Stay in touch with the Shoreline Area News

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

There are many ways to stay in touch with the Shoreline Area News.

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If you want to send a particular story to a friend, there is an email box at the bottom of each story - it's a little envelope with an arrow. Or you can double-click the story title. This will take you to the story on the web and you can copy the link (URL) in the title box at the top of the webpage. That's pretty useful when you want to send something to a number of people. Just remember to tell them that if the URL goes to a second line, they may have to copy the part on the second line.

If you are searching for a story, there is a little Google search box in the first column of the web page. If that doesn't work, just use regular Google.

Corrected 06-27-2012 8:06pm


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Orange Blossom plays at Highland Terrace Elementary talent show

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Orange Blossom plays "Orange Blossom Special"
at the 2nd Annual Highland Terrace Talent Show
Photo by Dana Doerksen

The Highland Terrace Elementary school talent show took place with two performances on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.  

These musicians call themselves "Orange Blossom" and performed the "Orange Blossom Special."  The little girls are second graders and the two tall kids are sixth graders.  

Forty acts performed over one and a half hours to the wild enthusiasm of the crowds.  A daytime show performed for the school and an evening show was performed for the parents and friends.

Send news from your school to the Shoreline Area News for publication.

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Book review by Aarene Storms: Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller


Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller  by Joseph Lambert

At the age of 19 months, Helen Keller became sick with an unknown illness (now believed to be scarlet fever) and as a result became blind and deaf.  For several years, her parents tried to teach her at home, but were unable to communicate with the child.  In desperation, they contacted the Perkins Institution for the Blind, the school in Massachussets which had gained fame 40 years earlier for educating Laura Bridgman, another deaf-blind student.  The Perkins Institution sent Annie Sullivan to be a governess to young Helen...and it was Miss Sullivan, called "Teacher" by Helen, who finally broke through Helen's handicap. 



This graphic novel tells the story of the relationship between Teacher and Helen Keller in remarkable pictures.  Many of the panels are narrated by Annie, extracted from letters she wrote to the head of the Perkins Institution.  Annie tells the story of her struggles with Helen, with the Keller family, with the oppressive climate and social conditions of the post-war South, and also flashes-back to her own troubled childhood in Boston, as a sight-impaired but highly-motivated student at Perkins.  The narration also relates a troubled chapter in the relationship between Helen, Annie, and the school, which occured when a charming story written by Helen was revealed to be almost identical to a short story published in 1889 by Margaret Canby.

Engagingly-told, with panels that draw the eye through even the painful bits of the story. A guide to discussion is included at the end of the book.  No cussing, no nekkidness.  Highly recommended for ages 10 to adult. 

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS



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Ivy Out Work Party at Grace Cole Nature Park Saturday

Volunteers are welcome to participate in the IVY OUT Work Party on Saturday, June 30th at the Grace Cole Nature Park. 

Meet at Grace Cole Nature Park at 9am and we will go to Perkins Way to work on some trees along McAleer Creek which are heavily encumbered with English ivy. 

According to leader Mamie Bolander "The liberated trees will be most grateful."

Don't Let Ivy Kill Our Trees!

Bring water, your own gloves and tools if you like, or use the ones provided. Dress for the weather. If you miss us at 9 o'clock, come find us at Perkins Way.  

Finish at 12 noon. Snacks and beverages provided. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Mamie at 206-364-4410. 



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The dummy survived - 911 at the Shoreline Arts Festival

Photo by Carl Dinse

Lucius S practices CPR while Michaela N waits her turn after a lesson in how to do chest compressions and call 911 from Melanie Granfors, Shoreline Fire, at last weekend's Shoreline Arts Festival.



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Ryan Ross promoted to 1st Security Bank Home Lending Division

Ryan Ross, promoted to Loan Officer
(Mountlake Terrace WA 6.25.12) – 1st Security Bank has recently appointed Ryan Ross to the position of Loan Officer, as announced by Senior Vice President of Home Lending, Donn Costa.

Ross, a resident of Shoreline, will work out of the bank’s home lending headquarters in Mountlake Terrace and three of its branch locations: Puyallup, Canyon Park in Bothell and Overlake in Redmond.

He previously worked as a personal banker, joining 1st Security Bank in 2009.

Ross began his mortgage career in 2002 with Mortgage Advocates in Beaverton, Oregon, followed by a position as a senior client representative with First Mutual Bank. When the bank was acquired by Washington Federal in 2008, Ross switched to a position as loan coordinator.

“I’m happy to return to the mortgage side of the business,” Ryan said. “We’re building a great, new team of experienced home lending professionals and we are able to offer the best service in the industry.”

1st Security Bank of Washington first opened in 1936 as a credit union. It converted to a community bank in 2004 to offer a wider variety of services. Joe Adams has been the bank’s Chief Executive Officer since that time.



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Camp counselors needed locally


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Shoreline City Council Meeting June 25, 2012

Notes from Shoreline City Council Meeting June 25, 2012

By  Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The Shoreline City Council voted to sign the animal control agreement with King County rather than form their own animal control unit. Deputy Mayor Eggen said that King County has made an effort to improve service and control costs. Also the city will have an animal control officer stationed in the city to cover the northern part of the county which should benefit service to the city.  

A preliminary discussion of the 2012-2013 city budget was presented by Robert Hartwig, Administrative Services Director. He warned that there is “no authoritative source for the information” and that the numbers are subject to change. He anticipated the council may provide additional budget direction to the City Manager as result of this review. Hartwig anticipated a gap in funding in 2013 of perhaps $135,000 which he suggested could be addressed with cuts across the board, cutting specific programs, using stabilization funds set aside for unanticipated costs, or finding new sources of revenue.

Hartwig pointed out that unaddressed and unfunded demands include providing public defense to those arraigned before the district court who don’t have the knowledge to represent their best interests. Also providing legal defense for homeless and indigent. City Manager Julie Underwood said that the city’s Human Services  Department lacked funds to provide  counseling in recent situations where children attempted and in some cases committed suicide.

Councilmember Roberts said he would like to see investment in sidewalks since many people have complained about their lack. He said he’d like to see a program to help homeowners put in sidewalks and spread the cost over several years. City Manager Underwood said  “on July 21 there will be a tour for the  City Council of sidewalk needs to see what kind of things could be funded in a sidewalk program.”

Councilmember McConnell said if matching funds could be found for sidewalks she would support that, but “ it enhances the lifestyle of everyone when our human service needs are taken care of. We still need to tighten our belts more and more.”

Would you be interested in writing a similar column for Lake Forest Park? Contact us.


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Tune up those vocal cords - City sponsors Karaoke in the Park on Friday to sing away hunger

Cromwell Park
Karaoke in the Park, Friday June 29th from 3:30-7:30pm at Cromwell Park.

If you like singing Karaoke and love the outdoors, this event is for you!  Family-friendly karaoke for all ages in a beautiful park setting at Cromwell Park in Shoreline.  

Event is free, but please bring a non-perishable food item for HOPELINK.   Come join DJ ChrisP and help sing away hunger in Shoreline!

If June doesn’t work for you, there will be more dates; Saturday July 7th and Thursday, August 2nd.

This event is sponsored by the City of Shoreline and FSI Mobile Music


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Sergei Tschernisch named to Youth Peace Program

Music4Life
Seattle's Sergei Tschernisch (pronounced CHAIR-nish), former President of Cornish College of the Arts, has been named to the Advisory Board of the Music4Life Peace Initiative. The initiative is an annual Seattle-based program to foster international peace through youth music activities.

“We are thrilled to have Sergei's participation on our Advisory Board because of his extensive background in the arts and his strong commitment as an arts activist," says David Endicott, who chairs the activity. “Sergei's involvement in the arts began early in his life as an actor and director in theatre. He has recently returned to the theatre, this time in the position as Director of Advancement at ACT Theatre.”

The Music4Life Peace Initiative is a Rotary-inspired annual event that brings three or four young musicians from each of two traditionally antagonistic cultures to Seattle. The youngsters participate in a summer music camp program, learn that they can work together cooperatively through the inter-national language of music and then take those lessons home with them.

Conductor-Laureate Gerard Schwarz and composer Marvin Hamlisch of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Music4Life Peace Initiative. Others currently serving on the Advisory Board include Colleen Armstrong, retired Chief of staff of Seattle Opera; Narayan Baltzo, a life-affirming songwriter and musician; Admiral Bill Center, USN retired and a past president of the Seattle Downtown Rotary Club; Endicott; Dr. Charles Evans, Captain US Public Health Service (retired) and a Magnolia Rotarian; Lisa Fox, an employment program manager and past president of University District Rotary; Yeva Ghazaryan, a music educator and University District Rotarian; and Spencer Lehmann, a retired long-term care insurance executive.

The Music4Life Peace Initiative is working with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras to place the student-musicians at SYSO’s summertime youth music camp. Called Marrowstone-in-the-City, it is comprised of a two-week, half-day program for young musicians located in Seattle. “We work with young musicians whose attitudes and prejudices are not yet fully ingrained in them,” Endicott says.

The initiative is one activity of Music4Life , a four-year-old program to acquire musical instruments for low income young musicians in public schools. The program began working with Seattle Public Schools and has been expanded to serve young musicians in the Highline School System and in Shoreline Schools. Music4Life received the “Friend of Music” award by the Washington Music Educators Association in February at its biennial statewide conference in Yakima.
Although Music4Life is a Rotary-inspired program, Endicott is quick to point out that it is not necessary to be a member of a Rotary club to support it. “All that is necessary is that a person understands the unique value that participation in instrumental music has in a young person’s total education.”


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The Around the Sound Band is a crowd-pleaser at the Shoreline Arts Festival

Monday, June 25, 2012

The Around the Sound Band plays to an appreciative audience
Photo by Carl Dinse
The Around the Sound Bank takes time to pose for a group photo
Photo by Carl Dinse


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Backyard birds: Cedar waxwings

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Photographer Marc Weinberg captured photos of this Cedar waxwing in his backyard in the Richmond Highland / Richmond Beach area of Shoreline.

Cedar waxwing
Photo by Marc Weinberg

Cedar waxwing
Photo by Marc Weinberg


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Frank Workman on Sports: High school sports - lessons learned and taught every day

By Frank Workman

It’s been a full month since the last High School games were played and championships contested,and already I find myself itching to get back out to watch another year’s action.

I love High School sports, and I get out and see between 60 and 70 games a year. When you throw in some high school plays and jazz concerts, the number of events I attend grows by 5-10.

Compared to their professional or collegiate counterparts, sure, the level of athletic performance is nowhere near as high.

Yet the passion and commitment shown by the players at the high school level take a back seat to no one.

And while the HS ranks can have the occasional controversy (usually when the adults involved try to muck up the works), it for the most part maintains a degree of purity that is close to 99.44%.

Compare that to what we read every day about cheating scandals and money squabbles in both the college and pro ranks, and the HS brand of ball, regardless of the sport, comes up smelling like a rose.

At the HS level, it’s understood by coaches and players that representing one’s school is a privilege, not a right, and the privilege can be revoked should there be a dip in grades or other unacceptable behavior. 

When players’ britches get a little too big for their own good, they are usually given the opportunity to watch the game from the sidelines until they fit better.

High school sports are an extension of the classroom, played out in public, where lessons are taught and learned every day. 

Unlike the classroom, where the lessons are taught first, then the test taken; sports gives you the test first, with lessons to be learned from it afterwards.

And all the while, as these lessons are being taught and learned, we get to sit in the stands and watch the drama of athletic competition unfold before our eyes, watching our favorite sports being played by athletes, our neighbors, who throw their heart and soul into every minute of play.

The athletes are approachable after the games. Grade school kids, some with stars in their eyes, can meet the players, and lifelong friendships can be struck. 

Try doing that with the members of your local college or pro team.

High school sports are where we get to watch great people begin to take shape – not to mention the next All-American, All-Pro, or even Hall of Famer.

Yes, I will enjoy the warmth of the summer sun, if not the heat of a pennant race for the next few months.

But until I get to see and hear a toe kick a football on a warm Friday night next September, things won’t be quite right with the world.

And there’s only ten more Friday nights to go!


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State Schools Superintendent renews agreement with French academy


OLYMPIA — An agreement renewed on June 22, 2012 will help students from France and Washington learn about the language, history and culture of each of their countries.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU), between the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the AcadĂ©mie de Nantes in France, renews a formal agreement between the organizations originally signed on April 27, 2010. 

Under the agreement, each had agreed to consider partnerships, such as the sister school program, that could benefit students at every grade level.

“I am pleased to be renewing this agreement,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “The MOU has already helped Washington State and the AcadĂ©mie de Nantes in France to establish sister school in ten schools in each country. Washington students are already benefiting from this opportunity to directly interact with a variety of cultures and languages in order to become respectful and responsible global citizens of this world.”
The goal of the collaboration is to provide educational opportunities that will:
  • support the teaching, learning, and understanding of the respective languages, cultures and their contributions to history and contemporary issues;
  • promote a better knowledge, understanding and appreciation of our respective educational systems;
  • provide students, teachers and other educators and administrators with educational opportunities and resources, both linguistic and cultural, that prepare them for future personal, academic and professional success; and
  • incorporate international dimensions and comparative approaches in teaching, learning, training and research, and the evaluation of these areas.

The Académie and OSPI have recently issued an annual report for 2012 detailing the progress made on the collaboration. The renewed memorandum of understanding sets the agreement at four years, with a chance for renewal if both parties agree.

The Académie de Nantes is composed of about 3,600 schools, ranging from kindergarten through college, serving more than 665,000 students. The Académie serves Nantes, a city of more than 800,000 people that is located about 200 miles southwest of Paris.



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What are you reading this summer?

West of Here by Jonathan Evison is the selection for the LFP and Shoreline Reads program. 

LFP and Shoreline Reads is an annual community-reading program. One book is selected and discussions are held in libraries and at Third Place Books throughout the summer. West of Here by Bainbridge Island author Evison is
"Set in the fictional town of Port Bonita, on Washington State’s rugged Pacific coast, West of Here is propelled by a story that both re-creates and celebrates the American experience—it is storytelling on the grandest scale. With one segment of the narrative focused on the town’s founders circa 1890, and another showing the lives of their descendants in 2006, the novel develops as a kind of conversation between two epochs, one rushing blindly toward the future and the other struggling to undo the damage of the past." 

Everyone is welcome to join the books discussion with the author Jonathan Evison, on July 30 at 7pm in the Commons. In addition, this year local libraries will sponsor discussion groups.

This is the sixth year of the LFP Reads program. The project was initiated by the Lake Forest Park Library Committee and is supported by the Friends of the LFP Library. This year Shoreline Library Advisory Committee and the friends of the Richmond Beach and Shoreline libraries are all collaborating.

The book is 20% off at Third Place Books during June, July and August.


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WeatherWatcher: Junuary - very wet and cooler than normal


-June so far, very wet, much cooler than the normal.
-Next week's general forecast
-Weekly data for June 9th - 15th, and June 16th - 22nd.

We've certainly had our up and down months this spring and now summer, June is no exception to the wet and cold.  We welcomed the official first day of Summer on Wednesday June 20th with a high temperature of 72.3°F.  However that was the exception for nice weather.  Most of the month has been cloudy, rainy, and cold!  Some days have averaged about 10°F colder than normal.  We have not yet broken 80°F for a high temperature since the new year.

-Here are some 3-year averages at Carl's Shoreline Weather Station for June.

  • Average temperature overall: 58.4°F
  • Average daily high temperature: 69.1°F
  • Average monthly rainfall: 0.75 inches.

-This June so far:

  • Average temperature overall: 55.2°F (3.2°F colder overall)
  • Average daily high temperature: 64.5°F (4.6°F colder than normal high temperatures)
  • This Junes total rainfall so far: 5.81 inches!  (That's 5.06 inches above normal!)

-Next week looks to be more of the same as this weekend played out.  However I don't think we're going to have another soaking rainfall with half inch plus rain fall amounts.  Looks like we will have lots of clouds, sun breaks, and rain showers throughout the entire week.  Mid-week around Wednesday or so we may have a nice sunny day with the high temperature breaking the 70°F mark.  Otherwise highs will hover around the low to mid 60's.

Weekly Weather data:
-June 9th - 15th:
High temperature: 78.4°F (Monday the 11th)
Low temperature: 43.5°F (Friday the 15th)
Rainiest day: 0.64 inches (Wednesday the 13th)
Total rainfall: 0.64 inches
Warmest day: 60.8°F (Monday the 11th)
Coldest day: 51.8°F (Thursday the 14th)
Average temperature: 55.6°F

-June 16th - 22nd:
High temperature: 72.3°F (Wednesday the 20th)
Low temperature: 46.2°F (Wednesday the 20th)
Rainiest day: 1.28 inches (Friday the 22nd)
Total rainfall: 1.74 inches
Warmest day: 63.2°F (Saturday the 16th)
Coldest day: 52.6°F (Monday the 18th)
Average temperature: 57.5°F

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, starting Saturday morning at midnight.  All weather data unless otherwise noted is sourced from Carl's Shoreline Weather Station.


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Hammond of Shorecrest on all-area baseball second team


Shorecrest senior Ted Hammond has won a position on the Everett Herald all-area second team.

Three players from Jackson, two from Lake Stevens, and one each from Archbishop Murphy, Cascade, Glacier Peak, Lynnwood, Marysville Pilchuck, Meadowdale and Mountlake Terrace made up the first team.

Hammond was named to the second team as a pitcher. He joined three players each from Edmonds-Woodway and Lake Stevens, two from Meadowdale, and one each from Jackson, Kamiak and Mountlake Terrace.
            
The team includes the top players from the Western Conference 3A and 4A divisions, the Cascade 2A-1A Conference and the Northwest 1A-2B League.


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Shoreline Arts Festival continues Sunday 10am to 5pm

Scenes from Saturday's Shoreline Arts Festival...

There is art at the Arts Festival
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

There is an interesting and delicious variety of food
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

You have not experienced the Festival
until you have created a fish painting
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

There's a large section of booth art where you can meet
the artist and buy their work
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Frank Poysky makes cards from his nature photography
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Wally Charm makes jewelry from old coins
Photo by Jerry Pickard 

Barbara Seeley uses recycled glass to make her art.
Photo by Jerry Pickard


Able Wood Designs. Jerry Abledinger's custom wood  designs.
Photo by Jerry Pickard


The Choir of the Sound sings the Beatles
Photo by Jerry Pickard

All this, and more, await you on Sunday.

The Shoreline Arts Festival takes place at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.


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"Beyond Labels: Understanding Others' Needs" - free presentation

Saturday, June 23, 2012


"Beyond Labels: Understanding Others' Needs" - June 28, Shoreline Library

Autism, ADD, Sensory Integration Disorder, Learning Disabilities--all are labels describing symptoms and behaviors. HANDLE gets to root causes to understand another's needs.

HANDLE  is a powerful and effective therapy, AND it respects and values each person for the unique individual that they are. The goal with HANDLE is to strengthen weak or disorganized sensory, motor, and neurological systems, so that each person can more easily do the things that they want to do.

Join Peg Simon, Certified HANDLE Practitioner, on Thursdays, June 28 and July 26, from 6:45 to 8:15 pm at the Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th, Shoreline, for a free presentation. You can come to either session.

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Music4Life has a booth at the Shoreline Arts Festival

You are never going to play the violin.
Give it to someone who will.
Music4Life™ acquires musical instruments and supplies for young musicians from financially challenged families in the Shoreline Public Schools.  Shoreline Schools  Music4Life is a community activity that is inspired by the Rotary Clubs of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline Breakfast, Shoreline Lunch and Rain City.  

Drop off your gently used instruments at the Music4Life booth at the Shoreline Arts Festival, Shoreline Center, on Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

For more information or to donate an instrument to Shoreline Schools Music4Life, email or call 206-409-3275 or go to the website,


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Yoda-building event at Alderwood Lego store


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Photo: capturing escaping balloons

Friday, June 22, 2012

Victoria Gideon Photography

Sterling Bank employee Herald ties down escaping balloons at the grand opening of the Ballinger Branch of Sterling Bank on June 15, 2012.




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Highland Terrace Teacher named Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year

Mark Owen, Anna Soper, Kidd Valley representatives,
Principal Mike VanOrden. Photo by Frank Kleyn

Mr. Mark Owen, fifth grade teacher at Highland Terrace Elementary, was chosen as the recipient of Kidd Valley's Teacher of the Year Award. Mark was nominated by sixth grader, Anna Soper, who wrote an essay highlighting Mark's amazing talents as a teacher and Math Olympiad coach. Mark received $500 to be used for classroom supplies,

Kidd Valley restaurant reviewed hundreds of essay nominations from kindergarten through eighth grade students commending their favorite teachers as part of the ninth annual Teacher of the Year contests. From that, an exceptional teacher came out on top to earn the grand prize awards.

Kidd Valley has named Mark Owen of Shoreline’s Highland Terrace Elementary School as the Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year. In a ceremony at a school assembly on Friday, Owen was presented with a $500 giant check good for a gift certificate for school supplies and a commemorative plaque,

Anna Soper, a sixth-grade student from Highland Terrace Elementary School, nominated fifth-grade teacher Mark Owen. Mr. Owen is recognized for his dedication to the Math Olympiad program, building a great foundation for students’ math skills and having the highest participation in the math program in the Shoreline School District. Soper and her school’s Math Olympiad team received burger vouchers good for a Kidd Valley Kidds Meal. 

Kidd Valley honored other teachers including Megan Woodward, who teaches second-grade at Briarcrest Elementary School, Shoreline.


Kidd Valley began in 1975 in Seattle's University District. Today, Kidd Valley has 8 retail locations throughout Western Washington plus 6 stadium and event locations such as Safeco Field, CenturyLink Field and KeyArena.


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Neighbor in need: Shoreline man hit by car

Shoreline resident Toni Nyman wants to alert the community to a neighbor in need.

She reports that Dave Olson, an employee at a small family-owned business called Video Factory on NE 145th between 15th and 17th NE, was hit by a car last week while he was walking home from work.


She says he "was hit by a driver who pulled onto the sidewalk and sent him flying. The hit-and-run driver stopped just long enough to see if Dave was alive; then he drove off."

She continues, "Dave is a guy in his 50's, with no insurance. He ended up with a broken leg and some damage to his hip. Although he will not require surgery, his medical expenses - and his loss of income - will be devastating. Many of us who frequent the store very much wish to help him out." 

Toni is working with the store owner to host a barbeque to collect money for Dave but in the meantime she wants to let people know they can donate at the Video Factory store.

She says that "Dave is a local guy who really could use the support of his community."

The phone number for Video Factory is 206-363-0839,

 ‎

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Shoreline City Council Meeting June 18, 2012

Notes from Shoreline City Council Meeting June 18, 2012
By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The City Council passed a tree ordinance after discussion and amendments had been voted on. Four council members voted for it: Hall, Eggen, Salomon, and Roberts. Mayor McGlashan and council members McConnell and Winstead voted against. The mayor said that tying the number of trees a property owner could cut to the lot size could “pit neighbor against neighbor”. Owners of large properties of 21,781 square feet and above could cut up to 6 trees while owners of the smallest properties up to 7,200 square feet would be allowed 3 trees without a clearing and grading permit. The ordinance states “The removal of any tree greater than 30’’ in diameter or exceeding the numbers of trees (specified per lot size) shall require a clearing and grading permit”.

In a letter to the city council the Innis Arden Club through their attorney said the code amendments are “ill conceived and they would add new complexity to the burdens confronted by homeowners in the management of their landscaping. They would place new demands on City Staff in the administration of the tree regulations. In doing so, their overall effect on the urban tree canopy and on the environment in which Shoreline citizens make their homes would not be demonstrably beneficial and could well be harmful.”

Elaine Phelps from Innis Arden said that Innis Arden ”used to be a really nice community, but since the tree issue has developed there are horrible confrontations whether to keep the trees or keep the views. Innis Arden is only 2% of the population of Shoreline, but they are one of the most costly to the city in terms of services and special considerations. Innis Arden should not be able to impose their own rules on the city.”

Council member McConnell said that “tree canopies should not be mandated but rather incentivized. How to preserve property rights while doing the right thing” for the city’s tree canopy?

Council member Hall said that two studies had shown no changes in tree canopy between 1996 and 2006 in Shoreline. “Just because it isn’t a crisis today we don’t want to wait until it’s too late to save big trees. All over King County cities are rapidly losing tree canopy.” He said he supported the tighter restrictions over tree removal in this ordinance.


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Man sentenced to at least 25 years for Shoreline child rape


From our News Partner, The Seattle Times

"The mother of a 12-year-old girl could be heard quietly crying over a speakerphone as a Korean interpreter read aloud in court a letter she wrote, detailing the nightmare the woman and her daughter have endured since Jesse Ryan Gonzales sneaked into their Shoreline apartment and raped the girl in her bedroom in December.  
"Gonzales, 38, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree rape and first-degree burglary. Though he faced a standard sentence of about 15 to 19 years for the rape, Gonzales was sentenced Friday to a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison by King County Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson, due to the young age of his victim."
The full story...


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Date change for Shoreline Fire Commissioners meeting

As required by RCW Chapter 42.30, Open Public Meetings Act, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department for Thursday, July 19, 2012, beginning at 5:00 p.m. has been changed to Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at Department Headquarters, located at 17525 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133.


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James Jansen chosen as VP of Academic and Student Affairs at Shoreline Community College


Dr. James Jansen
James Jansen will be the next Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Shoreline Community College.

Jansen will take over the position from John Backes who is retiring June 30. Jansen’s first day on campus will be July 30 and college officials are considering options for covering the gap.

“I really look forward to working with President Lambert and the rest of the team. (Shoreline) is a comprehensive community college and does it all so well. I feel like it was just the right choice for me,” Jansen said Friday, June 22, 2012, after accepting the position. “This is coming home for us. We really have adopted the Pacific Northwest as home. I came east to acquire valuable education and experience, but the Northwest is our home.”

Jansen has earned a long list of academic credentials, including a PhD in Language and Literature from the University of Utah; an MS in Postsecondary Education, MA in English and Rhetoric and MS in Professional/Technical Writing all from Portland State University; a BA in English/ESL and BA in Russian from the University of Utah and a BA in German from Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kan.

“Along with significant personal academic achievements, Dr. Jansen brings experience and focus in the areas that will help Shoreline move into the future,” Shoreline Community College President Lee Lambert said. “I believe Shoreline students will benefit from the experiences, values and commitment to the community college mission he brings as an educator.”

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Lake Forest Park man pleads guilty to $4 million in bogus medical bills


OLYMPIA, Wash. – A medical worker submitted at least $4.1 million in bogus bills to insurers, sometimes while falsely claiming to be a doctor or physician’s assistant, has pleaded guilty to theft.

Kenneth R. Welling, 45, of Lake Forest Park, pleaded guilty Thursday in King County Superior Court. The charges -- all of which are felonies -- include one count of first-degree theft and six counts of second-degree theft.

“This was a pretty audacious scam,” said state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “We were tipped off to it when a patient contacted us, saying that Welling billed her insurer $89,000 for six surgeries that never happened.”

Welling is a registered surgical technologist and sole proprietor of Shoreline-based Alpine Surgical Services. His license allows him to perform tasks like preparing supplies and instruments, passing them to the surgeon and preparing basic sterile packs and trays. But after patients had procedures done, he would often submit large bills with codes listing himself as a doctor or physician’s assistant. He is neither.

Kreidler’s investigators also found numerous instances in which Welling billed for surgeries that never happened. Sometimes he would include post-operative reports, listing himself as the surgeon.

No evidence was found to indicate that Welling was playing an improper role in actual medical care. The fraud involved billing.

“As far as we could tell, the only time he pretended to be a doctor was when he submitted bills,” said Kreidler.

In one woman’s case, Welling billed $140,323 as assisting surgeon for nine surgeries that never took place. Over a five-year period, he billed another woman’s insurer 107 times for 51 different surgeries, listing himself as the primary doctor. Hospital records show she’d only had surgery twice.

From 2004 through 2011, according to medical records obtained by Kreidler’s Special Investigations Unit, Welling billed five insurance companies at least $4.1 million for services he did not provide. He was paid $461,000.

“Part of the reason he got away with this for so long is that he’d rarely challenge an insurer who paid little or nothing,” said Kreidler. “He’d just send them the bills and hope they’d pay.”

The investigation also showed that some patients were complaining to their insurers.

“I am angry!” one woman wrote to her insurance company in 2011. “Here is yet another fraudulent claim. Can’t you people help me to stop this? I never had surgery on Aug. 27, 2009. I never met or had anything to do with Ken Welling.”

A sentencing date is expected to be scheduled soon.



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Shoreline Arts Festival schedule for Saturday and Sunday


Saturday, June 23, 10-6 pm and Sunday, June 24, 10-5 pm
Shoreline Center
18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline


Shoreline Room Stage

Saturday
10:40am                    Welcome
10:45-11:15am          Shoreline Senior Singers
11:30-12:00pm         Awards Presentation
12:15-12:45pm         Hokulani's Hula Studio & The Kupunas
1:00-1:45pm              Baile Glas Irish Dancers ($150)
2:00-2:45pm              Bailey's Traditional Taekwon Do College
3:00-3:45pm              Filipiniana Dance Company
3:50-3:55pm              Horizon Pom Team
4:00-4:45pm              Nonesuch English Country Dancers
4:50-4:55pm              Horizon Pom Team
5:00-5:45pm              Melody Institute, Chinese Dance

Sunday
12:00-12:45pm         Three Generations, Native American Dance
1:00-1:45pm              Spoken Word Poetry
2:00-2:45pm              Ocheami, African Drumming
3:00-3:45pm              Filipiniana Dance Company
4:00-4:45pm              Brian Ledbetter Magic


Showmobile/Outdoor Stage

Saturday
12:00-12:45pm         Choir of the Sound
1:15-2:15pm              Morning Star Korean Cultural Center - Samulnori (Korean percussion) 
2:30-3:30pm              Peter Joon Park - P'ungmul (Korean percussion) Workshop
4:00-4:45pm              Rhythms of India - sponsored by the King County Library system
5:00-6:00                   Batiste Dabke Group - Middle Eastern Dance

Sunday
12:00-1:00pm            Mansung Samulnori of Tacoma - Korean percussion Performance
1:15-2:15pm              Peter Joon Park - P'ungmul (Korean percussion) Workshop
2:45-3:45pm              Around the Sound Community Band
4:00-4:45pm              Lion Dance Group - Taiwanese Folk Dance


Library2Go!
A Library2Go! mini-bookmobile will be at the Festival all day on Saturday. Each vehicle carries approximately 1,500 library items for all ages including books, audiobooks, DVDs and music CDs that are available for check out at each stop. Stop by and visit!

Organization Booths

Dandylyon Drama
Hopelink
Shoreline High School Alumni Class of 1961
Shoreline Solar Project

Hands On Art Projects
Under Large Tent:
Duct Tape Wallets and Luggage Tags
New Zealand Koru Painting 
Morse Code Beaded Bracelets
Decoupage to Your Dreams Light Switches

Fish Prints

Plexiglas Portraits

Community Hands On Stations:

NW Collage Society Room
Printmaking with April Richardson
Just Frogs
Shoreline Historical Museum Rubbings
Kruckeburg Garden Art
North City Co-op Preschool Hands On

The Missoula Children's Theatre is performing in the north auditorium - tickets required


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Where's Woody?

Woody takes a break with Sofie, the dog.
Photo by Brad Lancaster
Shoreline residents who had become accustomed to watching Woody the alpaca munch on local blackberries wondered where he had gone.

Eric Gilmore, from Shoreline's Public Works department, reports that "Woody and others have done such a good job cleaning up, the contractor has moved the animals back to their farm in Duvall to give the grass time to grow. Residents should expect to see animals periodically through the rest of the summer and into the early fall. While the same animal may not come back to the same site, residents can be assured they are “working” somewhere else!"
Part of Woody's herd was working along
Richmond Beach Road
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Shoreline's vegetation management program used a mixed group of llamas, alpacas, sheep, and goats from Earthcraft Services, to eat the overgrown vegetation on City properties.

See previous story about Woody's place in the neighborhood.


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Book review by Aarene Storms: Bumped


Bumped by Megan McCafferty
In this up-tempo dystopian novel, teen pregnancies are not only normal, they are vital.

A virus renders everyone over the age of 18 infertile, making teen pregnancy essential for the survival of humanity. Humanity has responded to the crisis by dumping societal norms upside-down, and now pregnant teens and pre-teens are considered the apex of beauty and the center of importance.  Children and pre-adolescents play at "bumping", young girls wear "MyTurn Tees" and and Preggerz FunBumps (with real skinfeel and in-uterobic activity!), and 16-year-old twins Melody and Harmony have only two years remaining until obsolesence. 

Melody is a contracted pro-pregger, who has signed with an agent to produce a very expensive delivery that will pay for a top-notch college as well as her adoptive parents' debts.  Harmony, raised in a conservative Amish-esque community, has run away from her adoptive family to bring her newly-found twin into a state of grace with God.

Absolutely nothing goes as planned.

The twins trade the narration back-and-forth as the situation gets increasingly complicated.  Fun slang and the twist on cultural values almost mask important messages about teen sexuality, sibling rivalry, religious tolerance, and the difficulty of living a life different from the life that parents and society expect.

Lots of talk about sex and sexual situations, but nothing happens on the page. Recommended for readers ages 14 to adult. This book would be interesting to discuss and contrast to Libba Bray's Beauty Queens.

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach Library, KCLS 

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Shoreline Firefighter training Haitians to be Emergency Medical Technicians


Shoreline Firefighter Jodi Denney (center, in red) with EMPACT graduating class in Haiti
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire


Shoreline Firefighter Jodi Denney spent went 11 days in Haiti recently with with Project EMPACT. She helped Shoreline Paramedic Eric Adman teach a group of Haitians to be Emergency Medical Technicians. She is seen here with the 26 graduates. Adman has made numerous trips to Haiti and pioneered the EMT instruction program. He starts fundraising again soon to return and start another medical responder class. 


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Buy hot dogs - support the Band - it's all good


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Business Research Basics: A Two Part Series at the Shoreline Library


Shoreline Library Photo by
Steven H. Robinson
Business Research Basics: A Two Part Series at the Shoreline Library

Thursday, July 12, 4pm-5:30pm
Thursday, July 19, 4pm-5:30pm

Register by calling the Shoreline Library beginning June 27 at 206-362-7550

Learn all about how to do business research for your small business.  Whether you are writing your business plan, or already have a business, this series will show you how to learn more about your industry, find out who your potential competition might be, and learn more about how to find information that will help you succeed.

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



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