Power Networking event April 29

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce is one of the sponsors of the North-End Chambers Power Networking Event to be held on Friday, April 29 from 7:30-9:15 am at the Hotel Nexus near Northgate Mall.

The event is designed to help business owners create new business relationships in a focused networking environment among north-end chamber members. Each participant will present their 60-second commercial to three different tables, then participate in a "contribution" round.

Four Chambers are participating. The event is created by The Growth Coach, Pam Jackson, 425-582-2646 or 206-335-1605 cell.

Non-members are invited.  To register and for more details please click here

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Fire in Kenmore residence Thursday morning

The Northshore Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 6:56 am on Thursday, April 14 in the 18500 block of 80th Avenue NE. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke in the basement of a single-family rambler. The basement contained a small apartment, and firefighters discovered a fire on the stove top. The fire was confined to the apartment and was under control in approximately five minutes.

Occupants on the main level of the home were awakened by the smoke alarm. They discovered light smoke in the basement, called 911 and evacuated safely, although two family cats died in the fire.

There were no firefighter injuries. Damages to the home are estimated at $10,000.

The cause of the fire is determined to be accidental. 

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Photo: Boeing Creek Park

Boeing Creek Park. Photo by Kyle McQueen.

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Summer Kids Camp at Trinity


Games, crafts, Bible stories, singing, snacks, friends, and more are in store for children who attend the Summer Kids Camp at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

From 6:30-8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, June 27-30, children from 3 year olds to those entering 6th grade are invited to join in the fun. Trinity is located at 1315 N 160th St, Shoreline WA 98133.

Parents may register their children by completing a registration form obtained by calling Trinity at 206-363-0767 or going to the website and downloading the registration form from the Trinity web site. For more information email the church office.

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WeatherWatcher: el Nino and la Nina explained

By Carl Dinse, WeatherWatcher for the ShorelineAreaNews

ENSO (El Niño, La Niña) What does it mean for us?

ENSO is an acronym for El Niño Southern Oscillation. The Oscillation occurs in the eastern Pacific along the Equator. There are three different modes for the ENSO, El Niño, La Niña, and neutral. Typically this pattern occurs during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons for the Northern Hemisphere. However some may last all the way through summer and continue into the next winter. In spring NOAA has what is called the Spring Block, where they can’t predict easily what the ENSO is going to transition to until after March or April.

Here’s the short and sweet as what each mode means for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.
  • Neutral: This typically means we will have a normal winter, average precipitation, and average temperatures.
  • El Niño: This means our winters will be warmer than average, with less than average precipitation.
  • La Niña: Causes cooler than normal winters, with higher than normal precipitation.

El Niño winters are the biggest cause of our water shortages we have some years in the summer following, due to a lower than normal snow pack in the mountains. La Niña years can generate excessive snow packs, and rain, or snow events even to our area. Depending on the strength of the modes, depends on the weather severity. Also it is very important to note, even if the weather is expected to be cooler, and wetter than normal, it doesn’t necessarily translate to more snow events in the lowlands, however they do tend to increase on some La Niña years. The same goes for El Niño years, we might have no rain or snow events, or we might have a snow event and normal rain storms. It all depends on the strength. Take it as just a general outlook, nothing specific, after all forecasters can barely predict a week in advance, let alone a whole season. That being said, here’s some data that shows the difference between an El Niño year, and a La Niña year.

The winter of 2009/2010 was an El Niño year. This past winter, 2010/2011 was and still is a La Niña year.

Here is a line graph that compares the daily average temperatures from November – end of March against the 2009/2010 El Niño and the 2010/2011 La Niña.



Daily Average Temperatures compared.

Here is a bar graph that compares the monthly total rainfall of the winter of 2009/2010, and 2010/2011, from November to March.


Rainfall comparison.

You can see how the 2010/2011 winter is wetter, and cooler than the 2009/2010 winter.

About once a month I will write a short report on the ENSO status, and forecast and what it could mean for all of us here in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

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Panel discussion on End of Life Issues open to the public at SUUC

The Care Committee of the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church
is sponsoring a non sectarian panel discussion on:
“End of Life Issues”, Saturday, May 14,
10-12:30 in the Dome room of the church.

Topics include:living wills, health care proxy and POLST (physicians orders for life sustaining treatment)communication among patients, family and medical staff.
  • the Death with Dignity Law
  • palliative care
  • the role of Hospice and Compassion and Choices in caring for patients.
Panel members are:
  • Arline Hinckley, MSW, Compassion and Choices board member and volunteer.
  • Ann Maxwell, MSW
  • Jan Saran, RN, Evergreen Hospice and Palliative Care liason
  • Karen Marie Thompson,esq, elderlaw
Shoreline U/U Church is located at 14724 First Ave NE, Shoreline, one block north of 145th. 206-363-7994.

The program is open to the public at no charge.

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YMCA Healthy Kids Day, Saturday April 16

It’s a Play Date at Dale Turner Family YMCA:
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ Aims to Get Families Moving Through Play


On Saturday, April 16, Dale Turner Family YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents to join us for a play date, rain or shine, and commit to being active every day. It’s all part of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ – the nation’s largest health day for families.

April 16, 10:00-1:00 p.m., Dale Turner YMCA, 19290 Aurora Ave N., Shoreline, WA 98133

Activities
Representatives from the WNBA Championship team, Seattle Storm, will be on hand coaching and leading scrimmages. There will be fun activities including a bounce house, open swim, face painting, carnival games & more!

There are no joining fees for family membership at Dale Turner Family YMCA all weekend long. The first 100 kids will receive free t-shirts.

For more information, visit the website for the Dale Turner Y.

About YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day
As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through healthy living, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to teach healthy habits to kids and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity. At a time when one in three children in the United States are overweight or obese (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), developing healthier habits that include increased physical activity is more important than ever.

Healthy Kids Day will be celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, with more than 700,000 families expected to attend this year.

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Songwriting Royalty Comes to Edmonds: Randy Newman April 18

Enjoy an evening with award-winning singer-songwriter Randy Newman as he shares his humorous observations on life through music in support of his new album “The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2”, Monday April 18, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Tickets are available online or by phone 425-275-9595. Ticket prices are $50-$55.

Randy Newman has long been one of the most musically and lyrically ambitious singer-songwriters in the world of popular music. He was a working songwriter at the age of 17 and released his debut album at the age of 25. While his initial record sales were modest, his reputation among critics, fellow artists, and musicians was huge, and he enjoyed great success as a songwriter. Harry Nilsson popularized his work in the US with his still much-admired Nilsson Sings Newman, Three Dog Night had a pop hit with “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)”, and Joe Cocker scored with the hilariously lascivious “You Can Leave Your Hat On.” 

Newman’s own Top 40 success came with the most unlikely track, “Short People,” from 1977’s Little Criminals. Not everyone got the joke—in fact, the Maryland legislature tried to make it a crime to play “Short People” on the radio. Other pop hits were in a similarly tongue-in-cheek vein, such as “I Love L.A.” from 1983’s Trouble In Paradise.

Randy Newman to play in Edmonds
However, it is his foray into film composing that has garnered Randy the most attention of late. He has earned twenty Oscar nominations, winning in 2002 for Best Original Song from Monsters Inc and in 2011 for Best Original Song from Toy Story 3. Among his other notable scores are The Natural, Parenthood, Awakenings, Avalon and Pleasantville, as well as his impressive range of critically acclaimed, commercially blockbuster family films, including Toy Story 1 and 2. James and The Giant Peach, A Bug’s Life and Cars. Newman is also a five-time Grammy Award winner, and a recipient of the Recording Academy’s prestigious Governors’ Award. He has also garnered three Emmys, two of them for his contributions to the television show Monk. In 2010 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. May 2011 marks the release of The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2, which takes a fresh look at Randy’s classic and more recent work with new solo recordings of his celebrated songs.

Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA), is a non-profit performing arts facility located in picturesque downtown Edmonds, Washington. Located 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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Community disaster preparedness session in Kenmore, April 20

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Shoreline Preservation Society Benefit Yard Sale Sunday, April 17

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Shoreline Preservation Society Benefit Yard Sale 

The Shoreline Preservation Society is working hard to preserve “Places That Matter” 
in the Shoreline/LFP community.

