Fire Fire: Burn the candles, not your house

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The warm glow of candles can help set the mood for holiday celebrations, but did you know that a home fire caused by candles is reported in the United States every 34 minutes?

The majority of candle fires result from human error and negligence. Candle fires and the damage they can cause are preventable.

  • If possible, avoid using lighted candles.
  • If you must use candles, place them in sturdy holders.
  • Keep candles away from children and pets.
  • Extinguish candles after each use.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended.

Learn what you can do to prevent a tragic candle fire from starting in your home at FEMA

FEMA information provided by Melanie Granfors, Shoreline Fire

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SCC Women’s Softball Team and Men’s Basketball Team Honored

The SCC 2009-10 Men’s Basketball Team was honored along with the 2010 Women’s Softball Team at a recent SCC Basketball Game and given their Northern Region Championship banners.

2010 Northern Region Basketball Champs
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
The SCC Men’s Basketball Team went from last to first in one season, as former coach, Butch Estes, led the team to a 19-6 record in 2010-11 after being 6-20 2008-09 and winless in the NWAACC Northern Region. SCC was 13-3 in the region and won the division by two games. Coach Estes was named Coach of the Year in the region.

Current SCC Men’s Basketball Coach, Greg Turcott, introduces the players
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
SCC Board of Trustee member, Shoubee Liaw, presented team members with the banner at half-time of the SCC Women’s Basketball game vs Northwest Indian College.

SCC President Lee Lambert speaks to the crowd about the 2010 Softball Team.
Photo by Wilson Tsoi.
2010 Northern Region Champs with Coach Swehla and President Lambert. 
Photo by Wilson Tsoi.

At half-time of the men’s basketball game against Northwest Indian, SCC President Lee Lambert presented the SCC Women’s Softball team with their banner. The Lady Dolphins went 26-11 overall in 2010 and a very impressive 21-3 in the Northern Region. SCC had the MVP for the region with several other All-Region players. Coach Lance Swehla was named Coach of the Year as well.

--Douglas W. Palmer, SCC Director of Athletics and Recreation/Wellness 

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Shoreline Area Wildlife: Squirrels

Eastern Gray Squirrel Preparing for Winter in Ridgecrest. Photo by Steven H. Robinson
PAWS provides regular posts about wild animals commonly found in the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park area. Each post gives facts on the species’ natural behavior, as well as how to avoid and resolve common problems with the animals.

The gray squirrels - they're everywhere.  The brown squirrels are around, too, but there are very few of them.  They live in The Highlands, and I saw one in the Esperance area of Edmonds. [Editor]

Natural behavior
The most common tree squirrel in Western Washington is the non-native Eastern Gray Squirrel. Introduced into the Seattle area in the early 1900s, it has become well established in cities and suburbs.

Gray squirrels are active during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon. Gray squirrels build large nests of leaves and twigs on tree branches or within tree cavities. They also nest in buildings where they can gain access through open spaces in the roof, attic or walls.

Although they do not hibernate, squirrels often remain in their nests in cold or stormy weather, venturing out when they need to find food, which they often have cached near their nests.

Eastern Gray Squirrels are omnivorous. They eat seeds, nuts, tree bark and buds, fungi and occasionally eggs and nestling birds. Like other rodents, squirrels are gnawers, using their sharp, constantly growing front teeth to strip bark and chew through wood and plastic.

Breeding season begins in late winter. Depending on conditions and food availability, squirrels may produce two litters a year. Average litter size is three, and the babies are born naked and blind. Young squirrels remain in the nest for about six weeks.

Solving and preventing conflicts
Squirrels are opportunistic, making use of all sources of food and shelter available to them. They can also cause property damage, gnawing through electrical wiring or overturning bird feeders. The best way to discourage squirrels is to change your property to make it unappealing to them.

Do not feed squirrels
Discourage squirrels from raiding bird feeders by placing them at least six feet away from fences, trees, and buildings or by hanging them under steeply domed baffles.

Do not put bread, popcorn or other leftovers out for them. Even if you enjoy feeding squirrels, your neighbors may end up having problems with the animals, and often, people turn to harmful, inhumane means for solving these problems.

If squirrels have moved in
Squirrels, especially adult females, seek openings for potential den sites, and a house in poor repair is an invitation to move in. Gnawing to enlarge holes, squirrels can enter through small spaces. If you suspect a squirrel is living in a wall or attic, look for likely entries and listen for telltale scampering sounds.

