A gift of public art to the City of Lake Forest Park

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Rodger Squirrell at the installation of Five by Five
photograph by Lee Youngblood

The Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Plant Sale, a collaborative community event, has raised money over the past nine years in order to support local organizations and to make a contribution of public art for the City of Lake Forest Park.

The new art installation went in at the corner of Ballinger and Bothell Way as part of the 50th anniversary of the City. Five by Five is by Lake Forest Park artist Rodger Squirrell. 

This elegant stainless steel piece is a grove of five structures of varying heights, each with five wave-like sides. Wind and light will pass through the installation creating an ever-changing reflection for people to enjoy.

The artwork was paid for by a donation from the Garden Tour. After each of the last nine garden tours, half of the proceeds were put aside in order to make this contribution to the City of a significant piece of public art. In addition to ticket sales and the garden market, the tours has been generously sponsored by many local businesses, including Madison Marquette and the merchants in the Town Center.

In partnership with the City, a public process was used to select the artist. The four sponsoring organizations, The Friends of Third Place Commons, the Lake Forest Park Garden Club, The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation and the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, reviewed the proposals, as did the City’s Community Services Commission. 

When Squirrell made a presentation to the City Council in May members of the audience spontaneously applauded his presentation of the artwork.

Meet the artist at the dedication of the artwork on Sunday, September 25 at 1:00 pm, at the corner of Ballinger and Bothell Way.

Save the date for the 10th Annual Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour, June 15, 2012.


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Zero Waste Student Art Exhibit, Shoreline City Hall, to Sept 23

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Book Review by Aarene Storms: For the Win

For the Win by Cory Doctorow

Audio book read by George Newbern

All over the world, kids play video games...for money. They don't make much money, of course. Their bosses make most of the money, selling virtual treasure--magic swords, talking mushrooms, and virtual gold--to rich gamers who are too lazy to play the games and earn treasure for themselves. Virtual economies are big business...which is why the mysterious woman called Big Sister Nor is determined to organize the sweatshop virtual workers of the world into a real-life union.

Doctorow has written about an uninteresting topic with such riveting action that I found myself deeply immersed in the tale. Embedded in the story of the Webblies are mini-lectures about economics, politics, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), which somehow, miraculously, are fascinating rather than boring.

The audio book read by George Newbern was so captivating that I found myself volunteering to drive anywhere, preferably somewhere far away, so that I could spend more time in my truck with the characters in the book.

Highly recommended to readers who love gaming...and also to readers who don't love gaming but do love a good book.

Ages 12 to adult; no sex, some violence, some cussing (in several languages).


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CleanScapes Tip: Litterless Lunch

Litterless Lunch

Whether you are packing a lunch for yourself or little ones, this weekday task is a wonderful opportunity to reduce your waste footprint!

By replacing single use bags, containers, plastic utencils, paper napkins and drink containers with ones that can be washed and reused, you will save money and conserve natural resources.

Creating a Litterless Lunch kit is as easy as reassigning a cloth napkin and set of silverware from the kitchen, and purchasing reusable containers and snack bags. If you don't want to upset the balance of household silverware or dinner napkins, and don't want to spend a lot of "green", second hand retailers are well stocked with gently used options.

Reusable bags and containers come in all shapes and sizes, and even the zip-top plastic bags have reusable alternatives.

When ordering lunch to-go, ask the restaurant staff for recyclable or compostable carry-out containers and have your own reusable napkins and utensils ready for action.


The Big Picture

Waste reduction and prevention is a simple, yet effective strategy for creating sustainable communities and economies, and maintaining a healthy environment.

Everything we do adds up - individually, as a community and as a country: according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 113,000,000,000 disposable cups, 39,000,000,000 disposable eating utencils, and 29,000,000,000 disposable plates are used in the US every year(1).

By swapping out single-use items for reusables, you help reduce the amount of stuff that has to be thrown away on a daily basis.



Reduce, Reuse and Win! Do you live in Seattle or ShorelineLearn how you can help your community win a community project! Shoreline's 2011/12 Neighborhood Rewards competition is underway! Do you know where your neighborhood ranksDo you have a great idea or community waste reduction project? Tell us your story! Email the CleanScapes waste reduction team.

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SSEA program: Intro to the Nearshore Environment


Monthly Meeting (4th Wednesday)
At 15005 Aurora Ave N in the Ryu Plaza see map
(Sign above the store front says Jewelry Store)

Wednesday, September 28, 7 - 9 PM

Introduction to the Nearshore Environment with
Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Carin Chase


The public is welcome to attend.  Please bring your knowledge, curiosity and questions to learn about the Nearshore Environment with us.

If you'd like to do a little advance reading check out these sites:
Why is the Nearshore Subwatershed Important to Salmon?

The Puget Sound nearshore -- where land and marine waters meet -- is a dynamic and interdependent ribbon of life for many plants and creatures. Salmon depend on the marine nearshore for food and shelter. Their success here reflects on the overall health of the nearshore ecosystem, which in turn is a key part of the greater Puget Sound environment.


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Northshore Performing Arts Center 2011-2012 schedule


KASUMAI AFRICA 2011
Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 pm

NPACF's season opens with the return of Kasumai Africa, an exciting and immersive experience in African music, dance, and culture. Adding a new dimension to the popular Kasumai Africa program, Thione Diop will present a mix of West African dance and contemporary jazz fusion.

The show will feature local artists and special guest artists from outside our area, including Awal Alhassan, Etienne Cakpo, N'Nato Camara, Naby Camara, Gora Diop, Thione Diop, D'Vonne Lewis, Siya Manyakanyaka, Brady Millard-Kish, Fama Ndiaye, Dora Oliveira Newman, Naomi Siegel, Magatte Sow, and Hans Teuber.
Adults $25 - Seniors $22 - Youth under 17 $15

DIANE SCHUUR
Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 pm
Grammy award winning contemporary jazz vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant.
Adults $45 - Seniors $40 - Youth under 17 $25

THE NUTCRACKER
Saturday and Sunday Matinees
December 3, 4, 10, 11 at 2:00 pm
Holiday magic with Emerald Ballet Theatre.
Adults $30 - Seniors $25 - Youth under 17 $15

THE BROTHERS FOUR
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm
Holiday, folk, and love songs round out a fabulous repertoire of acoustic tunes, old and new.
Adults $30 - Seniors $25 - Youth under 17 $15

LATE NITE CATECHISM 3
'TIL DEATH DO US PART
Saturday, January 21 at 7:30 pm
Sister is now offering up hilarious interactive lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and the Last Rites.
Adults $35 - Seniors $30 - Youth under 17 $15

CLORIS LEACHMAN
A ONE-WOMAN SHOW
Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 pm
Cloris' one-woman show draws from the magical moments in her professional and personal careers.
Adults $50 - Seniors $45 - Youth under 17 $25

THE CAPITOL STEPS
ELECTION YEAR 2012
Friday, March 9 at 8:00 pm
Celebrate the election year with music and political satire by The Capitol Steps.
Adults $40 - Seniors $35 - Youth under 17 $25


The Northshore Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art, 600-seat theatre located on the Bothell High School campus (18125 92nd Ave. NE, Bothell).

The Northshore Performing Arts Center Foundation (The Foundation) was established by Northshore-area residents (Bothell, Kenmore, Mill Creek, and Woodinville, WA) dedicated to a cultural center for performing arts and engaging children in global, creative, educational programs. NPACF is a federal 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.


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Shorecrest, Shorewood both win season-opening Tuesday home swimming meets

Updated 9-15-2011 10:14am
The Shorecrest and Shorewood girls’ swimming teams both opened their seasons by winning home meets at the Shoreline Pool Tuesday, Shorecrest over Meadowdale and Shorewood over Mountlake Terrace.

Both teams take 1-0 season records into Thursday meets. Shorewood will meet Meadowdale at 2:45 p.m. at Lynnwood Pool, Shorecrest will play host to Kamiak at 3:30 p.m. at Shoreline Pool.

Tuesday swimming results at Shoreline Pool

Shorewood 105, Mountlake Terrace 61

200-yard medley relay — Shorewood B, 2:05.39. 200 freestyle — Anni Hecker, SW, 2:02.00. 200 individual medley — Bruce, MT, 2:31.24. 50 free — Alicia Hoverson, SW, 27.30. 100 butterfly — Morgan, MT, 1:02.66. 100 free — Megan Ransom, SW, 59.97. 500 free — Rylee Sullivan, SW, 5:57.26. 200 free relay — Shorewood A, 1:51.01. 100 backstroke — Riley, MT, 1:08.75. 100 breaststroke — Bruce, MT, 1:14.07. 400 free relay — Mounthlake Terrace, 4:37.86. (No diving competition held).

Shorecrest 104, Meadowdale 75

200 medley relay — Meadowdale 2:01.94. 200 free — Amylia Glaskova, SC, 2:15.41. 200 IM — Keane, M, 2:15.62. 50 free — Emily Strathy, SC. 27.93. Diving — Jayde Loftis, SC, 190.09. 100 fly — Sarah Semon, SC, 1:06.22. 100 free — Brittney Hahn, SC, 1:04.41. 500 free — Keane, M, 5:39.81. 200 free relay — Shorecrest, 1:56.37. 100 back — Lundberg, M, 1:12.47. 100 breast — Shirey, M, 1:11.82. 400 free relay — Meadowdale A, 4:09.06


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Girls' swimming: SW vs MLT and SC vs Meadowdale, SL Pool Sept 13

The Shorewood swim team gets ready for the first dual meet of the season at Shoreline Pool on Tuesday September 13, 2011. The opponent was Mountlake Terrace. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.
Shorecrest girls get ready to open their first dual meet against Meadowdale at Shoreline Pool on Tuesday. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.
An all Shorewood JV backstroke heat. Because of the large number of Shorewood team members some events were intrateam competition and were not counted in the dual meet scoring. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.



The Shorecrest team watches the diving competition midway through their dual meet against Meadowdale. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.


The Thunderbirds take a break during the diving competition. 
Photo by Wayne Pridemore.



Like many others,Tina Lapham, mother of two Shorewood swimmers, helps as a timer during the season.  Photo by Wayne Pridemore.

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Shorecrest girls take 2-1 soccer record into Thursday home game with MLT after 5-0 win at Lynnwood Tuesday

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Shorecrest girls’ soccer team takes a 2-1 record into a Thursday home game with Mountlake Terrace after a 5-0 victory over Lynnwood Tuesday.

The Scots hold second place in the Western Conference 3A Division behind undefeated Everett going into the 7:30 p.m. Thursday game at Shoreline Stadium. Mountlake Terrace has a 0-2-1 record.

In the 5-0 victory at Lynnwood Tuesday, Sophia Flohr scored two goals and Mickey Greenburg added a goal and an assist for Shorecrest.


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SCC Sports: Women’s Soccer wins, Men lose against Olympic College

Baylee Jones goes for a ball in a recent game

Photo by Wilson Tsoi
Women’s Soccer Wins 5-1:

The Lady Dolphin Soccer Team won its first game of the year, 5-1 over Olympic College on Wednesday at Dolphin Field on the SCC campus. 

Freshman Mireya Saucedo, playing in her first game of the season scored two goals and had an assist to lead SCC to the win. 

Jenny Voss, Anastaja Norins-Endres and Danielle Norton each scored one goal each for Shoreline.

SCC is now 1-1-2 on the season and 1-0-0 in the NWAACC Northern Region. SCC plays at Tacoma Community College on Saturday at Noon.


Jake Lagucik shoots the ball down the field
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
Men Drop 6th Game In A Row:

The struggling SCC Men's Soccer Team was shutout for the fourth straight game in the 5-0 loss on Wednesday at Dolphin Field. The match was even until the 25th minute when a SCC player was red carded and OC given a penalty kick. 

Olympic scored and led 1-0 at half.

OC took advantage of the Dolphins playing short in the second half and scored 3 times. SCC made matters worse, with an "Own" goal as well.

SCC is 0-6-0 on the year, 0-1-0 in the region now. SCC plays at Tacoma Community College on Saturday at 2:00 PM.


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Professional Dance Companies on the Shorecrest Stage Oct 21-22


The Shorecrest Hip Hop team will be hosting two nights of professional dancing featuring companies from all over the Northwest representing Hip Hop, Salsa, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, and more.

The team is fundraising money to compete at Nationals 2012.

Shorecrest Hip Hop Presents: 
Physical Poetry 2011. October 21-22 8pm 
Evenings Shows held at the Shorecrest Theater
15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155 

Presale Tickets $15 (Purchased before Oct 21). Tickets at the door are $18. Save and buy them now! 
Join us for a family friendly event. 
Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets 
or by visiting the Shorecrest HipHop webpage.

The team was also featured on KING5 TV


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Language classes for youth offered at Brookside elementary

Students at Brookside Elementary School, 17447 37th NE in Lake Forest Park will be able to take foreign language classes on-site this school year in a private program from Edmonds called Foreign Language for Youth, or F.L.Y.

Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic and French will be offered at Brookside elementary beginning the week of October 17, 2011.

Enrollment is open to any student, public, private, or home-schooled, able to get to the classes. Class size is capped at ten.  Classes are scheduled before and after school.  Transportation is not provided.

For more information and to register classes, visit the website. email, or telephone Foreign Language for Youth at 360-779-5269.


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SCC Sports: Women's Soccer Player of the Week - Jaymie Boekenoogen

Boekenooger in action
Photo by Wilson Tsoi
The freshman goalkeeper from South Kitsap High School kept the SCC women's team in the match with the #1 ranked Walla Walla CC Warriors until she went out with a injury and opened the flood gates of WWCC goals in the 6-0 loss.

SCC plays Olympic College on Wednesday in a NWAACC Northern Region counting game against the Western Division Rangers.


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Sky Nursery: Carefree Color for Fall and Vine Pruning

Saturday September 17th                         
10am – 11:30am

Carefree Color for Fall and Winter 
Peggy Campbell

Enjoy abundant color during fall and winter with bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. Discover how to choose plants that will thrive with your garden’s sun, shade and soil. Learn tips for giving them a good start. Join Savvy Gardener Peggy Campbell as she reveals how! 


Sunday September 18th   
1pm – 2:30pm

Vine Pruning 
Cass Turnbull of Plant Amnesty

This class covers pruning and management of some of our most common ornamental vines: wisteria, common varieties of clematis, Boston ivy/Virginia creeper, honeysuckle, and trumpet vine. The slideshow will show you exactly how, where, and why to cut. Taught by pruning princess Cass Turnbull, founder of Plant Amnesty. Copies of Cass’s comprehensive guide to pruning will also be available for sale. 


Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Ave N. Shoreline WA 206-546-4851


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Are you a woman who likes to sing?


Seattle Shores Chorus is looking for you! 
Join us for a guest night Tuesday September 20th 2011 at 6 pm.
Learn about and enjoy a capella music in four-part harmony!
Stay for punch and cookies!
                Your browser may not support display of this image.    Your browser may not support display of this image.               Your browser may not support display of this image.
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church
14724 First Avenue NE
Shoreline, WA, 98155
For more information about us visit  or call 206-365-0079


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High School tennis results from Monday, September 12

High School tennis results
Monday, September 12

Shorecrest 6, Lynnwood 1
At Shorecrest

Singles — David Lyons, SC, beat Moya, L,  2-6, 6-4, 6-1; Andrew Copsey, SC, beat Jain, L, 6-1, 6-1; Tsnji, L, beat Nishaant Limaye, SC, 6-2, 6-3; Chris Sato, SC,  beat Pel, L, 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles — Skylar Shibayama-Nick North, SC, beat Engstrom-Huang, L, 6-0, 6-1; Zach Ottey-Nikita Petrov, SC, beat Thai-Huang, L. 7-6, 6-1; Kielan Lemoine-Kolawski-Evan Saunders, SC, beat Veth-Jorgenson, L, 6-0, 6-0.
Re-cords-Lynnwood 2-1. Shorecrest 3-0.

Shorewood 7, Oak Harbor 0
At Oak Harbor H.S.

Singles - -Hunter-Hunter Nelson, SW, beat Saar, OH. 6-1, 6-0; Justin Oh. SW, beat Berner, OH, 6-1, 6-0; Miles Jamieson, SW, beat Miller, OH, 6-0, 6-0; Trevor Cronin, SW, beat Southard, OH, 6-2, 6-0.
Doubles - -Liam Keebler-Eric Berquist, SW, beat Kusnick-Bester, OH, 6-0, 6-2; Isaac Brengelmann-Cameron McDowell, SW, beat Harrison-Glavick, OH, 6-0, 6-0; Evan Strandberg-Logan Keebler, SW, beat Dale-Nelson, OH, 6-0, 6-0.
Records--Shorewood 4-0. Oak Harbor 1-3


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SCC Shoreline Concert Band looking for new members

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The concert band in rehearsal.  Ken Noreen on left.
Photo courtesy SCC.

Ken Noreen, director of the Shoreline Concert Band at Shoreline Community College, is looking for new members for this popular community band. Previous band experience is required, however no auditions will be held. 

Rehearsals will take place from 7 to 9:15 pm on Mondays in the band room (Building 800, Room 818, located on the east side of campus near the entrance off of Greenwood) at Shoreline Community College. The first rehearsal is Monday, September 19, 2011.

Call or email Director Noreen at 206-227-3842 with any questions.

The college is located at 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

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LFP residents - Test Your Stormwater Savvy!

Storm drain in Lake Forest Park
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

How much do you really know about stormwater?
  • Where does it go once it hits the pavement?
  • After you wash your car?

Test your stormwater smarts – take the City of Lake Forest Park’s 5 minute survey by clicking on the link below.

Answers will be posted on the City website in mid-October, so stay tuned.

This survey is part of the City’s stormwater outreach efforts within the community. You might remember a similar survey that was conducted in 2010.



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Point Wells statement from developer BSRE

Press Release from BSRE Point Wells, LP

BSRE Point Wells, LP, considers alternative application review process as Town of Woodway files litigation to stop proposed transformation at Point Wells

Developer may seek alternative path established under Snohomish County's Urban Centers Code as Woodway abandons negotiations Snohomish County.

As the result of litigation filed September 12 by the Town of Woodway, BSRE Point Wells, LP, (BSRE Point Wells), proponent of the transformation of a 61-acre industrial site into a signature mixed-use community, will now consider formally withdrawing from the Municipal Agreement negotiation process established under Snohomish County's Urban Centers Code.  A neighborhood group, Save Richmond Beach, has joined Woodway in the litigation against BSRE Point Wells and Snohomish County. 

BSRE Point Wells is proposing a project developed in phases over 20 years, beginning with clean-up of the aging industrial site. The new master-planned community would provide new public access opportunities to 2/3 mile of sandy beach, parks, a public pier, restored and enhanced habitat and other amenities
.
"Unfortunately, Woodway has chosen to litigate rather than negotiate," said Gary Huff, an attorney representing BSRE Point Wells. He said the developer is now considering whether to request that its Urban Center Application be reviewed under an alternative application process, which includes a public meeting before the Snohomish County Design Review Board and a public hearing before the county's Hearing Examiner.

Dating back to April of this year, BSRE Point Wells has been engaged in on-going discussions with a goal of reaching a Municipal Agreement with both Woodway and the City of Shoreline.

"This is particularly disappointing given that Woodway has not participated in meaningful negotiations for several months," said Huff. "We have repeatedly requested written confirmation of specific concerns and suggested project revisions from town officials to allow us to undertake the appropriate analyses and consider the feasibility of their proposals. For whatever reason, Woodway has refused to provide us with any kind of reliable response."

"By filing this lawsuit, the Town of Woodway and Save Richmond Beach appear to believe they can overturn the long-standing constitutional and statutory bases for Washington's vesting doctrine," said Huff. "The vesting doctrine provides that the rules and regulations under which a project will be reviewed are those which are in place on the date of filing of a permit application. We are confident the court, as it has for over 50 years, will continue to uphold Washington's vesting rules."

A successfully negotiated Municipal Agreement--covering the manner in which the project would be developed and its impacts mitigated-would be submitted to Snohomish County for review and possible inclusion in a Development Agreement between the developer and the county.

