Evan Smith: David Harris named to Shoreline fire board; board to fill another position Thursday

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

The Shoreline Fire District board has named David Harris, a former part-time Shoreline fireman, to one of two new positions on the board.

The Board of Commissioners, including Harris, will meet Thursday, March 4, to choose another new commissioner from among eight candidates.

The District, which has long had a three-member board, is expanding to five members under a State law that requires fire districts made up entirely of paid fire fighters to have five-member boards. The Shoreline District ended its diminished volunteer group at the end of December.

The three elected board members selected Harris at a special meeting Monday, March 1, after interviewing nine applicants. The now-four-member board will appoint a fifth commissioner from among the eight remaining applicants. The eight are Kenneth G. Callahan, Edward E. Carl, George A. Daher, Kim Fischer, Rod Greeley, Patricia Hale. Dick Nicholson and Scott Soper. Hale lost a City Council election in November to Will Hall. Daher lost a 2005 election to then-City-Councilman Ron Hansen.

One of the two new commissioners will serve until the November 2011 election, the other until the 2013 election. Which commissioner holds which term will be determined by a lot draw.

The position now held by Commissioner Jon Kennison also expires in 2011, when it will appear on the ballot along with one of the new positions. The position held by Commissioner Jim Fisher will appear on the 2013 ballot along with the other new position. The position held by Commissioner Rod Heivilin will be alone on the 2015 ballot.

Harris has been a reserve fire fighter, a member of the Shoreline Planning Commission and the owner-operator of a residential home building company.

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College admissions information free session

Shoreline PTA Council announces a free "College Admissions Information Session" with Charlie Hoff, Monday, March 15 at 7 pm in the Ballinger Room of the Shoreline Center (south end).

A former Kent School Board Member and college admissions official, Mr. Hoff will offer his suggestions on how to obtain admissions to the most competitive colleges and obtain the most attractive financial packages. If you have a student currently in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade, Mr. Hoff's session could be helpful to your college plans for your student.

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Replacing the WASL in Shoreline schools

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Two new tests replace the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) this spring in Shoreline and school districts throughout Washington.

Measurements of Student Progress (MSP)
The name of the MSP, given to students in grades 3 to 8, conveys the goal of the test: to measure student progress. The MSP will be shorter to take than the WASL and will be moved online over the next few years. Reading, math and science will take just one day each instead of two with the WASL. For now, writing will still take two days.

The dates for testing in spring 2010 are May 12-28 for paper-and-pencil and May 3-June 4 for online testing in grades 6 to 8 in reading and math. In Shoreline, online testing will be used at Kellogg Middle School for reading and at Room Nine Community School for grades 7 and 8 for reading and math.

High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE)

This test measures the proficiency of students in high school and serves as the state’s exit exam. Students must pass this assessment or a state-approved alternative in reading and writing in order to be eligible to graduate. The dates for testing in spring 2010 are March 16 to 18 (reading is one day; writing is two) and April 13 (math) and April 15 (science). Students in the classes of 2010-2012 must pass both the reading and writing assessments to be eligible to graduate. If a student has already passed a specific assessment via the WASL (ie., reading), they will not have to take the HSPE in that content area.Students in the Class of 2013 are the first to be required to pass reading, writing, math and science assessments.The HSPE is shorter to take than the WASL and will also be moved online over the next few years. Reading, math and science will take just one day each instead of two with the WASL. For now, writing will still take two days.

Visit Washington’s Online Testing Web site, to download tutorials, view demos, and more.

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Meet The Bobs

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council Presents


The Bobs – Award-Winning a Cappella

March 13 at 7:30 pm – Tickets: $22/$20

Shorecrest Performing Arts Center
15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155

In 1981 the “Great Singing Telegram Depression” hit San Francisco and two out of work singers decided to find two other voices to add to the mix and take their act on the road. Since then they have
been nominated for a Grammy, toured the world over and won countless awards. Please join us as the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council welcomes the unique a cappella group The Bobs. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Arts Council at 206-417-4645 or by ordering online.

More on The Bobs:

If there is a single group that really helped jump start the a cappella movement – as ­well as give new perception to the genre – it is
The Bobs. Using self-deprecating humor – and with tongues planted firmly in cheeks – The Bobs have been packing venues for more than two decades with programs that feature clever cover songs and a wealth of outrageous originals.


The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.

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Highland Terrace Speaker Series presents SL Councilmember Chris Eggen

The Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association Speaker Series continues with a rare opportunity to interact with City Councilmember Chris Eggen (pictured). As one of the seven councilmembers for our City, Chris is directly involved in the real life decisions that affect each of us, our properties and our neighborhoods.