Assume there are babies in the nest from March through September. You need to wait to seal the nest until they are old enough to leave on their own. When you are positive the juveniles are gone, you can begin closing the squirrels out of the space.

Frighten them away with a radio set to a talk station or other loud noises, or wait until they have gone outside during the day.

If you aren't sure that all the animals have left, you can leave one hole open and fit it with a one-way door that has a hinged flap so the squirrels can leave but not re-enter. Leave the door in place for several days, listen for activity, and if possible inspect the space regularly until you are certain the squirrels are gone.

Once you are sure all animals are out, seal the openings with half-inch hardware cloth or metal flashing. Be sure to extend the seal over the hole at least six inches in all directions to prevent squirrels from gnawing through it.

If a squirrel is running freely in your living, a bedroom or office, first close surrounding interior doors. Keep windows or an exterior door open and leave the room while the squirrel finds his way out.

Prevent them from moving in again
Squirrels will return to a building with loose, holey or rotting siding, boards and shingles. Repair or replacement it is essential to squirrel-proof the building permanently. Also, trim branches away from the sides and roofs of buildings to prevent easy access.

Protect your garden
To keep squirrels from stripping bark or otherwise damaging trees, wrap a 24-inch metal cylinder around the trunk at least six feet high, and trim lower branches. Occasionally, squirrels dig up bulbs, which can be protected by laying chicken wire over the soil.

If you or a neighbor have questions or a current problem with wildlife, please call the staff at PAWS Wildlife Center at 425-412-4040. PAWS helps resolve conflicts with wild animals and also rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife found by the public.

--PAWS Wildlife Center Staff | wildlife@paws.org

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Quick-Start Lunch and Learn Tuesday December 14 on Marketing Your Business

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Tuesday, December 14 session of the Quick-Start Lunch and Learn program for businesses will focus on Online Marketing for Your Business.

Learn tips and tricks for online marketing from an established expert. This dynamic workshop will cover a discussion about having a proper mindset as you work on your online marketing. We will also discuss how to create and simplify your social media daily routine.

The session is held at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, from 12 - 1:30 pm. Because of sponsorships, there is no cost to Shoreline businesses. Bring your own lunch.

Speaker Wes Wood, CEO, Wisdom N' Treachery
Wes Wood is an internet marketing specialist, with unique social media techniques. Wes has served as a consultant to many private and public companies. He has successfully marketed several people, products, services and causes. Wes Wood’s diverse background includes management, sales, and recruiting. He has developed his unique tools and skill sets from direct engagement with companies expanding their reach via internet marketing.

For more information check the City webpage or contact Mark McVeety, Director, Small Business Accelerator, Shoreline Community College 206-533-6647.


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City Light to inspect metal streetlights for shock hazards to dogs

Superintendent Jorge Carrasco of Seattle City Light announced plans to inspect and make repairs, if necessary, to any of the 20,000 metal streetlight poles and 10,000 metal “hand holes” (small streetlight vault covers) in the utility’s service territory.

Last month a dog stepped on an energized metal plate covering a small streetlight vault on Queen Anne Avenue and was electrocuted.  Last Monday, City Light received a call from a customer in the High Point area who was concerned that there might be a faulty streetlight in her neighborhood.

Most of the streetlights in Shoreline and LFP seem to be mounted on wooden utility poles and the newer metal poles do not seem to be a problem, but dog walkers should be aware of the potential danger.

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Shoreline Police Blotter 11-16 to 11-22-2010

by Diane Hettrick, categories are mine, reports are from the police - who could make this stuff up?

Car Prowl City
11-17…153xx Ashworth. Car prowl. Unlocked. Took tools and other items.
11-17…11xx N 160. Car prowl. 2 cars, one window broken but nothing taken.
11-17…173xx Ashworth. Car prowl. Window broken. Employer’s laptop computer taken.
11-17…163xx Stone N. Car prowl. Window shattered. Messenger bag stolen but recovered from street with nothing missing.
11-18…196xx 10 Ter NW. Car prowl. Window shattered, items taken.
11-18…192xx Stone N. Car prowl. Locked, on street. Window shattered.
11-18…9xx NW 198. Car prowl, two vehicles. Windows broken, items taken.
11-18…3xx NW 198. Car prowl. Unlocked. Camera taken from briefcase.
11-18…1xx NW 195. Car prowl. Window broken. iPod taken.
11-18…197xx 6 Pl NW. Car prowl. Possibly unlocked. No forced entry, no damage.
11-19,,,345 NE 175, Shoreline Library. Car prowl in library parking lot. Broke window.
11-19…18xx N 155, Parkwood ES. Car prowl, broke window, took purse.

