Host families needed for students coming from France July 31-Aug 21

Sunday, July 28, 2013



Host families are needed to provide homes for students coming to the Seattle area with a group from France. They will be here from July 31 to August 21. Horizons du Monde is a nonprofit organization which has been bringing students and host families together for 30 years.

Host families need to provide a bed and meals eaten with the family. The entire group of students will be going on excursions together and the host family is welcome to join in. Wild Waves, Downtown Seattle and the Space Needle are destinations. 

Your student will also be able to do activities with your family and travel with you if that is in your plans, while they are here. If you would like to be part of this opportunity, contact Jamin today, 360-661-0552.




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Local YMCA board member reports on Y General Assembly

Saturday, July 27, 2013

By Pearl Noreen
Board Vice Chair
Dale Turner YMCA

What an honor to be invited to the General Assembly of the YMCA in Philadelphia with Dale Turner Family YMCA Associate Executive Brian McLaughlin.

As a volunteer and Board Vice Chair it was an opportunity to hear the vision of the national YMCA with its 19 million members and 900 branches. Our own Dale Turner Family Y has 17,000 members. They rolled out their new slogan “The Y.so much more.” Their 5 year goal is to expand membership and branches in a bold way.

Their plan is to expand healthy living programs including diabetes and obesity prevention programs and so much more. They will enhance youth development programs with increased after school programs, early learning support, summer learning loss targets and graduation rate support and so much more. The Y’s commitment to social responsibility will be seen in partnering and networking in innovative and creative ways and so much more!

An array of speakers added insights:

Sanjay Gupta reminded of the obesity issues and suggested:

  • Sitting 6 hours a day shortens your life span.
  • Pushing your plate away when you are 80% full.
  • Eating too much sugar (200 grams a day) and fructose (130 pounds a year) is harmful to your health.

Kathy Dempsey shared the Shedding theory. The cornerstone of the shedding philosophy is based on the fact that lizards grow by shedding their skin. If they don’t shed, they die. The same is true with humans and organizations. If you don’t grow, you’ll die. Shed or you’re dead! Shedding involves taking on the new and letting go of the old.

Shawn Anchor spoke on ‘The Happiness Advantage” and revealed that social connections are the best predictor of long-term happiness. Writing down 3 gratitudes a day for a week changed neural patterns in the brain for 6 months plus people became more positive. Seventy-five percent of job success is attributed to strong social connections, optimism and perceptions that stress is a challenge. Happiness is a choice!

Sally Hogshead stated that:

  • Don’t find the light. You are the light.
  • The thing that makes you different may be the thing that distinguishes you.
  • Be yourself everyone else is taken.
  • The world is not changed by people who sort of care.

Outlier author Malcom Gladwell declared that the YMCA is the single most important capitalization engine in the country. Capitalization is the rate of people who fulfill their purpose in life. It tells us whether a society is successful. The US rates are quite low. But Gladstone says capitalization is the most important factor in the health of the country. It is how good a job we do with the talent we have. Our job is to help everyone find their gift.


The Y is an expert in capitalization -- helping people rise to their greatest potential ….. and so much more!


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Opportunities to win free ORCA cards

By Brian Doennebrink

Recently, I wrote an article about where to get an ORCA card. I haven't sent in part 2 yet, but one point I was going to note was that occasionally one can be fortunate to enter a drawing to get a free ORCA card. Here are two such opportunities:

  1. If you're attending summer events in Snohomish County, Community Transit has had booths at some of them where they've had opinion surveys where participants are entered into a monthly drawing to win a $50 ORCA card. Check out their Facebook page.
  2. There's also an online survey where participants are entered into a monthly drawing to win a $50 ORCA card. Read below for more information.

We'd Like Your Answers to Four Questions About Service
Description: take our online service priorities survey and enter a drawing for a $50 ORCA card 
Help us understand our service priorities by taking our short online survey! 
Community Transit is not cutting service, but we will be adding service hours with some system fixes this fall. To best meet the needs of the communities we serve, we need to get in front of (and talk to) our customers—  this is where our outreach comes into play. 
This summer, in addition to our traditional appearances at community events where we can talk one-on-one with folks, we are also taking advantage of online surveys and polls to engage with riders and non-riders alike. This combination of outreach tactics help to get feedback from a larger pool of the population who care about Community Transit and what we do. 
On July 1, we started posting polls on the Community Transit Facebook page, keeping the questions light, but related to riding the bus, such as “Would you ride the bus on holidays?” So far, our most active poll to date asked, “Which do you consider the worst bus behavior? 
Last week, we posted a Service Priorities Survey on our website. We are asking the same questions to visitors who come by our booth at various community events this summer. Would you take a few minutes to share your input to help us understand priorities for service? 
Each person who completes the survey (including their name and email address) will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a $50 ORCA card.

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Book Review by Aarene Storms: How to Lead a Life of Crime

How to Lead a Life of Crime
by Kirsten Miller
"It's like Hogwarts for hustlers," says main character Flick, a pickpocket and runaway recruited as a student to the Mandel Academy.

At Mandel, students are taught to seize power, money and political control, especially using illegal tactics. The school offers coursework in human trafficking, drug manufacture and sales, exploitation of natural resources, and an intense study of addictions and how to capitalize upon them. Students are usually orphans and others who will not be missed in the outside world, which is convenient for school administrators when dealing with "drop-outs" who might rat them out to authorities.

Flick still has a mysteriously alluring girlfriend on the outside ... until the day that Joi shows up as a newly-recruited Mandel student. Suddenly, Flick's success strategy changes: he's determined to rescue Joi at any cost.