Ø Benefit Yard Sale
Ø Sunday, April 17th 10 - 5
Ø Location – 16032 30th Ave NE (Just N of Briarcrest Elementary)
Looking for Bargains?
Stop and Shop and Help Us Out!
We welcome your donations and help. Recycle your good stuff for a good cause!
Any good stuff welcome or fair game - Household, antiques, collectibles, tools, games, utensils, jewelry!

For more information call or email Janet @ 206-734-5545
or see the article on Of Paramount Importance blog

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EnviroShield team tackles most rewarding project yet - housing for homeless kids

Craig Hawkins has had a special place in his heart for abused kids for more than a quarter century. While working as a paramedic, he witnessed first hand the crisis for kids that didn’t have a safe place to live.
“It’s been my intent ever since to help build housing for injured and abused children,” said Craig. Thanks in part to Vision-House, his dream is coming true.
Addressing the volunteers.  Photo by Steven H. Robinson.

For more than 20 years, the non-profit has provided safe and confidential transitional housing and services for homeless single mothers and their children, and separately for homeless single men recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

The new facility called Jacob’s Well will initially house 12 families, a crisis center, program space, counseling and after school programs. Craig is leading a group of volunteers to put up the 15,000 square feet of framing during three Saturdays in April.
“Craig is a key volunteer and this project would not be moving forward without him,” said Susan Camerer, Executive Director, Vision House. “This is our largest project and is a tribute to his commitment, organization skills and big picture thinking.”
Camerer says the Shoreline community recognized the need for housing and services for homeless single moms and their kids seeking refuge from abuse and domestic violence. This is a pay-as-you-go project. The organization has raised enough money for the exterior and is currently collecting for the interior. Camerer hopes to open in the 4th quarter of this year.

For more information on the Vision House and how you can help to make Jacob’s Well a reality, please visit the website NoHomelessKids.

Craig Hawkins and his team at Enviroshield have more than 20 years of experience in water damage and mold remediation.

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For the Birds: The Ubiquitous Song Sparrow

By Christine Southwick
A discussion of yard birds wouldn’t be complete without including Song Sparrows.

Song Sparrow. Photo by Christine Southwick.
If you have native plants or feeders, and dense shrubs, brush, or Himalayan blackberry, even if just along the edges of your yard, you undoubtedly have song sparrows. Considered habitat generalists, about the only place you won’t find them here is within forests.

Song Sparrows belong to the sparrow family, and because of similarities of first-glance-coloring are often called “Little Brown Jobs” [LBJ’s]. Song sparrows have one of the largest group of subspecies—29 sub-species are recognized. Here in the Puget Sound though, we have the well-known dark form which is a year-round resident below 4,000 ft. During the winter, a smaller, paler sub-species migrates down from interior British Columbia.


Song Sparrow feeding Cowbird. 
Photo by Christine Southwick.
Our Song Sparrows are large chunky dark sparrows, with a long tail that they pump both while eating, and while flying low from one shrub to the next cover. Their head is streaked with rich browns and grays between, with a distinct eye line running from the bill to its shoulders. The back and sides are also streaked.

Song Sparrows were named after their song, which they learn from listening to neighbor birds. Here in the Puget Sound area they often sing all year long. Males sing to proclaim their territory, and to attract a mate. Females have been known to occasionally sing.

Because they stay low to the ground, both for eating insects and seeds, and for nesting, cats are their main predators, followed by hawks, owls, coyotes, and dogs. 

Cowbirds are known to lay eggs in the nests of Song Sparrows, with the result that not all of the Song Sparrow’s 3-5 young will fledge. 

Song Sparrow on alert.
Photo by Christine Southwick.
Fortunately, Song Sparrows usually have two-three broods a year. If you have a breeding pair that bring their young to the feeders or bird baths, perhaps you will be treated to the hilarious sight of a fledgling Song Sparrow without tail feathers trying to fly , bottom heavy, from one shrub to another. It gives the expression “low rider” a new meaning.

Song Sparrows are often ignored in the same way as robins. Everyone sees them, and because they are so common, people just say, “Oh, it’s a robin.” or “Oh, it’s a song sparrow.” And then they continue to look for other birds.

