PAWS: Keep your furry friends safe this Holiday Season

Wednesday, December 4, 2013


From PAWS

It’s a time for celebrating our families and loved ones, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for your cat or dog. 

Every holiday season thousands of pets end up in the emergency room of the veterinarian’s office, but with just a little preparation, you can keep your four-legged friends out of harms way.

“Homes change during the holidays. Christmas trees, lights, candles and rich foods are all really fascinating to our pets, but they can also be quite dangerous,” says Kay Joubert, Director of Companion animal Services at PAWS.

The first order of business when “holiday-proofing” for pets is identifying potential hazards, like the Christmas tree. First, make sure it’s secure; a falling tree can injure both cats and dogs. Also, make sure the tree water is covered by a tree skirt. Tree water may contain toxic fertilizers, and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If a dog or cat decides to take a taste, he or she could suffer from nausea and/or vomiting.

When decorating, try and avoid small glass balls or trinkets. These shiny objects are easily ingestible, and incredibly dangerous. Also, skip the tinsel since this holiday standby is irresistible (especially to cats), but can easily become lodged in your pet’s digestive tract. 

Forget the Holiday Plants

It’s common knowledge that Poinsettias are toxic for cats and dogs, but they’re not nearly as dangerous as Lilly, Mistletoe, and Holly. The Lilly is the most common flower in any floral arrangement, and is quite popular in holiday bouquets, but just a little nibble from one of these can result in acute kidney failure for your cat. 

Holiday Feast

Never feed your animal chocolate or anything sweetened with Xylitol. Also, be sure you don’t feed your pet anything fatty or spicy from the holiday table. As tempting as it may be, don’t feed your dog any bones from the holiday bird. Bones from fowl can easily splinter and puncture the stomach and intestines of your dog or cat. “When in doubt, reach for a dog or cat treat instead,” says Joubert

Holiday beverages can also be dangerous for your pets. Avoid leaving alcohol within reach of your cat or dog. Ingesting alcohol can result in nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, even death so be sure your guests keep the spirits out of the reach of your pets.

Take a Tour of your Home

After you’ve done your holiday decorating, take a walk around your home and look for anything that may be a danger to your pet. Maybe it’s a stray cord from a string a lights that could shock your dog or cat; a candle that’s too close to the ground that could cause a burn; a box of candy under the tree that may be too tempting; or a tray of nuts within reach.

“It’s almost like child-proofing your home,” says Joubert. “Just walk through and imagine what kind of trouble your dog or cat could get into. If you can spot it, chances are, so will your pets.”

And a little preparation will not only keep the season bright, it will keep it safe as well! 


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Shoreline Firefighters are playing Santa - and need your help

From now until December 13, off-duty Shoreline Firefighters are busy "playing Santa" in order to provide a joyful Christmas to low-income families in Shoreline.

The Fire Department gets lots of calls at this time of year from residents wanting to "adopt a family", or provide gifts to needy children. The way to do that in Shoreline is to support the Shoreline School District's Holiday food drive and/or donate to the Shoreline Firefighters' Free Toy Store that is open to qualifying families and arranged through the Shoreline School District.

What's the best way to help? This year firefighters are asking for cash donations to the toy fund -- in addition to the usual request for newly-purchased, unwrapped toys. As the years go by, the Toy Store gets stocked with lots of wonderful gifts for infants and younger children -- but there are few appropriate gifts for children over the age of 8.

"We would love to be able to buy more appropriate gifts for older children, such as bicycles, computer games, and other popular items that these kids dream of having", says IAFF Local 1760 President Gabe Debay. Debay heads up the long-time tradition now, though the "Shoreline Christmas" project has been part of Fire Department holidays for more than 30 years.

Cash donations can be made to the toy drive in person at any Shoreline Fire Station, or during the purchased toy event at Fred Meyer on Saturday, December 7. If your organization is thinking of fundraising to provide cash donations, Shoreline Firefighters will try to make an appearance at your event to encourage participation.

Call Shoreline Fire's Community Services Officer, Melanie Granfors, 206-349-7074, if you have questions about how or what to donate to Shoreline Christmas.

"And from all of us at Shoreline Fire, thank you to our generous, caring and supportive citizens.  We are proud to serve you!"


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Studio show for Shoreline ceramic artist this weekend

Tuesday, December 3, 2013


Black and White Jar by Sam Scott

Shoreline Ceramic Artist Sam Scott will be having a studio show this weekend.

Sam is a graduate of Shoreline High School, Shoreline Community College, and the University of Washington. He has worked in clay for 44 years and has work included in national and international collections. Locally, he has pieces in both the Virginia Mason Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center permanent art collections. He creates and exhibits both functional non-functional work.

The studio is located at 18502 6th Ave NW, Shoreline 98177. The hours are Saturday Dec. 7, 2013 from 10am - 5pm and Sunday Dec. 8, 12 - 4pm.

Contact by email or phone 206-542-1944. Sam Scott Pottery.


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High School Construction Update: new Shorecrest to open in February 2014

Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorecrest aerial shows the campus with the new three-story academic building between the performing arts center and the gymnasium.

SHORECREST:

The new Shorecrest High School main academic building remains on schedule to open following mid-winter break in February. The demolition of the current building would then begin, along with removal of the temporary modular classrooms.

