Reps. Kagi, Chase to hold February 20 town halls

Monday, February 15, 2010


State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Maralyn Chase will host two local town hall meetings on February 20 for constituents of the 32nd Legislative District. The meetings offer an opportunity to learn about the issues facing the 2010 Legislature — now in session through mid-March — and to share concerns and ideas about the issues being considered by the Legislature.

Town hall meetings
Saturday, February 20, 2010   

10 am - noon
Upper Level, Third Place Commons
Lake Forest Park Town Center
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

1-3 pm
Shoreline Historical Museum
749 N 175th St (175th and Aurora next to Shorewood High School)
Shoreline, WA 98133




Questions can be directed to either legislator’s office:

Rep. Ruth Kagi, 360-786-7910

Rep. Maralyn Chase, 360-786-7880

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Echo Lake Neighborhood to hear about Aurora Corridor


Kirk McKinley, Manager of the Aurora Corridor Project and Transportation for the City of Shoreline, will be the speaker at the Tuesday, February 16 meeting of the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association.

ELNA meetings are held at the Shoreline City Hall, N 175th and Midvale Ave N., in a third floor conference room at 7 pm. The parking garage is open, with a lighted walkway to the city hall lobby. Parking is also available in the public lots on Midvale.

The Echo Lake Neighborhood includes everyone who lives or works in the area between Aurora and I-5, and 205th to 185th.

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Evan Smith: Presidents’ Day Thoughts

COMMENTARY / Evan Smith

A couple of random thoughts on Presidents’ Day morning:
• Barack Obama is the 44th president, but he is only the 43rd person to be president.

That’s because we count Grover Cleveland twice. He was both the 22nd president (1885-89) and the 24th president (1893-97). 
Cleveland was elected in 1884, lost to Benjamin Harrison in 1888 and defeated Harrison in 1892. That made him the only president to serve non-consecutive terns.

  • When George W. Bush left office after eight years, following Bill Clinton’s eight years, it marked the first time that we have had consecutive eight-year presidencies since the presidencies of James Madison (1809-17) and James Monroe (1817-25).
  • Madison and Monroe were second and third in a string of eight-year presidencies following that of Thomas Jefferson (1801-09)
  • George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush made up the second father-and-son pair of presidents. The other pair was John Adams (1897-1801) and John Quincy Adams (1825-29). Benjamin Harrison (1889-93) was the grandson of William Henry Harrison. who died a month after his 1841 inauguration.

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Free seminars on Japanese Maples and Roses at Sky Nursery


Sunday, February 21 at 1 pm

Pruning Japanese Maples with Brian Mumm
Don’t be intimidated by a little—or a little too big—Japanese maple! Pruning now allows you to see and bring out the underlying structure of your plant. Brian will show you how to turn an overgrown mop into a cascade of beauty.


Saturday, February 27 at 11 am

Rose Selection and Care with ‘Debo’ Boyer
Join Sky’s rose buyer to learn her personal favorites and best tips on growing these fragrant and lovely garden favorites. Debo will demonstrate every aspect of preparing both new and established roses for a full season of gorgeous bloom: how and when to prune, fertilize, control pests, mulch, and more.

Sky Nursery is at 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133, 206-546-4851

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Evan Smith: Current Ballot Count; next count is Tuesday

Sunday, February 14, 2010

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer


When I reported Friday on the King County Library levy’s widening approval rate, I said that the next vote would be posted Monday. In fact, the next count will be released at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The elections office is closed Monday for President's Day.

The Shoreline School District bond issue has continued to widen its margin above the required 60 percent approval rate. The maintenance-and-operations levy and the technology levy both continue their overwhelming approval margins.

Voter turnout through Friday in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park was 42 percent, compared to 37 percent throughout the County Library District. 

 
The vote count as of 4:30 p.m. Friday:

SHORELINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 412

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters
17.920
/
42,352
42.31%
Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations
(Simple majority for passage)

YES

12,542
70.35%

NO

5,286
29.65%
Proposition No. 2 Bonds for Modernization/Replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools
(60% approval required for passage)

APPROVED

10.669
62.43%

REJECTED

6420
37.57%
Proposition No. 3 Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support (Simple majority for passage)

YES

11,292
65.89%

NO

5,845
34.11%
















KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters
238,496
/
647,133
36.85%
Proposition No. 1 (Simple majority for passage)

YES

123,145
52.06%

NO

113,396
47.94%

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From County Councilmember Bob Ferguson


The New Year brought a new opportunity for me – my colleagues elected me to serve as Chair of the Council for 2010. As Chair, I will set the agendas for Council meetings and coordinate the referral and scheduling of legislation. I am also responsible for the general direction of the Council’s resources and oversight of legislative branch employees. Instead of my usual video this month, you can watch the included video of a recent interview where I discuss the challenges and opportunities for 2010.

