David Auburn’s award winning play, Proof, starts the year at Edmonds Driftwood Players

Saturday, December 26, 2015


Edmonds Driftwood Players’ next production in their Theatre of Intriguing Possibilities series is Proof by David Auburn, directed by Rick Wright, at the Wade James Theatre January 14-24, 2016.

A Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, Proof focuses on Catherine, a troubled young woman, who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions surrounding the arrival of her estranged sister, and the attentions of her father’s former student who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. 
Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father's madness -- or genius -- did she inherit?

According to director Rick Wright, the underlying theme of the play is “trust ... or the lack thereof.” From the original performances on Broadway, the NY Observer wrote about the play, "Proof surprises us with its aliveness…Mr. Auburn takes pleasure in knowledge … At the same time, he is unshowily fresh and humane, and he has written a lovely play."

The cast of Edmonds Driftwood Players’ Proof is Justine Scott, Jordan Fermstad, Jen Makenas and Eric Bischoff. All incredibly talented actors who have captured their roles in this stirring play beautifully.

Performances: January 14-24, 2016
Thurs-Sat at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm

Performances are at the Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St Edmonds, WA
All tickets are $15.00.

Purchase tickets online or by phone 425-774-9600 option 3.



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Santa came to Shoreline

Friday, December 25, 2015


Photos by Wayne Pridemore

In a tradition of years' standing, The Shoreline Fire Department gave Santa a ride through NW Shoreline on Christmas Day.


Santa had helpers with him - to drive the truck and help pass out candy to the local kids on the street.



 A few of them on 21st Ave NW posed for a photo with Santa and his helpers.


 The whole crew was quite jolly as they cruised the streets and brought good cheer.


Rod Heivilin wrote some of the history of the Santa ride in an article published last year at this time.
Memories of a retired Santa



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In The Garden Now … Christmas Camellia

‘Yuletide’ Camellia
Text and photos by Victoria Gilleland

Here’s a plant that screams “Holiday Season!”  It flowers in November and December just in time for holiday decorating and gift giving. The bright red single flowers coordinate perfectly with the red and green holiday color scheme seen everywhere this time of year. And the name Yuletide certainly makes the connection.

‘Yuletide Camellia’ produces a plethora of small, single, bright red flowers with gold centers on a dense, compact upright shrub in late fall or early winter. The plant is hardy in Northwest Gardens but flowers are sometimes damaged by winter frost. Grow in a somewhat sheltered location if possible. More flowers will be produced if the plant has a sunny place in the garden during the summer months. Yuletide, like most Sasanqua Camellia, tolerates sun and can actually thrive in full sun with the proper soil and enough water. Camellias like acid soil and growing conditions similar to that of azaleas and rhododendrons.

‘Pink-a-Boo’ Camellia

If the intense red blossoms of Yuletide are too harsh for your taste you just might enjoy ‘Pink-a-Boo’ -- a newer variety that is essentially a pink Yuletide. While Yuletide is somewhat fragrant, Pink-a-Boo is very fragrant … a bonus that can truly be appreciated in the winter garden.

The other day, while standing between Yuletide and Pink-a-Boo Camellias, I was buzzed by several very concerned hummingbirds. I think they thought I was after their nectar stash! I got out of their way and watched for quite a while as the tiny birds darted from flower to flower. The single flowers with such easy access to nectar were irresistible to the little guys!

Consider bringing a bit of Winter Cheer and a hummingbird or two into your garden with ‘Yuletide’ or ‘Pink-a-Boo’ Camellia!

Botanical Name: Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ or Camellia x vernalis ‘Yuletide’ and Camellia sasanqua ‘Pink-a-Boo'.

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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Free storm debris and Christmas Tree recycling event for LFP residents Jan 9

There will be a free storm debris and Christmas tree collection/recycling event for LFP residents on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 9am – 12pm at the City Hall lower parking lot. Republic Services will be on hand collecting for the free recycling.

The Lake Forest Park Youth Council will be present helping to support the free event and raise funds for the Lake Forest Park Police Department Nurturing Trust Program Fund.

Bring bare trees and remove all tinsel, lights, and ornaments. No flocked trees. Secure your loads and bring proof of address in the form of a valid photo ID. Only passenger vehicles may enter.

Here is the Traffic Control Plan to help guide you through the event.




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Aegis of Shoreline gifts an Eldergrow Garden to residents

Residents start to design their new indoor garden
 Photo courtesy Eldergrow

Aegis of Shoreline, a senior care community that offers assisted living for seniors with light- to high-level care needs, surprised their residents with a holiday gift of an Eldergrow garden.

John Young, General Manager, partnered with Eldergrow, a new Seattle company, which offers mobile indoor gardens and therapeutic horticulture programming. Young presented the gift to residents for the holidays,

“I wanted to get a meaningful gift for our residents that would provide joy, as well as wellness benefits. Many of our residents garden and when I saw how the garden would be used during interactive sessions, I knew it would be a special gift.”

The finished garden was presented that evening to residents.
 Photo courtesy Eldergrow


Orla Concannon, Founder of Eldergrow, developed the mobile, indoor garden and therapeutic programming for elders so that they could commune with nature year-round.

“Eldergrow’s indoor gardening provides sensory stimulation, improves motor skills, and a new sense of purpose as residents nurture their garden.”

For more information, contact Eldergrow or Aegis Living of Shoreline at 206-367-6700.


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Two Shorewood players on All-Wesco volleyball first team

From The Seattle Times and KING5 news

Two Shorewood volleyball players won places in November on the all-Wesco-3A/2A first team.

Western Conference 3A/2A coaches selected Shorewood senior outside hitters Delaney Hopen and Elli Allen-Hatch to the 10-member all-conference first team and put two Shorewood players and one from Shorecrest on the all-Wesco 3A second team.

On the second team were Shorecrest senior outside hitter Bailey Rutter, Shorewood junior setter Taryn Shelley and Shorewood junior libero Maria Bartell.

Honorable mention went to three Shorecrest players: senior setter Julia Clack, junior libero Aiyana Tietze Ditoro and sophomore middle blocker Shelby Gresch.

The selections came from the 12 Wesco 3A teams – Arlington, Edmonds-Woodway, Everett, Glacier Peak, Lynnwood, Marysville Getchell, Marysville-Pilchuck, Meadowdale, Mountlake Terrace, Oak Harbor, Shorewood, and Stanwood -- along with 2A Shorecrest. Unlike teams in many Wesco 3A/2A sports, volleyball and soccer teams aren’t divided into North and South divisions.

Shorewood won the Wesco 3A/2A volleyball championship win a 12-0 record (15-0 overall) before winning three more matches in the Northwest District 3A tournament and splitting four matches in the state tournament, November 13-14, to finish win a 20-2 season record.

Shorecrest finished 10th in the division with a 4-8 Wesco record before losing two matches in the Northwest District 2A tournament, November 4, to finish with a 4-12 record.

The Shorewood junior varsity had an 8-4 Wesco 3A record (9-5 overall) The Shorecrest JVs had a 1-11 record (1-13 overall). The Shorewood “C” team had a 5-6 Wesco 3A record (6-7 overall).

See the full Wesco 3A volleyball team here

Or here.




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Merry Christmas, Everyone

Thursday, December 24, 2015

The Holly and Ivy Fairy
by Mark Roberts

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Christmas Lights: Happy Holidays

Wednesday, December 23, 2015


Near N 185th and Ashworth / Wallingford. Photo by Lee Lageschulte. 



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One More Gift to Give: Blood Drive Comes to Richmond Beach on Boxing Day

On the calendar: Donate Blood
By Tom Petersen

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is the traditional day to give to the less fortunate.

It's a splendid day for those who are able to donate blood to those whose holiday season is dampened by illness or injury.

The Bloodworks Northwest mobile unit will be at the corner of Richmond Beach Road and 20th Ave NW, in front of the Shoreline Fire Safety Center, on Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26.

The Bloodmobile will be open from 10 to noon and 1 to 4pm. Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged, but appointments are recommended.



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Bethel Lutheran Church: Choosing community over a building

The stained glass window at Bethel Lutheran Church

As some have already heard through the local grapevine, Bethel Lutheran Church recently finalized the sale of their former site at the corner of N 175th St and 8th Ave NE to Seattle’s Buddha Jewel Monastery. The sale came after a year-long discernment process by the people of Bethel; the congregation will be moving from their old site to a new one in mid-February 2016.

Bethel Lutheran Church might be moving, but they aren’t closing: Pastor Chris Ode is excited to share the news that the congregation has chosen to reinvest some of the proceeds from the sale into purchasing a new home in the nearby North City Business District.

“At Bethel, we cooperate with – and offer space to -- dozens of organizations and ministries: churches who minister to various first generation immigrant populations, 12-step groups, daycares, and other community-focused non-profits. Some of them meet regularly, some of them meet sporadically, but nearly all of them will be coming with us to the new location,” he said.

The move will solidify the congregation’s financial foundation and free them to refocus their energies away from maintaining a large, aging building and its grounds.

“While moving away from the home Bethel has known for so long will be hard, the opportunity this provides us to be a more active presence in the community is incredible: we will finally be able to focus on ‘building ministry’ instead of ‘building maintenance.’ 
We are excited to use this opportunity to deepen our existing partnerships and develop new ones.”

Bethel will continue to operate out of its former location until the move in February, though some of their associated organizations will be moving sooner. The new site is located at 17529 15th Ave NE – the “North City Office Building” currently rented to the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center.

Some of the current organizations sharing space with the people of Bethel include:
  • Aaron’s Place (day center for young adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities)
  • Childcare Providers’ Cooperative Preschool (preschool coop organized by local daycare providers)
  • Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Seattle (Ethiopian and Eritrean-focused ministry)
  • Iglesia Evangelica de Los Valles (Hispanic-focused ministry)
  • Lutheran Counseling Network (independent, licensed counselor)
  • Pacific Northwest Shell Club (dedicated to cataloguing and researching Northwest marine life)
  • Reborn Church (Korean-focused ministry)
  • Girl Scout Service Unit 510
  • Alanon District 21/22
  • Blind Benders Cocaine Anonymous
  • Friday Morning Meditation Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Jaywalkers Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Northern Light Marijuana Anonymous
  • Steps by Candlelight Overeaters Anonymous
  • We’re Glad You’re Here Narcotics Anonymous
  • Working With Others Alcoholics Anonymous

You can learn more about these organizations and Bethel Lutheran Church at their website.



