Artists’ Open House scheduled for March 5 at Shoreline City Hall

Monday, February 25, 2013

Corrected 2-26-2013 8:43pm

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council and the City of Shoreline present a new exhibit March 5 at the Gallery at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, from 5:30 - 7pm, featuring Beth Betker, Ed McCarthy, Maria Porter, and Ellen Witebsky.

Beth says, “I am forever learning to paint.”  In the process of oil painting by knife, she finds out what the paint itself is teaching about physics and light refraction, and how this communicates emotion and human truth. In her townscapes, she reaches endless joy in odd everyday beauty, however accidental.

Train Yard, West Seattle
Oil on canvas by Beth Betker

Beth Betker has a busy upcoming exhibition schedule including: Savour, JavaZombie Coffee House, Carco Theatre, Lynnwood Library Art Gallery, and Gasworks Gallery.

Babel II by Ed McCarthy
Oil rubbed steel and brass

Ed McCarthy describes himself as “a hydrologist by training, and a right-brained engineer by nature”. He creates steel and wood sculpture, mainly from scrap materials. He uses the sensibilities both of an engineer and of an artist to evoke emotion in the form, and to accentuate the beauty of material and negative space. Ed has exhibited at artEAST Art Center, RE Store, and Matter Gallery. He also fabricates custom architectural metal elements.

Maria Porter studied painting while working toward a degree in drama at the University of Washington. As a young child her favorite school class was art. As a young adult, she loves painting with bright, clear acrylic colors. Maria enjoys working with the elderly as an Activities Director where among other duties, she shares her passion for the arts. Whether leading a watercolor session, playing the piano, or entertaining, she believes – “we are never too old to play”.

Pink Shoes, 2007
Photograph by Ellen Witebsky

Ellen Witebsky’s photographic work is varied and eclectic.  Her “Poems from Home” are photographs of the homes, the havens we create, and retreat into, and the objects we treasure, often cluttered, showing signs of use, of wear, and of love.  She seeks the accidental order, harmony, and chance beauty.

Shoreline City Hall is located at 17500 Midvale Ave. N, Shoreline, WA 98133.   For more information contact the Arts Council at 206-417-4645.


The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations. 

Read more...

Ballinger Neighborhood meeting with Public Works Mar 11


Ballinger Neighborhood membership meeting with Shoreline Public Works – public welcome!
Please join us for a neighborhood discussion and presentation by Shoreline City Public Works

Monday, March 11, 2013, 7pm at the Lake Forest Park Montessori gym, 19935 19th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

The Future of Bruggers Bog Maintenance Facility,  Mark Relph, Shoreline Public Works Director

The City of Shoreline is acquiring the Bruggers Bog Maintenance Facility at 19700 block on 25th Ave NE. The property served King County as a roads maintenance and storm drainage decant facility. Deteriorated under the County’s ownership, the City of Shoreline plans to improve it for city use. What improvements can be done to enhance the neighborhood and adjacent parks, as well as serve the city?

AND
Traffic and Growth in our Neighborhood, John Marek, Shoreline Traffic Engineer

With continued development for increased density and worsening traffic, what can the City do to improve our “main drags” ?

  • Ballinger Way NE 
  • 15th Ave NE
  • 19th Ave NE 
  • 25th Ave NE
Map of the Ballinger Neighborhood


Read more...

Aurora Square and Film Board presentations at Pro Shoreline meeting Feb 27



Pro Shoreline Community Meeting

Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 7pm

Richmond Beach Library
19601 21st Ave. NW
Shoreline, WA 98177
206-546-3522

The Pro Shoreline Board has invited Dan Eernissee, Economic Development Manager for the City of Shoreline to share some interesting and exciting developments in the Aurora Square area. This includes the Community Renewal Area, the Shoreline Film Office and other place making opportunities.

What does CRA mean?

Shoreline City Council adopted Resolution 333 on September 4, 2012, thereby creating the Aurora Square Community Renewal Area (CRA) The CRA establishes that economic renewal for the 70+ acre Aurora Square commercial area is clearly in the public interest.  With the CRA in place, the Shoreline Office of Economic Development is freed to work in cooperation with the Aurora Square property owners to draft an economic renewal plan for the CRA.
  • What is a Community Renewal Area (CRA)?
  • Why a CRA at Aurora Square?
  • What is Aurora Square's potential?
  • What role might the City play?
  • Does the CRA change zoning or heights of buildings?
  • Will the City master plan Aurora Square?
  • Will my property taxes or values increase or decrease.
What is the Shoreline Film Office?

The Shoreline Film Office is a collaborative effort of the City of Shoreline's Office of Economic Development and the Performance Arts and Digital Film making program at Shoreline Community College. We are growing a local film industry, and the talent to support it, by providing affordable resources to film professionals willing to create in an educational context.
  • What resources are available through the Shoreline Film Office?
  • Will you be blocking any Right-of-Way (ROW) for an extended period during shooting?
  • Are you requiring exclusive use of a significant part of a City-owner park or facility
  • Are you conducting an extended commercial shoot in a residential area?
  • Is your film going to clearly cast Shoreline in a positive light?
These are two of the interesting topics that will be discussed this evening. Hope that we will see you there.

Pro Shoreline Board
Judy Parsons, Gretchen Atkinson, Carolyn Hope, Kyrie Cataldo, Rich Gustafson

Good government begins with you!


Read more...

Calvin Community Garden is open for the season

Plots are in full sun at the Calvin Community Garden
Summer is coming. Have you been thinking about growing some nice veggies this year? Calvin Community Garden has plots available for your gardening pleasure.

Calvin is the only public community garden west of Aurora. It is located at 18826 3rd Ave. NW on the corner of N. 185th and 3rd NW in the Hillwood neighborhood. Stop by and visit sometime.

There are 4 x 8 foot plots ready to till and plant available now. Garden Manager Anne-Marie says, “It’s warm enough this year that peas and spinach could really go in any time.” It’s time to wake the beds up! 


These plots are in full sun with good soil for just $30 a year plus a couple of hours a month helping maintain the grounds and the Sharing Garden where they grow food for Hope Link. You can have fresh healthy vegetables, make some gardening friends and learn as you go. Also, they have some tools available so you don’t have to carry everything back and forth.

To sign up or ask questions call Garden Manager Anne-Marie at 546-3880.


Read more...

Dembowski to chair County Council's Regional Transit committee

The Metropolitan King County Council today completed its 2013 reorganization with the appointment of Councilmember Rod Dembowski as chair of the Council’s Regional Transit Committee.

“I am excited about the opportunity to help lead our region forward as we work together with our city partners to address critical transit issues,” said Dembowski.

The Regional Transit Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Metropolitan King County Council on policies and plans for the public transportation services operated by King County. These policies govern the planning and delivery of bus service, commuter vanpools, and van service for people with disabilities; establishing of the structure for transit fares; the purchase of new buses; and the construction of bus shelters, park and ride lots, and other transit facilities.

Dembowski will also serve on three of the Council’s standing committees: Government Accountability and Oversight; Transportation, Economy and Environment; and Law, Justice, Health and Human Services. Dembowski was also appointed to the Regional Water Quality Committee.

Dembowski was appointed to the Council on February 11 to fill vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Ferguson when he became Washington state Attorney General.


Read more...

"Teddy Bear Patrol:" Bartell Drugs collects "bear hugs" for children, now through March 30



Bartell Drugs is helping to give "bear hugs" to children in stressful or traumatic situations as the Puget Sound area drugstore chain teams up again with Warm 106.9 FM in the annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign, now through March 30.

All 58 Bartell Drugs locations are designated locations for teddy bear donations. The annual drive puts teddy bears in the hands of community police departments, hospitals and emergency response teams so they may give bears to children involved in challenging situations.

Over 74,000 bears have been collected over this past several years for this tremendous cause.

Donation options at Bartell Drugs stores in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties include:
  • Purchase an official "Bartell  Bear" for $7.00 and Bartell Drugs will donate a second bear to the campaign
  • Donate a new or gently used bear, under 12"
Nearby locations:
  • Bartell Drugs in Shoreline at N 185th and Aurora
  • Lake City at N 125th and Lake City Way
  • Mountlake Terrace on 44th W and 228th
  • Edmonds at Edmonds Way and 220th

Read more...

Rain garden plant sale at Kruckeberg this weekend


Andromeda

MsK Rare and Native Plant Nursery at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden - Rain Garden Plant Sale
March 1-3, 2013, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am to 5pm

MsK Nursery at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is reopening on March 1!  We’re kicking off the season with a 25% discount on rain garden plants throughout the nursery.

MsK Nursery at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden sustains the legacy of Garden co-founder and renowned horticulturist Mareen Kruckeberg. Most plants are propagated from seeds or cuttings from the Garden itself. 

Like Us on Facebook during the month of February to receive special offers and discounts for MsK Nursery! KBGF Members receive an additional 15% off their purchase.

20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA, 98177

MsK Nursery is operated by the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation, and all proceeds from Nursery sales support KBGF. Visit MsK Nursery and stay to tour the full-grown specimens in the botanic collection of the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden.

Remember that parking is very limited, so car pool if you can.


Read more...

Benefit for the education of Afghan Girls

Kabul school girls
Photo by Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga

Benefit for Ayni Education International
Featuring Executive Director, Ginna Brelsford
Free Afghan Dinner

Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 5 pm

We invite you to join us at a benefit for Ayni Education International, which has been educating girls in Afghanistan since the Taliban pulled out in 2001. Executive Director, Ginna Brelsford will talk about Ayni’s work in providing educational opportunities for Afghan children. Ayni seeks to empower and inspire those children and their families to strengthen their communities with peacefulness and fairness.

Following the program, enjoy a free Afghan dinner of lamb rezala, beef chapli kebabs, vegetarian gluten-free chapli kebabs, saffron rice, naan, salad, and both cardamom and pistachio desserts.


Location:
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church
8109 224 Street SW Edmonds, WA 98026 Map


Read more...

The Brothers Four Play The Music of America at Northshore Performing Arts Center

The Brothers Four will sing songs old and new
at the Northshore Performing Arts Center

Folk and love songs will round out a heartwarming repertoire of acoustic tunes, old and new at the Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave NE, Bothell, on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 pm.

The Brothers Four have delighted millions for five exciting decades. Pioneers in the American musical movement which came to be know as the "folk revival," they are one of the few groups from those times still performing today, and remain one of the best known and most popular. The group's full-time lineup, as solid as ever, now includes Bob Flick, Mark Pearson, Mike McCoy and Karl Olsen. Their all-acoustic presentation consists of guitars, banjo, mandolin, upright bass, and of course the trademark rich blend of their four voices. An evening with this quartet is an unforgettable time of pure, acoustic music and entertainment.

Musical million-sellers from The Brothers Four include such releases as Greenfields, Yellow Bird, Try to Remember, and Across the Wide Missouri. Their hit recording of The Green Leaves of Summer from the motion picture "The Alamo" was nominated for an Academy Award. They performed the song at the awards presentation for the global network telecast.

The Brothers Four present timeless entertainment for the entire family, with tickets priced at $33 for Adults, $28 for Seniors,and $20 for Youth under 17.

Tickets: (425) 984-2471 or online

Sponsored by: Kirby Larson, Edwin Lane Financial, Dennis and Kay Mimier


Read more...

Lake Forest Park, Ridgecrest named Reward schools for student achievement

Ridgecrest Elementary
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Lake Forest Park Elementary School and Ridgecrest Elementary in Shoreline have earned a “Reward” designation from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for high student progress.

Reward schools fall into one of two groups: highest performing and/or high progress. Highest performing schools, including Lake Forest Park, have met their Annual Measurable Objectives for the “all students” category, as well as for all 11 subgroups of students. Aimee Miner is the Lake Forest Park principal.

High-progress schools, including Ridgecrest, are among the top 10 percent of schools as judged by both their performance and their improvement on state assessments over three years. Reward schools cannot have significant gaps in performance among subgroups. Cinco Delgado is principal at Ridgecrest.

Lake Forest Park Elementary
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Lake Forest Park was also recently honored as a national Title I, Part A Distinguished School.

Schools were identified using three-year averages (2009-10 through 2011-12) of reading and math scores from the statewide tests and/or graduation rates. A total of 75 schools were identified as Reward schools for 2012-13.

Washington state was granted a waiver from some of the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—also known as No Child Left Behind. As part of the waiver, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is required to annually identify schools as “Priority schools,” “Focus schools” and “Reward schools.” 

OSPI uses a revised accountability system and index that measures a student’s proficiency in multiple content areas over time and other student growth data. Before the waiver, only reading and math test scores and graduation rates were measured. According to OSPI, the waiver gives the state more time to improve student performance among certain groups, such as English Language Learners, minorities, special education students and those who receive free or reduced-priced meals.


Read more...

Follow up: Principal Aimee Miner returns to Lake Forest Park Elementary

Principal Aimee Miner, who confused parents and students when she abruptly took an unplanned leave at the beginning of January, has returned to the school.

In a letter to the school community which was posted on the website and dated February 6, she says:


Thank you for the incredible support. I am humbled by the love from this wonderful community and I am so happy to return and see all your smiling faces again. I look forward to continuing the great work that is happening at LFP. We truly have the most amazing community and I am honored to be a part of it. I thank the LFP staff and PTA for keeping the school running smoothly for the students in my absence. I especially am grateful to Jennifer Welch and Lori Longo who both did an outstanding job leading the Dolphins.

Read more...

“Hiring Our Heroes” Job Fair for Veterans and Military Spouses

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation and SPIRIT 105.3 are pleased to host “Hiring Our Heroes – Seattle,” a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses on March 5, 2013. Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bell Harbor Conference Center (2211 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98121), the fair offers veterans and military spouses with exposure to job opportunities of all entry levels and experience from more than 65 employers. Companies range from America's biggest businesses to dozens of local companies, including Amazon, F5 Networks, the Port of Seattle and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

Since March 2011, Hiring Our Heroes has been a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment, helping more than 14,000 veterans and military spouses to obtain jobs in the last two years.

With the goal to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 400 hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. This will be the first ever hiring fair hosted in Washington state.

Interested job seekers can register for free online. Walk-in job seekers are allowed and veterans must provide proof of service.

CRISTA Broadcasting (based in Shoreline) owns and operates four major market radio stations and digital media platforms, offering the message of hope and encouragement to radio listeners through music and teaching programs. CRISTA Broadcasting radio stations include KCMS SPIRIT 105.3 and AM 630 KCIS in Seattle, KWPZ PRAISE 106.5 in Bellingham, Wash. and KFMK SPIRIT 105.9 in Austin, Texas.


Read more...

Basketball team that beat Shorewood girls for third in Northwest District 3A tournament loses regional game by one point

The Stanwood girls’ basketball team that defeated Shorewood for the third and final Northwest District berth in the regional round of the State 3A tournament lost its regional game by a single point.

         
Stanwood finished its season with a 20-5 record after losing to Seattle Prep, 44-43, in a regional game at Bellevue College Friday, Feb. 22. Seattle Prep will meet Kimiakin of Kennewick in the State 3A quarterfinals Thursday morning at the Tacoma Dome.
          
Northwest District champion Everett (13-11), which had beaten Shorewood (16-8) in the first round of the District tournament, also lost in the regional round. District runner-up Glacier Peak (16-6) defeated Enumclaw in a regional game and will meet Bellevue High School in a State 3A quarterfinal Thursday.


Read more...

Detailed traffic action plans for every neighborhood in Shoreline

Updated 02-25-2013 10:09pm

Rich Meredith and Kirk McKinley with neighborhood
traffic safety plan maps at the Echo Lake
Neighborhood Association meeting


Every one of the 14 neighborhoods in Shoreline has a Neighborhood Traffic Action Plan (NTAP). The plan identifies all the traffic problems in the neighborhood, identifies the recommended solution, and prioritizes high, medium, and low.

As money is available or grants are awarded, these recommendations are implemented.

New sidewalk along Hamlin Park
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

An example is the recently completed sidewalk along Hamlin Park. This has been on the priority list for a long time. Sidewalks are very expensive, but the City was able to get a grant to fund this portion. "Unfortunately," said Kirk McKinley, Transportation Planning Manager for Shoreline, "we didn't have enough money to finish the sidewalk all along the park."

The NTAPs came about in 2006, Rich Meredith, City Traffic Engineer, explained at the February meeting of the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association. Before then, the City had tried to address traffic concerns street by street. They felt that a more regional approach would be better and would not just shift the problems from one street to another. They wanted to have a plan in place so they were ready when dollars became available.

A traffic engineer, John Marek, was hired to work with the neighborhoods to develop the plans. It took him six years to work his way through all the neighborhoods.

Echo Lake was completed in 2007. A public meeting was held and Echo Lake residents were invited to tell staff about their concerns. An advisory committee was formed of Echo Lake residents. All the concerns were listed and investigated. Committee members went to the reported locations and tried to observe them to see the problems as reported. Police and fire were involved, to get their input about traffic issues.

The results were taken back to the community at a public meeting to gather more input about the problems and proposed solutions.

Traffic circles are used to slow traffic through neighborhoods
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Some low-cost solutions were implemented that year - a few traffic calming devices such as traffic circles, caution signs painted on the streets. Some items were added to the regular City work schedule and completed.

An updated map of Echo Lake shows 14 completed projects. The rest of the items on the map are still problems.

McKinley noted that it was time to go around and update the plans. An Echo Lake board member commented that one of the issues in Echo Lake was that the NTAP was completed while the South Echo Lake buildings were under construction. Now Echo Lake has 3,000 new residents, and the YMCA, which changes the traffic patterns into the neighborhood, and new residents, who have their own opinions about traffic issues.

Maps for all the neighborhoods are on the City's webpage

Read more...

Quick Start Shoreline - Feb 26


The Tuesday Quick-Start Shoreline Business Workshop for start-up, existing or potential business owners will be held on February 26, 2013 from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N.


Special 2 part series - part 2 of 2:

"Successful Pay Per Click Marketing Campaigns with Google Adwords"

Feb 26th:  Adwords Tactics, real world techniques and tips that work.
(Now that You Understand the Strategy)

Adwords Pay Per Click advertising can eat up a budget seemingly overnight, and with no results. If you've tried Adwords, tempted by the $75 free get started coupon, or by adwords express, you probably have wondered, why isn't this working for me?These workshops should help give you the answers.

There are assumptions that Google makes, that you need to know, before you can begin to get positive results from Online Search Advertising. We will start with the context and strategy behind a successful campaign, and will  focus in on keyword based Search Advertising, following up with real life examples and tips and tricks. This is designed as a beginner's workshop, but the expectation is that you have looked at Adwords, and may have tried it, but with mixed success. If you are currently running your own campaigns, you are likely to see some new approaches and examples that will help you optimize your work.

In this two part workshop, we we will cover the basics of Search advertising.  In the first session, we will understand the theory, and the must-dos in your website and customer understanding that have to be in place to start a pay per click campaign. In the second session, we will put that strategic approach to work, and delve into the tactics of how to structure a campaign, bid on keywords and write ad copy that will generate an ROI, and most importantly, how to set your accounts up so you can measure results.

Katherine Cleland
Katherine Cleland owns and operates Cleland Marketing, a small business developing profit and growth strategies for Small Businesses.   She has been creating successful campaigns in Google Adwords for 8 years for her many clients, and now runs pay per click campaigns for more than a dozen small and medium businesses.  Cleland Marketing focuses on technology, cleantech and industrial businesses, but also works with local businesses, online retailers, and service providers to make their services and solutions known to potential customers and clients.  She thinks strategically, and she and her team deliver on plans and tactics that work, and importantly, they are transparent, and always measure results.

Ms. Cleland has presented seminars on marketing at the Oregon State Austin Family Business Conference, at Linn Benton Community College, The Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, and The WNHS Micro-business program and the BEC Business Boot camp.  She is a recent transplant to Seattle.


Read more...

Global Affairs lecture Wednesday: Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Prof. Mimi Harvey
researched Indonesian migrant workers

Like Water from the Moon: Stories of migrant laborers in Asia

Dr. Mimi Harvey
Professor, Shoreline CC

Dr. Harvey will share findings from her research on Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea.

Wednesday, February 27, 12:30-1:30 pm
Shoreline CC, Room 1010M (Boardroom)
16101 Greenwood Ave N
Shoreline WA 98133 (campus maps)

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Part of Global Eyes speaker series, organized by International Education, Global Affairs Center


Read more...

Lecture Thursday night: Agriculture in Africa - Opportunities and Challenges


Brady Walkinshaw
from the Gates Foundation

Agriculture in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

Brady Walkinshaw and Tuu-Van Nguyen, Program Officers, Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA

The speakers will discuss some of the key challenges facing food security and farming in Africa.

      Thursday, February 28, 7-8:30 p.m.
Shoreline Community College, Room 9208 PUB (map)
16101 Greenwood Ave N
Shoreline WA 98133

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Tuu-Van Nguyen
from the Gates Foundation
Part of the symposium, Global Food and Farming, organized by the Global Affairs Center, International Education Department.



Read more...

CanYouID.me featured on KOMO late night news

CanYouID.me - the website with photos of people the police would like to interview which was created by Det. Tony Matthews of the Lake Forest Park Police - was featured on the 11pm KOMO TV news Sunday night.

The website offers space for any police department to post photos of people of interest in crimes. It includes the increasingly vivid surveillance photos from bank robberies, outdoor surveillance cameras around businesses, with photos of people, vehicles, and distinctive clothing. The photos have the details about place, crime, reason the police are interested in the photo subject.

Starting with just the Lake Forest Park police in 2010, the site is now used by over four dozen agencies. 40 suspects have been identified to date.



Read more...

Evan Smith on Politics: Officials have mixed reactions to elections bills before State House of Representatives


By Evan Smith

Elections officials from around the State have expressed a mix of reactions to five elections bills now before the State House of Representatives.

One county auditor said Tuesday that many of the bills were good ideas that would be expensive.

The House committee on government operations and elections approved the five bills Feb. 11.

One, called the “Washington Voting Rights Act," would encourage cities and other jurisdictions to switch from at-large elections to smaller districted elections. The bill would allow groups that have difficulties getting elected in at-large elections to sue in state courts if they believe an electoral system violates their rights. For example, Hispanics make up 45 percent of Yakima’s population but have never elected one of their own to the city council under the at-large voting system used in most Washington cities. So far, their only recourse is an expensive and time-consuming suit in federal courts. The bill in the legislature would allow suits in state courts.

The Washington Association of County Auditors has stayed neutral on the voting Rights Act because it is an issue of politics rather than one of elections administration. One county auditor, however, said that the bill could lead to litigation and that having elections in many districts could make local elections more expensive than they are now because officials could have to design different ballots for each district in a city.

Another bill would reduce the registration deadlines to the day of the election for in-person registration in a county elections office and eight days for online registration. Currently, the deadline for mail and on-line registration and for previously registered Washington voters to change their voting addresses is 29 days before an election and the deadline for in-person registration for new Washington voters is eight days before an election.
Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel said last week that the auditors’ association favored having a single election registration deadline instead of one for in-person registration and another for mail and on-line registration. She added that the association had proposed a compromise that would set a single deadline 11 days before Election Day. She said that an 11-day deadline would leave two weekends before Election Day and it would avoid confusion between the current 29-day and eight-day deadlines.

A third bill would increase the number of postage-free ballot drop box locations. It would set a minimum number of boxes for the number of people in an area and require boxes at each state university and community college.

Weikel said that the proposal for more ballot drop boxes is a good idea that needs more study. She said that all parts of the State are different and that the bill would require four boxes on the Everett Community College campus, boxes that might be more useful elsewhere. Weikel said that 40 percent of her county's ballots in the November election came from the 11 drop boxes around the county but that adding more would be expensive. She said that buying the secure boxes is expensive as is sending people to pick up ballots at each site at 8 p.m. Election Day.

A fourth bill would allow for pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds who get driver’s licenses, making them eligible to vote when they reach 18.

Weikel said that she and other county elections officials questioned the proposal because many students move between ages 16 and 18. She said outreach in schools is a better approach to encouraging young people to start voting.

The final bill would require county and state elections offices to develop a uniform ballot design for use in all elections in the state.

This is aimed at avoiding confusion if voters move from county to county and at allowing counties to buy equipment and supplies in bulk, but the Snohomish County auditor said that uniform ballots weren’t necessary and would be expensive. She said that the number of people who move from county to county is small. She added that many counties would have to adopt new forms. She noted that since King and Snohomish counties use different kinds of ballots, at least one would have to buy all new equipment/She said that the bill might have been good if each county was just starting but would be too expensive with different counties having different systems.



Read more...

Edwin Pratt 1930-1969

One view of a memorial created in honor of
Civil Rights leader Edwin Pratt
slain in Shoreline in 1969
Photo by Diane Hettrick

Seattle Civil Rights leader Edwin Pratt moved to Shoreline, to the Meridian Park Neighborhood in Shoreline sometime in the late 1960s. The Executive Director of the Seattle Urban League, he was one of the chief architects of the Seattle Schools desegregation plan, as well as a fair housing act.

Civil Rights leaders had made some gains, but had come to believe that equality would not come until people of different races got to know each other as people - as neighbors, schoolmates, and church community. So Edwin Pratt led the way, by moving his family to the virtually all-white suburb of Shoreline.

He was shot to death in the doorway of his home on January 26, 1969. According to an article in History Link:

On the ill-fated Sunday evening of January 26, 1969, the city of Shoreline was covered in snow. Having cancelled their original plans as a result of the weather, Pratt and his wife Bettye were looking forward to "a quiet evening by the fireplace" (The Stranger). 
At around 9:00 p.m., shortly after putting their 5-year-old daughter Miriam Katherine to bed, Edwin and Bettye heard a noise outside that sounded like a snowball hitting the window. While Pratt went to the front door to investigate, Bettye looked out their bedroom window. From the window Bettye could see two men crouched down behind Pratt's car in the carport, and she noticed that one was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun. She immediately shouted to Pratt: "Look out, they've got a rifle!" (Seattle P-I, January 28, 1969). It was too late. Upon opening the door, Pratt was shot in the face and died almost instantly.

Our news partner History Link has the story of his death and the subsequent police investigations. No one was ever formally charged in the murder, although investigators feel they have identified the murderer.


A park and a fine arts center in Seattle were named for him. In Shoreline, school children created a memorial in Shoreline Park, between the Shoreline Center and the Shoreline Pool.

The dedication stone is next to the memorial.
Pratt is buried at St Mark's Cathedral in Seattle
Photo by Diane Hettrick


Read more...

Shear Jazz to play at North City Bistro Mar 2



Back by Popular Demand
Keith McClelland’s
Shear Jazz
Invites you to a tribute to Dave Brubeck - composer, pianist, and ambassador of jazz.

Featuring Jacques Willis (vibes), Dan Sales (guitar), James Clark (bass), Don Dietrich (drums) and Keith McClelland and Steve Tanimoto (piano). Shear Jazz will perform classics and other selections from the Dave Brubeck library.

Saturday, March 2nd
8:00pm
North City Bistro
1520 NE 177th St, Shoreline 98155
                                      
Reservations strongly recommended! $8 cover

 (206) 365-4447 or email


Read more...

Concert features fine young musicians, Scandinavian traditions

Lilla Spelmanslag musicians practice for their concert
March 10 in north Seattle


Don’t miss the Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag concert, Sunday, March 10, starting at 3pm at Seattle’s Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave N. These young, accomplished musicians, ages 7 to 16, play incredible Scandinavian folk music, which is fun for all ages! A Nordic showcase, the concert also features the musical group Sprida Ut, and Norwegian hardanger fiddlers, Peter Michaelsen and Anika Anderson.

Lilla Spelmanslag in concert

The concert benefits the group’s tour of Sweden this summer and helps bring the dream of studying with master musicians to life. The trip is an unparalleled opportunity for the kids to connect and study with renowned Swedish fiddlers and to ensure that centuries-old folk traditions continue to thrive. What a great way to pay tribute to the many Swedish immigrants who made this area their home!

Tickets are available at the door, with a suggested donation of $15 ($30 for families). All proceeds go toward the Lilla Spelmanslag’s summer travel expenses. Come on out for a wonderful show!


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Wind Advisory issued, last 2 weeks of data

  • Wind Advisory issued Sunday night - Monday morning
  • The week ahead
  • Friday almost storm
  • Last two weeks of data
Wind Advisory: The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Wind Advisory for Western Washington, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The advisory is in effect from 11pm Sunday night until 4pm Monday. This is a widespread wind event expected to cover the entire region. Winds are expected to increase late this evening to 30mph with gusts to 55mph. This will be a bit stronger than the Friday weather we had. Winds this strong can snap tree limbs and bring down small or shallow rooted trees. Local power outages are very possible. Unlike Friday, I am expecting this to be one of the most significant storms we've have had so far this season.

The Week Ahead: Monday through Friday we are going to be in a more normal wet weather pattern compared to the past two months. We have a series of storms marching from the Pacific Ocean into the Northwest that will keep us under grey skies and rainy days for the days to come. This pattern will likely last us through next weekend. Wind storms may be another factor through out this week as the current weather pattern favors the development of wind events. Keep checking back for any news on new storm advisories or warnings.

Friday's almost a storm: The weather system that moved through on Friday was making headlines on the news with warning of the first significant storm to move into the area in a while. This storm did not meet any advisory or warning criteria from the National Weather Service. I will give it some credit that it was indeed a breezy to windy storm. There were some small tree limbs on the streets after this storm but it didn't appear to be anything serious, as I had expected. Friday, however, does signal a change in our weather pattern. The pesky high pressure bubble that has been dominating our region for most of the last 8 months (with the exception of our stormy weather in November and December) has receded once again to allow weather systems to move through our area to bring us a return to our regularly scheduled winter. Even though the El Nino Southern Oscillation index has been rated as neutral all winter, we've been having patterns more like a strong El Nino so far this winter with the exception of November and December. There are signs that this may be the last of that high pressure bubble until May or June.  I'll have more information on this as the current weather patterns develop.

Data:
February 9th - 15th:
High temperature: 50.2ºF (Friday the 15th)
Low temperature: 31.6ºF (Sunday the 10th)
Rainiest day: 0.08 inches (Wednesday and Thursday 13th and 14th)
Total rainfall: 0.20 inches
Warmest day: 44.9ºF (Tuesday the 12th)
Coldest day: 38.4ºF (Sunday the 10th)
Average temperature: 42.2ºF (1.4ºF above normal)
3-year normal: 40.8ºF

February 16th - 22nd:
High temperature: 50.2ºF (Saturday the 16th)
Low temperature: 33.6ºF (Wednesday the 20th)
Rainiest day: 0.24 inches (Saturday the 16th)
Total rainfall: 0.52 inches
Warmest day: 42.3ºF (Saturday the 16th)
Coldest day: 38.3ºF (Wednesday the 20th)
Average temperature: 40.0ºF (0.5ºF below normal)
3-year normal: 40.5ºF

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.

For winter storm updates, check out my weather station web page or follow me on Twitter: @SWeatherWatcher


Read more...

Shorewood High School - modernization update

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Looking east with Fremont Ave at the bottom of shot
and N 175th on the left
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorewood remains on schedule for its opening in September. Work is moving quickly inside, and as weather permits, outside the building.

  • Sheetrock is being installed in Ronald Building and subfloor installation is underway.
  • Exterior veneer work is complete in the courtyard area on the exterior of the library and athletic areas.
  • Exterior metal panels have been installed on the main gym and stair towers.
  • Window installation continues around the classroom building.
  • Storefront windows and curtain wall installations are underway at the classroom building for the library, commons, entrance and other areas
  • Sheetrock installation is nearly complete at the classroom building.
  • Painting has progressed through 70 percent of the classroom building.
  • Main electrical switchgear installation continues in the main electrical room and Seattle City Light has installed the building’s transformer. Electrical wall rough-in is complete in most of the building, and HVAC rough in continues.
  • Roofing is nearing completion in all areas.
  • Carpet installation will begin soon.
  • Site concrete continues to be poured with good weather.

Looking north into the commons area, with the new library at the left,
gym fitness and weight room at the right.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Inside the new culinary arts room, cabinets being assembled.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Look at all the windows in the new library!
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The concrete risers in the new theater.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Inside the commons area looking out into the courtyard.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

In the courtyard with the library at center.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The courtyard. This will be a grassy landscaped area come next September.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Read more...

Shorecrest High School - modernization update

Shorecrest site, looking east. with 25th NE is at the top
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Shorecrest has some buildings complete and in use, and some fully under construction. Classes continue on campus.

Performing Arts Building

The Performing Arts building is now fully open, including the renovated theater and classrooms for band, choir, orchestra, drama and visual arts. 

Main Building  

Construction is well under way on the three-story main academic building, scheduled for completion in early 2014. 

Structural steel framing continues, proceeding west to east

Concrete pours continue and forming of shear walls adjacent to the stair towers of the new building is under way.

Gymnasium:

The new gymnasium is now open and being used for physical education classes and by athletic teams. It includes the main gymnasium, auxiliary gym, classroom, locker rooms, weight room and aerobics/exercise room. Some finish work continues in the building.

Looking northeast at Stair Tower #4 showing reinforcing steel
placed in walls from second to third floor levels.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Looking north/northeast at wall forming for concrete shear walls
being constructed adjacent to Stair Tower #3.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Looking south/southwest at steel beam and column framing
being installed west of Commons area and Stair Tower #2.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Looking southwest at steel beam and column framing
 installed in area north of Stair Tower #2.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Looking southwest at north elevation of the west wing of the building.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools



Read more...

State Senate panel approves Frockt’s bill to reduce debt of health care graduates in exchange for work in underserved areas

Sen. David Frockt, D-46
A State Senate committee has approved a bill sponsored by Sen. David Frockt that would reduce student debt of physicians and other health-care professionals in exchange for work in rural and other underserved areas.

The Senate Higher-Education Committee passed Frockt’s bill Friday to allow repayment of school loans for health professionals who work in rural and underserved areas.

“There are areas across Washington with critical shortages of health-care professionals including primary-care physicians and dentists,” Frockt said. “Meanwhile, many doctors, dentists and nurses complete their medical education with massive amounts of debt. The goal here is to provide incentives to reduce that debt in exchange for working in under-served areas.”

Recent data shows that 93 percent of the University of Washington Medical School’s 2009 graduating class left with some level of debt, with 72 percent accruing debt of $100,000 or more, a figure that doesn’t include the cost of undergraduate studies.

The bill would reinvigorate a program to repay the loans of health professionals that has been dramatically underfunded. State budget troubles have reduced support for the Health Loan Repayment Program to a point where few awards are being granted. This bill would allow the Student Achievement Council, which administers the program, to contract with foundations or private sources. This helps revitalize public-private partnerships.

The bill also would clarify what groups are eligible. Doctors, dentists, nurses and other health professionals are already eligible for loan repayment. Frockt’s proposal would add medical residents choosing to work in underserved areas.

“As we move to expand Medicaid in Washington State, concerns have been raised about whether we’ll have enough health professionals to provide medical care for the 330,000 Washingtonians who will receive federally funded health insurance under the expansion,” Frockt said. “This program provides a way to leverage foundation and private funding sources to produce more health professionals working in underserved communities.”

The bill will move onto the Rules committee and if approved there, a vote on the Senate floor.

Frockt represents the 46th Legislative District, which includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP