CleanScapes curbside pick up for Fluorescent tubes and bulbs

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Updated 7-18-2011 7:06pm

CleanScapes provides Free Curbside Collection for CleanScapes Residential Customers in Shoreline.

Fluorescent Tubes and Bulbs
  • Wrap in several layers of newspaper, secure with tape.
  • Put bulbs in plastic bag tied closed (or zip-lock bag).
  • Set on top of recycle cart (not inside).
  • Tubes must be less than 4 feet long.
  • Limit 2 tubes/bulbs per collection and 10 per year.
This service is available to single-family home residents only. Apartment and condo tenants can use King County’s Take It Back Network to find local options for bulb disposal. 


Read more...

Free document shredding, Saturday, July 23, with entertainment

Photo by David Morris
You have just over a week to get those old tax returns, love letters, and embarrassing photos together so you can have them professionally shredded, for free, by the DataSite company.

Fill your car.  There's no limit.  

From 9 am to noon on Saturday, July 23, bring your old files to the Lake Forest Park Windermere, 17711 Ballinger Way NE, just inside Lake Forest Park Towne Centre.  Take the first driveway off Ballinger and turn right, the building is in the northwest corner.

Staples and paper clips are ok, but take out the binder clips - they jam the shredding equipment.  And no x-rays, CDs or other forms of media.

It's going to take a lot of shredded paper to get all these kids to Ireland.
Photo from Dublin Dollars.org
DataSite will sell the shredded paper for reuse and donate the proceeds to Dublin Dollars, the volunteer organization which is raising money to send the Shorecrest marching band and choir to march in the 2012 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Members of the band will be playing during the shredding event. 

If you are wondering what tax documents you should keep and which you should shred, here's advice from a tax accountant:
Retain the basic information used for the tax return for 5 years. Other, non-tax receipts should be kept for three years. I think pay stubs need only be kept for three. You should keep your tax returns permanently.


Read more...

Celebrate Shoreline Parade Grand Marshal for 2011: Rich Gustafson

Rich Gustafson honored as Grand Marshal
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Keith McGlashan is pleased to announce the selection of Rich Gustafson as the 2011 Celebrate Shoreline Parade Grand Marshal.

Gustafson was chosen for his long service to the Shoreline community as an educator, Vice Principal and Athletic Director for the Shoreline School District, and as a 10 year member of the Shoreline City Council. 

To quote from one of the nomination forms, “Rich has energetically given his time and energies towards making Shoreline a highly livable city. Through his dedication and involvement with our city parks and the years of elected participation on the Shoreline City Council, Rich as exhibited leadership of the highest degree”.

When informed of his selection, Gustafson said that he was honored and humbled.

Gustafson will lead off the annual Celebrate Shoreline Parade on Saturday, August 20 at 12 noon. The parade route runs south on 15th Ave NE between 185th NE to 165th NE on 15th Ave NE.


Read more...

Sentencing Set for Prolific Burglar; Thievery Approached $1 Million

Part of the goods recovered when police broke the case.
A prolific burglar whose crime spree netted him cash, gold, guns, and watches and myriad of other property will be sentenced on Friday.

Prosecutors intend to ask for an exceptional sentence of 15½ years in prison for Keith Blair, age 34, due to the unprecedented extent of his crime spree.

The sentencing is scheduled for Friday, July 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm, Judge Mariane Spearman’s court, Room W-965. Several of his many victims are expected to attend the sentencing, along with the lead investigator on the case, Detective Cary Coblantz.

After a jury trial, Blair was convicted of 13 charges last month, including nine residential burglary charges, attempted burglary, auto theft, theft of a firearm, and trespassing. Crimes occurred in unincorporated King County and Snohomish counties, Shoreline, Seattle, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Medina, and Kirkland.

Watches.
Blair stole cash, jewelry, gold, electronics, watches, weapons including guns, swords, and bows, along with camping equipment, golf clubs, mountain climbing gear, and other items. And a Porsche worth $50,000!

Blair was responsible for a burglary spree that lasted at least several months, occurring in at least eight police jurisdictions. Detectives aren’t sure how many residences were burglarized, but the number is in the dozens.

BACKGROUND: Shoreline Police detectives first got involved while investigating a Richmond Beach burglary where a safe containing $30,000 in cash was taken, along with Rolex watches and electronics.

A month later there were several other burglaries in the same area, all with an M.O. which included the suspect taking a ladder from the property and entering the house via a 2nd story window. In one house the burglar stole about $100,000 worth of property, including gold, jewelry, expensive watches, and four very unique Japanese swords worth at least $30,000.

Recovered jewelry
Then detectives got a break. On September 25, 2010, residents of a Richmond Beach residence came home from a weekend away to find a man up a ladder trying to break into their home. The homeowner chased the man for several blocks but lost him.

However, an off-duty Seattle officer who lives in the area heard police sirens, and saw a suspicious man get into a car and leave the area. The officer was able to note five of the six digits on the license plate, which he turned over to Shoreline detectives, who traced it to a rental car rented it to a known burglar.

The very next night there was another ladder-burglary. This time the thief got away with a coin collection valued at $50,000.

Meanwhile, working with Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, detectives learned Keith Blair was known to drive the car. The homeowner from the September 25th attempted burglary picked out Blair as the suspect from a photo montage.

The next break in the case came when detectives, working on another case, located Blair’s girl-friend, Kelsey Johnson, selling gold to a shady gold dealer. She showed up to sell gold driving the aforementioned rental car. Armed with a search warrant for the car, detectives located evidence that linked Blair and his girl-friend to several burglaries.

Recovered goods.
Both Blair and Johnson were arrested on October 21, 2010. Further investigation led detectives to a storage unit in Monroe, rented by Blair’s wife Rachel, who hid some of Blair’s loot because she was mad at him for running off with Kelsey.

A semi-truck load of stolen property, worth several hundred thousand dollars, was recovered from the storage unit. The cache linked Blair to at least 16 Snohomish County burglaries and about a dozen in King County. 

Detectives also learned about a Medina burglary where the suspect left behind a pop can. Medina Police had the can in evidence, so Shoreline detectives sent it to the WSP Crime Lab for DNA testing. The test came back to Keith Blair with a 1 in 3.7 quadrillion positive match.

Because detectives now had Blair’s DNA, they linked him to three additional high-end burglaries with 18 stolen guns. These are Snohomish County cases that will be filed after the proceedings here are completed.

--Sgt. John Urquhart, King County Sheriff's Office



Read more...

SolarFest, VW Show come to Shoreline Community College Campus Saturday, July 16, 2011

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The future and the past will come together for a fun day of food, music, information and beautiful vehicles this Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Shoreline Community College. No admission fee. Open 10am – 6pm, Music, food and beer garden open till 8pm.

Looking toward the horizon, the college will host the 8th annual SolarFest, a celebration of all things related to renewable energy and sustainable living. SolarFest is a production of the Shoreline Solar Project, founded in 2004 to promote the practical application of renewable energy and environmentally responsible practices to enhance the economic, ecological, and social environment of our community.


At the same time, looking in a probably rare and lovingly restored rearview mirror will be the 30th anniversary version of the NW Vintage VW Car Show and Swap Meet. Sponsored by the venerable Cascade Kombis car club, the show and swap is the centerpiece of their Vintage Volkswagen Weekend, which includes a Friday, July 15, cruise centered at the Burgermaster restaurant in Seattle’s University Village and followed by Sunday’s Bug Nationals, drag racing for Volkswagens at Bremerton Raceway

“We’re excited and honored to host these two great events that have such synergies with our equally great programs here at Shoreline,” said Shoreline Community College President Lee Lambert.
“Our Clean Energy Technology Program was the first of its kind in the state and the first to graduate students trained for the jobs of the future under Gov. Gregoire’s call for 25,000 new green-collar jobs,” Lambert said. “Our Professional Automotive Training Center leads the nation in preparing technicians to work with the latest automotive technology and meeting the needs of students and industry.”