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WeatherWatcher: Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Have you been dreaming of a White Christmas? Maybe a lot of us have, and maybe that's why the chance of snow Christmas Eve into Christmas morning has become more likely.

I wanted to talk about all this talk of lowland snow. I've been watching the forecasts now for over a week and they've all been flirting with rain/snow mixed showers for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Well, now a lot of things seem to be all in agreement about it.

So, let's define what a White Christmas is. National Weather Service and Accuweather both define a white Christmas as 1 inch or more of accumulated snow on the ground at any time December 25th.

Now let's talk about the weather pattern. The jet stream (strong river of winds at 30,000 feet in the air) right now is diving in a southeast direction from the gulf of Alaska down past Washington state, cutting east into Oregon/California. It is in a strong northwest flow, bringing cold air down from the arctic over the Pacific waters and into our area. This set up typically brings the marginal wet snow showers/systems. Sometimes it can create a convergence zone which can produce a significant but narrow band of heavy snow along an east west oriented line anywhere between Marysville and Tacoma.

Decorated house under 8 inches of snow, Shoreline, WA December 2008.
Photo by Carl Dinse

The Forecast:
What's in the forecast with agreement is a slight chance of some mixed wet snow after Midnight tonight. Christmas Eve appears to be a mix of showers and snow showers. Accumulations are expected to be short lived and maybe up to an inch. Overnight into Christmas morning is when the temperatures drop into the low 30's or upper 20's with moisture still present. This could produce an accumulation that might stick around through at least the mid-morning hours for Christmas Day.

I want to stress that this is a very marginal forecast. It might get cold and we might have some snow showers after the cold arrives.  Could be a convergence zone but nothing can really pin point that small of a weather system with any confidence. So bottom line, the possibility is stronger this year than most years here, and all the right things are coming together to make it very possible. One thing for sure is, it will get cold Christmas morning. High temperatures are going to range to the upper 30's to about the 40°F mark. Lows in the low 30's to mid-20's depending on location. Saturday-Sunday appears to be warming back up a little to seasonal temperatures with a new Pacific rain storm moving in Saturday afternoon.

If you were wondering, the last two White Christmas's we've had were December 2008 and December 1990.

For current weather conditions and updates, you can visit my website at ShorelineWeather.com



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'Groundswell' Eco-Art exhibition arrives at Shoreview Park

Rodger Squirell, Shoreline Larvae, 2015
Photo by D. Francis

As a means of fostering new interpretations of art and nature in urban spaces, particularly urban forests like Shoreview and Boeing Creek, the City of Shoreline Public Art Program has initiated the Groundswell Project, a series of temporary eco-art installations from December 2015 – December 2016.

The first two artists in the program are Rodger Squirrell of Lake Forest Park and Theresa Henson of Vashon.

Theresa Henson, Self-Circuit, 2014
Photo by D. Francis

Their works Shoreview Larvae and Self-Circuit are on view in the entry grove at Shoreview Park to the east of the ballpark and play area.

These are temporary placements that are designed to inspire fresh thinking about the natural world while integrating with the natural setting. Squirell’s Larvae will transition in April 2016 into a new phase while Henson’s Circuit is designed to last for a year.

Future installations will occur and the Groundswell Call for Art is online at the City’s art pages (ongoing; no deadline).

The artwork is on view during daylight hours.

Shoreview Park is located at 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Shoreline 98177.



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Animal Acres demonstration garden has new beds thanks to volunteers

New beds for Animal Acres demo garden
Photo by Linda Holman

The Master Gardeners and park volunteers were able to upgrade the demonstration garden at Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park this fall.

They have added four new beds to replace the former mounds. This will enhance the growing season greatly.

Many thanks to our volunteers Mike Vetersneck and Scott Bowen for building these new beds for the garden.

Animal Acres (Pfingst Park) is located at 17411 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.



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Christmas Eve at Ronald United Methodist Church


Christmas Eve at Ronald United Methodist Church,
17839 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline:

A Service of Lessons and Carols

Holy Communion(all are welcome)

Candle lighting.

December 24th at 7pm in our newly remodeled Sanctuary.



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LFP blood drive registers 34 new donors

Bloodworks Northwest was euphoric at the success of the blood drive in Lake Forest Park on Tuesday.

We were able to register 34 donors and of those, 25 units of volunteered blood were collected! Since each unit of blood is able to save up to three lives, the blood that were donated is able to save up to 75 local patients!

The chocolate may have been an inducement, as donors were given Theo Chocolate bars, but the chance to give something truly meaningful and life-saving at this season was probably the biggest factor.

It was a great year working with you and we look forward in having many more successful drives at the Lake Forest Park Town Center! 

 Thank you to the donors of Lake Forest Park!



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Christmas Lights: the three wise snowmen

Tuesday, December 22, 2015


Near N 185th and Ashworth / Wallingford in the Echo Lake neighborhood.
Photo by Lee Lageschulte.



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On the Mayor’s Mind – 12/23/15 - Put a bow on it!

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

For the last two years I’ve been thinking about what it would be like to write this “final” column. In case you don’t know, in Shoreline, our mayor is not elected by the people, but rather a councilmember is elected by the council, to serve a two year term as mayor.

It’s hard to believe my two years are just about over! I barely remember the first year – you wouldn’t think being Mayor would be much different from being a councilmember, even though it is said to be mostly a ceremonial position, there is a lot of work and effort that goes into preparing for, and running our weekly Council meetings, as well as the speeches, attending regional committee meetings, national conferences and meeting with our Federal Delegation. It’s easily been a 30 hour a week addition to my schedule. And I have to say, I’ve loved every minute of it.

I know I’ve said it before, but it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as your Mayor.

“Loving every minute of it” may be a bit of an exaggeration; because there were certainly times when the time obligations of this position were a challenge. I assumed that after being a Councilmember for four years, becoming Mayor wouldn’t have been much of a change, but it was a very big change. As Mayor you are the face and voice of Shoreline, and sometimes, sitting in the center of the dais, it feels like people are taking their frustrations out on you, personally.

But that is one of the greatest lessons I have learned. It’s not personal.

Each one of us councilmembers does our very best. We read, we listen, we ask questions, we learn, and, we do as we are elected to – we make decisions based on information, values and what we believe is best for the City.

Even though we all have similar, or even the same information, we don’t always agree on the best solution. And that is the beauty of having a Council of seven. The representatives of the citizens all see things in their own way, which gives us the opportunity to have robust discussions, and even split votes. Unanimous votes are great, of course, and we are fortunate to have had many of those, but it is also important that different views are represented, and that those views are respected.  

Many people have asked me what it feels like to have to work with a colleague that you voted differently from. I just laugh, and think back to one of the best things I learned from former King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson (now Attorney General). You vote and move on.

And if you’re lucky, you have lunch, coffee or even a beer with that person, so you can make sure the waters are smooth. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with their position, but you have to work together, and these decisions are for the good of our community. Again, it’s not personal.

But what is personal is the pride I feel when I drive down Shoreline’s beautiful 3.2 miles of Aurora Avenue, or when I walk into a new Shoreline business, or gaze at our soon to be completed Veterans’ Memorial.

All of these projects were the effort of many, many people – not just the Mayor or the Council, but you, our engaged citizens and volunteers. In the next 10-20 years there will be many changes in Shoreline, and that’s what we have laid the groundwork for – so that these changes are well thought out, and not just a reaction to an insurgency of people who are priced out of Seattle so swarm our city. We all know Shoreline is a great place to live, and folks, the secret is out.

My thanks to all of my readers for giving me a forum to discuss what has been on the Mayor’s Mind – City issues, the loss of loved ones, celebrating new family members, and most of all, remembering to find joy and happiness every day, in the beauty around us.

So that’s 2015-2016, all wrapped up.

My best wishes to all of you.  I look forward to more years of working together, to bring the best to our great City.

Happy holidays,

Mayor Shari Winstead



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Celebrate 2016 with Karaoke / Bingo Friday, Jan 8


Karaoke - Bingo, January 8, 6:45pm at Senior Center, NE 185th and 1st NE. 
Make your reservations on line now.



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Still time to have a photo with Santa at LFP Town Center


Santa will be at Town Center on the lower level until Christmas Eve. Not much of a line, lots going on around you, and photos with the old Frederick and Nelson set as the backdrop!

Wednesday: 10am - 9pm
Thursday:  9:30am - 5pm

Shh! Don't tell the kids, but you have your choice of Santas, depending on when you go. Here's the Santa Schedule.

Town Center is at the intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way.



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Crime in Shoreline - weeks ending 12-7 and 12-14-2015

Selected items from the Shoreline Police Blottter.

Crime continues in spite of the season, with package thieves getting bolder and bolder, including the woman caught on apartment surveillance video carrying a mail bag - full of stolen mail - while she tries to break into buildings and picks up packages on porches.

Lots of shoplifters, and package thieves, including one who got a wedding gift from victim's porch.

The taggers are back, spraypainting on city utility boxes and targets at public parks.

Bicycles went missing, and someone is specializing in prying open locked mailboxes.

Week ending 12-07-2015

11-26  Several calls about extremely drunk male at Paramount Park, stumbling around with several bottles of whiskey and urinating in the bushes.
11-27  Someone punctured tires and poured anti-freeze into a car gas tank at apartment parking on N 175th.
11-28  Drunken male passed out on sidewalk near entrance to Shay's on Aurora.
11-29  Christmas decorations stolen from lawn 16xx NE 185.
11-30  Theft from public storage unit at 149xx Aurora.
11-30  Theft from storage locker at The Blakeley, 192nd and Aurora.
11-30  Shoplifter at Bartells escaped on bicycle.
12-01  Heroin overdose in Fred Meyer restroom.
12-01  Burglary 178xx Ashworth, kicked in door from garage, stole jewelry,,
12-01  Patient at Crista Senior Living rehab kicked out after injecting heroin/meth into his IV line.
12-01  Burglary - second on street 178xx Ashworth, kicked in front door but didn't take anything.
12-01  Located driver from hit and run at 188th and Aurora; he was intoxicated.
12-02  Possible theft suspect refused to ID himself, then ran from police. They pursued and arrested.
12-02  180xx 1st NE, unknown suspect forced entry into locked room, stole safe and revolver.
12-03  5xx N 167th, while someone was home, suspect pounded on door, then threw a rock through the window to access front door.
12-03  Unknown suspect tried to steal several pair of work boots from Sears but gave them back when he was surrounded by employees.
12-03  Suspects seen stealing mail 20300 block of Greenwood. Some discarded mail found nearby.
12-03  Unlocked bike stolen from rack at Fred Meyer.
12-04  Driver of stolen vehicle tried to elude police but was stopped and all three occupants detained.
12-04  School-owned iPad stolen from student backpack at Shorewood - tech services shut it down.
12-05  Valuable candlesticks stolen from Highlands Chapel.

Week ending 12-14-2015

12-06  Everett Police stopped a stolen vehicle and found checks from a Shoreline resident in vehicle.
12-06  Sound City Bible Church burglarized 2800 200th NE in Shoreline.
12-07  O'Reilly work van stolen from Aurora location.
12-07  Video equipment stolen from storage locker at Shoreline Unitarian Church 147xx 1st NE.
12-07  Victim's car was prowled at 145xx Dayton. Nothing taken but someone else's credit card on ground by car.
12-07  Tires slashed on vehicle in private driveway at 157xx Ashworth.
12-08  Items stolen from lawn at 147xx 30th NE.
12-08  Woman followed to her apartment by man yelling at her. She thinks it was because of her faith.
12-09  Stolen vehicle recovered when owner saw it at the Chevron station on Aurora and chased off the three occupants.
12-09  Forced entry burglary at 185xx Burke.
12-09  Person tried to pry off a "boot" put on his car by SCC security.
12-09  25 plus mailboxes at 175xx Fremont pried open and mail taken.
12-09  Locking mailbox on stand pried open at 167xx Linden.
12-09  6xx N 176 attempt to pry open mailbox.
12-09  Man's bike and trailer stolen from foyer of Fred Meyer.
12-10  Woman was home at 162xx Corliss but did not respond when someone rang the bell. She looked out the window and saw a man trying to crawl through the partially opened garage door.
12-10  175xx Fremont - locking mailbox pried open and package stolen.
12-10  Unknown suspect stole a vehicle from a home in The Highlands. Vehicle was in driveway, unlocked, with keys inside.
12-10  Officer arrived at Safeway to take a shoplifting report just as employee detained a second shoplifter.
12-10  Someone selling stolen goods from a vehicle at 155x Linden.
12-12  Construction trailer stolen from 183xx 3rd Ave NE.
12-12  Vehicle stolen from parking slot at apartments 1999xx 19th NE.
12-12  Person at Tyee Apts overdosed on heroin. While someone was performing CPR on him, someone else stole rescuer's backpack.
12-12  Another burglary to storage locker at 149xx Aurora.
12-13  Officer observed a man on N 185th swaying back and forth and beginning to stumble into traffic.



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In The Garden Now … Heavenly Bamboo

Sacred Bamboo

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

When people hear that the common name for this plant is ‘Heavenly Bamboo’ they sometimes shriek in horror, “Not bamboo!” Bamboo has a well-earned reputation as a thug in the garden. It’s been known to spread relentlessly and to be very difficult to eradicate. This is not that bamboo. This is Nandina domestica, a completely different, well-mannered shrub that just happens to have “Bamboo” in its common name because it resembles bamboo.

The Heavenly Bamboo pictured here is one I bought as a species plant many years ago so it’s not a named variety. It’s been growing in a large decorative pot in my garden for about 10 years. I’m sure it’s root bound, but it still looks healthy and produces white flowers in spring followed by red berries in fall and winter so it can stay there a bit longer. I hate to disturb a plant that’s doing well.

I’ve found that some plants actually flower and berry better if they’re under a certain amount of stress such as minimal water or being root bound. I think it may be true in this case.

This evergreen shrub is about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide. Grown directly in the ground it would probably grow larger. On this and most other nandina varieties, new foliage is a shade of red or orange, turning to green later in spring and summer. Foliage changes from green to shades of red as the weather cools in fall. A sunnier spot in the garden usually means more colorful foliage.

There are many varieties of heavenly bamboo available for northwest gardens. They range in size from compact to large shrubs. Foliage color and growth habit differ among varieties. Some will survive colder temperatures than others. Check out the details before you make a choice.

Why not bring a bit of heaven into your life with the addition of Heavenly Bamboo to your garden?

(Botanical Name: Nandina domestica)

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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Christmas Eve Services at Richmond Beach Congregational Church UCC


You are invited to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 11pm at Richmond Beach Congregational Church, UCC, at the corner of NW Richmond Beach Rd and 15th Ave NW in Shoreline, 206-542-7477.



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Christmas Lights: Richmond Highlands

Monday, December 21, 2015



This home is on N 179th in the Richmond Highlands neighborhood. Photo by Lee Lageschulte.



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Shop with a cop

LFP and Shoreline Police at Fred Meyer

Monday was shop-with-a-cop at the Shoreline Fred Meyer. Thanks to generous donations by the Lake Forest Park Rotary Club and the Lake Forest Park Police Officers' Guild, Lake Forest Park Police and Shoreline Police were able to take over ten children on a holiday shopping spree.

Officers from both departments donated their time to participate in this event for our area children and their families. Additional thanks goes out to city and school staff who assisted with this as well. Happy holidays!




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For the Birds: Which bird is your Christmas bird?