It is an honor to serve as Chair and represent District 1 on the Council. I look forward to addressing the important policy issues in the year ahead, and I remain committed to ensuring that government is open and accountable to its citizens.

On a personal note, I had the exciting opportunity to attend President Obama’s recent State of the Union address. It was a memorable experience.

Bob
I invite you to check out all my YouTube videos.


Supporting Public Safety
The Council’s Law, Justice, Health & Human Services Committee recently approved a motion, which I co-sponsored, supporting the State Legislature’s efforts to put a constitutional amendment before the voters regarding when a judge can deny bail to criminal defendants facing life in prison. The amendment is in response to the slaying of four Lakewood police officers and the revelation that the perpetrator had been recently released on bail.

Related Article:
· Judges may get stronger powers to deny bail – Seattle Times

Making News
I was recently interviewed for a “Comcast Newsmakers” segment to discuss my efforts last year to reform government to be more transparent and improve public records disclosure. You can watch the interview on my YouTube channel here.

Government transparency is a priority for me. You can read here for more details about the public records reform legislation I sponsored.

Bob’s Bus Books
In December, I started a new segment of my eNews to share what I am reading on my bus commute. I received a lot of positive feedback, including a mention in Carla Saulter’s (a/k/a “Bus Chick”) transit blog on seattlepi.com.

Out & About 
I enjoyed attending the swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected and reelected city council members in District 1 in January. I was able to attend ceremonies for the Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore city councils. Working with my colleagues at the cities in District 1 is an important element of regional cooperation. 

With new Shoreline City Councilmember Shari Tracey, a former member of my staff.

Helping Haiti
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and with authority granted by the King County Council, Executive Constantine recently signed an Executive Order allowing employees of King County government to donate accrued vacation time to earthquake relief efforts. County employees will be allowed to convert up to 40 hours of vacation or compensatory time into a cash donation to help provide relief for victims of the earthquake.


When the Council approved a similar measure following Hurricane Katrina, King County employees generously donated over $400,000.  To find out how you can help, visit this website.


MLK Day Celebration
The County recently held its 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Marching to the Dream” and the keynote speaker was Congressman John Lewis, one of the most courageous individuals of the Civil Rights Movement.

To honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, the Council proclaimed January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. month in King County. The Council also encouraged residents to observe the holiday by contributing to our community.


Contact info Councilmember Bob Ferguson on the Web Click here to subscribe to my e-newsletter. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov. Phone: (206) 296-1001 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165 Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272

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Former Shorewood player signed for summer league

Shorewood graduate and baseball player Alex Kuniyoshi has been signed for a summer collegiate league with the Moses Lake Pirates of the WCL. Alex is currently a freshman at Seattle University, playing for the Red Hawks under Coach Donny Harrell.

Alex is a 6-0/180 pounder, a 4-year varsity letter-winner at Shorewood and team captain in 2009 under Coach Wyatt Tonkin, who says, "I did have the pleasure of coaching Alex in high school and he was a very good ball player."

Son of Ivan and Laureen Kuniyoshi, Alex is majoring in Communication Studies at SU.


Photo courtesy of Barbara Palmer and Seattle University Athletics

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SCC Men's Basketball Defeats NSCC 81-76

By Douglas W. Palmer
Director of Athletics and Recreation/Wellness
Shoreline Community College


The Shoreline CC Men's Basketball Team won a sluggish 81-76 game over North Seattle on Saturday afternoon in the SCC Gym. SCC jumped out to a 15 point lead early in the first half, but North Seattle fought back to cut the lead to 40-37 at half-time. SCC again pushed ahead in the second half to take a double digit lead but NSCC fought back in the game and trailed by one at 51-50. Shoreline again regained control but could not shake NSCC off and the Dolphins won by five.
 