Kids – how do they live to grow up?
11-16…145xx Stone N. Juvenile runaway
11-16…15343 25 NE, Shorecrest. Student left his backpack unattended in South Woods. His computer and charger were stolen from the backpack.
11-16…19343 3 NW, Einstein. Student on school bus had cigarette and baggie of marijuana.
11-17…155xx 27 NE. Juvenile runaway.
11-17…15343 25 NE, Shorecrest. 11:10 am. Student was drinking in South Woods. So drunk that Shoreline Aid transported him to NW Hospital.
11-18…152/Aurora. Picked up juvenile runaway from Oregon.
11-18…15343 25 NE, Shorecrest. Student under the influence of marijuana. Marijuana and pipe taken for disposal.
11-18…177/Linden N. Student hanging out with friends after school. Set backpack down, returned 30 minutes later and laptop was gone.
11-19…185/Firland W. Found 13 year old sleeping on streets.
11-20…170xx 12 NE. Young man tried to “drift” his dad’s Toyota by pulling the emergency brake. Lost control of the car and crashed into two parked cars. Charged with reckless driving.

Motor City
11-16…12/NE 148. Recovered stolen car.
11-16…147xx 28 NE. Abandoned vehicle. From Customer Response Team.
11-19…1xx NE 156. Abandoned vehicle.
11-17…153xx Dayton. Driving with revoked license.
11-20…N 148/Meridian N. Driving with licensed revoked. Drove through red light. Warrants from Redmond.

Imagine if all criminals rode bikes
11-16…N 205/Fremont N. Suspect stopped for bicycle violation. Provided false name, Had warrants and heroin.

Creepy bad
11-16…195..RB Rd. Male prowler looking in bedroom window of teen-aged girl.
11-18…153xx Ashworth Pl N. Lewd phone calls at night and early morning.

Bullies having temper tantrums
11-16…18050 Meridian N, District Court. Subject sending ranting emails to Shoreline City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and District Court.
11-16…191xx Stone N. Man breaks dishes and punches son in back. Alcohol involved. Charged with 4th degree assault.
11-17…175xx Linden N. Violation of no contact order.
11-17…NE 145/Bothell Wy. Road rage incident. Damage to car.
11-17…8xx NE 195. Husband and wife get in argument. Husband slaps wife. Charged with 4th degree assault.
11-18…178xx 8 NE. Man got drunk and beat up his wife. Hit her so hard with a stick that it broke. Charged with 4th degree assault.
11-18…Woman getting harassing emails demanding money from a subject that she paid to move her property from the Tri-Cities.
11-20…11xx N 192. Women received threatening phone calls from ex-boyfriend.

Hooligans, vandals, and thieves (oh my!)
11-17…163xx Interlake N. Car parked in front of residence. Passenger side tires slashed.
11-17…180xx 3 NW. Tires on two vehicles slashed.
11-17…20202 Ballinger, 24 Hr Fitness. Locker break-in, things stolen.
11-18…26xx NE 195 Ln. Work vehicle parked in front of apartment. Lock damaged from attempted entry.
11-18…192xx 12 NE. Cable to satellite TV cut.
11-20…1505 NE 205, Shell. Suspect and friend stole beer from Shell station, then returned later to use the phone. Clerk recognized them and called police. Cited and released.
11-18…1xx NW 180. Burglary. Pry bar to force door open, rooms rummaged through, jewelry taken.
11-20…11xx NE 158. Thief pried open backyard shed and stole tools.

Hey, this one is new
11-16…20010 Ballinger, Chevron. Counterfeit $10 bill.

Druggies
11-18…167xx Aurora. Therapeutic Health. Woman took her methadone dose at her THS appointment and then began displaying symptoms of overdose. Medics believe there were other drugs she had ingested. Several different kinds of pills, marijuana, and crack pipes were found in her purse.
11-20…N 175/Meridian. Woman driving husband home from 30th birthday party. Poor driving results in DUI investigation and arrest.
11-21…16716 Aurora, Club Hollywood. Very drunk female is refused entrance and gets in fight with security. Admonished and Trespassed from premises.

Fed-up citizen
11-16…NW 200/8 NW. Complaint about traffic and pedestrian safety.

Fraud in faraway places
11-17…145xx 6 NE. Bank noticed unusual transactions and froze account. Two purchases made in Mumbai, India. (I originally credited this one to LFP but it was Shoreline)
11-18…197xx 12 NE. Fraud. 3 charges on debit card, in Pennsylvania.

He made us nervous
11-18…6xx NW RB Rd, Starbucks. Man taking photos of women inside Starbucks. Trespassed.

Death
11-19…17763 15 NE, Arabella. Victim dies in apartment.
11-20…21xx N 188. Death from natural causes.

You just have to have some sympathy for this guy
11-17…15332 Aurora, Safeway. Bald guy tries to steal Rogaine and Whitestrips.


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Video classes go national again with The Social Experiment

The video classes from Shorewood and Shorecrest have garnered national attention again this year with their Social Experiment to ask students to give up electronic communication for a week. The video students will document the results.

Trent Mitchell and his students at Shorecrest were named by Diane Sawyer, newsanchor of ABE World News as Persons of the Week.



The Experiment ended and we can look forward to the videos.

Previous stories:

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Sounder train to Seattle cancelled because of mudslides

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Northline Sounder service between Everett and Seattle has been cancelled Monday, December 13, 2010 due to mudslides.

Back-up bus service from Edmonds to Seattle: Community Transit Route 416 begins at Edmonds, stops in Shoreline at Aurora Village on N 205th, N 205th and Meridian, and NE 205th and 6th NE then goes directly to downtown Seattle via I-5.


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Seattle Humane offers free boarding to pets of flood victims

The Seattle Humane Society is offering free emergency boarding for pets of families who must evacuate their homes due to flooding in King and Snohomish counties. They will shelter, feed and care for your pets until it is safe for you to return home.

Call the boarding department at 425-643-5960 or email  to make an appointment. Animals may be brought to the shelter at 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue 98005, located near the I-405 and I-90 interchange, between 7 am and 6 pm seven days a week.

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Boys’ swimming results, Thursday, December 16

Shorewood swimmers Thor Stensjord and Mackie Hopen each met State meet qualifying standards in two individual events and swam on two State qualifying relay teams as Shorewood won all 12 events in defeating Lynnwood, Mariner and Meadowdale at the Shoreline Pool Thursday.

Stensjord met State qualifying standards in the 50-yard freestyle, and Hopen met the standards in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Both also swam on qualifying teams in the 200-yard medley relay and 200 free relay.

Meanwhile, Shorecrest defeated Lake Stevens and lost to host Kamiak in a double-dual meet.

At Shoreline Pool
From the Seattle Times

Shorewood 153, Lynnwood 2
Shorewood 149, Mariner 34
Shorewood 151, Meadowdale 30
* State-qualifying mark

200-yard medley relay -- (Thor Stensjord, Mackie Hopen, Andrew Garrison, Colin Bell), Sw, 1:43.44*. 200 freestyle -- Trevor Ransom, Sw, 2:00.58. 200 individual medley -- Garrison, Sw, 2:19.35. 50 free -- Stensjord, Sw, 22.65*. Diving -- Eddie Young, S, 275.35. 100 butterfly -- Stensjord, Sw, :54.59*. 100 free -- Hopen, Sw, :48.48*. 500 free -- Ransom, Sw, 5:23.80. 200 free relay -- (Stensjord, Bell, Garrison, Hopen), Sw, 1:31.52*. 100 backstroke -- Anders Blomso, Sw, 1:03.90. 100 breaststroke -- Hopen, Sw, 1:00.07*. 400 free relay -- (Blomso, Galen Kintner, Ransom, Bell), Sw, 3:38.51.

Double Dual Meet at Kamiak High School
From the Seattle Times

Shorecrest 118, Lake Stevens 68
Kamiak 121, Shorecrest 64
Kamiak 139, Lake Stevens 47
* State-qualifying mark

200 medley relay -- Kamiak, 1:47.55. 200 free -- Kusuda, K, 1:55.26. 200 IM -- Stupey, K, 2:04.77*. 50 free -- Choi, K, :23.72. Diving -- Wanner, K, 226.30. 100 fly -- Stupey, K, :56.62. 100 free -- Erik Ramsey, Sc, :53.20. 500 free -- Burns, K, 5:21.74. 200 free relay -- Kamiak, 1:34.73. 100 back -- Roberts, K, 1:00.70. 100 breast -- Cheung, K, 1:05.74. 400 free relay -- Kamiak, 3:26.95.

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SCC Women’s Basketball Goes 1-1 Over The Weekend

Lynsey Sandum scored 35 pts in 2 games
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

The Lady Dolphin Basketball Team split two games over the weekend. SCC traveled to Yakima Valley CC on Saturday and was defeated by the Lady Yaks, 87-39

SCC was caught in snowstorm on the way over and shot just as cold, shooting only 25% for the game and falling behind 40-20 at half and never getting into the game during the second half. Lynsey Sandum led SCC with 13 points.

On Sunday, SCC defeated Douglas College 60-34 as SCC held Douglas to just 8 field goals in the game. The first half featured bad shooting on both sides, as Douglas shot only 7% and SCC 21%. 

Douglas only made one field goal in the first half as SCC led 20-11 at the break. Shoreline came out in the second half and took control in the first five minutes, as they pushed the lead to 20 points and never looked back. 

Jenny Voss had 4 steals and 7 assists
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
Lynsey Sandum led the Lady Dolphins again in scoring wtih 22 points and Kylie Williams added 12 points with 10 rebounds, and five steals. Jenny Voss added 7 steals and four assists.

SCC is now 3-2 on the season and travel to the NWAACC Crossover Tournament next weekend in Ontario, OR, at Treasure Valley Community College. SCC takes on the host school, TVCC, at 7 pm on Friday night, December 17.

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DeNova Leads Shorewood Gymnastics to Third Place Finish

Shorewood Gymnastics took third place at the meet on December 10, with a 136.95 behind Bainbridge, 157.15 and Nathan Hale, 148.85. Shorecrest was fourth with a 113.3 ahead of Ingraham with a 38.1. 

Tyanna DeNova
Senior Tyanna DeNova place fifth on Vault,8.1 as well as fifth on Uneven Bars,6.6. Junior Yvonne Chan took fourth on Beam, 8.2.
"I am very pleased with the way the girls performed." Coach Susan Riley stated. "The team is really coming together, they are hard workers that have no limits."
Shorewood's line-up was missing Junior Kyla Riley, who had been out all week with the flu. Freshman Juliet Fisher, who typically would compete on all four events, only competed Uneven Bars do to a ankle injury. " If we had both Kyla and Juliet fully in the line up the meet results would have been dramatically different" coach Riley said.

Shorewood's next meet is the Washington Open Winter Invite on January 8 at Auburn Mountainview High School.

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SCC relieved at results of special session - cuts not as deep

Shoreline Community College administrators, faculty, and staff are relieved that the special legislative session this weekend did not make the deep cuts that had been feared, holding the reduction in budget at 3.8%.

President Lambert said, “Obviously, we’ve done a lot of planning for much deeper cuts. Now, we have to decide which pieces will be used. I’ll ask the vice presidents this week for recommendations.”

Lambert said that layoffs and at least some of the other planned budget-reduction strategies are on hold for the balance of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2011.

He warned that this deep cuts are still coming in the 2011-2013 budget, perhaps as much as 18%.

“We don’t know yet what’s in store for the next biennium, but it doesn’t look good,” Lambert said. “If it is as bad as they say, we’ll be right back here, looking at significant layoffs and serving fewer students.”

The irony of cuts to community colleges is that when people lose their jobs, they often look to the colleges for retraining in different professions.  So when the need is the greatest, the resources are reduced.

Read more in the SCC blog 
.

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Letter to the Editor: Thank you to the person who found my debit card

To the Editor:

After reading the police blotter, I feel I should let everyone know about the wonderful person who found my debit card in the North City Post Office parking lot. This wonderful person took my card into the post office and left it with the staff. She then called my daughter-in-law, who has the same last name as mine and told her she had found my debit card. My daughter-in-law called me. I didn't even know it was missing. I went to the post office and picked it up. I want to thank her, but she did not leave her name.

Joyce Lingerfelt
Shoreline

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LFP flooding - some updates

Good news - the diversion which was designed to route the storm stream away from the Northshore fire station in LFP Towne Centre is working and the fire department is dry. Readers may recall that in the significant weather event of a few years back, a stream appeared and ran right through the middle of the new fire station. Firefighters just opened up the doors on each side of the building, stacked sand bags on each side and let the water run through.  Thanks to Sen. Fairley for getting the money for that project.

I understand that traffic is getting through on Bothell Way, so either the flooding receded or it was short-lived.

Some houses on McAleer Creek had water up to the doorstep.

I was in Towne Centre on Friday and the portion of Lyon Creek in the mall was all the way to the top of its banks. I imagine it's a little higher now.

