New Silver Alerts coming to electronic highway signs

Friday, August 21, 2015

Designation for older missing persons

Help is on the way for families searching for missing senior members. Starting Thursday, August 27, motorists may see a new alert message on Washington’s electronic highway signs.

The new Silver Alert messages will be for endangered missing people who are 60 years or older. Previously, those messages were handled as Endangered Missing Person alerts, which are for anyone who could be in danger due to age, health or mental or physical disability. The Endangered Missing Person alerts will continue for people younger than 60.

Once verified by the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Department of Transportation will display Silver Alerts on electronic variable message signs on highways and may also include the information on highway advisory radio messages and the 511 system. WSDOT will only display the messages when there is vehicle information included.

The intent of highway messages is to alert motorists to be on the lookout for the vehicle during their journey. Drivers who see the vehicle described should notify law enforcement by calling 911 – first assuring they can safely make the call.

The alerts vary depending on sign size but will generally include:

  • SILVER ALERT/ Call 911 If Seen (the top line will alternate)
  • vehicle make, model and color
  • license plate number and state

The Silver Alerts join the AMBER Alerts (for abducted children) and Blue Alerts (for suspects in attacks on law enforcement officers). Silver Alerts will not result in cell phone alarms. The new alert was created by the Legislature during the past session to aid in the search for missing senior citizens, including those with dementia.

Silver Alert messages will initially be displayed regionally but can be expanded statewide depending on the individual situation.



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Shoreline parks reduce water use

From the City of Shoreline

In light of Seattle Public Utilities’ move to the second stage of their water shortage response plan, which is a voluntary reduction, the City of Shoreline has reduced the amount of time its irrigation systems operate in certain parks and facilities. On August 13, reductions of 9% to 15% began in Hamlin, Paramount School, Town Center, Cromwell, Twin Ponds, Boeing Creek, and Richmond Beach Parks, City Hall, and the Richmond Highlands Recreation Center and Park.

On September 1, Parks will review the water needs at each park and facility with the intent of reducing irrigation use by approximately an additional 10%. On September 15, the City will turn off all irrigation systems. For safety reasons, it is possible that we will need to temporarily turn irrigation back on at some of our athletic fields.

Additional browning of turf areas in our parks may occur as a result of the reduced irrigation. Parks staff will develop a system for more area-specific water reductions should the need arise again next year.

This year’s historically hot and dry conditions are impacting Washington State’s stream flows. Precipitation in the state has only been half of normal to date and more than 80 percent of Washington’s rivers and streams are running at below normal or record low flows.

In order to manage water supplies, Tacoma, Seattle, and Everett have moved to the second stage of their water shortage response plans – voluntary reduction. Under voluntary reduction, customers are asked to help by reducing their water use by 10 percent.




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Wild creatures among us - raccoons up a tree

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Text and photos by Wayne Pridemore


A raccoon mother and her two babies were chased up a tree by Sunni, the Ricards' dog.
The raccoon mom was very unhappy about the situation. 


The twins were not taking any chances as they climbed into the higher branches.


The youngsters watched and listened to their mother's chatter.


When Debra Ricard came home from the library she called Sunni into the house and momma raccoon called her babies down from the heights. 


After checking the traffic on 21st NW, Mom gave the signal...


...and the family was outta there!



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Final, certified primary-election results

By Evan Smith

Here are final results of the Aug. 4 primary election as certified Tuesday, Aug. 18, by the King County canvasing board:

(* Qualifies for Nov. 3 general-election ballot)

King County Elections Director

* Julie Wise, 168,996 votes, 63.03%; * Zack Hudgins, 57,681 votes, 21.51%; Christopher Roberts, 40,665 votes, 15.17%; Write-in, 792 votes, 0.30%; Voter turnout, 24.46%.

City of Shoreline

Council Pos. 6

*Jesse Salomon (i) 5,880 votes, 64.23%; *Lorn Richey, 2,403 votes, 26.25%; Michael Bachety, 820 votes, 8.96% Write-In, 51 votes, 0.56%; turnout, 28.09%. 

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.