Once you start watching and listening to Song Sparrows you’ll realize that they are a real treasure, especially when the male is up on a branch singing with all his heart.

Christine Southwick is on the Board of the Puget Sound Bird Observatory and is their Winter Urban Color-banding Project Manager. She is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward, having completed their forty hour class. We're happy that she's sharing her expertise with us about the birds in our backyards. 

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Don’t recycle your old computer - donate it

Shoreline Community College to celebrate Earth Day with Computer Collection Event, 10am – 4pm, Friday, April 22, 2011, SCC West Parking Lot.

Don’t recycle your old computer. Take it to the west parking lot at Shoreline Community College from 10 am to 4 pm on Friday, April 22, 2011.

Community members are invited to support Earth Day with students, faculty and staff of Shoreline Community College by participating in a computer recycling event at the campus west parking lot on Friday, April 22, from 10 am to 4 pm. Your donation will help humanitarian organizations worldwide achieve their charitable missions by providing them with high-quality refurbished desktop and laptop computers.

The event is jointly sponsored by the WPDSS Student Club, Center for Service-Learning, GAC, and InterConnection (Seattle NGO). Since 1999, InterConnection has shipped tens of thousands of computers to organizations in 38 countries, and in the process has provided workforce development training to more than 3,500 individuals in the Seattle area, teaching them valuable computer hardware repair and upgrade skills.

For more information about Shoreline Community College’s Earth Day events (throughout the month of April), please visit the campus blog.

More information about Interconnection.

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Transportation Master Plan Update Open House on April 20

From the City of Shoreline
Join City staff at an open house to learn more about the City’s update to the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and to provide feedback. The Open House will be at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N, on Wednesday, April 20, from 6 to 8 pm.

The meeting will be an open house format, with a brief presentation at 6:30 pm. Community members can drop in to check out the displays about the variety of draft transportation policies and improvements that are proposed. The goal is to gather feedback on the information presented.

The TMP is a long-range plan that helps guide how the City develops its Capital Improvement Program, coordinate transportation improvements with land uses and better plan what is needed to respond to growth.

Shoreline is updating the TMP because of the significant changes that have been completed and that are planned for the City’s transportation system since its original creation in 2005. Completed changes include the Interurban Trail, improvements to Aurora and the pedestrian bridges. New bus rapid transit service from both Metro and Community Transit and the light rail extension from Northgate are changes that are coming to Shoreline’s transportation system.

The City began the TMP update in July 2009 with an open house to solicit feedback about bicycle, pedestrian and transit needs. Along with the comments received at the open house, responses to questionnaires, email feedback and the input of a citizens’ advisory committee regarding bicycle and pedestrian needs, the City began crafting policies addressing transportation issues. 

Additionally, the City hired a consultant to develop a traffic model that identifies the location of future transportation projects needed to accommodate growth. Staff met with Council several times during spring/summer 2010 to receive policy direction. Using the input received to date, staff has:
  • Developed draft bicycle and pedestrian system plans
  • Created a three-phase transit plan
  • Identified streets for reclassification
  • Identified projects to help solve existing transportation deficiencies, as well as issues arising as a result of growth, and
  • Drafted policies and implementation strategies that will help guide the development of future transportation projects and programs.

The current TMP is available to review on Shoreline’s website. For more information about Shoreline’s Transportation Master Plan or the open house, visit the webpage or contact Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire at 206-801-2483.

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Letter to the Editor: Champions of Education

To the Editor:

The following two paragraphs are excerpted from the House Democrats website.
"OLYMPIA – With support from 48 Democratic sponsors, the 11 newest members of the House Democratic Caucus today introduced a bill that would end more than $170 million worth of tax exemptions. The money would be redirected for smaller class sizes in K-3 to provide young children with more individualized attention."

"House Bill 2078 would close a pair of tax exemptions – a B&O exemption for corporate banks and the sales tax exemption for out-of-state shoppers. Ending those two exemptions would generate $170.3 million for K-3 classrooms in 2011-13, an investment linked to basic education reforms that have stalled due to a $5.1 billion shortfall in the state’s budget."

Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) and Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park) are among the sponsors.

While many others claim to respect and hold dear our state constitution, these legislators have demonstrated that they take their oath of office as a promise to fulfill their constitutional obligation by complying with Article IX, Education, Section 1 Preamble, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders . . ."