SolarFest will offer more than 85 booths, exhibitors and vendors, including the latest solar and other alternative energy systems, recycling, electric cars and other sustainable-living interests. Food vendors, farmers market, beer garden, music and other entertainment. Graham Kerr, formerly known as the Galloping Gourmet, will give solar cooking demonstrations and his newest book will be available at the Solar Store. A free bonus book will be available as long as supplies last and a KIDZone will have solar-powered toy cars as giveaways to the first 300 children. 

The NW Vintage VW Car Show and Swap Meet has been on Volkswagen and vintage automobile enthusiasts calendars for 30 years. More than 200 Beetles, square backs and air-cooled VWs will be on display and rare VW parts will be for sale. Food vendors. A rare 1955 Beetle will be raffled with tickets only costing $1. General admission is $7. For those wishing to show a vehicle, preregistration is encouraged, but signups are taken the day of the event for a $15 fee. Open to public 9am. Show car registration 7-9am.

Free parking on campus; space may be limited. Free shuttle service from Shoreline designated parking area near Sears and Greenwood lots.

For more information about the events, please visit our blog.




Read more...

St. Barnabas Anglican Invites community to Annual Church Picnic

Fr. Harley Crain helps with a treasure hunt at the 2010 picnic
Summer is the time to celebrate friendship and community at a neighborhood picnic.

St. Barnabas Anglican Church invites our Shoreline neighbors to the Annual Church Picnic this Sunday, July 17, following the 10:30 am service.

Join us at Noon for hamburgers, hotdogs, summer salads, and desserts – and games and other outdoor fun, especially for the kids.

Games at the 2010 picnic.
St. Barnabas, located at 2340 N 155th Street, is a caring community, grounded in scripture and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. 

We are part of the Anglican Church of North America.

Visitors are always welcome.

Read more...

National Night Out Against Crime in Lake Forest Park, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Once again, the City of Lake Forest Park is participating in National Night Out Against Crime, a growing national program designed to reduce crime through police/community connections and to promote anti-drug and anti-crime efforts.

Along with traditional displays of outdoor lights, front porch vigils, and neighborhood flashlight walks, neighborhoods often gather for block parties and social events to "give crime a going away party."

Statistics consistently show that neighbors who know and look out for each other contribute to a reduced crime rate. National Night Out is Tuesday, August 2, 2011.

To register and plan an event or for more information, email Karen Howell, National Night Out Organizer, Lake Forest Park Police Department, 206-364-8216 x547. Or simply drop by City Hall where registration forms are available. Join the tradition!

Due to budget reductions, Lake Forest Park Police Department cannot guarantee an officer will be available to visit your party, although we will make every attempt to be there. We strongly support National Night Out and encourage neighborhood participation in the 2011 National Night Out Festivities.




Read more...

Concerts and crafts for kids at the public libraries

For some of the best entertainment in town this month, you need to be accompanied by a 3 year old. Puppet shows, world music, world stories, and creative instrumentation mark the programs available for free at our public libraries, aimed at the very young members of our community.

In addition, there are creative craft sessions resulting in masks and sock puppets. The activities are at Shoreline (SL), Richmond Beach (RB), and Lake Forest Park (LFP).

Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th Street, Shoreline 98155, 206-362-7550

Brother Coyote and Sister Fox Puppet Show (SL)
Friday, July 22, 11am
Presented by Thistle Theater.
Ages 3 and older with adult.
Enjoy a delightful puppet adaptation of a beloved Mexican folktale.
Space is limited; first come, first seated.

The Very Silly Tourist Show (SL)
Tuesday, July 26, 7pm
Presented by Linda Severt.
Ages 2 and older with adult.
A very silly tourist goes on a trip around the world, finding a variety of musical instruments. Space is limited; first come, first seated.

Super Silly Sock Puppets! (SL)
Thursday, July 28, 1pm
Presented by Cheryl Hadley.
Ages 8 and older, ages 5 to 7 with adult.
Fake fur, felt, feathers and more, plus plenty of imagination, turn a colorful new sock into a pet monster, a silly sidekick, a friendly alien! Enjoy a display of puppets from around the world.
All materials provided.
Please register beginning July 14.

Richmond Beach Library, 19601 21st Avenue NW, Shoreline 98177, 206-546-3522

World Art Explorations: Jaguar Paper Mache Masks (RB)
Tuesday, July 12, 7pm
Presented by Nature Consortium Artist Amaranta Sandys.
Ages 8 and older with adult.
Design an original mask that represents a person or animal you would like to communicate with.
Please register online or by calling the library, 206.546.3522.

Around the World with Stories (RB)
Wednesday, July 20, 7pm
Presented by Gerald Fierst.
Ages 5 and older with adult.
Circle the globe as we share stories from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe before returning home again.

Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park

Sticks and Stones, Seeds and Bones Concert
Wednesday, July 27, 3pm (LFP)
Held on Third Place Commons Stage.

Thursday, July 28, 10:30am (RB)

Presented by Nancy Stewart.
Ages 2 and older with adult.
See, hear and sing along with unusual rhythm instruments from around the world and take home ideas for making instruments from things in your own world.


Lake Forest Park Library, Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, Suite A-134, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155, 206-362-8860

The Land that Rock Forgot (LFP)
Wednesday, July 20, 3pm
Held on Third Place Commons Stage.
Presented by Brian Waite Band.
Ages 3 and older with adult.
When the band's plane crashes on a remote, tropical island, their high-tech musical instruments are useless. The band begins a quest to rebuild their sound, and along the way they rediscover the beauty of nature and meet other castaways from the far corners of the globe.



Read more...

For the Birds: Townsend’s Warbler—the prettiest songbird in Western North America?

A bird in the hand of Christine Southwick during the
February bird banding.
By Christine Southwick

There are some who say the Townsend’s Warbler is one of the prettiest birds in Western North America. With its dark stripes and cheek patch in a bright yellow face, yellow breast, white belly, and two white wing bars in dark olive and black wings, I’d have to agree.

The male has a black head-stripes and cheek patch, and black on the throat and crown; the female has olive-colored stripes and cheek patch and crown, and a light throat. The male is very distinctive, but the female and juvenile can be confused with the Hermit Warbler. Since Townsend’s sometimes mate with Hermits, there can be some really confusing looking hybrids.

Female Townsend's Warbler
Photo by Christine Southwick
Townsends’ are migratory birds with two separate wintering grounds. Because the wintering grounds of the Queen Charlotte Islands’ Townsend’s is here and along the Pacific Coast, we are lucky enough to have Townsend’s around all year round. Whether the Townsend’s Warblers you see in the winter are the same ones you see in the summer, or if the winter ones go north to the Queen Charlotte Islands, and our summer ones are from Mexico or Guatemala is not known. Preliminary studies suggest that the Townsend’s that winter here have shorter-length wings than the ones that fly all the way to Central America, but more banding and study is needed.

And because Townsend’s prefer to nest on the ends of branches on tall mature evergreens in dense forests, there is much that isn’t known about their movements, or all their breeding habits. It is believed that they are seasonally monogamous, with the males arriving first to pick and defend their territories by singing. The female lays 3-5 eggs in a well-concealed nest, and both parents feed the young.

Juvenile Townsend's Warbler in bath
Photo by Christine Southwick
 
Townsend’s Warblers are primarily insect eaters, gleaning bugs from tree branches and foliage, usually by climbing around, but sometimes they will hover. They will eat some berries, and there have been numerous local reports of Townsend’s drinking nectar from hummingbird feeders

Add a bird bath with warmer, and suet in the winter time and you will probably have a Townsend’s visit your yard, and maybe even stay for the winter.

One thing is certain, once you have seen a Townsend’s Warbler in your yard,you will be looking for it again, and again.

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.


Read more...

Unitarians screen banned film on the role of the media in war, Friday, July 15


The War You Don’t See, by John Pilger will be shown at 7pm on Friday July 15, 2011 at the Shoreline UU Dome, 14724 First Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Donation accepted for space rental.

About the film:
This film is a powerful and timely investigation into the media's role in war, tracing the history of 'embedded' and independent reporting from the carnage of World War One to the destruction of Hiroshima, and from the invasion of Vietnam to the current war in Afghanistan and disaster in Iraq. As weapons and propaganda become even more sophisticated, the nature of war is developing into an 'electronic battlefield' in which journalists play a key role, and civilians are the victims. But who is the real enemy?

For more information, contact Sharon Riegie Maynard, 425-774-1142.



Read more...

Seattle PI: Police probe alleged theft within Lake Forest Park water district

The Seattle PI.com has posted a story about a Lake Forest Park police investigation into possible misuse of funds by an employee of the Lake Forest Park Water District, stretching over a period of a half dozen years.

The District is the oldest water district of the four serving Lake Forest Park and draws its water from artesian wells.  The water is known for its purity and lack of chemicals.

The District completed an audit in December of last year which uncovered financial accounting problems and recommended a complete revision of the bookkeeping and accounting practices. A professional bookkeeping firm was hired and they have been working since to revise procedures, reporting systems, and review processes at the District.

As mentioned in the PI story, any losses would be covered by insurance.



Read more...

The 2nd Annual Shoreline Classic Car Show, Sunday July 31, 2011, 10am - 3pm


The second annual Shoreline Classic Car Show to benefit Meridian Park Elementary will be held from 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, July 31 on the school grounds, 17077 Meridian Ave N. Admission is free for spectators.

The show, which expects about 300 cars, is a sanctioned Seafair Community Event. In addition to the autos, the show will feature appearances by the iconic J.P. Patches and live music by rock group The Fabulous Hammers. 

The event is being produced by the Meridian Park PTSA and the Greenwood Knights with support from 27 local sponsors. Vendors will be selling food and other items. For more information and registration for cars, email or call 206-789-7226.


Read more...

Auditor Releases Report on Misconduct and Use of Force in Sheriff's Office

Shoreline and Kenmore police departments are contracted from the King County Sheriff's office, so the Auditor's report would include all their deputies. The Seattle Police department has been in the news lately regarding its use of force. Here's the result of an audit of King County Police.

From the office of the King County Sheriff

The King County Auditor’s Office has released the results of an analysis covering the number and seriousness of misconduct, use of force incidents, and complaints in the Sheriff's Office over a five year period. The report also addresses the outcomes of complaint investigations.

In general, the use of force complaint rates were less than the national averages reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

The Auditor’s Report covers the period from 2006 through 2010, and compares it to their previous analysis from 2000 to 2005.

Among other findings, the Auditor found:
  • The number of use of force complaints in the Sheriff's Office during the period was 1.3 per 100 sworn officers. The national average was 6.6 complaints overall, and 9.5 complaints per 100 for large police agencies.
  • The number of officers without any complaints whatsoever was found to be 96%. (In 2010 the Sheriff's Office had 706 sworn deputies.)
  • The Sheriff’s Office significantly improved its policies and processes for investigating misconduct and use of force complaints to promote transparency, consistency, and accountability.
  • The percentage of sustained complaints investigated by the Internal Investigations Unit was 52% for the five year period. This was a significant increase from the 21% rate during the previous period. The Sheriff's Office attributes this change to more rigorous compliance in investigating complaints.
  • The analysis found the total complaint rates for the five year period were less than the earlier five years, 2000 to 2005.
  • During the five year period, 70% of sustained complaints were generated internally, i.e. were filed by Sheriff's Office employees.

The report noted the Sheriff's Office had installed a comprehensive database in the interim, which allowed for improved tracking and reporting of complaint issues and statistics.

The King County Auditor's Office conducts audits and studies which identify and recommend effective ways to improve county government. Audits are conducted at the request of the King County Council, and the office complies with applicable Government Auditing Standards. The office works on a broad range of issues that affect the citizens of services of King County.



Read more...

Missed opportunities dooms Richmond’s furious finish

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Fresh off a big win on Saturday, the Richmond Major’s All Stars took North Central down to the last pitch on Sunday before falling 11-9 in a heart-stopping finish.

Richmond missed several opportunities early as they fell behind a scrappy North Central team. The bats that had been so hot just 24 hours before finally came to life in the last inning of the game. 

Richmond started a furious 6-run rally in the final frame, capped off by back-to-back home runs by Tanner Oxnevad and Andrew Blair. Richmond brought the tying run to the plate with two out, but couldn’t pull the game out.

“We had our chances early,” said Coach Eric Oxnevad, “but couldn’t string enough hits together.”

Richmond played Woodinville on Monday, July 11 at 6:00 pm in a loser-out game.  Results will be posted later.

Richmond All Stars are a Little League team, with players 12 years old, some entering middle school.

--Roy Riley

Read more...

Shorewood grad selected for Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Recognized for her strong commitment to community service, Sophia Hansen-Day of Shoreline is one of five Puget Sound residents and 230 high school students nationwide selected for Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program. Sophia is a recent graduate of Shorewood High School and is interning at YWCA of Seattle-King County- Snohomish.

As a student leader, Sophia has been awarded a paid, eight-week summer internship at the YWCA. This comes at a time of high teen unemployment rates where many teens are struggling to find meaningful work this summer. At this internship, she will have invaluable learning and professional development experiences while also supporting a local community organization.

As part of the recognition, Sophia will also be attending the Bank of America’s Student Leadership Summit in Washington DC, July 10-15. At the summit, Student Leaders will take part in leadership training and participate in interactive workshops, Capitol Hill briefings and participate in a service project with Operation Homefront to create care packages for military families.

Bank of America created this program based on the belief that leadership and service are critical elements helping to propel the nation and our world forward. This year alone, the company is investing more than $1 million in the student leadership program and has committed more than $8 million since the program’s inception in 2004.


Read more...

Shoreline Farmers' Market - first appearance at NW SolarFest Saturday

This Saturday, July 16, the Shoreline Farmers Market Association will host a small farmers market at the 8th annual NW SolarFest


The renewable energy and sustainable living fair will be held at Shoreline Community College from 10am to 6pm, with a concert, beer garden and after party from 6pm to 8pm.

Featured at this mini-farmers market are three local farms; Urban Garden Co-op, Garden Treasures, and Carleton Farm as well as New Roots Organics and Shoreline’s own Mister Kitty’s Soap Shop.

The Shoreline Farmers Market Association will have an informational booth at the market to discuss their plans for the future farmers market.

They will also have a few promotions including 100% Canvas reusable shopping bags for the first 25 people that spend $20 market wide, free organic lemonade, iced coffee and slices of pie from Shoreline’s Deborah’s Homemade Pies.

Partnered with the City of Shoreline and Shoreline Community College, the Shoreline Farmers Market Association is slated to open the Shoreline Farmers Market for business next spring. The plan is for a Wednesday or Thursday market at the park adjacent to Shoreline’s new LEED Gold City Hall.

You can contact the Shoreline Farmers Market Association by email.



Read more...

National Night Out Against Crime is August 2 - still time to organize a party on your block

Perkins Lane neighbors picnic in a front yard
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Organize a neighborhood block party, ice cream social or barbecue on your block.

National Night Out Against Crime is designed to build community connections and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Echo Lake block watch takes back the streets - to eat
Shoreline supports residents organizing a National Night Out event in their neighborhoods. Street closures require a permit. Permits are free for events co-sponsored by formal neighborhood associations. Contact Shoreline Permit Services at 206-801-2500 regarding permit requirements; please apply at least two weeks in advance.

When you apply for a permit or register your event you will receive:

  • A free red check tablecloth (while supplies last);
  • An event packet with basic information about Block Watch, emergency preparedness and neighborhood associations; 
  • Visits from Shoreline Police and Shoreline Fire (availability dependent on emergency calls).


Wallingford Avenue Block Watch party at Parkwood Elementary
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Events that don’t require a street closure are encouraged to register to receive an event packet and visits from City staff, Police or Fire. To register, call or email Shoreline Neighborhoods Coordinator Nora Smith at 206-801-2253,



Read more...

City of Shoreline offers affordable home repairs for Shoreline residents

Toolbox. Photo by usefulguy
Homeowners of any age with moderate income may qualify for low cost home repairs through Senior Services Minor Home Repair Program. The Minor Home Repair Program offers homeowners an affordable way to make home repairs and reduce the cost of utilities.

Qualified plumbers and carpenters will make repairs on leaky pipes and faucets, clogged drains, broken steps, and rotted and unsafe porches. Electricians will replace broken light switches, sockets, and fixtures. Technicians also will replace defective toilets and sinks and install smoke detectors. Homeowners with physical limitations qualify for installation of metal wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and handrails.

“Our primary goal is to provide critical repairs and installations that improve safety, livability, and convenience for qualified homeowners,” said Ed Caballero, Minor Home Repair Supervisor. “Our highly trained staff makes plumbing, carpentry, and disability access modifications affordable.” 

Funded by the City of Shoreline, at most qualified homeowners will pay for all materials at cost plus $10 per hour for labor.

To qualify, single residents must have a monthly income of $3,745 or less. Couples with combined incomes of $4,283 or less are eligible.

Interested homeowners may receive additional information by calling Senior Services Minor Home Repair at 206-448-5751.


Read more...

Evan Smith: Monday registration deadline for primary election

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Monday, July 18, is the last day for voters to register by mail or online for the August 16 primary and special election or for previously registered Washington voters to change their voting addresses.

Voters who want to register by mail can get materials at many libraries and post offices, or they can download forms from the King County elections website, or the secretary of state’s website

Voters can register online by following links from either website.

New Washington voters can register through August 8, but they must register at the county elections office in Renton.

Voters in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and the rest of King County will decide on the Veterans’ and Human Services levy, and vote on an appeals court Judge. Voters in Lake Forest Park will nominate candidates for mayor.

Mail and on-line registration for the November 8 general election lasts until October 10. 


Read more...

Sustainable Shoreline will have two booths at NW SolarFest

Instead of a meeting this month, Sustainable Shoreline hopes to see everyone at the NW SolarFest on Saturday, July 16, 2011 from 10am to 6pm. 

SSEA will have two booths this year.

One for celebrating Shoreline becoming a Community Wildlife Habitat City. This Sustainable Shoreline project began four years ago in the spring of 2007.

The other for SSEA itself where we will be talking about one of our next projects: reducing our Shoreline and Puget Sound Carbon Footprint. 

It is designed to engage visitors to understand the difference between per person (11 Tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent) and total tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalents produced in Shoreline (600,000 Tons) and the Puget Sound Region (45 Million tons). We will be asking them to make a pledge to reduce their own carbon footprint.


Reduce Carbon Footprint pledge

I, first name__________________, zip code _________
pledge to:  (pick one)
  1. Not use a car one day a week OR
  2. Reduce winter thermostat one degree OR
  3. Insulate your house and seal leaks


The tear off goes on a board that is part of our booth. Visitor takes one black dot off a large carbon footprint on the map of Shoreline or Puget Sound

Sustainable Shoreline is committed to tracking our progress and keeping the community informed of how we are doing.

We will also have a interactive project for children involving recognizing the leaves from different trees and plants.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Bill Bear, 206-368-0858.



Read more...