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Gently used children's clothing needed for Back to School Event

If you are cleaning out your children's school age clothes in preparation for the new school year, please consider donating your gently used clothes to The Works for The Back to School Event that takes place on Saturday, August 29th and for their ongoing clothing room for the school year.

We love to offer those gently used and clean clothes to our kids in the community during the school year.

PTA volunteers will be available next Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27, for clothing drop off between 6:00-9:00pm at The Works portable at North City Elementary. 816 NE 190th St., Shoreline, 1st portable on the southwest side of the school building.

They clothe children in primarily K-12 grades. Right now they are low on boys and girls shirts size 5 though size 14.

If those dates and times are difficult for you, contact Lori206-601-7895, to work out a better time for you.


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Flowers at the Shoreline Market

Lee Yang at his family's flower and vegetable booth
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Vegetables and ready to eat food are not the only things at the Shoreline Farmers Market.

Flower stalls with locally grown and freshly picked flowers are available and bouquets are ready for your Saturday night event.

Lee Yang poses with a bouquet from his family's flower and vegetable stand.

Shoreline Farmers Market
10am to 3pm, Saturday
Aurora Square in the Sears parking lot
N 155th and Aurora




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Saturday night at the (outdoor) movie


Free fun on Saturday evening at the Ballinger and Meridian Park sponsored Outdoor Movie Night, featuring the movie The Wizard of Oz.

Aldercrest Annex, 2545 NE 200th St in Shoreline.

7pm kids activities, including The Bubbleman, the Shorewood Robotics Club, Marymoor Robotics Club, and a snack bar. 

8pm raffle and 8:30pm the movie begins.

Bring blankets and lawn chairs.



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LFP residents - register now for Emergency Preparedness Workshop Oct 10


Neighborhood Watch groups and other interested Lake Forest Park citizens are invited to attend an Emergency Preparedness workshop at the Northshore Fire station on Saturday, October 10.

Emergency Preparedness Workshop

Saturday October 10th from 9am-1pm at the Northshore Fire Station, Kenmore
Building Emergency Kits, Generator Operation and Safety, Fire Extinguisher Use, and more.

To register, contact Vickie Fountaine 425-776-3722.

If anyone would like more information or would like to volunteer in the future, contact Lake Forest Park Police Chief Steve Sutton, 206-957-2850.



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City of Shoreline and the Critical Areas Ordinance

Keith Scully, Chairman of the  Planning Commission
questions the City Staff on an item in the proposed change
 to the Critical Areas Ordinance, photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Text and photos by Marc Weinberg

Thursday night, August 20th, the Shoreline Planning Commission held a meeting to hear City Staff recommendations for revision of the Critical Areas Ordinance which impacts development and management of construction and alterations to existing structures as well as plantings and removal of trees in the impacted areas, etc.

Jack Malek of the Planning Commission
listened to a comment from the audience
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg.jpg

This meeting was open to the public, but was not designed specifically for public comment, although two citizens were given time to make brief comments.

The meeting specifically for public comment will be held on September 17 at City Hall.




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City Hall Garage upper level closed Aug 24 to Sept 11



From August 24 to September 11, 2015, the upper level parking garage at Shoreline City Hall will be closed so contractors can apply a new coat of sealant.

No one will be able to park on the upper level during this time. Staff and visitors will be able to continue parking on the lower level of the parking garage as well as across Midvale at Walgreens in the spaces assigned to the City and in the parking lot across 175th St from City Hall.

What you need to know about the City Hall temporary parking
  • If space is unavailable in the lower parking garage, visitors can park in City designated spaces at Walgreens or across 175th in the Temporary Parking location.
  • You can only access the City Hall Temporary Parking Lot across 175th from the N 175th entrance across the street from the Grease Monkey building. Do NOT try to enter from Midvale Ave N as Midvale is the Trader Joe’s construction entrance.
  • Be careful when walking through the Temporary Parking lot, as there are small trenches that are coned off. Also, the lights have been disconnected. If you are staying after dusk, you may want to move your care to the City Hall Garage lower level before nightfall.
  • Please use the crosswalk at N 175th and Midvale Ave N.
  • If you have any questions please call the City of Shoreline at 206-801-2700.