The problem: Joi doesn't want to cooperate with Flick's plan. She has a plan of her own.

Rating:
If you've ever had trouble distinguishing between unpredictable psychopaths and unpredictable sociopaths, this book will cure that. It's got action, adventure, hand-to-hand violence, industrial sabotage, sexual scheming, computer hacking, and all the other stuff you'd hope to find in a great book of betrayal and suspense. For some reason, the publisher has chosen to present "f-bombs" written as "f---" but other cuss words aren't blanked out. This isn't deadly, but it is distracting within the narrative.

Recommended for readers ages 14 to adult.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


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“Improbable Beauty - the Art of Neglect and Decay” by artist Jim Ballard



“Vase with Flower” by Jim Ballard is one of the photographic images on metal being exhibited at the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum from August 1 – September 13, 2013.

The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation is pleased to present the work of Edmonds artist and photographer Jim Ballard. The exhibit will open on Thursday, August 1st and continue through Friday, September 13th at the EAF Museum in the Frances Anderson Center.


The artist states, “By photographing subjects that aren't immediately recognizable, I hope the viewer will spend time just looking at the colors, lines, textures and shapes within each photograph. Each image is a kind of microcosm --a miniature world -- that when carefully viewed can offer multiple interpretations. There is no one, singular, unambiguous way of seeing the world. It is always the magical interplay between what our mind interprets and what our eyes take in.”

Ballard has written and published over a hundred articles and photo-essays that have appeared in Popular Photography, Petersen’s Photographic, Popular Mechanics, Field / Stream and many other national magazines and newspapers. In 1988, his book “Handbook for Star Trackers – Making and Using Star Tracking Camera Platforms” was published by Sky Publishing Corporation. For over twenty years Ballard has been a professional stock photographer for numerous stock agencies and is presently supplying photos to Getty Image.

Retired from 26 years teaching college level photography classes, Ballard has found a variety of ways to continue enriching the art community. In November 1992, he and Richard Hestekind were commissioned to create the granite stage and monolithic granite figures at the Meadowdale Playfield. That work was dedicated in August of 1993. Ballard also created a Braille and embossing book for the students of the Louis Braille School and this summer provided stone carving instruction for the Vision Loss Connections group of eight adults who are blind or visually impaired at the Cascadian Center of Camp Brotherhood near Arlington, Washington. Both the Braille and embossing book and the stone carving instruction received funding assistance from the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation Community Grant Program.

The EAF Museum is located in the Frances Anderson Center, Main Entrance - 700 Main St, Edmonds. Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri 9 to 7, Sat – 10 to 1. For information call 425-771-1984.

More information about the programs of the EAF Foundation.


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Celebrate Shoreline: a week-long infusion of festivities

Celebrate Shoreline is a week-long infusion of festivities designed to spark celebration and community spirit every year on the City's birthday. Events are happening in every corner of the City. Activities include DogFest, North City Jazz Walk, Youth/Teen SK8 Competition, the annual city-wide Festival and a Sandcastle contest.

As Shoreline turns 18, we are pleased to feature a newly designed festival in keeping with our growing City. If you've been attending the festival for years, come see what's new. If you've never participated before, now is the perfect time to join neighbors and friends and spend the week Celebrating Shoreline!

Celebrate Shoreline week: August 10 - 18
Festival: Saturday, August 17, 2013

Here are just a few reasons why you will love this year's Celebrate Shoreline festival:
  • Expanded hours (11:00am - 8:00pm)
  • New Location in Shoreline's beautiful Cromwell Park
  • Two stages for music and entertainment 
  • Food Vendors and Food Trucks 
  • Pony Rides
  • A Petting Zoo
  • Two performances of "Treasure Island" at the new Children's Theater Area
  • Bubble Play Area
  • Inflatable Toys
  • Annual Car Show Sponsored by the Shoreline Historical Museum
  • Onsite ATM machine
  • and much more!
Those over 21 are invited to enjoy beer and wine at the Beer Garden featuring American Brewing Co, from noon to 7:30pm



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Amtrak Cascades adds additional bicycle storage

Amtrak Cascades train
Photo Wikimedia Commons

Enjoying the Pacific Northwest on two wheels just got a bit easier.

The Washington State Department of Transportation and Amtrak recently added more bicycle storage racks to all Amtrak Cascades trains, with space for 10 bicycles now available. Riders can reserve a seat and bike space through Amtrak Cascades or by calling 1-800 -USA- RAIL.

“Washington is a six-time champ as the top bicycle-friendly state and these bike racks will make it easier for bicyclists to combine Amtrak Cascades and bicycle travel to tour the Pacific Northwest – from Eugene, Ore. to Vancouver, BC, and all stops in between,” said Washington Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson.

On-board bicycle storage racks must be reserved in advance and can only accommodate standard bicycles. The racks allow Amtrak staff to hang and secure standard bicycles on the walls of baggage cars. Tandem, recumbent, or other specialized bicycles will require a bicycle bag or box and must be checked as baggage at staffed Amtrak stations. Travelers who do not have a bicycle box can purchase one at staffed Amtrak stations for $15.

When Amtrak Cascades trains began service in 1999, six bicycle storage racks were included in each train’s baggage car.

To reserve a bicycle rack, buy tickets early for the best fares. All cities are on sale at 25 percent off when purchased early. Once on the train, local food and drink is available in recently- upgraded bistro cars.


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Jazz Walk has new venue in new Shoreline Water building - Stephanie Porter is featured

Friday, July 26, 2013

Stephanie Porter will perform at Jazz Walk

2013 NORTH CITY JAZZ WALK

AUGUST 13th - 7-10 pm

Hear Stephanie Porter at new Shoreline Water District building

Compelling vocalist Stephanie Porter returns to the North City Jazz Walk backed by a wealth of talent including Darin Clendenin/piano, Steve Yusen/drums, Mike West/sax, and Dan O’Brien/bass.  

She comes from a musical family where she was steeped in the tradition of the leading vocalists of the 50’s and 60’s. Stephanie draws upon not only the American Songbook but also pop, R/B, and soul. She has performed in England and Europe, and is a favorite of audiences at the Triple Door and the Pampas Room in Seattle. Recently, she wowed audiences with her performances with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. Her recent albums Mood Swings and How Deep is the Ocean? have received airplay in the US and abroad.

Grand opening of new Shoreline Water District building

August 13 is also the first day of business for the Water District in their newly expanded and renovated administration building. Their new building includes a large, 64-person capacity meeting room available for use by outside non-profit groups and other governmental agencies. Says Diane Pottinger, District Manager, “We’re thrilled to be able to host Stephanie Porter for this Jazz Walk event as the very first community use of our meeting room!”

The upgraded and expanded facility will enable the Water District to be far more efficient at serving its ratepayers: in addition to the public meeting room and much-needed space for operations, the building finally offers public restrooms, enhanced seismic strengthening, energy efficiency and improved security. The public’s much-loved drive-through window and night drop box will once again be available.

Breakfast Rotary sponsors Stephanie Porter at Shoreline Water District building

The Shoreline Breakfast Rotary will be selling beer and snacks at the Shoreline Water District Building to attendees on the night of the Jazz Walk. The Breakfast Rotary will be raising funds for a number of projects both local (including scholarships, helping at Parkwood Elementary, back to school backpacks for students in the Shoreline Schools, to name just a few) and international (a new water system at a remote location in Uganda). One Rotary member has been going to this rural area of Uganda since 2006 where the first school started with 12 students and now has over 500 students.  To learn more about the Breakfast Rotary Club, see their website.

More information on artists and to buy tickets online at North City Jazz Walk.


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Vehicle goes off road on Perkins Way, crashes and burns in McAleer creek

Charred vehicle pulled from McAleer Creek
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

Early Friday morning a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle carrying three individuals careened off a residential street in Lake Forest Park at high speed and was engulfed in flames in McAleer Creek.

Chief Steve Sutton said Lake Forest Park Police were called to the 18100 block of NE Perkins Way just after 4am on Friday. He said initial estimates of the speed were over 60 mph in a posted 25 mph zone.

Responding officers found three people who had managed to escape the vehicle after it came to rest on its wheels in the creek and almost immediately caught on fire.

When the Lake Forest Park Police department arrived, all three occupants were walking away from the vehicle. By then, the vehicle was fully engulfed by fire and the Northshore Fire Department was notified.

The responding officers remained in the location as the vehicle burned ferociously. At one point, there was nearly 80 feet of flame extending down the creek away from the vehicle, likely gasoline on the surface of the creek. Within minutes, the gas tank ruptured and the fire grew stronger. Tires also began to burn and pop. 

Fire Department crews arrived promptly, and put out the fire, Sutton said. The Public Works Crew were also notified and responded immediately by deploying as series of downstream oil/chemical absorbent booms and erosion control measures while also performing a downstream search for signs of stream contamination. The vehicle also damaged the stream banks in two places as it left the roadway.

Public Works removing contaminated sediment
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

A search downstream from the vehicle did not reveal additional contamination, said Public Works Superintendent, Scott Walker. Public Works removed all of the contaminated sediment in the area of the fire and swept the street to collected debris related to the accident and response.

Contamination of the creek was contained as much as possible, Walker said. But it is likely that petroleum, fire byproducts, fire response chemicals and other engine fluids contaminated the stream flow.

The City has reported this release of chemicals to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington Department of Ecology.


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Fire Marshal calls for burn ban in King County

Fire pit and photo by Roy Mangel


As hot and dry weather conditions continue, the outdoor fire danger has increased. In response King County is issuing a fire safety burn ban in unincorporated areas of the County effective July 29, 2013.

This is a Phase 1 burn ban and applies to all outdoor burning except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission.  

Recreational fires must:

  • Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not be used as debris disposal;
  • Grow no larger than three feet in diameter;
  • Be located in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches; and
  • Be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire.

For more information, visit the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review Fire Marshal website.


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Lake Forest Park Council supports King County Parks levy



The Lake Forest Park City Council endorsed the August 6 King County Parks Levy during its regular meeting Thursday.

Councilmember Sandy Koppenol moved the resolution and said that both direct allocations and competitive money received from King County Parks have been important in leveraging other funds to build and improve the City parks.

“Parks are difficult to fund for a small city like Lake Forest Park,” Koppenol said. “We typically have to piece together the funding from several sources. Often the Parks Levy money we receive is the last piece of the puzzle.”

After holding a required public hearing, the City Council deliberated and approved a resolution in support of the King County Parks Levy, which is Proposition No. 1 on the primary ballot. The hearing was lightly attended, with one citizen speaking in favor, one speaking against, and the other registering concerns but not stating a position.

The proposed levy would replace an existing levy approved by the voters in 2007 that King County has used to supplement entrepreneurial proceeds from its concerts and events, such as Cirque de Soleil.

The new levy contains an increase over the current parks levy, with a portion of proceeds to be used for operations and maintenance, capital improvements and new park acquisition for the County regional park and trail system. A smaller portion of the levy proceeds is distributed to cities for local park uses. Lake Forest Park would receive about $28,000 a year in direct money, approximately the same amount it has received under the current levy.

