Bargain Corner end of year sale

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Bargain Corner Blow-Out Sale

Don’t miss the last sale of 2014
50% off of every item
including jewelry
through December 31

 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Shoreline-LFP Senior Center
18560 1st Ave NE, Suite 1
Shoreline, WA 98155




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Candlelight Services at Shoreline Covenant


Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at Shoreline Covenant Church 4pm and 6pm


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Give blood in Lake Forest Park Monday

Blood Donors Needed!  Puget Sound Blood Center has issued an urgent appeal for donors during the holiday season. Supplies are low. 

An opportunity to give locally is on Monday, December 29 at the LFP Town Center. The blood mobile will be parked on the lower level near the mall entrance.

Walk-ins are welcome between the hours of 11am – 5pm (closed for lunch between 1pm – 2pm)

A little of your time will make a world of difference to someone in serious need.

For more information, call 1-800-398-7888.

Blood Drive in Lake Forest Park
Monday, December 29th
Times:  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (closed 1-2pm)
LFP Town Center/3rd Place Books/lower parking area
Intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way


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LFP Rotary thanks the community

The Rotary Giving Tree
in Town Center
Photo by Linda Holman
On behalf of the members of the LFP Rotary we would like to thank our community for their generosity this holiday season.

We collected around 1200 gifts for the folks in need, including donations from both the Seattle Four and Seattle Northeast Rotary clubs and the Friends of the Library.

Because of this, we were able to include everyone from small children through seniors. Because of this community effort many people will have a happier holiday.

We are grateful to each and every one who participated in this effort and thank you all very much. It is wonderful to live in such a caring community.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season.


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Christmas lights

Monday, December 22, 2014

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

This house is on 12th NE near 200th.


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Trees vs houses


See the update to this story

By Diane Hettrick
Photos by Steven H. Robinson

When I first saw this house coming down, I thought it was something to do with the coming Sound Transit Station because it is on 5th NE next to I-5 in the heart of the 185th rezone. But no, it was not.

A chance conversation provided me with the answer, which actually was far more dramatic and elemental than the inexorable march of population growth.

Remember those wind storms and downed trees we experienced mid-November?

This house had a big tree fall on it.


According to a neighbor, the tree didn't just land on the roof. It sliced all the way through the house to the foundation. Owners had little choice but to tear the whole thing down.

We're checking, but so far there are no reports of injuries or anyone inside the house at the time.

The site is now just dirt - a bare, vacant lot, with tarps set up to protect the houses near it on lower ground.


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If you hate puns, just move on to the next story...


A group of chess enthusiasts had checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories.

After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.

"But why?" they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."

(it helps if you know the song...)


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Looping you in on travel time data on the freeway

Travel times listed on highway message boards give commuters
an idea of how good (or bad) their commute ahead is.
WSDOT camera

By Mike Allende, WSDOT

The recent run of extra-challenging slow morning commutes – especially southbound from the north – has made travel times a big point of discussion. With several commutes topping the 100-minute mark – topped by a 140-minute time in late September – our travel times page has been getting a workout.

There are a number of reasons why this is happening, from dark and wet conditions, to collisions and breakdowns in the wrong place at the wrong time, to simply a lot of people going to the same place at the same time every day. But that’s not what this blog is about.

Instead, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at just how we compute those travel times. We know people rely on them to plan their trips, and we use technology and data to make them as accurate as we can. It’s important for us to provide useful data to the public. So how does it work? Glad you asked.

Loop sensors embedded in the pavement of highways
measure the speed of each vehicle going over them
which are then converted to travel times.
Photo courtesy WSDOT

About every half-mile or so on highways in the area, we have loop detectors embedded in the pavement. These loops measure the speed of each vehicle that goes over it, and the amount of time that vehicle is on the loop. It then sends that data to junction boxes nearby which calculate the information and sends it to our website, giving commuters the amount of time it should take them to get from particular points. Our data is accurate about 95 percent of the time and updates on our website every five minutes.

But we don’t just rely on our loops. From time to time, we also have people drive the various routes at different times of the day to calculate travel times. We’ve found that the results are usually close to what our posted travel times are, which gives people a good idea of about how long it will take them.