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Food trucks in Kenmore Monday and Wednesday

A metal pig on wheels
Maximum/Minimus food truck

Kenmore will host food trucks on Monday for lunch and Wednesday for dinner at their City Hall next week.

On Monday, local Kenmore food truck Bread and Butter will be serving up lunch in the form of gourmet grilled cheese.

On Wednesday evening, Maximus/Minimus and Sweet Wheels will be out for a summer food truck finale! Maximus/Minimus will dish up its famous BBQ sandwiches from a metal pig on wheels while Sweet Wheels sells its delicious home-made ice cream sandwiches. The event will include kids’ activities and music.

Parking is very limited on Monday’s lunch event. For the Wednesday event, parking is available on the north end of City Hall and in the parking garage (Enter from the north driveway to City Hall, along NE 182nd Street). 

Kenmore City Hall, south driveway
  • Monday Lunch:  August 24th, 11am to 2pm
  • Wednesday Finale: August 26th, 5:30 to 8:00pm (or until folks stop ordering food!)



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Photos: Edmonds fishing dock

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Wayne Pridemore spent a recent evening on the fishing dock on the Edmonds waterfront, taking photos in the twilight.



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Skagit Hydroelectric Project shut down as fire approaches

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Diablo Dam from SR 20
© Steven Pavlov / http://lovingwa.blogspot.com/ / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Seattle City Light started evacuating employees Wednesday from the town of Diablo and helped evacuate visitors at the North Cascades Institute’s Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake and at the Ross Lake Resort as the Goodell Creek Fire approached facilities at the utility’s Skagit Hydroelectric Project.

The fire was burning on the north side of Highway 20 in Newhalem across from City Light’s Skagit administration building and east of the Gorge Powerhouse. Prevailing winds were pushing the fire east toward Diablo.

Highway 20 between the utility-owned towns of Newhalem and Diablo was shut down by a fallen tree and numerous rocks loosened by the fire.

No injuries have been reported. All City Light employees and their families are accounted for. Two employees did leave Newhalem earlier in the day after complaining of respiratory difficulties from the smoke.

City Light was operating its three dams remotely, but the fire forced the utility to shut down the transmission lines that carry electricity from the hydroelectric project. Spillgates at all three dams were being opened to maintain river flows to protect fish. The inability to deliver electricity could cost the utility about $100,000 per day.

Six City Light firefighters with two fire engines were working to protect people and property from the blaze. One crew was working with the National Park Service. The other was defending the Gorge Powerhouse.

Skagit Tours scheduled for Thursday through Sunday have been canceled.

 Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to about 750,000 Seattle area residents.



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Make Someone Happy… Marc Weinberg delivers a car full of clothes to Tent City

Tent camps are often a family affair
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Text and photos, Marc Weinberg

Today these words resounded in my head, “make someone happy, make just one someone happy.” 

Perhaps some readers remember the lyrics of the 1960 musical. I kept repeating that to myself as I delivered an absolutely jam packed carload of clothing to the two Shoreline tent camps now in residence here.

Bright eyes and a warm welcome says it all
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Tent City 3 is at St. Dunstan’s on 145th between Greenwood and Aurora and Camp United We Stand is at the Bethel Lutheran Church just east of the King County Library on 175th Street (east of I-5).

I regularly gather donations that haven't sold from garage sales and estate sales and deliver them to the camps. I started doing this in 2008 and yes, it’s a bit of an obsession with me to continue ... how could I not?

His happy face reflects his gratitude
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

It feels a little like Christmas whenever I make a delivery and see the smiles and the happy faces.

At Tent City 3 I was surprised to discover that there are currently 11 children living there with at least one parent and often both. If you are not otherwise moved to consider what you might contribute, think of the families and of course the children.

You will sleep well tonight knowing “you made just one someone happy!”



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Puget Sound Dahlia Association's annual show Aug 30

Photo courtesy Puget Sound Dahlia Association


Puget Sound Dahlia Association's annual show will be at Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Avenue N on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday August 30 (during store hours. Sunday until 4 pm)
FREE

The nation's most impressive dahlia exhibition presents thousands of perfect blooms in an exceptional setting. Sky Nursery makes available its large greenhouse with natural lighting for the 2-day show. 

