Trail maintenance on Burke-Gilman this week

Monday, November 17, 2014

King County Parks says that for the next few days, starting November 18, there may be some delays on the segment between NE 145th and NE 147th on the Burke-Gilman Trail in Lake Forest Park due to scheduled trail safety maintenance. Trail users can take Riviera Place NE as a possible detour during this time.


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ELNA to hear about 185th Street subarea planning at their meeting Tuesday

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Echo Lake mural

The Echo Lake Neighborhood Association will hold their November meeting on Tuesday, November 18 from 7-9pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale, 3rd floor classroom.

Guest speaker will be Miranda Redinger, Senior Planner in the Planning and Development Department, City of Shoreline, the primary spokesperson for the 185th Street subarea zoning now in process for the Sound Transit station at 185th.

The subarea process includes almost half of the Echo Lake neighborhood as well as portions of the adjoining North City and Meridian Park neighborhoods.

Miranda will explain where Planning is in its plans to increase population density and traffic in the area, as well as explaining the rationale for rezoning a large area for 6-8 story buildings.

Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The Echo Lake Neighborhood borders are Aurora, N / NE 205th, I-5, and N / NE 185th.


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A rollicking Southern comedy at Fircrest Village's Phoenix Theatre

From left Davi Sholdez, Susan Connors, Vicki Lewis,
Dana Opelt, James Thompson
Photo by Eric Lewis

Phoenix Theatre 
presents
Hallelujah Girls
Directed by Christine Mosere
December 5 thru December 21
**
with two special Performances 
Thursday December 11 and 18
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm,
Sundays at 2:00
Adults $18.50, Seniors/Military $15.50
Reservations thru 206-533-2000 or online 


This rollicking Southern comedy takes place at the Spa-Dee-Dah, the abandoned church turned day spa where five friends gather every week. After the loss of a dear friend, they decide that life is precious and if they are to achieve their dreams, they need to do it now.
Comic tensions mount when a sexy ex-boyfriend shows up, a marriage proposal comes from an unlikely suitor and an arch rival vows that she’ll stop at nothing to steal the spa away from the friends.
This is a side-spiting, joyful comedy that will make you laugh at loud and shout, “Hallelujah!”.

Cast: Susan Connors, Davi Sholdez, Vicki Lewis, Dana Oppelt, Marie Dodds, Dan Jacoby, James Thompsaon and Melanie Calderwood

Firdale Village, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020

Produced with permission from Dramatists Play Service



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Shorecrest Soccer survives, advances to semi-finals at Shoreline Stadium Friday

The Shorecrest Scots  soccer team defeated last year's 3A champs, Liberty, 4-3 Saturday night in the quarter-finals of the State 2A Girls Soccer tournament to advance to the semi-finals this weekend at Shoreline Stadium.

Shorecrest, with an 18-4 record this season, faces Ridgefield  (18-2-1)  Friday evening at 6 at Shoreline Stadium in one semi-final match, while Ephrata (19-1) and Squalicum (21-0-1) square off at 8 in the other semi-final.

If it's true that big players make big plays in big games, then the Scots' talented junior Sophia Viviano proved herself worthy of the accolade as she scored all four Shorecrest goals ... in the second half of what proved to be a real seesaw game.

The Patriots, utilizing their home field advantage, came out on fire and scored in the first five minutes, and they took that 1-0 lead into the halftime locker room.

Viviano evened the score thirteen minutes into the second half, only to see Liberty quickly respond with their second goal a mere two minutes later to put them up 2-1.

Five minutes later, though, Viviano tied the game up at 2-2. Then she scored again with 14 minutes left to play to give the Scots the lead, 3-2.

But defending champions die hard, and Liberty tied the score again in the very next minute. 3-3.

With ten minutes to play, Viviano gave her team the lead for the final time with her 30th goal of the season.

"This game did one on my heart. The girls played so hard in the second half. We are all happy to be going back to the Final 4 -  now it's time to get it done," enthused Mindy Dalziel, Scots coach, after the game.  "There was no way we were coming home without that win."

Shorecrest has five girls' soccer championship banners hanging from their gym rafters (1983-85-92-93-96). Their last visit to the semi-finals was in 2008 when they placed fourth.



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Quick Start Shoreline business workshop Tuesday

Quick Start Shoreline business workshops for Tuesday, November 18th and Tuesday November 25th

The Tuesday Quick-Start Shoreline Business Workshop for start-up, existing or potential business owners will be held on Tuesday, November 18 and Tuesday, November 25 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.


Back by popular request:
"Employment Basics", Presented by Susan Fuller, 
Law Office of Susan K. Fuller, PLLC. 

November 18th
Business Law: Hiring your first employee(s) what you need to know.

November 25th
Business Law: How to hire a contractor to help your business and how to know if they really should be an employee.

Thinking of hiring employees? Learn some of the basics of hiring and working with employees before taking the plunge.
  • What is the difference between an "employee" and an "independent contractor"?
  • What sorts of things can be asked of an applicant?
  • What is a "Non-Compete" clause vs. a "Non-Disclosure" clause?
  • What is the "FMLA"?  What does the Washington Law Against Discrimination cover?
  • What is the Seattle Sick and Safe Leave, and do I have to comply?
  • Learn about these and other issues at this presentation.
Susan K. Fuller PLLC
For more than 20 years, Susan Fuller has represented clients in federal and state courts in all sorts of disputes. 

She has worked with engineers, architects, storeowners, manufacturers, tradesmen and businesses of all types.

Ms. Fuller is a business and commercial lawyer who works with entrepreneurs to help them achieve their business goals, including protecting their business.


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Student Solo Recitals & Student Ensemble Recitals on Nov 21 and Dec 5

Audience listening at a previous student recital

SCC Student Recital, Friday, Nov. 21 at 12:30pm, SCC Campus - #800 Music Building, 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, Shoreline. Public invited. Free performance.

Small Ensemble Recital, Friday, Dec. 5 at 12:30pm, SCC Campus - #800 Music Building, 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, Shoreline. Public invited. Free performance.

The Student Solo Recitals and Student Ensemble Recitals are considered to be a “talent showcase” for the dedicated music students at Shoreline Community College.

This is their time to shine in the spotlight and to have an opportunity to perform in front of their peers.

Students are chosen by their instructors to perform at the recitals. The criteria requires students to have been taking private lessons and/or have been involved in a music ensemble throughout the quarter, as their instructor is responsible for their preparedness to perform.

This is an invaluable experience for students to build confidence musically through focused preparation and the opportunity to perform in front of an audience to help them develop their stage presence.

Student Recitals are scheduled at the end of each quarter, usually on the last two Fridays of the quarter. The performances begin at 12:30pm in Room #818 in the Music Building at SCC. Everyone is welcome to attend in support of student performers. 

Solo Recital Schedule:
  • Fall Quarter - November 21, 2014
  • Winter Quarter - March 6
  • Spring Quarter - May 29, 2015
Ensemble Recital Schedule:
  • Fall Quarter -  December 5, 2014
  • Winter Quarter – March 13, 2015
  • Spring Quarter - June 5, 2015

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On the Mayor's Mind - November 16, 2014

On the Mayor’s Mind
By Shari Winstead, Shoreline Mayor
November 16, 2014

So much on my mind. City business, in one form or another, generally is always on my mind. But the last week or so, it’s been in a different manner. It’s unfortunate that city business sometimes means hearing about accidents or tragic events.

But I had no idea, when I read emails about the pedestrian killed on November 5, at 205th and Fremont, that it was, for all intent and purposes, a family member, my stepdaughter’s boyfriend of almost three years.

Someone who was part of many family dinners, holidays, birthdays, and even our wedding. A wonderful young man, who was respectful, interested in everyone, and fun to have at our gatherings. He took the teasing of our family like a champ – and even gave a little bit of it back. We always looked forward to seeing his big smile and hearing his infectious laugh. We loved having him around, and will miss having Jake at our table, in our home.

I’ve been fortunate in my life; I have not had to deal with a horrible, too-soon death like this one. It is so unbelievable to lose someone so young, and so full of life. Just weeks before, we lost another friend to cancer. And as I sat at his memorial, I couldn’t help but reflect on the sadness of losing anyone – our friend was 20 years older than me. But losing Jake, 30 years younger than me, feels entirely different.

The grieving of the loss of a person who has experienced a full life, been married, had children and a long career is so different from the loss of someone who had just begun to live his life, so much ahead of him.

In the past 10 days, the tears, the non-stop conversations with family and friends, the grieving process in and of itself, has been life changing. For all of us, and I know, for many of you, too. 

Jake was loved by many, many people. His presence in their lives will never be forgotten, and he will be so missed by all of us. In the last week I have read so many poems, quotes, wise sayings, and Bible verses. All of them written by someone who has suffered a loss, in an attempt to help others that are grieving. And while the words help, they are really just a band-aid. Because as soon as you start to feel better, a memory crosses your mind, and you are right in the middle of that soul-gripping grief, again.

The grieving will continue, we cannot put a time limit on it. It’s so important to feel your emotions, to allow yourself to go through the process. One thing I have learned in my life is that time is the greatest healer. At some point, moving ahead, going back to your routine, is the best thing you can do. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, or that you aren’t still wracked with pain. It just means that you choose to live.

So what is really on my mind is this. Don’t assume that you will have tomorrow. Embrace, enjoy, forgive, love one another. Grudges, anger, even sadness – we must choose to not let them dominate our minds, or our days.

As I write this, I’m watching the neighbors - an adorable young girl learning to ride her 2-wheel bike down the street, with her Dad pushing her, running beside her.

My mind is also preoccupied with my grandson – due to be born in just three weeks. It is possible to grieve, and still feel joy, appreciate a crisp, sunny day. And know that the person you loved, who is gone now, is smiling on you, happy that you are making the right choice, to live your life in a beautiful, appreciative way.

May peace be with all of you.


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Block watch meeting at City Hall

On Tuesday, November 18, from 7pm-8:30pm, the Lake Forest Park police department will be hosting a Block Watch Captain’s Resource meeting at City Hall at Town Center. They anticipate discussing the following:

1-     How to build and sustain a viable block watch group

2-     Season Crime Trends (what do we need to do as the holidays approach)

3-     Emergency Management Minute

4-     Block Watch Captain’s ID Badges

There will be refreshments.

It is the hope of the LFP Police to reinvigorate their block watch effort, continue to build on their real-time communication strategy, and to reduce crime making the City of Lake Forest Park one of the safest communities in the Puget Sound region to live.

For more information about all of the strategies, check out the 2014 Operation Plan.

If your street does not yet have a block watch and you are interested in starting one, this is a good place to start. Or to develop a Block Watch program in your neighborhood, contact the Lake Forest Park Police Department at 206-364-8216.


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Shorelne Holiday Crafts Market Saturday


Mark your calendars! The annual Shoreline Holiday Crafts Market will be at Spartan Recreation Center on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9am to 4pm.

Begin your holiday shopping at the 10th annual Holiday Crafts Market where over 60 juried artisans will be selling their handmade crafts and wares. Stroll through two large rooms filled with a winter wonderland of beautiful gifts.

Buy handmade and support local artisans.

Shoreline Center Complex, Spartan Recreation Center, 202 NE 185th Street, Shoreline, WA, between the Shoreline Center and the Shoreline Stadium.

Free admission, but bring a contribution to the HopeLink food bank:

Rice, pasta, sauces
Canned fruits and vegetables
Canned protein (salmon, tuna, beans)
Peanut butter and jelly
Dry staples (sugar, flour)
Diapers, formula


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Crime in Shoreline: October at a glance

Shoreline Police Station
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Our crime editor enjoyed running the entire month of September at one time and decided to do it again for October. That means lightly over the top, ignoring the frequent car prowls, the infrequent mail thefts, the burglaries, and listing only the slightly out of the ordinary.

Crime in Shoreline - October 2014

10-2   Someone spray painted a lawn in the 15800 block of 9th Ave NE.
10-3   Police found a man in Paramount Park Open Space after closing. He ran and hid behind a parked car. They found him.
10-4   Two people with heroin kits were found sleeping on private property over the fence from Home Depot.
10-6  Person found unconscious from drug overdose on Interurban Trail in 14600 block.
10-9  Home Depot employee arrested for scam. Friends would steal merchandise, then go to employee to "return" the merchandise for store credit.
10-19  Interurban Trail at 14500 Linden has become a haven for narcotics and prostitution. Area resident reported that while on the trail, someone threw rocks and something that made his/her eyes burn.
10-12   Argument in parking lot at Walgreen's 175th and Aurora, led to one participant kicking the other's vehicle.
10-13   Two persons scorned for past occurrences attacked their old friends at the Arabella with grapefruit sized rocks, fists, and attempted hit and run.
10-13   Someone tried to pass a fake $100 bill at The Little Store in Richmond Beach.
10-15   Player hits someone in the face after player lost a poker hand at Club Hollywood Casino.
10-15   Police arrest a car prowler in Deseret parking lot and find he is wanted on a drug warrant from Idaho.
10-18   Police responded to a request for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) at a residential adult family home in the 14500 block of Stone Ave N to find Fire and Medics already on the scene. The caregiver was not on the scene. 
10-18   Person was warned to leave the neighbors alone after kicking and pounding on their door at the Shorewood Court apartments on N 180th.
10-19   Tires were slashed on vehicle parked in wrong space overnight at Ballinger Commons and profanities written in ketchup on the windshield.
10-21   Stolen: a locking mailbox from its stand in the 20200 block of Greenwood. The other mailboxes on the stand were all opened.
10-24   A Shoreline man invited two prostitutes to his home and while they were distracting him, someone stole his TV, laptop, and cell phone.
10-24   Aurora Safeway employee was caught on camera keying coupons into the register and pocketing the cash.
10-25   Vehicle left in roadway in 1100 block of N 205th with air bags deployed, oil leaking from engine onto roadway, both passenger tires flat, and no driver in vicinity.
10-26   3 males in a vehicle followed a lone female to the Forest Villa Apts and were blocking her in and trying to get into her vehicle.
10-27   A mentally ill woman was spraying Febreze on customers at the Aurora Safeway.
10-29   A home was burglarized one day and the next day the car was stolen.
10-29   Mentally ill male on drugs was naked and assaulting people on the street in the 300 block of NE 148th.

This month it seemed like more calls than usual from people threatening suicide. There were half a dozen calls for disturbances that ended in someone being transported to a hospital for a mental evaluation, including several with arrest warrants.

Shoreline Police are now using the new SCORE jail facility in Des Moines. Several years ago, King County decided it needed a new jail and named locations around the county for study. After a great deal of public process, King county discovered that its need would be met by the new jail that Des Moines built and all the locations under study were dropped.

--DKH


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Plastic film recycling project in Lake Forest Park

From "Bag it: The Movie"
The City of Lake Forest Park is hosting a plastic film recycling challenge for six months. The project, which started on August 1, looks to collect plastic materials not usually recycled locally.
  • Grocery bags
  • Bread bags
  • Case overwrap
  • Dry cleaning bags
  • Newspaper sleeves
  • Ice bags
  • Wood pellet bags
  • Ziploc and other reclosable bags
  • Produce bags
  • Bubble wrap
  • Salt bags and Cereal bags.
All materials must be clean. Two bins are located outside of City Hall for collection of these plastic materials. 

If the City recycles enough plastic film, a free recycled bench by Trex will be donated for Whispering Willow Park. Volunteers on the Environmental Quality Commission are collecting, transporting and tabulating plastic collections totals.


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Shoreline Historical Museum Trillium award winners revealed

“Trillium Award Winners 2014” From left: Kyle Roquet of Crista Ministries
 with the Trillium Award for a Shoreline building; Betsy Piano and son Josh Piano,
recipients of the Lake Forest Park award; and Pastor David Ness,
 holding the North Seattle Trillium Heritage Award.

As part of its Preservation Recognition Program, the Shoreline Historical Museum today, November 15, 2014, gave its 9th Annual Trillium Heritage Awards to three deserving contestants in North Seattle, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.

All of the award winners have worked to keep the historical integrity of their buildings intact, giving their surrounding communities depth and meaning that might otherwise have been lost.
This is the north Seattle Higgins Manor House, built in 1929, 
winner of the North Seattle Trillium Heritage Award.  
Photo courtesy of SHM

North Seattle
The award for North Seattle went to the North Seattle Church of the Nazarene, represented by Pastor David Ness, for their historic Higgins Manor House at 13130 5th Ave. NE. At one time the spacious grounds included fruit trees and densely wooded areas over ten acres of property on the southwest edge of Jackson Park Golf Course. The beautiful home was built in 1929 by James and Sara Mae Higgins, who had moved to Seattle in 1921 and were Seattle business financiers. The Higgins won several years of the Seattle Times outdoor Christmas decorations award for the north end. Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Hochfield purchased the house in 1948, and in 1955 Franklin Clinton of Clinton Motors purchased the house.

“Shippen-Piano House 1936”
This is the Shippen Art Tile House, built in 1931,
winner of the Lake Forest Park Trillium Award.
Photo courtesy of the Washington State Archives.

Lake Forest Park
Accepting the award for a historic building in Lake Forest Park were Betsy Piano and son Josh, who, along with Betsy’s husband George, are the owners and restorers of the 1931 Shippen Art Tile House in the Trafford Park Tracts at 19004 - Lago Pl. NE. There were very few other places nearby when the home was built in what is now the western reaches of Lake Forest Park, and the property must have felt quite secluded. The house was built and decorated by tile magnate Tom Shippen owner of Shippen Tile Contractors. Several families have resided there, including the the Shippens (1931-1938), the Personeus family (1938-1948) and florist Henry Hedberg who purchased the home in 1948.

The Firland Tuberculosis Sanatorium
Walter Henry Administration Building,
now the Martin Center, was built in 1913,
 and is the winner of the Shoreline Trillium Heritage Award.
Photo courtesy of SHM, taken by Connie King!


Shoreline
The Trillium Heritage Award for the Shoreline area was presented to CRISTA Ministries, represented by Kyle Roquet, Vice President of Facilities and Construction Management, for the iconic 1913 Walter Henry Administration Building, now known as the Martin Center, at 19303 Fremont Ave. N. The building has served the community well over the last 100 years, from being the hub of the Firland Tuberculosis Sanatorium to its multiple purposes for CRISTA Ministries. The building has also been nominated for inclusion on the Washington State Heritage Register.

The Shoreline Historical Museum’s Trillium Heritage Awards raise awareness of the community’s roots, and encourages excellence in the maintenance and perpetuation of historic buildings in accordance with their original style. Congratulations to the 2014 winners.


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Fiddler on the Roof at Seattle Musical Theatre through Nov 23

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Seattle cast of Fiddler

Fiddler on the Roof


Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler On The Roof’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Performance Schedule through November 23

Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm
Sunday at 2:00pm
Thursday, November 20 at 7:30pm


Seattle Musical Theatre (formerly Civic Light Opera), 7120 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115. SMT Office 206-363-2809.