It is to be hoped that similar legislation will be adopted that will support all levels of public education in our state, most of which are severely imperiled by proposed destructive budget cuts.

Champions of education deserve thanks from all Washingtonians, regardless of party, who know that public education benefits not only those it serves directly, but also the public and private sectors of every community in our state.

Elaine Phelps
Shoreline

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Shorewood golfer wins 21-team boys’ golf tournament

Chris Babcock of Shorewood won the Tom Dolan Invitational Golf Championship Tuesday at Everett Golf and Country Club.

Babcock shot a one-under-par 71 for the best score of the 102 golfers competing.

This is the second year in a row that Shorewood has had the individual champion.

As a team, Shorewood finished eighth out of 21 teams, with King’s 15th and Shorecrest 19th.

Tuesday, April 12
At Everett Golf and Country Club
18 holes, par 72

Team scores — Kamiak 300 strokes, Jackson 307, Glacier Peak 329, Arlington 333, Cascade 338, South Whidbey 342, Everett 345, Shorewood 346, Archbishop Murphy 347, Stanwood 349, Snohomish 351, Edmonds-Woodway 356, Monroe 357, Lake Stevens 358, King’s 362, Marysville-Pilchuck 364, Oak Harbor 373, Mountlake Terrace 376, Shorecrest 379, Meadowdale 403, Mariner 456.

Individuals — Chris Babcock, SW, 71; Allen, Ar, 72; Won, J, 72; Fryer, Ka, 72.


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Shorewood girl golfer and teammates top Shorecrest and two other Wesco 3A teams

Shorewood golfer Cassie McKinley and her Thunderbird teammates topped Shorecrest and two other teams in a Wesco 3A meeting at the Lynnwood Golf Club Monday.

Monday, April 11, At Lynnwood GC (par 33)

Team scores — Shorewood 109 points, Shorecrest 86, Mountlake Terrace 63, Meadowdale 40.

Individuals — 1, Cassie McKinley, SW, 33 points; 2, Jenny Broulette, SW, 24; 3, Audrey Penner, SC, 22; 4, Carolyn Stransky, SW, 20; 5, Stephanie Taylor, SC, 19.

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Shorecrest Hip Hop 2nd at State; Coach receives "Coach of the Year" Award

The Shorecrest Hip-Hop Team competed at the WIAA State Dance Drill Championships on March 25 at the Yakima Sun Dome and took home 2nd Place in a highly competitive 3A Hip Hop category.

2011 Shorecrest Hip Hop Team

It was a close competition with the top three teams being within four points of each other, each receiving a Superior score rating. Shorecrest received a score of 480 out of 500, just a few points behind first place Sunnyside High School with their score of 484. Pasco High School took third place with a score of 476.

Coach Rex Kinney said, "Teams are judged by five judges and it was just a matter of a half point to a point from a few judges that made the difference in the overall score. The Shorecrest Hip Hop team was disappointed after doing so well this past year but was happy to take a trophy home. The team will look at this as an opportunity to grow and and will be hungry to do well again next season."

The team will have five graduating seniors this year with 11 juniors and three sophomores remaining. Shorecrest will audition new members May 2-6 to prepare for next season. Coach Kinney will look to bring in more underclassmen in anticipation of a large group of seniors leaving at the end of the 2011/2012 season.

Coach Rex Kinney named Coach of the Year
Kinney was awarded "Coach of the Year" by the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association for 1A/2A/3A schools. 

Nominations come from the schools and the award is decided by a vote of Dance/Drill Coaches from the Washington organization. Finalists came from schools in Spokane, Sunnyside, Tumwater, and Tacoma. Kinney has been coaching and choreographing for the team since 2001 and will look to his 11th season with them next year along with community team adviser, Robin Martin.

The Shorecrest Hip Hop team will be performing for Seattle Theatre Group's production of "Dance This" held at the Moore Theater this summer in July. They will have an opportunity to perform with several local and national professional dance companies including the Mark Morris Dance Company.