Shoreline was led by Shawn West with 17 points. Jesse Vaughan added 16 points and Sean Jones scored 14 with 10 rebounds. Ryan McCorkle and Alfie Miller-Soukasen added 11 and 10 points.


Shoreline is now 16-4 overall, 10-2 in the NWAACC Northern Region. North Seattle falls to 12-10 overall and 7-6 in the region. SCC returns to the court on Wednesday night at the SCC Gym against Whatcom CC in the "Homecoming" game for the college. Game time is 7:30 pm.

Shawn West, upper left. Jesse Vaughn, right.
Photos by Wilson Tsoi

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Choir of the Sound classical concert

Choir of the Sound is pleased to announce its 33rd Annual Classical Concert, with performances on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6, both at 7:30 pm. The shows will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th Street SW in Lynnwood. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, and $9 for children under 12. Discounts are available for groups of 8 or more. Note that these prices are for tickets purchased in advance on our website or by calling 1-800-838-3006 (a small handling fee is also charged for online ticket sales). Tickets purchased at the door are all $22.00.

Join Choir of the Sound for a tribute to some of America’s best choral composers. From Copland to Gershwin to Lauridson, this concert will highlight great American choral music from the last century. The Choir will be directed by Judy Filibeck.



About Choir of the Sound
Choir of the Sound is a non-profit, all volunteer organization affiliated with Shoreline Community College, conducted by Judy Filibeck. The choir was founded in 1977 and has since grown to more than 100 active members. The choir offers three concerts annually, including Pops selections, a Classical concert, and the winter Holiday concert.

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North Seattle Defeats SCC Women's Basketball

Saturday, February 13, 2010

By Douglas W. Palmer
Director of Athletics and Recreation/Wellness
Shoreline Community College

Shoreline jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but the North Seattle Lady Storm controlled the rest of the game, pushing their lead to 10 points at half 27-17 and then controlling the second half on their way to a 69-45 victory.

Ana Haberman led the SCC squad with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals and Lynsey Sandum added 18 points, as only 4 Dolphins scored in the game.

SCC is now 2-18 on the year, 1-11 in the Northern Region. NSCC moves to 8-13 overall and 7-6 in the region. Shoreline plays Whatcom CC on Wednesday night at 5:30 PM in the "Homecoming" doubleheader in the SCC Gym.

Photo of Ana Haberman by Wilson Tsoi

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Hillery Clark selected as manager of the Early Childhood Program

By Craig Degginger, PIO
Shoreline Schools


Hillery Clark has been selected as manager of the Early Childhood Program and Related Services for the Shoreline School District, Superintendent Sue Walker announced. The appointment is effective July 1 and is subject to approval by the Shoreline School Board.

Hillery is currently the manager of the District’s state institutional education program at Fircrest.

The Early Childhood Program and Related Services includes the special education preschool for 3 to 5 year olds housed at Meridian Park School, the Birth to Three contract, and the District’s occupational
and physical therapy program.

Hillery has served as principal of the District’s elementary summer school program for the past four years. She was a special education teacher at Sunset Elementary and Einstein Middle School from 2000-2007, and was selected as Einstein’s outstanding educator of the year for 2003-04. She taught in Eugene, Seattle, and Anchorage before coming to Shoreline.

Hillery received her principal certification from Western Washington University, master’s from the University of Oregon and bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound. 


Photo courtesy of Shoreline Schools

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Readers' Theatre taps into your inner beatnik

The Readers' Theater program invites you to tap into your inner beatnik when we present John Ruoff's An Anonymous Legend at 7 pm, Monday, February 22 at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Ballinger Room.


John Ruoff''s characters seem to have materialized out of the age of flower children. A group of friends from that time period are reunited as one of them gets out of rehab. Everyone expects him to fail, but he becomes a strong force instead and stays clean. This should be a great trip back to the "hippie-time" for those who lived through it and those who have only heard about it.




The Readers' Theatre is a production of the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council.

More on John Ruoff:

John Ruoff was lead singer and trumpet player for Pocket Change, a local band, for ten years. John was head comedy writer for The Tricano DeSales talk show in Seattle and worked with Theater Sports improvisational troupe in the 1980s. In 1985 John founded the Midnight Mystery Theater and Rain City Players radio comedy companies and was head writer, performing 127 characters to the present day. John has had ten plays and a musical produced and has been acting at Theater Puget Sound and the former NW Actor's Studio since 2005.