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For the Birds: Winter’s Cold and the Living Is Hard

Male Pileated Woodpecker eating suet
Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

Birds used to have lots of dense native habitats into which they could hunker down during cold spells. These habitats provided shelter, food, and water.

The leading cause of avian deaths and the decline of many species is habitat elimination due to development, whether it be housing, commercial expansion, mining, or diversion of water. Therefore, it seems fitting that we help birds (and other pollinators and wildlife) by providing food, shelter, and usable water, especially during cold weather.

If you see a bird all fluffed up it is trying to stay warm by creating warm air pockets around its body with its feathers. For all warm-blooded creatures, fuel in the form of calories is needed to create warmth.

High-energy black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, and good quality shelled-seeds can provide the margin between survival and death. Feeders offer quick, certain sources of good calories, allowing birds to conserve their calories for warmth, not expending energy searching for their next meal.

Fluffed up Black-capped Chickadee staying warm
Photo by Craig Kerns

Watch your feeders for clumping of seeds during damp weather. If seeds clump, throw the seed out and wash the feeders with 10% bleach, rinse well, and dry before filling; or use cheap feeders and replace feeders when dirty.

Fox Sparrow and Spotted Towhee drawn to usable water
Photo by Christine Southwick

If you feed hummingbirds, winter is an important time to feed them. Anna’s eat more bugs than any other North American hummingbird, but freezing temperatures kill the bugs, so nectar is important. Even though they go into torpor (they slow their heart rate and breathing), they still need lots of quick energy early in the morning, and late in the evening. 

One of the best ways to keep their feeders liquid is to wrap non-LED Christmas lights around the feeder, making sure that the ports are easily accessed. This method allows them to come whenever they want to, without worrying about missing a much needed visit.
Song Sparrow with part of bath warmer shown behind it
Photo by Christine Southwick

For liquid water, invest in a birdbath warmer (with an automatic thermostat). Wild Birds Unlimited in Lake Forest Park has them, and Seattle Audubon on 85th Street sells them too. Liquid water is hard to find since so many creeks and rivulets have been diverted into drainpipes.

Give your yard birds a fighting chance.  Create shelter, and safe places for them to nestle down, provide liquid water and food during the winter, and they will reward you with bubbly songs and bug elimination in the spring.



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Fall colors to go with the cold

Friday, November 14, 2014

Fall colors
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

I swept up some very large leaves that looked like maple, or was it oak? I've never seen them in my yard before. The wind storm really blew things around. 
-DKH



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Lake Forest Park Budget Workshop Saturday

Budget Workshop on Saturday, November 15, 2014, Lake Forest Park City Hall Council Chambers

On Saturday November 15, 2014, the Lake Forest Park Budget and Finance Committee will hold a budget workshop from 9:00am to 1:00pm in the Lake Forest Park City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park. The Committee’s focus on key budget issues includes:
  • Financial sustainability; 
  • environmental stewardship through creek restoration; 
  • mobility and transportation; 
  • community vitality; and 
  • how the work plans of the City’s Commissions support achieving City goals.

Two opportunities for public comment will be offered during the workshop. Residents and business owners/ representatives are encouraged to listen to the discussion and provide comment as the Committee hones in on final budget issues.

Following is the schedule for the remaining budget deliberations in November. All meetings are held in the Lake Forest Park City Hall Council Chambers:
  • November 15, 2014 - Budget & Finance Committee workshop, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • November 20, 2014 - Budget & Finance Committee meeting, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • November 24, 2014 - Special Council meeting to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget and to discuss and potentially take action on resolutions necessary to implement the budget, including revenues.

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Infant Safety and CPR class

Before your baby arrives get prepared to keep him or her safe by learning how to prevent common unintentional injuries of infants and toddlers.

Learn about common safety hazards in and around the house, what’s recommended for infant sleep safety, basic tips for preparing your pets, and the proper procedures for assisting an infant, up to one year of age, who is choking or is unresponsive.

This class is recommended for parents, grandparents and anyone caring for a newborn or infant up to 1 year of age. CPR and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction procedures are American Heart Association curriculum.

Cost of this class covers two people taking the class together. Pre-registration is required.

Swedish Edmonds, 21601 76th Ave W, Edmonds, WA 98026, Saturday, November 22 from 9am to noon or 1-4pm. $50 per couple

For more information visit the website or call 206-215-3338.


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Genealogy in the Computer Age - Monday at the LFP Library

Genealogy in the Computer Age
Monday, November 17, 2014, 7-8:30pm, Lake Forest Park Library meeting room

Searching for your ancestors used to mean keeping paper records, writing letters, and visiting courthouses. With the advent of widespread computer use, genealogical research has entered a new dimension. This session will teach you how to choose and use genealogy software, online family trees, genealogy databases and more.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Forest Park Library.


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Shoreline City Manager's report

Update for week of 11/10/2014
From Debbie Tarry, Shoreline City Manager

November 10 Council Meeting (No Dinner Meeting)

Regular Meeting

·         Proclamation of Veteran’s Day: Shoreline Veterans Association President Dwight Stevens, and members Bob Grasmick and Gerry Shogren accepted the proclamation.

·         Adoption of Resolution No. 366 Authorizing an Interfund Loan: As part of the purchase of Brugger’s Bog the City decided that the Surface Water Maintenance Fund should make the debt service payments in the first several years. This creates an interfund loan between the Surface Water Fund and the General Fund. Resolution No. 366 authorizes a five year loan between the two funds.

·         Interlocal Agreement with Shoreline School District for Einstein Safe Route to Schools Project: The Safe Routes to School Grant includes two elements that require the interlocal agreement with the school district. Those two elements are requirements to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and development of pedestrian/bicycle education and safety information.

·         2015 Budget Public Hearing & Council Deliberations: The public hearing focused on revenue sources. Following the Public Hearing Council deliberated on proposed amendments to the 2015 Proposed Budget.

·         Selection of the three Zoning Scenarios for Analysis in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 145th Street Station Subarea Plan: The City Council selected the Compact Community and Connecting Corridors scenarios to be studied in the DEIS process. The Council did modify the Connecting Corridors scenario by changing the MUR-85 (Mixed Use Residential with 85’ limit) to MUR-65. The DEIS will also include an evaluation of the “No Action” scenario to determine the changes from current zoning to the zoning alternatives in the Compact Community and Connecting Corridor scenarios. The No Action scenario does not mean that there will be no change.

·         Ordinance No. 694, Corrections to the Shoreline Municipal Code for Property Tax Exemption: Analysis of the PTE Program revealed that the City’s stated duration in SMC 3.27.030(B) of five (5) years was not expressly provided for by RCW 84.14, the statute authorizing the PTE Program. Therefore an amendment and policy changes are needed.

Response from Snohomish County

On October 7, PCD Director Rachael Markle, Intergovernmental Relations Manager Scott MacColl, and I met with Snohomish County Planning staff to discuss my notice to Snohomish County of the City’s intent to negotiate an interlocal annexation agreement for the Point Wells area. Snohomish County indicated that they would provide sample Interlocal agreements and the next steps in the process by the end of October. On Friday, October 31, I received some sample interlocals, although the e-mail stated that the examples were from various dates and some may not conform to current models. The e-mail went on to say “… that based on county staff research, before negotiating an annexation ILA with Snohomish County, the City of Shoreline should pursue an amendment to the Snohomish County Countywide Planning Policies (CPP) to include a Shoreline Municipal Urban Growth Area (MUGA). If the Snohomish County Council adopts a Shoreline MUGA in the Snohomish County CPPs, then the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan could be amended to include a Shoreline MUGA, and staff could negotiate a master annexation ILA for Shoreline to annex within the Shoreline MUGA.”

I have requested that County staff provide the CPPs that were used to come to the conclusion for the process that they are requiring. I have also contacted Cynthia Pruitt, at Snohomish County Tomorrow to seek her guidance/understanding on the process. We will be setting a face-to-face meeting with Ms. Pruitt in the next couple of weeks.

Right-of-Way Tree List Meeting Follow-Up

On Tuesday, November 4, approximately 20 people, including City staff, Park/Tree Board members, and residents, participated in our right-of-way tree list meeting. There was good positive discussion that evening.

12th Ave NE Parking Meeting Follow-Up

On Thursday, November 6, Neighborhoods Coordinator Nora Smith, Associate Planner Brian Lee, Captain Mark Konoske of the Shoreline Police, and Planning Manager Paul Cohen met with three neighbors who live on 12th Ave NE across from and adjacent to the new Polaris apartments. Staff first acknowledged that the apartments are a big change to the neighborhood. The residents asked about the history of zoning for North City, the Station Area land use plans for their street, the development review of the building, and the parking and garbage problems. They are working with Traffic Engineer Kendra Dedinsky in Public Works to solve the on street parking demarcations to avoid blocking drive ways, garbage cans, and double parking. Police said they will start ticketing illegally parked cars. Economic Development Manager Dan Eernissee will be contacting the owners and property managers to encourage them to work cooperatively with the neighbors. We acknowledged that the parking requirements do not also require that parking be included with the rent. (We think in the meantime that any parking tickets will exceed the $50 monthly parking rent and may be an economic incentive.)

Calendar Items
·         11/17  9:00am Committee of Elected Officials – McConnell, Roberts – City Hall
·         11/19  7:30pm Specialized Recreation “Wizard of Oz”–Shoreline CC Theater
·         11/22  9:00am Holiday Craft Market – Spartan

This and That
·         Our Police Community Service Officer Dahlia Corona has been facilitating for a community outreach class for Hispanic residents. There are 30 participants. Classes are on Thursdays at City Hall in Room 302 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. The final class will be November 20.