Exterior of the new Shorecrest academic building.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

MAIN BUILDING:

• Kitchen equipment installation continues
• Start up of HVAC has completed
• Minor casework installation continues throughout building
• Wall panel installation continues on all floor levels thoughout building
• Ceiling grid and wood ceiling panel installation continues throughout building and in Library.
• Exterior soffit material being installed at covered entrances
• Tackable wall surface installation continues throughout building 
• Electrical installation continues throughout the building
• Installation of interior doors continues throughout the building
• Carpet installation continues on third floor and second floor to begin

SITE:

• Paving of northern portion of staff parking lot (up to corner of Theater building completed along with Fire Lane along west side of Gym building
• Installation of storm sewer structures at former tennis court area in progress
• Excavations and grading of north driveway in progress

Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
Shorewood with parking area near completion and old school removed.

SHOREWOOD:

The west parking lots off Fremont Avenue North will be open soon along with the bus loop. The old high school has been demolished and construction of the athletic fields and tennis courts is expected to begin early next year.


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LFP Police use Traffic Safety Grant money for safety emphasis patrols

Seattle officer on a safety
emphasis patrol

On December 2, 2013, the Lake Forest Park Police Department conducted its first holiday traffic safety emphasis patrol utilizing funds from two Traffic Safety Grants. During the emphasis, a total of 22 vehicles were stopped, two of which were DUI’s.

The City of Lake Forest Park has recently received two Traffic Safety Grants from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Both grants provide funding for officers to work overtime in support of Target Zero, which is the State’s strategic plan to eliminate traffic related fatalities.

It is the mission of the Police Department to consistently seek and find ways to affirmatively promote, preserve, and deliver those quality services which enhance the security and safety in our community. To support this mission, we will work in strong partnership with the community. 

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Two new PEPs groups starting just north of us


Two new upcoming Baby Peppers Groups are starting in January 2014, at Playdate Cafe in Lynnwood and Parent Trust in Mountlake Terrace. 

Baby Peppers is a PEPS Group for parents of 5-12 month olds. Parents meet (with their babies), share, and learn together, led by a trained facilitator. 

Each meeting includes time for sharing parenting highs and lows, followed by a discussion of a topic related to the joys and challenges of parenting; plus break time for socializing and connecting with other parents as well as learning songs and activities with the babies. Toys are provided. Register soon – groups start in mid-January!


Since 1983, PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) has been connecting parents in groups for newborns and older babies. With PEPS, parents create strong, healthy families with concrete support, social connections and parenting resources.  PEPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.


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Driftwood Players offers holiday spirit to youth in shelters


Kathleen Huston of the Edmonds Driftwood Players sent a special holiday wish: “The Holiday Season means different things to different people. But to a kid it means magic.”

Their Take a Kid to the Theater program is expanding. This holiday season they have organized a group of 65 kids and chaperones from two shelter locations, and are bringing them to see ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Wade James Theater on December 15, 2013.

The YWCA locations where the children live try hard to cover the basic day to day living expenses. There is nothing left afterward to bring in the Holiday Spirit. That is where this program comes in.
"We want to give these kids something for Christmas that they will remember forever. And your memory stays with you wherever you go! 
"So please consider Sponsoring a kids or two or more. Every $20 donation will make a child very happy. These are tax deductible charitable donations too. Just go to the website and click on the DONATION tab."


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Soulful Sounds of Christmas concert Dec 16


Don’t miss this special year of musical celebration, The Soulful Sounds of Christmas XXV, twenty five years of stellar performances featuring Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir and powerhouse vocalist Nichol Venee’ Eskridge, December 16, 2013, 8pm in the Pub on the Campus of Shoreline Community College. Ticketa are available by calling 206-234-7859. "This is an uplifting night of Christmas and Gospel music!"




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Arrests made in Richmond Beach burglaries


In the last several weeks, Shoreline residents reported a dramatically increased number of residential burglaries and car prowls in the Richmond Beach and Innis Arden neighborhoods. The main targets for thefts were unlocked vehicles and homes. Over the weekend, Shoreline Police detectives arrested four suspects in these crimes.

Undercover detective work led to a suspect who was trying to sell stolen property linked to the Richmond Beach/Innis Arden crimes. Upon the suspect’s arrest, he admitted to committing over 50 larcenies and burglaries in the area. A search warrant executed on his residence and storage facility led to the arrest of three more suspects and the recovery of a large amount of stolen property. Two of the other suspects arrested had outstanding but unrelated felony warrants for their arrest.

All of the suspects have been booked in to the King County jail and are awaiting felony charges.

Detectives have linked seven crimes to the suspect and will continue to process a large amount of evidence over the next couple of weeks. Detectives are calling victims to coordinate releasing property as it is identified. If you’re a Shoreline resident, a victim of a recent burglary or car prowl and detectives have not contacted you by Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013; you can call Detective Coblantz at 206-801-2746. Additional efforts will be made to try and identify property that detectives are not able to return to victims during this processing period.


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Peaceful walk through a lit-up garden - Kruckeberg Solstice Stroll


Solstice Stroll - December 20-21, 4:30-9 pm

Go to Kruckeberg Gardens for the first ever Solstice Stroll for a peaceful walk through a lit-up garden on the shortest day of the year: the winter solstice.

Enjoy warm beverages and cookies, holiday carols, glow sticks for the kids, and the company of friends and neighbors. FREE. Donations encouraged.

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA, 98177
206-546-1281


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Hair Brokers - all out for the holidays

Monday, December 2, 2013

Photo by Lee Lageschulte
Hair Brokers salon in Richmond Beach always goes way out with their window dressing during December. 

Are there other businesses that decorate with enthusiasm? Send us a photo or two.


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Screaming Flea Productions films in Shoreline

From the Film Office

Screaming Flea Productions, a Seattle-based Production Company that is best known for the TV show Hoarders, was in Shoreline recently filming a scene along Aurora Avenue for a new show for Discovery TLC called Escaping the Prophet.

It combines documentary footage of Flora Jessop, who works to rescue women and children from an abusive cult-like environment, with dramatic re-creations of Flora's life growing up.


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Richmond Beach Library closed Dec 9-27

Richmond Beach Library will be closed for an "update" December 9 through December 27, 2013.

All holds during closure will by default go to Shoreline Library and returns will not be accepted as there will be no staff on premises. Staff can discuss hold pick up options or other questions at 206-546-3522.


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Registration open for Richmond Little League

2013 RLL Majors Players and Coaches

Richmond Little League (RLL) has opened registration for the 2014 season. RLL is a youth baseball and softball organization whose goal is to build strong character through the lessons of sports.

There are leagues for ages 5 through 18 for both boys and girls. Last year was a successful season with 2 out of 5 of the All Star teams winning their district tournaments and competing at the state level (Seniors 15-16 year olds, and Juniors 13-14 year olds).
"We look to continue in this tradition this year."  

The organization is 100% volunteer driven, whose funds come though registration fees, local sponsorships and fundraisers. If you would like to register a player or would like more information visit Richmond Little League.


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For the birds: Anna’s Hummingbird — help our resident hummers during the cold

Male Anna's showing rose-red head and gorget
Photo by Christine Southwick

By Christine Southwick

Anna’s Hummingbirds have become year-long residents in our area. No one really knows exactly why they have spread their territory north to our area — more planting of plants that hummingbirds use is the favorite belief; or maybe global warming (Our winters are usually about the same as San Francisco’s — except for brief cold spells, like what is here now). Hummingbird feeders are not to blame (Rufus Hummingbirds can’t be enticed to stay even with feeders); they just help our Anna’s over-winter, especially during cold spells.

Female Anna's with pollen on her bill
Photo by Christine Southwick

If you have feeders, now is the time to strategize about how you are going to keep your feeders from freezing.  Many people have two feeders which they rotate, so that one is always liquid. That works until there is a cold spell when even the days don’t get much above freezing.

Female Anna's bathing in fountain
Photo by Christine Southwick

My favorite way during really cold spells is to wrap Christmas lights (the old style, not-LED) against and around the feeder, making sure that the ports are clear. The heat from the lights is enough to keep a full feeder from freezing, down to about 18-19 degrees F, which is plenty for this cold spell. My second favorite way is to tape an eight-hour hand warmer to the bottom of the feeder (duct tape works well), and then take the feeders in at night, but that means that you have to remember to put them out, with a new hand warmer, early in the morning, because the hummers will come in early.

One of the reasons that Anna’s can survive here is that they eat more insects (including small spiders) than any other North American Hummingbird. It is thought that insects metabolize slower, helping the Anna’s to survive the long nights.

Male Anna's molting in feathers-note band on leg
Photo by Christine Southwick

Hummingbirds go into a torpor (a state of regulated metabolic suppression) during cold nights in order to conserve energy. They can drop their normal body temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit down to as low as 48 degrees F. Their heart rate and breathing slow, using less calories. That means when they come out of their torpor, they need to find food readily. So have their feeders ready—by 6:00am if possible.

Anna’s and other birds need liquid water in birdbaths. Birdbath heaters come on when water would freeze, and go off when it warms up.  Wild Birds Unlimited, and other birding stores carry these units.


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The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

Octavia Spencer, author and
Academy Award winning actress
Meet author Octavia Spencer, The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit  - Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective #01 (Simon / Schuster) at Third Place Books on Saturday, December 7 at 4pm.

Meet Randi Rhodes, the world’s first ninja detective! Mystery abounds in this delightful new middle grade series from Academy Award–winning actress Octavia Spencer. 
Deer Creek is a small town whose only hope for survival is the success of their Founder’s Day Festival. But the festival’s main attraction, a time capsule that many people believe hold the town’s treasure, has gone missing. Randi Rhodes and her best friend, D.C., are Bruce Lee–inspired ninjas and local detectives determined to solve the case. Even if it means investigating in a haunted cabin and facing mean old Angus McCarthy, prime suspect.They have three days to find the treasure …the future of their whole town is at stake! Will these kids be able to save the day? 

Third Place Books is on the upper level of Lake Forest Park Town Center, at the juncture of Bothell Way and Ballinger Way.


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Rent the Senior Center for your special event



The Senior Center is available on most week-ends for special events in the Dining and Bridge rooms for up to 180 guests. Classroom space is also available on most week-ends and evenings.  

Call 206-365-1536 Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm for more information; ask for Marilyn or Bob.

Catering service is available through the Center’s Kitchen Corner Catering Program. Find out more details when booking your event. The Senior Center has easy access from I-5 with lots of parking available.


18560 1st Ave NE, Suite 1, Shoreline, WA 98155



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County Council adopts legislation restricting detention of immigration detainees


The Metropolitan adopted legislation on Tuesday on how the County will honor requests by the federal government on the detention of immigrants in the King County Jail. The ordinance will continue the County’s effort to detain offenders accused of serious criminal offenses while refusing extended detention for those accused of minor crimes.

“Let’s be clear, this legislation does nothing to impede our justice system’s ability to ensure that dangerous people and threats to our communities remain in jail,” said Council Vice Chair Julia Patterson. “The goal of this legislation is public safety and when you have a significant portion of the community in some parts of King County afraid to engage with law enforcement to report crimes that puts us all at risk. This policy allows for that trust between our communities and law enforcement which I believe makes us all safer.”

In 2008, Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security to expand its efforts to target noncitizens with serious criminal convictions for arrest and deportation. In conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, ICE developed the Secure Communities program, which includes a provision for the sharing of fingerprint data collected from local jails for identifying individuals detained to see if they should be investigated for immigration proceedings.

While the Secure Communities program has been modified to focus on those who have been accused of serious crimes, ICE can still request law enforcement agencies to detain immigrants for up to an additional 24 hours beyond when they would be normally processed and released from the detention facility. Many immigrant advocates believe these “holds” are being used to check on the immigration status of those detained, regardless of the offense they were arrested for.

To enhance public safety and public health throughout the County, the Council adopted legislation in 2009 that made county services available to all residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. It codified policies that included King County Sheriff’s deputies being unable to request specific documents, such as passports, alien registration cards or work permits, for the sole purpose of determining whether the individual has violated federal civil immigration laws and that Public Health could not make immigration status a condition for receiving health services.

The legislation adopted by the Council—which would be only for individuals held in the King County Jail in Seattle or the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent—will expand the 2009 ordinance by limiting those immigrants who could be held for extended detention to individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes such as violent assaults and sex crimes. Defendants would also be detained for mid-level offenses including residential burglary and serious traffic offenses such as DUI or reckless driving. ICE would need to provide documented proof of their conviction for the individual to be detained beyond the normal processing period after their arrest.

Immigrants brought in for minor offenses, such as trespassing or warrants for minor traffic offenses, would be processed normally and be eligible for release when a judge orders their release or their case has been resolved.

An amendment to the legislation requires the creation of an oversight group that will review the implementation of the county’s limitations on ICE detainers.  The group includes county criminal justice representatives, along with immigration advocates and the King County Bar Association to review the implementation of the new policies and make any recommendations on needed changes.  The group is also charged to look at whether detainers could be eliminated. The group’s first report will be due in January 2015.


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Meet the Candidates for Shoreline City Manager

As part of the City Manager selection process, the City Council will host a public reception where people can meet the candidates for City Manager, ask them questions, and provide Councilmembers with feedback.

The reception will take place this Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, 5:30 to 7pm in the City Hall Council Chamber.

Candidate interviews with the City Council will take place the following day on Saturday, Dec. 7, with Council making an appointment decision at its Monday, Dec. 9 meeting.

All candidate interviews will be conducted in executive session under the authority of RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Final selection will be made in a public City council meeting.

Candidates are:


  • Neal Beets, Town Manager, Town of Windham, CT
  • Arlene Fisher, City Administrator, City of Cheney, WA
  • Subir Mukerjee, City Administrator, City of Milton, WA
  • Nabiel Shawa, City Manager, City of Walla Walla, WA
  • Debbie Tarry, Interim City Manager, City of Shoreline, WA 


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Public notice: Shoreline Fire Commissioners meeting changes


As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified of the following changes to the Board of Commissioners upcoming meetings at Shoreline Fire Department, 17525 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, Washington.

December 5, 2013 – Special Meeting/Workshop

  • The Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting/Workshop from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. to discuss the 2014 budget line items allocated to the Board.
  • The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be called to order at 5:00 p.m.

December 19, 2013 – Meeting Time Change

  • The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will come to order at 3:00 p.m. and will immediately adjourn for a recognition ceremony honoring Commissioner Jim Fisher’s years of service to the Shoreline Fire Department.
  • The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will reconvene at 4:00 p.m.

January 2014 – Meeting Date Changes

  • The January 2, 2014 regular meeting has been moved to January 9, 2014.
  • The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will come to order at 5:00 p.m.
  • The January 16, 2014 regular meeting has been moved to January 23, 2014.
  • The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners will come to order at 5:00 p.m.


FIRE CHIEF: Matt Cowan
COMMISSIONERS: Ken Callahan, Rod Heivilin, Jim Fisher, Jon Kennison, David Harris


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Photo: Gone Fishin'

Double crested cormorant
Photo by Jerry Pickard

On Saturday a Double Crested Cormorant visited the Ronald Bog Turtle Snag. Jerry Pickard got a few good pictures of him before he went fishing again.

Photo by Jerry Pickard

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Shoreline City Council Meeting November 25, 2013


Shoreline City Council Meeting 
November 25, 2013
By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Interim City Manager Debbie Tarry announced that the Sound Transit Board had decided that  the light rail  preferred alternatives in Shoreline are stations at NE 145th and NE 185th Streets  with 500 stall parking garages at both stations. “We are very excited that this is a preferred alternative.”  More information.

A neighbor near Densmore and 155th  reported that a disabled man in wheelchair was hit by a car because he decided to use the road to get to Aurora instead of  the rutted foot path where his wheelchair gets stuck. She said “our neighborhood has needed a sidewalk for years and we used to be on the preferred list. I don’t think we need a sidewalk on 20th and Richmond Beach Road.” Councilmember Eggen requested a follow up report on the accident.

The Council heard a community presentation on the Ronald Commons Project which would be a mixed-use development with 62 units of permanent housing for individuals and families whose incomes are at or below 30% or 50% of Area Median Income and a 12,000 square foot Hopelink Service Center that will include emergency feeding services, adult education classes, energy assistance and emergency financial assistance programs to residents of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.  The Project  is a joint effort between Compass Housing Alliance, Hopelink and Ronald United Methodist Church which is providing the property.  The project needs to acquire funding before it can proceed, but all the plans must be in place before requesting the funding from  the state, the City, and other sources. For more information click on the Community Group Presentation on the Council agenda.

In action items the Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Gary Merlino Construction Company in the amount of $26,910,578.70, plus a 10% contingency, for completion  of the Aurora Corridor Improvement Project (N 192nd to N 205th Street), and waive the 1% for the Art contribution for this project. Councilmember Hall said that since there were no art elements in this part of the project and that it was more costly than anticipated  that waiving the 1% for the arts seemed reasonable.

The Council voted to adopt the 2014 budget of $71,900,000 and proposed 2014-2019 Capital Improvement Plan of $76.5 million.

The Council also voted to adopt the 2014 property tax levy of $10,349,308. and the general obligation bond levy of $1,710,000, resulting in an estimated levy rate of $0.264 per $1,000 of assessed value.


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Fun and Celebration Concert” Tuesday Dec. 3

Ken Noreen directs the Shoreline Concert Band
Photo courtesy SCC
Fun and Celebration Concert” Tuesday Dec. 3, 2013 at 7:30pm. 

The Shoreline Concert Band opens its year at the new Shorewood High School Performing Center with guest ensembles University of Washington Concert Band, and the Shorewood Wind Ensemble. 

The "celebration" part is for thirty years of music from the Shoreline Concert Band, twenty under the direction of Ken Noreen.

The “fun” part is the light-hearted, fun music that each of the groups will present.

Prices are $8 for general admission and $6 for seniors and students. Tickets are only sold at the door. 


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Evan Smith on Politics: Diverse views on electing council members by district

By Evan Smith


Seattle voters have decided to start electing most of their city council members by district, but two Shoreline council members and a losing Lake Forest Park council candidate don’t want their city to follow suit.

A Lake Forest Park council candidate who won in the recent election disagrees.

Shoreline City Councilman Will Hall said last week that none of the problems that led Seattle voters to make a change exist in Shoreline.

“Here in Shoreline, city council members can and do get out to all areas of the city,” he said. “Our total population of 53,000 is less than what a new Seattle district will have.”

He added that Shoreline always has had a diverse council without division into districts.

“Council members have come from all parts of the city,” he said. “Council has had diversity of every kind: gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, you name it.” 

Hall noted that voters frequently replace incumbents when things aren't going well and that contested elections are not usually determined by huge amounts of money.

With a big majority of the community saying the city is in the right track, why make a major change in the form of government?” he said. “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

Shoreline City Councilwoman Doris McConnell said that she thinks districts work better in larger cities. She added that if citizens are interested in going that way, elected officials should listen.

Jason Colberg, who lost a November election for Lake Forest Park Council, said that if he lived in Seattle, he would have voted for district elections, and that he thinks other cities should be allowed to structure council elections that way, but he doesn’t favor the system for his city.

“In Seattle it reduces the number of most council members’ direct constituents to under 100,000,” he noted. “However, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Lake Forest Park and many other small cities. LFP’s population (under 14,000) allows council candidates, and elected council members, a high degree of interaction with many residents across the entire city, without district divisions.”

Mark Phillips, recently elected to the Lake Forest Park Council, likes the idea of a change.
“Having city council candidates elected by district seems to make sense,” he said. 
“Lake Forest Park is relatively small. This makes it easier for residents to get to know the candidates of each race than larger cities. Even so, I would expect that often times voting residents don't know the candidates they are selecting and are selecting based on factors such as party (even though the race is billed as non-partisan). If the residents do know the candidates and their positions, maybe because having voters within a district select a candidate for that district because they have been able to knock on their door and have a conversation, this could take a lot of money and partisanship out of the race. 
“Also, even though Lake Forest Park is small, neighborhoods and portions of the city still have their pet projects/issues that are really only affecting them (i.e. occasional flooding of Sheridan Beach, Cedarbrook being considered for re-development, the Southern Gateway, mountain beavers near Grace Cole Park, the McKinnon Creek trail). It would be good to have representatives from these areas/districts more personally engaged in the outcomes of a decision and knowledgeable of the specifics of any debate. 
“My vote would be for districting Lake Forest Park.”


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Photo: Thanksgiving - another point of view

Thanksgiving -- Another point of View
Photo copyright, Marc Weinberg

Talk about a 'birds-eye view' - that's photographer Marc Weinberg peering into the oven.

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Buy your Christmas Tree and support Shorecrest graduation party



Shorecrest Senior Spree is the traditional, safe, all-night graduation party sponsored by PTSA. 

The PTA Spree Committee is selling Spree Trees at the former Elks Lodge parking lot, at 145th and Bothell Way (behind Taco Bell). 

Christmas Trees, Garlands and Wreaths will be available for three days only: December 6, 7, 8, 2013 - Friday, Saturday, Sunday. 
Buy Your Tree and Support Spree!


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Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition


Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 1:30 pm

The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition will present their project to restore the health of Seattle's river.

All persons and groups, of every age and interest, are welcome! Free, refreshments and  conversation provided.

North Seattle Community College, Room CC 1161 (College Center Building, ground floor)
The campus is easy to reach from the North End and there is plenty of parking.

Sponsoring student group is the "North Seattle Environmental Working Group;" faculty advisor is geologist John Figge.

"The North Seattle Environmental Working Group's mission is to educate and engage community and students in the day-to-day construction of a more resilient, sustainable future for all."

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First shoreline program approved for city of Shoreline

Puget Sound shoreline master program will protect Shoreline's waterfront
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


On August 29, 2013, The Washington Department of Ecology approved the City of Shoreline’s first shoreline master program (SMP) that will significantly improve the protection, use, development and restoration of about four miles of the city’s Puget Sound shorelines.

“Our community values a sustainable natural environment,” said Rachael Markle, Shoreline’s Director of Planning and Community Development. “The completion of the city’s first shoreline master program is a tangible step toward ensuring the protection of the Puget Sound for generations to come.”

The new program combines local plans for future development and preservation with new shoreline development ordinances and related permitting requirements.

“We greatly appreciate the city’s commitment in developing this program,” said Erik Stockdale, Ecology’s regional shorelines program supervisor. “City staff, elected officials and many other people devoted significant time and energy toward this effort. We believe that this program will ensure long-term protection of shorelines in the city of Shoreline.”

Cities and counties statewide are in the process of, or soon will be, updating or developing their shoreline programs under the state’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act.

Shoreline master programs are the cornerstone of the act. The law requires cities and counties with regulated shorelines to develop and periodically update their locally tailored programs. These help minimize environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to public lands and waters.

Shoreline’s process brought diverse local interests to the table to work collaboratively. These groups included waterfront property owners, scientists, non-profit organizations, tribal government representatives, and state and local resource agency staff.

The city of Shoreline master program:

  1. Integrates shoreline regulations with the city’s growth management planning and zoning, floodplain management and critical areas ordinances as part of a unified development code.
  2. Establishes protective buffers, ranging from 20 to 200 feet, depending on the shoreline classification, with the flexibility to reduce buffers based on individual property circumstances.
  3. Limits the length of new residential docks and piers to the minimum necessary to prevent moored vessel from grounding.
  4. Encourages soft-bank erosion control methods and limits construction of new shoreline armoring, such as bulkheads.
  5. Includes a restoration plan that shows where and how voluntary improvements in water and upland areas can enhance the local shoreline environment.
  6. Helps support the broader initiative to protect and restore Puget Sound. 

Under state law, the local shoreline program takes effect after approval by Ecology. It then becomes part of the state shoreline master program. The department will help defend the city’s program against legal challenges.

Cities and counties are developing or updating their shoreline programs by December 2014, following regulations adopted by Ecology in 2003. The regulations resulted from a negotiated settlement among 58 parties — including business interests, ports, environmental groups, shoreline user groups, cities and counties and Ecology — approved by the courts and enacted by the Legislature. 




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Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive at Cats Exclusive

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Pet Food drive at Cats Exclusive
Photo courtesy Cats Exclusive
Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive to benefit Seattle Humane Society

Bring in cat food of any kind and place in the collection barrel in the lobby of Cats Exclusive, and they will match your donation pound per pound now through December 24, 2013.

"Last year with your help we donated over 1000 pounds that helped families in need. We're hoping to either meet or beat that this year! "

Cats Exclusive, Caring for Cats since 1981, 19203 Aurora Avenue N, Shoreline 98133. 206-546-2287 (CATS).

Holiday hours
Mon and Fri: 8am -6pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs: 8am - 8pm
Sat: 8am -5pm
Closed Sun



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Richmond Beach resident opens restaurant in Edmonds


Soup's On Cafe, 8402 Bowdoin Way "on the first of 5 corners, at 5 Corners! "Homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts (Drive north on Aurora into Snohomish County, turn left on 212th, proceed west until the road splits at a cross street - 5 corners - Bowdoin is to the left)


Chef Will Carhuff and Richmond Beach resident Theresa Williams
have opened a new restaurant in Edmonds
Photo courtesy My Edmonds News

From our news partner My Edmonds News
By Brian Soergel

Thirty-five years ago, Old Milltown housed a popular and successful restaurant called Soup’s On, where The Cheesemonger’s Table is located now. A waitress and a cook from that shop are now opening their own soup shop, Soup’s On Café. This one’s at Five Corners, in the spot formally held by Pho Five Star.


Shoreline resident Theresa Williams (the waitress), who grew up in Edmonds, is the manager, and friend Will Carhuff (the cook), from Mountlake Terrace, is the kitchen manager. “Over the years,” says Williams, “Will has been a cook at several local restaurants, and I was married and a stay-at-home mom. Last fall, at a friend’s birthday get-together, Will and I discovered that we both were interested in opening a restaurant. And we both shared the same vision of opening another Soups On.”

Williams says she plans to stick close to the original Soup’s On menu, and no wonder – she and Carhuff retained many of the original soup recipes. They will, of course, offer their own, new creations.

Since Soup’s On sports “Café” in its title, customers can order an assortment of non-liquid options. “We will feature our own roasted beef for sandwiches and salads, and will get our white, wheat and rye sandwich rolls from the Edmonds Bakery, just like we did at the original Soup’s On,” Williams says. “We will include gluten-free sliced bread, and Will will make homemade rolls to go with the small and large bowls of soup.”

There will be desserts, too, like homemade apple crisp and crème brulee.

A combo deal will include a cup of soup, a whole sandwich and a salad, for under $10. “We will have all our menu items reasonably priced to suit repeat customers, such as businesspeople coming in on their lunch break, as well as tourists and local residents coming in with their families to enjoy our quick and friendly service,” Williams says. “We feel many people in Edmonds will remember the original Soup’s On and will want to come for a nostalgic food experience.”

Hours are 10:30am - 7:30pm Monday- Saturday and 10:30am - 3pm Sunday.


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: That Time I Joined the Circus

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard

17-year-old Lexi never considered leaving her home in New York City until her dad dies suddenly and leaves her almost nothing. With very little money and the vague notion that she should try to locate her long-gone mother, Lexi hops on a southbound Greyhound and hops off in front of Circus Europa, a smalltime show with exotic animals, trapeze artists, and some good-looking guys running the Hurricane Ride and helping to hoist up the tents.

Lexi is welcomed into the circus, and quickly makes more friends than she ever had back home. In fact, at least two of the guys seem very friendly ... and then Eli from New York turns up and the narrative changes direction again.

I wanted more from the story than it delivered. I wanted more about the exotic animals, but aside from learning that elephants are called "bulls" and that tiger cages smell bad, I didn't get much. There was not a lot of colorful background from the lives of the clowns, no reason to believe that the trapeze artists came from a family of fliers, not a lot of traditional wisdom passed down to the new grasshopper in town, and no real reason for handsome Nick to keep coming back to the circus to see Lexi.

The romance(s) were shallow, and Lexi's sudden realization of what she wants to do with her life was unconvincing at best.

Rating:
No cussing, no on-page kissing, some references to off-page sexual activities, and at least one teen driving without a license.
Next time, I'll just re-read Water for Elephants.

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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Discounts on Early Bird tickets for Northwest Flower & Garden Show

"A Hobbit's New Zealand Garden"
2013 Flower and Garden Show
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


"Cyber Monday" means big savings for garden lovers: deep discounts for online Early Bird ticket purchases for the 2014 Northwest Flower and Garden Show.

Tickets only $12 when purchased online; 24-hour offer starts Monday, December 2, 2013 at 8am

Just in time for holiday gift giving, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show will offer a 24-hour,
"Cyber Monday/Early Bird" special for online purchases of Early Bird adult tickets for the 2014 show, February 5-9 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

Priced at $12 (compared with $17 regular "Early Bird" advance ticket purchases, or $22 the week of the show), the specially priced tickets go on sale Monday, Dec. 2 at 8 am PST, ending at 8 am PST on Dec. 3.

There is no limit to the amount of tickets purchased with this promotion.

To purchase, go to the show's website; click the "Online" link and enter promo code cyber14 on the order page (look for the orange "Enter Promo Code" text directly above the "Order Now" button). Your Early Bird ticket will automatically reflect the new, deeply discounted "Cyber
Monday" price.

This special savings is only available for the Early Bird ticket and will not work with any other ticket type.

The 26th Northwest Flower and Garden Show provides imagination and inspiration with its magnificent showcase of gardens big and small, over 120 free seminars, a big line-up of exhibitors in the Marketplace and more. This year's theme, "Art in Bloom," will highlight artistic renditions that complement the spectacular garden displays and other show attractions.

For more information on the show, visit the webpage.


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WeatherWatcher: Weekly Report, A storm, snow, then very cold


  • Forecast
  • December cold
  • Last week's data
Forecast

Sunday - We have some heavy rain moving into the area. It looks like Shoreline and Lake Forest Park will be on the southern fringe of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow so we may not be as wet as most places in the Puget Sound region. It will be breezy at times as well, however we are not expecting anything major to cause widespread power outages. 

Monday - Rain showers in the morning may turn into snow showers in the afternoon and evening. For the most part it is expected to dry out by the time the really cold air arrives from the north.

However, there are a couple of wild cards in the mix. One situation is that there will be a Puget Sound convergence band that may develop, anywhere north of Seattle. It could form over Shoreline-Lake Forest Park or it could be further north. Also it could easily slowly move from north to south or south to north, depending on where it forms. Another wild card is that the leading edge of the cold air could generate a local "cold front" which would force a small band of showers to move from north to south leaving a light accumulation. Of course if both wild cards happen it could make things a little more interesting. In general though this is not looking like it will be a major event but it is possibly going to make the evening commute a disaster.

Bottom Line: I strongly urge everyone to prepare for winter driving conditions before leaving for work Monday, even if it's warm and raining Monday morning. This cold air moving in is going to be the coldest air mass we've had in the region in 2 years. It will cause a sharp temperature drop through the afternoon and evening.

Tuesday-Saturday: We will be back into another blocking high pressure dry pattern, but it will be very cold. Most of the week temperatures in our area will struggle to reach above the freezing mark. We will have low temperatures in the 20's, and we could see the teens mid-week.

Next weekend is still far enough away to be somewhat uncertain, but early indicators are pointing to another possible snow event. This may be interrupted by Sunday or Monday with a slight warmup to rain, before yet another cool down to below freezing is possible.

December Cold: Longer range forecasts on multiple sites seem to agree that our December will be anywhere from 2-8°F colder than normal. There is strong hints that ridging well off the Pacific Coast stretching to Alaska will force storms to go up and over the Arctic bringing storms and cold down along the west coast. We may be a lot drier than normal for December due to the ridging so I'm not expecting significant snow accumulations but I'm pretty sure we will have a couple of snow events. Most of our precipitation in December, might fall as snow, instead of rain in general. 


Average daily temperature for November 2013.
Graphs by Carl Dinse
Average Daily Barometer (inHg) November 2013.
Graphs by Carl Dinse


Last week's data:
High temperature: 51.8°F (Wednesday)
Low temperature: 30.7°F (Saturday)
No rainfall last week.
Warmest day: 43.9°F (Wednesday)
Coldest day: 37.5°F (Saturday)
Average temperature last week: 40.3°F (3.1°F colder than normal.)
Station historic average temperature: 43.4°F

For winter storm updates and current weather conditions, check out my web page www.shorelineweather.com.


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Art and Gardens - Reinforcing Beauty


"Energy I " by Micajah Bienvenu
Photo by Bruce Amundson

By Bruce Amundson

While I was eating breakfast one morning this week the first rays of the morning sun illuminated the rich red hues of a redwood sculpture off our deck. Last week’s full moon lit up the soaring steel sculpture shown here as I looked out our darkened bedroom window. And - I experienced these visual delights without even going outside into our garden.

Outdoor sculptures have dramatically added to the enjoyment of our garden. They help us to “see” more acutely as they provide an endless array of visual pleasures: textures, shapes, colors, and reflections of their natural surroundings. In summary, the art adds visual interest to our living spaces whether we are inside or out. It just makes our world more fun, more interesting, more dynamic.

Many residents of the Pacific Northwest have lovely gardens. It’s quite easy, then, to evolve to the notion of our gardens being enhanced by sculpture. There is a powerful symbiosis that occurs when art and nature are married: a particular site in a garden makes a piece of sculpture look more stunning, and the sculpture makes a garden infinitely more beautiful and visually stimulating. 

Many people assume that purchasing sculpture is only for the very wealthy, the benefactors of museums. Wrong! One can buy lovely sculptures in many mediums by northwest artists for the cost of a summer vacation or a new living room set. It’s not the cost for many people, it’s just getting the idea that it’s both achievable and affordable, together with some aesthetic passion that it could add beauty to one’s personal space.

"Razzamataz" by Brian Yates
Photo by Bruce Amundson

In its short history the city of Shoreline has acquired a number of pieces of public sculpture that are placed in our parks and byways. It recently added a monumental redwood sculpture to the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Ros Bird, Public Art Coordinator for the city, has creatively led this effort, and this summer opened the Second Annual Sculpture Walk at city hall and the surrounding park. The artists selected for the show have graciously donated their 14 pieces for an entire year for all of us to enjoy. All are for sale.

Shoreline is becoming a city of both public and personal outdoor art. The more sculpture we have in both these types of spaces, the more interesting our city becomes. But the more people who add sculptures to their personal spaces, the richer their visual lives and their gardens become. I urge you to think of including a sculpture in your garden. It will dramatically enhance the quality of your home and personal space. (Of course, it would also support the artists who are donating their creative products to our city’s outdoor art show. We can’t expect them to continue to do that if nothing sells, if we don’t show our appreciation for their generosity and their artistic creations.) 

If you haven’t been to the city hall grounds to view the works, I urge you to bring the kids and family and take a stroll. If you’d like to see how JoAnn and I have enhanced our garden with sculpture, please feel free to contact us (jobrucebaa@frontier.com) and we’ll do a walk-through. The photos accompanying this article illustrate the beauty that a couple of our pieces contribute to our garden. Let me warn you, though - beauty is infectious, but it’s a great infection to have.


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