You are cordially invited to join us as Chris introduces himself, including his long-time involvement in the City of Shoreline through such efforts as Solar Shoreline and now directly in the City government as one of our councilmembers. Chris will provide his perspective on current issues, including increased taxes, as well as opportunities for the City.


There will be plenty of opportunity to chat with Chris regarding your ideas and issues concerning both the Highland Terrace neighborhood and the City of Shoreline. You can be sure your voice is heard in the relaxed atmosphere at the Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association Meeting.

The meeting time is March 9 at 7 - 8:30 pm at Highland Terrace Elementary, N 160th St & 1st Ave NW, in the Library Annex Room. Parking is available in the front. Enter through the main entrance, turn left down the hall to the open library room. Future meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of May, September and November. Please visit our neighborhood website for information on neighborhood activities.

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Piano concert Sunday at SCC

Monday, March 1, 2010

Shoreline Community College piano faculty Jensina Byington and Tamara Friedman perform solo and duet repertoire from a broad range of composers at Classical Kaleidoscope at 3 pm, Sunday, March 14 at the college’s Campus Theater.

The concert, one of the Shoreline Piano Series, will feature music from the Baroque exoticism of Scarlatti, Classical symphonic traditions of Mozart and Beethoven and the Romantic grandeur of Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Featured pieces will include the Mozart Sonata for Piano, Four Hands, played by Jensina Byington and Tamara Freidman, Beethoven Bagatelles, Opus 126, Mendelssohn Songs without Words, Rachmaninoff Etude in E-flat major, and selections from Faure's duet set, Dolly Suite, Opus 56.

General admission is $15, $10 for seniors 60 and over, non-SCC students, and SCC faculty and staff; and $5 for children 14 and under and Shoreline Community College students. Proceeds from the concert will support the Shoreline CC Piano Scholarship Fund to raise money for student scholarships for the 2010-11 school year.

Shoreline Community College is located at 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, just west of Aurora Avenue and north of Seattle city limits.

For information about the college’s music department and performances, please visit the website.

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Shorewood boys fall short in District basketball tournament

The Shorewood High School boys’ basketball team finished its season two games short of qualifying for the State 4A tournament when the Thunderbirds lost to Cascade 61-49 in the Northwest District tournament, Wednesday, Feb. 24 at Jackson High School in Mill Creek.
Two days later, Cascade lost to Jackson for the District’s third berth in the State tournament.
Shorewood’s loss to Cascade left the T-birds with a 9-14 overall record.
Cascade broke the game open in the third quarter, when they outscored Shorewood 24-9.
Jerry Smallwood led Shorewood with 11 points.

Score by quarters:
Shorewood 11 13 9 16 — 49

Cascade 11 11 24 15 — 61
Shorewood Scoring—Brazell 1, Carroll 2, Delgado, Andrews 9, Mitchell 8, Kadiric 8, Berquist 5, Smallwood 11, Hendrickson, Hawkinson 3, Edwards 2.

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SCC Baseball Sweeps Again Against Pierce CC

 
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

For the second consecutive day, the SCC Baseball Team swept a doubleheader, but this time, the ballpark lights helped.

The Dolphins erased a 3-0 deficit in the first game to win 10-4. In the second game, Pierce had came back to take a 7-6 lead in the top of the 7th inning, but the Lower Woodland Park lights shut down and could not be restored, so the score reverted back to the last completed inning (the 6th), with Shoreline ahead 6-5 and SCC was declared the winner. 


 
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
 
The SCC squad will travel to Yakima Valley Community College this upcoming weekend to play in a tournament on Friday and Saturday.

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Highland Terrace wins District Global Reading Challenge

 
Librarian Frank Kleyn and the Highland Terrace
"Polka Dot Cookies" reading team

A team of Highland Terrace Elementary 4th and 5th graders won the Shoreline School District Global Reading Challenge. The "Polka Dot Cookies," coached by librarian Frank Kleyn, edged teams from six other Shoreline elementary schools.

Highland Terrace advances to the regional challenge in March. Last year, Syre Elementary finished third in the countywide finals.

The Global Reading Challenge is a cooperative effort between King County Library System and local public school districts. This is a Battle of the Books-style program that allows 4th and 5th graders across the county to work together as a team and challenge other schools to correctly answer questions about the selected books. Each year, King County Library System children's librarians select 10 titles in a wide range of reading levels especially suited to the interests of young readers.

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Shorecrest boys, girls basketball teams continue play in District 1 playoffs

Shorecrest High School's boys and girls basketball teams have both qualified for the Northwest District 1 basketball tournaments.

The Shorecrest boys, now 15-8 on the season, defeated Everett 66-48 on Friday night and will next play Mount Vernon in a loser-out game on Monday, March 1 at 6 pm at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish.