The action was taken on a 3-0 vote, with four members in attendance. Councilmember Don Fiene abstained and did not participate in the discussion, citing a potential conflict of interest from his involvement with an non-governmental organization that has received funding from King County Parks.

Councilmember Bob Lee spoke in support of the measure, saying that Lake Forest Park’s participation in many regional committees and has brought lots of funding back to the city for its projects. He also said that maintaining an excellent parks system is important for the regional economy.

“The outdoors attracts new residents to the Northwest. I cannot imagine King County without its large parks”, Lee said. “They are part of its identity.”

Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford, in supporting the resolution, said King County made a significant investment in upgrading the Burke Gilman Trail through Lake Forest Park and we need to make sure there is funding to maintain it. She also stated that she is aware that many of our citizens regularly use King County parks and trails.


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Echo Lake Mural complete

Echo Lake mural photo by artist Andy Eccleshall


What a difference two weeks make! Artist Andy Eccleshall has completed the new Echo Lake mural on NE 205th and 1st Ave NE in two weeks as promised, thanks in part to great weather and coffee runs from the neighborhood mural crew.

Although the artwork is across the street from Lake Ballinger, the historic sign on the mural makes it clear that the painted image is Echo Lake. With people, places and things depicted in the gorgeous natural environment, this artwork should be a neighborhood icon for years to come.  

The new mural is funded through a City of Shoreline Neighborhood Mini-grant to the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association and the City’s 1% for Public Art Fund.

To see other examples of Andy’s work or to contact him about a mural for your neighborhood or business, go to his website: The Mural Works.

For more information contact Ros Bird, Public Art Coordinator.    


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Sounder home run service to Mariners on Sunday



The Mariners are hot, and so is Sounder train service to the game. On Sunday, July 28, when the Mariners face the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field, Sounder can take you there. Link light rail and ST Express buses can, too. Find the full schedule.


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Blood drive in Lake Forest Park Tuesday



Lake Forest Park Blood Drive
Puget Sound Blood Mobile
Tuesday, July 30th
Times:  11 am – 5 pm (closed for lunch 1:30-2:30 pm)
Location:  LFP Town Center/3rd Place Books, lower parking area
No Registration necessary – Drop Ins Welcome!!

We need lots of donors!
For questions or information, call 1-800-398-7888 or see the website 


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Swingin' Summer Eve - free tacos, music, bargain books, and things that bounce

Swingin' Summer Eve was a fun party in the park with free tacos, music, bargain books, and slides and ice cream for the kids. The event took place on Wednesday evening in Cromwell Park, co-sponsored by The City of Shoreline and the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Arts Council.

It was a very hot evening, but there always seems to be a breeze coming through Cromwell Park.

Several hundred people settled in to hear the band
Creme Tangerine - but no one was in the mosh pit!
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
$1 for hardbacks, 50¢ for paperbacks - the
Council of Neighborhoods book sale was a book lovers dream
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Three different bouncy things for the kids, plus ice cream,
face painting, and henna designs
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
It was a nice way to spend a hot summer evening
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


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Shoreline City Council Meeting July 22, 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Devon Vose Rickabaugh
Photo by Jerry Pickard
Shoreline City Council Meeting
July 22, 2013
By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Mayor McGlashan Presented the Proclamation of “30” Annual National Night Out Against Crime. The Shoreline Police Department is joining with the National Association of Town Watch in sponsoring this year’s “National Night Out” in Shoreline August 6.Shoreline neighborhood associations and block watches are participating by sponsoring a variety of activities to celebrate this annual event. The goal of the event is to emphasize police-community partnerships as well as to promote and enhance the City’s safe community and neighborhood initiatives and programs. Herb and Gloria Bryce from a Block Watch group in the Highland Terrace neighborhood accepted the proclamation.

The Council adapted the six year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2014-2019.Generally, the desire and need for transportation improvements greatly exceeds the available revenues. Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire stressed that the six year TIP is a planning document of what cities would like to do if funding becomes available.

Councilmember Hall voted against the resolution. He pointed out that it could be confusing for citizens to see that $30,000,000 is the most spent for transportation in a year  but  the TIP for year 2019 covers $185,000,000 worth of projects. Since much of the work depends on matching funds from the city he was concerned that lower priority projects could be funded to the detriment higher priority projects. Councilmember Winstead said “Let’s be clear the TIP is a plan, not a budget”. Transportation Services Manager Kirk McKinley said, "If it's not in the TIP it's a lot harder to chase funding".

Through development of the TIP, the City prioritizes unfunded needs utilizing information such as the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), safety and accident history, growth trends, traffic studies and the transportation element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Project descriptions, costs, funding options and the project status are identified for each project in the TIP.

Mark Relph Public Works Director said current priorities include road overlays and BST treatment as high Priority, curb ramps second priority and sidewalk repair third priority.

FUNDED PROGRAMS (FULLY OR UNDERFUNDED)

1. Curb Ramp, Gutter and Sidewalk Program (underfunded)
2. Traffic Safety Improvements (underfunded)
3. Annual Road Surface Maintenance Program (underfunded)
4. Traffic Signal Rehabilitation (underfunded)

FUNDED PROJECTS (FULLY OR PARTIALLY)

5. NE 195th Street Trail – 1st Avenue NE to 5th Avenue NE
6. Interurban/Burke-Gilman Connectors
7. NW 195th Street – Safe Routes to School project
8. Aurora Corridor Improvement Project – N 192nd Street to N 205th Street
9. Safety Enhancements on Aurora Avenue N
10.145th Street (SR 523) Corridor Improvements (partially)
11. 10th Avenue NW Hidden Lake Bridge Rehabilitation/Replacement (partially)

UNFUNDED PROJECTS

13. New Sidewalk Projects
14. N 160th Street Corridor Improvements
15. NE Perkins Way Improvements – 10th Avenue NE to 15th Avenue NE
16. 15th Avenue NE – NE 172nd Street to NE 195th Street
17. Fremont Avenue N – N 175th Street to N 185th Street
18. N/NE 175th Street Corridor Improvements
19. NW Richmond Beach Road Corridor Improvements
20. N/NE 185th Street Corridor Improvements
21. Major Preservation Projects
22. Meridian Avenue N Corridor Improvements
23. Aurora Avenue N at N 145th Street Dual Left Turn Lane
24. Midvale Avenue N – N 175th Street to N 183rd Street
25. N 165th Street and Carlyle Hall Road N Sidewalk and Intersection Safety
26. Firlands Way N – Linden Ave N to Aurora Avenue N

Mark Relph said projects will be further explained with options at the August 5th Council Meeting.

An Executive Session to discuss Litigation took place at the end of the council meeting.


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Bloom, Grow & Sing Along Concert for age 3 and older

Pink flower by
Lee Lageschulte
Bloom, Grow and Sing Along Concert, Wednesday, July 31, 10am, Presented by Charlie Hope, for ages 3 and older with adult.

Sing and dance to songs about gardening, animals and the earth with this award-winning children’s musician.

Lake Forest Park Library, Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, Suite A-134, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155, 206-362-8860.


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Light Rail is Coming - help shape what change will look like along Shoreline's Light Rail Corridor

Beacon Hill Sound Transit Station
What will Shoreline's stations look like?

Station Area Visioning
Light rail service to Shoreline is scheduled to begin in 2023, but planning begins now.
Help shape the changes coming to our City by participating in one of the upcoming station area visioning workshops. Hosted by different community groups, the visioning workshops will provide the City with high-level conceptual guidance as it develops design workshops to be held this fall. Visioning provides people with an opportunity to identify features that they want preserved and describe new amenities they would like to see incorporated in Shoreline's station areas.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Sound Transit has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lynnwood Link light rail project. The public will have at least 45 days to provide public comment. The Draft EIS analysis includes alternatives for station locations at either 145th or 155th Streets, and the comment period is a key opportunity to express concerns or preferences, including with regard to station location. You can view the DEIS and Comment here.

Station area visioning workshops

Thursday, Aug. 1
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church
14724 1st Avenue NE
This visioning exercise will be hosted by the City and Parkwood and Ridgecrest Neighborhood Associations and focus on the NE 145th and NE 155th Street station areas.

Thursday, Sept. 19
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Hosted by the City, this final visioning event will collate comments from the previous visioning events and provide additional opportunity for input before moving on to design workshops later in the fall.

More information
Station Area Planning:
Senior Planner Miranda Redinger
 206-801-2513

Sound Transit Draft EIS:
Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire
206-801-2483



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Stories at the Bridge Coffee House August 2nd

Coffee at The Bridge
Bring the sizzle of summer heat into an evening of stories on Friday, August 2nd, 7-9 pm at the Bridge Coffee House. Both listeners and tellers are invited to Seattle Storytellers Guild’s free, welcoming Story Circle. Storytellers offer personal or traditional stories for adults, lasting approximately 5-8 minutes.

Host Cynthia Westby can be contacted with questions. The Bridge Coffee House is located at 2150 N 122nd Street, Seattle 98133. Coffee and snacks are available for purchase.

The Seattle Storytellers Guild is a nonprofit organization of tellers and story enthusiasts who actively promote the art of storytelling. Storytellers of all levels and interests are welcome.

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Op-Ed: Pending Assumption of Ronald Wastewater District by City of Shoreline


By Steve Paulis, Retired Maintenance Operations Manager, Ronald Wastewater District

As a result of an Interlocal Agreement adopted jointly by the City of Shoreline and Ronald Wastewater District in October 2002, the City of Shoreline will be assuming all assets and functions of the District in 2017, which is one step closer to all utilities being operated by one entity. The District now questions the validity of this document. Because of this and the recent legal action initiated by the District towards the City of Shoreline, citizens should be asking themselves if Ronald Wastewater is really serving the best interests of its constituents.

1.  With a current agreement, which has been in place for 11 years, outlining the assumption of the District by the City, why is the Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners questioning its validity, as the assumption date approaches? This litigation comes at a very high cost to the ratepayers, which are City of Shoreline Taxpayers also. This agreement was executed by two of the current sitting Commissioners. Commissioners Wadekamper and Lind were on the Board and participated in the preparation of the agreement.

The Board of Commissioners says the agreement is invalid because it illegally bounds future Boards from modifying it. Can you imagine the chaos which would be going on if this were actually the case? If this were the case, as the Board of Commissioners think, all interlocal agreements adopted through the years would be totally meaningless. This mentality of reasoning is incorrect.

2.  Why is the Board of Commissioners of Ronald undertaking a feasibility study to create a mega utility District, at a cost of nearly $80,000, when this study and guidelines have been outlined in the Growth Management Act. How is this being funded? Is it coming from the operating budget, or is it being taken from the Repair and Replacement Infrastructure fund, which is a “Restricted” fund by Board Resolution ? What other public entities are contributing to the study, or is Shoreline Water District the only one participating?

3.  Why has Ronald Wastewater budgeted over $100,000 in its 2013 operating budget for the purpose of public relations? Why does a wastewater district need a public relations firm and why is it suddenly sending out “glossy” flyers. Realistically, what percentage of the ratepayers is actually going to read these? The District has always had the capability of delivering messages on its statements. Is this strictly being used as a step to avoid assumption ?

4.  Since 1951, for 60 years, Ronald Wastewater, operated with a three member Board of Commissioners. During 2012, the sitting Board made the decision to increase the size of the Board to five members. With the added number of Board members, operating costs have increased significantly. Unnecessarily, this increased the Board budget by $60,000 annually. There is NO benefit to this other than to serve special interests of the Board and staff.

5.  During a recent election, the voters of Shoreline chose to oust sitting Commissioner Arne Lind from office and elected Bob Ransom. Why did the Board of Commissioners choose to ignore the fact that Lind was voted out of office, only to re-appoint him to the Board? Was it done to serve the special interests of the Board? Arne Lind has publicly said he opposes assumption of the District by the City. This was nothing but a “slap in the face” to the voters.

6.  The District and the current Board continues to “tout” about the reserve fund, better known as the Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Fund. This fund was established by previous Boards of Commissioners and retired District General Manager, Sydell Polin. The purpose of the fund was to fund depreciation by 100%, infrastructure replacement as it aged, and major emergencies. When the fund was adopted, the Board of Commissioners established restrictions on its use. Is it currently being utilized properly or is it being used to fund projects like feasibility studies for “Mega Utility Districts” and unnecessary “legal” expenses?

7.  Are the ratepayers and citizens aware that the Board of Commissioners donated $2000 to a legal battle in Eastern Washington to another agency?

I have highlighted a few items that Shoreline residents should really question. Are these studies and expenses such as public relations, increased board and added legal expenses really needed or are they simply another attempt to fight off and resist the assumption process as outlined in the existing agreement?


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Tweets in the air - King County Air Support on Twitter

The King County Air Support Unit has just signed on to Twitter.


They plan to Tweet when they are on calls so people in the neighborhood know what is going on.

Twitter handle is

KCSOAirsupport


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What's cooking at Central Market

If you're looking for inspiration, answers, tips or new recipes - come by the Culinary Resource Center near Produce at Shoreline Central Market, upper level Aurora Square on Westminster Way. 

There's often something to sample, and always recipes for the taking. Below is the lineup for demonstrations. 

The kiosk is staffed 10 am-6:30pm daily (9 am-5:30pm Sundays) with sampling noon to 4:30pm. If a line appears under the recipe, click to go to the full recipe.

JULY 25-30, 2013

 This Week’s Featured Recipe  Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad with Shrimp

Fri, July 26   King Salmon with Romesco Sauce

Sat, July 27  Chinese Chicken Salad with Maggie Gin’s Dressing 

Sun, July 28  Blueberry Hazelnut Crisp
                      Japanese Cold Somen Noodles 

Mon, July 29   Watermelon Salad

Tues, July 30   Sorry, no demo


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New park in Shoreline to honor murdered transit driver; public invited to party celebrating dedication

Park will be named for slain bus driver
Public invited to the celebration

Dedication and party Saturday, July 27, 11am-3pm at N 163rd and Corliss Ave N

In December 1998, Mark McLaughlin, a Metro transit driver, was driving bus route 359 southbound on Aurora when, without warning, a passenger stood up and fatally shot him, then killed himself.

After McLaughlin lost control of the bus, it careened off the Aurora Bridge, falling some 50 feet to a Fremont neighborhood, injuring 34 passengers. One passenger, 69-year-old Herman Liebelt, died in a hospital the next day.


HistoryLink has an article on the event, which electrified the entire city with stories of trapped passengers, and heroic bystanders.

Bus drivers from around the state attended the memorial service for McLaughlin, as reported in The Seattle Times.

This Saturday, July 27, 2013, a park in Shoreline will be named for Mark McLaughlin and the dedication will be celebrated with a party to which the public is invited.

The dedication of the Mark F. MacLaughlin Memorial Park is this Saturday, July 27, from 11am – 3pm. There will be burgers, hot dogs, hot links, chips, dessert, games, a bouncy house and other events, all sponsored by MERAA and ATU 587. All you need to bring is a blanket or chairs.

The Park is located at N 163rd and Corliss Ave N, next to the King County Department of Transportation (Metro Transit) Base, Operation Building.


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Arts al Fresco brings painted pianos, sculpture, and live music to Town Center

Wednesday, July 24, 2013



It’s Arts al Fresco time and you are invited!

Thursday, August 1st, 6:00- 8:30pm

Shoreline City Hall and the Park at Town Center on the Interurban Trail

Painted pianos, new sculpture, art in the Gallery and live music in the courtyard and the park!

Forward this to your friends and plan to meet them at
the 2nd annual Arts al Fresco!
17500 Midvale Ave N in Shoreline.



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Shoreline City Council authorizes contract with outside legal counsel to help defend against Ronald Wastewater lawsuit


City Council authorizes contract with outside legal counsel to help defend against Ronald Wastewater District’s lawsuit disputing terms of 2002 Interlocal Operating Agreement

On July 22, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract not to exceed $60,000 with Kenyon Disend, PLLC to provide legal assistance in responding to and defending the City against Ronald Wastewater District’s (District) lawsuit disputing the terms of the 2002 Interlocal Operating Agreement (Agreement) between the City and the District. The Agreement provides for the unification of District operations with the City in October 2017.

At the District’s June 25 meeting, without advanced public notice, the Ronald Wastewater District Board of Commissioners authorized District staff to sue the City. The District is asking the Court to set aside the District’s promises to cooperate with and to plan for the transition of the assumption. 

City Manager Julie Underwood stated, “It is not productive for a community to be fighting itself. When the Agreement was entered into in 2002, it was considered a friendly assumption so for the District to treat it as hostile is troubling.”

Under the State’s utility special purpose district assumption statute (35.13A RCW), the City could have assumed the District after the City’s incorporation; however, the Agreement provides that the City will wait until October 2017 to assume the District.

The Agreement also protects District employees upon assumption and calls for the City and the District to negotiate in good faith the terms of the final transition, with negotiations starting no later than 24 months prior to the assumption. The City Council tried to start those discussions by inviting the District Commissioners to a joint meeting between the City and the District on August 12.

Instead of meeting, the District has decided to dispute the terms of the Agreement through a lawsuit.

“It is very disappointing that Shoreline taxpayers and District ratepayers have to have their dollars used in this manner,” stated Mayor Keith McGlashan. “It is unfortunate that now, 11 years into a 15-year agreement, the District Board of Commissioners does not want to honor the agreement that the District co-authored and approved.” 

In fact, three of the current District Commissioners approved the Agreement in 2002. Commissioners Wadekamper and Lind approved the Agreement as District Commissioners and Commissioner Ransom, who did not vote to sue the City, approved the Agreement as a City Councilmember.

In 2002 when the City and the District entered into the agreement, both the City Council and the District’s Board of Commissioners agreed that it made sense for the wastewater district to be consolidated into City operations. In 2007, when designing City Hall, the City included the assumption and acquisition of utilities into its space planning. In addition, the City just acquired property to serve as a maintenance facility to meet current and future utility program needs.

The City firmly believes that the Shoreline community supports the common sense consolidation of separate governmental entities into a single service provider. The City’s Comprehensive Plan, which was developed after a thorough public process, anticipates unification of utilities under the City. And in November 2012, over 70% of Shoreline voters approved the acquisition of the SPU water system in Shoreline.

Unification of the wastewater and water utilities with the City will enable streamlined services such as one-stop shopping for billing, starting or stopping service, permitting and long-range community and economic development planning.

Instead of having to work with three separate entities, contractors and homeowners will only need to work with one. Consolidating utilities under the City will also reduce administrative and operational costs by using shared staff, equipment, and facilities. Another key benefit will be transparency and accountability of utility operations by improving the community’s access to and participation in establishing financial policies, rates, and capital and operating budgets.

The Council will be discussing the agreement and the lawsuit at its upcoming July 29 meeting. A copy of the agreement and lawsuit documents can be found here.


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The Evergreen School honored with Green Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education


The Evergreen School in Shoreline
is a Green Ribbon School

King County Green School Program participants have earned prestigious national and state honors for their recycling and resource conservation efforts.

2013 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon awards

Kent School District is among the 14 inaugural honorees of the 2013 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Award. The district also received recognition as a Level Three King County Green School District.

Glacier Park Elementary (Maple Valley), Tahoma Senior High (Covington) and The Evergreen School (Shoreline), three of the 171 King County Green Schools, are among the 64 schools nationwide announced as 2013 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.

Kent School District, Glacier Park Elementary, Tahoma Senior High, and The Evergreen School were nominated for the U.S. Green Ribbon awards by the Washington state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways.

The Evergreen School is part of the King County Green School program.

   

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Shoreline City Council addresses Point Wells issues

The following letter, dated July 22, 2013, was addressed to the Richmond Beach community and is signed by all Shoreline City Councilmembers with the exception of Councilmember Will Hall, who has recused himself from all things Point Wells due to his employment with the Snohomish County Council.


Dear Richmond Beach Community:

            For the past several years, the issues surrounding Point Wells have been of great concern to you and the Shoreline community as a whole. We share your concerns and want to assure you that the issue is extremely important to us as well. As we have heard your concerns we have taken those to heart and considered how best to address them.

            We recognize that some of you are frustrated and even disappointed with the strategy the City has taken. While we successfully challenged Snohomish County’s designation of Point Wells as an Urban Center with the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB), Snohomish County was able to satisfy the findings of the GMHB through their adoption of the Urban Village zoning. Based on the advice we have received, including third-party legal analysis, we did not join with Save Richmond Beach (SRB) or the Town of Woodway in their most recent lawsuit challenging the developer’s permit application.

            Washington’s vesting laws grant developers strong protections once a permit application is complete. BSRE has a vested permit application under the Urban Center designation. As a result, we believe the best option for addressing the impacts from the proposed development is to enter into an agreement with BSRE. The purpose of the agreement is to have more control over the level of traffic on Shoreline’s road network and to provide guaranteed funding for mitigation rather than relying solely on Snohomish County to look out for Shoreline’s interests. We have a responsibility to every resident of Shoreline to address the impacts of any development at Point Wells.

            Even though the Supreme Court recently agreed to hear the appeal brought by SRB, the permit application is still valid until the Supreme Court rules otherwise. Following the Court’s decision, BSRE communicated to the City that it plans to move forward with its permit, and Snohomish County is legally required to process it. The environmental review may be completed before the Supreme Court has made a final decision (we estimate a year or longer before there is a ruling). If SRB’s appeal is successful, the most likely outcome is that the development would need to comply with Snohomish County’s Urban Village zoning. Regardless of the Supreme Court ruling or which zoning the property develops under, there will be significant traffic impacts. Having an agreement with BSRE and completing a transportation corridor study (TCS) serves as an insurance policy regardless of the outcome.

             The City has been successful in securing an agreement with BSRE to complete a comprehensive TCS using Shoreline’s level of service criteria, our methodology and our assumptions to study the impacts that would be created by the development over the next 20 to 30 years. Absent the agreement, Snohomish County would use its own level of service standards, methodologies and assumptions for evaluating traffic, which would result in a much less comprehensive study and would involve far less community input.

            We received many emails encouraging us to support Woodway in annexing Point Wells; however, we could not support this because we continue to believe that Shoreline suffers the majority of the impacts and is the most logical provider of services to the area. As you know, the only way to reach Point Wells is via Shoreline. Future residents and businesses at Point Wells will use City facilities (especially our roads) and place unfunded demands on City services. Due to their proximity, future Point Wells’ residents will in essence become a part of our community and daily life regardless of whether or not they are annexed into the City. Since all City facilities and services are paid for by Shoreline taxpayers, it is only fair that the future Point Wells residents share in that tax burden.

            We strongly encourage all Shoreline residents, and especially Richmond Beach residents, to participate in the Snohomish County Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) meetings and the forthcoming TCS meetings. Dates have yet to be set for both processes, but as soon as they are we will use every means possible to communicate those dates to you.

            The City Council and the 32nd District Legislative Delegation are committed to keeping lines of communication open and are available to listen to your concerns.  If you have questions or would like to discuss Point Wells, please do not hesitate to contact us.

            It is our hope that this letter conveys that we care deeply about your concerns regarding the Point Wells development. We understand that even now you may disagree with our strategy, but please know that we follow this strategy because we believe it is the best way to protect the quality of life of those living in Richmond Beach and the greater Shoreline community. It is our desire to regain the trust of Richmond Beach residents and we remain hopeful that this is possible.

Sincerely,

Keith A McGlashan, Mayor                           
Chris Eggen, Deputy Mayor
Doris McConnell, Councilmember
Christopher Roberts, Councilmember                                  
Jesse Salomon, Councilmember
Shari Winstead, Councilmember


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Shoreline Chamber will conduct a live Internet video broadcast of the SolarFest

The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a live Internet video broadcast of the NW SolarFest fair interviewing vendors and fair goers about the exhibits and thoughts about renewable energy and sustainable living.  

Check out the Shoreline Chamber home page to watch the broadcast. Details on SolarFest were previously published.
 
If any vendors would like to be included in this broadcast or prefer to opt out, please contact Dwight Edwards. DVD's of each interview will be available for $15 and will be mailed out the next business day. Contact Dwight with any questions on this channel and sponsorship opportunities. 


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Death Notices as of July 22, 2013

Obituaries are condensed biographies of people's lives, written by the people who loved them. Like a memorial service, they tell us things we may not have known about the person, and may leave us wishing we had known them better.


J. Joe "Red" Phillips  1936-2013  He served on the Richmond Beach Library Board, the city of Shoreline Library Board, the Richmond Beach Community Association Board, Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 851, took kids on fifty mile hikes through and across the Olympic Mountains, received several awards for community service, volunteered as a facilitator in the Talk Time program for those wanting experience speaking English and regarded each new day as a gift."

Arne Ludolf Haugen  1938-2013  Born in Norway and spent his whole life on the ocean. Donations suggested to Shoreline Fire Medics.

Helen Elizabeth Murphy  1917-2013  "Loved by a large and devoted family" Funeral mass at St. Mark church.

David Martin Haigh  1953-2013  Worked ten years for North City Lumber where he progressed from truck driver to accountant.

Una M. ANDERSON  1926-2013 Memorial service at Shoreline Community Church.

Robert Sean Gibbins  aged 45  Attended Shoreline Community College.

O. Gary Poulsen   aged 76  Funeral service at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach

Irving Davenport Smith Jr.  1920-2013  Memorial service held at Innis Arden Clubhouse in Shoreline.

John Ludwig Carlson  1921-2013  Services held at Bethel Lutheran Church

John Elmer Adams  aged 93  Celebration of Life at Calvin Presbyterian Church

Mark Arnold Dupuis  1960-2013  Graduated from Shorewood High School 1978 where he was on the golf team.

Joanne Cecelia Hamaker Voiland  1934-2013  Memorial service at St. Luke,

Arthur E. Maronek  1943-2013  Died at home in Shoreline. "As a cook, dishwasher and garbage patrol, Art served his church communities for over 30 years, providing meals for the homeless." "He worked as a Budget Analyst in the Mayor’s office, and moved up to Principal Assistant Director of Engineering where he labored to bring the boat damaged West Seattle Bridge back into service,,," Full article on People's Memorial site.

Donna Louise Sharpe Hansen  1932-2013  Shoreline resident was a volunteer for "Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Ladies of the Moose, Clothing for Kids and Shoreline Historical Museum. In addition, she was well known for her fresh baked cinnamon rolls." Donations to Shoreline Historical Museum,

Stavros (Steve) Tsircou  1935-2013  Owner of Berry Bowl Restaurant in Clearview. Services at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Shoreline and donations suggested to the church.

Richard Lee Goss  1950-2013  His sculptures are on the grounds of the Shoreline Pool (Shoreline Park) and he is now "experiencing the ultimate road trip".

Marilynn M. Odegaard  1924-2013  Passed away at Aegis House in Shoreline. where services were held.

Mary E. (Schoening) Lind-Speidel  1924-2013  Memorial at Shoreline Community Church. "In 1964 she and Reuben moved their family to Shoreline WA where they teamed together in a home office, publishing local union magazines." In her 70s she worked as a crossing guard for Shoreline Schools.

Cleata Gunn McIntosh -  1918-2013  Died in Lake Forest Park

Wallace H. Alm  1917-2013  "He loved baseball, golf, the Democratic party and his family." Mourners were asked to wear Mariners garb to his funeral at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

William D. McKee  1947-2013  Graduated from Shoreline Community College.

Jane Marion Page  1922-2013  Taught English at Shoreline Community College.


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