Saturday afternoon there will be a workshop on cultivating dahlias. Get more information and sign up for membership in the leading dahlia organization at the club info booth. For details call 425-271-6668 or visit Puget Sound Dahlias.



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Artists demonstrate painting on Edmonds Waterfront Sunday

Witness the magic when artists demonstrate what they do best this Sunday while the Sea Jazz plays!  Enjoy the sparkling Edmonds waterfront to great music and watch the art happen!

August 23, 1-3pm
  • Darlene Lucas paints with watercolors, salt, sand, graphite and acrylics
  • Lonni Flowers will be painting with water colors and/or acrylics
  • Janis Graves will paint native NW birds in oils

Artists in Action demonstrations are on the Port of Edmonds Marina Plaza located on the waterfront side of Anthony's restaurant in Edmonds next to the Weather Center, 456 Admiral Way, Edmonds (#4 on map), Free map

FREE PARKING (see map) is available in the Edmonds Marina parking lots next door and across the street. Accessible parking is located in front of the Marina office, right next to the Port Plaza.


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Photo: Fall is arriving early

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Four beautiful thoughts of life:
Look back and get experience!
Look Forward and see hope!
Look around the find reality!
Look within and find your self! Enjoy another hot day in Seattle! 

Photo and thoughts from Lee Lageschulte



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Dramatic police chase down I-5 through Shoreline

One man is in custody and another remains at large after a home invasion style robbery took place early Wednesday morning in Everett, followed by a pursuit through Shoreline.

A call came in to Everett 911 dispatch around 2:30am, with the caller reporting that two men with pistols and bandanas covering their faces were robbing a residence at the 8700 block of Gothic Way. 

Witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle. A K9 deputy in the area located the vehicle and followed it to I-5.

A pursuit southbound on I-5 ensued. Assistance was provided by Mountlake Terrace Police by deploying a “spike strip”, puncturing one of the suspect vehicle’s tires and causing it to slow down. 

The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle exited I-5 at the 145th NE St exit and crashed through a fence and came to rest at the NW corner of the Jackson Golf Course in Seattle on the Shoreline border.

The two suspects fled the vehicle on foot and the deputy and K9 immediately tracked and captured one of the suspects, a 31 year-old male who was booked in the Snohomish County jail for 1st degree burglary and 1st degree robbery. The suspect vehicle has been impounded for evidence.

The search for the second suspect was suspended around 5:30am. The suspects were not known nor were recognizable to the victims.

Everett Police confirmed with the burglary victims that the suspects stole an AR15 assault rifle.

The incident remains under investigation.



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Introductory statements from LFP Council Candidates Hammond and Kassover

By Evan Smith

Lake Forest Park City Council candidates David Hammond and Phillippa Kassover are running for the position that Jeff Johnson is giving up to run for mayor.

Hammond and Kassover recently sent statements introducing themselves to voters. Here are their statements:


City of Lake Forest Park Council Position No. 4


David Hammond

David Hammond

I love living in Lake Forest Park; it is a great place to raise a family. Now I want to help secure the future for my children and future generations.

Public service isn’t about political ideology. It’s about transparency and open communication and setting our focus on the city’s top priorities: strong public-safety programs, long-term financial sustainability, solving upcoming transportation challenges, and preserving our community’s environment by making all zoning decisions transparently, and based on each neighborhood’s self-determination.

My public service experience and professional qualifications prove I’m capable of doing exactly that. My years of volunteering in youth sports demonstrate that I follow through on commitments. For five years I’ve put in long hours as a Lake Forest Park Water District Commissioner, proving that I can be entrusted with monitoring and directing city government.

Let’s look beyond politics and towards the future. Please visit ElectDavidHammond to learn more.


Phillippa Kassover


Phillippa Kassover
Phone 206-245-8217

Lake Forest Park needs a councilmember who understands the community's priorities and is experienced at working openly with residents, staff and elected colleagues. That is why I am running for Lake Forest Park City Council.

Now retired from UW, I spent 40 years serving as a journalist, fundraiser, communicator and administrator. My service has given me broad experience in leading organizations and developing sustainable budgets. I also have decades of experience in how government works, what a difference good policy and transparent government can make for communities and how to bring people together to find solutions.