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Shorewood girls tennis April 12 vs Meadowdale

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Prep girls tennis: Shorewood 6, Meadowdale 1
At Meadowdale H.S., Tuesday, April 12

Mackenzie Bang, Shorewood number 1 singles, defeated Josie Dow, Meadowdale, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to lead the T-Bird tennis team to a 6-1 Wesco 3A league victory over Meadowdale high school. The win improved Shorewood's record to to 5-1 in Wesco 3A and kept them a half game behind Everett. Shorewood's only loss came early in the season when the T-Birds were missing key top players due to the flu. 

Shorewood hosts Everett at Shoreview Park this Friday at 3:30 pm to determine control of the league lead.

Singles--Mackenzie Bang (S) def. Josie Dow 7-6, 6-3; Francesca O'Malley (S) def. Isabel Reeb 6-3, 6-2; Daniella Brengelmann (S) def. Breanna Sankey 6-0, 6-4; Sara Oh (S) def. Sage Haynes 6-0, 6-0. 

Doubles--Lilly Adams-Pauline Douglass (S) def. Kayleigh Barrett-Tessa Helber 6-2, 6-0; Stephanie Ngy-Maddie Welch (S) def. Jennifer Bishop-Vanessa Woo 6-2, 2-6, 7-5; Kari Beaulieu-Erica Beaulieu (M) def. Mary Buswell-YuAnne Corbett 6-2, 6-3. Records--Shorewood 5-1 league, 5-3 overall. Meadowdale 2-3, 2-5.

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CORRECTION: Senior Project: Shoreline Community Jazz Night signing up musicians for event on Friday, April 22

CORRECTION:  The date of the event is Friday, April 22, and the organizers are Shorewood students.

Here's a great idea that Shorewood seniors have created for a senior project: Jazz Night. Student musicians sign up to play and the public gets a great night of entertainment.

It will take place on Friday, April 22, from 6:30 - 10 pm at the Shoreline Community College Pagoda building.

Student musicians - and remember that Shoreline is known for its jazz - sign up to play. They will be asked to donate $12 at the door. The public attends for $2 at the door, but will have the opportunity to donate more, as all proceeds from the event go to the relief work in Japan.

Chartwell's, the catering service at SCC, will be open the entire time, so plan to have dinner while you enjoy the music.

The organizers are signing up musicians now, both combos and individuals - here's the website.

 

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Shoreline Schools Teacher of the Year: Becky Edy

Becky Edy, fourth grade teacher at Highland Terrace Elementary, has been selected as the 2011 Shoreline School District Teacher of the Year.

2011 Shoreline Teacher of the Year Becky Edy, second from right, with Highland Terrace Principal Mike VanOrden, Director of Teaching and Learning Sue Porter and Superintendent Sue Walker.

She will be honored at a reception at 6:30 pm on Monday, May 9 in the Shoreline Center lobby. Shoreline Teacher Appreciation Week, which honors all certificated staff members in the District, will be celebrated May 9 to 13.

Edy has taught in Shoreline for 29 years overall, and at Highland Terrace since 1996. She has also taught at Brookside, Echo Lake, North City and Ridgecrest during her career.

“Becky is an extraordinary teacher who creates individualized learning experiences for all of her students in a highly personalized and caring environment,” her nomination read in part. “She is adored by her students, valued by parents and admired by her colleagues. On top of it all, Becky is a lifelong learner; she is always looking for new and better ways to provide the best education possible for her students.”

Her lifelong learning has included teaching in Shanghai and a 2009 University of Washington summer fellowship to Jordan. She has served on numerous school and District committees, including elementary reading, math and writing curriculum adoptions, the Puget Sound Writing Project and is Highland Terrace Response to Intervention coach.

Becky is asked to serve in leadership roles because of the high degree of respect the people she works with have for her.

“She is the most conscientious and hard-working teacher I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” wrote a colleague. “Seven days a week and around the clock she is thinking of ways to help her students.”

Her classroom is a remarkable place for kids to learn and grow. A parent wrote: “This evening before dinner I was talking with my son about school. He explained to me how much he is enjoying learning fractions in Ms. Edy’s class. At this age it is very important that kids develop a sense of desire to learn and she has done that.”

The Shoreline Teacher of the Year is selected by a committee of staff, administrators and parents from nominations received from throughout the District. Becky will receive a $500 grant from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation and will be Shoreline’s nominee for the 2012 Washington State Teacher of the Year.

