$2,500 prize for your favorite non-profit

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Senator Darlene Fairley is offering an award of $2,500 for a 501(c)3 non-profit and all you have to do is tell her why you think your favorite non-profit should be the recipient.

Just send an email to Tips@ShorelineAreaNews.com. Name your favorite non-profit organization and explain why you think they should have the money. The organization can be anywhere in the world and it is all right if you are affiliated with the organization.

Senator Fairley wants to be very clear that this is completely subjective. She is the only judge and will be making her decision based on your comments when you nominate an organization.

The money is from her campaign fund, which she no longer needs as she is retiring from the state senate at the end of her term in January 2011. Legally, she can do any of three things with the money: give it back to the donors, give it to a political organization, give it to a 501(c)3.

Nominations will be accepted until the end of August. Sign your email with your name, city of residence, and contact information.

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Candace Vance in Taproot Theatre "Man of la Mancha"

Shoreline actress/singer Candace Vance is currently appearing in the Taproot Theatre production of the musical Man of la Mancha, which runs through August 7 at the Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St in Greenwood. (See previous story)  Box office 206-781-9707.  Group rates are available. For groups, call 206-781-9708. Tickets are $20-35. Ages 25 and under, $10. Student/senior discount, $3 off regular priced tickets.

Photos by Erik Stuhaug, courtesy Taproot Theatre
Candace with Don Darryl (top two pictures)
Candace with Jeff Berryman (bottom picture) 



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Letter to the Editor: The saga continues


To the Editor:

The saga continues: A multi-million dollar School District is taking over an irreplaceable Historic Landmark Building from its current owner. Is this essential for students to receive a high quality education? Is there a better solution?

At stake: A Museum invested in by us as tax payers, volunteers, and members is a benefit to all, but this one-of-a-kind building could be gone forever. Why exactly?

What happened in the "process" that led up to this? Why do I still wonder what happened and feel something just isn’t quite right? Has this been a fully respectful, open, transparent process… or not? Could it be there were some problems with the public "process" led by a very well funded school district?

Did the Shoreline School District (SSD):
  • Make it clear to the public that ownership of the Museum was based on the legal opinion of their attorney which differed from the opinion of the Museum’s attorney? I had to seek this reality out for myself.
  • Ever request anyone representing the Museum to participate in the Master Planning process? If so, who and when?
  • Specifically request architects to design a space-efficient layout for the new school that left the Ronald School Building in place without alteration for school uses? If they did, I’d like to see both the requests and the drawings. If not; why not?
One thing I can answer for myself: There has been significant incongruity with ALL aspects regarding the SSD’s handling of the Ronald Building. I need clear answers before a major part of both our community and our area's history is taken away from us, forever, in the very near future. Can we please get more clarification before OUR Bond funds are used for such a purpose?

Julie Houff
Lake Forest Park

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Obituary: Anthony Harleaux, 1985-2010

Anthony Harleaux with teacher Veronica Cook.  Photo courtesy Veronica Cook.

Anthony Harleaux, former Shorewood High School Student, passed away Monday, July 12 of undetermined causes. Anthony was born on December 23, 1985. He attended Shorewood from 2000-2007 and was part of the special education program. During his seven years at Shorewood, he was a major part of the Shorewood and Shoreline community. He delivered the Shoreline Enterprise for seven years and was recognized as a Carrier of the Year, did job skills at Top Foods, the Shoreline Library, and Magic Toyota. His favorite community location, though was the Aurora Village Starbucks, where he made numerous friends over the years and loved his Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino.

During his Senior Year at Shorewood, the students created a special position for him on the Homecoming Court. He was knighted Sir Anthony of the Homecoming Assembly (his favorite event of the year).

He is survived by his parents, brothers, sisters, foster family, and countless friends. Funeral Services will be held at House of Scott Funeral Home in Tacoma, 1215 Martin Luther King Way Tacoma, WA 98405-3927, on July 26 at 1 pm. Phone 253-572-9555.