Like many of you, I chose LFP for the natural beauty and environment we treasure including our trees, natural water sources and wildlife corridors.

I believe that:
  • We must work to keep LFP a wonderful, thriving place that is safe and welcoming for all residents and local businesses, while also protecting the environment;
  • We must improve transportation options for getting around LFP and bus connections with the rest of the region without increasing cut-through traffic; and
  • We must balance the spending priorities of our community while responsibly funding city budgets.

I have been endorsed by Senator Frockt, Representatives Farrell and Pollet, National Women’s’ Political Caucus, KC Councilmember Dembowski, and LFP Councilmembers French, Phillips, Resha, Stanford and Thompson, the Cascade Bicycle Club, KC and 46th District Democrats and many Lake Forest Park residents.

I encourage you to learn more at PhillippaForLFP. I hope I can count on your Vote!



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State and Shoreline School District SBA Results

By Marianne Deal Stephens

On Monday, August 18, 2015, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released the 2014-15 standardized test results. At a press conference, State Superintendent Randy Dorn said that he is pleased with the overall results, but he does not think that the 11th grade Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) should be a graduation requirement.

The Smarter Balanced Assessments, which are aligned with the new Common Core State Standards, are regarded as more difficult than the either the Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) or the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE), which preceded the SBA as the state required public school testing.

Overall, Washington student results were a bit higher than anticipated. The Washington State Report Card provides the following summary:

(Note: click on any chart to enlarge it)

Washington State SBA Results 2014-15
Source OSPI

The State Report Card allows users to view by School District. In general, Shoreline School District results are 10-20 percentage points higher than State results:

Shoreline School District SBA Results 2014-15
Source: OSPI

The new SBA has both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math portions. State to District comparisons can be seen by subject in the State Report Card bar graphs:

Washington State ELA
Source: OSPI
Shoreline ELA
Source: OSPI

Washington State Math
Source: OSPI
Shoreline SBA Math
Source: OSPI

In both State and District results, 11th Grade percentages are well below that of other grades. The Report Card shows the following detail for 11th Grade SBA numbers:

Washington State 11th Grade results
Source: OSPI

Shoreline 11th Grade results
Source: OSPI

A large number of high school juniors refused to take the SBA in the spring or simply did not show up on test days. Statewide, 49.3% of the 11th grade earned “No Score” on the ELA SBA, and 52.9% earned No Score on the Math SBA. In Shoreline, 39.1% of juniors earned No Score on the ELA SBA, and 43.6% earned No Score on the Math SBA. Of the students who did take the exams statewide, 51.5% met standard on the ELA SBA, and 29.1% met standard on the Math SBA. Of the Shoreline 11th graders who took the exams, 62.5% met ELA SBA standard, and 47.8% met Math SBA standard. 

Last week during a Media Roundtable on the SBA score release, a group of state officials, ReadyWA participants, and educators from several Washington school districts emphasized that the Smarter Balanced Assessments are different and more difficult than the previous standardized tests, and so should not be compared to previous student results on the MSP, HSPE, or the WASL. This year’s results establish a new baseline. Results should improve over the years as instruction aligned to the new standards continues. The overriding message during the presentation was that students are not doing worse; we are expecting more since the new standards are designed to help students become career and college ready rather than to simply test basic skills.

When Superintendent Dorn mentioned that the scores are better than expected, he was referring to a 2014 multi-state Smarter Balanced Field Test. Here are the comparisons of Washington State 2015 student scores to the Field Test, which was not broken down by state. 

Washington State ELA field test
Source: OSPI
Washington State Math field test
Source: OSPI

Currently, the SBA is required for the Class of 2017 to graduate. Reportedly, this class performed well on the ELA SBA, with 74% meeting the career and college-ready standard (detailed results are not available). Students who met ELA standard as 10th graders will not have to retake the ELA SBA as 11th graders.

