King County Councilmember Ferguson announces run for Washington state Attorney General

Monday, February 14, 2011

Bob Ferguson, King County Councilmember for North King County, including the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, announced Sunday that he will run for Washington State Attorney General against incumbent Rob McKenna.

His video statement follows.  If your email browser does not support videos, you can click the story title to go to the ShorelineAreaNews.com webpage.

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Quick Start Lunch 'n Learn: Tuesday, Feb 15


The Tuesday Lunch and Learn for start-up business owners, February 15, 12 noon to 1:30 pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N, is presented by Shoreline Community College Small Business Accelerator and the city of Shoreline. The sessions are free; bring a brown bag lunch.

Maximizing Market Share through Signage

Speakers:
  • Temple Voorhees
  • Bill Monterro


Company: TubeArt

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how businesses can maximize market share through signage from the company who brought us the iconic Pink Elephant carwash sign in mid 50’s and recently amazing signs such as at Safeco Field, Key Arena, Lincoln Square Cinemas and more.

Tubeart has been a leader in innovative signage solutions for more than 60 years. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1946, the company remains family-owned.

Contact Mark McVeety Director, Small Business Accelerator, Shoreline Community College for more information.

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Aldercrest Proposal: A big win for parks, a model for collaboration

Sunday, February 13, 2011

by Janne Kaje, Co-Chair, Friends of Aldercrest

On Thursday, February 17, the Shoreline Planning Commission will decide whether to recommend proposed changes to zoning and land use at Aldercrest Annex, the 16-acre School District site that many in Shoreline remember as ‘Old Kellogg’. 

If approved, the proposal will create a new 6 to 7 acre permanent city park, while allowing higher-density development on the remainder, with several provisions in place to buffer neighboring properties from new development. How big is 6 to 7 acres? As a point of reference, Paramount Park is about 8.5 acres in size - this will be a fantastic addition to the city’s park roster! But for the Ballinger neighborhood, this is really about saving existing open space that we had enjoyed for decades, before realizing how close we were to losing it forever.

How did we do it? In a dire economic climate for the city and School District, and in a city with an unfortunate tradition in recent years of bickering and negative politics rather than teamwork, it is amazing and hope-inspiring that we have a plan in hand that is a win for the School District, a win for the neighborhood, and a win for the city. 

This could not have happened without the willingness of the District as the property owner to work toward a solution and to trust the intentions of the neighborhood groups. It also could not have happened without the support of the City Council who directed the city manager and staff to make this process a high priority over the past eight months. Getting the right folks to the table was a big part of the battle, but other aspects of the process were equally important.

Everyone who participated in the negotiations truly sought to understand the interests and challenges faced by the other parties. The reality is that the District owns the property and has a right and obligation to sell it for fair market value. The community representatives understood and respected that fact from the outset. By recognizing and respecting the rights and interests of all parties, we were able to hit the ground running.

Sometimes the actions and stated positions of public officials are viewed as reflective of personal beliefs, and criticism is launched in personal terms. The participants in this process came to the table trusting that each of us personally had the best interest of the community in mind, but understanding that professional responsibilities define many of the boundaries for negotiation.

As neighborhood representatives, we understood from the outset that in the absence of an agreement, the entire 16 acres would be developed, possibly at single-family density, but more likely at much higher density considering the surrounding land uses and location.Would we have liked to secure even more space for a park? Of course. But a realistic understanding of the alternative to an agreement can go a long way toward defining reasonable boundaries for negotiation.

Thursday’s public hearing is an opportunity to support parks and to support collaboration as a path forward on other issues that we are sure to face in the years ahead

Make your voice heard at the hearing or by sending comments to the Planning Commission.

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Will Aldercrest retain its open space? Planning Commission to decide on Feb 17

On February 17, 2011 at 7 pm in the Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers, the Shoreline Planning Commission will decide whether to approve the requested zoning change for the Aldercrest property, which would allow the agreement forged by the school district, City of Shoreline, and Aldercrest interest group to move forward to the City Council for final approval.  See article by Janne Kaje.

In the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Aldercrest school site is designated as appropriate for single family homes if the school is torn down. The zoning of the site is R-6 which would permit homes at a density of 6 units an acre. To modify either the Comprehensive Plan designation or zoning requires the City to permit new uses or zoning on the site. This in turn requires an application for a rezone or Comprehensive Plan change.
City staff have issued a 45 page report which can be downloaded in .pdf format. This is the report which the Planning Commission will use in making its decision.

The Aldercrest hearing is scheduled for 7:15 pm.  Planning Commission Meeting starts at 7 pm.  Planning Commission member Janne Kaje is expected to recuse himself from the Aldercrest discussion.

PUBLIC HEARING Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing 
a. Aldercrest Annex Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendment
  1. Staff Overview and Presentation of Preliminary Staff Recommendation
  2. Questions by the Commission to Staff
  3. Public Testimony
  4. Final Questions by the Commission
  5. Deliberations
  6. Vote by Commission to Recommend Approval or Denial or Modification
  7. Closure of Public Hearing
Share your ideas with the Planning Commission by sending an email.

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Report: Snohomish County councilman told Legislature that negotiations on Point Wells should come after County review

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

A Snohomish County councilman told State legislators Friday that the County would be willing to negotiate with Shoreline and Woodway over the Point Wells development after the County has completed its own review of the project, the Everett Herald reported Saturday.

The Herald quoted County Councilman Dave Somers as telling a legislative committee that the County would be “more than happy” to come to an agreement if there are unresolved concerns following the County’s lengthy process of reviewing the project.

He told a committee of the House of Representatives that the County’s review process can impose specific development conditions and that the cities could work out their own arrangements with the developer too, Herald reporter Jerry Cornfield reported.

But passage of a bill that local legislators have introduced would extend the Shoreline City zoning rules onto land in the county, which seemed unprecedented if not illegal, Somers reportedly said.

Somers said he feared that forcing the developers to negotiate would kill the project, Cornfield reported.

Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu have introduced a bill that would limit density at Point Wells unless the developer negotiates with Shoreline and Woodway to cover the impacts of the development.

Sen. Maralyn Chase has sponsored a companion bill that a Senate committee will hear Tuesday.

Chase, Kagi and Ryu represent Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Woodway and the rest of the 32nd Legislative District.

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Mayor Keith McGlashan testifies to limit residential density at Point Wells

from the office of the Shoreline City Manager

The City of Shoreline is actively working on several fronts to address concerns arising from the proposed development at Point Wells. Based on the developer’s presentation to the community on January 27 of this year, the Point Wells property owner, Blue Square Real Estate, is proposing a development that would have roughly 3,150 residential housing units. A development of that size would substantially impact the number of autos traveling on the roads throughout that part of the City. Preliminary computer modeling done by City staff in 2009 suggests that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to mitigate the impact of such auto trips, particularly on Richmond Beach Drive.

On Friday, February 11, City of Shoreline Mayor Keith McGlashan testified before the Washington State House Committee on Local Government in support of House Bill (HB) 1265. HB 1265 would limit the maximum residential density of an unincorporated portion of an urban growth area to that of the immediately adjacent areas of an abutting city or cities. Point Wells lies in unincorporated Snohomish County and has been designated as an “Urban Center” area by the Snohomish County Council. The density proposed for Point Wells is completely at odds with the densities of the surrounding neighborhoods in Shoreline and Woodway.

HB 1265 is sponsored by Representatives Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu. A companion bill will be heard in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations and Elections on Tuesday, February 15. SB 5421 is sponsored by Senator Marilyn Chase.

Due to the difficulty of mitigating traffic along Richmond Beach Drive, the Shoreline Planning Commission recently developed a recommendation to the City Council that would limit peak hour auto trips on Richmond Beach Drive to approximately 400, unless a study is done that shows how the impact of additional traffic can be adequately mitigated. The City Council will be taking action on this recommendation at its meeting on February 14.

The City will continue to pursue every avenue possible to ensure any development at Point Wells is in alignment with the City’s vision. While development of some kind at Point Wells is most likely inevitable, it must be reasonable in comparison and compatible with the surrounding communities.

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T-birds take second at wrestling regionals

SW Wrestlers and friends. Photo by Diane Floresca.

The Shorewood wrestling team placed seven of its eight regional qualifiers among the top five in their weight classes in the Region I 3A wrestling tournament at Glacier Peak High School Saturday.

The tournament involved wrestlers from the Wesco 3A division, the Northwest League 3A division and the Kingco Conference 3A division.

Freshman Matthew Floresca claimed the regional title at 112 pounds. Brandon Leach followed that by winning the 119-pound title. Placing third for the T-Birds were junior Alex Lee at 103 pounds, senior Daniel Yun at 112 pounds and senior Kyle Floresca at 135. Senior Joel Smith placed fourth and junior David Ball placed fifth in their classifications.

Ian Bolstad of Shorecrest placed second at 285 pounds.

Shorewood placed second in the team standings behind a strong showing for Mercer Island. Shorewood's second-place finish is highest regional placing in school history for T-Bird wrestlers. The top four wrestlers in each division qualify for next week's Mat Classic Championship in the Tacoma Dome. Wrestlers placing fifth will be alternates.

Shorewood coach Derek Norton told the Everett Herald that he was surprised that the team placed second in the regional tournament just a week after finishing sixth at the District 1 meet.

Shorecrest placed 15th in the team standings.

Region I 3A championships
At Glacier Peak H.S.

Team scores — Mercer Island 130, Shorewood 113, Sedro-Woolley 109, Mount Vernon 98, Everett 95, Glacier Peak 79.5, Oak Harbor 72.5, Ferndale 72, Lynnwood 68, Lake Washington 67, Bellevue 52, Mount Si 52, Liberty (Issaquah) 45, Juanita 40, Shorecrest 39, Mountlake Terrace 20, Meadowdale 13.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

103 — Luis Reyna, Mount Vernon, dec. Corey Trimbur, Oak Harbor, 9-8.
112 — Matthew Floresca, Shorewood, dec. Alex Basabe, Lynnwood, 7-2.
119 — Brandon Leach, Shorewood, dec. Jesse Lopez, Everett, 8-2.
125 — Paul Kim, Glacier Peak, injury default, Joel Navas, Lake Washington.
130 — Josh St. Marie, Glacier Peak, dec. Jun Park, Bellevue, 15-6
135 — Kyle Morgan, Sedro-Woolley, dec. Kyle Shanafel, Mercer Island, 8-2.
140 — Brady Mast, Sedro-Woolley, pinned Kody Lifes, Ferndale, 5:02.
145 — Blake Johnson, Mercer Island, dec. Brandon Stratton, Oak Harbor, 5-4.
152 — Hamilton Noel, Liberty, dec. Adolph Rivas, Mount Vernon, 9-3.
160 — Connor Boyce, Everett, dec. Sean Elledge, Glacier Peak, 7-5.
171 — Phil Frazier, Mercer Island, pinned Logan McCallum, Juanita, 3:24.
189 — Colton Knebel, Mercer Island, dec. Brayden Jacobson, Everett, 10-0.
215— Joe Janicki, Sedro-Woolley, dec. TJ Blackburn, Mercer Island, 11-2.
285 — Josh Mitchell, Mount Si, dec. Ian Bolstad, Shorecrest, 8-5.

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Jacob's Well complex ready for framing, community meeting March 10

Update from Vision House

Get Your Hammers and Hard Hats Ready


Every weekend in April, volunteers will be framing the new Jacob's Well complex for homeless mothers and children in Shoreline, just off Ballinger Way. Whether you're a professional framer, have basic construction skills or just want to help support and feed the workers, we have a job for you! More info and register to Volunteer here.


Jacob's Well Community Meeting

Everyone is welcome, to learn more about the project, get the most recent updates and find out how you can help.

Thursday, March 10th 7:30 - 8:45 am.
Third Place Commons: 17171 Bothell Wy. NE, Lake Forest Park.
Coffee and pastries will be served.

Our facilities are built debt-free on a pay-as-you-go model. This is how we've built our six buildings in Renton over the past 20 years, and they're still standing and serving homeless families! The community has done a great job raising the funds for the Jacob's Well foundation, waterlines, sewers, lumber, windows and half of the roof. Please consider making a donation to help raise the $210,000 needed for the other half of the roof, exterior doors, siding, exterior paint, elevator, plumbing and HVAC.

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Shorecrest girls play for District championship Friday, Feb. 18, after defeating Meadowdale

The Shorecrest girls’ basketball team plays Glacier Peak for the Northwest District 3A championship Friday, Feb. 18, after defeating Meadowdale Friday, Feb. 11.
 
The victory over Meadowdale clinched a Shorecrest berth in the State tournament as one of the top three teams in the District tournament,
 
The Scots take a 15-7 record into the game against Glacier Peak. Shorecrest and Glacier Peak (13-9) split two games during the regular Wesco 3A season, with Glacier Peak winning at Shorecrest by two points in December and Glacier Peak winning by one point in January.
 
In the victory over Meadowdale (13-9). Shorecrest came from another in the fourth quarter. Brianne Lasconia led the Scots with 26 points to raise her season average to 15.9 points per game. Janie Uppinghouse scored 10.
 
At Shorecrest 46, Meadowdale 43
Meadowdale      9 16 8 10 — 43
Shorecrest        10 10 7 19 — 46

Shorecrest Scoring
Points
India Matheson
6
Christina Jarvis
4
Brianne Lasconia
26
Janie Uppinghouse
10
Havilah Glesener
0
Mickey Greenburg
0
Addy Ibsen
0
Allison Jones
0
Melissa Ruhlman
0
Shorecrest Season Scoring:
Player

Games
Points
P/G

Brianne Lasconia

22
350
15.9

India Matheson

17
230
13.5

Janie Uppinghouse

22
286
13.0

Shannon Schachle

13
117
9.0

Mickey Greenburg

22
53
2.4

Allison Jones

21
46
2.2

Christina Jarvis

22
45
2.0

Melissa Ruhlman

18
31
1.7

Keegan Monson

7
8
1.1

Havilah Glesener

18
8
0.4

Haley Magaoay

6
2
0.3

Annie Schlachter

6
2
0.3

Addy Ibsen

15
4
0.3

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Shorewood girls meet Lynnwood Tuesday in District-tournament elimination game after defeating Sedro Woolley Friday

The Shorewood girls’ basketball team plays at Lynnwood Tuesday in a Northwest-District-3A-tournament elimination game after defeating Sedro Woolley Friday to stay alive in the tournament.
 
The Thunderbirds take a 5-17 season record into the 7:30 p.m. game with Lynnwood (18-4), a team that defeated Shorewood twice during the Wesco 3A regular season.
 
The Shorewood-Lynnwood winner will advance to the Friday. Feb. 18, District third-place game against the winner of another Tuesday game between Meadowdale and Ferndale. The game for the District’s third berth in the State 3A tournament is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Lynnwood High School, just before the 8 p.m. District 3A championship game between Shorecrest and Glacier Peak that will determine the Nos. 1 and 2 Northwest District representatives to the State 3A tournament.
 
In Shorewood’s 60-41 victory over Sedro Woolley, Shorecrest led throughout the game. Masha Shtikel scored 28 points to raise her season average to 13.0 points per game.
 
Shorewood 60, at Sedro-Woolley 41
Shorewood        12 17 18 13 — 60
Sedro-Woolley    8 17 13   3 — 41

Shorewood Scoring
Points
Lisa Echert
9
Jennifer Thompson
7
Erin Ellersick
5
Jennifer Franklin
4
Kenra Holley-Lair
4
Georgia Allfrey
3
Masha Shtikel
28
Gabby Hager
0
Allegra Simpkins
0
Lauren Thompson
0
Shorewood Season Scoring:
Player

Games
Points
P/G
Masha Shtikel

21
273
13.0
Lisa Echert

21
202
9.6
Jennifer Franklin

19
118
6.2
Erin Ellersick

22
124
5.6
Kenra Holley-Lair

18
82
4.6
Jennifer Thompson

21
80
3.8
Kimberly Lindgren

18
46
2.6
Lauren Thompson

22
54
2.5
Kassie Rasmassen

16
32
2.0
Georgia Allfrey

6
7
1.2
Gabby Hager

18
19
1.1
Allegra Simpkins

15
10
0.7
Munawara Abdula

10
4
0.4

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Spike and the Impalers - classic rock in Edmonds Feb 19

Spike and the Impalers
Local classic rock tribute band Spike and the Impalers, led by morning radio show co-hosts Bob Rivers and Spike O’Neill, make their triumphant return to Edmonds for a great night of classic rock at Edmonds Center for the Arts, Saturday February 19 at 8:00 pm. 

Tickets are available online or by phone 425-275-9595.  Ticket prices are $40 and $30.

Formed by radio host Bob Rivers and his co-host Spike O'Neill, this classic-rock tribute band continues to make friends and fans as they tour the Puget Sound region. Formed five years ago with O’Neill on lead vocals, Rivers on keyboards, Dudley Taft (of Seattle bands Sweetwater and Second Coming) on guitar, and drummer Jeff Kathan and bassist Lynn Sorensen of The Paul Rogers Band, the band has built their reputation by giving the people what they want – straight ahead classic rock. “Young stud” guitarist Aaron Balsley, who won a Spike and the Impalers talent search, brings his own flash to the stage, along with the guitar wizardry of Amy Stolzenbach, a founding member of the all-girl AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles. Special guest performers include former show member and current Q13 morning show co-anchor Kaci Aichison on vocals and recent American Idol contestant Danelle Hayes.

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA), is a non-profit performing arts facility located in picturesque downtown Edmonds, Washington. Housed in the historic original Edmonds High School building, ECA was remodeled and opened in October 2006 to be a cultural resource for the Puget Sound region through performing arts presentations, community partnerships and education outreach programs.

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Sky Nursery seminar: Starting Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 13th 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Starting Seeds Indoors, with Emily Wilkins
free, no pre-registration

Whether you want to start marigolds on your windowsill or a hothouse full of tomatoes, learn how at this informative seminar. Save money, choose from more varieties, and have your plants ready exactly when you need them. Emily will cover when, how, and why to start your own transplants. Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 206-546-4851.

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Shoreline hosts "The Unspoken Truths" exhibit, Feb 14 through 18, honoring Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, the City of Shoreline will host an exhibit celebrating the many important contributions African-American inventors have made to our everyday lives.

The exhibit, which is part of a larger exhibit entitled “The Unspoken Truths," is the work of Delbert Richardson, a Seattle man who calls himself a Second Generation Storyteller. Richardson has collected a large and impressive assortment of artifacts that symbolize the African experience in the Americas and Europe.

The exhibit will be in Shoreline City Hall Lobby, 17500 Midvale Ave N, from February 14 through 18.

It will highlight the important contributions made by African-American men and women inventors to the world we live in. Many of these items are things we use every day without knowing the history behind them, such as the ironing board, cell phone technology, golf tees and a pencil sharpener.

Richardson said the exhibit is geared toward children and young adults, as a way for them to learn what they often don't learn from history books.

Richardson is an educator and storyteller who encourages people to immerse themselves in the struggles, challenges and accomplishments of African people through his exhibits.

"I'm not interested in making money," he said. "I'm interested in making an impact."

From the office of the City Manager. Quotations from The Seattle Times 2008 story on Delbert Richardson and his larger exhibit.

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CleanScapes Tip: Waste-free gifts this Valentine's Day


Sweet Treats
Show your love for the planet and your sweetie by giving waste-free gifts this Valentine’s Day.

At your fingertips are a colorful variety of new experiences to share – trapeze lessons, guided snow shoe walks at Mt. Baker with the US Forest Service, Woodland Park Zoo’s Valentine’s Day Enrichment Celebration, or simply discover a new hike together. On your way home, you can make a nice dinner together or eat out at a favorite restaurant.

Chocolate fans, look no further than Seattle’s Theo Chocolate or Fran’s.  Buy Theo Chocolate at Third Place Books, Ballinger Thriftway, Bartells, Fred Meyer, Beach House Greetings, and Central Market.

Take a tour together and stock up for a private tasting. Prefer donuts?
Local favorites like Frost, Mighty-O and Top Pot will not disappoint.

If you plan to shop, it is easy to find unique gifts made by local artists at neighborhood farmers markets. Other ways to shop green include purchasing items made from recycled content or items made from renewable resources, such as bamboo. And when you shop, don’t forget your reusable shopping bags!

The Big Picture
In many households, Valentine’s Day is a major shopping holiday for kids and adults of all ages.

As you make your plans for Valentine’s Day, consider all of the sustainable alternatives available for cards, sweets, jewelry and creative alternatives to show your love for one another.

By supporting local artists and businesses, and giving experiences instead of more stuff, you can help reduce packaging waste and conserve natural resources.

Reduce first. Reuse what you can, and then Recycle.

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