--Shoreline School District

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Shoreline Community College planned budget cuts shared at all campus meeting April 6

Monday, April 11, 2011

Shoreline Community College has a plan to cut nearly $3.1 million from the 2011-12 budget. Now, college staff, faculty and students are waiting for the state Legislature to say if that’s enough.

Faces are grim as staff and faculty hear about budget cuts
from President Lee Lambert at a campus meeting on April 6. Photo courtesy SCC.
At an all-campus meeting on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, Shoreline President Lee Lambert labeled the plan a “final draft plan” that includes some impacts to 36 positions. Of that number, 11 faculty members are identified for reduction-in-force proceedings along with two retirements and two contract non-renewals. Three administrators would be laid off, two positions are being downgraded, one vacant position eliminated, one reduced time and one shifted to non-state funds. For classified employees, there were no layoffs, but seven vacant positions are slated for elimination, four reduced time and one retirement.

Lambert said the details of the plan could still be influenced by the political process in Olympia, statewide and local labor negotiations and other factors. Despite the label, the college must begin to move forward on the plan if identified saving are to be realized by the July 1 start to the fiscal year.

“These decisions are not taken lightly,” Lambert said. “We all share the same vision here, to transform and changes lives. However, that has to be seen against a backdrop of very difficult realities.”

Vice President for Administrative Services Daryl Campbell presented the numbers behind the plan and how the college got to them.

“We started in January with the Governor’s budget indicating a cut level between $2 million and $2.5 million,” Campbell said, adding that soon after, news from Olympia pushed the speculative number to $2.77 million for Shoreline’s share. On Feb. 22, the college shared a “preliminary recommendation” plan with the campus, for the purpose of a campus-wide feedback period.

“Things changed very soon after Feb.22,” Campbell said, referring to advice from the State Board of Community and the March 17 state revenue forecast that pushed the reduction target to $3.57 million. “The latest news is the House budget,” Campbell said of the plan released April 4. “We’re somewhat surprised; it seems to be similar to the Governor’s. We’re hopeful, but cautiously so.”


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Girls' water polo in Shoreline: Shorewood club is undefeated

Dana Michaels, Samantha Taylor, and Rika Inouye playing defense
in March 30 game against Roosevelt. Photo by Cathy Inouye.
Girls water polo is a club sport that has existed in the area for many years. Because it is not a "sanctioned" sport in Washington, girls from both Shorewood and Shorecrest play on the same team, which is officially a Shorewood club.

According to advisor Jane Blaylock, "It affords an opportunity for otherwise 'rivals' to join together in a demanding sport."

This year's varsity coach is Liliya Shtikel, JV coach is Jenny Waddingham, and team captains are Emily Blaylock (SW) and Marina Stoermer (SC).

Goalie Emily Blaylock blocks a shot. Photo by Cathy Inouye.
The Shorewood team plays in a league of "north clubs," which includes Shorewood, Roosevelt, Kentridge, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Newport, and Mercer Island. The girls are all certified through USA Water Polo.

Marina Stoermer prepares to pass.
The team won their game 8-5.
Photo by Cathy Inouye,
The Shorewood club is undefeated in league games, beating Mercer Island (11-4), Bainbridge Island (14-2), and Roosevelt (8-5).

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Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt at Hillwood Park April 23

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23, 2011
10:00-11:30 am
Hillwood Park
19001 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA

Children of All Ages, bring your parents and friends and come have fun and hear the true meaning of Easter.
Activities include games, crafts, snacks, and Easter Egg Hunt!
Bring your Easter basket and wear play clothes and boots!

18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA
206) 542-6181

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City of Shoreline: Notice of Public Hearing of the Planning Commission

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Shoreline Chamber Community Trade, Crafts & Art Fair, May 1, Sears Plaza

Shoreline Chamber of Commerce Community Trade, Crafts and Arts Fair
They Shall Walk with Cruise the Ave so They Shall Walk Car Show
Sunday, May 1, Sears Plaza in Shoreline.

