and Education Center is here to help.

On Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 am during the current session that runs until February 24, the center’s computer lab will be open to the public. Individuals can use the computers for career-related activities, and Instructors will be available to answer questions and provide assistance.

People need not take a Goodwill class to use the computers; they are available to everyone in the community for career-related activities.

“A lot of us take it for granted that we have access to computers. For those who don’t, it’s extremely difficult to look and apply for jobs. By opening our computers to the public, especially people who don’t have jobs, we hope to lend them a hand and get them on the path to employment,” said Jim Hale, Goodwill’s Director of Field Site Operations.

The center is located at 14500 15th Ave NE. For class availability and enrollment information, please call 206-631-8457.

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Shoreline: Map Your Neighborhood

By Chris White,
VISTA Ready*Corps Program Assistant  

Community Services Division
 
The recent earthquake in Haiti is a devastating reminder of the unpredictable dangers that are often ignored, but remain a very real part of life. Here in the Pacific Northwest we face many risks of our own, from windstorms to flooding to earthquakes of our own on the Cascadia fault. While the loss in Haiti is truly catastrophic, we have a responsibility to make sure that such disaster does not come to our own neighborhoods and families. 


With that in mind, the City of Shoreline has been rolling out a community building and emergency preparedness program called Map Your Neighborhood. This is Washington State’s award-winning program designed to strengthen community ties and utilize your block’s existing skills and resources to increase the preparedness of your neighborhood. The three main goals of the program are as follows:  
  1. Learn the first 9 steps to take immediately following disaster to secure your home and to protect your neighborhood.  It is hard to think clearly in these situations and these steps will help you act quickly and safely. 
  2. Identify the skills and equipment each neighbor has that are useful in an effective disaster response. Knowing which neighbors have supplies and skills helps your disaster response be timely.
  3. Create a Neighborhood Map showing the locations of each natural gas meter or propane tank as well as neighbors who may need to be checked on after a disaster. 67% of house fires following disasters are caused by leaking gas. Checking on children, elderly and disabled well help protect those vulnerable to injury.
As important as these three goals is the way the program operates. While all of the information and materials you need will be provided by the City of Shoreline, the program itself is designed to be run entirely by you and your neighbors in your own home. This grassroots-style set-up fosters relationships within your immediate community and a community that knows each other looks out for each other. This ensures that the skills taught will be utilized to their maximum effectiveness, so you can rest assured that in either a major earthquake or a brief power outage your neighbors will be there to look out for you and your family with the proper tools.

For more information and to get started please contact Chris White in the Emergency Management Division of Shoreline City Hall at 206-801-2256 or email. With one 90 minute meeting you can make your block a stronger, safer place - so get started today.

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SCC's MLK Day Food Drive tops 25,000 lb. goal


By Donna Myers,
Public Information Office
Shoreline Community College


Question: Can a group of Shoreline Community College students who find inspiration in the words and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., collect 25,000 pounds of donated food in just one day?

Answer: No, they can collect 26,233 pounds in one day, add to the total the next day and then donate it all to local food banks.

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day was declared a national day of service by Congress in 1994,” said Kaelyn Caldwell, SCC’s service-learning coordinator. “What better way to honor Dr. King than to bring a community together to help others on his day?”


The project involved putting donation sites and volunteers in front of nine participating grocery stores across the north end of King County on Monday, January 18, 2010. While the project was coordinated through the Center for Service Learning, Caldwell also worked with SCC Veterans Center coordinator Jonathan Phillips and student Ava Munson, who serves in student government as Minister of Social Justice. A number of college administrators and staff also volunteered for the project.

Funding for effort came from the Dr. Ronald E. Bell Student Leadership Fund through the SCC Foundation.
“Local food banks and the people who rely on them are suffering. Demand is increasing while donations are not,” Caldwell said. Food banks in the Shoreline/North Seattle area have reported a 30 percent increase in the use of their emergency food services, she said.
The drive’s goal was ambitious, to collect 25,000 pounds of food. What seemed an audacious target at the start of the day began to look attainable as the donations piled up. After the 5:30 p.m. project close, volunteers brought the donations back to campus.
The total surprised even the most committed volunteers. “We gathered 26,233 pounds of food,” Caldwell said. “Surpassing our goal was really gratifying.”
The drive continued Tuesday, January 19, at the school with more donations from students, faculty and staff. “This is a great example of what service learning is all about,” Caldwell said. “It’s taking the lessons of the classroom into the community, putting learning to work.”

All donations will be distributed to partnering food banks, including: Hopelink, the Greenwood Food Bank and North Helpline/Lake City Food Bank.