The Shorecrest girls, now 16-7 on the season, defeated Ferndale 56-45 on Saturday in the District 1 tournament, and will play Lynnwood for the district championship on Thursday, March 4 at 8 pm at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish. The winner will advance to the State 3A tournament.

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Evan Smith: Winter Olympics Thoughts

COMMENTARY / Evan Smith

I’m sitting here watching the climactic event of the Winter Olympics.

Unfortunately, I had to sit through an ice hockey game while I waited to watch the 50-kilometer cross-country skiing race.

It was worth sitting through the hockey game to get to watch dozens of skiers race shoulder to shoulder for two hours with the top two skiers finishing three-tenths of a second apart.

My favorite winter event shows little of my greatest complaint about the way that NBC shows the Olympics.

Yet, even here, the announcers seem to have to refer to the number of medals an athlete has won.

That’s the wrong way to measure sporting accomplishment.

A skier or a speed skater may have half a dozen chances to win, while a figure skater, curler or hockey player has only one.

Throughout the games, announcers kept comparing the number of medals someone had won to numbers won in the past. It’s a poor comparison because of the proliferation of events. Twenty years ago, there was no freestyle skiing, no snowboarding, no short-track. In the same time, one Nordic combined event has become four and three Alpine skiing events have become five.

Some proliferation has been a needed as women have approached equality with men.

But, I see no reason for four Nordic-combined events, and I liked the games without events like snowboarding and freestyle skiing, activities that would fit better in a circus.

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New math program being selected for Shoreline Schools

The Shoreline School District is in the process of selecting a new math program for our students in preschool through grade five.

During the fall, grade level Math Review Teams of teachers and principals examined four math curricula that aligned most closely with the new Washington State Math Standards. Using the information from this initial review, the Mathematics Achievement Team (MAT) eliminated one program in December.

Through April, approximately 30 teachers on the Math Review Teams will field-test and evaluate lessons from the three remaining programs: Math Connects, Math Expressions, and enVisionMath. Before the field-testing began, each grade level team of teachers carefully selected the sequence of lessons that matched our Shoreline math pacing guides and would ensure that the students mastered the Washington State Mathematics Standards.

Parents and community members have the opportunity to evaluate these math programs during the month of March. The materials will be available in the Instruction Department at the Shoreline Center during the day from 8 am to 4:30 pm. This office will also be open on two evenings, March 17 and 18, until 8 pm.

In May, the Mathematics Achievement Team will analyze the data from the field-testing and the parent/community surveys in order to determine the program that they will recommend for Shoreline students. The school board will make the final decision in June, teachers trained in August, and this new math program will be implemented in September.

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Evan Smith: Eyman asks if Fairley is misinformed or a serial liar

Sunday, February 28, 2010

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer
An e-mail from Tim Eyman ten days ago caught my attention.
The subject line was: “Seattle Democrat Darlene Fairley: Misinformed or a serial liar?”
Eyman wrote about something Fairley had said while presiding over a hearing as chairwoman of the State Senate committee on government operations and elections.
The hearing was about a bill to define signatures on initiative and referendum petitions as public records.
After the February 2 hearing, Eyman sent Fairley (D-Lake Forest Park) an e-mail disputing her statement that Eyman had copied signatures on two petitions.

Eyman told Fairley that his organization does not copy signatures on petitions, adding, “I am deeply offended by the accusation.”

Eyman asked Fairley to correct the record.

Later, Eyman sent a general e-mail saying, “Despite being informed of the facts and asked to correct the record, 13 days later Darlene Fairley, on the Senate floor, said, ‘As a matter of fact, the fellow who's famous, or infamous, for doing initiatives and referendums routinely asks for a copy of the signatures of everybody who's signed those initiatives and referendums, he uses them as a money-making thing, whatever he does with them. And other parties, not my party, the other party, routinely also asks for copies of those signatures. So they've been out there for years, and they've copied them and used them.’ Senator Fairley, please stop saying these things; they are demonstrably untrue, and please apologize to me, the Republican Party, the public and the press for this.”

When I asked Fairley about Eyman’s e-mail, she told me she hadn’t read it, understandable since Eyman’s e-mails arrive almost daily.

Fairley explained that someone in the secretary of state’s office had told her that the office had given Eyman two years' worth of initiative and referendum petitions.

“Evidently, that person was wrong.” Fairley told me last week. “If I ever see Eyman again, I’ll have to say that I guess I was wrong. I wasn’t ‘informed of the facts.’

‘I Guess it’s because I hadn’t read his e-mail. Of course, his email was one of 1,157 that were in my “Junk” folder. For some reason, they routinely go there.’”

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Former Shorewood and Shorecrest Pitchers Lead SCC To Baseball Victories

The Shoreline Community College Baseball Team used local high school graduates to help lead the team to an opening day sweep of Vancouver Island College (Canada) on Saturday at Lower Woodland Park at the south end of Green Lake. The Dolphins posted identical 7-0 victories for both games.

Former Shorewood High School product, Brady Summers (pictured), was the winning pitcher in the first game, striking out 4 and allowing 3 hits for the Dolphins. In the second game, Willie Davies, a former Shorecrest High School pitcher posted the win while striking out 8 and allowing 3 hits as well.

The Dolphins play on Sunday, February 28 against Pierce Community College in a doubleheader starting at Noon. Lower Woodland Park is the home field for the SCC squad and admission is free to SCC Baseball Games. Find the complete SCC baseball schedule on the SCC Athletic Website


Photo by Wilson Tsoi

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To the Editor: A comparison of auto liability insurance and healthcare insurance is not apt

Carol Solle's comparison of auto liability insurance and healthcare insurance is not apt. A fairer comparison would be emergency services (911) to healthcare, because in the aftermath of an accident the prime concern is taking care of injured people, whether or not those people can pay. I don't know of a single location where 911 services are provided privately. This is because it makes no sense. However, once the insurance system kicks in, when the injured party has reached the hospital and critical needs are taken care of, everyone has horror stories to relate about medical care which was second-guessed, delayed or rejected by insurance companies - and this isn't even health insurance, but the auto liability companies.

Solle advocates for allowing interstate purchases of insurance. I would have no problem with this, so long as there is very strict federal-level regulation of benefits and premiums, and a requirement that everyone be included in the same insurance risk pool. However continuing state-based regulation would be overmatched by the power of the insurance companies, and states would compete to attract the insurance companies by minimizing requirements, as has happened with the credit card industry. This would lead to even less accountability than we have now.

Solle may have a point when she claims that defensive medicine drives overtreatment and additional expenses, due to fear of liability lawsuits. The problem is the claim is unsupported by evidence - in states which have implemented so-called tort reform, costs have not fallen and, as far as I know, treatment patterns have not changed substantially. At any rate, this is small potatoes compared to the major issue, which is this:

Why can't the United States, the most powerful and wealthiest nation in the history of the world, provide adequate health care to everyone who lives here?
Other wealthy countries around the world are able to do this. Systems vary. Some are government-run, and some, such as Japan's, are run by very strictly regulated private insurance companies. But they are able to do what we cannot, which is to take care of all their citizens (and visitors - my mom received health care recently on a trip to London, when she fell on a bus) whether or not they are rich, poor, working or unemployed.

Peter Henry
Edmonds

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SCC Men's Basketball to face Green River In first round

by Douglas Palmer
SCC Director of Athletics and Recreation/Wellness

The pairings are set for the NWAACC Men's Basketball Championship. The Dolphins will face Green River Community College in the first round of the NWAACC Men's Basketball Championship. If SCC wins, they will face the winner of the Community College of Spokane or Clackamas Community College from Oregon in the second round.

Shoreline finished the season 19-5 overall, 13-3 in the NWAACC Northern Region and will be the #1 Seed from the Northern Region. Green River was 13-11 overall, 10-6 in the NWAACC Western Region and the #4 Seed from that division. The CC of Spokane is 21-5 overall and the #3 Seed from the Eastern Region, while Clackamas is also 21-5 and the #2 Seed from the Southern Region.

SCC will face Green River at 6 pm next Saturday, March 6, in the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA. If the Dolphins win, they will play again at 6 pm on Sunday. If SCC loses, they will move to the consolation bracket and play at Noon on Sunday against the loser of Spokane/Clackamas.

This is the first trip to the NWAACC Championship for Shoreline in five years and the first region championship since 2001-02.

The NWAACC Men's Basketball Championship is a 16 team tournament, with the top four teams from each of the conferences four regions comprising the bracket. To win the NWAACC Championship, a team must win four games in four days. The NWAACC Women's Basketball Tournament is played at the same time at the same location as one men's game is play next to one women's game on the arena's floor.

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Come Play a Part at The Driftwood Players


The Driftwood Players announce theatre auditions for their world premiere of a new play by local Northwest playright Jeff Stillwell. The play is called Teacup Tipsy and it will be directed by the playwright.

Auditions will be held on Sunday, March 14 from 3 pm and Monday, March. 15 from 7 pm at the Driftwood Administrative Office, 306 Main Street, Edmonds.

There are parts for men (30's to 50's) and women (20's, 50's to 60's). Additional character information and a sample script are available on the Driftwood Players website.

Prepare a short, contemporary monologue and bring picture and resume.

Sign up for an audition appointment online or call 425-774-9600.