Superintendent Dorn would prefer that the SBA not be a graduation requirement, and will push for legislation to change the current testing requirements. Dorn explained that “Smarter Balanced tests were designed to be an evaluation tool, not a graduation requirement. We still need legislation to focus the use of the 11th grade tests on proper class placement in 12th grade, rather than as a graduation hurdle.” For more of Dorn’s comments, see the OSPI press release

Details and comments from the Shoreline School District will be released soon. 

Links



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"Green World Rising" at Sno-King Meaningful Movies, Sept. 12



In Green World Rising, Leonardo DiCaprio and Thom Hartmann explore climate change doom, hope, and restoration in a connected series of four short films. 

Meaningful Movies, Saturday, September 12, 2015, 7:00pm at Edmonds UU Church, 8109 224th St SW, Edmonds, WA 98026

Free admission (donations welcomed)

Discussion following the film with Laurel Wolf of Carbon Washington, sponsor of I-732 (the Carbon Tax Initiative).

 And Coming on October 3:
"Princess Angeline," a locally produced film about the life of Chief Seattle's daughter, with a follow-up discussion about the Duwamish Tribe's on-going struggle for Federal recognition with our own Edie Loyer Nelson, a member of SUUC and of the Duwamish Tribe!

Sno-King Meaningful Movies are presented bi-monthly at the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, by a partnership of the Shoreline UU Church's Social Action Ministry, the Edmonds UU Church Peace and Justice Committee, and the Snohomish County Peace Action Committee.



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Echo Lake NOT closed - Hidden Lake is

Hidden Lake

From the City of Shoreline

Echo Lake is NOT closed 
We apologize for the confusion. Yesterday's closure notice was sent in error. Hidden Lake, located near Shoreview Park, is closed due to elevated levels of bacteria, NOT Echo Lake. Again, our apologies for the error.

If you have questions about water quality, contact Surface Water Quality Specialist Melissa Ivancevich at 206-801-2453.




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Photo: Moonrise

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Photo by Frank Kleyn

A sliver of a moon shows high in the sky over the Olympic Mountains. This photo was taken last month from Richmond Beach by Frank Kleyn.



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Briarcrest Picnic this Saturday


The picnic for the Briarcrest neighborhood is this Saturday, August 22, starting at 2pm at the Hamlin Park picnic shelter, 16006 15th Avenue NE.



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean has kept all the love letters she's ever written. Whenever she's trying to fall out of love with a boy, she's always written him a letter, put it into an envelope and addressed it, but not mailed the letter. It's a great system, until one day her little sister mails them all.  

(Oops.)

Now all the boys Lara Jean has loved are coming to find out more about the girl who wrote those letters. Including her older sister's ex-boyfriend.

(Very big oops.)

Sweet and funny, this story is bigger on the inside. The relationship between the sisters is complex and believable. The coming-and-going of boys is realistically confusing for Lara Jean, who has never had a boyfriend -- or a date -- before. The rumor mill surrounding the school ski trip is absolutely ripped-from-the-halls-of-your-high-school.

And the ending ... just stops. 

Ahhhh, because book #2 in the series (it's a series??) is set for publication in April 2015. I guess we'll just have to wait for the next review to find out what happens next.

Rating:
Recommended for readers ages 14 and up. 
Cussing, gay friends, grieving, guys, humor, kissing, multi-ethnic, parents, sexual situations, yearning


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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Leonardo da Vinci: The Ultimate Creative Mind

Leonardo da Vinci is an example of the perfect combination of creative and scientific thinker. His work ranged over many fields such as art, architecture, design, botany and zoology. Through an intriguing array of drawings and designs, this program presented by Tamara Moats explores the way Leonardo's mind worked and how he was a visionary who anticipated the future.

Saturday, August 22, 2-3pm, Lake Forest Park Library meeting room, lower level Town Center, intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way.



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Weekend closure ahead for SR 99 in Seattle

Drivers in for a smoother ride when road reopens Monday

SEATTLE – A brand new stretch of State Route 99/Aurora Avenue North in Seattle is just one weekend away from completion. 

Starting Friday night, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close SR 99/Aurora Avenue North between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street. This closure will give contractor crews the space they need to shift traffic onto roughly 750 feet of new roadway in time for Monday morning’s commute. 

“This traffic shift is an important step forward as we work to build the future roads to and from the new SR 99 tunnel,” said David Sowers, deputy administrator of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. “Drivers will also have a smoother ride when they commute on Aurora come Monday morning.”

The new roadway is actually a bridge. Once the traffic shift is complete, Atkinson Construction crews will work underneath the bridge to complete construction on the northbound ramps and roadways that will connect to the SR 99 tunnel. Learn more about why this traffic shift plays a pivotal role for drivers in the future by watching this video. 

Drivers should plan and prepare for additional congestion on nearby streets during this time by using WSDOT’s travel tools or SDOT’s traveler’s information web page

Closure details:
  • Both directions of SR 99 between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street will close from Friday night, Aug. 21, to Monday morning, Aug. 24. 
  • Southbound lanes close at 10 p.m. 
  • Northbound lanes close two hours after the Mariners game, to help fans get home from the game. 
  • All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, in time for the morning commute
Additional work on the Aurora Bridge:
  • On Saturday, Aug. 22, WSDOT bridge crews will close up to two right lanes of northbound SR 99 across the Aurora Bridge for maintenance work from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • On Sunday, Aug. 23, WSDOT Bridge crews will close two southbound lanes of the Aurora Bridge from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. to continue maintenance work on the other side of the bridge.
Changes to Harrison Street at SR 99 starting Aug. 24 
  • Drivers will no longer be able to enter northbound SR 99 via westbound Harrison Street after SR 99 reopens Monday, Aug. 24. This closure is for additional construction in the area. Access to northbound SR 99 from Thomas and John streets will remain open. 
  • Northbound drivers on SR 99 will be able to exit at Harrison Street as they do today.


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LFP Residents: sign up for Shoreline Fall Recreation Program August 26

Do you live in Lake Forest Park and are you interested in signing up for recreation programs early and at a discounted rate?

The next 24-hour period for Lake Forest Park residents to register as a Shoreline “resident” status to receive recreation discounts will be on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 starting at 8:00am through Thursday, August 27, 2015 ending at 8:00am.

The Fall 2015 recreation guide is available on the City of Shoreline’s recreation website and through this link.

If you are new to Shoreline Recreation Programs and plan to register and pay online, you have to create a passcode and PIN ahead of time. It takes a few days, so be sure to set up your account BEFORE Lake Forest Park discounted registration beginning on August 26, 2015 at 8:00am.

On August 27, 2015 at 8:01am, Lake Forest Park residents will be required to pay non-resident rates for all services (punch cards, passes, classes, course registrations, rentals) until the next registration cycle. No exceptions will be made.

You have the option to register online, in person or by phone.

Sign up for reminders/notifications on the City of Lake Forest Park website by going to “Notify Me” (scroll down to select “News Flash” “Lake Forest Park Updates”).

Frequently Asked Question: Do I have to register early during this 24-hour period?

Answer: Only if you wish to receive discounted “resident” rates on registrations and have the opportunity to register “early.” Otherwise, you will pay non-resident fees. Note that in the recreation guide, each course will list the rate for a “resident” vs a “non-resident.”



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Three water districts serving Lake Forest Park ask customers for voluntary conservation

Lake Forest Park is served by four water districts. Three of them - Northshore Utility District, North City Water District, and SPU - get their water from Seattle, which has called for voluntary conservation.

The Lake Forest Park Water District gets its water from an underground aquifer. Here is their statement on the current situation:
While Lake Forest Park Water District always promotes water conservation, and is part of the WA State Department of Health Water Use Efficiency Program like all water districts in the State, we currently DO NOT have a shortage of our water supply and no voluntary or mandatory water restrictions are in place for Lake Forest Park Water District customers at this time.

Outdoor water use makes up the largest portion of additional summer water use.  With the first stage of Seattle's Water Shortage Contingency Plan in effect, we are advising all customers to be especially careful about water use.  Below are some key ways you can be as efficient as possible with your landscape water needs.


1.  "Smart Watering" for plants means:
  • Water in the am rather than the pm to limit evaporation
  • Watering deeply but less frequently
  • Watering directly at the roots rather than all over - soaker hoses help
  • Watering according to plant/soil needs.  Check out "How Often and How Much to Water" at savingwater.org
2.  Add compost or mulch to plant soil to hold moisture and prevent evaporation.