Male Pileated Woodpecker
Photo by Lyn Topinka
By Christine Southwick

A Christmas Bird should be something special and distinct, or have bright Christmas colors.

For many people, the Northern Cardinal epitomizes Christmas. Not for me. Northern Cardinals are not found in Washington. I want a local bird for my Christmas Bird.

Dark-eyed Juncos, called Snowbirds in colder areas, seem too staid for my tastes, although the white flash of their tails as they dart away is pleasing to my eyes. Wintering Fox Sparrows and Varied Thrushes are strong contenders. Chickadees, with their cute up-side down antics, winning stares, and “deedeedees saying, “I see you”, are on my list, but become runners-up when compared to the elegant Pileated Woodpecker.

Female Pileated Woodpecker on snag
Photo by Forrest Gamble

A local resident, the Pileated Woodpecker is about the size of a crow, and one of the largest and most striking forest birds in North America. The bright red moustachial stripe indicates a male; the females have a black stripe there.

These woodpeckers make unique rectangular holes in dead or partially-dead trees, snags, and fallen logs searching for carpenter ants and other tasty bugs. They will forage, roost,  and often nest in stands of mature forest which have larger snags and older dying trees. Their old nest holes provide critical shelter for owls, ducks, bats, swifts, and small woodland mammals.

Unlike other local woodpeckers, the sound of their loud drumming is irregular, and often low to the ground. A breeding pair in my neighborhood uses a specific telephone pole each year to call to each other, and when the juveniles start flying around, to call them back home. Somehow that seems to be more effective than their loud rolling calls.

Male Pileated Woodpecker
Photo by Craig Kerns

With pileated-friendly surrounding habitat, these red-topped birds will come to bird feeders, especially suet, and will readily drink at bird baths. If you are lucky enough to have breeding Pileated Woodpeckers in your area, you might get to see the punk-orange-topped youngsters being taught to come to your suet.

Even though Pileated Woodpeckers are pretty adaptable, their habitat is dwindling so fast that the species is currently on the watch-list for threatened bird species.

Their preferred housing is hard to find. So, next time you think about cutting down dead or dying trees, leave them, or if you feel too unsafe, create 20 foot snags. You will be rewarded with woodpeckers, nuthatches, sapsuckers and other cavity dwelling birds.



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Attorney General Ferguson files against tech support provider scam

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a lawsuit against one of the biggest independent tech support providers in the world, iYogi, and its President, Vishal Dhar, to stop a scam that uses deception and scare tactics to pressure consumers into buying unnecessary tech support services.

The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court, alleges iYogi’s tactics are unfair and deceptive business practices that violate Washington’s Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit also alleges iYogi induced consumers to install unnecessary software as part of its ploy to coerce them into buying tech support services, a violation of Washington’s Computer Spyware Act.

The state seeks to stop these illegal business practices and recover money for Washington victims. The total number of Washingtonians affected will be identified during the lawsuit, but is estimated to be in the hundreds, if not thousands. The state may seek up to $2,000 in civil penalties for each violation of the Consumer Protection Act and $100,000 per violation of the Computer Spyware Act.

“Tech support scams defraud consumers and often trade on the good reputations of legitimate businesses,” said Ferguson. “This lawsuit sends a message to tech support scammers that my office will hold them accountable.”

Tech support scams are a national problem with local ramifications. According to Microsoft, an estimated 71,000 Washingtonians lose $33 million each year to these schemes. Nationwide, an estimated 3.3 million Americans suffer $1.5 billion in annual losses from tech support scams.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s President and Chief Legal Officer said “Over the past 18 months alone, Microsoft has received more than 180,000 customer calls regarding tech support fraud. Today’s announcement is an important step toward addressing this issue, which disproportionately affects the most vulnerable segments of our society.”

According to AARP State Director Doug Shadel, tech support scams can disproportionately affect older adults.

“Despite emerging years ago, the tech support scam continues to plague consumers around the nation, generating more reports to the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Call Center here in Seattle (800-646-2283) than any scheme except maybe the IRS Imposter Scam,” says Shadel.

“The bottom line is that manufacturers of computers DO NOT make phone calls or send ads to individual customers about problems with their machines. The best ‘fix’ for this problem is to simply hang up or contact your service provider independently with questions.”

The Attorney General’s Office offers the following tips to avoid tech support scams:
  • Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm it is a legitimate representative from a company where you’re already a customer
  • Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the “service.” If there is, hang up
  • Do not provide Social Security numbers, banking, or credit card or other financial information
  • Protect personal computers with legitimate and updated security software. Victim of a tech support scam? Contact the Attorney General’s Office.

If you believe you are a victim of the iYogi scam, or any other tech support scam, file a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.

For additional Internet safety tips, advice and information visit the Attorney General's website, here.



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Small business: Sylvia's Swimwear opens location in Shoreline

It's always tropical inside Sylvia's

Sylvia’s Swimwear, a local specialty retailer, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest retail store in Shoreline. Located just south of Ballinger Village at 20030 Ballinger Way NE, Sylvia’s hopes to call this newly constructed building home for many years to come.
 
Located in a brand new building on Ballinger Way

After more than twelve years in the Northgate area of Seattle, a move was necessitated by the Sound Transit light rail expansion which impacted all businesses located at the Northgate Station shopping center.