In October 2007, the college joined Washington Campus Compact, a statewide coalition of colleges and universities to promote service learning. Washington Campus Compact has a grant from AmeriCorps*VISTA to help serve people in poverty through service learning.

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Evan Smith: Time for compromise on School bond

Commentary / Evan Smith

Voters in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park shouldn’t have to choose between new high schools and the community’s Museum.

Yet, that’s what the School District is asking us to do on the ballots that arrive in our mailboxes this week.

Either we vote “yes” to start building new high-school buildings and relegate the Museum to a fraction of its current space while incorporating the rest of the 98-year-old Ronald School building into a new Shorewood High School campus, or we vote “no” and force an expensive revote in April or May.

A “yes” vote means protracted litigation over terms of the Museum’s title to the old Ronald building and its lease on the land,

A “no” vote means a delay in building the new schools and a second vote in the spring, an election that the School District would have to pay for.

Neither of these is a very good choice. So, let’s find a compromise in which the School District would promise to leave the Museum alone, and the Museum board would agree to raise enough money to buy the land.

What if we have no compromise by Election Day? Then, I have no choice but to vote “no” and hope that the School District can come up with a better plan for the April or May election.

I know that Shorecrest has deteriorated over the more than fifty years that the building has been there and that Shorewood was never a very good building, having been built as a combination of an elementary school and a junior high school

I want to get it right this time even if that means taking a second vote.

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Evan Smith: Democrats’ endorsement of School bond comes with reservations

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer


The 32nd District Democratic Committee sent a press release Friday, January 15, headlined “32nd District Democrats Endorse School Levies and Bonds for February 2010 Election -- Support for Propositions in Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline.

However, while the support for ballot measures in the Edmonds and Northshore districts was absolute, as was support for Shoreline’s operations and technology levies, support for Shoreline school-construction bond came with an important reservation.


One clause of the resolution said, “The 32nd District Democrats support the bond issue provided that the Shoreline Historical Museum remains in its present location and receive support from the City of Shoreline, the City of Lake Forest Park, the City of Seattle, and the Shoreline School District.” 

 
One prominent Shoreline political figure told me that the clause was added at the insistence of prominent Democrats who are active in supporting the Museum. Many people fear that a rebuilt Shorewood High School would take over part of the Museum's space in the old Ronald School building.

 
Here is the text of the press release:

“Vowing to support the education of all residents of the community, the 32nd District Democrats voted to support bond and levies for the February 9, 2010 election at their January meeting.

“’Voters in the Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline school districts are asked to support the propositions on their ballot,’ said 32nd District Democrats Chairwoman Carin Chase.

“The Resolution adopted by the 32nd District Democrats States:
"Therefore be it resolved that the 32nd District Democrats shall support the passage of the operations and technology levies on the February 9, 2010 ballot and encourage every voter in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park to vote; and
"Be it further resolved that the 32nd District Democrats support the bond issue provided that the Shoreline Historical Museum remains in its present location and receive support from the City of Shoreline, the City of Lake Forest Park, the City of Seattle, and the Shoreline School District;

"Visit www.32democrats.org for full text.

“Yes for Shoreline Schools” has been individually endorsed by State Sen. Darlene Fairley, State Reps. Maralyn Chase and Ruth Kagi, Shoreline City Council members Keith McGlashan, Will Hall, Chris Eggen, Doris McConnell, Shari Tracey, and Chris Roberts, and many members of the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park community.

“Building the new high schools will bring needed jobs to the area, and provide a better learning atmosphere for all students, including our children with special needs,” said resolution sponsor and Shorecrest graduate Katie Rohs

“We have a responsibility to provide a 21st century education to all of our children.
“The District Democrats also voted to support the operations levies in Edmonds and Northshore. Kenmore City Councilmember Bob Hensel spoke in favor of the levy, stating that the Northshore schools are among the best in the area.

“Also at the meeting, the Democrats voted to support the King County Library Levy.

“For more information on how to support the Edmonds levy, please visit 'Vote Yes for Edmonds Schools.'

"For more information on how to help support the Shoreline levies, please visit the 'Yes for Shoreline Schools campaign.'

"For more information on how to help support the Northshore propositions , please visit 'Citizens for Northshore Schools.'

"The full text of the resolution regarding he Shoreline School District propositions is available on the website of the 32nd District Democrats – www.32democrats.org.

"For More Information Contact: Carin Chase
www.32democrats.org
carin.chase@32democrats.org."

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Kruckeberg Botanic Garden master site plan workshop

In September, the community gathered at the first Kruckeberg Garden public workshop to learn about the development of a master site plan for the Garden. Since then, a full site survey has been completed along with an assessment of existing buildings and structures and the existing plant collection has been fully documented.

Shoreline residents are invited to the next public workshop on Wednesday, January 27, at 7:00 pm, Council Chambers at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N.

After gathering information from the community, a recommended master plan for the Garden will be presented to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board and the City Council in the spring of 2010.

For more information, contact Capital Projects Manager Dave Buchan at (206) 801-2475 or email.



Photo of MsK Nursery by David Berger
Courtesy of Kruckeberg Garden

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Sustainable Shoreline to hear about School Bond and Levy

On Friday, January 22 at 7 pm, the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association will hear Shoreline Schools superintendent Sue Walker speak about the school bond and levy.

The meeting will be held at the First Christian Reformed Church on 14555 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, in Room 202. Enter from the parking lot. see map

Discussion afterwards will focus on the indicators of our school's role in the sustainability of our City?
Elections for SSEA Vice President and Secretary will take place at the February meeting. Only paid up members can vote. See our webpage to join.

For more information, contact Bill Bear at 206-368-0858 or email.


Sustainable Shoreline Education Association Vision Statement

To foster a healthy, vibrant, inclusive community by promoting and practicing respectful, informed and accountable decision-making through broad public participation and partnerships based on integrity and dignity.

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Evan Smith: Ballots coming this week

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer


Ballots and voters’ pamphlets for the Feb. 9 special election will arrive in your mailboxes this week.

The King County elections department will mail out ballots to registered voters Wednesday, January 20. The Postal Service has voters’ pamphlets for distribution to all residential addresses.

Shoreline and Lake Forest Park ballots have two sides, with the King County Library levy and Shoreline School Proposition 1 on the front and Shoreline School Propositions 2 and 3 on the back.
Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day or left at one of three drop-sites around the County.

The drop box at the County elections headquarters in Tukwila is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday from January 20 through February 8 and from 8:30 am to 8 pm Election Day.

The drop boxes at the County administration building in downtown Seattle and at the Bellevue City Hall are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday, February 8 and from 8:30 am to 8 pm Election Day.

Accessible voting machines are available at the same hours at all three sites. Washington has no restrictions on who can use the machines.

New Washington voters can register to vote in the election through February 1, but they must do it at the County elections office in Tukwila. The deadline for Washington voters to change their registration addresses and for anyone to register on line or by mail was January 11.

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New opportunities for dropouts under Kagi’s re-engagement bill


State Representative Ruth Kagi of Lake Forest Park represents the 32nd legislative district (Shoreline, LFP, part of Edmonds, Kenmore, Juanita) in the state house of representatives.

Kagi introduces improved legislation for dropout re-engagement, offering more flexibility for administrators

OLYMPIA — For young people who have dropped out of high school, the thought of having no options can be discouraging. But if a bill reintroduced this session in the state Legislature becomes law, dropouts will have new opportunities to re-engage in further education and lay the groundwork for successful career paths.

Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park) reintroduced House Bill 1418, which would establish a statewide dropout re-engagement system. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly during the 2009 session but did not reach the Senate floor for a full vote.

Kagi, along with administrators and students from Shoreline Community College, testified in front of the House Education Committee’s public hearing on the bill last Friday. Many elements of Kagi’s proposal are similar to a successful program in Shoreline that has existed since the mid-1990s but is threatened due to a need for specific legislative authorization.

“We must provide young people with a range of education programs that keep them engaged in learning so they don’t feel dropping out and never returning is their best option,” Kagi said. “A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. This bill provides the legal framework necessary to run these important re-engagement programs.”
Since the 2009 session, Kagi has worked to revise the bill for improvement. Under this year’s proposal, a statutory framework would be created through agreements developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), rather than a model managed by local educational service districts. Another difference is that school districts have the option of offering re-engagement programs, whereas last year’s bill required their offering.

The general program specifications remain the same in this year’s bill. Programs would be open to anyone age 16-21 who has not accumulated credits at a rate high enough to receive a diploma by age 21. Academic instruction in the program can include GED preparation, academic skills training, and college and work-readiness preparation. If the program provider is a community or technical college, students can have the opportunity to enroll in college courses without having to pay tuition.

Program providers can be educational service districts, community and technical colleges, other public entities or community-based organizations.

Recent OSPI statistics show a 21.4 percent four-year dropout rate among students who entered high school in 2004 and were expected to graduate in 2008.


Rep. Ruth Kagi
(D)  32nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Olympia Office:
328 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7910
District Office:
(206) 368-4691
Fax: (206) 368-4693
E-mail

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