Schedule:
8:00 - 9:00 am Shoreline Chamber of Commerce Community Trade, Crafts & Arts Fair tables/tents set up around SEARS store**. Booth Registrations-$50 donation.
10:30 - 11:30 am - All Registered Classic / Custom / Hot Rods arrive at SEARS Plaza for Car Show
10:30 - 12:30 pm - Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, chips & sodas lunch*
12:30 pm - They Shall Walk® LIFESUIT® Demonstration.
1:30 - 2:30 pm - Community judging of cars in all classifications.
3:00 - 3:30 pm - Prizes / Awards presented. Show closes.

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Shoreline Public Schools Foundation to host 4-on-the-floor basketball tournament in July

Inaugural event at Shoreline Center will benefit education programs for students in Shoreline School District

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation will present a fun-filled basketball tournament July 23 where street-ball players and casual hoopsters alike can compete in the “Shoreline 4-On-The-Floor.”

The Saturday, July 23, all-ages outdoor tournament, benefiting education programs for Shoreline School District students, will begin at 9 am at Shoreline Center’s Main Parking Lot, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline.

Team registrations are available at a cost of $125 per team of four-to-seven players and include three games, contests, prizes and more.

Tournament organizer Athlete Foundations is currently accepting team reservations until the deadline of Noon on Thursday, July 21. Team registrations can be arranged by logging onto the Athlete Foundations website or by contacting Matthew Wade, Shoreline 4-On-The-Floor event coordinator, 206-227-9387.

The “Shoreline 4-On-The-Floor” tournament will raise funds to help enhance academics in the Shoreline School District while showcasing the talents of many local students. The tournament’s proceeds will generate resources vital to implementing innovative concepts and continued growth in Shoreline education programs.

The goal of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation is to enhance educational programs for Shoreline School District students by establishing and maintaining a perpetual funding source and by increasing community involvement in schools. 

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Habitat for Humanity and Vision House – Working together for families in need

Volunteers work at Jacob's Well. Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers from Seattle are working on the Jacob's Well, Vision House, site in Shoreline to build transitional housing for families in need.

On Tuesday, April 12, nearly 20 Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff will work at Jacob’s Well on one of several scheduled days to assist in framing one of the two buildings that will become apartments for 20 homeless families, a licensed child care center, after school care program, laundry facility, crisis counseling offices and a community center.

This special day is an example of housing agencies working together during this challenging economy to meet the growing need for affordable housing.

Jacob’s Well, a supportive housing complex, broke ground in spring 2010. Vision House builds its facilities debt-free on a pay-as-you-go model and is engaging the faith community and welcoming organizations like Habitat for Humanity to join their community and support the construction with staff and volunteer support.

The work of Habitat for Humanity and Vision House is an example of the range of housing needs. Vision House provides supportive, transitional housing for families to move beyond poverty and homelessness. Habitat for Humanity works with low-income households, many of which have experienced homelessness and supportive transitional housing, on their path out of poverty as they work toward homeownership.

Volunteers at Jacob's Well. Photo by Steven H. Robinson.
Vision House and Habitat for Humanity are both welcoming many volunteers from the decimated construction industry who are willing to step forward and offer their time and skills from working on job sites to managing building projects. These activities offer opportunities to engage their skills while giving back to their communities.

To volunteer, go to the NoHomelessKids website.

About Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County
Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization that develops housing in partnership with hardworking, low-income families. Founded in 1976, we are dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County, one of 2,000 affiliates worldwide, has built, renovated or repaired nearly 200 homes in the greater Seattle area, providing simple decent housing for 300 adults and over 500 children. Partner families earn 25 percent to 60 percent of the median annual income for King County, receive no profit, no-interest mortgages and their payments are returned to a fund to build more homes. For more information visit Seattle-Habitat.

About Vision House
Vision House provides transitional housing, child care and support services to homeless mothers and their children, and separately to men recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Since Vision House began in 1990, more than 700 homeless children, women and men have received housing and support services to assist them in achieving independence and self sufficiency.

Vision House owns and operates four transitional housing facilities and a child care center in south King County, Washington. In spring 2010, Vision House broke ground in Shoreline on a housing complex for homeless children and mothers. When the two-phase project is complete, the Vision House Jacob’s Well facility will include 20 housing units, a child care center, counseling offices and program space. For more information visit NoHomelessKids.

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