Spring ephemeral plant sale at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Monday, July 11, 2011

Bleeding Heart - on sale!
Photo by Roseann Barnhill.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Spring Ephemeral Plant Sale, July 16 and 17, 2011, 10am-5pm

It is now summer and the spring ephemeral species in the Garden’s MsK Rare and Native Plant Nursery are going dormant. Many of these species don’t thrive in nursery pots over the cold, wet winter. However, they do great if they are planted so we would love for them to go to good homes.

For one weekend only we’re putting them on sale.

Enjoy 50%-off prices on ephemeral natives like corydalis, coltsfoot, bleeding heart, and spring bulbs. We’ll also mark down exotics like cyclamen, anemones, and more. Come by and take some of these great flowering plants home! They don’t look great now but your garden will thank you next spring, we promise.

The Garden is located at 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline. For more information call 206-546-1281 or email


--Sarah Baker, Garden Director




Read more...

Photo of Key Bank robber

Robber at Key Bank. Photo courtesy FBI.

About 12:30 pm on Wednesday, July 6, the man in the photo came into the Key Bank at 17500 Aurora Ave N, across from City Hall in Shoreline.

He went to the teller and asked for the money. There was no note and no visible weapons.

The robber was a white male, about 5’7” to 5’8”, 150 to 160 lbs. He was wearing a hat and had gauze under his eyes.

The case is under investigation. If you have any information either call 911 or report anonymously at 800-222-TIPS, the 24-hour hotline.


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Weekly Weather July 2 - 8, back to the cool, the grey, and the occasionally wet

High temperatures have broken 80ºF for the first time since August 25, 2010! But we are back to the cool, the grey, and the occasionally wet.

I have made some changes to the weekly data, mostly the order it is displayed, but also I removed the average weekly atmospheric pressure and put in what I call the difference in pressure over the week. “Barometer shift” for short. It will show how much the barometer has shifted over the entire week.

Also I have correctly specified the unit of measurement used for the barometer or air pressure. My weather station only defined it as inches. The unit of measure actually used is inches of mercury (inHg), which is the standard barometric measurement used throughout the United States and Canada. The inches of mercury is defined as the pressure exerted by a column of mercury of 1 inch in height at 32.0ºF at the standard acceleration of gravity.


The extremes:
High temperature: 83.4ºF (Saturday)
Low temperature: 46.8ºF (Monday)
High humidity: 100%
Low humidity: 15% (Tuesday)
Barometer high: 29.737 inHg (Tuesday)
Barometer low: 29.382 inHg (Saturday)
Total rainfall: No measureable precipitation.
Barometer shift: 0.355 inHg

Averages:
Warmest day: 65.5ºF (Wednesday)
Coldest day: 56.2ºF (Thursday)
Average temperature: 60.7ºF
Average humidity: 68%


Highlights:
  • Monday we broke the 80ºF for daily high temperature for the first time since August 25, 2010.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday topped out just barely under 80ºF however if rounded to the nearest whole degree, both days would qualify as a high of 80ºF. Tuesday was 79.6ºF and Wednesday was 79.9ºF.
  • Friday had a high humidity of 97%, rare, however we’ve had a few days this year that have been under the 100% mark already.
  • No measurable precipitation this week, first dry week since the new year.


The weather for the week ahead:
We will continue our strong influence of the marine air flows off the Pacific Ocean. This will result in mostly cloudy mornings, cool afternoons, some or most may break away to partly sunny skies, others may bring some drizzles, morning fog, and possibly rain showers or sprinkles. A lot of this is a result of the lingering effects of La Nina, like a train the atmosphere has a lot of momentum and it takes a while for weather patterns to change. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll start to have summer weather (not spring weather) before the month of July is over.

June in review and a brief look at the ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) status and outlook coming soon!

Warmest and coldest days are based on average temperature of the entire day, starting at midnight. All other averages are based on the whole week. All weather data unless otherwise noted is sourced from Carl’s Shoreline Weather Station.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP