FREE Shredding Services April 21st

Wikimedia Commons

Saturday April 21st, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Prevent identity theft - Shred important documents!

Bring your old documents to be professionally destroyed and recycled on-site. Paper only, paperclips and rubber bands are okay, NO CD’s DVD’s or binders.

This event is provided by Windermere Northlake and will be held at their office in Lake Forest Park:

17711 Ballinger Way NE, (north end of the Lake Forest Park Shopping Center).

Call 206-364-8100 if you need additional information.

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Shorecrest girls’ tennis team takes 3-0 record into Friday match with 4-0 Shorewood

The Shorecrest-Shorewood girls’ tennis match Friday at the Shoreline Center tennis courts became a meeting of undefeated teams when Shorecrest extended its record to 3-0 with a 4-3 victory at Glacier Peak Thursday.

Shorewood’s record had reached 4-0 Wednesday with a 7-0 home victory over Everett.

The Thunderbirds and Scots meet at 3:45 p.m. Friday on Shorecrest’s home courts at the Shoreline Center, Junior varsity teams from the two schools meet at the same time on Shorewood’s Shoreview Park courts,

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Shorecrest baseball team takes 2-1 non-league record into Wesco 3A opener with Oak Harbor Friday after 7-5 loss to 4A Arlington Tuesday

Wikimedia Commons

The Shorecrest baseball team takes a 2-1 non-league record into its Western Conference 3A Division opener with Oak Harbor Friday.

Shorecrest and Oak Harbor (also 2-1) meet at Shorecrest High School at 3:30 p.m. Friday and meet at Oak Harbor Tuesday, March 27, a day before the Scots play Shorewood at Meridian Park.

Shorecrest lost Tuesday, 7-5 to Arlington of the Wesco 4A North. The Scots had opened the season with a 10-9 victory over Snohomish of the Wesco 4A North and a 5-1 victory over Mariner of the Wesco 4A South. A March 15 home game with 3A Ferndale was postponed to April 14.

In the loss to Arlington, Neil Baldwin led the Scots with 2 hits in 4 at bats.

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Shorewood girls’ tennis team takes 4-0 record into Friday meeting with Shorecrest after 7-0 home victory over Everett Wednesday

Wayne Pridemore Photostream

The Shorewood girls’ tennis team takes a 4-0 record into a Friday meeting with Shorecrest after a 7-0 home victory over Everett Tuesday.

The Thunderbirds and Scots meet at 3:45 p.m. Friday on Shorecrest’s home courts at the Shoreline Center, Junior varsity teams from the two schools meet at the same time on Shorewood’s Shoreview Park courts.

Shorecrest had a 2-0 record after a 7-0 victory at Marysville-Getchell Wednesday and before a Thursday meeting with Glacier Peak that was postponed from Monday.

The Shorewood varsity raised its record to a league-leading 4-0 by defeating Everett. The Thunderbirds were led by a comeback win at No. 1 singles by Francesca O'Malley. She lost the first set to Kendall Gordon from Everett 2-6 and bounced back to take the second set 6-1. Playing a strong groundstroke game she took control in the third set to win 6-4.

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SCC Men's Basketball At NWAACC Championship Now On YouTube

2012 SCC Basketball Team and coaches
Photo courtesy SCC Athletics

Two of four Shoreline Community College Men’s Basketball games from the NWAACC Championship are now available on the SCC Athletic YouTube site.

The opening round loss to Mt. Hood Community College (100-93) and the third round victory against Lower Columbia College (80-77) are now available for full-length viewing at: SCC Athletic YouTube Site.

The Dolphins loss their opening round game at the NWAACC Championship but won three straight games in the Consolation Bracket to win the Consolation Championship.

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Donate your slightly battered piano for art

Street Piano in London
Photo from Wikimedia Commons

“Street Pianos” in Shoreline

Do you know a piano that has seen better days but would love to be painted and played outdoors? 

The City of Shoreline is planning its first “street piano” event for August 2012. Four pianos will be generously donated by Prosser Piano from its ranks of not too pretty, but still tunable and playable. 

The City is looking for two additional instruments in order to place six out in public, pedestrian-friendly locations. Visual artists will paint or otherwise decorate the pianos. The artists, and pianists who will play scheduled concerts, will apply through an RFQ process and be selected by a panel. 

At times other than pre-planned performances, the general public passers-by may tickle the ivories. The goal is to enliven our summer environment with the colorful sounds of music. 

If you know of a piano that might be just right for this project, email Ros Bird, Public Art Coordinator, or call 206-801-2661 with the details and contact information. The piano team will check it out for suitability.

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FAITH Advocacy speaker at Ronald United Methodist Church Sunday, March 25

The Children of Ronald United Methodist Church have been making ornaments
for the Lent Tree. Each ornament represents an aspect of the Lenten Journey.

The Rev. Rick Gamble of Faith Action in Transforming Homelessness will lead the worship service at Ronald United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 25. He is part of the church’s focus on homelessness during the Lenten Season.

Gamble will also lead a workshop following the service on becoming an advocate for improved services to the homeless.

Upcoming Holy Week services at Ronald include Maundy Thursday, April 5, with a potluck at 6 p.m. and the service at 7 p.m.; Good Friday Service, April 6, at 7 p.m., and Easter Service on April 8 at 10:45 a.m.

More information on the FAITH Advocacy organization is available at the group’s website, 

Ronald UMC is located at 17839 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline. For more information on this program, or Holy Week, call 206-542-2484, email, or visit the church website.

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Notes from Shoreline City Council Meeting March 19, 2012

Shoreline City Council Meeting March 19, 2012

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Tobacco Free Parks

The council heard the results of the Tobacco Free Parks survey from John Norris, City Management Analyst, and Dick Deal, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director. Of the 192 Shoreline citizens responding 70% supported banning all tobacco products from all city park areas and setting a fine of $25 for each infraction. Park users would be primarily responsible for asking smokers to not smoke.

Some responses from citizens gave the council members pause to rethink how pervasive they wanted the smoking ban to be. One respondent said, “Tobacco users are also taxpayers, restricting tobacco is an infringement on peoples rights.” Another wrote, “Your limited resources would not be well served trying to police others who are smoking outside.” And “Expecting citizens to police others is asking for trouble.”

Council member McConnell said both of her parents smoked and she would not support banning what little freedom is allowed smokers. Council member Winstead said, “This is a part of our healthy city strategy. We need to be concerned for children using the park breathing the smoke” and picking up butts. Council member Eggen and Mayor McGlashan said they were concerned with prohibiting a legal activity in the parks. Council member Solomon said he would support the ban but wondered how to enforce it. Winstead suggested limiting smoking around playgrounds and ball fields. City Manager Underwood will get back to the council around some of these questions.

Animal Control

An update on the Animal Control Implementation Plan was presented by John Norris and Rob Beem, Community Services Manager. Taking over Animal Control Services from King County must be decided by May 1st with a goal of Shoreline hiring 1.5 control officers to begin on January 1st 2013 with a cost of $56,000. If overhead costs are considered, annual costs could be $149,000. 

Structurally the animal control services will become a program within the city’s Community Services Division with supervision provided by the city’s Customer Response Team. Animal sheltering will continue to be provided by PAWS with Everett Animal Shelter providing exotic pet service. 

Animal licensing will be provided under a new contract with Pet Data, a private licensing firm. Mayor McGlashan directed City Manager Underwood to get back to him about questions on cost estimates between the new Regional Animal Services of King County and Shoreline’s and who would take over when the trained animal control officer in Shoreline got sick.

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All Shorewood orchestras come home with trophies

The Shorewood Orchestras with trophies following their strong showing

 at the Northwest Orchestra Festival

Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

All of the Shorewood orchestras came home with trophies from the Northwest Orchestra Festival, held March 10 at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. 

• The ninth grade Concert Orchestra took third place in the junior division
• the Symphony Orchestra took third place in the senior division
• the Chamber Ensemble took second place in the highly competitive chamber orchestra division. 

Dan Wing is the orchestra director at Shorewood and president-elect of the Washington Music Educators Association.

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City of Lake Forest Park Earth Smart Green Fair a big success

Council member Jeff Johnson visits
Planning  department table
Photo by Lauren Broudy

The City of Lake Forest Park’s 9th Annual Earth Smart Green Fair was a big success. An estimated 400 people were in attendance on Saturday at Third Place Commons, many sporting their green in honor of both the earth and St. Patty’s Day.

The fair offered 20 booths of information about how to reduce chemicals in the environment.

Hundreds of household batteries were recycled and toxic free tips booklets, designed and produced by the Department of Ecology, were given away.

Residents gained valuable information at the workshop presentations by the Washington Toxics Coalition and a Certified WSU King County Extension Master Gardener.

"The City wishes to thank all of the dedicated volunteers who helped with fair logistics as well as all of the local businesses and agencies who presented information at their respective booths."

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Home Girls: Foreclosure Alternative - The Short Sale, part 2 "The Advantages"

Provided by Home Girl Nan Skinner, 
Keller Williams Real Estate

Foreclosure Alternative: The Short Sale (part 2)
Advantages of a short sale process

1. You can be a homeowner again more quickly with a short sale in your past than with a foreclosure. New Fannie Mae guidelines help you qualify for a new mortgage in as little as two years after a short sale, as opposed to up to seven years after a foreclosure.
2. You will have more time to make relocation plans and save money than with a deed in lieu. A short sale may take four to 12 months. A deed in lieu of foreclosure arrangement typically requires you vacate your home within 30 to 60 days of signing, according to real estate attorney Lance Churchill.
3. You can receive up to $3,000 from your lender for moving expenses at the time of closing of a HAFA short sale or a HAFA deed in lieu of foreclosure. Relocation funds are part of the incentives of HAFA, but not necessarily for other short sale or deed in lieu programs of the lenders.
4. You can help your community’s home values. Because the lender often receives a higher amount of the remaining loan balance than it would from the sale of a home after a foreclosure, short sales help support home values in the surrounding community.

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Previous article: Part 1

The Home Girls are real estate brokers who live in our area and have agreed to contribute information pertinent to Shoreline and Lake Forest Park home owners and home buyers.

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Walk MS takes place April 14-15 to raise money for support and research

A wave of Walk MS T-shirts and tennis shoes will be the norm April 14-15 as more than 10,000 people turn out for Walk MS events in Seattle and seven other communities across Washington – all working toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.

The National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter has set a total fundraising goal for Washington of $1.87 million for the events, which are being presented by Haggen Food and Pharmacy, and Top Food and Drug. Together with more than a dozen other Walk MS events in Alaska and Montana, the Chapter hopes to raise just over $2.2 million for its single largest fundraiser.

The 4-mile Seattle Walk will take place Sunday, April 15, at the Alaska Airlines Arena (Hec Edmundson Pavilion) on the UW Campus, 3870 Montlake Blvd. NE. Registration opens at 9 a.m., with a program at 9:30 a.m. and the walk scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Other Washington Walk MS events will take place on Saturday, April 14, including one in Snohomish County. The events support services and programs for people living with MS as well as research into causes, treatments and a cure.

“Walk MS is absolutely vital, because research is bringing better and better treatments and pushing us that much closer to a cure,” said Chapter President Patty Shepherd-Barnes. “Also, in this economy, people living with MS depend more than ever on Walk MS-supported services and programs.”

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 50 with varied and unpredictable symptoms including fatigue, numbness, loss of balance, vision problems and paralysis. There is no cure for MS, but better treatments over the years are helping people live with and manage the disease.

For more information, call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, at 1-800-344-4867 and press 2, or visit the website 

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Shorewood softball team wins Wesco 3A opener at home from Marysville-Getchell Tuesday going into Friday game at Glacier Peak

The Shorewood softball team takes a 1-0 Western Conference 3A Division record (1-3 overall) into a Friday Division game at Glacier Peak after opening division play with a 6-2 home victory over Marysville-Getchell Tuesday.

Shorewood had lost 7-3 to Lake Stevens Monday for its third straight loss to a Wesco 4A North Division team.

In Shorewood’s victory over Marysville-Getchell, Lauren Thompson hit 1 for 3 with 3 runs scored, Celine Ulrich was 2 for 3, and Stephanie Volbrecht hit the go-ahead home run in the 6th inning. Pitcher Monica Eik got a complete game victory.

In the Monday loss to Lake Stevens, Dani Norsby led Shorewood with 2 hits in 3 at bats.

Shorewood 6, Marysville Getchell at Meridian Park, March 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

M-Getchell 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 3 2

Shorewood 1 0 1 0 0 4 x 6 7 1

Battery

Getchell: Kymber Devlin and Lexi Schroder

Shorewood: Monica Eik and Celine Ulrich (catcher)

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High School Girls’ Golf Schedule

High School Girls’ Golf Schedule

Shorewood, Shorecrest, King's, Shoreline Christian

Thursday, March 15

Shorewood 82 points, Shorecrest 81, Marysville Getchell 41, Marysville Pilchuck 37 (Medalist: Cassie McKinley, SW, 33 points)

Tuesday, March 20

Whidbey Shootout at Whidbey Golf & Country Club, Oak Harbor

(18 holes, par 73): Snohomish 501, Kamiak 522, Shorecrest 557, Lake Stevens 571, Everett 594, Mercer Island 603, Glacier Peak 625, Marysville Getchell 640 (Medalist- Cassie McKinley, SW, 77 strokes).

Wednesday, March 21

Archbishop Murphy, King's, Lakewood, South Whidbey, Sultan at Cedarcrest, 2 p.m. at Snohomish Golf Course

Thursday, March 22

Shorecrest at Meadowdale, 3 p.m. at Lynnwood Golf Course

Monday, March 26

Lynnwood at Shorecrest, 3 p.m. at Jackson Park Golf Course

Tuesday, March 27

Archbishop Murphy, Cedarcrest, King's, Lakewood, South Whidbey at Sultan, 2 p.m. at Blue Boy Golf Course

Marysville Getchell, Shorewood at Oak Harbor, 3 p.m. at Whidbey Golf & Country Club

Wednesday, March 28

Lynnwood, Shorecrest at Everett, 3 p.m. at Legion Memorial Golf Course

Shorewood at Mercer Island, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 3

Cedar Park-MT, Shoreline Christian at Orcas Island, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 4

Shorewood at Shorecrest, 3 p.m. at Jackson Park Golf Course

Monday, April 9

Archbishop Murphy, Cedarcrest, King's, South Whidbey, Sultan at Lakewood, 2 p.m. at Cedarcrest Golf Course

Tuesday, April 10

Everett, Marysville Getchell at Shorecrest, 2:45 p.m. at Jackson Park Golf Course

Wednesday. April 11

Meadowdale, Shorewood at Glacier Peak, 3 p.m. at Kenwanda Golf Course

Monday, April 16

Shorewood at Burlington-Edison Invitational, Noon. Skagit Golf & Country Club

Tuesday, April 17

Archbishop Murphy, Cedarcrest, Lakewood, South Whidbey, Sultan at King's, 2 p.m. at Jackson Park Golf Course

Wednesday, April 18

Glacier Peak, Shorecrest at Meadowdale, 3 p.m. at Lynnwood Golf Course

Thursday, April 19

Everett, Shorewood at Lynnwood, 3 p.m. at Lynnwood Golf Course

Monday, April 30

Shorecrest, Shorewood at Mountlake Terrace, 3 p.m. at Ballinger Golf Course

Tuesday, May 1

Cedarcrest, King's, Lakewood, South Whidbey, Sultan at Archbishop Murphy, 2 p.m. at Battle Creek Golf Course

Thursday, May 3

Archbishop Murphy, Cedarcrest, King's, Lakewood, Sultan at South Whidbey, 2 p.m. at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club

Cedar Park Christian-MT, Orcas Island at Shoreline Christian

Monday, May 7

Cascade Conference Tournament, 11 a.m. at Snohomish Golf Course

Tuesday, May 8

Wesco 3A Meet, Noon at Whidbey Golf and Country Club

Monday, May 14

Northwest District 3A, 12:30 p.m. at Snohomish Golf Course

Tuesday, May 15

Northwest District 3A, 12:30 p.m. at Snohomish Golf Course

May 22-23

State 3A Championships at Indian Canyon Golf Course, Spokane

State 1A Championships at The Home Course, Dupont

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SCC Men’s And Women’s Tennis Players of the Week

Mandy Lam
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

Freshman Alex Casper and Sophomore Mandy Lam were named the Shoreline Community College Men's and Women's Tennis Players of the Week.

Casper, from Bothell, WA, reached both the singles and doubles semi-finals at the NWAACC Spring Jamboree at Mt. Vernon, WA last weekend in his first matches for SCC.

Alex Casper
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

Lam, a second year player from Dayton, TX reached the semi-finals of the singles tournament, winning a tough quarter-finals match in three sets.

The Dolphins return to the court on April to face Sprinkler Tennis Club on April 1 in Tacoma and then open NWAACC play against Treasure Valley.

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SCC Tennis Competes At NWAACC Spring Jamboree

SCC 2012 Men's and Women's Tennis Teams
Photo by Wilson Tsoi

The Shoreline Community College Men's and Women's Tennis Teams competed at the NWAACC Spring Jamboree recently at Skagit Valley College in Mt. Veron, WA.

Besides SCC, Skagit Valley College, the Community Colleges of Spokane and Bellevue College (women's only) competed at the event.

SCC was led by Alex Casper on the men's side, who reached the semi-finals of both the singles and doubles draw, while Mandy Lam reached the semi-finals of the women's tournament.

SCC plays again on April 1 against Sprinkler Tennis Club of Tacoma and then opens the NWAACC season on April 6th against Treasure Valley Community College at the Shoreview Park courts at 1:00 PM.

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Gabriel Rochon Named SCC Baseball Player of the Week

Freshman Gabriel Rochon from Henry M. Creek High School in Mill Creek, WA has been named Shoreline Community College Baseball Player of the Week.

Rochon went just 3-12 during a four game road trip over the weekend, but had 2 doubles, 3 walks and scored 3 runs for the Dolphins in four losses.

SCC dropped three 1 run games: 2-1 and 8-7 to Yakima Valley Community College and 6-5 to Thompson Rivers University plus one 8-2 loss to Thompson Rivers.

SCC travels back to the Eastside of the state this weekend, to face Blue Mountain Community College of Oregon on Saturday and then Walla Walla CC on Sunday.

SCC opens league play on March 31 at Edmonds CC and then plays it first home game of the season on April 1, against Edmonds to wrap up the four game NWAACC Northern Region series. Game time on April 1 is 1:00 PM at Meridian Park.

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Wine, beer, chocolate, and appetizers - Sip Into Spring with LFP Rotary this Sundaay

Join the fun and sample local wines and beers on Sunday, March 25th from 2-5pm at Lake Forest Park Rotary’s seventh annual ‘Sip into Spring’ event at the Shoreline city hall atrium, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133. 

Fine wines and some new selections never before offered will be available from six local wineries, along with newly released handcrafted beers from two local breweries. 

Sumptuous appetizers are provided along with live music, and premier chocolates will be available from ‘the Chocolate Man’ of Lake Forest Park. 

The afternoon includes a live auction of fabulous offerings, with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit Shoreline Schools.

Tickets are $50 each, and available online or at the door. Proceeds from the ‘Sip into Spring’ will go to support Rotary charitable works locally and worldwide.

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Shorewood robot "Hank" to play in basketball tournament

Shorewood Hank - basketball playing robot
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

By Wesley Proudlove

Starting this Thursday March 22nd, Team Pronto will be competing in the Seattle Regional Robotic event at Century Link Center (big building between Safeco Field and Century Link Field).

On Thursday Team Pronto will be setting up its pits and getting Hank (that's our robot) inspected and practicing on the field for the first time.

Friday will be the start of the competition. Around 9am Friday will be the first round and then the fun begins. Saturday Hank will still be competing for a place in the final 8 of the event. Starting at 1pm on Saturday the championship rounds will begin.

See the full schedule here. All events are free to the public.

We know that Hank in up to the task so lets all cheer him and our students to victory.

All the robots will be playing 3 on 3 basketball and then will have to balance on a teeter totter with other robots. There will be over 100 teams from all over the world competing to gain a trip to the world championships later in April.

Here's a YouTube video explaining the rules of robot basketball.

Team Pronto Robotics is a student organized club (someday it will be a sport I am sure of that) with just over 40 members who have in six weeks constructed a 5 foot tall basketball-playing robot.

Team Pronto mentors are from Boeing, Microsoft, F5 Networks, UW Robotic Labs, Shoreline School District and UW Students all with an eye on our students' future. These mentors give of their personal time, energy and money to help our students succeed.

For all the bad things that are seen in the media these days please come change your perspective of teenagers and see the great things they can do with a solid direction. 

Hope to see all of you at the event to cheer on Hank and our students.

Look for our new Team Pronto shirts - they are brilliant orange. Come sit in the stands or visit the pits to congratulate our students on a job well done.

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Op-Ed: Great Decisions group is for those not afraid to look at foreign policy issues

Larry Fuell, who lives in Edmonds, is Director of the Global Affairs Center and teaches Political Science at Shoreline Community College.

By Larry Fuell

• Most voters don’t care about foreign policy issues, at least for choosing a Presidential candidate
• Most candidate are risk averse, and there are too many uncontrollable variables in foreign policy to take a position on just about any issue in advance
• Elections are lousy forums for discussing foreign policy

That, in a nutshell, is what I told a group of senior citizens recently. Most voters find issues like the war on terrorism, immigration reform, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq uncomfortable to talk about. There is a strong isolationist streak in our culture and nothing aggravates it like these sorts of issues. Our electoral system highlights candidate personality rather substantive issue positions, and, anyway, there is little difference between candidates on foreign policy issues.

Most candidates are risk averse, meaning they prefer not to take positions in advance on issues they have little or no control over, and this includes nearly all foreign policy issues. Who would have predicted a year ago the kinds of changes happening today in the Middle East, and what it means for U.S. interests in that region? Who would have predicted even two weeks ago that our withdrawal from a difficult situation in Afghanistan would be complicated by a seemingly random shooting by a U.S. soldier?

But, if you do not think yourself to be like “most voters” or just enjoy talking about world affairs with like-minded citizens, we have just the opportunity for you in April and May. On six consecutive Thursday evenings, you are invited to learn about and discuss some of the most pressing issues of today, including:

• Changes in the Middle East
• The new challenge of Cybersecurity
• Mexico’s war on drugs
• Economic development in Indonesia
• Ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
• Protecting ocean resources

Enrollment is limited to 25 persons in order to ensure this is a discussion, not a lecture series. So sign up soon by contacting me. Other details:

When: April 19 and 26; May 3, 10, 17 and 24, 6-8 pm

Where: Shoreline Community College, the PUB, 9202

Format: A short topic-specific video, brief comments by a guest specialist, followed by roundtable discussion.

Cost: Registration is Free; a short text of briefing papers on each of the topics will be available in late March at the SCC Bookstore (PUB 9114). $25 (est.)

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Volunteers needed to help get missing pets back with their owners

Regional Animal Services of King County teams with Missing Pet Partnership for “Mission Reunite” training

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has joined with Missing Pet Partnership (MPP) to train volunteers for the “Mission Reunite: Help and Hope for Lost Pets” program. People who are interested in volunteering are invited to attend a training session on Saturday, March 24 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the King County Pet Adoption Center, 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent.

MPP is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping families who have lost their pets. Founder Kat Albrecht has been involved in tracking down missing pets since 1997, and founded MPP in 2001. Through this collaborative effort with MPP, RASKC volunteers will be trained to offer hands-on assistance to pet owners who have lost a dog or cat. Volunteers will also be trained to help people who come into the Pet Adoption Center looking for their missing pet, and to find the owners of lost pets that have already been picked up by RASKC.

“When a pet goes missing, it can be very upsetting,” said Sarah Luthens, manager of volunteer programs for RASKC. “Nationally, only 16 percent of lost dogs, and just two percent of lost cats, are ever reunited with their owners. The Mission Reunite program is a highly innovative, volunteer-based program that can improve those odds and re-connect lost pets with their families.”

People who are interested in becoming a Mission Reunite volunteer should RSVP or call 206-296-3946. For those who complete the March 24 training, a follow-up “hands-on” session is planned for March 31.

“While Mission Reunite can help re-connect lost pets with their owners, it’s also important for people to license and microchip their dog or cat,” added Luthens. “A pet that is licensed and microchipped has a much better chance of being reunited with its owner.”

For more information about pet licensing, volunteering for RASKC, or adopting a pet, visit or call 206-296-PETS (7387).

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Room Nine gets a reprieve and a new name

Room Nine will be Cascade K-8 Community School

Shoreline School Board Meeting Monday March 19, 2012

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The fate of Room Nine Community School was deliberated by the board of directors. The three alternatives under consideration were to continue the school as a K-8, change the configuration to K-6, or incorporate the program into Meridian Park Elementary School.

In the last few years the projected number of students has not translated into actual numbers. There were 140 students in the 2007-2008 year as compared to 89 this year and 107 registered for next fall. Also the cost per student is more than for other elementary schools in the district. Academic achievement has also fallen off for Room 9 students.

The directors were reluctant to change the school for next year without giving the school a chance to stabilize and increase enrollment and bring up academic achievement. Director Ehrlichman said the enrollment drop had to do with several changes in school location as well as teaching changes. She said she felt responsible for some of these issues and would like to give the school a chance to turn around. She said that not all children fit into a regular school environment and that Room Nine provided an alternative which she valued. 

Director Jacobs said that he had a problem in justifying the expense of Room Nine in its present state and its lower academic achievement, but he said he would hate to see it disappear.

The board passed a motion to continue Room Nine under the new name of Cascade K-8 Community School through next year with the provisions that it show a stable and growing enrollment, that the cost per student come down to 15% above the cost per elementary student in the rest of the district, and that academic achievement improve.

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Bartell Drugs' "Health & Beauty Event" at Shoreline store celebrates healthy and beautiful living

Bartell Drugs celebrates healthy and beautiful living during its "Health and Beauty Event" March 19-April 1 at select Bartell Drugs locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Activities include in-store health clinics, mobile digital mammography screenings, free beauty "mini makeovers, hair styling tips, and a wide range of product samplings.

The "Health and Beauty Event" schedule for the Bartell's Shoreline store, located at 18420 Aurora Ave. N, Shoreline, includes:

Health Clinic--free of charge or at discounted fees. March 30, 9:30 -2:30 pm. Services include blood glucose testing, OneTouch(r) blood glucose meter exchange and meter education, bone density screening and tests for osteoporosis, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Cosmetic Demonstrations-free of charge. March 23, 3 -6 pm. Cosmetologists will give free personal "mini makeovers" that focus on the latest colors and products for Spring. Products include newest offerings from Revlon, L'Oreal and Maybelline. Hair styling tips by Conair(r)-free of charge.

March 23, 11 am -2 pm. Representatives will spotlight the latest hair styling tools and tips.

Participating stores will also distribute coupons and samples, including products from Nordic Naturals,

Banana Boat, Colgate and Secret.

More information on the spring "Health and Beauty Event" and locations.

Founded in Seattle in 1890, Bartell Drugs owns and operates stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Family-owned and operated, it is the nation's oldest drugstore chain.

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WeatherWatcher: Crazy weather explained

• Crazy weather explained.
• Last week's highlights.
• Next week, slightly warmer, rainy, but still colder than average.
• Weather data from the past 3 weeks.

Crazy March weather:

Typically March-April is our crazy "if you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes" that the Pacific Northwest is known for. 

During the early spring time the atmosphere is starting to warm up in the Northern Hemisphere. This causes turbulent air masses and unstable air masses. We are caught right in the middle of the cold air in the Arctic and the sub tropics that are warming up. 

Similar to the great difference over the Midwest with their severe storms, we are seeing the cold air and warm air fight it out here. So far cold air has been winning with the warmer air providing the moisture. As we progress into April the warmer mild Pacific air will start to moderate us into more normal spring time temperatures that we are used to. 

In the meantime, a freak lightning storm that dumps half inch to 1 inch of hail/snow in 15 minutes is not out of the question. In fact, these freak but brief "mini storms" are more likely to occur now than in the dead of winter. An example of March's crazy weather and temperature shifts to go with it can be seen in the graph below of the daily average temperatures for March, 2010, 2011, and so far 2012.

Last week highlights:

We were wet, we actually got quite a dose of rain fall. A grand total of 4.21 inches! Our wettest day was Monday March 12th, at 1.42 inches of rain, most of it falling from about 1pm - 7pm, as a strong Pacific storm blew through. Also our unstable snow mixed with rain showers stand out in last weekend's weather too (March 10th, 11th).

Next week:

We will finally warm up a little, by that I mean we won't be flirting with the freezing or snow level, for once. I still can't rule out that an unstable air mass could bring it down to sea-level in our area for a short time, so be vigilant. 

Mid-week we will bring in warmer air with a wind storm. Right now it looks like 20-30mph with gusts to 40mph. We should start seeing highs later in the week breaking 50ºF, doesn't sound that balmy does it? It will feel much warmer than it has felt. Our average temperature should be running around 50-55ºF, including the lows, so we have quite a ways to go before we reach average temperatures for March. That being said, it's going to be another wet week, with the Pacific Storm train continuing to deliver shots of rain throughout the week, we may also get breezy, or windy at times.

Data:

At the end of January I had a problem with the rain gauge. The challenge with wireless technology is that it can be interrupted with dead batteries or interference. This time, it was interference. As a result I had to pull rain data from the Shoreline Central Market weather station for January 26th - 29th. Below is the last 3 weeks worth of weather data.

Week of January 25th - March 2nd.

High temperature: 43.7ºF (Friday March 2nd.)

Low temperature: 28.6ºF (Monday January 27th.)

Rainiest day: 0.91 inches (Saturday January 25th.)

Total rainfall: 1.36 inches

Warmest day: 40.5ºF (Friday March 2nd.)

Coldest day: 30.7ºF (Monday January 27th.)

Average temperature: 36.0ºF

Week of March 3rd - 9th:

High temperature: 55.4ºF (Thursday March 8th)

Low temperature: 26.2ºF (Wednesday March 7th)

Rainiest day: 0.42 inches (Friday March 9th)

Total rainfall: 0.62 inches

Warmest day: 47.2ºF (Saturday March 3rd)

Coldest day: 35.1ºF (Tuesday March 6th)

Average temperature: 41.7ºF

Week of March 10th - 16th:

High temperature: 53.2ºF (Friday March 16th)

Low temperature: 32.7ºF (Tuesday March 13th)

Rainiest day: 1.42 inches (Monday March 12th)

Total rainfall: 4.21 inches

Warmest day: 45.2ºF (Thursday March 15th)

Coldest day: 35.9ºF (Tuesday March 13th)

Average temperature: 40.7ºF

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.

Twitter: @SWeatherWatcher

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Rummage sale at North City Co-op Preschool

Rummage Sale - March 24-25

North City Co-op Preschool will hold a rummage sale on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 from 10am - 2pm in the gymnasium of the NCCP campus, 816 NE 190th Street, Shoreline WA 98155, 206-362-4069.

Everyone welcome!! We are having a rummage sale and you are invited! We might have the exact item you have been looking for! Bring friends and family, and get out of the cold while doing some indoor shopping! All proceeds will benefit NCCP School. Great items to be discovered at great prices!! Don’t miss out 2 days to find some great bargains! Thanks see you at the Rummage Sale!!!

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Shorewood raises soccer record to 3-0 after 2-0 home victory over Meadowdale Monday

The Shorewood boys’ soccer team has a 3-0 record after a 2-0 home victory over Meadowdale Monday.

Shorewood’s next game is March 27 at home against Marysville-Getchell at Shoreline Stadium.

In the 2-0 victory over Meadowdale, Andreas Gobel assisted on Matthew Owen's goal and scored a goal himself, with an assist from Hayk Avanesyan. Goalkeeper Daniel Nadeau scored the shutout.

The Shorewood T-Birds team at the opening ceremony at Shoreline Stadium Monday night in the game against Meadowdale. Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The T-Birds celebrate after scoring early in the first half.  Are they rowing a shell or riding a bobsled ?   In any case they are having fun! Photo by Wayne Pridemore.

Shorewood's Andreas Gobel sets to push a sideline pass forward to a teammate. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.

Shorewood forward, Owusu Fordjour, is brought down by the Meadowdale goalie with just 2 minutes left in the game with Shorewood leading 2 nil. Photo by Wayne Pridemore.

See more game photos by Wayne Pridemore

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Shorewood girls’ tennis team takes 3-0 record into home match with Everett Wednesday after victories Friday, Monday and Tuesday

The Shorewood girls’ tennis team won its first three matches Friday, Monday and Tuesday going into a Wednesday home meeting with Everett.

The Shorewood girls’ varsity defeated Glacier Peak, 6-1, in its first conference match of the season Friday at the Shoreview Park tennis courts. The Thunderbirds were led by Francesca O'Malley at No. 1 singles in a three-set battle versus opponent Nadean Al-Ali. The T-Birds swept the singles and took straight-set wins in Nos. 1 and 2 doubles.

Shorewood's singles lineup is led by junior Francesca O'Malley, sophomore Daniella Brengelmann, sophomore Marija Feller and freshman Genevieve O'Malley. Francesca O'Malley and Brengelmann are returning WIAA State doubles competitors.

Team captains for this season are Francesca O’Malley and senior Stephanie Ngy.

The T-Birds swept all matches from the Mountlake Terrace Hawks Monday to win 7-0 and improve their conference record to 2-0. The Thunderbirds were led by the No. 1 doubles team of Yuanne Corbett and Stephanie Ngy. They defeated their opponents 6-1, 6-3. All of the Shorewood wins were straight-set match wins.

The Thunderbirds defeated Marysville-Getchall 7-0 at Marysville Tuesday to improve to 3-0.

Shorewood and Everett meet Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Shoreview Park.

The Shorewood junior varsity team lost at Glacier Peak, 5-3, Friday, and defeated Marysville-Getchell, 6-1, Tuesday. The Thunderbird junior varsity plays at Everett Wednesday.

Shorewood Varsity 6, Glacier Peak 1, Friday, March 16

At Shoreview Park

Singles

Francesca O'Malley (SW) def. Nadean Al-Ali (GP) 7-6 (9-7), 5-7, 6-2;

Brengelmann (SW) def. Prete (GP 6-2, 6-1;

Marija Feller (SW) def. Wright (GP) 6-2, 6-1;

Genevieve O'Malley (SW) def. Felin (GP) 6-4, 6-2.

Doubles

Stephanie Ngy-YuAnne Corbett (SW) def. Davis-Rosalez (GP) 6-0, 7-5;

Maddie Welch-Abbie Drake (SW) def. Bahner-Stowe (GP) 6-3, 6-4;

Yarema-Careen (GP) def. Kristen Smith-Grace Gilman (SW) 6-3, 5-7, (10-5).

SHOREWOOD Varsity 7, MOUNTLAKE TERRACE 0, Monday, March 19

Singles

Francesca O'Malley SW def. Bouche' MLT 6-3, 6-2

Daniella Brengelmann SW def. Braden MLT 6-2, 6-3.

Marija Feller SW def. Roesli MLT 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)

Genevieve O'Malley SW def. Cooper MLT 7-5, 7-5

Doubles

Yuanne Corbett / Stephanie Welch SW def. Nguyen-Shaine MLT 6-1, 6-3

Maddie Welch / Abby Drake SW def. Floe-Raza MLT 6-1, 6-1

Kristen Smith / Grace Gilman SW def. Kinset-Gillen MLT 6-1, 6-1.

Shorewood 7, Marysville Getchell 0. Tuesday, March 20

At Marysville Getchell High School

Singles

Francesca O'Malley (SW) def. Lee (MG) 6-4, 6-4;

Daniella Brengelmann (SW) def. Sammy Wallace (MG) 6-1, 6-1;

Marija Feller (SW) def. Flores (MG) 6-0, 6-1;

Genevieve O'Malley (SW) def. Green (MG) 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles

YuAnne Corbett-Stephanie Ngy (SW) def. Alexander-Hernandez (MG) 6-1, 6-0;

Maddie Welsh-Abby Drake (SW) def. Lee-Uhler (MF) 6-1, 6-0;

Kristen Smith-Emma Brons (SW) def. Crawley-Meissner (MG) 6-1, 6-1.

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SCC Baseball drops two games to Thompson Rivers University

The Dolphin Baseball Team lost two games over the weekend to Thompson Rivers University from Kamloops, BC at the Yakima Valley Community College Tournament.

Thompson River is a three time Canadian National Champion in baseball.

SCC dropped a close opening game with them, 6-5 but then lost 8-2.

The Dolphins drop to 0-9 on the season and travel back to the Eastside of the state to face Blue Mountain Community College on Saturday just across the border in Oregon and then the Dolphins take on Walla Walla Community College on Sunday.

SCC opens NWAACC Northern Region play on March 31, as they face Edmonds Community College at Edmonds. Then on Sunday, April 1, the Dolphins play their first home of the season against Edmonds at the new Meridian Park Field at 1:00pm.

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What is a cyclotron?

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s) and Proton Therapy, A ProCure Center, are opening a new center on the campus of Northwest Hospital in north Seattle, on N 115th between Aurora and Meridian.

Photos show the lift of the bottom portion of the cyclotron at Northwest Hospital on the morning of March 17.  The ProCure Center will be opening in March of 2013.  

Chris Chandler, Annika Andrews, Ben Kaanto, George Larimore
on the site of the new Seattle Cancer Care Alliance facility.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Annika Andrews is the new president for ProCure (She is formerly from NW Hospital) and George Larimore is the Medical Director (He is from the UW).

The cyclotron is carefully positioned.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

What is a cyclotron?

A cyclotron is the core piece of equipment used in proton therapy. It is the source of protons used in treatment and the heart of a proton center. Eighteen feet in diameter and eight feet in height, the cyclotron weighs as much as a Boeing 747 jet – about 220 tons. The cyclotron is responsible for splitting the proton and the electron of a hydrogen atom and accelerating protons to nearly the speed of light to create a beam of energy. This beam of energy is then steered by electromagnets to individual treatment rooms and shaped specifically to conform to the tumor size and outline for precision in treatment delivery.

The cyclotron is carefully lowered into place
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

About ProCure Treatment Centers, Inc.

Procure Treatment Centers, Inc. is a privately held health care company dedicated to improving the lives of patients with cancer by increasing access to proton therapy. The company was founded in 2005 in Bloomington, Indiana, and is the first to develop a network of proton therapy centers in cities across the United States. The ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City opened in July 2009, the CDH Proton Center, A ProCure Center, located in Warrenville, Illinois, opened in October 2010 and the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, N.J., opened in March 2012. ProCure’s fourth center is under construction in Seattle, WA (opening 2013) and others are in development. ProCure provides management leadership and a comprehensive approach fo the design, construction and financing, staffing, training and day-to-day operations of proton therapy centers.

About Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is a cancer treatment center that unites doctors from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. Our goal, every day, is to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. Our purpose is to lead the world in the prevention and treatment of cancer. SCCA has four clinical care sites: an outpatient clinic on the Hutchinson Center campus; a pediatric inpatient unit as Seattle Childern’s; an adult inpatient unit at UW Medical Center; and a radiation oncology clinic on the campus of Northwest Hospital.

Treatment room, under construction
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

What is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy that has been FDA-approved to treat cancerous tumors since 1988. Proton therapy and x-ray therapy both kill cancer cells by preventing them from dividing and growing. The difference between these therapies is that protons can be guided to deposit the greatest amount of radiation right into the tumor, then stop, allowing the patients to receive high doses with less risk of damage to nearby healthy tissues. In contrast, x-ray radiation releases substantial doses of energy to healthy tissue and organs on the way to the tumor and continues to deliver radiation as it leaves the body.

Treatment room, under construction
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Proton therapy has been used successfully to treat prostate cancer, pediatric cancer, and tumors in areas difficult to access, such as brain, and tumors near the spine.

In addition, the advantages of proton therapy often make it the preferred option for treating most solid tumors in children. It also has shown promising results in the treatment of cancers that cannot be removed completely by surgery.

Information source: SCCA webpage

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Home Girls: Foreclosure Alternative - The Short Sale

Provided by Home Girl Nan Skinner, Keller Williams Real Estate

Facing foreclosure and tempted to stay in your home until the bank pulls it out from under you? 

Bad idea. Don’t do it. A much more graceful exit is a short sale, an agreement between you and your lender to sell your home for less than you owe. Although there’s no guarantee that your lender will let you avoid foreclosure with a short sale, new government regulations are aimed at encouraging lenders to do so.

Short sales get government incentives

Although short sales are not hassle-free, at least you’ve got the government backing you. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program provides financial incentives for lenders and borrowers to avoid foreclosure through short sales or deeds in lieu of foreclosures.

Participation in the HAFA program requires adherence to guidelines — including a standard process and minimum timeframes—that speed the process, says Dallas-based REALTOR® Tom Branch, co-author of Avoiding Foreclosure: The Field Guide to Short Sales. The HAFA program is for homeowners who can’t keep their homes with the help of a loan modification.

To be continued - or Read more at HouseLogic

You can contact Nan at 206-734-9289.

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New principal for Parkwood Elementary - Doug Poage

Doug Poage selected as principal
for Parkwood Elementary
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Doug Poage has been selected as principal of Parkwood Elementary School in Shoreline, Superintendent Sue Walker announced. His appointment is effective July 1 and is subject to approval by the Shoreline School Board.

He succeeds Laura Ploudré, who is leaving Parkwood after 11 years as principal to pursue new opportunities in education.

Doug has been the principal of Carnation Elementary School in the Riverview School District since 2001. During the past 11 years the school has shown dramatic improvement and success in student learning in both academic and arts programs. 

Carnation was honored as a School of Distinction in 2010 for being in the top five percent of schools improving in reading and math. In addition, in 2011 Carnation was recognized by Arts Ed. Washington and the Kennedy Center as a School of Excellence in Arts Education. 

Like Parkwood, it has become a model school for using the arts to improve academic achievement for all students.

Doug began his career in education as an elementary teacher in the Wichita, Kansas School District. After moving to Washington in 1996, he was an elementary teacher in the White River School District for five years. He received his bachelor and master’s degrees from Friends University in Kansas and his administration certificate from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Doug has five children ranging in age from 12 to 21. Two of his children are from Ethiopia. In 2004 he spent the summer working and training teachers in a school in South Africa.

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