If you would like further information, please contact his teacher, Veronica Cook

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Drama with Your Mama - Taproot offers acting classes for toddlers

Saturday, July 17, 2010


Due to the popularity of its new theatre class for toddlers and their caregivers, Taproot Theatre’s Acting Studio now offers Drama with Your Mama this July and August in Shoreline.

Launched this past spring, Drama with Your Mama provides parents or caregivers a fun and enriching way to bond with their little ones while encouraging social- and self-awareness in the toddlers.

The class, for ages 1 to 3 years, is offered in Shoreline on Fridays, July 16 through August 20 at Northwest Church, 15555 15th Avenue NE. 

The six-week sessions are $75, or are available on a drop-in basis for $15.

Summer quarter at Taproot’s Acting Studio also features a number of acting camps for grades Pre-K through 12. 

Registration for Drama with Your Mama and all acting camps is open now. Registration forms and class descriptions are available online, or contact Taproot’s Acting Studio at 206-529-3668 or email.


About Taproot Theatre Company’s Acting Studio

Taproot Theatre Company’s Acting Studio offers year-round classes for youth and adults taught by local theatre professionals. Budding thespians will find classes to help them develop their acting skills, while more seasoned actors can build on their knowledge and learn new techniques. Taproot Theatre Company is a professional, non-profit theatre company with a multi-faceted production program. Founded in 1976, Taproot Theatre serves the Pacific Northwest with Mainstage Productions, Touring Productions and Acting Studio. Taproot exists to create theatre that explores the beauty and questions of life while bringing hope to our search for meaning. Taproot Theatre Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Puget Sound (TPS), and the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce.

Special thanks to our media sponsor, ParentMap. Seasonal support provided by The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences, ArtsFund, 4Culture, PONCHO and the Nesholm Family Foundation.

Photos Courtesy Taproot Theatre Company

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If you are planning to go south on I-5 this weekend, better read this

Friday, July 16, 2010



From the Washington State Department of Transportation

Winter weather means summer pothole patrol on Ship Canal Bridge
When the mercury drops below 30 degrees, the concrete on the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge actually freezes and contracts. This wouldn’t be such a big deal, except that when the warmer weather rolls around and the concrete expands, the “freeze, thaw, and repeat” process can create some pretty big potholes on the bridge deck. Not fun for summer drivers heading over the water.

WSDOT bridge maintenance specialists to the rescue!
This weekend on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18, early-morning maintenance crews will close two out of four southbound lanes on the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge starting at 3 am. The unavoidably noisy work will begin at 4 am. Traffic should be ready to roll on all four lanes when they reopen the full roadway at 9 am. The northbound lanes are scheduled to be patched up next weekend, July 24 – 25.

Paving and repairs close the I-5 express lanes ramp to Lake City Way this weekend
Although close in proximity, these repairs are not related to the Ship Canal Bridge roadway rescue work. 

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Evan Smith: What happened to the parcel the museum was supposed to buy?

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

After I wrote last week that the plan to move the old Ronald School building had fallen through, a reader asked what had happened to the parcel the Shoreline Historical Museum was supposed to buy.

What had happened to end the agreement to move the building that would allow the Museum to stay in the building with the Shoreline School District’s taking over the land that the building sits on for a rebuilt Shorewood High School?

Museum Board member Bob Phelps offers this answer:

“The owner got a better offer from Carter Subaru. The Museum's offer was higher than the appraised value (that an experienced commercial real estate agent thought was very high in today's economic environment).”

The Museum had hoped to buy land between its current parking lot and the Shell service station at the corner of Aurora Avenue North and North 175th Avenue.

Related stories:

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Summer home maintenance tips

Information from Irons Brothers Construction

Even when the sun is out, there are still necessary chores to keep your house in tip top shape.


Inside the house:
  • Air conditioner - clean the air filter
  • Bath fans - clean and check for mold/mildew
  • Range hood - clean filters if needed
  • Sump pump - test to see if working
  • Whole house fan - check, clean, replace filters
  • Wood stove - schedule a professional cleaning
  • Attic - check for signs of leaking and pests (bee hives)
  • Basement - check for leaks, cracks, mildew, mold, rot
  • Crawl space - check for pests/wildlife, check insulation & vapor barrier

Outside the house: 
  • Exterior of house - finish painting, caulking, and puttying 
  • Roofs/gutters - have roof and gutters cleaned
  • Decks/patios - finish sealing as needed
  • Ground cover and landscape - implement your summer maintenance schedule
  • Sprinklers - check for leaks

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Burke Gilman Trail construction update

King County is in the process of completing the permitting process required for the redevelopment of the trail. These permits included federal, state and city permits.

Among the permits that are being considered by the City is the tree permit. The Hearing Examiner in his findings identified a specific process for identifying the tress which must be removed and replaced in order for the tree permit to be issued. To learn more about the Hearing Examiners decision go to this link and scroll down the page to the information about the hearing examiner.

King County will stake and flag the proposed realignment of the trail. Once the staking and flagging is completed the City and the King County arborists will identify the trees that will be impacted and will have to be removed because they are either in the new trail or their roots will be disturbed by the construction.

Once the trees are identified, Lake Forest Park citizens are invited to join the City arborist for a trail walk to discuss the proposed trees slated for removal. This process is designed to insure that all of the impacted trees are identified. It will probably not occur until early next year.

King County will be replacing the trees at a ratio of greater than 1 to 1. Some of the trees may be replaced off site on city owned property.
--Sarah Phillips, City of LFP
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

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Camps for Curious Minds

Shoreline Community College will be one of five locations for a variety of Pacific Science Center summer camps for kids. 

The camps at Shoreline will offer kids in grades one through six exciting, hands-on science activities in a beautiful setting. 

The one-week camps run July 19 through August 20, and feature such topics as: 

  • Big Bad Bugs
  • Amusement Park Science
  • Claymation Creations
  • Get Set to be a Vet
  • Spy Science
  • Splash Science
  • Smartest Artists
For more information, including how to register, download the Summer Camp brochure.

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SolarFest Saturday 10 - 8 pm at SCC

On Saturday, July 17, Shoreline Community College hosts the 7th annual SolarFest. The fair includes a variety of exhibitors, a KidZone featuring hands-on creative activities, live music, a beer garden, Taste of Shoreline (with Southern, Asian, and Midwestern cuisines), speakers and elected officials, a film festival, and a Transportation Zone highlighting alternative fuel vehicles and electric cars.

SolarFest runs from 10 am through 8 pm in Shoreline’s West Parking lot. Admission is free; parking is $2.00 (walking, biking, and public transportation are encouraged).

SolarFest began in 2004 in celebration of the first solar installation at a Shoreline public school, and to raise public awareness regarding our use of resources. The fair showcases organizations and businesses which feature conservation and sustainability in their business practices. SolarFest is the longest running event of its kind in the Puget Sound region.

More information about SolarFest can be found at their website

Photo of Zero Energy House at SCC courtesy SCC.

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Evan Smith: Fairley endorses McConnell


By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Retiring 32nd District Democratic State Sen. Darlene Fairley has endorsed Democrat Doris Fujioka McConnell for the open State representative seat in the District.

McConnell, a Shoreline city councilwoman, is running against Democrat Cindy Ryu and Republican Art Coday for the position that Democratic State Rep. Maralyn Chase is vacating to run for the State Senate seat that Fairley is giving up.

Codey, McConnell and Ryu will run in the August primary, with the top two vote getters advancing to the November general-election ballot.

Fairley said last week that McConnell is the best choice for the position because of her close ties to the community and past willingness to listen to people.

Meanwhile, Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi said last week that she had not endorsed a candidate in the Codey-McConnell-Ryu contest.

Kagi is running for re-election against Republican Gary Gagliardi of Shoreline, and Stan Lippmann, a Lake Forest Park Republican precinct committee officer who is running with a Democratic Party preference.

Chase is running for the Senate against Republican David Baker and Democrat Patty Butler.

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Shakespeare in the Park, Wednesday evening, July 28


Hans Altweis as Benedick and Amy Thone as Beatrice star in the Wooden O production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.  Photo courtesy Shoreline Arts and Wooden O.

 
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council and Shoreline Bank Present:
The 2010 Summer of Fun Concerts in the Park Series
Featuring: Much Ado About Nothing by Wooden O Shakespeare Company
Wednesday, July 28, 7 p.m.
Richmond Beach Community Park (by the library)

Lies, deceit, laughter and love make for a rousing, fun summer evening of Shakespeare in the park. The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council proudly presents Wooden O Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 28 at Richmond Beach Community Park. You’re going to love Wooden O’s take on this classic comedy.

More on Wooden O’s Much Ado About Nothing - Directed by Shiela Daniels:
In Much Ado About Nothing, when the men return victorious from war the women are ready and waiting for romance. Couples form and weddings are planned. All is going smoothly in this delightful comedy until a jealous brother sets a devastating lie in motion. Suddenly rivals Beatrice and Benedick must join forces to save the honor of an innocent girl. With sparkling prose, Much Ado About Nothing illustrates the beauty and complexity of human relationships and will win your heart again and again. This production stars Hans Altweis as Benedick, Amy Thone as Beatrice, Chiara B. Motley as Desdemona and Genesis Oliver as Othello.

Richmond Beach Community Park is located at Richmond Beach Road at 21st Ave NW in Shoreline, Washington. Information about these and other Arts Council events and programs is available here or by calling the SLFPAC at 206-417-4645. Concerts in the Park are sponsored by Shoreline Bank, the cities of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline and 4Culture.


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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Letter to the Editor: School district should be ashamed


To the Editor:

The Shoreline School District should be ashamed of themselves for wasting public tax dollars in pursuit of eliminating the Historic Museum. Do they not understand the importance of said facility to the community, the children of today and tomorrow?

Could they not compromise and adjust their plans to accommodate this postage stamp size piece of land allowing the historic building to remain in its original location as the home of the museum?

What happened to the plan to move the building if necessary? All the promises gone awry? Was it only "lip service"? Think of all the money spent thus far only to begin again at square one. How, in good conscience can a handful of people gain such control on a subject of such importance?

I suppose I am of an "old fashioned mentality" when I feel the need to educate our children who are the key to the future, by example. What are they being taught when they see their elders breaking their word and bond at every turn? Children live by examples. If this behavior is any indication as to what the future holds, then God help us all!

Donna and Jim Read
Seattle

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Pat Erickson featured in video for Parkinson's drug

Shoreline resident Pat Erickson (left, with her husband Steve) will be featured in an informational video for the Novartis Pharmaceutical Company.

Pat, who has Parkinson's Disease, manages her symptoms with the help of a drug produced by Novartis.

In March, they filmed her over a two-day period, at home, running a charity event, and performing as her alter ego, Mrs. Wigglesworth.

I had a very interesting day, as I was followed by a film crew. Actually, they came first to my house and then followed me to a vintage fashion show we held at Riverside East Retirement Community. Although it was quite fun, I was exhausted that night! The next day, they filmed Mrs. Wigglesworth telling stories and then did some more interviewing.

The video will be given to doctors and newly diagnosed patients to show them what people are able to do with their lives, even when they have Parkinson's disease.

One of the ironies in all this is that I went from not telling anyone about my disease to becoming a voice that will be heard in physician's offices and by newly diagnosed patients all over the country. The director from the film crew pointed that out to me.  I - who in the beginning told some friends it was just their imagination when they asked if anything was wrong - addressed a group of around 400 salespeople at a nationwide sales meeting for Novartis in Phoenix last December. Life is kinda funny, isn't it?

Pat's fundraiser for Parkinson's research, the Walk to the Future, will be held on Saturday, July 24 at the Edmonds-Woodway High School Stadium from 8 am to 8 pm. Volunteers form teams and get pledges for their day-long walk.

The day will feature music, entertainers, and prizes for the team and the individual bringing in the most contributions.

Information and Registration forms are available for download on the Pinky's Passion website or call Pat Erickson at 206-542-8777.

Please join us on our walk as we raise money to make the dream of a Parkinson’s free world a reality.

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Octopus author event and artist reception Saturday, July 24

Thursday, July 15, 2010


On Saturday, July 24 at 2 pm at the Richmond Beach Library, Roland Anderson Ph.D., co-author of Octopus: the ocean's intelligent invertebrate, will speak about one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean, a complex, remarkably intelligent and often misunderstood animal.

 Afterward an artist’s reception will be held to celebrate the library's installation of "Olive," a life size model of a giant pacific octopus created by Lynn Ahnen-Turnblom, Sue Williams and Ann Blanch.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Beach Library.

The Richmond Beach Library is located at 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline 98177, 206-546-3522.

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Council of Neighborhoods volunteers weed the Interurban

Volunteers from the Council of Neighborhoods have been exceedingly busy weeding the Interurban Trail area between the bridges.  

Following is their photo diary.

Photos by Bob Allen.

June 19, Saturday. Great weeding session produced 30 bags of weeds delivered to Hamlin Park.  
Sean and Kenith joined us from the Ballinger neighborhood looking for opportunities to volunteer in the City of Shoreline.

     Judy Allen, Innis Arden
     Lee Michaelis, Hillwood
     Patty Hale, Ridgcrest
     Lisa Surowiec, Hillwood
     Barbara Guthrie, Echo Lake
     Sean Osborn, Ballinger
     Kenith Justice, Ballinger


June 24, Thursday. We generated 12 bags full of weeds for disposal in 3 1/2 hours, 

Photo taken by "Heather" who walks up to 200th on the Interurban every Thursday and picks up all garbage along the trail.  
Left to right: Bob and Judy Allen, Innis Arden, Arthur Peach, Briarcrest.  Photo by Heather.
July 1, Thursday. The City of Shoreline's landscape crew swept through the area between the bridges this week. We only generated 5 bags going up 155th and detailing around all the ground cover. We are so grateful to have Aurora Avenue at the signature bridges in pristine condition.
Photo: Judy Allen, Innis Arden and Arthur Peach, Briarcrest at the Bridge steps.  Photo by Bob Allen


July 8, Thursday. Arthur Peach, Briarcrest; Gretchen Atkinson, Meridian Park; and Judy Allen, Innis Arden; worked approximately 3 hours each and produced 10 bags of weeds. Pathways were pristinely cleaned by Gretchen while Arthur and Judy removed high weeds and dead rosemary bushes from the planting areas leading up to the north bridge.  Photo by Bob Allen.


The following dates are scheduled for an opportunity to join Council of Neighborhoods volunteers:

  • Friday, July 30, 9 am
  • Saturday, August 28, 10 am
Join us and take pride in our City and make Shoreline the best place to live. 
PS: Have fun and Great exercise!

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SolarFest Saturday, July 17 at SCC

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Shoreline Police Blotter 6-28 to 7-6-2010

By Diane Hettrick

Categories and Comments are mine

Lightening McQueen would never be violated like this
6-28….12xx NE 170. Car prowl, unlocked.
6-30….161xx Midvale. Car window was cracked. Suspected BB gun.
6-30….N 194/Meridian. Driver reported that someone threw a rock at his car.
7-2……145xx 31st NE. Abandoned vehicle.
7-3……195xx 15th NW. Wallet stolen from unlocked car.
7-3……195xx 2nd NW. Stole golf clubs from car trunk in residential driveway. (I am sorry to say this, but you golfers are going to have to stop leaving your clubs in the car. I know they’re heavy, but they pawn nicely and they are expensive to replace. On the other hand, if you want a new set of clubs, just put the old ones in the back seat and park your car on the street.)
7-5……14xx NE 155th. Abandoned car.

Party Hearty – and blow some things up for the 4th
7-1……177xx 15th NW, Innis Arden Reserve. 16 friends from a support group went down to the beach through the Reserve to light firecrackers on the beach. No alcohol or drugs involved. Warned them that crossing the tracks is trespass.
7-4……NW 189th /3rd NW, Hillwood Park. Homemade sparkler bomb on fire in Hillwood Park.

Do not take things that are not yours
6-30….20121 Aurora, America’s Cash Express. Suspect cashing checks from closed account.
7-1……147xx 25th NE. Someone stole a debit card and used it in various locations.
7-1……1235 N 205th, Radio Shack at Aurora Village. Shoplifting.
7-2……18407 Aurora, Radio Shack by Fred Meyer. Two white males, mid-teens, driving a silver Volvo, first asked product questions of the clerk, then browsed until store got busy. They walked through the store, grabbed items and took off. (I thought Radio Shack had everyone's data in their computers?  So annoying, buy one battery and they want your life history.)
7-2……199xx N Park Ave N. Used victim’s debit card number for $1100 purchase in Spain. (Wonder how they financed the rest of the trip? Is your debit card still in your wallet?)

Don’t get old
7-2……3xx N 151st. Death at adult family home. Natural causes.
7-3……1xx N 160th. Dementia patient found and returned to adult family home.
7-5……172xx 15th Ave NE, Anderson House. Sexual abuse of 92 year old female with suspect information. (See story)

On the streets
7-4……180xx Midvale, Briarwood Apts. Neighbor found dog outside and owner not around. Unusual. Worried about neighbor.
7-4……180xx Midvale. Stopped bike rider for no helmet. 19 years old and drunk.
7-5……150xx 26th NE. Juvenile runaway.
7-5……152nd/Aurora. Traffic stop for defective equipment. Driver Driving With License Suspended.
7-5……13xx N 155th. Traffic stop for defective headlight. Marijuana.
7-6……145xx Whitman N. Traffic stop. Drug paraphernalia.
7-6……N 155th/Aurora. Traffic stop for defective taillight. Driving With License Suspended. Heroin.
7-6……204xx 16th Pl NW. Juvenile runaway.

A little bit crazy
7-1……15030 Aurora, Goldies. A guy groped a woman and then punched her boyfriend when he confronted the groper. (I wonder if that’s the same guy who said no one ever complained when he touched them?)
7-2……153xx Stone N. Father – son fight.
7-3……Aurora Village. A couple of aggressive panhandlers were Trespassed from Aurora Village. Complaints were called in from Home Depot and Starbucks.
7-3……14817 Aurora, Econolodge. Shoreline Police assisted Seattle Police in a stolen car recovery investigation. Suspects had firearms and drugs.
7-4…....13xx N 150th. Meth user taken to Harborview. Hallucinating, talking incoherently.


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Garbage companies switching to natural gas fleets

Allied Waste Services, which contracts with Lake Forest Park, is introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to the LFP service area. CNG has the lowest emissions of all fossil fuels. This will dramatically reduce the carbon footprint and help create a healthier, more sustainable environment. CNG is significantly quieter than diesel and gas-operated vehicles. This will certainly help reduce noise in neighborhoods and reduce noise pollution.

The fuel tanks on the trucks are mounted on top of the vehicle. At full height, the truck stands 13 feet, 6 inches. This may create a challenge for areas with low utility lines. Allied Waste is working with utility providers to raise the lines to accommodate the trucks. The routes in some areas may change.

CleanScapes, which contracts with Shoreline, has over 40 CNG powered vehicles that operate in Seattle, and their own CNG fueling station. They do not currently have CNG vehicles servicing the City of Shoreline. However, they are very pleased with the performance of the CNG vehicles and continue to acquire new CNG vehicles as they add to their fleet.


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Shoreline animal control website

The City of Shoreline has a webpage with current information about Animal Control for City residents. See our previous story about Regional Animal Services.

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Evan Smith: return of ‘Republican’ name doesn’t explain strange party preferences

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

I wrote last week that only five candidates around Washington are listing their party preferences as “G.O.P.“ or “Grand Old Party” rather than “Republican,” compared to 25 two years ago.

Then, a reader pointed out that Stan Lippman, a Republican precinct committee officer in Lake Forest Park, has filed for State representative with a Democratic Party preference.

The reader noted that Lippman has run for various offices in the past with Libertarian, Reform Party, Natural Law Party and non-partisan labels.

With all of these party labels, Lippman has never been elected to anything other than PCO.

The reader also notes, that Washington allows candidates to call themselves anything they want. Indeed, candidates around the state have filed with preferences that include “Lower Taxes Party,” “Bull Moose Party.” “Neither Party,” “Reluctantly Republican Party,“ “Senior Side Party,” “Independent Party” and “Tea Party.” Last year, a candidate for a county office in Southwest Washington filed as preferring the “Grange Party.”

Of course, there is no “Lower Taxes Party”; the “Bull Moose” was a nickname for those who supported Theodore Roosevelt in 1912; and the Grange is a nonpartisan farm-related organization.

The “Senior Side Party” candidate in Snohomish County tells me that the name is a statement of his platform. that we all should be on seniors’ side because we all are aging.

The party-preference scheme came out of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that the top-two primary didn’t necessarily take away political parties’ right to control their names but that the State had to design the system so a candidate couldn’t usurp a party’s name. Hence, State Rep. Ruth Kagi doesn’t file as a Democrat, as she did under the partisan primary, but as “prefers Democratic Party.” Unfortunately, someone could also file as “prefers Birthday Party.”

To end this nonsense, Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed has proposed limiting party preferences to parties who gain recognition by submitting petitions with at least 25 signatures. This would allow candidates to list their party preferences as Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green Party, Constitution Party, Socialist Workers Party or Socialism and Liberation Party, or they could mark “no party preference.” But they couldn’t list their preferences as “G.O.P.” “Independent Party” or “Salmon Yoga Party” unless a petition brought recognition to those names.

Candidates who list their preferences as “Neither Party” or “Independent Party” would have to use “No Party Preference.”

The bill failed in the legislature. Lake Forest Park Democrat Darlene Fairley, chairwoman of the State Senate government operations committee, said Monday that opposition came from opponents of the top-two primary, from people who thought it was a limit on freedom and from people who want to wait before making changes to the top-two primary.

Reed’s proposal wouldn’t prevent Lippman from being both a Republican PCO and a Democratic candidate for the Legislature.

California will deal with the problem in a different way. The ballot initiative that California voters passed last month established a top-two primary but left the State’s party-registration system in place. Candidates will have no party identification on the ballot, but public records, including the secretary of state’s web site, will show whether they are registered with a political party or as “decline to state.”

Don’t expect Washington to follow California’s lead. Washington voters would object even more than they did to having to vote on only one of party's primary ballot, and starting a registration system would be expensive. So, I see no way that Washington state will prevent Lippman from running as a Republican one year, a Democrat another year, and a Libertarian another year.

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Swingin' Summer Eve features Freddy Pink

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council and Shoreline Bank Present:
The 2010 Summer of Fun Concerts in the Park Series

Featuring: Freddy Pink
as part of the City of Shoreline’s Swingin’ Summer’s Eve Celebration
Wednesday, July 21, 7 pm
Paramount Park


The Arts Council invites you to celebrate at the City of Shoreline’s 2010 Swingin’ Summer’s Eve community festival and BBQ at Paramount Park on Wednesday, July 21 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. As part of the festivities, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council will present Freddy Pink, a fun R&B dance band, on the Showmobile Stage at 7 pm. Admission to the festival and concert is free, but there is a small fee for food, books and inflatables.

This festival features:
  • BBQ sponsored by the Shoreline CERT program
  • Inflatables, face painting and games
  • Used Book Sale sponsored by the Council of Neighborhoods
  • Free concert featuring Freddy Pink at 7 pm


More on Freddy Pink:

Freddy Pink feature’s some of the West Coast’s finest R and B rock musicians. Their raw talent and showmanship is only surpassed by their genuine love of the audience. A driving dance back-beat, coupled with a vast repertoire, allowing them to tailor-make their performances for virtually any occasion. The Freddy Pink experience features a fire breathing horn section, an intense rhythm section, superlative vocals, and a dynamic visual experience. Their aim is make you want to get up and dance, and dance you will!

Paramount Park is located at 15300 8th Ave NE in Shoreline. Information about these and other Arts Council events and programs is available at the website, or by calling the SLFPAC at 206-417-4645. Concerts in the Park are sponsored by Shoreline Bank, the cities of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline, and 4Culture.

 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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Shoreline ranked in the top 100 in Money’s list of America’s best small cities


After regularly being featured in local magazines over the years, the City of Shoreline is now recognized nationally as a great place to live. In CNN Money’s America’s Best Places to Live 2010 list of small American cities, Shoreline is number 64 of 100.

“It is a great honor to make the list of top 100 small American cities, especially in Shoreline’s short history as a city. Our involved and active community has wisely guided the City of Shoreline in improving our area’s quality of life,” says Shoreline Mayor Keith McGlashan. “Shoreline residents deserve credit for their hard work at building a great community that is being recognized nationally.”

The list debuted on CNN Money’s website on July 12 and included a short write-up on each of the 100 cities, with longer features on the top 10. These top 10 – including Bellevue – will be featured in the August issue of Money magazine. Only two cities in Washington State made it onto the top 100 list –Shoreline and Bellevue.

From Shoreline’s entry:

“This relatively new town outside Seattle offers gorgeous views from sandy beaches of the Puget Sound and countless parks for its residents to roam through.”

Cities were placed on the list and ranked on a long list of quantitative data that helps gauge quality of city living such as housing prices, median incomes, crime rates, schools and the fiscal responsibility of the city government.

The data is available at Money.CNN and visitors can compare cities under categories such as Financial, Quality of Life and Housing. Under Quality of Life, for example, there are statistics on crime, air quality and commute times.

Over the years Shoreline has regularly been featured in the top 10 of Seattle magazine’s Best Neighborhoods list, ranking number one in 2005 and 2008. Earlier this year Seattle Met magazine also recognized Shoreline and one of its neighborhoods, Richmond Beach, as two of its list of 15 “must-live” neighborhoods.

From Tavia Tan, City of Shoreline

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32nd District Dems meet Wednesday night

The 32nd Legislative District Democrats will meet Wednesday, July 14, at 7 pm at the Shoreline Masonic Hall, N 185th and Linden Ave N, Shoreline 98133, to hear from candidates that the organization has endorsed and to consider additional endorsements.

The meeting also will include discussions on reaching voters in various parts of the District, a district that includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Woodway and south Edmonds.

One endorsement on the agenda is Referendum 52, the bond issue for school construction to improve energy efficiency sponsored in the Legislature by Democratic Rep. Hans Dunshee.

The organization has already recommended a “no” vote on Initiative 1082, which would allow private workers’ compensation insurance, a “yes” vote on I -1098, which would create an income tax on high earners and a “no” vote on Lake Forest Park Proposition 1 for a property-tax levy lift.

The 32nd District Democrats have endorsed these candidates:
  • State Senate 32nd District - Maralyn Chase
  • State House of Representatives 32nd District, Position 1 - Cindy Ryu
  • State House of Representatives 32nd District, Position 2 - Ruth Kagi
  • U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District - Jay Inslee
  • U.S. House of Representatives, 7th Congressional District - Jim McDermott
  • U.S. Senate – Patty Murray
  • Washington State Supreme Court - Charlie Wiggins
  • Shoreline District Court, Position 2 - Marcine Anderson

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