I don't plan to check in person, so if anyone has a view out their windows, tell us what's happening.
--DKH

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Serious flooding in Lake Forest Park

Noon, Sunday, December 12
Flooding Report from the City of Lake Forest Park

There is serious flooding throughout Lake Forest Park and surrounding areas. Bothell Way is flooding. The City has opened the emergency operations center.

  • Roads are closed throughout the City.
  • Do not drive through closed road barriers.
  • Do not drive through standing water.
  • If you have sewer backups, call City Hall at 206 368-5440.
  • Please check the drains near your home. If you can safely remove debris from drains please do so.
  • All of the sandbags in the sandbag depots have already been deployed.
  • Volunteers are filling sandbags at the public works facility. If you can fill sandbags, please call City Hall in order that the City can deploy volunteers effectively. 206-368-5440

The City is continuing to monitor the situation.

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WeatherWatcher: A lot of rain - but it's over for now

What a rain storm! In a 24 hour period we received 4.16 inches of rain. This happened between Noon Saturday and Noon Sunday. 

The ground is extremely saturated. Check for warning signs on hill sides such as leaning trees that were not leaning a week ago, or cracks in the ground. If any of that looks out of the ordinary that hill side may be in great danger.

Our tropical atmospheric river has shifted south and is leaving the area. That appears to be all the heavy rain we are going to see from this storm.



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Shorewood Drill and Dance Competition

Part of the SW team gather before  performing. Photo by Stellah Kang
T-Bird spirit was running high as the award-winning Shorewood High School Drill Team hosted its annual Drill and Dance Competition on December 4. 

Singing the National Anthem. Photo by Linda Delgado.
Team members and their families transformed the Shorewood gymnasium into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights and giant snowflakes. Coaches, team members and fans from the 22 schools who participated in the competition all raved about the beautiful decorations, delicious food, exciting gift baskets, lovely flowers and warm and friendly hospitality.
“I am so grateful for all the hard work the families put into helping make the day a success. I am so proud of the girls in how hard they worked and what great hostesses they were. I was overwhelmed by the record breaking attendance,” Coach Kathy Ross said.
l to r. Coaches Marty Hansen, Tiffany Bliss, 
Laura Kinzel and Kathy Ross
Photo by Stellah Kan

It takes many hours of preparation to make this event the highly successful fundraiser that it is every year. Coach Ross begins working on the planning and coordinating of the competition three months in advance. Proceeds help offset the cost of participating in the annual state competition, as well as the Victoria Day Parade.



Many of you have seen the team perform at home football and basketball games and a variety of school events and assemblies. This hardworking, conscientious and competitive team practices year round to prepare for their performances and competitions. The team took second place in the military category at last year’s WIAA State Competition. They are admired by other teams, not only for their quality performances, but for their spirit and sportsmanship as well.

Final pose of Shorewood exhibition performance.  Photo by Stellah Kang.
As the hosting team, Shorewood Drill chose not to compete in its own competition. Instead, they put on a stunning exhibition performance for the crowd to start off the event. Led by co-captains Christa Lee, Clara Lam and Mel Wonser, they performed a military routine.

The winners from the 33 routines that competed from the 22 schools represented were:
  • Military: 1st – Decatur, 2nd – Newport, 3rd – Hazen, 4th – Lake Washington
  • Pom: 1st – Eastlake, 2nd – Lake Washington, 3rd – Federal Way
  • Hip Hop: 1st – Shorecrest, 2nd – Heritage, 3rd – Emerald Ridge
  • Dance: 1st – Edmonds Woodway
  • Kick/Flag: 1st – Shorewood Flags
  • Sportsmanship Award: Liberty 
SW Moms with gift baskets. Photo by Stellah Kang.
“I was thrilled with the caliber of teams who attended our event,” commented Coach Ross. Congratulations to all the teams who participated for their accomplishments and for their dedication and commitment to the excellence of the sport.

--Reported by Sheri Ashleman


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Evan Smith: Shoreline using Snohomish County jail, keeping contract with King County jail

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Creative Commons. Photo by DieselDemon.
By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Shoreline will start using the Snohomish County jail as its primary lock-up facility Monday.

The City Council approved a contract with Snohomish County at its November 22 meeting.

The City will continue its contract with King County for limited jail use.

City Management Analyst John Norris told me Thursday that Shoreline would use the Snohomish County jail as its primary place to house prisoners because it costs the City about half of what King County charges.

Shoreline also has been using the Yakima County jail for prisoners held for a month or more, but the City’s contract with Yakima County expires at the end of December. That contract has required Shoreline to pay for a certain amount of space, whether it uses the space or not.

A City news release said Friday that using the Snohomish County jail as the City’s primary jail facility, instead of the King County jail and the Yakima County jail, is projected to save Shoreline as much as $700,000 per year.

The Snohomish County jail will charge the City $90 to book someone into the jail and $62.50 per day to hold each prisoner the release said, adding that the rates will increase annually at the rate of inflation with a cap of 3 percent.

The Yakima County jail charges $127 per day per prisoner. King County charges $119 per day per defendant with a $380 booking fee.

Shoreline’s contract with Snohomish County doesn’t specify a certain amount of use. That means that the City doesn’t pay for space it doesn’t need. However, Norris said, it also means that Shoreline is guaranteed space only when Snohomish County and cities in the County aren’t using the space. Still, Norris said, Snohomish County officials have assured Shoreline that the jail has plenty of space available for the foreseeable future.

In addition to using the Snohomish County jail, Shoreline will also begin use of new “video-court system” for ‘first appearance,’ probable cause and bail hearings for those defendants booked into the Snohomish County jail.

The video-court system, a joint project of the City, the Snohomish County jail and the King County District Court, is expected to make these hearings more efficient and cost effective, the news release said.

The announcement came as the Seattle Times reported Thursday that the King County jail has excess capacity.

Norris said that he hopes that the increased supply of King-County jail space will lead to lower costs for cities that use the jail.

He said that Shoreline keeps its contract with King County because sometimes it needs to use the jail in case Seattle police arrest someone with a warrant from Shoreline.

When King County said a few years ago that it would run out of space and end its contract with County cities, seven cities in South King County built their own jail in Des Moines, and five cities in north King County began a selection process for a north county jail.

The north King County jail-selection process now has stopped, Norris said. That means that the cities are no longer considering the sites that each city had proposed, including the surplus Aldercrest School property in the north end of Shoreline.

Now, Shoreline has extended its contract with King County through 2016 and is negotiating to extend that contract through 2020, Norris said. The contract with Snohomish County extends through 2016.

The Times reported Thursday that County jails in Seattle and Kent have seen a drop in inmate numbers over the past decade.

Managers of the County jails and the Des Moines project say all the cells will be needed some time in the future, the Times report, adding, “For now, the county jails are competing with others for contracts to house inmates from cities, and officials are considering whether to lower their per-prisoner price.”

The Times noted that the growing number of unfilled cells represents a dramatic turnaround from 2002, when then-King County Executive Ron Sims told cities they would have to remove all their misdemeanor inmates from the county jails so that taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook to build a third, expensive lockup.

By last May, the Times said, the abundance of jail space had become so apparent that Seattle and the four north County suburban cities suspended their search for a regional jail site and King County agreed to let them continue using the county jail.
The Times said that in September, King County Executive Dow Constantine reduced the amount of a planned increase in the fee charged for holding cities' inmates.

The King County jails hold felons, inmates arrested for misdemeanors outside cities, and prisoners arrested by cities and the state department of corrections.
The number of "County-responsible inmates" -- felons and misdemeanor offenders arrested in unincorporated areas -- dropped from an average daily population of about 2,000 in 2007 to 1,500 in 2009, the Times reported.

Adding in inmates sent by cities and the state DOC, the population is still 900 below the capacity of 3,039, the Times said.

Read more...

Lake Forest Park Police Blotter 11-15 to 11-21-2010

by Diane Hettrick - categories are mine, reports are from the police - who could make this stuff up?

It's about the "Forest" in Lake Forest Park
11-15...176xx 37 NE. Dead tree snag dropped in roadway.
11-18...2800 NE Perkins. Branch on roadway.
11-20...170xx 37 NE. Tree came down and took power line with it. Four homes on other side of line. City Light contacted.
11-20...LFP. Caller reported a log on the Burke Gilman Trail, then hung up. Cops found no log. Apparently there had been a branch but someone moved it.
11-20...170/Bothell Wy. Call about power line down on SUV. Father called to say his daughter was there and had driven over the wire, which caught in her wheels. City Light contacted. Fire on scene and diverted traffic. Unable to reach Mall security. Fire alarm went off and can't be stopped. Albertson's fire alarm off because power is out at the intersection. Tree took out power lines from the Mall access across Bothell Way, blocking the entire roadway.

Those pesky 911 hang-up calls and false alarms
11-15...148xx 39 NE. 911, then voice mail on callback. House dark and quiet, no sign of trouble.
11-15...37xx NE 150. Caller saw someone with flashlights in neighbor's yard. It was the cops investigating the 911 call.
11-16...20150 45 NE. Onnuri Church. Interior alarm in fellowship hall going off. No one there, and police are unable to contact anyone. Exterior doors are secure.
11-16...20150 45 NE. Onnuri Church. Interior alarm still going off. Multiple times.
11-20...45xx NE 190 Ct. 911 misdial.
11-20...35xx NE 155. Alarm. Outside doors unlocked. Searched house, all ok, 2nd time in six months.

Officer (Un)Friendly
11-15...174xx Ballinger. Woman asked cops to speak to her children because they were disobedient and unruly. Cops told children they should behave and listen to their mother.

Colorful characters
11-16...Towne Centre. Guy in wheelchair who was previously Trespassed from the mall has returned. He spits on people who don't give him money.
11-18...Towne Centre. Subject is wandering Mall and hanging out by Avid Angler. Police gave him a courtesy ride to 145th and Lake City Way.

Business as usual on Bothell Way
11-16...Bothell/Ballinger. Subject walking on top of Jersey barrier along roadway.
11-16...168/Bothell Wy. Traffic stop. Arrested driver and booked in Lynnwood jail.
11-16...171/Bothell Wy. Driving with suspended license.
11-16...150/Bothell Wy. Expired registration, no insurance.
11-16...Towne Centre. Driving with suspended license.
11-17...145/Bothell Wy. Driving on wrong side of road.
11-17...153/Bothell Wy. Expired tabs, no insurance.
11-17...170/Bothell Wy. Driving with suspended license.
11-20...172/Bothell Wy. Traffic accident.
11-20...168/Bothell Wy. Car driving in dark with no headlights on. Car smelled like marijuana. Driver handed over pipe and marijuana.

Drivers who belong on Bothell Way
11-17...35 NE/NE 195. Did not stop for school bus.
11-20...36xx NE 155. DUI
11-21...38xx NE 178. Car hit mailboxes.

It makes sense to them
11-15...38xx NE 155. Woman says employee left for Europe with her keys and now her car is being driven at night. Plus, her wallet was lost two years ago. Police told her the keys were a civil matter.
11-17...187xx 35 NE. Resident in group home told manager that he had marijuana. Manager is required to report to police. Police found no evidence, but resident said he threw it out.
11-21...34xx NE 193. Man overdosed on pills. Said he did it so he could go to the hospital to be treated for emphysema.

Car prowls
11-18...36xx NE 155. Car prowl. Items stolen, but found by garbage bin. ID and CD's gone.
11-19...189xx FP Dr NE. Car prowl.

Woof!
11-16...196xx 40 Pl NE. Complaint about barking dogs.
11-20...34xx NE 193. Pit bull loose.

Ok, we'll get right on that
11-20...LFP. Man called to complain about lights being out.
11-18...49xx NE 184. Neighbor borrowed his tent a year ago and he wants it back.

Theft and attempted theft
11-17...145/Bothell Wy, Elks. Maintenance person stopped two guys who were stealing ladders and other aluminum items. All items recovered.
11-17...145/15 NE. Fraud on credit card, thinks it happened at Shoreline gas station. Caller must report to Shoreline police, in person, with credit card receipts and other proof of theft.
11-18...Elementary school. Caller said her keys were stolen, including keys to school.
11-18...185/27 NE. Keys stolen from office.
11-20...158xx 34 NE. Credit card company let resident know about large purchases on his account.

Public-spirited citizen with no ulterior motive
11-18...145/Bothell Wy, Deja Vu. Fired dancer complaining about contract violations, about manager marrying a dancer, about no sales tax paid, oh, and prostitution at Deja Vu.
11-18...145/Bothell Wy, Deja Vu. Fired dancer wants to report prostitution at Deja Vu.

Other public-spirited citizens
11-15...11-15...37 NE. "I Love Taxes" stickers on fire hydrant. Public Works will clean up.
11-16...33xx NE 182. Suspicious person on street. 3 calls in two days from people living on the street. It was a private investigator doing surveillance.

So these don't fit any of the other categories
11-16...LFP. Seattle police asked for assist to have LFP arrest a guy on a domestic violence charge. The address was his parents who have disowned him and haven't seen him in two years.
11-19...NE 170. Juvenile runaway.
11-19...NE 178/33 NE. Report of woman on the ground. 79 year old fell when crossing street. Refused Aid.


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