One ADA and five additional dressing rooms
all with three-way mirrors

Sylvia’s Shoreline store has a delightful beach theme complete with palm trees and cabana style dressing rooms designed by Shoreline local Bev Horgan of International Surroundings in collaboration with Hodge Construction as general contractor. An added bonus - the store utilizes 100% LED lighting, dramatically reducing power usage.

Established in 1975 to fill the needs of local swimmers, Sylvia’s has become a community staple.

Whether you swim competitively, are involved in Aquatic Fitness classes, triathlons, swim lessons, water polo, lifeguarding, or are just looking for a beautiful vacation suit, Sylvia’s is sure to have what you are looking for.

Sylvia's has a large inventory, in a range of sizes
 
In addition to its new store in Shoreline, Sylvia’s also operates a longstanding store in the Overlake area of Bellevue as well as distributes products nationally through internet sales.
 
Sylvia’s is excited to be members of the Shoreline community and looks forward to meeting and serving its new and existing customers.



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Wednesday is the deadline to get a health plan for Jan 1


From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Consumers have until Dec. 23 to sign up for a health plan through Washington Health Benefit Exchange for coverage that begins on Jan. 1. The last day to get health insurance for 2016 is Jan. 31. 

People who do not have a health plan for 2016 face a penalty on their taxes of 2.5 percent of their income or $695 per person, whichever is higher. Read more about the tax penalty.

If you are still looking for a health plan, you can look for one at our state’s health insurance exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder and find out if you qualify for financial help, including tax credits that may lower the cost of coverage.

If you do not qualify for help with your health insurance, you can contact an insurance agent or broker to find out what your plan options are.

Read some tips from our office about things you should consider when shopping for a health plan.
Questions? You can contact our consumer advocates online or at 1-800-562-6900.



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Ridgecrest Public House food trucks for the week

Grilled cheese like mother never made!

The new Ridgecrest Public House at 5th NE and NE 165th continues to sponsor food trucks outside their business - three this week.

Those over 21 are welcome to bring their food inside the Pub to eat.

The winter hours are 5-8pm. When the weather gets better, the hours will be extended and outdoor seating will be available.

Tuesday 22nd: The Peach and The Pig
Pulled pork, grilled chicken, or mushroom sandwiches, meatballs and mushrooms, prawn salad

Wednesday 23rd: Grilled Cheese Experience
Grilled cheese sandwiches like mother never made, plus tomato basil soup.

Thursday 24th: no truck

Friday 25th: no truck

Saturday 26th: Off the Rez
Tacos (pulled pork indian, beef chili indian, chicken chili verde), Quinoa Succotash
Indian as in Native American - not as in India

Sunday 27th: no truck




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LFP Blood Drive change of venue - but you still get chocolate



LFP Blood Drive Tuesday, December 22nd

at Windermere Real Estate Office 
Upper level at LFP Town Center

11am – 5pm  (closed for lunch 1-2pm)


As the holiday season is in full swing, so is the need for blood donors. To show appreciation for all the donors during the holiday week, everyone who registers will receive a Theo Chocolate bar.

Just look for the bloodmobile on the upper level of the parking area between Windermere Real Estate Office and the LFP Bar and Grill.

For information, call Bloodworks at 1-800-398-7888



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Christmas Services at St. David



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Christmas Lights: Innis Arden

Sunday, December 20, 2015


A home in Innis Arden, photographed by Lee Lageschulte.



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NE 178th - almost done

NE 178th on Saturday
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Jerry Pickard took these photos on Saturday, December 19, while crews were still at work on NE 178th.

Detour route on Brookside Blvd
still has some sidewalk work

Once paved, the road will be reopened to traffic, with or without lane-control flagging, depending on adjacent work such as sidewalk and electrical installations.

The remainder of the concrete sidewalks will be done soon, also weather permitting. This will leave placement of the pedestrian-actuated crossing signs, landscaping, mitigation replanting, and the punch list of completion items.



Soon this will be done!


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International Community Health Services (ICHS) receives two major honors

ICHS in Shoreline
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

For a second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named ICHS a “National Quality Leader.” This year, ICHS is the only community health center in Washington state to receive the honor.

ICHS was also recognized as a “success story” by the Washington Health Alliance and the Washington Health Care Authority in the new Washington State Common Measure Set for Health Care Quality and Cost. The report analyzes 52 medical measures to enable a common way to track how the health care system is performing. ICHS was identified among the top performing medical groups in the state for the Medicaid population they serve.

As the only National Quality Leader in 2015, ICHS will get an additional $40,713, bringing to $155,139 the total funding it will receive from the federal 2015 Health Center Quality Improvement Grant awards. The funds will be used to improve primary care service delivery and infrastructure.

About $63.3 million in Affordable Care Act funding was awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 2015 to 1,153 health centers throughout the nation, with the “National Quality Leader” designation given to select health centers that are the highest performers compared to national standards and benchmarks in key clinical areas.

HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said the funds reward those health centers that are achieving the highest levels of clinical quality performance and improvement.

“The awards will help health centers continue to provide comprehensive primary care to the nation’s most vulnerable communities,” he said.

ICHS CEO Teresita Batayola said receiving the National Quality Leader designation for 2015 was especially meaningful, since ICHS also received the same honor in 2014. She added that the recognition from the Washington State Common Measure report affirms the hard work of ICHS’ health care teams to meet high patient care standards.

“We are very proud to receive these honors because they validate our commitment to excellence and our desire to give the best health care to our patients today and in the years to come,” she said.


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Register now for Pressed Plants workshop at Kruckeberg

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden will hold a Pressed Plants Crafts - Botanical Valentines workshop on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 6-8pm at the Garden at 20312 15th Ave NW in Shoreline.
Make a beautiful valentine for your sweetie and learn about pressing and drying plants. There are so many hearts in nature! We've collected a bunch, and will have pressed leaves and flowers for you to create a unique card.

$35 ($25 for KBGF Members)

Register Now! Classes are small and fill up quickly.



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From student to project lead, Louise Petruzzella redevelops the Clean Energy Technology program at SCC

Shoreline Community College students assess a site
for a vegan farmer's solar energy project.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Community College 

By Madeline Patton

In her first year as the inaugural director of the Clean Energy Technology and Entrepreneurship program at Shoreline Community College, Louise Petruzzella doubled enrollment from 20 to 40 students, reactivated the industry advisory committee and placed all 10 graduates in jobs.

She attributes her accomplishments to several things: a MentorLinks grant, her experience as a graduate of the associate degree program and the subject matter expertise of her five faculty colleagues.

"I have an edge because I was a student in the program," said Petruzzella, who enrolled in winter 2012 and finished her associate degree in clean energy technology in 2014. 

A few other career experiences certainly contributed to Petruzzella maximizing the mentoring, professional development and $20,000 in program development support provided by the MentorLinks grant that the American Association of Community Colleges awarded to her through its Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation.

"Without MentorLinks, it wouldn't have been possible. It's not about the money. It's about the cachet," she said.

While Petruzzella was a clean energy technology novice before enrolling at Shoreline, her 15 years of teaching philosophy as a part-time instructor at various colleges gave her an unusual perspective of the program's potential and how to instigate organizational changes to improve it.

Her experience in construction — having worked for her dad's general contracting business as a teenager and used home renovation jobs to pay her college tuition — made her acutely aware of the challenges employers face and their expectations for employees.

When she moved to Washington several years ago, the recession was setting in and she could not find a teaching job. To pay her bills, she went back to construction until she was laid off. When an unemployment office staffer offered retraining, Petruzzella chose the clean energy technology (CET) program at Shoreline.

She liked what she was learning in her CET courses, but was frustrated by the lack of program leadership and structure to help students obtain internships and jobs.

Midway through the program, even as she picked up adjunct teaching assignments (including the CET program), Petruzzella began formulating ways to improve Shoreline's program and use her unusual skill set. She started talking to anyone on campus who would listen to her. Her message: "You have a potentially wonderful program, but you need someone to run it and I suggest you hire me."

College administrators were persuaded and started a formal search for the program's first leader. Shortly after she was hired, Petruzzella and the college's grant writer completed the MentorLinks grant application. "I already had a vision of what I wanted to happen in the program," she said.

Kenneth A. Walz, Petruzzella's MentorLinks mentor, points out that most new faculty members spend their first year getting their bearings, not remaking a program. Walz teaches chemistry and engineering instructor at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in Wisconsin and is principal investigator of Career Education in Renewable Energy Technologies, an ATE project at MATC.

Petruzzella added three new courses, revised several introductory courses for online delivery, led with Walz, a multi-day biofuels workshop for educators, hosted a regional renewable energy industry conference and established partnerships with a neighboring community college and university.
During the second year of the MentorLinks grant, Petruzzella plans to involve the industry advisory committee (which she grew from four to more than 30 members) in a formal curriculum review to shift the program's focus to high-performance buildings as a state-funded solar energy initiative ends in 2016. She hopes to grow enrollment to 60 students.

"When I say it helped that I was a student in the program, I mean that. I want the success of my students. I saw where the program wasn't doing what it should be doing for our students. So that's what really inspires me. To make sure they are getting relevant training, that they are going to be employed, that they are going to have an internship if they want. That's what's really driving me," she said.


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Change of venue: Donate blood, reward yourself with Theo Chocolates



To show appreciation for all the donors who donate during the holiday week, everyone who registers will receive a Theo Chocolate bar.

The Lake Forest Park Town Center will have the bloodmobile parked by Windemere on the upper level from 11am – 5pm Tuesday, December 22nd. (closed for lunch between 1-2pm)

Consider taking a few minutes of your time to donate blood. It’s the gift of life to people in need. No appointment needed. Just look for the Bloodmobile in the lower level parking area.

For information or to register, call Bloodworks at 1-800-398-7888.

Updated 12-21-2015

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Photo: Theme tree - Seahawks blue

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

This one seems appropriate for the day! Lee Lageschulte photographed this tree detail at Wight's Nursery in Lynnwood.



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SW girls basketball Friday night

SW girls basketball vs Edmonds-Woodway Friday night December 18, 2015, final score Edmonds-Woodway 51 Shorewood 45.


Shorewood's Taryn Shelley is fouled as she puts up a shot from the key.



Thunderbird Jalyn Hizey goes up from under the basket to score.



Shorewood's number 33, Katie Taylor, fights for the rebound late in the game.


With time running down Lily Gustafson shoots a set shot in the key.




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