Each month, we look at data from the previous three months to come up with the average travel time. If you watch our travel time page closely, you’ll notice that the average travel time changes throughout the day. That’s because we come up with averages based on time and day of the week, so the average time for the drive from Everett to Seattle at 8:15am on a Tuesday may be different than the average time for the same route at 7:35am on a Thursday.

Something else to keep in mind is that it’s hard to account for poor weather when it comes to travel times. Rain and ice changes driving conditions in a big way and makes commutes much less predictable.

A collision or stall blocking a lane can be exacerbated in bad weather and all of a sudden a free-flowing drive can become jammed within a few minutes, though that may not be reflected right away in our travel times.

That’s why it’s important to check in with other sources, from our @wsdot_traffic Twitter account, to our Seattle traffic page and the media to get updates on road conditions. If you’re driving, of course, stick to radio traffic reports – please don’t check Twitter or our traffic page on your mobile device if you’re behind the wheel.


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George Dremousis returns as head coach for men's soccer at SCC

George Dremousis
Men's Soccer Coach
Photo courtesy SCC
By Jaymie Cox

A familiar face is returning to sideline as head coach of the Shoreline Community College men’s soccer team.

George Dremousis says he is excited about being back with the Dolphins. “It was difficult for me to leave and it feels good to be able return,” Dremousis said.

Dremousis is a life-long Seattle resident, playing soccer at Bishop Blanchet High School and Shoreline Community College before graduating from the University of Washington with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History in 1991.

He began his coaching career by guiding Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds-Woodway high schools to several playoff appearances from 1993-2001 before joining Shoreline as head coach in 2001. 

Dremousis led the Dolphins to the most victories in the program’s history and reached the playoffs five times, winning the North Division title in 2010 and earning a third place finish at the then-NWAACC tournament.

In 2011, Dremousis left Shoreline to take the head job at Trinity Lutheran College where his teams advanced to West Coast playoffs of the NCCAA in consecutive seasons. Dremousis has also coached the semi-pro Seattle Seawolves of the Development Indoor Soccer League, finishing in first place with a 15-1 record in 2006 and named coach of the year. In addition to coaching, Dremousis has won national championships as a member of TA-2 Saints over-40 team and continues to play competitively.

In addition to returning to Shoreline, Dremousis is again head coach at Mountlake Terrace High School where he has taught History and AP Government for the past 23 years.

“We are thrilled that George is back at Shoreline Community College, and looking forward to seeing him on the sideline again,” Shoreline Athletic Director Steve Eskridge said.


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Christmas Eve services at Ronald United Methodist Church

Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, will celebrate Christmas Eve with a special service that include lessons, carols, Holy Communion and candlelight singing. 

Please join us for this meaningful time. 

For more information, check our Facebook page, email, or call 206-542-2484. 


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Pre-register for free Kidstock event at Edmonds Center for the Arts


Alex Zerbe

Kidstock! 2015 Main Stage Line-Up Announced 

Saturday, February 7, 9:30am-3:30pm 

Kidstock! is the FREE, annual family event at ECA that features musical performances, theatre, arts, education workshops, and activities for kids. 

Kidstock! 2015 Main Stage line-up:

9:45 am Recess Monkey


12:15 pm The Not-Its!


2:45 pm Alex Zerbe

Pre-register here or the ECA Box Office, 425.275.9595, 410 Fourth Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020.


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State Patrol seeks witnesses to I-5 collision at Northgate

On December 21, 2014 at approximately 8:55pm, a WSP trooper attempted to stop two vehicles that were racing NB I-5 (express lanes)/ South of Northgate. As the trooper turned from the mainline of I-5 to the express lanes, his patrol vehicle struck a light pole. The light pole separated from the base and fell on the main line on NB I-5.

During the investigation, a different state trooper, who had just exited his vehicle, was struck by a gold, Honda Accord. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene in his car but was later stopped and arrested for Reckless Driving, DUI and felony Hit and Run near Northgate Way and 1st Ave.

WSP detectives are looking for anyone who may have witnessed two vehicles, described as a dark colored BMW and newer, white Audi with Washington Law Enforcement Memorial plates that were racing on NB I-5/ Express lanes through Seattle.

Detectives are also interested in anyone that may have witnessed the second collision where a state trooper was struck when outside of his patrol car.

Anyone with information on any of the above incidents are asked to call or contact Detective Ruth Medeiros, 425-401-7719. 


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Christmas at RB Congregational United Church of Christ



Richmond Beach Congregational Church,
United Church of Christ
1512 NW 195th St
(corner of 15th NW and Richmond Beach Rd)
Shoreline 98177


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Christmas lights

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Here's a colorful display that Lee Lageschulte discovered at 3rd NW and NW 190th.


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Christmas meal at Senior Center Tuesday


Christmas Celebration, December 23

Chef Janice will prepare a traditional Christmas meal for your eating pleasure. 

The menu will include: Prime Rib, apple horseradish sauce, roasted Yukon potatoes, green beans, winter salad w/dressing, roll and butter.

Meal starts at 11:45am but arrive early to assure you will have a seat. A $3.00 donation for seniors 60 and older is recommended, participants under 60 can enjoy this meal for $6.00.

The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center is located in the southern-most building on the Shoreline Center campus at NE 185th and 1st NE. Parking in south lot.


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NUHSA recognizes community volunteers at annual meeting

Award winners for Volunteer of the Year, Art Mabbott,
and Volunteer Program of the Year, Care Day.

On December 9, the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) held its annual Human Service Awards and Membership Meeting at Shoreline City Hall.

NUHSA has been celebrating the accomplishments of local individuals and organizations since 2008. Each year NUHSA encourages agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community members to acknowledge the work of those who strengthen North King County’s safety net.

This year NUHSA honored Care Day, a one­ day resource event for low­ income families in Bothell, for Best Volunteer Program, and Art Mabbott, a volunteer at Friends of Youth and Safe Place, for Volunteer of the Year.

Guest speaker, King County Council member Rod Dembowski, delved into his work on transportation, health and the Youth Action Plan.

Art Mabbott from Friends of Youth won the Volunteer of the Year award. He is a retired math teacher who volunteers with Friends of Youth and is now training other volunteers how to respond to youth in crisis around the clock as an on-call volunteer with Safe Place, an outreach program designed to provide immediate access to help and safety for youth ages 11-17.

He works wonderfully with the youth and can always be counted on to be the "backup" for the other volunteers on call. According to his supervisors, "No matter the time of day (or night), when Art is called, some of his first words are always, 'Do you need me?' He is prepared and faithful to answer the call to help the youth in our community."

Care Day won for Volunteer Program of the Year. Care Day’s goal is to show compassion for people experiencing need, to strengthen the safety net of human service providers in the Northshore community, and to engage with volunteers to raise community awareness.

On August 15th, the effort made towards these goals came together through an event that brought 62 providers and 180 volunteers to Bothell High School to provide tangible services to approximately 250 men, women and children within our community.

This year's nominees:

For Volunteer of the Year:
For Volunteer Program of the Year:

The North Urban Human Service Alliance (NUHSA) is an alliance of City, County and State staff, non-profit human service providers, United Way, school districts, faith communities and concerned citizens.

NUHSA works to promote a sustainable system of social and health services for residents of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Shoreline and Woodinville in North King County, Washington


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Insurance parity for mental health services

From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

New enhanced standards and tools for measuring parity between mental health and medical and surgical benefits takes effect Dec. 18, 2014.

“Washington state has been a leader in ensuring mental health coverage for consumers,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. 
“This new rule gives us one more set of tools to make sure insurers are living up to their promises and that people are getting fair access to the mental health services they need.”

The rule aligns state and federal mental health parity laws and creates clear standards or formulas for health insurers to show the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) how they are delivering mental health services and substance use disorder treatments compared to medical and surgical benefits.


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Medic One Foundation in need of donations to save lives


The Medic One Foundation announced that it is kicking off its urgent, year-end fundraising drive to help ensure that our region's survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest remains the highest in the world. 

If met, the Foundation’s $615,000 fundraising goal would cover the cost of training 23 new Medic One paramedics – the largest paramedic class since 2003 – as well as the purchase of two new training defibrillators. 