3.  If using an automatic irrigation system:
  • Have a professional check and adjust it annually - watch for leaks!
  • Install a rain shut-off device - ask an irrigation expert where to find one
  • Adjust watering controls with the seasons - i.e., September needs less water than August
4.  If planting, consider native plants and plants specially designed for YOUR unique landscape conditions.  Maintenance needs are lower when tailor-scaped to your soil and climate. This "Right Plant Right Place" guide can help.

Find more resources for water-efficient landscaping here.



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In The Garden Now…..Echinacea ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’

‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’ Purple Cone Flower

Text and Photo by Victoria Gilleland

Many people take Echinacea as an herbal supplement. But did you know that Echinacea commonly called ‘Purple Cone Flower’ is a beautiful flowering perennial that produces large daisy-like flowers all summer? 

One of my favorite varieties is ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’ Coneflower. This perennial produces dozens of brilliantly colored rose-purple flowers with orange center cones. There are additional varieties in the ‘Pow Wow’ series but I’ve noticed that those with pink or purplish flowers do better and are more reliable as returning perennials than those with more other colors. Flowers attract bees and butterflies in summer. Let flowers go to seed at the end of summer for fall and winter food for our feathered friends. 

‘Wild Berry’ starts blooming early in the season and produces dozens of flowers throughout summer. It typically reaches 2 to 3 feet high and 1 to 1 ½ feet wide. Over time it will produce a larger clump.

In my shady LFP garden lots of flowers are produced in early summer with fewer later when the sun is blocked by tall evergreen trees. The blossoms are very showy and make good cut flowers fresh or dried. If you have limited flower bed space plant this purple cone flower in a large garden pot. It’s hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add a fabulous splash of vivid color to any sunny garden with ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry Coneflower!” 

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea ‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’

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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Shoreline wallet theft leads to shots fired on Edmonds Way

Getaway car is maroon, four-door
Gunman is on street, firing shots

According to a report in My Edmonds News, Edmonds police said that a wallet theft in Shoreline led to at least four shots being fired in the 24000 block of Edmonds Way early Saturday, August 15.

A YouTube video of the incident was released by police and can be seen here.

According to police spokesman Sgt. Shane Hawley, officers were called around 3am Saturday to the scene, where shell casings were found.

The incident started when a Shoreline man reported that two unknown women stole his wallet, Hawley said. He followed them after they ran off and watched them jump into a four-door, maroon-colored car.

That car was driven by a black male of an unknown age, who yelled at the victim, “I have a gun.” The victim hailed a ride and followed the suspects to Edmonds, where the gunman stopped his car, got out and ran toward the victim's car, firing bullets in the air.

No one was hurt during the encounter, Hawley said.

The women were described as a white female, 5-5 and about 120 pounds, and a black female, 5-10 and about 160 pounds. The black female was thought to be in her 20s and had a nose ring.

The suspect fled the scene in the maroon car. This case is still under active investigation by Edmonds police and anyone with information is asked to call the Edmonds Police Department at 425-771-0200.



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Hands-On Art in the park at SummerSet Arts Festival

Monday, August 17, 2015

SummerSet plant pots
Photo by Vicki Westberg

On September 12, from 12pm-5pm at Ronald Bog Park at N 175th between Meridian and I-5, SummerSet Arts Festival will offer art-making and a sculpture stroll for all ages.

Some of the free hands-on art stations to be offered include: weaving with natural materials with Elsa Bouman, the “Loom Lady”, clay sculpture, Peace Pinwheels, watercolor flowers, and a special project from Diggin' Shoreline – whose Faerie Gardens were such a big hit at the 2014 festival. As always the Art Shelter by the Lake will offer a lively variety of projects!


Make Nature Crowns at SummerSet

SummerSet Arts Festival is presented by Meridian Park Neighborhood Association and funded through the City of Shoreline Neighborhood MiniGrant Program along with other generous local and county partners. SummerSet is powered by Shunpike.

To volunteer or for more info, contact Cynthia Knox at meridianparkna@gmail.com or call 206-218-3302.



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