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Meet new Shoreline Schools Supt. Rebecca Miner at Shorecrest, Shorewood

Rebecca Miner
Superintendent of Shoreline Schools
Over the past four months new Shoreline Schools Superintendent Miner has been “Hitting the Ground Listening and Learning,” according to her entry plan, as she becomes familiar with the District. She has been visiting classrooms, attending faculty meetings at each building and participating in many school and community events.

Miner will hold forums at Shorecrest and Shorewood High School to get feedback from the community on four key questions in her entry plan:
  1. What should I know about Shoreline Public Schools and the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park communities?
  2. What should be preserved in the Shoreline Public Schools?
  3. What are the key issues facing our school system which need attention?
  4. How can I be most helpful in my role as superintendent?
Superintendent Rebecca Miner’s entry plan 

The forums at the high schools will be held in conjunction with the schools' PTSA meetings those evenings.
  • Shorecrest: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. in the school library.
  • Shorewood: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. in the career center.
Miner joined Shoreline on July 1 after three years as the superintendent of the White Pass School District in Randle, Wash. Her prior experience includes four years as assistant superintendent in the Washougal School District. She served two years as special services administrator in the Vancouver Public Schools, Vancouver, Wash. Her building level experience included serving as associate principal at Columbia River High School and McLoughlin Middle School in Vancouver.

As a teacher for nine years, she taught English, journalism, American Studies, and advised the student newspaper at Kelso High School; she taught social studies at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and taught Spanish and Special Education at McLoughlin Middle School, both in Vancouver.

Miner earned her B.A. in English at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. She earned her Masters in Teaching at Willamette University, Salem, Ore. Her superintendent credential is from Washington State University, where she is now completing her doctorate in educational leadership.


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Openings at Children's Village Child Care in Shoreline



The Children's Village is a new, licensed child care center in Shoreline that accepts DSHS. They currently have about 12 slots available in their before and after school care program. Call 206-582-3565 for more information.


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Three Finalists Announced for King County Library System Director

Three candidates are finalists to become the new director of the King County Library System. The position opened in January for the second time in more than 50 years when 25-year Director Bill Ptacek left to head the library in Alberta, Canada. The previous Director headed KCLS from 1962 to 1988.

KCLS began their search for a new director in February, with public meetings, focus groups, and an online survey to gather public input about the key characteristics most important for the new director of KCLS. After an intensive nationwide search by exhaustive nationwide search conducted by The Hawkins Company and June Garcia LLC, three candidates have been selected for final interviews: 

  • Nicolle Davies, Executive Director, Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, Colorado. “Staff and library lovers know public libraries are essential in developing life-long learners and that our spaces are ideal for community to gather. The future for public libraries requires progressive thought regarding technology, space, collections and community partnerships.” 
  • Pam Sandlian Smith, Library Director, Anythink Libraries, Rangeview Library District, Thornton, Colorado. “Learning is at the heart of our mission. Libraries have always been learning places. Now more than ever, they are becoming a place to interact with information, a place to fulfill one’s dreams and sense of curiosity.” 
  • Gary Wasdin, Executive Director, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Nebraska. “At Omaha Public Library my priorities have been focused externally, building stronger relationships with elected officials, community and business leaders, and philanthropic foundations. These relationships have enabled us to develop a vision and strategy that is intrinsically tied to our city and county.” 

The Board conducted final interviews on Friday, November 14.

Founded in 1942, the King County Library System operates 48 libraries, with an annual operating budget of $94 million and 1,300 staff. Recognized in 2011 as Library Journal’s Library of the Year, KCLS is one of the largest and busiest library systems in the country.


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Gentle Giving Fair Saturday


The annual Gentle Giving Fair is scheduled for Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church at the corner of Northwest Richmond Beach Road and 15th Avenue Northwest,

This fair provides shoppers with the opportunity to donate to various charitable organizations in the name of individuals. In addition, there will be fair-trade products from around the world, as well as products made from recycled materials.


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Come In From the Cold: Karaoke/Bingo will Warm You Up

Photo by Jon Ann Cruver
Tonight, yes, tonight: come join in the fun and silliness at the monthly Karaoke/Bingo Night at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center!

Seats are available for walk -ins. The doors will be open for you at 6:00pm, the games begin at 7:00pm. The $10 fee gives you an 8-game packet that may have the ONE game to declare you a winner! Special Games cards are also sold for $2; winners of the Special Games may walk away with a $200 prize. The Special Games are sold during the evening.

As always, seasonal food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be offered.

Starting Monday you can book your Holiday party in December on-line:  this will reserve you a table for 10 if you want to get a crowd together. The December date is Friday, December 12.

We look forward to welcoming you tonight, November 14. Call us at 206-365-1536 if you'd like more information.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center is located on the Shoreline Center campus, 18560 1st Ave NE, the southern-most building.


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Chamber Business of the Month


TisBest has been chosen as Business of the Month by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.

TisBest Charity Gift Cards are client gifts that really mean something...
With a TisBest Charity Gift Card, you make a charitable donation, but your gift recipient gets to pick which charities receive the money.

It’s a powerful, meaningful, and entirely appropriate way to acknowledge and deepen important business relationships.

TisBest Charity Gift Cards empower your gift recipients to support good causes they are passionate about. The TisBest Charity Gift Card is a donation gift that works like a conventional gift card but instead of buying stuff, the recipient “spends” the TisBest card by selecting which of 300+ charity partners receives the money. Personalize any TisBest card with your own message, image and/or company branding.

Cards are available from $10 to $5,000. Add your custom design at no extra charge. TisBest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Shoreline, WA. 


TisBest Philanthropy, 17962 Midvale Ave. No. Suite 240, Shoreline, WA 98133, 206-501-3005 

Read reviews about TisBest on Great NonProfits


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'The Matchmaker' takes the stage as Shorecrest's fall play


The Shorecrest drama fall play is "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder. Showtimes are Nov. 13 to 15 and 20 to 22 at 7:30pm, Nov. 16 and 23 at 2pm. Tickets are $10 in advance at Shorecrest and from Brown Paper Tickets, or $12 at the door.
 
Wilder’s uproarious farce about love and money, stars the irrepressible busybody, Dolly Gallagher Levi, who inspired the Broadway musical, Hello, Dolly!

Through Dolly’s subtle machinations, several unlikely couples come together to find happiness in 19th-century New York. The play starts at the home of Horace Vandergelder (from the German das Geld, “money”), located above his successful hay, feed and provision store in Yonkers, New York.

A widower, and immensely proud of being a half-millionaire, Horace is preparing for a trip to New York City. It’s filled with mistaken identities, secret rendezvous obscured by screens and hidden behind doors, separated lovers, exciting twists and turns, and a light, bantering tone.


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Go around the head of the lake - or through the tunnel: the bridge is closed for the weekend

From WSDOT

If you plan to take a trip over to the other side of Lake Washington this weekend, you’ll need to take I-90 or go around the lake. Both directions of SR 520 between Montlake Boulevard and 92nd Avenue Northeast will close from 11pm Friday, Nov. 14, until 5am Monday, Nov. 17.

Contractor crews working on the SR 520 West Approach Bridge North Project will work throughout the weekend on demolition of the “Ramps to Nowhere” as well as other construction activities.


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Shoreline Comprehensive Plan amendment suggestions due by December 31, 2014

From the City of Shoreline

Every year the City goes through a Comprehensive Plan amendment process. The annual amendment process is an opportunity for individuals to propose changes to Shoreline’s Comprehensive Plan. Suggested amendments usually address changing conditions or emerging issues.

Individuals are encouraged to propose changes to Shoreline’s Comprehensive Plan and submit them to the Planning and Community Development Department (P&CD). Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application materials can be found on the City’s website on the Permits and Development Information page.

To be eligible for consideration, applications must be submitted by 5:00pm December 31, 2014 to Senior Planner Steven Szafran, P/CD, 17500 Midvale Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133 or emailed.

Once all amendments have been received, the City Council will develop a list of amendments to be studied in early 2015. For more information visit the City’s website or contact Steven Szafran at 206-801-2512.


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Neighborhood Spotlight on Richmond Beach homes for sale

By Kerri Donovan



One of Shoreline’s most established neighborhoods, Richmond Beach boasts a diverse range of homes, from million-dollar beachfront properties to spacious starter homes. Here’s a snapshot of some of the homes currently for sale in the neighborhood: 

Most expensive listing: This luxury craftsman overlooks Saltwater Park and, at $1.795 million, it is the most expensive home currently listed for sale in Richmond Beach. The property has four bedrooms as well as a bonus room that could be used as a guestroom or a den.

Craftsman style home in Richmond Beach
Remodeled abode: This split-entry home has gone through an extensive remodel. Listed for $750,000, the property has an updated gourmet kitchen, vaulted ceilings and a spacious master bath.


Rooftop living: Rooftop decks are often associated with urban, city living. But, this home at the top of a cul-de-sac boasts a rooftop deck with sweeping views of the Puget Sound. Priced at $999,500, the property also comes with ownership stake in the adjacent beachfront.


Starter home: This bright, midcentury home has five skylights and a living room surrounded by windows. Listed for $375,000, the property is on a quarter-acre.


The local real estate market is slowing down, which is typical for this time of year. But for some people, late fall and winter is an opportune time to buy or sell. Many people receive company bonuses that can go toward down payments, while others need to sell or buy before the end of the year for tax purposes.

Home prices in the neighborhood remain stable. The median home price in Richmond Beach was $444,000 in October, down 1.4 percent from the previous month.  Homes for sale receive an average of two offers, with homes selling for an average of 98.7 percent of their asking price. 


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