Among the 23 paramedics in this latest class are local Shoreline residents Gabriel DeBay, Jason Emerson, and Ed Horstman, members of the Shoreline Fire department.

$100,000 of the $615,000 goal still remains to be raised by the end of the year. The Foundation funds the intensive paramedic training that is the cornerstone of this region’s world-class Medic One system.

With a sudden cardiac arrest survival rate of 62 percent in Seattle/King County, the benefits provided by such extensive training are clear. Comparing this data to survival rates of other major U.S. cities like New York (5 percent), Chicago (3 percent), Los Angeles (7 percent) and Detroit (0 percent) further demonstrates the influence of Foundation-funded paramedic training in other Northwest communities.

“Our region's firefighters and paramedics make this the safest place in the country for victims of sudden cardiac arrest,” said Jan Sprake, Executive Director of the Medic One Foundation. “Most people don't think about the quality of training paramedics receive or how to improve your chances of survival before you even reach the hospital. But when the unexpected does happen and you or a loved one is fighting to stay alive, the paramedic training program we are asking you to support could play a big part in helping you win that fight." 
Sprake continued, “The funds we provide to train our paramedics like Gabriel, Jason, and Ed from Shoreline, come solely through community support – we don’t receive any government funding. We need the community's help now!”  Donors can designate gifts for a number of essential items including paramedic training textbooks, cardiac life support classes, medical equipment and the two training defibrillators.

The rigorous training for the region’s paramedics funded by the Foundation provides more than double the amount of instruction time required by the national standard. 

The demand for paramedics is expected to  continue to be high over the next 10 years due to the upcoming retirement of many of the region's senior paramedics. Without funding from donations, the Medic One Foundation cannot support the caliber of training and education that allows our region's paramedics to provide a level of pre-hospital care that is unmatched anywhere in the country. To donate, or for more information, visit the website 


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Christmas at St. David Emmanuel

Sunday, December 21, 2014




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Christmas Lights

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Somewhere in Central Shoreline is this lavishly decorated home. The decorations make the nights cheerful instead of just dark and rainy.


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Local resident graduates college with former kindergarten teacher in attendance

Lee Watkins, Ken Koelling, Dr. Jeff Ashworth

By Ray Koelling

2010 Shorecrest graduate Kennosuke (Ken) Koelling recently received his aeronautical and electrical engineering degree, with honors, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.

The Saturday, December 13, 2014 ceremony was an amazing day for this family but it really represents neither the beginning nor end of a journey but a point along a path that really began at Lake Forest Park Elementary with an amazing classroom teacher.

Lee Watkins was Ken’s kindergarten and first grade teacher in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 at Lake Forest Park Elementary in the Shoreline School District.

Such a time in any new student’s life can certainly be challenging and it was no less so for Ken. But Lee’s incredible skills and understanding in a classroom setting for her new students, allowed Ken to germinate and grow as both a student and developing soul.

Since she had retired from the district in 2004 we all remained in contact with her and family (now living in Arizona) our family was honored and privileged to have her be able to attend Ken’s university graduation ceremony.

Think about it; celebrating in person the graduation from college of the very same person she had welcomed into her classroom some 17 years earlier as a brand new, and very introverted, kindergarten student.

Drone designed, built and flown by his college team

The picture of Mrs. Watkins and Ken was taken after Ken’s Embry-Riddle graduation. On Ken’s left is his university counselor and aeronautical engineering professor, Dr. Jeff Ashworth. The airplane drone, which was flown successfully before graduation, was one Ken helped design and build as part of a 12 person team for their senior capstone engineering project.

Ken designed the drone in kindergarten at LFP

The picture of the drawing was made by Ken from 17 years before and which he had drawn during kindergarten at LFP.

While there were and are many great classroom teachers Ken had along the way from LFP to Kellogg to Shorecrest, having Lee Watkins for two years back in the late 1990’s as his teacher was fundamentally vital to him progressing as he did. And which then allowed and gave him the opportunity to face subsequent schooling and life as well as he has now done and hopefully will into the future.

No matter the technology that will ever be conceived in education, there will never be a replacement for a great classroom teacher. 
Thanks, Lee Watkins!


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Christmas at Bethel

Bethel Lutheran Church

Come Catch The Spirit!
Christmas 2014 at Bethel Lutheran Church - 175th and 8th Ave NE in Shoreline

Bethel4All: Christmas Around the World - Dec 21 @6pm

Join us as we celebrate Christmas amidst the diversity of Bethel4All's 6 churches with this special worship service in Amharic, English, Korean, and Spanish. Dessert reception afterward.

Christmas Eve Family Service - Dec 24 @5pm

NEW THIS YEAR! Experience a family-friendly, kid-oriented worship service filled with song and story.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Dec 24 @10:30pm

Our traditional candlelight service: a time of scripture, music, and prayer filled with hope, peace, joy, and love.



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Arts Council Community Spotlight: Laura Caley, Proud Parent


Community Spotlight: Laura Caley, Proud Parent


In Celebration of 25 years of doing good in our community, the Arts Council would like to take some time and highlight some of our fantastic members who are doing great things in our community. 

Laura Caley - Lake Forest Park    

Shoreline School District Parent and August Arts Camp Nurse

How have you been involved with the Arts Council, and for how long?

I’ve been the camp nurse for August Arts for going on seven years. 
(Her son Drew went to August Arts Camp for six years and has been a camp counselor for two now!)

What do you love most about our community?

I like it because it’s small and everyone knows what you’re talking about

How does August Arts Camp make an impact in your life?

For me, the Arts Camp is seeing a lot of young kids coming in not knowing anything about their hidden creative talents and leaving masters.

In one word, describe the Arts Council...

Vital.

Join Laura and become a member of the Arts Council. We’re preserving creative opportunities for our kids, and over the last 25 years, have invested over $3 million in arts and arts education right here in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Family memberships start at just $100, and you’ll not only receive great member perks, you’ll also get to bask in the warm glow that comes with knowing you’ve helped foster creativity right where you live. 

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and support the arts in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park



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In The Garden Now… Gentsch White Hemlock

Gentsch White Dwarf Hemlock 
Gentsch White Dwarf Hemlock 
Text and photo
by Victoria Gilleland

If you love the garden in winter when snow dusts the boughs of evergreen trees and shrubs with white you’re going to love this shrub.

Gentsch White Hemlock has what appears to be a delicate dusting of snow on its branches year round. No actual snow or freezing temperatures required!

A stunning dwarf member of the Hemlock family Gentsch White Hemlock would be a wonderful addition to most any part shade to shady garden. 

Because this plant tends to grow branches all the way to the ground it can be used as a feature shrub by itself in the garden.

The white tipped new growth sets this shrub apart from most everything else in the garden and really does look like snow covered branches or maybe branches dusted with powdered sugar which seems a little more understandable in summer.

The evergreen white foliage adds a unique light texture to the landscape. If grown in full sun the fresh whitish foliage takes on an unappealing burnt toast look……like it’s on its way out! 

This is a dwarf conifer but remember its close relatives are 50 to 80 foot tall forest trees! You can expect the plant to reach 8 feet or more high and wide if not sheared. 

If sheared in spring a new crop of branches covered with fresh creamy needles will soon appear and the plant will grow in a roundish shape to 4 - 5 feet high and wide by the time winter arrives.

Due to space limitations I want my shrub to stay around four feet. Each spring I shear my plant to about 1 ½ feet high and wide. It quickly grows back into an attractive snow sprinkled evergreen shrub that everyone asks about. It’s a real knockout in the garden!

(Botanical Name: Tsuga canadensis ‘Gentsch White’)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.


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Blood shortage during holidays

Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) is issuing an urgent appeal for people to donate blood in the days leading up to the holidays. Although donations normally dip during holiday periods, this year PSBC is already experiencing critical shortages for some blood types. 

“When schools are out and holiday activities are at their peak, the number of blood donors falls by at least 25 percent,” said David Leitch, director of donor and volunteer resources for PSBC. “With supplies already low for some blood types, the risk of a supply crisis looms over the holidays.”

PSBC is welcoming donors of all blood types between now and January 5 to maintain a strong supply for patients in need throughout the holiday season. Another reason the need is especially high this year: both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Thursdays, typically one of the highest collection days of the week. 

“The holiday season is a time of giving, and we are hoping that people – from frequent donors to first timers -- help us to meet the need,” Leitch said. “We’re asking people to schedule just one hour to save lives by donating blood between now and January 5.”

Information about locations and times can be found here. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made online or by phone by calling 1-800-398-7888.

The Bloodmobile will be in Richmond Beach on the Saturday after Christmas, December 27, from 10am to 4pm, at the corner of Richmond Beach Road and 20th Ave NW.


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Lake Forest Park early registration for recreation programs opens soon

Photo courtesy Shoreline Parks & Recreation

From 8:00am on Monday, January 5, 2015 through 8:00am on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, Lake Forest Park residents may register for the City of Shoreline’s Park and Recreation programs at a discounted rate.

This opportunity includes punch cards, passes, classes, course registrations, rentals and memberships and is a great chance for our residents to save money and enjoy the programs offered by the City of Shoreline.

To browse the digital winter guide, click here. Register here.


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SC Boys lose to Glacier Peak 54-50

The Shorecrest boys basketball team, playing its third game in four days, seemed a step slow and sluggish Friday night when they hosted undefeated Glacier Peak, and it was the visiting Grizzlies who emerged victorious, 54-50.

After an emotional win Thursday against Shorewood, the Scots trailed throughout the final three quarters. They pulled to within two, 48-46, with 3:30 to play, but came up short in the end.

Drew Magaoay for the Scots, and Brady Southard for the Grizzlies, were the game's leading scorers with 18 points apiece.


GP     14    14    11    15     54
SC     11    12    13    14     50


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Solstice Stroll this weekend

Solstice Stroll
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

2014 Solstice Stroll, December 20 - 21 (Saturday - Sunday), 4:30 - 8:30 pm, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th NW, Shoreline 

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden glow with light and unique art creations. Join them for refreshments and holiday carols.

Starting this year, they ask that everyone reserve an entry time to this free community event to ensure that neighborhood traffic and garden impacts are well-managed.

The process is simple: reserve a spot for you and your family using the simple online form. (Alternate link here).


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Haggens acquires Aurora Safeway and LFP Albertsons

Aurora Safeway
Photo courtesy Waymarking

Haggen's grocery chain of Bellingham, which closed a number of its struggling stores in July 2013 including the Haggen's Fresh in Shoreline and Top Foods in Edmonds, is now to be the owner of 146 additional stores nationwide, including the Aurora Safeway in Shoreline and the Lake Forest Park Albertsons.

Albertsons and Safeway announced a merger in March of this year which is expected to close in January 2015. To secure Federal Trade Commission approval for the merger, the new chain would need to divest itself of 168 stores nationwide. They have four buyers:
  • Associated Food Stores (AFS) will purchase eight stores in Montana and Wyoming;
  • Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG)/Minyards will purchase 12 stores in Texas;
  • SUPERVALU will purchase two stores in Washington; and
  • Haggen will purchase 146 stores across Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Subject to FTC approval, divested stores will continue to operate as competing grocery stores.

Under the terms of the purchase agreements, the buyers will acquire the stores, equipment and inventory.

After the close of the transaction in early 2015, Haggen will convert all of the acquired Albertsons and Safeway stores to the Haggen banner in phases during the first half of 2015. All Albertson's LLC and Safeway store employees will have the opportunity to become employees of Haggen as their individual stores are transitioned to the Haggen banner. Haggen plans to retain the current store management teams.

“We warmly welcome these new employees and stores into the Haggen family. The stores are well run and very successful, thanks to the dedicated store teams,” said John Clougher, Haggen CEO, Pacific Northwest. 
“We want to retain these existing teams while allowing our growing company to build on their past successes. We plan to adopt the best practices of our new stores to offer a superior shopping experience for our valued customers in all of our stores.” 

John Caple, chairman of the Haggen board of directors and partner at Comvest Partners, a private investment firm that owns the majority of shares of Haggen says “We will continue our focus on sourcing and investing locally even with this exciting expansion.”

“We committed to this acquisition because we knew we had the experience, talent and drive to get it done,” added Caple. “The strength of our management and store support teams, combined with the talent of the store teams at each of the new store locations, will enable Haggen to be a successful West Coast grocer.”


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Congregational Church choirs perform at Kruckeberg Solstice Stroll Sunday

Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Choirs from the Richmond Beach Congregational Church will perform at the Kruckeberg Solstice Stroll Sunday.

The church’s adult, youth and children’s choirs will sing from 6 to 8pm Sunday at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th NW, Shoreline.

The Solstice Stroll is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kruckeberg Garden.

Sponsors have asked all visitors to reserve entry times to the free event to help them manage neighborhood traffic and garden impacts.

Visitors can reserve spots at this online form.



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Combined school orchestras played at The Commons Friday

Friday, December 19, 2014

Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The combined orchestras of five elementary schools -- Briarcrest, Brookside, Highland Terrace, Parkwood and Ridgecrest -- performed in concert at Third Place Commons under the direction of teacher John Ames.



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Attorney General’s Office investigation leads to $90 million “cramming” payout from T-Mobile

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a $90 million nationwide agreement with T-Mobile, resolving allegations the company placed unauthorized third-party service charges on subscribers’ telephone bills.

Consumer victims of this practice, called “cramming,” are socked with charges, typically $9.99 per month, for “premium” text message services (PSMS) — such as horoscopes, trivia, and sports scores — that they have never requested or even heard of. 

“I will not tolerate deceptive billing practices,” Ferguson said. “My office will hold any company accountable that tries to hide unauthorized charges in the fine print of a consumer’s bill.”

Under the agreement, T-Mobile will pay at least $67.5 million in restitution to consumers around the country in the form of refunds or debt forgiveness.  Consumers must contact T-Mobile to request a refund.

According to T-Mobile’s records, an estimated 230,754 Washington customers may be eligible for restitution. 

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division worked with the attorneys general of all 49 other states and the District of Columbia as well as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to bring about today’s resolution.

T-Mobile is the second mobile telephone provider to enter into a nationwide settlement which Washington has helped to lead to resolve allegations regarding cramming. Attorney General Ferguson announced a similar, $105 million settlement with AT&T in October of this year. T-Mobile and AT&T were among the four major mobile carriers — in addition to Verizon and Sprint — that announced they would stop billing customers for commercial PSMS charges in the fall of 2013.

The agreement requires T-Mobile to stay out of the PSMS business, which law enforcement agencies believe represents the lion’s share of the cramming problem. 

Beginning now, eligible current or former T-Mobile customers should submit claims to the T-Mobile cramming refund program by visiting the refund website.

On that website, consumers can submit a claim, find information about refund eligibility and how to obtain a refund, and can request a free account summary that details PSMS purchases on their accounts. 

Consumers who have questions about the program can visit the program website or call the Refund Administrator at (855) 382-6403.


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Notice of meeting: Shoreline Fire Commissioners

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at department headquarters located at 17525 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, Washington 98133.

The purpose of the meeting is for the State auditor’s exit conference for audits conducted for the fiscal years 2012 and 2013.


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Shoreline pool temporary closure

The Shoreline Pool is experiencing some technical issues with its boiler. Because of this, the pool temperature is lower than normal and there is no hot water for showers. The air inside the building is also not being heated.

The pool remained open to the public until 3:00pm on Friday, Dec. 19. The pool will then be closed in order to make repairs and allow the water to heat up. All programs for Saturday, Dec. 20 are cancelled.

They anticipate being able to reopen on Sunday, Dec. 21. Call the pool at 206-801-2650 to confirm that regular programming has resumed before attending that day.


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Insurance Commissioner fines LifeWise health insurer $50,000

From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

LifeWise Health Plan of Washington has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine for overcharging 5,700 consumers $6 to $38 per month for the first six months of 2014. 

The health plans were WiseEssentials 25 and WiseSavings 20, which are catastrophic plans that trade a high deductible for a lower monthly premium.

They are usually purchased by young, healthy people who want coverage in case of an injury, accident or serious illness. Each year, health insurers are required to file with the OIC their health plans--called "forms" in insurance vernacular--and the rates they will charge for each plan.

The OIC then reviews and ultimately approves the plans and rates, working with the insurers when they need to. 

In this case, the 2014 rates that LifeWise filed for those catastrophic plans had decreased slightly, depending on the enrollee’s age, because the deductible increased. From January through June 2014, LifeWise charged those consumers rates that were based on the 2013 plans, which had higher deductibles.

As part of the agreement, called a consent order, LifeWise will repay the affected consumers the amounts they overpaid plus 8 percent annual interest. View the consent order here



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Reindel takes reins of SCC softball

Ben Reindel, Softball Head Coach, SCC
The Shoreline Community College Women’s Softball team has new leadership with the appointment of Ben Reindel to fill the duties of head coach.

Reindel has coached high school and club baseball and softball over the past nine years and served as Shoreline’s assistant coach for the past year. Six of those seasons have been as a head coach.

Reindel played baseball at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien. He received all-league honors and led the Seamount League in home runs his senior season at Kennedy.

“Ben excels in game planning and managing as well as instructing hitters,” said Athletic Director Steve Eskridge. “He is enthusiastic about for teaching the game and excited to recruit and help bring student athletes to Shoreline.”

Reindel is taking over the position from Bryan Johnson. “We wish Bryan the best and thank him for his time at Shoreline,” Eskridge said.


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Lake Forest Park Police discontinue use of body cameras

By Police Chief Steve Sutton

With the recent events involving police use of force occurring around the country, I wanted to provide the Lake Forest Park Community with an update on the use of body cameras here by your police force.

The Lake Forest Park PD has been using the body worn cameras off and on for several years. Prior to my coming on as chief, they had actually stopped using them completely.

The reason is multifaceted: Aging technology, time to upload video, digital storage, perceived change in working environment with Police Guild Members (right to bargain), unclear policy, etc. Once I arrived, I met with the Guild to develop policy language that would facilitate the use of the cameras once again.  

Recently, I gained support from the Mayor’s office to purchase new equipment and cloud storage technology that would enable the best possible product and would be very efficient with my officers time.

Instead of purchasing the new equipment however, I have actually just ordered our officers to stop using the cameras. There are many issues that have popped up recently regarding 4th Amendment rights of our citizens and unanswered questions regarding large public disclosure requests that would bury an agency our size. 

Without question, I believe that body-worn cameras offer a number of positive benefits, including:
  • Resolving criminal cases faster;
  • Resolving complaints against an officer faster (overwhelmingly justifying the actions of the officer);
  • Improving the behavior of officers wearing body cams;
  • Improving the behavior of the public (so long as they know they’re being recorded); and
  • Improving public trust in law enforcement. 

While body cameras offer a number of benefits, the existing state of our public records law hurts law enforcement agencies that seek to implement this technology.

Legislation is needed to strike an appropriate balance between transparency and accountability without enabling voyeurism and commercial exploitation.

During this next legislative session in Olympia, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police will be working a Bill that will address the current issues. Until the time in which I believe our City can support a law that is appropriate, the body worn cameras will not be used again here in Lake Forest Park. However we are looking forward to a time in which they are used again.  

Here are a couple of recent news stories that are applicable: 

Thank you all for your overwhelming support of the Lake Forest Park Police Department 


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Aurora Corridor construction update

Open for business: Starbucks Drive-thru
20121 Aurora Ave N
Photo by Carl Dinse


Aurora construction 192nd to 205th

December 22 – 24: Construction of new curbs, gutters, and sidewalks will continue along Aurora between N 200th Street and N 205th Street. Some concrete driveways will be constructed on N 198th, N 199th, N 200th, and north. Retaining wall work will continue on Firlands Way N and N 195th Street. During this time, the southbound direction of Aurora and the affected side streets may be restricted to one lane during the daytime non-commute hours to perform any of the work above, weather permitting.

There will be no work from December 24 at noon through January 4, 2015. Work will resume on January 5, 2015.

The City of Shoreline appreciates your patience during this first phase of construction and wishes you a safe holiday season.

The merchants on Aurora appreciate your continued business during this difficult time.


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