Huff said BSRE Point Wells will continue discussions with the City of Shoreline following the city's August 24 publication of a Letter of Intent expressing a desire for a negotiated agreement.

"Our conversations with the City of Shoreline have been productive, resulting in a general agreement on the manner in which the traffic impacts of the proposal will be measured so that mitigation measures can be analyzed and established," said Huff. "While significant differences remain, we are encouraged by the progress to date."

"It's important to note that this is a long-term public process with many opportunities for public participation and input," said Mark Wells, Environmental Manager for Paramount Petroleum, which currently owns and operates a marine fuels distribution center and asphalt facility at the site. "Key considerations, including traffic, are among those to be addressed in the upcoming preparation of an environmental impact statement."


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Photos of Wells Fargo bank robbers - do you recognize anyone?

If you recognize anyone in these photos from the Wells Fargo Bank robbery call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.







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Violent robbery at Wells Fargo Bank in Shoreline

By Sgt. John Urguhart, King County Sheriff's office

Two bank robbers, one armed with a pistol and one armed with a shotgun, robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Shoreline yesterday afternoon (Sept. 12th) about 5: 25 PM. Both robbers wore Halloween masks.

The robbers came into the bank, located at 14500 Greenwood, and ordered customers and a teller to the ground. One suspect jumped the counter and demanded larger denomination bills from three teller stations. The robbers then left the bank, heading northbound on foot.

Responding Shoreline officers, assisted by Seattle Police, were unable to locate the suspects.

Suspect #1 was a white male, about 5’10” tall, 160 lbs, with a loud, deep voice. He had a Halloween “old man” mask with long white hair, a black baseball cap, plaid flannel short, gray/tan pants, and black shoes. He was armed with a handgun

Suspect #2 was a white male, 40 to 50 years old, 5’10” tall, wearing a Halloween mask with “Afro-like” hair, red baseball cap, light-colored plain flannel shirt, ski gloves and white shoes. He was armed with a pistol-grip shotgun.

If anyone recognizes either of these suspects, or has information on the robberies they are asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

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Parkwood Elementary fire alarm update


From Craig Degginger, Shoreline School District

Due to an issue with a City Light electrical vault on the north end of the Parkwood campus on Monday, the students were safely evacuated for approximately 30 minutes to the school’s field south of the building. The students ultimately returned to the building to complete the day, albeit without power, and classes were dismissed at the regular time. After care operated as usual. City Light restored power later in the afternoon to the Parkwood building. Thanks to our community safety partners with Shoreline Fire and Shoreline police, and to our outstanding students and staff for their excellent response.


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Photo: Harvest Moon

It may be our summer now, but the full moon on Monday night speaks of harvest time.

Harvest Moon.  Photo by Jerry Pickard


Moon-gazer and photographer Jerry Pickard says "I took a shot of the moon just before the clouds moved in this evening. It was low on the horizon still and the atmosphere gave it the golden look."


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Author Events at Third Place Books September 14-17, 2011

Third Place Books
17171 Bothell Way, Lake Forest Park
September 14-17,  2011

Louise Spiegler
The Jewel and the Key (Houghton)
Wednesday, September 14 at 7pm

An earthquake and the discovery of a mysterious antique mirror unleash forces that jolt sixteen-year-old Addie McNeal back to 1917 Seattle. Addie finds herself shuttling between past and present, drawn in both times to the grand Jewel Theater. In both decades the existence of the Jewel is threatened and war is looming . . . and someone she cares about is determined to fight.

Gregg Olsen
Envy (Splinter)
Thursday, September 15 at 7pm

Bestselling author Gregg Olsen makes his YA debut with a gripping new series based on ripped-from-the-headlines stories…with a paranormal touch. Envy follows two teens from Port Gamble, Washington as they search for the dark truth of their friend’s death.

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Presented by Gen Kelsan Khedrub
Modern Buddishm
Friday, September 16 at 7pm

Join us for a presentation of Modern Buddhism : The Path of Compassion and Wisdom by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, by senior student Gen Kelsang Khedrub.


Rachel Ballard
Long-Forgotten Truth (Rozlyn)
Saturday, September 17 at 6:30pm

Gail Cavanaugh is eighteen when she unearths a long-held family secret. Haunted by a persistent, ghostly voice inside her head, Gail is propelled west until she ends up in a small town in Northwest Washington. Engrossing and unapologetically nostalgic, this book is perfect for the wanderer in all of us.


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Lawsuit filed in Point Wells development case

Press release from Save Richmond Beach

The Town of Woodway and Save Richmond Beach, an organization of Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds and Seattle citizens, announced today that they filed suit against Snohomish County and BSRE‐Point Wells, the developer of a controversial condo/retail project, over development plans for the former refinery site on Puget Sound in unincorporated Snohomish County.

At the heart of the conflict is a 2009 decision by Snohomish County ‐ which altered its Comprehensive Plan policy and land use map ‐ to allow the re‐designation of Point Wells from Urban Industrial to Urban Center, the most dense development classification available in Snohomish County. In order to carry out the Urban Center designation, the County also adopted ordinances which amended its development regulations for Urban Centers to accommodate the proposed re‐development of Point Wells. The County’s actions, which were undertaken at the request of the developer, would pave the way for a high‐density urban development at Point Wells.

The Town of Woodway, Save Richmond Beach, and the City of Shoreline filed an appeal with the Growth Management Hearing Board (“Board”) challenging the County’s ordinances as well as the State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”) process utilized by the County. Among other things, Woodway, Save Richmond Beach, and Shoreline argued that the Point Wells site did not have adequate access or urban infrastructure for such a large development, and that Snohomish County had not adequately resolved conflicts with neighboring jurisdictions.

The Board agreed and found that the County’s designation of Point Wells as an Urban Center violated the Growth Management Act (“GMA”) and was declared invalid. The Board also found that the County failed to comply with SEPA with respect to the Comprehensive Plan amendments as well as the amendments to the development regulations. The Board ordered that the County comply with both GMA and SEPA.

After the hearing, but a few weeks prior to the Board’s decision, BSRE ‐ Point Wells filed applications to subdivide the Point Wells property and develop it as an Urban Center with approximately 3000 condominium units and 100,000 square feet of retail space. This application was filed to lock in their development application prior to an unfavorable ruling. Under the GMA, if an applicant submits a completed permit application prior to a Board decision, that application is considered “vested” to the regulations in question and the applicant may be able to proceed with the permit process under those regulations – even if they’re subsequently found to be invalid.

Both the County and BSRE‐Point Wells consider the BSRE‐Point Wells permit application complete and therefore vested to the ordinances that were found invalid under GMA and void under SEPA. Thus, despite the Board’s strong ruling rejecting the Point Wells Urban Center designation, the County continues to process the BSRE‐Point Wells permit application under the invalid ordinances adopted in violation of the SEPA.

“Snohomish County’s approach would allow development projects to vest to ordinances that have not only been found to be invalid under the GMA, but have been adopted in violation of the processes required by our state’s environmental laws – and that’s dangerous precedent.” Zach Hiatt, Graham & Dunn attorney representing Save Richmond Beach.

The vesting issue of GMA is not new to policy makers in Olympia and has been taken up by the Washington State legislature over the past few years. State Senator Adam Kline has tried several times to make Washington’s vesting law more like those in most other states, where building rights aren’t locked in until construction starts.

“Members of Save Richmond Beach appreciate the value of responsible development that benefits both the economy and the environment,” said Caycee Holt, Director of Save Richmond Beach. “We also fully understand and appreciate the value of and assurances that vesting provides to developers. However, in this case we are very concerned about Snohomish County and the developer’s apparent efforts to exploit the vesting rules to negate critical environmental protections.”

“This lawsuit seeks to address a local problem, but it is also part of a broader conversation about planning, environmental considerations, and sound public policy in our region,” said Hiatt. “And it’s a call for Snohomish County and the developer to respect the Growth Board decision and engage the local community in a meaningful discussion that can lead to a win‐win outcome at Point Wells rather than more litigation.”

"If the developer and Snohomish County would like to address our issues regarding the scope, density and transportation issues related to the site, we welcome a meaningful conversation about how to create an economically‐viable, appropriately‐sized development for that location," said Holt.

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