Teacup Tipsy performs April 17, 18 and 19. Saturday at 2 pm; Sunday and Monday at 7:30 pm, at the Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds.
Contact: Keith A. Gehrig

Shy and mousy Reginald tries desperately to attract the notice of the beautiful Lyla (if only she'd stop dancing!) through winning a mug of tea on the house by reciting "St. Theresa's Teacup Tipsy" (five times, fast)! However, his hapless stutter, the miserly grousings of Mrs. Widdershins, and the iambic pentametered exhortations of the Man in the Box all keep getting in Reginald's way! Enjoy this wacky, heart-warming comedy about love, loneliness, and the lengths to which we go to live out our dreams!
Come Play a Part at The Driftwood Players. Community Theater by and for the community.
The Edmonds Driftwood Players is celebrating its 51th season. We bring quality live theatre entertainment to our community. Our volunteers include actors, directors, crew, set designers, ushers, set builders, office support staff, and many, many more.

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SCC Men's Basketball Edges Everett In Final Home Game

Sophomore Ryan McCorkle celebrated his final home game by scoring a lay-up with 3 seconds left to lift the SCC Men's Basketball Team to victory against Everett Community on Saturday at the SCC Gym. Shoreline won the game 98-96 as Sean Jones (left) scored 23 and Sophomore Shawn West (right) added 20 to led SCC to victory. Alfie Miller-Soukasen and Ryan McCorkle added 15 points each while McCorkle pulled down 11 rebounds and Jesse Vaughan 13 points as SCC used a balance attack to win the game.

The teams were tied at half-time, 53 each and both teams battled in the second half, with neither team gaining an large advantage.

Shoreline is 19-5 overall and 13-3 in the region, winning the division by 2 games. The Dolphins will represent the Northern Region as the #1 seed for the division in the NWAACC Men's Basketball Championship next weekend. Everett finished the season 6-18, 4-12 in the region. 



Shoreline opens play in the NWAACC Championship at 6 pm on Saturday, March 6, against the #4 seed from the Western Division.



Photos by Wilson Tsoi

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Lady Dolphins Drop Final Game of Season To Everett

The SCC women's basketball team finished the 2009-10 campaign with a loss to Everett Community College on Saturday afternoon in the SCC Gym, 61-48. The Dolphins and ECC were tied 8-8 but the Trojans pulled ahead by 17 late in first half and led at half-time 31-19. Shoreline pulled within 8 points a couple of times in the second half, but could close any further.

Ana Haberman (left) scored 27 points in her final game, as she finished the season the #1 scorer in the NWAACC Northern Region.

Lynsey Sandum (right) added 10 points and 8 rebounds for SCC as well. 
Shoreline finished the season 3-21 on the season, 2-14 in the region. Everett goes on to the NWAACC Women's Basketball Championship in Kennewick, WA next weekend. The Lady Trojans are 16-9 overall, and 12-4 in the region.

Photos by Wilson Tsoi

 

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To the Editor: A few counter-arguments to Carol Solle’s letter of the 27th

On comparing car and health insurance, and advocating competition: Car ownership is voluntary, accidents are rare for good drivers, and good driving can be learned. It makes sense for there to be differences in premiums for good and bad drivers, and for degrees of coverage. Illness is involuntary and universal, and can’t be unlearned except for lifestyle changes like smoking and overeating, which are a good idea but not a panacea. Competition in the market leads to cherry-picking, where healthy and young people choose cheap insurance or none at all, while older and less healthy people are forced to pay more or are denied coverage altogether. They often then end up being treated as indigents, their costs being passed on to the rest of us as higher doctor and hospital overhead and higher insurance premiums. This is why coverage should be universal. Car insurance is, after all, for those who choose to drive, and for good reason.

On mandates: If mandates are not imposed, insurance companies can simply refuse to cover expensive treatments, like cancer treatments. Obviously, those companies’ premiums would be cheaper, and people who wanted to gamble on not getting cancer would opt for them. But when some of those people did get cancer, they would probably end up being treated as indigents, as above.

On Health Savings Accounts and high deductibles
: These mostly benefit the well-off who can take a tax deduction for HSA contributions and can easily afford out-of-pocket expenses. Lower-income people don’t make enough to itemize deductions, so HSAs are useless to them. And high-deductible plans can backfire if they discourage people from getting preventive care , (like mammograms), leading to more expensive remedial care later.

On tort reform: Torts only make up about 2% of health costs nationally, so tort reform would have a minuscule impact on health costs. Doctors have a financial incentive for performing needless tests, because they get paid for doing them. And malpractice insurers have a financial incentive to whine about tort reform, because what’s 2% of total health costs is 100% to them.

On “the government taking control of 17% of the GDP:” The reason our health care system takes up 17% of GDP is that it’s dominated by private industries that are making higher profits than most of the rest of our economy. The socialized British system takes about half as much of Britain’s GDP. And the British have longer life expectancy and less child mortality, probably because poor people there get health care paid for by universal taxes.

On “cutting $500,000,000,000 from Medicare:” Medicare and other federal health spending amount to a full half of US health spending, but there are industry-protecting laws preventing the government from using this potential bargaining power to force down costs. These programs could, indeed, bankrupt the federal government. But there are only two ways of cutting costs – cut services or cut private profits. Take your pick. The British system sounds pretty good to me.

Chris Nielsen
Shoreline

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Shorewood girls tournament bid falls short

The Shorewood girls’ basketball team’s run in the Northwest District 4A basketball tournament ended two games short of a State tournament bid.

The Thunderbird girls’ season finished Tuesday, February 23 with a 50-28 loss to Edmonds-Woodway. E-W broke the game open by shutting Shorewood out 19-0 in the second quarter.

Edmonds-Woodway went on to defeat Arlington Friday February 26 for the District’s third spot in the State tournament.

The loss left the T-birds with an 8-16 season record.

Junior Lisa Echert, senior Mallory McDonald and freshman Masha Shtikel led Shorewood against Edmonds-Woodway with 6 points each.

Final game score by quarters:
Shorewood 11 0 4 13 — 28

Edmonds-Woodway 9 19 14 8 — 50

Shorewood Scoring—Fasbender 2, Godfrey 2, Echert 6, Lindgren 0, Hasegawa 0, McDonald 6, Nephew 2, Ellersick 3, Holley-Lair 1, Shtikel 6, Franklin 0.

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ACATemy Awards: Adoption fees waived for tuxedo cats March 6 - 7

From the Seattle Humane Society

It's time for the ACATEMY Awards! The Seattle Humane Society is rolling out the red carpet for its elegant "tuxedo" cats in celebration of the 2010 Academy Awards. As our gift to the community, adoption fees will be waived for all black and black & white tuxedo cats 1 year and older March 6-7.


These elegant felines have been spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and health-checked. They will go home with a full month of health insurance and a certificate for a free health exam.

"Elegant black cats and sleek tuxedo cats never go out of style," says CEO Brenda Barnette. "Our cats have winning personalities of Oscar-worthy proportions and we want everyone to have a chance to meet these fabulous felines."

Classy cat companions are waiting behind the velvet rope at the Seattle Humane Society today, located in Bellevue at 13212 SE Eastgate Way. The adoption center is open seven days a week from noon until 6 pm.

Photo by andycoan

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Eight Shoreline Firefighters to climb Columbia Center

By Melanie Granfors, PIO, Shoreline Fire

On March, 7, eight firefighters from Shoreline will race up 69 floors of the Columbia Center in Seattle to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb features firefighters from all over the world as they climb 1,311 steps in full bunker (combat) gear and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), weighing over 50 pounds.
 
This year, the Shoreline team will be climbing in honor of Theron Gibb, father of Shoreline Fire’s Captain Bryan Gibb. Theron, a retired Seattle firefighter is currently battling leukemia. The Shoreline team also climbs in honor of cancer survivor, Mick Lamar, who is Shoreline firefighter Jason Lamar’s dad. Mick is also a longtime fire service employee.

The Firefighter Climb raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as for the honorees that teams select. Shoreline’s team of eight includes firefighters Troy Crossley, Mark Peterson, Andy Holstad, Jared Linke, Steve Anderson, Scott Kim, Brett Defenbaugh and Andrew Morehouse.

 

The Firefighter Stair Climb was started years ago by Shoreline Firefighter David Engler – who climbed the tower in full bunker gear during the civilian event. The firefighter event now typically draws over 1000 firefighters and raises thousands of dollars each year. Shoreline Firefighters Union Local 1760 volunteers have staffed the event since the beginning—and will be out in full force this year alongside hundreds of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society volunteers who make the event possible.

In addition to the Firefighter Climb, the “Big Climb” takes place on March 21 and is open to the general public.  Check the webpage for more information.


Photo by squidminion

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Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center Honored

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center was recently honored as a Community Friend by Friends of Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park.

For ten years, the Senior Center and Friends of Third Place have enjoyed an on-going partnership. Working together, the Senior Center has helped bring health fairs, dances, classes, forums and more to the Lake Forest Park Area. According to the Friends of Third Place Commons Executive Director, Constance Perenyi,

"We've worked with the Senior Center from the beginning (of Third Place Commons) and in this last year have stepped up that working relationship. Not only is the Senior Center one of our partner agencies in the Market Bucks Program, it has become a vital partner in moving beyond weekly Mah Jongg and into some public outreach programming in the Commons."
The Senior Center is located at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE in Shoreline. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. to 4:40p.m.; 206-365-1536, or email.

The center offers over 50 classes weekly, including over 11 exercise class options, a daily hot lunch and 26 special services for seniors and their families.

