Shorecrest grad tops heptathlon

Sunday, March 24, 2013

After four events in the heptathlon,
Elisa Ahern held first place with 2,461 points.
Photo courtesy Willamette U Athletics
Ahern Tops Heptathlon on First Day of Bearcat Multi

Information taken from an article by Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, Willamette University

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University track and field athlete Elisa Ahern (So., Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) was one of the individual leaders after the first day of the Bearcat Invitational Multi on Friday, March 22 at the Charles Bowles Track

Ahern topped the standings in the heptathlon after four events with 2,461 points.

Ahern gained her lead by wining the 100-meter hurdles in 15.69 seconds and taking first place in the high jump at 4' 10.50".

Christy Mosier of Corban was the winner of the shot put. Her top throw covered 40' 2". Rebekah Daniel (Silverdale) of Willamette was second at 32' 7.75". Ahern claimed fourth place at 30' 3.50".

Daniel won the 200-meter dash, earning a time of 27.53 seconds. Bond placed second in 27.87 seconds. Maylea Tooze of Western Oregon was third at 27.98 and Ahern was fourth at 28.17.

The 100-meter dash produced the top three event scores of the day. Ahern earned 754 points, while Daniel was credited with 734 and Bond received 696. Ahern scored more than 600 points in three of the day's four events.

A total of eight women are participating in the heptathlon. The remaining events in both of the competitions will be held on Saturday (March 23).


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4 year old tries to light birthday candles with pilot light


Kenmore, WA – The Northshore Fire Department was dispatched at 5:39pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 to a residential structure fire at the 16500 block of 74th Ave NE.

On arrival the responding crew saw light smoke coming from the rear of the home. One of the residents was able to pour some water on the fire, but realized it had extended into the attic and called 911. Although there were no working smoke alarms, all 13 occupants and several pets had exited safely before the fire department arrived.

The Northshore firefighters were assisted by personnel from the Bothell, Kirkland and Shoreline Fire Departments. The fire damage was limited to the exterior and attic of the home.

The occupant stated that a few of the children were outside playing near the gas water heater and a 4 year old was trying to light birthday candles by using the pilot light. The King County Investigator determined the cause to be accidental.

The occupants of the home have been displaced, but Red Cross was on scene to help with any shelter, clothing and food needs.

It is important for every home to have working smoke alarms.  Parents should work towards educating young children about the dangers of not only matches and lighters, but all potential ignition sources.


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Shorecrest Hip Hop Team takes first place in category, has highest score in entire show

The Shorecrest Hip Hop Team won the state hip hop competition
They achieved the highest score in the entire competition

From Coach Rex Kinney

Our Shorecrest HS Hip Hop Team competed at WIAA State Dance/Drill Championships yesterday (Friday) at the Yakima Sun Dome and took FIRST PLACE in the 3A Hip Hop Category!! 

Competing against 7 of the other best high schools in the state in our category, the Hip Hop team took top honors as well as having the highest score in the whole competition out of 60 performances in ALL categories and classifications 1A/2A/3A with a score of 281.4 (out of 300)!! The team finishes with an undefeated record for the season including the district title.

You can catch a replay of their performance through the following link. Fast forward to 2hrs 33min and 45sec of the replay: SHORECREST HIP HOP WINNING ROUTINE.

The official results can be found here.

Awards Replay: Footage
Fast forward to 1hr 52min 20 sec.


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Shorecrest soccer team ties Glacier Peak Friday - JV wins



 Sam Schober defending an attack on goal (Glacier Peak)
Photo by Barb Swan

The Shorecrest boys' soccer team tied Glacier Peak Friday with a week to go before the Shorewood gam  

The Shorecrest boys take a 1-0-1 Wesco 3A record (3-1-1 overall) into a Friday, March 29, game with Shorewood at Shoreline Stadium after a Friday, March 22, tie with Glacier Peak.

In the 1-1 tie with Glacier Peak Chris Iacoluci scored Shorecrest's only goal.

Sophomore Cesar Ruiz takes a header
in the JV five to one victory over Glacier Peak
Photo by Barb Swan

The JV scored a 5-1 victory over Glacier Peak.



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Directions to Faculty Club for Bob Phelps' memorial Sunday

Saturday, March 23, 2013

A celebration of the life of Bob Phelps will be held at the UW Club on Sunday, March 24th, from 2-5pm. A local obituary appeared in the Shoreline Area News and in the Seattle Times on Sunday, March 3, 2013, and can be found here, where messages can be left at any time.

Directions to UW Club

From I-5:
  1.     Take the NE 45th St - University Exit.
  2.     Go east on NE 45th.
  3.     Turn right on 17th Ave. NE and enter campus.
  4.     Take first left onto E. Stevens Way.
  5.     Stay on E. Stevens Way until first stop sign
  6.     Proceed forward and the third building on the left is The University of Washington Club.
  7.     Look for sign out in front of the building


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Today's weather: Flowers in the snow

Friday, March 22, 2013

Flowers in the Snow - Ridgecrest
Photo by Patty Hale

Flowers in the Snow - Innis Arden
Lee Lageschulte


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Lake Forest Park police make arrest in graffiti case

On March 19, 2013, an adult subject in his twenties who was a suspect in eight graffiti cases in Lake Forest Park dating back through January of 2013 was arrested for those crimes.

This subject was also a suspect in a graffiti case in Shoreline. Interim Chief Kent Baxter requests that citizens continue to be vigilant as we know there are other suspects still tagging in our area. 

Citizens should call 911 immediately if they see anyone marking up signs, power boxes, or other property.  


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Pizza for blood - Mar 25, Shoreline Center 1-7pm

Blood drive is Shorecrest student's Senior Project

Come support Shorecrest senior Alexandra Vowels' senior project. The Puget Sound Blood Center will be sponsoring the blood drive. It will be at the Shoreline Center in the Alumni Room March 25 from 1 to 7pm with a 45 min to one hour break from 3 to 4pm.

16-17 year olds will need a parent permission slip. Otherwise 18+ are more than welcome to donate. There will be free beverages and snacks provided along with Costco pizza! 


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Evergreen Boys and Girls State – June 2013 at CWU

The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary are seeking qualified and motivated students who are completing their JUNIOR year of high school to attend Evergreen Boys and Girls State at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
  • Boys State will be held from 16-22 June 2013. Details, including an application form, can be found here 
  • Girls State will be held from 9-15 June 2013. Details, including an application form, can be found here
Interested students must demonstrate outstanding leadership, character and scholarship, as well as loyalty and service to their schools. They must also have at least one more semester of high school remaining.

Begun in 1935, and conducted in each state every June, this one-week “government-civics-leadership” conference is sponsored by the American Legion, a national veterans’ non-profit service organization.

It is often called a leadership action program in practical citizenship because each student will participate as citizens at the local, county, and state levels of government in the simulated "State of Evergreen." About 250 students attend each session every year.

A student at Boys / Girls State is eligible to earn four college credits for their efforts because of the depth and scope of the program and the work involved. Additional scholarships are available for performance at the conference.

Local Contacts: Tom Thorleifson (425) 314-5865, or John Crawford (206) 327-4335

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Shorewood grad swims for Ohio U at Division I NCAA meet

Shorewood grad Laurin Williams swims for Ohio U
Photo by Julia Leiby, The Post

2010 Shorewood grad Laurin Williams is a junior at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She will compete with the Bobcats swim team at the Division I NCAA meet this week.

This article was posted in the Ohio University student newspaper, The Post.

Team captain Laurin Williams, a junior, is one of the team’s best long-distance swimmers. She has been winning long-distance races since she was in seventh grade. (Julia Leiby | For The Post)

When Laurin Williams touched the wall after the 1,000-yard freestyle race against Youngstown State in February, she looked around and took a couple of breaths.

She didn’t need to hurry out of the water, as other swimmers were still not done with the race. After all, the first Penguin swimmer finished 34 seconds later.

In a time when decisions in swimming have come down to a matter of milliseconds, Williams waits for her competition to finish — even at conference meets.

At the Mid-American Conference Championships, Williams won her first-ever individual title in the 1,650-yard freestyle and finished eight seconds ahead of Eastern Michigan’s Briana Emig.

Williams broke her own school record at the 1,000-yard mark, but narrowly missed it by 0.6 seconds at the end of the race.
“We didn’t put everything on the table for the MAC Championships,” Ohio coach Greg Werner said. “We saved a little bit, and I hope we will see that this week (at the NCAA Championship).”
After placing 23rd in the 1,650-yard freestyle last year, Williams wanted to return to the national stage.

She has lived for this moment.

Williams started her distance-swimming career in seventh grade when she joined a swim club in her hometown of Shoreline, Wash. Two years later, she finished in the top eight in the 500-yard freestyle at the state championship and capped her high school career with a third-place finish in the same event her junior year.

Werner, however, admits her recruitment was a complete coincidence, as Williams did not live within Ohio’s usual recruitment region.
“My assistant was at junior nationals, which were in Washington,” Werner said.
“They talked for 30 minutes and convinced her to come out to Ohio for a visit.”
Williams was won over by the program right away.
“Everybody that is coming here improves,” she said, adding that her family now flies out to Ohio several times a year to see her swim. “You don’t want to go to a college where you see that swimmers die out.”
After finishing fifth in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the MAC Championships her freshman year and her NCAA appearance last year, Williams is the only swimmer to have qualified for the NCAA championship for two consecutive years in the last 12 years.

Her way to the top, however, wasn’t easy. The junior practices year-round with practices way beyond the 10,000-yard mark.
“I do get bored (in the water) all the time,” she said. She can tell stories about suddenly finding water bubbles interesting after hours of swimming. “I zone out; I have stories in my head. I try to repeat what I learned in class, and I sing songs.”
Whenever she is asked how she motivates herself to practice, the only answer she has is routine.
“After I am done with schooling next year, it is going to be weird to not have anything to do between three and six, because that’s how it has been forever,” Williams said.
It’s routine that will be needed at the NCAA Championships. This championship is more stressful for swimmers than any other competition is, Werner said.
“Everyone that is there has earned the right to be there,” he said.
Williams earned it, too — by practicing, by thinking about water bubbles and by waiting for her competition to finish.


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Proposed toll rate increase on SR 520 bridge

The State Transportation Commission wants to hear from drivers about its proposal to increase toll rates on the SR 520 floating bridge. On March 18, the commission proposed an increase of 2.5 percent for all toll rates with a peak weekday Good to Go! rate of $3.70. New rates would go into effect on July 1, 2013. The rate increase would help ensure the facility generates enough revenue to meet financial obligations. The commission is seeking comments about the proposed toll rate.

Changes to 520 are important because every rate hike increases the number of drivers who avoid the toll by driving around the head of the lake and increasing the traffic through Kenmore and Lake Forest Park down Bothell Way.


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Notices go out on master plan and housing for Shoreline CC

The next step along the path to a Master Development Plan that now includes student housing at Shoreline Community College hit the mail on March 22, 2012. Public notice letter

“As required by the City of Shoreline, we are sending notices of two public meetings that will be hosted here on campus,” said Daryl Campbell, Vice President for Administrative Services at the college. “We’re excited to show the community what we’ve got in mind and to get feedback to see how it might be even better.”

The meetings are actually part of the city’s required process for a Master Development Plan. The college did such meetings in December, 2010, but at that time, student housing wasn’t anticipated. Since then, a private investor group came forward and put housing in the mix. Because of the time delay and the added project, city officials asked for new public meetings. 

At the April 9 meeting, attendees will get an overview of the city’s planning and review steps, including the Master Development Plan and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes. Officials will describe projects anticipated to be developed in the next 10 years. They will also ask for comments and discuss how feedback will be used to inform decisions.
At the April 23 meeting, officials will review and respond to comments received at the first meeting, then describe the process moving forward in review of the Master Development Plan. 

Both meetings will be from 6-8 p.m., in the 9000 Building (PUB), Room 9208. City staff, college officials and college consultant staff will be on hand. The meetings will be recorded. 

This on-campus soccer field is the site for student housing

The student housing project that is now part of the proposed Master Development Plan is proposed to include 400 beds. It would be sited in the general area of the current soccer field at the north end of the campus. 

“Student housing is becoming an increasingly important part education delivery for community colleges,” Campbell said. “Shoreline has a number of programs – automotive, machining, nursing, dental hygiene, film, our terrific science offerings and others – that draw students from outside the area. In addition, our international-student numbers are growing. This past fall, we swamped the existing supply of homestay options for international students.”

Campbell said that if approved, the housing project would be first-come, first-served. “This project will be available to help all our students,” he said. 

The idea for student housing came in 2011 when local resident David Lee approached the college with an idea for a privately funded and operated project. Shoreline President Lee Lambert met with David Lee and investors in China in September, 2011 to sign a memorandum of understanding that opened the way for further talks. In February, 2012, Campbell updated the college Board of Trustees on the project, and in December, 2012, Lambert signed a more definitive memorandum of agreement with the investors. 

On Feb. 13, 2013, officials from the college, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the state Attorney General’s Office and the investors met to discuss details of the proposal. Because the project is proposed on state-owned land, the SBCTC must give approval and the state Attorney General’s Office works out the details of the lease. Both of those items are proceeding. 

On Feb. 14, immediate neighbors to the college and other interested parties were mailed a notification as required under Washington’s State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). That notice said the college intends to amend previous planning documents adopted in 2003, 2006 and 2011 to include the proposed housing project. The notice also said that the proposed housing project won’t have significant environmental impacts beyond those already anticipated in previously approved and adopted planning documents. 

SCC/Jim Hills 


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WSDOT ALERT: One lane open on southbound I-5 through University District and Eastlake

Starting Friday, March 22, 2013, 10:05pm, three out of four lanes on southbound I-5 from NE Ravenna Blvd. to just north of the Mercer Street exit are closed until 10am Saturday for pavement repairs.

The NE Ravenna Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-5 is also closed. Drivers can avoid traffic delays by using the I-5 express lanes which are open southbound, or taking an alternate route.

LOCATION: I-5 Southbound from NE Ravenna Blvd. to just north of the Mercer Street exit, Seattle, King County

The estimated end is Saturday March 23, 2013, 10am, but this closure will also occur from 10pm Saturday, March 23 to 10am Sunday, March 24.




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All Things Water … from Shoreline Water District

Fix a Leak Week
In honor of World Water Day on Friday, March 22, we at Shoreline Water District would like to encourage you to think about the critical water issues affecting our planet during this era.

In our nation alone, did you know that more than 1 trillion gallons of water leaks from U.S. homes every year? Experts estimate roughly 10 percent of American homes drip away almost 90 gallons of water a day. The usual culprits—leaky toilets, faucets and shower heads—can cost up to $200 per year in utility charges literally going down the drain.

If you’ve never tested your home toilet for leaks, this week is the perfect time to do it. From now through March 24, the EPA's Annual Fix a Leak Week makes toilet dye strip tests available to selected neighborhoods to help raise awareness about this issue.

During last year's Fix a Leak Week, Shoreline Water District used the dye strip tests to initiate a special water awareness program with local schools. We worked with the teachers to help educate their students about water conservation and how to test their home toilet for leaks; students brought back a signed note verifying the test had been completed.  The program was an overwhelming success: students became much more aware about water usage, and the classroom with the highest participation was featured in our newsletter and on our website.

This year, the Saving Water Partnership, a group of local utilities including Shoreline Water District and Seattle Public Utilities, decided to apply our awareness program approach to an expanded area. Dye strip tests will be distributed to students in Shoreline as well as some schools in Seattle; the school with the highest participation will once again be included in Shoreline Water District’s newsletter, on our website, and also on the Saving Water Partnership’s website.

If you’d like more information about the fifth annual National Fix a Leak Week, which runs from March 18 through 24, contact Arece Hampton, 206-733-9137 or visit the website

Curious to learn more about your water and the water issues facing our region, nation, and planet? Wondering what it takes to work in the water utility industry? 

Stop by our booth at the Shoreline Science and Technology Fair and STEM Career Exposition this Saturday March 23, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Shoreline Community College's Student Union Building. There you’ll find Shoreline Water District staff to tell you more about “all things water,” including Jesse Foss, who is currently attending Shoreline Community College thanks partially to a scholarship from the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.


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Shorecrest wins baseball games from Mariner and Oak Harbor before Friday loss to Marysville-Pilchuck going into series with Shorewood

Senior outfielder Alex Pitts
in the 10 – 0 win over Mariner
Photo by Barb Swan

The Shorecrest baseball team won home games over Mariner Tuesday and Oak Harbor Wednesday before a home loss to Marysville-Pilchuck Friday, going into a three-game series with Shorewood next week.

In a 10-0 victory over Mariner, Tuesday, March 19, that was shortened to five innings by the mercy rule, senior outfielder Alex Pitts hit 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI and 2 runs scored, and junior shortstop Brady Dixon hit 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored for the Scots; sophomore winning pitcher Zane May struck out four Mariner batters and gave up one hit in three innings.

In a 12-6 win over Oak Harbor Wednesday, March 20, senior winning pitcher Keegan Small hit 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and a run scored; senior outfielder Hayden McNabb hit 4 for 5 with a double 2 RBI and a stolen base; and junior outfielder Nik Hendricks hit 1 for 2 with a home run and three RBI.

In Shorecrest’s 4-2 loss to Marysville-Pilchuck Friday the Tomahawks out hit the Scots 8-2.

Senior Pitcher Tyson Maine
in his 12 – 6 Win over Oak Harbor
Photo by Barb Swan
The series against Shorewood starts with a game at Shorewood’s Meridian Park Fields Tuesday, March 26, at 4 p.m., followed by a game at Shorecrest Wednesday, March 27, at 4 and another game at Meridian Park Saturday, March 30, at 5 p.m. The series will be the first of four Western Conference 3A South series for each team.

The games against Oak Harbor and Marysville-Pilchuck were Shorecrest’s first two of five against Wesco 3A North teams. They give the Scots a 1-1 Wesco 3A record (2-3 overall) going into the series with Shorewood. 


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Photo: Stormy first day of spring

Sunset on a stormy first day of spring
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Steve Robinson took this photo at sunset from Richmond Beach Park after a stormy first day of spring that included hail, sleet, snow, rain, and bright sunny skies.


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Shoreline Public Schools Foundation 2012-13 Classroom Grants

Shoreline Public Schools Foundation awards 39
classroom grants to classrooms throughout the district
Photo courtesy SPSF

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) has awarded 39 Classroom Grants totaling more than $28,000 to elementary, middle and high school classrooms throughout the Shoreline District. Classroom Grants fund innovative teaching such as specialized science instruction and field trips, arts programs, new books for all grade levels and interests, and other programs that enhance student learning.

Since 1992, the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation has provided more than $2.9 million in funding for enrichment and teaching beyond the basic curriculum in all K-12 Shoreline schools, as well as helping to fund basic educational needs, when called upon.

Classroom Grants are one of the many ways SPSF supports Shoreline students, and every school in the district is invited to submit proposals. Community members, parents and business owners are invited to learn more about the foundation’s accomplishments and goals and see the annual Foundation Scholarship awards given to Shorecrest and Shorewood students on March 28, during the “Spring Event” fundraising breakfast and luncheon, at the Shoreline Center

Visit the Foundation website to register for the Spring Event or to learn more about the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation.


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What's cooking at Central Market this week? Trout, cod, and matzo brei

If you're looking for inspiration, answers, tips or new recipes - come by the Culinary Resource Center near Produce at the Shoreline Central Market 5505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133. There's often something to sample, and always recipes for the taking.

Here's the lineup for demonstrations. The kiosk is staffed 10 am-6:30 pm daily (9 am-5:30 pm Sundays) with sampling noon to 4:30 pm. Click the name of the dish to go to the full recipe.


Sat, March 23      Broiled Cod with Plum Preserves


Mon, March 25     Wild Mushroom and Bacon Frittata

Tues, March 26     Matzo Brei


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City of Shoreline launches “Shoreline Walks” community walking program

Shoreline Walks - photo by Danyelle Harp


Mark your calendars, April 1st is the first walk as part of Shoreline Walks, a new free community walking program to help Shoreline adults stay active, meet new people (or connect with old friends) and feel safer and more confident exploring our city by foot. Walks explore neighborhoods, parks and trails offering great insight into some of the best walking routes in our city.

Shoreline Walks is part of the City of Shoreline’s “Shoreline 4 Health” initiative and is one of many efforts the City of Shoreline is making to support a healthy community.  With walking known to be one of the best forms of exercise and Shoreline having a large aging population, having access to safe walking routes is important to keeping our community active and connected.  The program is community led through the help of volunteers and is an excellent way to meet new people and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Although walks are geared towards keeping adults ages 50+ active and healthy, they are open and welcome to all ages and abilities.

More details and the full schedule of Shoreline Walks or contact Marianne Johnson, Recreation Assistant II at 206-801-2638. 

Upcoming walks

Monday, April 1, 9:00am
Meridian Park Neighborhood Walk
Explore a great quick walking route around the Meridian Park Neighborhood. Those wanting a longer walk can continue on the Interurban Trail next to Haggens.
Walk is approximately 1 miles / 15 minutes.
Walk Rating: Easy
Meet at: Haggens Bistro Area, 1201 N 175th St.

Saturday, April 20, 9:30am
Hamlin Park Trail Walk
Get acquainted with the trails throughout Hamlin Park.
Walk is approximately 1.8 miles / 30-40 minutes.
Walk Rating: Moderate
Meet at: Hamlin Park, 160th St. parking lot. (by play area)

Saturday, April 27, 9:00am
Richmond Beach Parks Walk
Take a walk around Richmond Beach visiting the four parks in the area along the way.
Walk is approximately 3.4 miles / 1 hour.
Walk Rating: Moderate
Meet at: Richmond Beach Coffee Shop, 1442 NW Richmond Beach Rd.


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Holy Week Services begin Palm Sunday at St. Barnabas Anglican Church

Holy Week services commemorating the passion and crucifixion of Jesus will begin Palm Sunday, March 24, at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Shoreline.

A blessing of the palms precedes both Sunday services, at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., which will celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

On Maundy Thursday, March 28, a 7:30 p.m. service of Holy Communion will remember the Last Supper and betrayal of Jesus. The annual stripping of the altar will follow.

His crucifixion and death will be commemorated Good Friday, March 29, with meditations at the Stations of the Cross at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Our Shoreline neighbors are invited to join us as we follow Jesus on his way to the cross during Holy Week.

St. Barnabas is located at 2340 N. 155th St. For more information, please call Fr. Harley Crain at 206-365-6565.


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Rep. Pollet seeks greater support for higher education through eliminating tax exemptions, increasing tax on large estates


Democratic State Rep. Gerry Pollet, vice chairman of the Washington House Higher Education Committee, responded last week to proposals by State Senate Republican to reduce tuition and increase support for higher education.

Pollet’s proposal would pay for greater support for higher education by eliminating exemptions for high tech companies from the business and occupations tax and sales tax, and by increasing takes on large estates.

He said that the tax proposals were better than cutting other programs. 

"The House Higher Education Committee, acting in a bipartisan manner, adopted House Bill 1624, which would commit our state to increasing our investment in higher education and set a long-term goal for affordable tuition and access to our state universities,” Pollet said. “The goal for affordable tuition should be for tuition to not cost more than 10 percent of median household income in Washington.
“Just five years ago, tuition at the University of Washington was 10 percent of median household income; now, tuition is unaffordable to many families at more than 20 percent of median household income.
"I'm encouraged that our colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus have joined the conversation on higher-education funding and the need to restore affordable access to the opportunities of higher education. Their proposals for funding higher education are billed as 'a comprehensive plan that would bring down the costs of higher education for students, increase state spending on public universities and community colleges, and tie additional funding to higher-education institutions’ performance.’
"As always, of course, the question is HOW to pay for this laudable proposed $300 million, 10-percent increase in funds for higher education. The proposal doesn’t pay for itself. It's good that they seem to share some of the objectives sought in HB 1624. I want us to aim at the long-term goal -- a very doable goal -- of making college accessible and affordable for citizens willing to work hard to earn their dreams. Our House Higher Education Committee proposal -- 'Education Opportunity Funding' -- would make sure that state funding for higher education is at least 50 percent of spending relative to tuition.
"The bottom line is that tuition isn’t affordable if it exceeds 10 percent of the median family income in our state. That's the objective in the House legislation. And that's an objective I hope my friends in the Senate Republican Caucus can eventually embrace.
“We mustn't rob Peter to pay Paul. The duties we face in funding K-12 education, health care for disadvantaged senior citizens and needy families, public-safety issues -- these responsibilities aren't going to go away.
"Therefore, I'm also proposing legislation to lift higher-education funding by closing tax loopholes for high-technology companies’ -- and shifting this revenue to higher education.
“High-tech corporations have benefited from these B&O and sales tax exemptions to the tune of $114 million per biennium. The high-technology and research corporations rely upon our public investment in higher education to provide the highly trained and innovative graduates needed by the same businesses which have received the equivalent of $114 million in public investment every two years. For that investment, few jobs have been created, and those jobs have cost more in subsidy than the 'new earnings' generated by those jobs.
“This new revenue would provide the state’s share of funding for nearly 3,000 community and technical college students for one year (at 2012 funding levels). 
"The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee has found that these high-tech tax credits and exemptions have cost $45,000 for every job the industry claims it has created. The 'new earnings' from these jobs average $25,000 per year. So you do the math. Well, you don't have to, actually. The per-job price tag in the biotech sales-tax deferral/waiver for 14 jobs in new facilities is $140,000 per biennium. That's not an efficient, cost-effective investment of the public's dime -- no matter whose economic primer you're using."

Pollet also has offered House Bill 1494, which would double the estate tax with the resulting $100 million also devoted to higher-education support. Pollet said that only about 300 estates would be subject to the tax annually.

He noted that maintenance funding for higher education includes approximately $120 million in funding above current levels to restore pay reductions, and the 3 percent reduction in tuition proposed by both Democrats and Republicans in would likely require $108 million.

Pollet represents the 46th Legislative District, including Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.


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Ryu says that 6,000 callers asked relevant questions during telephone town-hall event


State Rep. Cindy Ryu says that she and fellow Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Kagi heard many “relevant and thoughtful questions" during a telephone town hall event Tuesday, with about 6,000 people participating.
“During that hour, we covered many topics, including education, budget, transportation funding, the two-thirds ruling, Point Wells, and Veterans’ affairs,” she said Thursday. “This was my first ‘Tele-Town Hall,’ and I enjoyed it. I truly appreciated everyone caring enough to answer their phones and listening in as well as asking very relevant and thoughtful questions.”
Ryu and Kagi represent the 32nd Legislative District, including Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace.


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Celebration of Life for Bob Phelps this Sunday

A Celebration of Life for Bob Phelps will be held on Sunday, March 24, at the UW Faculty Club on the University of Washington campus from 2-5pm.



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Flags at half-staff for Gov. Gardner

It is with deep sadness that Governor Jay Inslee directs flags at all state agency facilities to half-staff on Friday, March 22, 2013, in memory of former Governor Booth Gardner who passed away last Friday night at the age of 76 of complications from Parkinson’s disease.


Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business on Saturday, March 30 or first thing Monday morning, April 1.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.


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Shorewood takes undefeated baseball record into Friday game at Everett

Shorewood takes a 1-0 Wesco 3A record (3-0 overall into a Friday Wesco 3A game at Everett Friday and a Saturday non-league game with Edmonds-Woodway after a 12-2 Wesco 3A victory over Marysville Getchell Wednesday.


Shorewood and Everett meet at 4pm Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium, with junior varsity teams from the two schools playing at the same time at Shorewood’s Meridian Park Field.

In Shorewood’s victory over Marysville Getchell, Kory Longaker hit 3-for-3 with two triples and four RBI for Shorewood. Cameron Sterne batted 3-for-4 with two doubles for the Thunderbirds. Sam Boone was the winning pitcher. 

The Shorewood junior varsity defeated Marysville Getchell, 6-4.

Shorewood 12, Marysville Getchell 2 (5)
At Meridian Park Fields, Wednesday, March 20

Marysville Getchell -- 001 10--2  6 2
Shorewood ------------ 141 42--12 11 1

MG-- Christensen, Ramirez (4), Gonzalez (5) and Eshete

SW-- Branden Stickels (4). Sam Boone, Ian Oxnevad (5) and Jacob Bockelie, Andy Carpenter (5).


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Shorewood soccer team meets Bothell Friday at Shoreline Stadium

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Shorewood soccer team meets Bothell Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Shoreline Stadium.


The game could be the Thunderbirds' final non-league match, with 12 of their 13 Western Conference 3A games left on the schedule.

With 13 league games, Shorewood was scheduled to play three non-league matches to reach the 16-game state limit, but a scheduled Saturday, March 16, home match with Kennedy Catholic of Burien was first postponed to Wednesday, March 20, and postponed again with no scheduled make-up date.

Shorewood coach Bill Wilkins said Wednesday that he doesn't expect to reschedule the game against Kennedy or any other team. A substitute game would require finding another team with fewer than 16 regular-season games and an open date that coincides with a Shorewood open date.

With two league games most weeks there's little room for a make-up non-league game.

Shorewood's league schedule includes two games against each of the other four Wesco 3A South teams and one against each of the five Wesco 3A North teams.

The Thunderbirds take a 1-1 overall record into the Friday home game with Bothell (0-3) and a 0-1 Wesco 3A record into a Tuesday home game with Mountlake Terrace (1-0-1 going into a Friday game with Meadowdale).

The Shorewood junior varsity takes a 1-1 overall record into a 5:30 p.m. Friday game with Bothell at Shoreline Stadium and a 1-0 Wesco 3A record into a Tuesday home game with Mountlake Terrace (2-0 going into a Friday game against Meadowdale). 

Shorewood Varsity Scoring after two games

Player

Goals
Assists
Points
Dylan Collins

1
0
2
Kabir Khan

1
0
2
Taj McChesney

1
0
2
Jack Allen

0
1
1
Daniel Han

0
1
1


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World Dance Party - free - Friday night at Shoreline Masonic Center

Free World Dance Party - Friday, March 22, 6:30 - 9pm, Shoreline Masonic Center, 185th and Linden. Flamenco, Bollywood, Zumba, West African drum dance and more!


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730 students from every school in Shoreline - Lake Forest Park participate in the Math Olympiad

Updated 3-24-2013 12:28am
The St. Luke School team proudly holds their signs


The Shoreline Math Olympiad results are in. Congratulations to the 730+ "Mathletes" along with coaches and teachers, who participated in the 15th annual Shoreline Math Olympiad, held on March 9th at Shoreline Community College.

Members of the Highland Terrace team
joyfully hold their trophy

This annual community math competition is co-sponsored by Shoreline Community College, Shoreline School District, Shoreline Public Schools Foundation and James Alan Salon. Numerous local businesses also support the event by donating concessions and door prizes.

Meridian Park Elementary had a large number of participants

Over 100 high school and adult volunteers assist as team chaperones, test proctors, concessions, registration, test writers, scoring room data entry, test runners, and more! If you are interested in participating next year in 2014, contract Lisa McDonald. Check out the SMO website for more information, including the results for schools, teams, and rankings.

A Syre student goes forward
to accept a medal

The Shoreline Math Olympiad brings together students in 4th through 8th grade from all of the Shoreline School District and area private schools for competition. Some students will also participate in the Math Is Cool, UW Math competitions, and the Washington State Math Championships held this spring in the region. 

More photos courtesy of SCC . Photo credits: Jim Hills, Shannon McMaster


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Ugandan Orphan’s Choir a huge success


This last weekend the Shoreline – Lake Forest Park Arts Council hosted the Ugandan Orphan’s Choir at the Shoreline Community College. This bright, energetic group of children preformed to a raucous crowd of delighted children and adults, and had children up dancing in the aisles.

“My granddaughter and I attended the performance. What a joy! I would have paid much more than the $8.00 to see these children perform. Thank you Shoreline-Lake forest Park Arts Council for bringing us these wonderful programs and bringing diversity into our lives. My granddaughter and I support a little girl from Uganda thru World Vision and it was so good for my granddaughter to see these darling children showing us a small part of their country and music.” – Shirley Lovelace

To see what other great events the Shoreline – Lake Forest Park Arts Council has coming up visit their website or become a fan of their Facebook page to receive updates online.

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. 


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WeatherWatcher: First day of Spring No, Winter?


The first day of spring has arrived, according to the calendar, but winter says "Wait! I'm not done yet!" We were greeted this morning with a Wind Advisory for gusts up to 50MPH and as it turns out this is probably our one of three significant storms this entire season (since last October).

Colder air behind this storm system from the Gulf of Alaska and British Columbia is being pulled down behind the low pressure center. The four letter S word is now in the forecast specifically for the Puget Sound Convergence zone. As I have mentioned in past stories, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park are typically right near the middle of the zone. Right now (as of 9pm Wednesday night) it is currently strongest over Everett but it is a very wide band, reaching Edmonds and the very far northern parts of Shoreline.

National Weather Service of Seattle expects areas hit hardest by the convergence zone could see up to 3 or more inches of the wet snow stuff on the ground by morning. They also are expecting several of these convergence bands to wobble through here through Friday afternoon. The air is cold enough that most of these showers could remain as snow during the night and day hours. No winter weather advisories have been issued yet so stay tuned to my twitter account or the National Weather Service as this may change soon.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, however. Saturday we will start to moderate out of the colder air as more Pacific air moves in. Also, as the sun is higher in the horizon now during the day, any snow accumulation is unlikely to survive any afternoon sun breaks.

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


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Blood drive in Lake Forest Park Thursday

Lake Forest Park Blood Drive
Thursday, March 21st
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. ( closed for lunch 1-2 p.m.)

Blood Mobile Bus parked at LFP Town Center
Location:  Third Place Books, lower parking area
Registration:  Drop ins welcome!  No appointment needed.
Please consider an hour of your time.  Your donation can save up to 3 lives. 


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Obituary: Bob Jones, retired music teacher

Bob Jones, who taught music for 27 years in Shoreline Schools, died March 13 at age 75.

Bob taught music and math during 11 years at Kellogg and for most of his career split his time between many buildings, including Echo Lake, Syre, Sunset, and Parkwood, before retiring in 1993.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 2 pm Saturday, March 23 at New Life Foursquare Church in Everett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Puget Sound Kidney Center.



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Options for Sunset School Park - public input solicited

Design status as of March 2013
Public comments are being solicited
Report from the Friends of Sunset Park

On Saturday, March 16, there was a public meeting held on the Sunset School Park grounds. The purpose of this meeting was to provide a list of potential improvements from the Master Site Plan that can be constructed with the limited available budget.

The City wants to learn which master plan improvements are important to you as we prepare our design for the construction in this first phase of improvements. 

$205,000 has been allocated for design and construction of improvements at this park; approximately $82,500 will be needed to construct required improvements to make the park usable, accessible and safe. Approximately $85,000-$95,000 will be available to make additional improvements from the following list of options below. There is not enough budget to construct all improvements. We need YOU to help us prioritize which will be implemented this year.

Community comments will be collected through comment forms and shared with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board at their April 25 board meeting where they will discuss the project and make a recommendation for what design options will become part of the Phase I Improvements. As of Monday, March 18, there is an online comment form, which we encourage you to use. 

Comments must be received by April 15.

Options include:

  1. New Play equipment (new tot lot, swings and additional benches and picnic tables). Repairs to existing equipment will be made with other funding.
  2. Basketball court on existing asphalt (a full or half court yet to be determined; new posts, backboards, nets, and striping. No new paving)
  3. Community garden (approximately 35-40 raised beds, a garden shed, water access and a drinking fountain)
  4. Porta-potty enclosure (wood enclosure and path connection to the enclosure) The porta-potty will be provided with other funding.
  5. Pathway connections (pathway connections throughout the site including a loop path around the upper field made of asphalt to make walking and "strollering" pleasant and easier.) ADA accessibility to the upper field will be as a required improvement.
  6. Field improvements (a new backstop, sand levelling, seeding and 3-row bleachers for spectator seating which is offered at parks where games are played)

Please remember that these elements were all taken off the master plan that the community (more than 400 of you!) came up with during all those community meetings. They represent options for the FIRST PHASE of this park to begin construction later this summer. If you have comments outside this scope, you can include them, but they will not be addressed at this time. Similarly, if you like one of these options but not the scale specified, you can let them know that too. When you are ranking, please rank them from 1-6, and DO NOT USE NUMBERS MORE THAN ONCE!

More information about this project and the history about the Sunset School Park Master Plan can be found on the City webpage or by contacting Maureen Colaizzi, Parks Project Coordinator, 206-801-2603.


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