Kenmore: Public Hearings on Proposed Mid-Biennial Amendments to the 2011-2012 Budget & Setting the 2012 Property Tax Levy

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Kenmore City Council invites the public to participate in two public hearings on: 1) setting the amount of tax levy for the year 2012 and 2) proposed mid-biennial amendments to the 2011-2012 budget. The public hearings are scheduled on Monday, November 21 and Monday, November 28 at 7 p.m. at Kenmore City Hall, 18120 68th Ave NE. At the November 28 meeting, a budget amendment ordinance and an ordinance to set the 2012 property tax levy will be scheduled for action by the Council.

Citizens attending the hearing are invited to express their views by written and/or oral comments relative to the proposed mid-biennial amendments to the 2011-2012 adopted budget and 2012 property tax levy. Comments will be accepted up to the close of the public hearing.

The proposals being considered by the City Council are available for review through the meeting agenda packet link on the City’s website or at Kenmore City Hall during business hours, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Read more...

Business Profile: North Seattle Natural Medicine

Dr. Robin Sinclair
North Seattle Natural Medicine (NSNM) opened its doors in the Aurora Village Medical Center on September 1, 2011. 

Drs. Robin Sinclair and Jennifer Lush are Naturopathic physicians and the owners of NSNM. 

The physicians have been practicing medicine for 8 and 10 years respectively. Dr. Sinclair graduated from National College of Natural Medicine in Portland and Dr. Lush graduated from Bastyr University in Kenmore.

Dr. Jennifer Lush
Both physicians offer primary care medicine emphasizing women’s health, hormone balancing and treatment for food and environmental allergies and mood disorders. They also both work with pediatrics and male patients, and are happy to treat the whole family.

NSNM takes most health insurance plans and carries a natural health dispensary with high quality herbs and vitamins. 

Regular office hours are 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday with early morning, late evening and Saturday appointments available on request.  Parking is easily available in front of the building.



The physicians are hosting fall discussion series open to the general public. 
  • Tuesday November 29, 2011 they will present information on natural hormone balancing 
  • Wednesday December 14 the topic will be mood disorders and S.A.D. 
All talks take place at the clinic from 5 to 7 pm. Please RSVP for attendance at 206-629-5180. These talks are free of charge. In January they will offer a winter detox program so check the website for more information on that series.

Phone: 206-629-5180
Fax: 206-629-5197

The clinic is located in the Aurora Village Medical Center on N 200th, across the street from Costco.



Read more...

SCC Volleyball Dominates NWAACC Northern Region All-Stars and All-Region

Updated 11-26-2011 1:51pm

Hannah Stoeve
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

The Shoreline Community College Volleyball Team, the NWAACC Northern Region Champions for two consecutive years, dominated the region’s All-Star and All-Region teams for 2011.

Christine Jenson
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

SCC had three players chosen to play in the NWAACC Volleyball All-Star Games on Sunday in Gresham, Oregon at Mt. Hood Community College. NWAACC Northern Region MVP Lisa Day (Ballard High School) along with setter Christine Jenson (Mountlake Terrace High School) and middle hitter Hannah Stoeve (Shorewood High School) were picked to represent that NWAACC Northern Region along with 9 other players from the division.

Jazmyn Ray
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

SCC sophomores Laura Postor (Shorewood High School) and Amanda Arnoux (Nathan Hale High School) were picked as alternates and will compete in the All-Star games if other players cannot participate.

The Lady Dolphins placed 2 players on the first team for All-Northern Region and one on the second, plus the Regional MVP. SCC sophomores Christine Jenson and Hannah Stoeve were named to the 1st Team All-Region Team, along with Lisa Day who was the MVP for the region. Freshman middle hitter Jazmyn Ray (Ingraham High School) was selected to the 2nd Team.

Lisa Day
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

SCC is currently 23-10 on the season and a #1 Seed at the NWAACC Volleyball Championships that begins Thursday at Mt. Hood Community College. SCC plays Yakima Valley CC on Thursday at 11:30 AM in the opening round.


Read more...

Make gingerbread houses to benefit North Helpline food bank

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Advanced tickets available for $35.00 at Brown Paper Tickets or RSVP via email 
Questions? Call 206-367-3477.

Read more...

Ransom holds clear lead over Lind in Ronald Wastewater District election

By Evan Smith

Former Shoreline City Councilman Bob Ransom held a close but clear lead over incumbent Ronald Wastewater District Commissioner Arne Lind in votes counted through Friday.

Ransom had 51 percent of the votes with almost 98 percent of the expected final number of votes counted.

Of 17,606 ballots cast in the Shoreline portion of the District, Ransom had 6,833 votes, Lind had 6,456 votes, 58 voters cast write-in votes, and 4,259 left the position blank.

In the tiny Snohomish County portion of the District, Ransom took the only vote.

Lind was seeking a third six-year term on the three-member board.

Ransom was a Shoreline City Council member from 1995 to 2007, the last two years as mayor. He lost a re-election bid to Councilman Terry Scott in 2007.

He was a member of the Shoreline School Board from 1983 to 1991.

Ransom ran as a Republican candidate for State representative in 2002, losing to Democrat Maralyn Chase by a 56 percent to 44 percent margin.


Read more...

For the Birds: A year for Snowy Owls


Snowy Owl at Ocean Shores, showing heavily feathered feet
Photo by Max Waugh
By Christine Southwick

If you see a large white owl with a black beak and yellow eyes sitting out in the open where it can see in all directions, be assured that is a Snowy Owl. The smaller males (23 inches long) are the signature white; the larger females (28 inches long), and the juvies are white with varying degrees of dark barring.

Their heavily feathered feet, and dense bodies (they average the heaviest North American owl species) plus their coloring make them highly suited for the cold arctic weather. Snowy Owls prefer to hunt in low light during the day, a great adaption for living where summers have no nights.

Snowy Owl.  Boundary Bay, BC 11/13/11. Photo by Nancy J Wagner Photography

Snowy Owls hunt and nest on the ground. They prefer open terrain year round, whether they are above the tree line in the tundra, or here in Washington . The female makes her nest on a snow-free high mound or boulder, with 360 degree visibility, and in May lays an egg every other day with a clutch size of five to eight eggs (14 eggs in high lemming seasons). The female incubates the eggs while the male hunts for both of them, and guards the nest. The eggs start hatching at 32 days, two days apart, making large size differences between the first and later hatchlings. 

Snowy Owls Boundary Bay, BC
 Nancy J Wagner Photography
The young leave the nest around 25 days after hatching, but can’t fly for about another month. Both parents are fiercely protective, and may drive arctic foxes and wolves away from their territory while intruders are still a half mile from the nest. And skuas (large arctic seabirds) and jaegers (smaller variety of skua) may take an egg or chick, but habitat loss is the greatest threat to Snowy Owls.

Since Snowy Owls keep the nearby area predator –free, and don’t hunt near their own nests, the Snow Goose will often nest near a Snowy Owl nest to improve the Snowy Goose’s clutch success.

Snowy Owls rely heavily on lemmings and voles, especially for feeding their young; each owl can eat more than 1,500 a year. They will also eat other rodents, including hares, marmots, and squirrels. They will eat birds, and actively hunt ptarmigan, ducks, shorebirds, and gulls, especially during low lemming years.

Snowy Owl Whidbey Island. Photo by Steve Mlodinow
Lemmings have a crash cycle every five to ten years. And indications are that this year may be a crash year, when Snowy Owls may be seen on coastal areas in B.C., Skagit, Vancouver Island, Grays Harbor. Since most males have prime Arctic territory, it is usually the females and juveniles who are forced to travel South in years of hunger from lack of lemmings.   If you go to see a Snowy Owl, take a scope, as they are usually far out on driftwood where they have unobstructed views.


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...

WeatherWatcher: El Niño / Southern Oscillation Status and Forecast


Current ENSO status: La Niña Advisory as of November 10, 2011

La Niña is expected to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2011-2012. 

So far this has been a weak La Niña, however forecast models are split about 50/50% from a weak to a moderate-strong La Niña. 

Historically, a La Niña in a 2nd winter in a row following an ENSO neutral summer stays weak. 

However, this year we have an added factor. The Pacific Decadial Oscillation (A.K.A. P.D.O) is currently in a cold phase. La Niña's during a cold P.D.O. typically are stronger and more frequent. I suspect this will be at least a moderate La Niña winter. La Niña is expected to peak mid-late November through January, and is expected to slowly dissipate February 2012 and on.

Plan for the worst of winter weather
Photo by Carl Dinse
How does this affect us?

Winter: We will be having a much colder than normal winter, and possibly wetter as well. I am actually expecting at least 3 snow events this winter. We will see many "winter" storms. Meaning several wind storms, rain storms, and yes probably a few snow events as well.

With this knowledge I urge everyone to prepare for the worst of winter weather, I believe it is possible we could have one of our worst winters in over a decade.

Spring: Early spring will be colder and wetter than normal, however it looks like it may ease up around mid April to return to normal spring weather, with normal temperatures.

My judgment on our local weather is based on my past experience studying the effects of ENSO locally and of studying historical weather events that occurred here and in the greater Seattle area since record keeping begin, coordinated with the known past of the ENSO status each year.


Read more...

Photo: Dramatic clouds

Dramatic clouds. Photo by Lee Lageschulte
There was plenty of drama in the skies on Friday, November 18, 2011.  Hail, snow, sun, wind.  Friday was a day to illustrate our favorite weather saying: If you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes.

Shoreline photographer Lee Lageschulte captured our changing weather with this photo of clouds over Puget Sound from Richmond Beach.


Read more...

Salomon continues to widen lead over McClelland

By Evan Smith

Shoreline City Council candidate Jesse Salomon continued to widen his lead over opponent Robin McClelland in votes counted Friday.

Salomon’s lead reached 77 votes Friday, taking him out of the range for a mandatory recount.

State law requires a machine recount if two candidates are within 0.5 percent of their combined number of votes and a hand recount if they are within 0.25 percent of the two-candidate total.

With Salomon having 7,356 votes to 7,279 for McClelland, their total of 14,635 votes means that a margin of 73 votes or fewer would trigger a machine recount and a margin of 37 votes or fewer would trigger a hand recount.

Of the 17,717 ballots counted from Shoreline, 3,032 left the position blank, and 50 had write-in votes.

The votes were part of a King County voter turnout of 50.90 percent, compared to an expected final turnout of about 52 percent. Officials had counted almost 98 percent of the expected final number of ballots through Friday.

Turnout in the City of Shoreline had reached 53.0 percent through Friday.

County elections officials had 8,000 uncounted ballots on hand at the end of the Friday business day.


Read more...

Richmond Highlands fire - Shoreline Fire report

Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire
By Melanie Granfors, Shoreline Fire

A devastating house fire broke out around 10:30 pm Wednesday, in the 300 block of NW 177th Street in Shoreline. 

Shoreline Firefighters arrived after homeowners had managed to escape the flames and alert a neighbor to call 9-1-1.

When Shoreline fire crews arrived, the two-story home was completely engulfed in flames shooting from all sides of the house, and thick black smoke was pouring down the cul-de-sac, causing some exposure damage to two houses on either side.

The couple who occupied the home was able to escape, but reported they made their way through heavy smoke and flames with seconds to spare.

There were no injuries to firefighters or any residents during the incident.

Fire crews were forced to fight the blaze from the exterior because of the intense heat, smoke and flames. The structure and contents were totally destroyed.

Shoreline Fire requested and received assistance from Snohomish County Fire District 1, Northshore Fire and Seattle Fire with over 30 firefighters at the scene throughout the incident.

Shoreline and King County Fire investigators were unable to begin their work until after daylight on Thursday, due to darkness and the time necessary for hotspots to be fully extinguished and for all of the smoke to clear and improve visibility. Fire crews remained at the scene throughout the night.

The couple, who had lived in the home for years, have lost everything and will have to relocate for an undetermined amount of time.



Read more...

Richmond Highlands Neighborhood collecting donations for fire-impacted families

The fire was still smoldering the next day
Photo by Finn Huffstetter
The RHNA has set up an account at Chase Bank to accept donations for the families impacted by the house explosion and fire on Wednesday.

One home was completely destroyed and the homes on either side were damaged by fire, smoke, and water.

Lisa Surowiec of the Richmond Highlands Neighborhood Association said that people can donate at the Midvale Chase Bank branch, to the "Richmond Highlands Fire Fund."

She added that they will also accept checks or cash or other donations at the RHNA meeting on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at the Rec Center, from 7-8:30pm.

"We are asking you to come out in support of the families who were impacted by the fire Wednesday night. One home was completely lost, and two others were damaged - one which forced the family out of their house for a time."

Drop by the Rec Center, 16544 Fremont Ave N (just south of Shorewood High School) on Tuesday evening between 7 and 8:30 pm. 

The RHNA has a wish list of needed items. Cash, grocery or store gift cards, or gas cards would be gratefully accepted.

The neighborhood association will match the first cash donations up to $250. 

For updates on the needs of these families, check the neighborhood website.

Here are the immediate needs:
  • Girls' clothes, size 5-6, shoe size 12
  • Boys' clothes, size 14, shoe size 7 or -71/2 mens
  • Women's clothes, size 0, shoe size 7
  • Mens' clothes size M/L
Toys for the children: hot wheels, big trucks, anything pink, butterflies, ballet or anything to do with dance, kitties, and dolls.

Everyone is welcome; you can simply drop something off, or stay to socialize over cookies.

The Highland Terrace PTA is also accepting donations on behalf of one of the families. Information on donating through the PTA will be posted on their website.

For more information, contact:

Read more...

SCC's Lisa Day Named NWAACC Northern Region MVP For Volleyball

Lisa Day, two time MVP of NWAACC Northern Region
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

Lisa Day, the sophomore outside hitter from Ballard High School was named the NWAACC Northern Region's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. Day was also named to the NWAACC Northern Region All-Star Team.

Lisa Day in action against Bellevue College
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

In the two seasons Day has played for SCC, the Lady Dolphins have won two NWAACC Northern Region Championships and have went to the NWAACC Volleyball Championship. The team is 23-10 this season, 8-2 in the Northern Region. Day is also an outstanding student, being named to the NWAACC All-Academic Team as well.

The SCC Volleyball Team started play in the NWAACC Volleyball Championship at 11:30 AM in Gresham, OR at Mt. Hood Community College against Yakima Valley Community College on Thursday. The 16 team double elimination tournament will conclude on Sunday. The NWACC Volleyball All-Star games will be played on Sunday as well.


Read more...

Attention chocolate lovers: eat chocolate and help others

Hand-dipped chocolates from Bargello Bakery and Confections

Chocolate lovers in Seattle will have the opportunity to learn about and taste the world of chocolate while supporting a non-profit that helps disabled individuals through equine therapy.

The event, Around the World in Chocolate, will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm on November 29, 2011 at the Chocolate Man Store, located at Lake Forest Park Towne Center, 17171 Bothell Way NE, suite A016B on the upper level.

Tickets are $10 at Brown Paper Tickets. Fifty percent of the ticket sales and ten percent of the profits from all products sold that evening will be donated to Little Bit.

Around the World in Chocolate is an event to benefit Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center and is sponsored by Bargello Bakery and Confections and Bill Fredericks, the Chocolate Man.

The event will include an educational program discussing where chocolate comes from and how it is made. There will also be demonstrations and chocolate tasting along with an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts.

“It is great for Little Bit to have event opportunities such as Around the World with Chocolates to educate and teach people about the services and benefits of therapeutic horseback riding,” said Events and Partnership Manager Colleen Shelby. “The energy that is created is amazing when two communities come together, and we are so grateful to Wendy and Bill for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful event.”

Photo courtesy Little Bit Therapeutic Center

Little Bit Therapeutic Center, located in Woodinville, helps children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy. Founded in 1976, Little Bit has become one of the largest full-time therapeutic horseback riding programs in the nation.

Bill Fredricks
The Chocolate Man
Known as the Chocolate Man, Bill Fredricks is the owner and operator of Chocolate Man, a chocolate supply business, for the last 21 years. He is an internationally trained chocolate chef and past corporate chef for Choc Elan, LLC. Bill has been instructing, consulting, and a private chef for 15 years. 

Fredericks has been acclaimed as one of the chocolatiers in the Seattle area who are pushing the envelope by Seattle Homes and Lifestyle magazine (December 2004). Fredericks is a member of American Association of Candy Technologists, International Association of Culinary Professionals, Fine Chocolate Industry Association, and President of the Northwest Chocolatiers Guild. He is currently on staff at Blue Ribbon Cooking School, South Seattle Community College, and North Seattle Community College.
Handmade chocolates at Bargello's

Wendy Tinker, Fredericks’ friend and neighbor, is owner of Bargello Bakery and Confections. She met Fredricks when she discovered he was the local distributor for Guittard Chocolate, and he was just down the block. She is excited about sponsoring an event that combines her two loves: horses and chocolate.

“As a lifetime horse owner, I loved the idea of helping Little Bit. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at Little Bit and absolutely believe in the benefits of equine therapy and the wonderful staff and volunteers that help the riders,” Tinker said. “Around the World in Chocolate is a great combination of two things that everyone loves to do: eat chocolate and help others. Bargello Bakery and Confections is proud to be involved and give away part of what we earn to Little Bit.”

The collaboration among Little Bit, Fredericks, and Tinker has been delicious from the beginning.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Wendy in this event,” Shelby said. “Around the World in Chocolate is a great way for people to enjoy and appreciate the Wendy’s talents and for Little Bit to spread awareness of the life changing opportunities that take place here every day.”
Bargello Bakery and Confections was molded in 2011 by owner and head-baker Wendy Tinker. She specializes in ‘hand-dipped, homemade chocolates’ and gourmet caramels that are ‘simply a taste of home.’ Dished out of her home-kitchen in Shoreline, Washington, Tinker personally makes and guarantees every batch of her decadent treats.



Read more...

State superintendent of public education presents legislative agenda

State Superintendent vows to “hold the line” on education funding

BELLEVUE — Education funding cannot be cut more than it already has, Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn said at a speech this morning, adding, “Don’t shortchange a generation of children because adults have a problem they can’t solve.”

Dorn made his comments today at the fall conference of the Washington State School Directors Association, the state association for school board members.

During the speech, Dorn outlined the progress being made on his priorities since he came into office in 2009 and his agenda for the upcoming 2012 legislative session, which will include legislation on helping ineffective teachers improve.

“Students need to be taught by the best teachers available,” he said. “Our new teacher evaluation system will identify teachers that need to improve. I want to make sure that those teachers get all the additional assistance and professional development they need.”
Full story: See the “What’s New” box at OSPI website.


Read more...

Southern Gateway Workshop Wednesday, November 30 at the Elks'

The Southern Gateway is the entrance to LFP at NE 145th and Bothell Way NE
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

The second Lake Forest Park Southern Gateway interactive workshop will be held at the Elk's Lodge, 14540 Bothell Way NE, Wednesday, November 30, 2011, from 7 to 9 pm.

The City of Lake Forest Park is using your comments and ideas from the October 29 Open House and online survey to create options for building a strong and vibrant Southern Gateway community.

Review some of the outcomes of the open house and the survey: 


The October 29 open house included a virtual walkabout, economic analysis presentation, and the gathering of ideas and opinions from the community. View the presentation slides.

At the November 30, 2011 meeting, City planning staff will present options for the Gateway and ask the public to evaluate them.

Check the CIty webpage for updates and ways to stay involved. 



Read more...

Shoreline Christian High School principal honored

Tim Visser
Photo courtesy Shoreline Christian School
Administrator Tim Visser of Shoreline Christian School has been chosen by the Northwest 1A/2B League as “Distinguished High School Principal of the Year” for 2010-2011 as recognized by the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals.

"It is so great that he is being recognized for all of the hard work that he does for our students, our families and for all of us." 

Mr. Visser has worked at Shoreline Christian School for 23 years. For more information about the school, go to their website.


Read more...

SCC Women's Soccer goalkeeper Lauren Schoonover named to NWAACC All-Stars

Lauren Schoonover breaks up a goal against Edmonds CC
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

Lauren Schoonover, a freshman goalkeeper from Marysville-Pilchuck High School, was named as one of the three goalkeepers for the North-West All-Stars, a combination of players from the NWAACC Northern and Western regions, who play the All-Stars from the South-West regions at the NWAACC Soccer Championships on Sunday.

Schoonover took over the goalkeeper duties just before the mid-season mark of the year and recorded two shutouts for the Dolphins. SCC finished the season 8-7-5 and lost to Edmonds CC in a "Play-In" game to the NWAACC Playoffs when both teams finished tied for third in the region.



Read more...

Saturday Holiday Crafts Market at Spartan Recreation Center

Friday, November 18, 2011

Read more...

LFP Council candidate French opens clear lead over incumbent Councilman Sterner

By Evan Smith

Lake Forest Park City Council challenger Tom French opened a clear lead over incumbent Councilman Ed Sterner Thursday in the closest of the four Lake Forest Park Council contests on the November 8 general election ballot.

Election returns posted Thursday showed French with a 75-vote lead compared to the 64-vote lead reported Monday. French had 50.55 percent of the vote Thursday to 49.04 percent for Sterner.

French’s expanded lead took his lead away from possible recount range.

State law requires a machine recount if the margin between two candidates is less than 0.5 percent of their combined total. It’s a hand recount if the margin is less than 0.25 percent of the two-candidate total.

French led Thursday with 2,505 votes to 2,430 for Sterner.

With a combined total of 4,935 votes, a margin of 24 votes or fewer would trigger a machine recount, and a margin of 12 votes or fewer would trigger a hand recount.

Of the 5,728 ballots cast in Lake Forest Park, 773 left the position blank, and 20 cast write-in votes.

French had lost to Councilman Robert Lee in 2007. Sterner had run unopposed in both 2003 and 2007 after winning with 70 percent of the vote in 1999.

In other LFP Council races, incumbent Catherine Stanford led challenger Brian Cathcart by a 55.24 percent to 44.56 percent margin. Stanford is seeking a second four-year term.

Candidate Jeff Johnson led opponent Chuck Paulsen by a 51.30 percent to 48.48 percent margin for the Council position that Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson gave up to run for mayor.

Thompson was trailing former Councilwoman Mary Jane Goss in the race for mayor by a 52.55 percent to 47.16 percent margin.

Voter turnout in Lake Forest Park was 60.88 percent through Thursday, compared to the King County average of 50.13 percent.

The Thursday returns came with King County having at least 2.7 percent of countywide votes left to be counted. The County had 15,000 uncounted ballots on hand after counting 542,881 ballots through Thursday.

County officials had counted ballots from 50.13 percent of registered voters. The uncounted ballots on hand bring the County turnout to 51.52 percent, compared to an expected countywide turnout of about 52 percent.

Some other ballots still could arrive at the County elections office in Renton. Some are ballots returned to voters for signature verification. Others are ballots from voters who are out of the country, serving in the military, working, traveling or studying.

King County’s 15,000 uncounted ballots are almost three-fourths of statewide uncounted ballots, even though the County has less than a third of the State’s registered voters.


Read more...

Save Richmond Beach goes to court Wednesday, November 23

Point Wells Hearing
Wednesday, November 23, 10:30 a.m.
King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue, Room E-713, Seattle

According to a notice from the community organization Save Richmond Beach,
Zach Hiatt of Graham and Dunn, representative for Save Richmond Beach, and Wayne Tanaka of Ogden Murphy Wallace, representative for the Town of Woodway, will go before The Honorable Judge Dean Lum in King County Superior Court to be heard on a motion for summary judgment. 
In their brief, Hiatt and Tanaka argue that Snohomish County adopted their development regulations and land use designation for the Point Wells site while in violation of SEPA and GMA. Also, the developer filed applications and began work on the project with Snohomish County immediately prior to the Growth Management Hearings Board's final decision on the matter.
Save Richmond Beach is urging supporters to attend the hearing as a show of community support.

Read more...

Photo: Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves.  Photo by Lee Lageschulte.

Shoreline photographer Lee Lageschulte took these stunning photos of multicolored leaves just before they started to fall from the trees.


Sun shining through fall leaves. Photo by Lee Lageschulte.
Photographic evidence of sunshine in November in Shoreline.


Read more...

Salomon extends lead over McClelland; race still within range for recount but not hand recount

By Evan Smith

Shoreline City Council candidate Jesse Salomon widened his lead over opponent Robin McClelland in the Thursday vote count.

Salomon’s 49-vote lead keeps the candidates within the range for a mandatory recount but not close enough to require a hand recount.

Salomon had 7,217 votes Thursday to 7,168 for McClelland. With their combined total of 14,385 votes, a margin of 70 votes or fewer would trigger a machine recount and a margin of 24 votes or fewer would trigger a hand recount.

The Thursday returns come with King County having at least 2.7 percent of countywide votes left to be counted. The County had 15,000 uncounted ballots on hand after counting 542,881 ballots through Thursday.

County officials had counted ballots from 50.13 percent of registered voters. The uncounted ballots on hand bring the County turnout to 51.52 percent, compared to an expected countywide turnout of about 52 percent.

Some other ballots still could arrive at the County elections office in Renton. Some are ballots returned to voters for signature verification. Others are ballots from voters who are out of the country, serving in the military, working, traveling or studying.

King County’s 15,000 uncounted ballots are almost three-fourths of statewide uncounted ballots, even though the County has less than a third of the State’s registered voters.


Read more...

Photos: Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Jerry Pickard in Lake Forest Park.

Jerry Pickard took these photos of Anna's Hummingbirds on his front porch in Lake Forest Park November 9, 2011. He advises:

"Anna's over winter here in the Seattle area and if you are into feeding the birds keep the feeders out year round to provide a food source when all the flowers are gone. You can make your own nectar by mixing one part sugar to four parts water. No food coloring is needed to attract them. NEVER use Honey as it will destroy their liver and kill them."


Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Jerry Pickard in Lake Forest Park.

Christine Southwick concurs and adds:
"There is a study looking into whether red food coloring causes tumors in hummingbirds. Since the red on ALL hummingbird feeders is enough to attract them to the feeders, why add something that may (or may not) hurt them. I tend to err on the side of safety.

"Might add that in times of freezing weather, a hand-warming pack can be taped to the bottom to keep the feeder from freezing. Non-LED christmas lights wrapped around it will also work. Taking the feeder in at night will make it liquid in the morning, but then you have to remember to take it outside, early, early. And if it is below 28 degrees F during the day, it will freeze unless kept warmer."



Read more...

Shoreline City Council hosts a community summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline

From the Office of the City Manager

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 6:30-8:30pm at City Hall, the Shoreline City Council will host a community summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline. 

Superintendent Sue Walker of Shoreline School District and President Lee Lambert of Shoreline Community College will present the “State of Education” in Shoreline and discuss the challenges they face in today’s economic and political environment.

Over the past few years, State funding for education across the board has been cut dramatically. With the special legislative session coming up in December to address an additional $2 billion shortfall in the State budget, additional cuts to education are almost guaranteed. What does it mean for education in Shoreline?

For decades, Shoreline’s schools have been a primary driver in bringing families and individuals to Shoreline. The Shoreline School District has a long-standing reputation as a solid school district with high-performing students. Shoreline Community College has been attracting students from around the region to its excellent academic, professional/technical and work force training programs for years, and most recently has been welcoming more international students to the Shoreline community with its international programs.

Strong schools are what have attracted families to Shoreline for many years,” states Mayor Keith McGlashan. “The Shoreline School District and the Shoreline Community College are integral parts of our community and it is imperative that we support them however possible.”

“We hear every day that our families moved here for the quality of our schools,” said Superintendent Sue Walker. “Our partnerships with the City of Shoreline and Shoreline Community College help to strengthen our educational community.”

“At this moment of economic crisis, education is all the more important,” Shoreline Community College President Lee Lambert said. “It is important for the school district and the college to do everything we can to work together and help students get the education and training they need to lead productive, happy lives.”

One of the City Council’s goals is to “Expand opportunities for effective citizen communication and community engagement.” This summit is one way to bring residents together to discuss important issues facing our community.

Come be a part of Shoreline’s first “Education Summit,” which will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 6:30-8:30 pm at Shoreline City Hall. Find out what our schools have to offer and the challenges they face in the future.


Read more...

$37.5 million in Federal money for future Metro RapidRide

Rapid Ride bus photo courtesy Metro Transit
New E Line will link Shoreline and Seattle

King County Executive Dow Constantine and members of the Metropolitan King County Council today expressed their appreciation to Congress for appropriating $37.5 million for two more Metro Transit RapidRide lines. The measure passed in both the House and Senate today and now goes to President Obama for his signature.

“Federal funding for these RapidRide lines will provide jobs during construction, improve access to employment and commercial centers in North and South King County, and stimulate development in the future,” said Executive Constantine, who thanked the state’s Congressional delegation for its support.

RapidRide is a different type of Metro service that includes newly designed buses, shelters and signs. The distinctive red-and-yellow buses are energy efficient, low-emission hybrid vehicles with low floors and three doors for easier, faster boarding.

Line E will travel along Aurora Avenue between Shoreline and downtown Seattle. Line F is planned to connect Burien, Tukwila, and Renton. Both are scheduled to start two years from now.

“This federal investment is great news and will help us continue improving our transit system, giving bus riders streamlined and more convenient service,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, whose district includes Shoreline. “As a regular bus commuter, I understand the importance of transit service and I look forward to the improvements RapidRide will bring to the entire Aurora corridor from Shoreline to Seattle.”

Metro debuted the first of six RapidRide routes in 2010, when Line A began serving a key corridor linking Federal Way with Tukwila. This fall, Line B started between Bellevue and Redmond. Next year, the C and D lines will link West Seattle and Ballard to downtown Seattle.

Shoreline built RapidRide bus stops along the second mile of Aurora.  Low rises in the street bring the bus entry and pedestrian footing to the same level for rapid entry and exit to and from the new busses.

Studies show the A Line has increased bus ridership by 30-40 percent in that corridor. On the Eastside, B Line ridership is projected to increase to nearly 2.2 million passenger trips a year by 2016 when compared with the regular bus service it replaced.

The $37.5 million will be awarded as part of a federal Bus and Bus Facilities grant program, and represents full funding of Metro’s request. The county will share some of the funding with partner cities to help construct the street improvements and transit elements inside their jurisdictions that make RapidRide successful. Funding partners for the E and F lines include Shoreline, Seattle, and Tukwila.

A national study released earlier this year by the Urban Land Institute indicated the E Line has strong potential to spur both redevelopment and development along the corridor it will serve in North King County.


Read more...

Shoreline students attend 'Hutch High' - an innovative science symposium for high school students


Shorewood students are shown participating in a DNA spooling activity with strawberries. Isolating and analyzing DNA is a key technique used by scientists for a variety of genetic analyses. 

From left, Malik Drammeh, Hutch High volunteer Naina Phadais, Shelby Summa, and Alyssia Psomos. Shorewood students were accompanied by school counselor William Sugden (not pictured). Photo courtesy Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Approximately 250 high school science students and their teachers had an enlightening look into some of the world’s leading research labs at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, as Hutchinson Center labs turned into classrooms on November 10, 2011.

High schoolers from across the state attended Hutch High, an innovative half-day science symposium. Included among them were students from Shorewood High School, and Shoreline Christian in Shoreline, and Mountlake Terrace High School and Cedar Park Christian School in Mountlake Terrace.

Most of the students are 10th graders who might not otherwise have the firsthand opportunity to see inside the world of biomedical science.

Shoreline Christian students spooling DNA.
Photo courtesy Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Shoreline Christian students isolating and spooling DNA included Alex Werkhoven, Abby DeKoekkoek, and Reid Crichton, accompanied by teacher Fred Van Hal.

Students isolated and spooled DNA, learned the art of micropipetting, and used a germ-revealing black light to test their skills at hand washing. 

Hutch High also involves tours of working laboratories and presentations from Hutchinson Center scientists about sickle cell disease, human genetics, and how our immune systems function.

There is no cost to the schools as the program is made possible by funding from the Michael Miyauchi Foundation.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Center researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. 


Read more...

Optimistic statement from State Senate leaders

Thursday, November 17, 2011

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the chair of the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s state revenue forecast:
“To families who are sending their children into more crowded classrooms, who are paying much more for their college classes, or who have seen the options for caring for an ill relative diminish, today’s forecast is no surprise. Their economic situation has not improved, and so neither has Washington state’s. 
“Through three years of the Great Recession, we’ve cut $10 billion in public services. Today’s forecast dropped another $122 million to take the total reduction in the forecast since June to over $2.2 billion. As legislators, we have a responsibility to balance the budget, and we will. But we also have a responsibility to our neighbors to help our communities recover and thrive. 
“Working together, we can meet both those responsibilities. We are open to all options, and committed to finding a path forward that the people of Washington will support.”
Sen. Maralyn Chase represents the 32nd District, which includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, parts of Edmonds, Finn Hill, and Kirkland, in the state senate.


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Snow in the Convergence Zone


Later tonight, Thursday, November 17, 2011, colder air is going to start filtering into the region. We could start seeing some snow mixed with rain showers over Shoreline and Lake Forest Park by morning. Off and on showers are expected to move through the area now through Saturday afternoon.

Forecasters are now indicating a Puget Sound Convergence Zone could develop over Northern King County, or Snohomish County. It's really looking like this zone will develop and persist possibly right over Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. If this happens we could see 1-3 inches of accumulation or more, depending on how intense the Convergence zone gets. The zone may wobble north and south a bit and could go as far north as Everett and miss us completely. It also could intermittently shift over us, and shift away from us throughout tomorrow and Saturday. 

I'll be keeping a watch on this development and will send another update if I believe Shoreline and Lake Forest Park end up being the primary focus of the Puget Sound Convergence Zone storm.

As of 6:45 PM November 17th it is 39°F. This is normally too warm for accumulating snowfall, however a heavy shower, or a convergence zone cell can bring colder (below freezing) atmospheric air down to sea level in the matter of 30 minutes or less. This causes the precipitation to mix to snow, and start accumulating.

Friday and Saturday mornings, be prepared for winter driving. Saturday lows are expected to be in the mid-upper 20's which means any water on road ways will be ice. Be careful out there!


Read more...

Saturday morning pancake breakfast 8:30 - 11am

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