Shorewood student awarded BECU scholarship

Tuesday, July 30, 2013


Dillon Behen poses with BECU Foundation Execs
Photo courtesy BECU
As part of BECU’s commitment to education and giving back to the communities it serves, BECU Foundation scholarships reward exceptional community service by graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students. This year BECU awarded 50 student members a $2,500 BECU Foundation Scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year.

Dillon Behen of Shorewood was among the 50 recipients to win a scholarship from BECU. These recipients were selected by a volunteer selection committee of local business, educational and non-profit leaders based on a combination of strong dedication to community service, leadership and academics.

As an ASB Vice President, Dillon started “Find a Friend Friday” at Shorewood

Leadership has played an important part in Dillon’s life. It has helped him learn the importance of helping others and influencing them in positive ways. This inspired him to create Find a Friend Friday at his school while serving as ASB Vice President where every Friday the leadership class seeks out students that may need support or even just a lunch friend. Dillon is proud that he has developed the ability to inspire others through strong values and random acts of kindness and hopes to continue to do so throughout his life.

The Foundation received approximately 500 scholarship applications from BECU student members. Applicants were required to submit hours of community service, grade point, transcripts and letters of recommendation, as well as essays describing their most meaningful service experiences.

“Over the years, we’ve given more than $1.5 million dollars in scholarships to 715 students, and every year I look forward to giving out the next set of awards,” said Debbie Wege, executive director of the BECU Foundation.


About BECU
Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, BECU is a not-for-profit credit union owned by the members. Profits are returned to the members in the form of better rates and fewer fees. With more than 800,000 members and more than $10.8 billion in assets, BECU is the largest credit union in Washington and one of the top five financial cooperatives in the country. BECU currently operates over 40 locations in the Puget Sound region. All Washington state residents are eligible to join.



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Brew Fest 2013: Drink for a Cause

Monday, July 29, 2013


Sure, Brew Fest has lots of yummy beer that you have yet to be introduced to. And it is, of course, the most festive way to rub elbows with your neighbors. But did you know that by purchasing a ticket to this amazing event that you are helping to support FIVE non-profits?

Brew Fest originated as a way for four neighborhoods (Hillwood, Innis Arden, Richmond Beach and Richmond Highlands) to promote community and partnerships, and do a little fundraising. 

Last year, the Board decided to add a charity as an honorary fifth neighborhood, sharing equally in the profits. For that first year, they chose to support New Beginnings, a domestic violence nonprofit: They provide an array of services including 24-hour emergency shelter, transitional housing, information and referrals, legal clinics, support groups, individual advocacy, and community education. 

4-Corners was able to present a check to New Beginnings for $1250 as a result of the 2nd annual Brew Fest.


This year, they are pleased to support The WORKS, a  Shoreline PTA Council committee that provides support to Shoreline School District families experiencing circumstances that make it challenging to clothe their children for school. 

The WORKS accepts washed, gently used children’s and teen clothing, clean shoes, purses and backpacks Wednesday evenings 6:00-8:30pm at the sorting room located in the south portable at North City Elementary. The WORKS also provides each child new socks, underwear and hygiene products at the Back to School Event or a family’s first visit to The WORKS each school year.


We would love to be able to present similar (or larger) check to the WORKS after this, the 3rd annual Brew Fest. We hope you agree and make plans to eat, drink, be merry, and toast your support of this great organization.



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Seafair "Impaired Boating Emphasis" begins August 2


New BUI (boating under the influence) laws went into effect on July 28

The Washington State Patrol and cooperating agencies are preparing for the annual Impaired Boating Emphasis, August 2-4, 2013, as part of the Seafair activities on Lake Washington. City, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies will converge in an effort to improve water safety through impaired boating enforcement.

As with similar enforcement emphasis in the past, the staging area for the event will be at Proctor Landing on Mercer Island. The WSP Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU), temporary detention facilities and prisoner support vehicles will be available to assist in the processing of boaters suspected of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) or other crimes involved with unsafe usage of watercraft.

Boating Under the Influence is similar to Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in that the legal limit is .08 or under the influence and/or affected by drugs.  New BUI laws that went into effect on July 28 include:

  • BUI becomes a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to 364 days in jail.
  • Law enforcement will be able to require operators suspected of BUI to take a breath or blood test.     
  • Law Enforcement will have the authority to issue citations to vessel operators during the investigation of collisions/accidents they did not witness, thus holding negligent and reckless boaters more accountable.

Previous Seafair BUI Emphasis Weekends:

  • 2008: 83 BUI arrests.
  • 2009: 110 BUI arrests.
  • 2010: 59 BUI arrests; 463 vessels were contacted. 
  • 2011: 70 BUI arrests; 536 vessels were contacted.
  • 2012: 61 BUI arrests; 693 vessels were contacted.


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Six homeless French students - can you help?


Jamin Henderson is the local coordinator for a program that brings foreign students to the U.S. for a home stay experience. She has a group arriving from France this Wednesday and still needs homes for six of them.

The host families simply provide a bed and family meals for July 31 to August 21. The organization plans activities for the students, which the families are welcome to join.

Here's information about the six students:
  1. (17)  boy - likes cycling, movies, plays the trumpet and sports
  2. (16)  boy - plays rugby and enjoys video games
  3. (17)  girl   (FROM July 31- August 11 ONLY. Have a family for her from 11-21.) -likes piano, swimming, music, shopping and reading
  4. (15)  boy - Plays tennis, and electric guitar
  5. (14)  boy - likes badminton, bowling and basketball
  6. (17)  boy (NEED FROM Aug 10-21. Have a family for him from July 31-Aug 10.) - Likes fencing, volleyball and traveling

 Please contact Jamin today at 360-661-0552.


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SummerSet Arts Festival: Celebrating Ronald Bog

The turtle escaped from the Bog to amaze this little one
at Swingin' Summer Eve
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

You are invited to join SummerSet and the City of Shoreline for the second annual SummerSet Arts Festival: Celebrating Ronald Bog. The festival is one day only -- September 7th 2013, from 1-5pm.

This free, community-centric, event invites all to participate in activities designed to ignite your creativity and curiosity through the arts. Featured activities include dancing, drumming, musical performances, a kids art tent, and art making stations for all ages. Arboretum tours, a sculpture exhibition, and a sensory plant labyrinth will round out the festivities.

Highlights for this year's festival celebrate the talents of artists that live and work in our creative community of Shoreline. SummerSet Arts Festival is free to the public through generous sponsorship by 4Culture, Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, Meridian Park Neighborhood Association and other local organizations and individuals.

The City of Shoreline, Shoreline Heritage Center, and CleanScapes are co-sponsoring the event. Local volunteers have restored Ronald Bog Park (175th and Meridian in  Shoreline) in recent years and the SummerSet Arts Festival will celebrate their ongoing success within the park and community.

Community-based artist, Cynthia Knox, is directing the festival with generous support from the Shoreline Parks Board. Two of her artworks, commissioned as part of the “From the Ground Up” exhibition will be on display during the festival. Come experience her fiber art mastery in the form of a giant nest, and colorful, felted rock wall.

Also featured are community-crafted tree ornaments from castoff clutter. This installation will delight and amaze pedestrians and drivers next to the I-5 entrance ramp.

Artist Lorenzo Moog will be working in fiber, wrapping an enormous downed tree branch.

No lines that an artist will create can equal the lyricism and grace of the curves and line of natural objects while the wrapping of them gives special emphasis to that beauty. The fallen tree is alive again, only this time with both color and line”.

The Sea Hags, a fiber sculpture consortium comprised of artists Ann Blanch, Sue Williams, and Lynn Ahnen-Turnblom will once again enhance the bronze ponies at park's edge.

Landscape designer Susan Ragan-Stuart will create a fantastical outdoor room using live grasses and flowers to create bedding on a king-sized frame. Several other artists will also create site-specific sculptures for the festival that will remain in the park for 6 weeks. A hands-on art table will keep kids busy making kites and other crafts.

Elena DeLisle and many other local musicians will create an outdoor “living room jam” feel with acoustic music-filled tents sprinkled around the park.

The Duwamish Tribe will have an expanded presence at the festival this year, including storytelling and basket-making.

Spreading the word and keeping the community involved, the SummerSet Arts creative team will bring a community art-making table to different locations and events in the Shoreline area during the summer.

Celebrate summer at this community-based arts extravaganza not to be missed! Contact Cynthia Knox or visit the facebook page with questions or if you would like to join the merry band of festival volunteers.


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Police ask public's help with Elephant Man Bandit who robbed bank in Shoreline

Elephant Man Bandit -  can you help police locate this Bank Robber?


The King County Sheriff’s Office and F.B.I. Safe Streets Task Force are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who is suspected of committing three bank robberies during the month of July in north King County and Snohomish County.

The suspect is wanted in connection with the following bank robberies:

  • Friday, July 5th 3:33pm- Whidbey Island Bank located in the 20600 block of Bothell-Everett Hwy in Snohomish County.
  • Friday, July 12th at 5:28pm- Banner Bank located in the 17500 block of 132 Ave NE in Woodinville. 
  • Wednesday, July 17th at 3:21pm- Whidbey Island Bank located in the 20300 block of Ballinger Way NE in Shoreline.

This YouTube video is from the most recent robbery that occurred in Shoreline on July 17th.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCiY2Hbo4VQ&feature=youtu.be

The suspect is described as a white male, late 40’s to early 50’s, 5’10” to 6’0” tall, possibly with graying hair and scar texture on his face. He consistently wears dark shoes, dark dress slacks, and a long-sleeved collared blue or white shirt, while covering his head with a shirt or other material with two small eye holes. The suspect implies a weapon and is believed to flee the scene in a car.

The subject should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information that can help identify this individual is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information given leads to an arrest and charge of the person(s) involved.


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Lake Forest Park - answers to code enforcement questions

Here's a handy page from the City of Lake Forest Park website that lists the most frequent questions that citizens have about code enforcement, with links to the answers.













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Hollywood comes to Shorecrest High School

Lights, camera, action!
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


By Craig Degginger, Shoreline Schools PIO

Shorecrest was the setting for scenes from the film “Laggies” as the school hosted noted actress Keira Knightley during a 12-hour day on Sunday, June 2.

The Shoreline Schools Public Information Office was contacted by a location scout in May, looking for an older high school setting with hallways lined by lockers and a counseling office area.

“Laggies,” directed by Seattleite Lynn Shelton, stars Knightley as Megan, a perpetual adolescent who starts hanging out with a high school girl played by Chloe Grace Moretz.

Filming a scene in the A Hall at Shorecrest for "Laggies."
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorecrest was visited three times, including twice by the director, prior to the filming to scout the locations. Assistant Principal Kristi Queen’s office was selected for the scene with the counselor, as was an adjacent courtyard for a scene involving a cell phone call. A student locker in the school’s “A Hall” was selected for another scene.

Hollywood doesn't travel light!
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorecrest was used for the first day of filming for “Laggies,” and Hollywood doesn’t travel light. A cadre of trailers to be used for dressing rooms and trucks filled with equipment parked in the school’s south parking lot beginning Friday afternoon in preparation for the Sunday filming. The total crew numbered about 100 people, as Shorecrest was briefly transformed into the “Soundview High School Loggers” for the day.

Shelton and her casting directors welcomed 11 Shorecrest students and two teachers as extras, with everyone required to be there at 6am. Much of the crew had arrived at the school by 5am to set up the scenes. The students were told to dress as they might for school, but to bring along several outfits from which the costume director would choose.

The bright lights turned on the locker scene at Shorecrest.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

As extras, the students and teachers mostly walked up and down the hall as background to the actual scene in the counseling office, courtyard or by the lockers. Some carried books, or wore their backpacks, much like during a regular school day—but with bright lights, cameras and tons of equipment all around. Each scene was rehearsed and filmed several times. A few students from Shorecrest’s video production classes were also able to get a behind-the-scenes view of how movies are filmed, watching on monitors what the cameras saw.

The students and staff on hand were also treated to lunch, and the caterers put out quite a spread in the Shorecrest south parking lot, including carved prime rib!

Photo signed by Keira Knightley for the students and staff
of Shorecrest High School.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Knightley, best known for her roles in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” was escorted back and forth from the dressing room trailer in the parking lot. She didn’t meet the students, but signed an autographed picture thanking the students and staff of Shorecrest.

“Laggies” is expected to be released next year.


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Senior Center Thrift Shop is now the Bargain Corner

Displays have been rearranged at the Bargain Corner

The Thrift shop is now Bargain Corner, open Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 3:30pm
By Judith Enich, Manager

I have heard from many of you about the wonderful appearance of the store. I am deeply indebted to Janice Turner for all her organization and creativity. Linda Willemarck was the start of it all, and it just snowballed from there. Thanks for the two of you!!

Linda Willemarck is putting a lot of our better things on Etsy.com which has brought in several hundred dollars. She is giving all her time and profit to the center, so give her a high five when you see her! She is wonderful and has spent much time researching along with Rusty, Beth, and Elsie. My hat's off to you, ladies!

The Bargain Corner has household goods
as well as collectibles

Anyone interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer form and make sure they list any interests or areas of expertise. Pick up the form at the Thrift Shop (Bargain Corner) and you will be contacted.

I would also like to express my appreciation to all of the shop volunteers: to everyone, thanks for all you do and keep on doing it! You are helping keep the Senior Center in business!

Visit the etsy.com site and search for BargainCorner.

Tell your friends and neighbors about our newest fundraising effort!


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2013 North City Jazz Walk - tickets on sale now

Jimmy Holden at the 2012 Jazz Walk
Photo by Jerry Pickard

2013 NORTH CITY JAZZ WALK - AUGUST 13th  - 7-10 PM

You can now purchase your tickets at the following locations:

IN NORTH CITY

  • Bounty Coffee House
  • North City Bistro and Wine Shop  
  • North City Lounge
  • North City Eagles
  • Shoreline Water District Office
  • Golden Bow
  • St. Mark Catholic Church

The Casey MacGill group plays at 2012 Jazz Walk
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

OUTSIDE OF NORTH CITY

  • Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council Office            
  • Prosser Piano and Organ
  • Sky Nursery
  • Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center


Tickets at these locations are $12. Tickets bought at the event are $15.

The Doug Reid Group plays at 2012 Jazz Walk
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Fabulous line up of acts

  • "Sinatra/Basie at The Sands" with Danny Quintero and Critical Mass
  • Greta Matassa
  • Casey MacGill
  • Doug Reid's tribute to Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker
  • Shoreline Jazz Camp students and faculty
  • Hook Me Up
  • Barney McClure / Dansales Group
  • Stephanie Porter
  • Solomon Douglas Swingtet
  • Jimmy Holden and Tim Haines

For more information regarding artists and to buy tickets online, go to North City Jazz Walk


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Quick-Start Shoreline business workshop Tuesday, July 30

Sunday, July 28, 2013

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


Pricing: Magic or Science
Do you ever wonder if you are pricing your product or service too low? Are you leaving profits on the table?

Mike Pritchard and Dan DeVries (The Pricing Gurus) will help you develop a solid pricing structure based on customer and market research — not on guesswork. Pricing Gurus Dan DeVries and Mike Pritchard will walk you through their pricing methodology that focuses on:
  • Avoiding the common pricing traps that reduces profits
  • Developing value based vs. cost based pricing models
  • Getting customer inputs on pricing
  • Understanding how to optimize pricing for services
  • Creating a demand and revenue model that identifies maximum profitability
  • Understanding how to best communicate the value that you are delivering to your customers

Mike Pritchard
Mike’s senior marketing and engineering positions at Intel, ICL and Sperry Gyroscope include running a leading industrial computing business. Mike has consulted for leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Sharp, IBM, Netgear and Hewlett-Packard, as well as startups. Mike’s worldwide pricing experience includes online services, industrial and consumer products. He holds a BSc in Electronics and an MBA. Mike’s teaching experience includes Northwest Entrepreneurs Network and the University of Washington.

Dan DeVries
Dan is a seasoned executive with a strong background in marketing, business development, and new product development. He has a successful track record at leading organizations such as Microsoft, ATandT Wireless and Honeywell, and currently focuses on helping small businesses and start-ups achieve profitability and growth. Dan holds a MS/BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. He has taught marketing at the University of Washington and Keller Graduate School.


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Projected economic impact of Wagner’s Ring estimated at $39 million

Thousands of opera lovers from 50 states and 22 countries come to Seattle

Seattle Opera’s award-winning production of Wagner’s Ring returns for three complete cycles in this Wagner bicentennial year, August 4 through August 25.  A forecast prepared by Professor William B. Beyers of the University of Washington estimated that Seattle Opera’s 2013 Ring will have a total economic impact of $39 million, supporting 755 jobs and labor income of $17.5 million.  These estimates are based on ticket sales data and estimates of patron expenditures, including travel, food and beverage, accommodations, entertainment, and other costs.  Opera lovers from all 50 states and 22 foreign countries are coming to Seattle for an unforgettable experience of story, music, spectacle, and community.  Single ticket prices (for performances) begin at $175.  Tickets are still available for all Ring events except the August 14 Symposium.

Principal Guest Conductor Asher Fisch, named “among the finest Ring conductors of our time” by Opus Magazine, leads his first complete cycle in North America.  British soprano Alwyn Mellor makes her Seattle Opera debut as BrĂĽnnhilde, as does German tenor Stefan Vinke as Siegfried.  Bass-baritone Greer Grimsley returns as Wotan, the role for which he won the Seattle Opera Artist of the Year Award in 2005. Also returning are Richard Paul Fink as Alberich, Margaret Jane Wray as Sieglinde and the Third Norn, Stuart Skelton as Siegmund, Dennis Petersen as Mime, Daniel Sumegi as Fafner and Hagen, Andrea Silvestrelli as Fasolt and Hunding, Luretta Bybee as Schwertleite and the First Norn, and Stephanie Blythe as Fricka, the Second Norn, and Waltraute (Götterdämmerung).

Der Ring des Nibelungen By Richard Wagner
In German with English Captions
All performances take place at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
Tickets: Single tickets start at $175
Seattle Opera Ticket Office: 206.389.7676, 800.426.1619, 


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Ring on a budget

Individual tickets to the Seattle Opera's Ring productions are $175, but you can get a taste of Wagner for much less at these events associated with The Ring.

August 3, 2013
“Make Some Noise!” Open House, 10 am – 4 pm, McCaw Hall, Queen Anne
Admission: Free

Bring the whole family for Ring kickoff fun, including hands-on activities exploring music-making and sound production; the incredible music, sculpture, and performances of Lelavision; the Seattle premiere of Seattle Opera’s final Our Earth opera, Every River Has Its People, with Seattle Youth Symphony; and more.

August 10, 17, 24, and 31
KING FM Ring preview broadcasts with plot summaries and music, beginning at 7 pm each night on Classic KING FM, 98.1 and online.

August 11, 2013
BRAVO! Club’s Laser Ring 
Pacific Science Center’s Laser Dome (200 2nd Ave N)
6:30 and 8:30 pm (Second showing 21+ only)
Admission: $10

Back by popular demand! Join Seattle Opera’s BRAVO! Club for $65, the nation’s largest organization for opera-goers in their 20s and 30s, and purchase tickets for a night of Ring music set to lasers, Ă  la Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd. Casual attire is encouraged, as are pillows and blankets if you want to get even cozier inside the Laser Dome. Movie theater-style snacks, beer, and wine available for purchase.


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Crime in Shoreline A-Z: not a good week for motorcycles

Shoreline Police Main Station
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Crime in Shoreline A - Z
July 7-14, 2013

Every week - death investigations, suicide attempts, domestic violence investigations, child abuse, violent people with mental issues, arrest warrants, drivers with suspended license, runaway kids, wandering seniors

A - Someone switched out the license plate on a vehicle at 145xx 10th NE, taking plates with a new tab and replacing them with similar plate

Alcohol and cars - Intoxicated male jumped from moving truck at Shoreview Park / DUI N 175th and 10th NE at 12:30am / DUI 164th and Aurora at 1:42am

Burglary - Entered through open window at 197xx Forest Park Dr / Non-forced entry at unit of Linden Apartments 

Car prowl - Suspect caught stealing purse from car in parking lot of Cash America / Ballinger Commons / Suspect arrested after taking stereo from car in parking lot at Fred Meyer

Cars and parts stolen – Stolen license plates 203xx 15th NE / Nissen stolen from 21xx N 150th / License plate and other items stolen from car at park n ride 1749 NE 146th / Locked hupcap taken 192xx Meridian / Triumph motorcycle stolen from driveway 24xx N 145th / Moped taken from side of house 2xx 171st NE / Motorcycle taken from 200xx 15th NE

Death - Man dies of apparent natural causes at Club Hollywood

Drugs - 20 year old female passed a forged prescription at Walgreens 175th / Small baggie of meth found in Goodwill parking lot 

Found - Found backpack and returned to owner / Stolen vehicle found parked in Living Wisely Thrift store after hours / Vehicle stolen in Seattle recovered in Shoreline

Fraud - Person applied for a loan and had $545 stolen

Larceny, public places – Attempted to steal tool from Sears / Alcohol shoplifted from Fred Meyer / Dine and Dash at Family Time restaurant on Aurora / Attempted shoplift of headphones from Costco / Shoplifter conceals bottles of alcohol in backpack and waistband of shorts at Aurora Safeway / Copper wire stolen from City Light substation at 2136 N 163 / Person who shoplifted alcohol and other items from Aurora Safeway traced to Shoreline Motel / Alcohol shoplift from Aurora Safeway

Larceny, private - Items stolen from a foreclosed home

Mail theft - Mail returned to residence 9xx Serpentine / Incoming mail stolen 147xx 12th NE / 152xx 6th NE 

Mental issues - Disturbance between male and female on sidewalk by Cromwell Park

Mischief - problem house, juvenile parties, loud music, marijuana smoking, 17xx NE 177th 

Threats - Phone threats to Shoreline Methodist Church to burn down Tent City 3 / Resident contacted by phone and threatened if he doesn't remove his Craig's List ad for moving services 

Vandalism - Window smashed at Cribbs Law Office NW 195th / Vandalism to sign on private property at 165xx Wallingford / Tags at Twin Ponds Park / Black spray paint on back of Aurora Village Office Max building / Tags in black marker on restroom door and garbage cans at Echo Lake Park / Huge tags in black paint on men's restroom wall at Shoreline Park / Red spray paint tags on residential fence facing N 200 just west of Wallingford

Z - Friendship goes sour over junk motorcycle and threats to kill are made by text message

For other weeks of Crime in Shoreline, see the Features section on the front page.


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



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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