Save the date for Shoreline Fire skills demonstration

Friday, August 17, 2012

Shoreline Fire Department celebrates Fire Prevention Week with an Open House and Skills Demonstration on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11am to 2pm at Headquarters and Training Center, 17525 Aurora Avenue North.     

Sponsored by IAFF Local 1760 … YOUR Shoreline Firefighters!

Bring the kids!


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Planes, trains, automobiles and ferries at WSDOT (Planes? Really?)


It’s not just highways, trains and ferries at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): They have airports, too
Sure, our highways and ferries are pretty nifty, and we even partner with Amtrak Cascades. But for our flying friends, we have state-owned airports – not to mention a rather nifty aviation division. Of course, if you’re already a private pilot, you probably know all that. But if you’re not, pop by our aviation page and take a look at what they do.

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Take learning to an all-time high with a free youth ticket voucher trip to the top of the Space Needle

Photo by Chris Nolan
Bartell Drugs and the Space Needle launch "Back to School Youth Ticket Promotion" beginning August 19.

The Space Needle and Bartell Drugs launch their "Back to School Youth Ticket Promotion" beginning August 19 as part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Space Needle.

With summer winding down and school just around the corner, customers shopping at Bartells for school supplies can request a voucher for up to two free youth tickets (valid when accompanied by a paying adult) to visit the Space Needle Observation Deck. 

The ticket vouchers will be available while supplies last.

The voucher, good for up to two free youth tickets, is valid from September 3 - November 2, 2012.

Bartell Drugs is helping to spotlight the milestone anniversary of the Space Needle -- an enduring symbol of Seattle's skyline - through a variety of community-focused promotions and events throughout the anniversary.  

About Bartell Drugs
Seattle-based Bartell Drugs owns and operates 58 stores throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Family-owned since 1890, it is the oldest family-owned drugstore chain in the United States. For more information on Bartell Drugs and locations, visit the webpage.

About the Space Needle
The Space Needle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2012. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has become the number one attraction in the Pacific Northwest, with over one million visitors each year. Along with SkyCity, the world's first revolving restaurant, the Space Needle is now recognized as the global icon for the City of Seattle.

More information on the Space Needle including a revolving view from the Needle.



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Shoreline Fire Commissioners special meeting notice


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First-ever report documents inequities of place, race and income across King County

King County Executive Dow Constantine today called for a community-wide effort to make King County a place where everyone has access to opportunities and the ability to reach their full potential, upon release of a first-of-its-kind report that reveals inequities of place, race and income across the county.

“It’s a basic American ideal that personal success should be based upon merit - talent, drive, determination - not upon race, or class, or zip code,” said Executive Constantine. “Our economy depends on everyone being able to contribute, and we must remove the barriers that artificially limit the ability of some to fulfill their potential. Only when all can fully participate can we have true prosperity.”

The first annual report of King County Equity and Social Justice shows that King County is increasingly diverse, with a non-white population that has grown from 13 percent in 1980 to 35 percent in the 2010 census. That trend is expected to continue, as nearly half of all county residents under 18 are non-white. More than 100 languages are spoken in King County, and 11 percent of those over age 5 have limited-English proficiency.

“The results of the report make it painfully clear that the lives of far too many people in our county continue to be impacted by systemic inequities,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “In 2008, we made a commitment to reduce these inequalities. King County has accomplished much in a very short time, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve the ideals supported by Equity and Social Justice.”

“Over the last decade the diversity in our District’s student population has increased dramatically, with a doubling of students from low-income families and a five-fold increase in English-language learners,” said Dr. Kip Herren, Auburn Schools Superintendent. “Reducing inequities would provide all of our students with an equal chance to reach their full potential and succeed academically.”

The report highlights the 14 determinants of equity – the conditions in which county residents are born, grow, live, work, and age – and baseline markers to assess progress and areas for improvement in creating a fair and just society. 

The report includes maps and other statistics that reveal inequities across King County by place, race and income, and the factors that contribute to opportunity and quality of life, for example:

  • Life expectancy varies from a high of 86 years in one neighborhood to a low of 77 years in another – a difference of 9 years.
  • The largest decline in home values has occurred in South King County communities, low-income areas and more racially diverse communities.
  • The incarceration rate for African Americans in King County is roughly 8 times the rate of incarceration for whites.
  • Food hardship has increased by half since 2007 in King County and varies significantly by race. Nearly two in five Latino adults and more than one in five African American adults report food hardship.
The report also highlights King County efforts to promote fair and just conditions for all through the siting and delivering of services; policy development and decision making; education and communication within county government; and community engagement and partnerships. For example:

  • The budget office held all agencies accountable for considering equity impacts in their 2012 budgets and business plans.
  • Metro Transit included social equity as one of three criteria in its new Transit Strategic Plan, which determines how transit services are allocated in King County.
  • King County Elections expanded voter registration and education outreach activities through partnerships with ethnic communities and other underserved populations.

The first annual report of King County Equity and Social Justice can be viewed online. It includes maps and graphs for race, poverty, decline in home values, on-time graduation rates, hunger, health insurance and other factors.





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Special Sounder train this weekend for Sounders and Mariners

Photo courtesy Sound Transit
If you’re a sports fan, Sounder has you covered this weekend. They’ll be running special Sounder trains to CenturyLink Field on Saturday for the Sounders FC vs. Vancouver match. The train leaves Everett at 11:15 am and makes its regular station stop at Edmonds on the way to Seattle.

On Sunday, they’re running a train to the M’s game against the Minnesota Twins. This is the only Sounder train service this month to an M’s game.

As always, they will offer regular ST Express bus service near the stadium.



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Antique radio swap meet Sunday August 19 at SCC


The Puget Sound Antique Radio Association has found a new home at Shoreline Community College. The Swap Meet will be on Sunday, August 19, from 9am to 1pm. Buyers have free admission and vendors are asked for a $10 donation.


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Celebrate Shoreline this weekend

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Ready to put out fires at the 2011 Parade

This weekend marks the 17th annual Celebrate Shoreline festivities. Celebrate Shoreline’s 17th birthday!

Friday, August 17th - Youth skateboard competition at the Connie King skate park at Paramount School Park from 12noon -5pm.

What's a parade without 4 or 5 drill teams?
This one is from Shorewood

Saturday, August 18th - Parade in North City. Check out the drill teams, floats, marching bands and colorful vehicles starting at 12noon along 15th Ave. NE.

Classic Car Show 10am, Ridgecrest Elementary

Lots of fun stuff at the Festival

Festival at Ridgecrest Elementary School featuring live music, food, community booths and a plethora of inflatable games for kids. 11am – 5pm

Sunday, August 19th -   Sandcastle Building Contest at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 12-3pm

All events are free to the public and sponsored by the City of Shoreline, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.




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Piano Time 2012 Performances August 19, 21, 23

Ed Cruver, who has played all eight pianos,
plays the Werner Piano Cafe by KJ Bateman
Photo by Jon Ann Cruver
Piano Time performances:
  • Sunday Jazz at Haggen NW Fresh on the Octavia Rising, noon-2
  • Tuesday Jazz at Gateway Plaza on Keyboard Skydance, noon-1
  • Thursday Kids and Contemporary at Spartan on Playful Produce, 3-5
There are three chances in the coming week to catch scheduled performances on the Piano Time pianos. 

On Sunday, August 19th, jazz pianist Brian Kinsella will be performing on Octavia Rises, the giant blue octopus piano at Haggen NW Fresh from noon to 2pm. Kinsella is an exceptionally prolific performer and recording artist whose debut record, Omen (2002), featured Mark Taylor on saxophones and Jay Thomas on trumpet and flugelhorn. In the Seattle rock quartet M. Bison, Brian performs as composer, vocalist, and keyboardist. He’s performed in theatrical productions and with a variety of bands, including the Olympia quartet Silo, and has self-produced hip-hop records. Brian is also active member of the Seattle Pianist Collective and has taught jazz to all ages.

On Tuesday, August 21st, from noon to 1pm, local attorney and Jazz Walk founder, Keith McClelland will be entertaining the lunchtime listeners on the elegant, gold Keyboard Skydance piano located at the Gateway Center. McClelland has been a professional musician and entertainer since he was 13. He has played piano and drums in a variety of sized ensembles and counts as one of his favorite experiences playing honky-tonk piano at Tweet Sie Railroad tourist attraction in Blowingrock, NC. Look for him and Keyboard Skydance by Shoreline artist Jennifer Carroll, near the flagpole in front of Toni and Guy located near N 185th and Midvale. 

The third performance next week will be on the Playful Produce piano at the Spartan Recreation Center on Thursday, August 23rd, 3 – 5pm. Playing the keyboard on Playful Produce is yet another healthful activity that visitors to the recreation center love. Peter V Stevens, co-founder of the Seattle Pianist Collective, is back for a second performance that includes music for kids, contemporary, classical and original compositions. Stop by on your way to or from exercise class or picking up your kids from camp and listen for a while for sounds from near and far.

Did you miss the opening Arts al Fresco event? The piano location poster including scheduled performances, photos, and locations, is on the City’s Special Events website.


Piano Time is a City of Shoreline project, funded in part by a grant from 4Culture and the collaboration of Prosser Piano and other area businesses.


For more information contact Ros Bird, Public Art Coordinator, 206-801-2661.


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Split Seconds: Four Decades of News Photography



Split Seconds: from the Pacific Northwest and Beyond by Barry Sweet
Price: $19.95 Raleigh Press 

If it weren’t for Seattle-based Associated Press photographer Barry Sweet, the world might never have seen photos of the first Americans to orbit the moon after their splashdown. 

“NASA didn’t want the press too close to the splashdown site, in case they opened the capsule door and found the men dead. We had to stay on a near-by Navy ship, so I bought cameras from the ship store and gave them to the military helicopter crew that would fly the astronauts back to the ship. I told the crew if they took pictures and gave me the film - I’d let them keep the cameras.”

Barry will be signing his book at the Shoreline/Aurora Village Costco Aug. 18 from 11am to 1pm.



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Free haircuts for kids going back to school

Do you know a child who needs a trim before hitting the books this year?


JC Penney’s will give any kid a haircut throughout this month of August. A kid refers to those children from Kindergarten through 6th grade - - but you need to make appointment and the appointments are going fast!

The Northgate’s store number is (206) 361-2500
Southcenter Mall is (206) 246-0850
On the East side (425) 454-8599 at Bellevue Square


Just press 2 to be connected to the salon.  You can also walk in to make the appointment, but will probably not be served that day because they are cutting the hair of people who already made appointments.

Again, free haircuts for kids going back to school at JC Penney’s (1.855.JCP-KIDS or 1.855.527.5437). 


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Gonzalez, Owens on way to clinching Supreme Court elections; McCloud in run off with Sanders in November


By Evan Smith

Incumbent State Supreme Court Justices Steve Gonzalez and Susan Owens apparently have clinched re-election by winning majorities in last week’s primary election.

Supreme Court and courts of appeals candidates who get majorities in the primary run unopposed in November.

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders and trial and appellate attorney Sheryl Gordon McCloud are headed for a November runoff for an open position.

Gonzalez had a 60 percent to 40 percent lead over Seattle attorney Bruce Danielson in results reported through Wednesday.

Owens had 63 percent of the primary vote to 24 percent for Seattle attorney Douglas McQuaid and 13 percent for Arlington attorney Scott Stafne.
            
McCloud led Sanders in the primary, 28.99 percent to 28.49 percent, with King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Hilyer right behind with 27.37 percent and former Pierce County Prosecutor and County Executive John Ladenburg trailing with 12.37 percent.

District Court of Appeals incumbents Marlin Applewick and Richard Cox were both unopposed on the primary ballot and will be again unopposed on the general election ballot.


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Robots are coming to Outdoor Movie Night

Hank, the Shorewood robot
Photo courtesy Wes Proudlove

Shorewood High School's Team Pronto likes a challenge and for the last four years, they've competed with thousands of other teams worldwide in a competition put on by an organization called FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).  

On Saturday, August 25, Team Pronto will show off two of their creations as part of the pre-movie entertainment at Ballinger-North City Neighborhoods' 4th annual Outdoor Movie Night.

Teams have 6 weeks to build a robot.  Team Pronto has built robots that can play soccer, tic-tac-toe, and this year, shoot hoops.  The team has about 40 members and includes freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  It is supervised by Mr. Wesley Proudlove, Shorewood's autoshop teacher.

Students work in the autoshop, brainstorming with teammates, building prototypes for parts of the robot, and learning how to use the tools in the shop.  Though they have some amazing mentors — engineers at Boeing and students at the UW — the entire robot is hand-built by the students.

2011 Team Pronto basketball competition
The hard work is not without rewards.  In 2011, the team made it into the quarterfinals in competitions in Seattle and Portland and won an award for innovation in design with their "voodoo arm" controller.  In 2012, they competed in Seattle at the end of March, and then in Spokane in the beginning of April.

So, come and see these creations in action and then find a seat on the grass and get ready for this year's movie, Puss in Boots.  Other pre-movie activities include games, face-painting, and crafts.  They'll be music. Concessions will be selling drinks, snack items, glowsticks, and extra raffle tickets to improve your odds at winning one of this year's fabulous prizes. 

Gates open at 7pm at Aldercrest Annex (NE 200th St in Shoreline).  Admission is free.  Saturday August 25.


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Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith


Are you curious about religions? Seeking a spiritual home? Looking for a new way to understand world events? Just want something to do?

If so, then join us in Shoreline for a public, informal introduction to the Bahá'í Faith.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012. 7pm. Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th St, small conference room.

The central theme of Bahá'í teachings is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for humankind to join into one global society. Bahá'ís believe in:

  • The oneness of humanity
  • The common origin and unity of purpose of all world religions
  • The harmony of science and religion
  • Equality of women and men
  • The elimination of all forms of prejudice
  • A spiritual solution to economic problems
  • The establishment of a world commonwealth of nations

Join with other members of this community for this enlightening and positive discussion.

More information.


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Tree caused power outage in Lake Forest Park

Seattle City Light repair crews restored service to all customers affected by a power outage in Lake Forest Park by 6 pm today.


The outage was caused by a large tree that fell about 11pm Wednesday night near Bothell Way and SR 104, damaging two utility poles, a transformer, power lines and a connection to underground power cables. About 7,500 homes and businesses were out of power at the peak of the outage.

Bothell Way (SR 522) was closed by the fallen tree and downed power lines. As City Light crews began their work to restore power, the road remained closed so cable TV and phone companies could re-hang their lines to the new utility poles. They expected to finish their work and reopen the road about 7pm.

Traffic was jammed for the morning and evening commute as the lanes were first closed and then limited to one lane.

The day before 4,561 customers in NE Shoreline and Lake Forest Park were without power because of a transformer fire near NE 165th Street and 15th Ave NE. Two feeder circuits, distributing power from the Shoreline substation were affected. Power was restored Thursday morning, August 16, 2012.



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Shorewood construction update

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Aerial view of Shorewood site
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Construction of the new Shorewood High School has made significant progress this summer as the steel was erected for the three-story classroom building and work continues to enclose the new structure. Shorewood is expected to open the new buildings in September 2013.

Roofing has progressed through more than 50 percent of the classroom portion of the building. Interior and exterior wall framing is on-going, and exterior wall sheathing is under way to begin enclosing the building. Ductwork and overhead sprinkler and plumbing installation continues throughout the building. Structural steel erection and decking continues at the commons area in the center of the new campus.

New, three story classrooms
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Structural improvements are under way inside the Ronald School building to reinforce the 100-year-old brick landmark. New windows will be installed there this fall.

The masonry walls for the gymnasium and theater are in place; gym skylights are being set and installation of structural steel for the theater is on-going.



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Shorecrest construction update

Aerial view of Shorecrest site - August 2012
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The new gymnasium at Shorecrest High School (lower right in the aerial) is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for the school year in September. 

Finish work continues inside the gym in preparation for the beginning of fall sports and the opening of school on Sept. 10. The gym floor and bleachers have been installed in the main gym, while work continues in the locker room, office and classroom areas.

Construction continues on the performing and visual arts building (upper left), as masonry walls and steel roof framing are being installed. This building is scheduled for completion in December and will house band, orchestra, drama and visual arts.

The old gym, shop and the “J” building have been demolished and work will now begin on the new, three story main academic building at Shorecrest, with completion expected in early 2014.

This will be six new tennis courts at Kellogg
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
Construction of the six new Shorecrest tennis courts is now under way at Kellogg Middle School (photo attached). The Shorecrest boys tennis teams will practice and play their home matches at Shoreline Park this fall. Construction of the new courts is highly weather dependent, so it is uncertain if the new courts will be ready for a portion of the fall tennis season.


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Weaving together a neighborhood through community art-making


Artist Cynthia Knox gives a knitting lesson at
Shoreline Farmers Market

After years of watching the parade and hearing about the Fremont Powerhouse and community art-making, Meridian Park Neighborhood studio artist Cynthia Knox signed up last year to assist an artist friend in finishing her giant puppets for the Fremont Solstice parade and was introduced to community art-making and community artists.

“It was a complete eye-opener – being with these artists who were so generous with their knowledge while teaching others, and valuing the group experience over the controlled perfection of the “product”. I witnessed how newcomers with little or no experience and plenty of self-doubt were transformed in their confidence levels around their own creativity and saw how much joy it brought them. Art-making in this community context is the modern day equivalent of a village doing a barn-raising or coming together to create a village-wide evening dance event. The point is, all are invited to create it, then enjoy it”.

Another seminal moment for Cynthia was seeing first-hand that disaster brought out the best in neighbors when her street flooded in 2007. “While we had been a friendly neighborhood, waving to each other from our driveways, we got to know each other on a much deeper level and supported each other like never before as a result of dealing with the shared experience of having ruined furniture and irreplaceable creative works devastated by the water that came into our homes. 

I thought to myself, why is it we have to have a disaster to be more connected to each other?”

Festival knitters at Haggen's cafe
These two experiences propelled the beginnings of the SummerSet Arts Festival: Celebrating Ronald Bog. As neighborhood members have contributed ideas the festival has evolved. The event features a summer of community art-making that is already underway knitting tree socks, building a giant floating turtle sculpture, and making environmental art. The art-making kicked off at the Shoreline Farmer's Market in June, visited the Swingin' Summer Eve, and Shakespeare in the Park events, and is currently parked at Haggen Foods on Thursday afternoons and Ronald Bog Park on Sunday afternoons.

Art-making parties are currently being publicized on Facebook at the SummerSet Arts Festival events page and flyers around town. Art installation for the event begins the second week in September and the process culminates on September 15th 1pm-5pm with a day of celebration at the newly restored Ronald Bog Park at 175th and Meridian.

Art-making for the festival is already underway, with Shoreline Children's Center making a portable labyrinth, and clay turtle mandala, and Spartan Rec Day Campers making decorative flags featuring the animal life at Ronald Bog Park. At SummerSet Arts parties, knitters have been gathering Thursday afternoons at Haggen Market and Sunday afternoons at Ronald Bog Park - making tree socks for the event. These art parties continue through the end of August. All are welcome and no experience is necessary to join in!

All Meridian Park Neighborhood and Shoreline residents and businesses are invited to share your talents at the free September 15th festival event. What's needed? Musicians and music-lovers, art-makers and art-appreciators, folks who love to lift heavy things, folks who like to watch other people work and compliment them, logistically-minded people, party planners, dancers, folks who like to wear costumes, organizers, drivers, you name it – there's a place for you to make a difference and have fun! Contact project coordinator Cynthia Knox at cynthiasjk@yahoo.com.



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46th District Democrats meet this evening


The 46th District Democrats are conducting General Election Endorsements at their meeting Thursday, August 16. The meeting is at Aljoya Thorton Place, 450 NE 100th St, Seattle, 7pm meet and greet, 7:30pm meeting.

Any candidate who received our endorsement in the Primary and made it through to the General election retains our endorsement for the General election. Therefore, only two candidate races will be considered for endorsement Thursday - WA Supreme Court Position 9 and (maybe) State Auditor.
Ten ballot measures will be reviewed at the meeting.

State Ballot Measures

All of the non-advisory state ballot measures have descriptions, the text of the ballot measure, and Pro/Con voter guide statements are available.
  • ESJR 8221 - State Debt Amendment
  • SJR 8223 - Allowing University Investments
  • I-502 - Concerning Marijuana
  • R-74 - Approving Same-Sex Marriages 
  • I-1240 - Public Funding of Charter Schools
  • I-1185 - State Tax & Fee Increases 
This link contains information on each of these measures. When you click the link, you will go to the WA State Secretary of State's page. Clicking on the measure name in the blue box on that page opens additional information:

There are two "advisory" ballot items on the November Ballot:
  • ESSB 6635 - B&O Tax changes for banks
  • ESSB 2590 - Tax changes on certain petroleum businesses  

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Summer Worship Concert Series - Friday Aug 17 and 24


Come join us on this Friday at 8pm in the PUB on the campus of Shoreline Community College for our second worship concert series lead my Nichol Eskridge.  This will be a time of worship prayer and fellowship.   Bring a friend and come worship with us!




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The watchmakers are still ticking along at the Shoreline Center



Nor’West Voc’Tech LLC

We’re having an open house and you’re invited!

Sunday, August 26, 2012 1-4pm
Shoreline Center
 Shoreline, WA

Please join us to see our teaching facility in the Shoreline Conference Center. Talk with instructors, view our micro-machining workshop, and check out the upcoming Fall quarter of classes.

NorWest Voc’Tech LLC is Seattle’s only privately-operated, independent school for watchmakers and clockmakers. Our curriculum is designed for the beginner, and accomplished hobbyist. Courses are created for every skill level and provide instruction in the art and science of horology.

18560 1st Ave NE
Shoreline, WA 98155-2148


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Photo: Pumpkin blossoms from a Shoreline garden

Pumpkin blossoms by Steven H. Robinson

Not the usual flower photo, but certainly appropriate to the season are these pumpkin blossoms photographed by Steven H. Robinson.


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Sky seminar: Growing fall vegetables



Saturday August 18th     11am – 12:30pm

Growing Fall Vegetables      Emily Wilkins

Take time out from harvesting your tomatoes to plan for abundance after the fall rains set in!  Now is actually the time to plant everything from arugula to turnips for your fall salads, stir-fries, and stews.  Emily will go over what to plant, how to care for seedlings in summer’s heat, and when to expect a bountiful harvest from your plantings now. 

Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133 206-548-4851     


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Painted Pianos and Ed


Photo by Jon Ann Cruver

This piano comes with a built-in audience
Photo by Jon Ann Cruver

The Painted Pianos! The best thing in town: watching people listening to the ones who step forward to play is part of the charm: lots of smiles, gathering to listen and  appreciative applause. Ed Cruver got to four of the eight pianos, planning to get to all eight soon. His music brought smiles, applause and even a dancer (who might have been 15 months old!).

Word has it that Ed is hot on the trail of the last two pianos. Ed and Jon Ann may be the only people in Shoreline who know the location of all eight pianos.


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Shoreline City Council Meeting August 13, 2012


Notes from Shoreline City Council Meeting August 13, 2012
By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Shoreline Council members and Don Dudley of the Blakeley apartments exchanged compliments for working together to revise the traffic configuration off of 192nd and Aurora to add a left turn lane out of the Echo Lake Condominiums which will increase safety. Other plans are to remove parking along 192nd, add a left turn lane from Aurora into the YMCA and narrow lanes where 192nd  crosses the interurban trail. Councilmember Hall recommended for future development more consideration be taken for new residents’ needs in addition to the neighbors so that construction revision can be avoided.

Councilmember Salomon said this situation “speaks to an openness in government. It’s important for citizens to feel they can come to us and not get stonewalled when what they say makes a lot of sense.”

The council directed Dan Eernissee, Economic Development Manager, to develop an ordinance to adopt a Community Renewal Area (CRA) for the Aurora Square area where Sears and Central Market reside. With A CRA a city “gains a toolkit designed to help it facilitate renewal” in partnership with private enterprise. Eerinessee says that Aurora Square qualifies as a CRA because it has vacant buildings, faulty lot layout whereby shoppers cannot walk or drive easily between buildings, acres of parking in inaccessible or unnecessary locations, ten different owners which make it difficult to “make changes at the speed necessary to respond to opportunities.” A public hearing and ordinance will be introduced at the next council meeting September 4th at 7pm.

The City Council voted to adopt the human services allocation plan to maintain and support 27 programs which serve low and moderate families such as Hopelink and Senior Services. In addition the city partners with King County to disburse federal community block grant money which can be used for acquisition and rehabilitation of housing for low-income and special needs populations. No increased funding from last year was requested. 


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Back to School event registration closes August 17



Registration is under way for the annual Shoreline Back To School event, which provides school supplies, hair cuts, and clothing assistance to Shoreline School District families with low incomes and/ or circumstances that make it challenging to adequately prepare their children for school. 

To register for the August 25 event, visit the Back To School Consortium website, or call the information line at 206-393-4916.

The event will be held from 12:30 to 4 pm Saturday, August 25 at the North City building, 816 NE 190th, Shoreline. Registration closes Friday, August 17.

Donations of backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products, socks, underwear and books can be made at locations throughout Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 


Financial donations are also welcome and may be mailed to or dropped off at the Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.


In 2011, more than 1,000 students received needed school supplies and clothing at the Back to School Consortium event.

Back to School Consortium Members include the Center for Human Services; City of Shoreline; Dale Turner Family YMCA; Hopelink; Ronald United Methodist Church; Lake Forest Park Rotary; Shoreline Breakfast Rotary; Shoreline Community Care; The Works of Shoreline PTA Council; Shoreline School District and the Readiness to Learn Program; Turning Point; and The Vineyard.

Back to School event registration information is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, and Vietnamese.


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Shoreline's 2012 Pavement Preservation Project begins August 15 in North City and Ballinger neighborhoods


As part of a continuing effort to improve public infrastructure, Shoreline will be resurfacing arterial streets in the North City and Ballinger Neighborhoods beginning Wednesday, August 15. Work is expected to be completed by August 31. While streets are being resurfaced, traffic will be impacted. Please follow the traffic controls and drive slowly.

The City has contracted with Doolittle Construction Company to perform the work. Doolittle Construction will place sandwich boards on impacted roads 48 hours in advance of the work. The boards will include a tentative schedule, hours of operation, parking restrictions and contact information in case of questions or concerns. During paving, residents may contact Jaclyn McConnell with Doolittle Construction at (425) 455-1150 to answer questions and address concerns, or ask field staff directly.

The preliminary schedule for the initial resurfacing is as follows:

Thursday and Friday (8/16-17):
  • NE 205th (from 19th Ave NE to 30th Ave NE)
  • 25th Ave NE (from Ballinger to NE 205th ST)
  • 19th Ave NE (from NE 196th ST to NE 205th ST)
  • NE 196th ST (from 15th Ave NE to 19th Ave NE)
  • 15th Ave NE (from NE 196th ST to Ballinger Wy NE)
Monday and Tuesday (8/20-21):
  • 15th Ave NE (from NE 196th ST to 24th AV NE)
  • NE 175th ST (from Freeway to 25th AV NE)
  • 10th Ave NE (NE 195th intersection to NE 175th ST)
  • NE 180th ST (from 10th Ave NE to 13th Ave NE)
The second phase of the project, applying a fog seal, will occur three to seven days after the initial resurfacing. Loose rocks will be swept from the roadway daily for a week after the resurfacing.

This is the second year the City has used Bituminous Surface Treatment (BST) to resurface City streets. By using BST, the City is able to preserve the condition of good roads at a fraction of the cost of traditional asphalt overlays. Pavement preservation ensures that roads in good condition remain in good condition, preventing costly rehabilitation methods if the road were allowed to deteriorate.

Your cooperation and patience is greatly appreciated. More information about the BST process. During paving, residents may contact Jaclyn McConnell with Doolittle Construction at 425-455-1150 to answer questions and address concerns, or ask field staff directly.



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Survey Team on 41st Ave NE and 44th Ave NE – Friday, August 17th


On Friday, August 17, 2012, a survey team will be gathering data on 44th Avenue NE north of Brookside Boulevard NE and on 41st Avenue NE between NE 165th and SR 522 in Lake Forest Park. 

In June, City Council authorized City staff to sign an agreement with Otak, Inc. to explore the feasibility of making right of way improvements facilitating commuter parking. The survey work on August 17th will allow Otak, Inc. to gather survey data and create scale base maps. These will be used to access the possible size, number and orientation of parking spaces and cost estimates at the two locations.

Otak will summarize their findings in a draft preliminary engineering report which the City staff will review at the Council work session on September 24, 2012. After the September 24, 2012 work session, City Council will decide what the next steps will be in deciding whether existing rights of way could be used for commuter parking.


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Help the kids get ready for school - donate to the Back to School Consortium


Not everyone has time to shop for school supplies to donate to the Back-To-School Consortium, so the Consortium is making it easy. Donate money through their Pay Pal account. They are just now getting ready to make bulk purchases and donations will help make sure they have the funds to buy essential clothing items like underwear and socks. With monetary contributions the Consortium can purchase in bulk at low prices.

The Back to School Consortium serves Shoreline School District families living with low income and/or experiencing circumstances in their lives that make it challenging to prepare their children for going back to school in the fall. The event will be held on August 25 and donations of school supplies and monetary contributions are still urgently needed. 

You can donate online through Pay Pal at the BTS Consortium website or cash and checks can be mailed or dropped off at the Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE Shoreline, WA 98155. Checks can be made out to the Back to School Consortium. 

It costs approximately $25-75 to equip a K-12th graders with supplies. 1 out of 4 students in the Shoreline School District qualify for free and reduced price lunch based on family income, that's 25% of the students in Shoreline classrooms.

The need is great and school is starting in a couple of weeks. We hope the community will come together to help the children.
Help us send over 1,000 students in the Shoreline School District back to school prepared and ready to learn.

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Center for Human Services is seeking volunteer board members



Center for Human Services (CHS) is currently seeking committed, enthusiastic, collaborative individuals to serve on its volunteer Board of Directors. In evolving our Board we are looking for candidates with expertise in any of the following areas:

  • Marketing/communication/branding
  • Fundraising/sponsorships
  • Technology
  • Business law
  • Community relations

CHS, a social services agency, has multiple locations in North King and South Snohomish Counties. The mission of CHS is to strengthen the community through counseling, education, and support to children, youth, adults, and families. The agency is well regarded in the community for providing industry leading service in the areas of early childhood education, family support, counseling, and substance abuse prevention and treatment.

Board responsibilities include:

  • Setting policy
  • Overseeing and evaluating operations in a financially and ethically sound manner
  • Identifying, cultivating, soliciting and/or stewarding relationships and resources needed- financial, personnel and other- to support the efforts of the agency
  • Supporting the fundraising efforts of the agency

If you would like to apply to this position, please call Beratta Gomillion, Executive Director, at 206-362-7282, or complete an online application.


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Rain City Rotary at Jazz Walk - drink beer, eradicate polio

Monday, August 13, 2012

Rain City Rotary volunteers sell beer at the 2011 Jazz Walk
Photo courtesy Rain City Rotary

Come to the North City Jazz Walk tonight (Tuesday, August 14, 2012) and enjoy a glass of beer or wine while listening to  the Tacoma-based quartet jazz and pop quartet, “Hook me Up” at the Rain City Rotary Beer and Wine Garden.  

Big E Ales and Columbia Crest wines will be served for $6.00 a glass from 6pm – 10pm in the parking lot of Frank’s Lumber Delivery Store, 17550 15th Ave NE.   

All proceeds go to Rotary International’s PolioPlus Program.  After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating polio worldwide, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all.  For more information, visit Rain City Rotary’s website.


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Former Shoreline resident represents US at World Team Tennis Championships in Croatia

Joyce Jones, tennis champion
Former Shoreline resident Joyce Jones will represent the United States at the 32nd ITF Super Seniors World Team Tennis Championships. The nation’s top men and women tennis players in age groups 60 to 80 will compete against teams from over 30 counties. The Championships will be held in Croatia September 10-15. Up to 1,000 athletes are expected to participate.

Previously, Jones represented the United States on the Althea Gibson Cup Team held in Melbourne Australia and won the 2012 National Grass and Hard Court Championships Doubles Championships with teammate Lucille Kyvallos.

Jones is a very accomplished badminton and pickleball player. She was featured in Sports Illustrated Faces for her badminton achievements. She has played in ten National Senior Olympics and has won a title in each. Jones has won 314 National, International and Senior Olympic World badminton titles over 30 years. She has been ranked #1 in the country in tennis doubles, badminton and pickleball in her division. She was inducted in the Badminton Hall Of Fame in 2000.

Jones live in Bothell, with husband Don, and is a member of Ronald United Methodist Church, Shoreline.

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Results from King County Superior Court elections

North, Berns, O’Donnell, Ramseyer apparently win King County Superior Court elections; Washington to run off with Parisien in November

By Evan Smith

Incumbent King County Superior Court Judge Doug North, pro tem Judge Elizabeth Berns, Attorney Sean O’Donnell and attorney Judy Ramseyer apparently have won positions on the County Superior Court by taking majorities in the August 7 primary.

Superior Court candidates who get a majority in the primary win election without running in the general election.

In the fifth Superior-Court contest on the primary ballot, none of the four candidates got a majority; so incumbent Judge Christopher Washington will run off with attorney Sue Parisien in the November 6 general election.

North was defeating Redmond City Councilwoman Kimberly Allen 60 percent to 40 percent in returns through Friday.

Berns held 51 percent of the vote to 32 percent for Senior Deputy Prosecutor Roger Davidheiser and 16 percent for Appeals Court Commissioner Eric Schmidt.

O’Donnell was defeating attorney Hong Tran 77 percent to 23 percent.

Ramseyer held a 63 percent majority to 37 percent for Deputy Prosecutor Gary Ernsdorff.

Parisen was leading Washington 46 percent to 25 percent, ahead of 21 percent for pro tem Judge Marianne Jones and 8 percent for attorney David Resuma.

Officials will continue to count votes through certification of primary results August 21. The next posting of results is Monday afternoon.

Forty-eight other King County Superior Court positions had only one candidate each; so those candidates win without running in either the primary or the general election.


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Park Volunteers spruce up Animal Acres

Park Volunteers coordinator Linda Holman is very pleased with the progress made at Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park on Saturday, August 11, 2012.

The Volunteers have been working once a month in this heavily used park near the mall in Lake Forest Park, and Linda feels they have visible progress - and the photos to prove it!

If you are interested in volunteering to help keep the parks in good trim, contact Linda at 206-362-5541. 

Photo by Linda Holman

Animal Acres Park
Photo by Linda Holman

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Quick-Start Shoreline business seminar Tuesday, August 14


The Tuesday Quick-Start Shoreline Business Workshop for start-up, existing or potential business owners will be held on August 7, 2012 from 12 noon to 1:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N. The workshop is free; feel free to bring a snack or a brown bag lunch.




Title: Succession planning and the Small Business


Royal Francois
Royal Francois is a entrepreneur who is on a mission: to help small businesses solve big problems! 

Solving problems and helping customers is the only way to build enduring success. But it is not just about solving the problem; it is about doing it in a unique way and creating exceptional value. Mr. Francois' success in business has come from embracing the unconventional and constantly looking for a new way to do things better. He will share how he does that, and how you can do the same for your customers! Join us!

This week's QuickStart Shoreline will cover the following topics as they relate to the small business owner:

    • Making a will
    • Considering a Trust
    • Making a Health Care Directive
    • Making a financial power of attorney
    • Protecting and growing your business


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    WeatherWatcher: Weekly Weather - Heat Wave on the Way.

    - Heat wave on the way.
    - Last week's weather data.


    A new heat wave is on the way for our region.  
    • Monday-Tuesday: We will have high temperatures running in the lower 80's with overnight lows in the mid-upper 50's. 
    • Wednesday-Friday: We are looking at a new heat wave that looks likely to produce high temperatures running into the low-mid 90's, lows running probably into the low 60's.
    • Next weekend: Will cool down, however it is looking like, as typical with heat waves, we will possibly cool down with thunderstorms.

    Last weeks weather data (August 4th - 10th):
    High temperature: 91.9ºF (Sunday)
    Low temperature: 52.3ºF (Friday)
    No measurable rainfall last week.
    Warmest day: 76.4ºF (Sunday)
    Coldest day: 62.5ºF (Thursday)
    Average temperature last week: 66.9ºF

    3-year average temperature for last week: 62.1ºF
    We were 4.8ºF above normal last week.

    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.

    Twitter: @SWeatherWatcher

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    North City Jazz Walk brings fresh new talent to the 2012 line up

    Hook Me Up
    Photo by Dave Ellison
    By Robin McClelland


    Jazz Walk, Tuesday, August 14, 2012, The Jazz Walk is staged on 15th NE in North City, between NE 175th and NE 180th. Advanced tickets for $12 are on sale now. Capacity at indoor venues is limited so buy tickets early at designated locations or online. Tickets will be available at the event for $15. Parking is plentiful and free. Here is a map of the venues, artist profiles, parking, and Jazz Bite offerings.


    When Tracey Hooker brings his variety band with a jazz flavor to the North City Jazz Walk on Tuesday, August 14th, folks can expect a treat.  Says Hooker, “I like to take the audience on an emotional journey. With Hook Me Up, you never know what we are going to do next.” This was true last year at Celebrate Shoreline when Keith McClelland, listening in the front row, decided immediately to add Hook Me Up to the 2012 Jazz Walk line up.

    With its mix of jazz and pop, Hook Me Up gives familiar themes a fresh treatment.  The band will play outdoors in front of the Frank Lumber Delivery Store under the Integrity Surety sponsor banner. You can pull up a chair for free or with your entry bracelet, have a seat in the Rain City Rotary Club Beer and Wine Garden to enjoy new sounds.

    Band leader Tracey Hooker hails from Olympia where he settled after 22 years in the US Navy.  He got “hooked” on music when his high school band performed all over Florida. “I knew I wanted to play the trumpet for a living at an early age and have had the pleasure to travel the world as a musician.” 

    For the past 14 years Tracey has traversed the I-5 corridor and beyond. In addition to the annual Crystal Mountain Wine Festival, the band performed 14 times in July and is booked solid in August.

    When not on the road, Tracey teaches music at two community colleges and gives private lessons in Olympia.

    The Casey MacGill Group

    Casey MacGill, Matt Weiner, and JoJo Mascorella form the Casey MacGill Group playing at Brown’s Coffee Shop under the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary sponsor banner. JoJo is new to the group but far from new to music. He was raised in a musical family – his father Frank plays the trombone and repairs instruments at Kennelly Keys. JoJo also plays in the familiar group Hot Club Sandwich. Bassist Matt Weiner plays with Wayne Horowitz and was in the Flying Neutrinos in New York back in the 1990s.

    To the drums and bass, Casey adds his own special touch with piano, ukulele, and the coronet. But the instrumentation is just part of the repertoire. 

    Casey, a long-time vocal chart arranger, says “Each voice brings a personal and unique quality to a song. I love to write compositions that expand the sound of a trio.”  Adds Casey, “That’s a reason I am really excited to have JoJo join the group.  He is a fantastic scat singer.”

    Folk music first inspired Casey MacGill before he moved on to jazz, rock, and the blues. “After some years, I returned to jazz and found my passion. Older jazz resonates with me; I’ve concentrated on it for over 30 years.” MacGill credits Ahmad Jamal for influencing the way he plays the piano. As for his singing, Casey claims Nat King Cole as his all-time idol.    

    Advanced tickets for the Jazz Walk may be purchased for $12 online or at several locations in Shoreline: Sky Nursery, Prosser Music, Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Center and these North City businesses: North City Bistro, Laughing Ladies Café, North City Eagles Aerie, Golden Bow and Flowers, and Dr. Larrance Commons. Tickets on the night of the event are $15. Parking is free. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit or call 206-399-0963.


    The North City Jazz Walk is produced by the North City Business Association in partnership with the City of Shoreline, The Journal Media Group, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, American Solutions, and Cleanscapes.  The Jazz Walk is grateful to the generous 2012 stage sponsors:  Dr. Tim Norton, DC; Phoenix Art Restoration; Chuck Cady/Ann Babb-Nordling; Ben Kinney and Keller Williams Realty; the Law Office of Keith McClelland, Edward Jones-Stephanie Santeford; Integrity Surety, LLC; the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary, and the S/LFP Arts Council.


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