Photo: Bob Lohmeyer, Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center Director, Jon Ann Cruver, Program Coordinator

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School Board and Superintendent thank the community

THANK YOU to the citizens of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park for your strong support of the three ballot measures on February 9.

With the passage of the four-year Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations, and the four-year Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support, the Shoreline Schools will be better able to meet the ever-changing, complex learning and support needs of our students and families, while continuing to offer a comprehensive educational and extracurricular program in the years ahead.


The passage of the Bonds to Modernize/Replace Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools marks an exciting milestone in the history of the District. We are thrilled for our students and entire community that the Shoreline Schools will be able to provide safe, secure and 21st century high school facilities to serve our students and community for many years to come.

Shoreline School Board
  • David Wilson, President
  • Maren Norton, Vice President
  • Debi Ehrlichman, Member
  • Mike Jacobs, Member
  • Dick Potter, Member
Sue Walker, Superintendent

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Shoreline Concert Band in concert March 9 with guest Jeff Kashiwa

The sixty-five member Shoreline Concert Band, under the direction of Ken Noreen, presents its Winter Quarter concert, “Facets of Love” at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, March 9, at the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available only at the door. $8 general admission., $6 seniors and students.

This special concert features the Shoreline Singers under the direction of Dr. Fred Lokken and the Shorewood High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Brian Akesson.

Shoreline Community College will honor the 14 All-State musicians from our two local Shoreline high schools and invite them to join the Shoreline Concert Band on the finale selection, “The Beatles: Love.” 



The guest soloist for the Shoreline Concert Band will be one of Mr. Noreen’s former students, Jeff Kashiwa. Jeff has become a nationally known and loved saxophone soloist since his graduation from Shorecrest High School in 1981. For 15 years Jeff was the featured saxophone player with the Rippingtons. Noreen considers Jeff a “career student.”

Reflecting on his 25 years at Shorecrest and a total of 46 years of directing school bands, Noreen says, 

“I may have had 10 or 12 students who have made professional playing their career, but Jeff is a star of stars. He has returned to our area to give back to his roots by teaching and performing. During his years as a high school band student, Jeff was an outstanding clarinet player and an outstanding sax player. Watching him develop his career has been like being a proud parent.”




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Chopin and Art Songs on Friday

Saturday, February 27, 2010

On Friday, March 5, at 7:30 pm at the Prince of Peace Lutheran church, 14514 20th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155, Dr. George Fiore will perform works by Chopin in celebration of the Bicentennial of his birth. 

Barbara Scheel will sing art songs and arias. 

Freewill donations. Reception to follow.

Portrait of Chopin from WikiMedia Commons

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Richmond Highlands Neighborhood Association gathering Tuesday


The Richmond Highlands Neighborhood Association will meet on Tuesday, March 2, at 7 pm, when Assistant City Manager Julie Underwood and Finance Director Debbie Tarry will present:

Investing in Our Future: Facing Shoreline’s Financial Challenges

Fifteen years ago residents incorporated Shoreline as a City so they could receive better, even exceptional, services for their tax dollar. Since then, the City has worked hard to meet residents’ expectations and 15 years after incorporation Shoreline families, neighborhoods and businesses have much to be proud of.

Unfortunately, the City’s ability to fund the services that make Shoreline such a great place to live is facing serious challenges. In 2010, Shoreline residents will need to decide how best to maintain the quality of life we have come to enjoy and protect the investments made in our neighborhoods and community.

By renewing our investment now we will keep and build on what we have created over the last 15 years. The cost of not affirming our investment jeopardizes many of the services and programs that make Shoreline a “Number One” community in the Seattle region.

Come listen to representatives from the City give a brief presentation on services and how the current long-range financial outlook will impact those services. Come ready to ask questions!

 

The Richmond Highlands Neighborhood Association meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month, at 7 pm, at the Richmond Highlands Recreation Center, N 165th and Fremont Ave N., 16544 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133. For more information, contact Lisa Surowiec 206-533-0118 or Michelle Hickman 206-533-1805


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Shorewood swimmer named State athlete of the week

Shorewood champion swim team

Shorewood swimmer Thor Stenfjord was named State 4A boys athlete of the week for February 14-20.

Stenfjord, a junior, won the 100-yard freestyle at the State 4A championships in Federal Way, February 20. He also swam on the winning 200-yard freestyle relay team and winning 200-yard medley relay team.

In addition, he finished second in the 200-yard individual medley to help the Thunderbirds win the team championship.

Each week, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association names a boy and a girl athlete of the week in each enrollment classification. 


Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools.

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To the Editor: Automobile insurance vs. Healthcare insurance

Auto Insurance is available from companies across the nation. It provides coverage of varying degrees, depending upon customer preference: Comprehensive or collision, coverage amounts, and varying deductibles. Customers are rewarded for good driving, and those that cause accidents see their premiums go up, or they get dropped from coverage.

Auto Insurance covers unexpected liability, while insurance holders are expected pay for routine oil changes, tune-ups, engine repairs and new tires. Most likely, these insurance holders look for the best service at the lowest price, promoting free-market competition.
 

Health Insurance availability is limited to the state in which the insured lives. Each state mandates that certain conditions are covered by health insurance. For example, in the state of Maryland, In-Vitro Fertilization, Morbid Obesity Treatment, Smoking Cessation, Well Child Care, Alcoholism/Substance Abuse and Hair Prosthesis are mandated to be covered. This significantly increases premiums for everyone in Maryland when not everyone needs this type of coverage.

Health Insurance is expected to cover not just unexpected healthcare costs, but routine checkups and treatments for common illnesses. The insured is not motivated to look around for the best service at the lowest price, thereby removing free-market competition. (On the other hand, cosmetic and lazik surgery is not covered by insurance, allowing consumers to shop for the best deals, and those costs are going down!) Also, there is no incentive on the part of the insured to restrain healthcare consumption.

In addition, Healthcare providers must be defensive against lawsuits, performing expensive, unnecessary tests in the event that they are sued. (Can you imagine a car owner spending thousands of dollars on needless automotive tests and repairs, trying to avoid being sued?)

As a result of state mandates, lack of competition, uncontrolled healthcare consumption and lawsuits, the cost of health care has increased at a greater rate than inflation.

Suggestion: 1) Remove state mandates 2) allow interstate purchase of health insurance to provide more competition 3) Allow for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) so that the insured can manage healthcare insurance independent of employment. Typically, HSAs have a high deductible (i.e. $2,500/year) and low premiums. Holders of HSAs are much more likely to be careful consumers of healthcare. 4) Enact Tort reform.


Before government takes control of 17% of the GDP and cuts $500,000,000,000 from Medicare, it might be worth exploring less risky paths to real healthcare reform.  
Carol Solle 
Shoreline

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Shoreline firefighter at practice burn

Photo by Steven H. Robinson for the ShorelineAreaNews

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Small fires at Shoreline Fire training exercise

Smoke rises into the sky as the Shoreline Fire department continues a week of training exercises for fire fighters in a house donated by Sky Nursery. The house is located on the Interurban Trail just north of the Sky Nursery parking lot. Firefighters will do small burns in different parts of the house, then burn it down completely on Wednesday.

Photos by Steven H. Robinson for the ShorelineAreaNews


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Shoreline Fire training - truck crash scenario

As part of the training opportunities for firefighters, Shoreline Fire set up a scenario where a pick-up truck had crashed into a house and the firefighters have to respond. The house was donated by Sky Nursery and is located at the north end of the Sky parking lot, along the Interurban Trail.

Training exercises continue all week, culminating in a complete burn on Wednesday.







House photo by Steven H. Robinson
Truck photos by Sonya Reasor



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Shoreline Community College Basketball Teams Play Final Home Games

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


The Shoreline Community College basketball teams finish up their regular seasons on Saturday at the SCC Gym against Everett Community College. The Lady Dolphins play at 2 pm and the men’s squad at 4 pm.
 

The SCC women’s team will finish their season after a disappointing year of injuries. The Lady Dolphins are 3-20 on the season, 2-13 in the NWAACC Northern Region. The team lost starting center Amber Herring before the season even started and then lost starting forward Ashley Fleming after 3 games. Freshman transfer from Linfield College, Ana Haberman, has led the team, averaging 21+ points a game and Lynsey Sandum, a freshman work-on has developed during the year, averaging over 12 points a game during the region schedule.

The Lady Dolphins will honor three sophomores at the game, Caitlin Johnsen, Andrea Schneider (above) and Hoi Yat Lo (Janice). (left)

The SCC men’s basketball team is coming off a great year, as they have won the NWAACC Northern Region for the first time in 8 years and will represent the college at the NWAACC Men’s Basketball Championship in Kennewick, WA next weekend. The Dolphins are 18-5 on the season, 12-3 in the region. The SCC team will play the #4 seed (either Pierce or Green River Community College) from the NWAACC Western Region in the first round of the NWAACC Tournament on March 6, at 6 pm in the Toyota Center in Kennewick. 


The Dolphins are led by freshman, Jesse Vaughan and sophomore, Shawn West, who average 16.36 and 15.24 respectively. Freshmen Alfie Miller-Soukasen (14.06) and Sean Jones (13.69) are both averaging in double figures as well. The team will honor sophomores Shawn West (photo on right) and Ryan McCrokle (photo on left) pre-game on Saturday as well.

Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for Seniors and non-SCC students and SCC students are admitted free. 



Photos by Wilson Tsoi

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