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SL Fire Sirens for February 11, 12



by Melanie Granfors, PIO
Shoreline Fire Department


01:51     Female, 87 cancer patient, weakness and nausea.

06:21     Automatic fire alarm, Doug’s Cadillac, no fire. Malfunction.

06:24     Male, 80, general weakness

08:26     Female, 35, abdominal pain.

10:10     Female, 90, fell at nursing home.

10:21     Female, 87, chest pain.

11:39     Residential automatic fire alarm, no fire. Set off by cooking.

18:18     Female, 91, knee pain.

12:35     Male, 72, short of breath, dizzy.

04:39     Male, 65, fell. Possible head injury.

05:47     Female, 92. Family reporting no pulse or breathing.

06:39     Male, 30, seizure.

07:56     Female, 80, fell at home.

08:25     Male, 93, stroke symptoms.

09:48     Female, 20, fell on sidewalk.

10:12     Female, 18, at Shorecrest High school, psychiatric emergency.

10:49     Male, 82, fall patient.


Have a question about Shoreline Fire? Email our Public Information Officer or call 206-533-6564.

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Photo: Hot Shop





Hot Shop, Tacoma Museum of Glass. Photo by Kevin J. Grossman.

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Join the Relay for Life

By Harley O'Neil

This year Relay for Life will be held again at Woolsy Stadium on the Crista campus at 19303 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133, on June 5 and 6. For those of you who have not experienced this event, it is truly amazing.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.


At 10 am, Saturday June 5, the event begins with cancer survivors starting the first lap around the Woolsey track. It is a 1/4 mile course. Team members get pledges for donations based upon how many laps they complete. This event runs for 24 hours, so it ends at 10 am on Sunday morning. Last year $190,160 was raised at this event. This year it is expected that there will be 45 teams, 100 survivors participating, 850 other participants, and hopefully the amount raised will increase to $250,000. These events are held at many locations throughout the United States and the funds raised are used for a variety of programs. Some are listed below:

1. Rooms for Life - The Rooms for Life program provides free, temporary, non-medical housing for patients during treatment away from home.

2. Road to Recovery - The Road to Recovery program provides transportation to cancer patients. Volunteers drive cancer patients to and from treatment.

3. Reach to Recovery - The Reach to Recovery program is designed to help people cope with their breast cancer experience. Volunteers are breast cancer survivors who are trained to offer support at various points along the breast cancer continuum: diagnosis, decision making about treatment and its side effects; returning to a full active life, or confronting any long-term effects-including a possible recurrence of the disease.

4. Look Good Feel Better - This Look Good Feel Better program teaches beauty techniques to women currently undergoing cancer treatment. Women receive a free makeover including tips on skin care, nail care and make-up. They are also taught about wigs, hats and turbans.

5. Man to Man - This group provides information about prostate cancer and related issues for men and their partners in a supportive atmosphere.

6. Children's camps - Camp UKANDU and Camp Goodtimes are the Society's free, week long summer camps for children with cancer. These camps are equipped to handle the special needs of children undergoing treatment.

The programs listed above are only a small sampling of how the funds collected are used. As I recall, over 4.3 million was used at the UW on Cancer Research from money collected and over 7 million used in research at other facilities in Washington state. A cure for this disease will be found.

The Shoreline Breakfast Rotary Club will be sponsoring a team. If you would like to participate with us, please go to the Shoreline Relay website and sign up to be on our Rotary Club of Shoreline Breakfast team. There is a beautiful Luminaria event on Saturday evening at 10 pm, where you can light a candle in rememberance of people who have died from cancer or for individuals who are currently fighting this disease. My family has attended this inspring event for many years and has always left with a renewed hope for finding a cure.

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Evan Smith: King County Library levy appears to be passing with growing margin


By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

The King County Library System levy appeared to be passing with a growing margin in vote totals released Friday afternoon.

The Friday vote count showed the levy with a 52.09 percent “yes” vote compared to 51.13 percent Wednesday and 50.51 percent Tuesday.

Ballots came from voters in all of King County except for Seattle, Renton, Enumclaw, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point -- cities that aren't part of the King County Library System. The System also includes a portion of Bothell that is in Snohomish County.

Voters in Renton were giving a slight majority to a ballot measure to join the County system.
Votes on the library levy came from 39 percent of registered voters. County elections officials had predicted a 35 percent turnout.

The next count will be released at 4:30 pm Monday.
The vote count as of 4:30 pm Friday:

KING COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT



Ballots Cast/RegisteredVoters
238,496
/
647.133
36.85%
Proposition No. 1

YES

123,145
52.06%

NO

113,396
47.94%

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Shorecrest literary magazine wins awards

Friday, February 12, 2010

The Shorecrest High School literary publication “Tattoo” received an award for “First Place with Special Merit” from the American Scholastic Press Association for high school literary and arts magazines. Shorecrest also received the "Superior" ranking from the National Council of Teachers of English. Only one other literary magazine in Washington received this high honor. The 2008-09 student editors were Max Cho and Berit Anderson. Andy Barker is the advisor.

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Brenda Smithers named Shoreline School District Support Person of the Year

By Craig Degginger, PIO
Shoreline Schools



Brenda Smithers, certified occupational therapy assistant, has been selected as the 2009-10 Shoreline School District Support Person of the Year.

Brenda has worked for the District for 31 years. As a support staff member for the entire Occupational and Physical Therapy Department, Brenda travels to every school in the District. She has a variety of responsibilities — working with individual students or small groups on fine motor skills, handwriting or dressing activities, creating unique pieces of adaptive equipment for students with disabilities; and assisting therapists with any other needs that might arise.

“Brenda has an incredible innate sense in connecting with the students she works with regardless of the severity of their disability. Her first goal is always to establish a rapport with the student, making them feel safe, secure and comfortable. She is able to read a student’s needs and effortlessly finds a way to foster success, allowing them to develop the skills they need to succeed,” her colleagues wrote in nominating her for the award.

Outside of her job, Brenda participates in large fundraising activities like the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, honoring Shoreline teachers who have battled cancer. She participates annually in the MS Walk with a handful of students that are graduates of the District’s special education programs. She is an excellent cook, frequently showing up with a meal and kindness for families in need.

Brenda will be honored at a reception at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 1 in the Shoreline Center lobby, prior to the School Board meeting that evening. The community is invited to attend. She will receive a $250 award from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation. Shoreline Support Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated March 7-13.

Photo: Brenda Smithers, second from left, accepts congratulations after the announcement of her selection as Shoreline Support Person of the Year. Courtesy of Shoreline Schools

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The Cedarbrook Coalition


By George Piano, Chairman
Cedarbrook Coallition



In the fall of 2008, in response to the Shoreline School District’s expressed intent to surplus and sell the Cedarbrook Elementary School property to the highest bidder, a neighborhood group composed of residents of both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, The Coalition for the Preservation of Cedarbrook, a registered 501(3)C non profit corporation, was formed. The goal of this group is to work with both communities to find a way to acquire and preserve the Cedarbrook property as an active neighborhood park.

After introducing the Coalition to the Shoreline School Board and explaining our goal, the Coalition was given until August of 2010 to create a viable plan to purchase the property from the School District.

Support for the Park continues to grow within our community. The Coalition has almost 1000 signatures on a petition of support and many subscribers to our website. The Shorelake Soccer Association has endorsed our efforts and has provided very generous financial support. During the past year we have made several presentations to both the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park City Councils to increase awareness and to develop official support. 


It became clear that the process of raising the necessary funding for the purchase of the property in this tough economic climate was going to be a difficult and complex process and would require more time than the School Board had granted.

With unanimous support from the Shoreline Parks and Recreation Board and the Lake Forest Park Community Services Commission, and with a great deal of help from Shoreline Parks Director Dick Deal, a Resolution of Support was drafted to present to the City Councils of both communities.

The resolutions commit the Cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park to work together with the Cedarbrook Coalition to explore sources of funding to purchase and develop the Cedarbrook property as a park. The Resolutions also requests additional time from the Shoreline School District to accomplish this goal. This resolution was adopted unanimously by both City Councils.

Now that both cities have officially pledged their support and commitment to working towards the acquisition of the Cedarbrook property, we are anxiously awaiting a positive response from the Shoreline School Board granting us the additional time necessary to make this community dream a reality.


The Cedarbrook Coalition is in the process of planning our spring and summer campaign to continue raising neighborhood support and awareness for the development of the park and is committed to working with the Shoreline School District and the Cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park to get this done. We welcome help from any and all folks interested in preserving the gem that is Cedarbrook, for our ourselves and for generations to come.

Folks can learn more by visiting our website or contacting George Piano, Chairman.

Cedarbrook Info  

The Cedarbrook property is approximately 10.6 acres. Currently there are several unused school buildings including a small administration building, a large classroom building, and a gym building that includes a large gym, a stage, a commercial kitchen, and several bathrooms.

The property includes areas of native forest, open play fields, designated wetlands, and parking areas.

Whisper Creek runs along the northern border of the property and is a lovely fish-bearing, year-round creek. Portions of this creek are currently being restored by the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation. Working in conjunction with local citizens, a new foot bridge has been built linking the Cedarbrook property with the bordering Lake Forest Park and Shoreline neighborhoods, and areas along the creek have been cleared of invasive nonnative plants and are being replanted with native vegetation.

 
A watershed that was once known as Cedarbrook Creek was diverted underground and into a culvert that runs across the playfield when the school was built. This creek eventually empties into Whisper Creek. The hope of the Cedarbrook Coalition is that, as part of the park development, we will be able to daylight this creek, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and see this stream once again flow in the sunlight.

The property is a perfect opportunity to develop the only active park in this area that can include open play fields, basketball and tennis courts, a toddler playground, and perhaps a community center utilizing the existing gym. There is potential for a skateboard park, pea patches, nature trails, and a rest area for bicyclists puffing up Perkins Way on the new Trail connecting route.

The possibilities are endless.


Photos by Andrew M. Bradner

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North City Neighborhood Assocation meeting recap

Coffee and dessert, potluck-style, mixed with a little socializing, was how the evening began for the North City Neighborhood Association's first community get-together at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Shoreline on Wednesday, February 10.

Those who attended listened to guest speaker Boni Biery, Habitat Team Coordinator for Shoreline's Community Wildlife Habitat Project, talk about the need for increasing habitat spaces for wildlife and explained how residents could get involved in this volunteer-based community effort.

Also presenting were City of Shoreline's Dick Deal, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services and Joe Tovar, Planning Director, speaking on the current state of Shoreline's finances with particular regard to our local parks and recreation programs. They explained how a shortfall in revenues caused by the recession and voter-approved measures could impact city services and that a determination will be made in the spring whether or not to place a property tax levy lid lift on the ballot in 2010.

The North City Neighborhood Association plans to put on more informational meetings and events and welcomes neighborhood participation. Join the e-mail list at the NCNA website or by contacting Nan Skinner at 206-734-9289 or email

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Evan Smith: All three school measures continue to increase margins

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer


All three Shoreline School District ballot measures showed increased support in the Thursday vote count.

The maintenance-and-operations levy and the technology levy both increased their overwhelming passing margins, and the construction bond measure widened its margin over the required 60 percent approval rate.

The vote for the measure to approve construction bonds to rebuild the District’s two high schools increased from 60.83 percent Tuesday night and 61.50 percent Wednesday to 62.21 percent Thursday. The bond measure needs a 60 percent approval rate to pass. The measure has already exceeded the number of votes needed to validate the election.

The District’s maintenance-and-operations levy, which can pass with a simple majority, increased its “yes“ vote from 68.09 Tuesday and 69.06 percent Wednesday to 70.09 percent Thursday.

The technology levy, which also can pass with a simple majority, increased its portion of “yes“ votes from 64.37 percent Tuesday and 65.08 percent Wednesday to 65.81 percent Thursday.

Voter turnout of 40.29 percent in the Shoreline School District through Thursday afternoon had already exceeded the expected countywide turnout of 35 percent.

Ballots included in the Thursday count were generally those received by Wednesday, meaning that they had to be mailed or dropped off by Tuesday.

The next vote count is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday. The elections department will continue to count votes until final certification, Wednesday, February 24.

Most votes, however, are already counted.

Remaining ballots probably are either from Americans voting from outside the country or ballots returned to voters to correct missing or invalid signatures.

The vote count as of Thursday afternoon:



SHORELINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 412

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters:
17,063
/
42.352
40.29%
Proposition No. 1 Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and
Operations

YES

11,898
70.09%

NO

5,078
29.91%
Proposition No. 2 Bonds for Modernization/Replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High
Schools

APPROVED

10.116
62.21%

REJECTED

6,145
37.79%
Proposition No. 3 Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support

YES

10,733
65.81%

NO

5,576
34.19%

Read more...
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