Artists and Crafters: Two weeks left to apply for the Artist Marketplace at the Shoreline Arts Festival

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Artist marketplace booth
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Now seeking artists and crafters for the Artist Marketplace at the 2016 Shoreline Arts Festival. Apply by 10:59pm on Monday, February 29 for a chance to become one of the 70+ juried artists that make up the beating heart of our summer celebration of the arts!

The Shoreline Arts Festival is a free community event that gathers 10,000+ art lovers at Shoreline Center for two extraordinary days of art, culture, music, food, and more. The vibrant Artist Marketplace is situated in the most prominent street front of the Festival, with booths occupying the large space between the Shoreline Center building and 1st Ave NE.

Eligibility
• All work must be handmade. No commercially produced work, kits, or imported goods.

• All work must be original and created by or under direction of the artists(s).
• Artist(s) must attend the entire Festival.
• Items must match type & quality submitted for jurying. No work by non-juried artists.

Booth Specifications
Two types of outdoor booth spaces are available:
• 10’ x 10’ uncovered, on asphalt: $175
• 10′ x 20′ uncovered, on asphalt: $350

All booths must withstand Northwest weather conditions, with canopies weighted against wind. Tables and chairs are available for rental. Overnight security is provided. In addition to booth fee, a Shoreline business licenses may be needed.

Jurying
The jury panel includes working artists, gallery managers, and/or Festival directors, who determine the balance of categories and select the artists. Category sizes are based in part on average sales from previous years, and the organizers strive for a well-balanced mix of art types and price points, with emphasis always on quality of craftsmanship and vision. Jury decisions are confidential.

How to apply
Submit your application and $20 application fee online via Call for Entry by 10:59pm on Monday, February 29.

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Shorecrest, Shorewood teams to play in revamped WesCo 3A South

Shorecrest and Shorewood sports teams will continue to play in the WesCo 3A South division next year, with the division revamped from recent years.


The division will drop in size from seven teams to six, with Glacier Peak leaving the 3A division to move to the WesCo 4A, and Snohomish, which dropped from the 4A classification to 3A, joining the WesCo 3A North, expanding the North Division from six teams to seven.

That leaves Edmonds-Woodway, Lynnwood, Meadowdale, Mountlake Terrace, Shorecrest and Shorewood in the new WesCo 3A South. The WesCo 3A North will have Arlington, Everett, Marysville Getchell, Marysville-Pilchuck, Oak Harbor, Snohomish and Stanwood.

The WesCo 4A will have Cascade, Glacier Peak, Jackson, Kamiak, Lake Stevens, Mariner, Monroe and Mount Vernon.

Mountlake Terrace plans to stay in the WesCo 3A South, despite dropping to the 2A classification, just as Shorecrest had played in the WesCo 3A South as a 2A school for the last two years, before returning to 3A for the next four school years.

Football 3A divisions will be different, with the two 3A schools from the Northwest Conference – Ferndale and Squalicum – joining WesCo. That will put all 14 Northwest District 3A football teams in one league. Ferndale and Squalicum will join Arlington, Marysville Getchell, Marysville-Pilchuck, Oak Harbor and Stanwood in the north.

Everett and Snohomish will join Edmonds-Woodway, Lynnwood, Meadowdale, Shorecrest and Shorewood in the south. Mountlake Terrace expects to stay in WesCo football as the league’s only 2A member.

WesCo 3A athletics directors agreed on division alignments two weeks ago.

Those directors have yet to establish which sports would compete in divisions and which would have combined divisions.

Now, teams in football, tennis, basketball, baseball, softball and track compete in divisions, while teams in soccer, volleyball and cross country have combined divisions.

Directors have yet to set methods of qualifying for district play. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has yet to set the allocations for qualifying for state play.

WesCo and other high school leagues around Washington have been realigning in the wake of reclassification of Washington high schools in January. The new classifications are for four years. In recent years, reclassification happened every two years.

Plans for the WesCo’s only 2A school, Mountlake Terrace, to play in a football league that would include all of the Northwest District’s 12 2A schools in one football league apparently have fallen through.



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Jet City Rollergirls bout at Shoreline Derby Center Saturday

The Jet City Rollergirls are excited to bring you our 9th season of hard-hitting, fast-paced flat track derby action. Bouts are held at Shoreline Derby Center and feature a food truck, a beer garden, and a 50/50 raffle.

Saturday, February 20
Carnevil vs.Team Flash (Bellingham, WA)
Pink Pistols vs. Camaro Harem

Get your tickets now before prices increase at the door!

All bouts are held at the Shoreline Derby Center, 19022 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133,

Lobby doors open at 5pm. Track doors open at 5:30pm. Bouting action starts at 6:00pm




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Pancake Breakfast Saturday supports Legion activities

Guest dine while members take orders and serve
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The public is invited to a Breakfast sponsored by the Shoreline American Legion Post 227 this Saturday, February 20 from 8 - 11am at their building at the corner of NE 146th St and 17th Ave NE.

Members will serve a mouthwatering combo of pancake, ham and scrambled eggs with coffee and juice for a suggestion donation of $7 per person.

Proceeds will allow the post to serve the community while raising money for Post activities.



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Property tax statements are mailed - increases support childhood development and emergency services



Initiatives approved by voters last year will increase King County property taxes in 2016, which will result in additional investments in early childhood development, and emergency services. The majority of property tax revenue – nearly 53 percent – will pay for schools. 

The amount of revenue growth at local governments, meanwhile, is capped at 1 percent except for revenue from new construction.

King County Treasury collects property taxes on behalf of the state, cities, and taxing districts, and then distributes the revenue to local governments.

King County property tax bills were mailed February 12.

In some parts of King County, as much as 50 percent of 2016 property taxes are a result of voter-approved measures. These are typically school, fire, and other levies or bonds. New levies approved in 2015 include:
  • Best Starts for Kids to invest in prevention and early intervention services to improve the health and well-being of children, youth and families across King County. 
  • Creating the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network to provide local emergency responders with more modern and reliable communication tools. 

While individual property taxes vary depending upon location, property taxes went up 9.35 percent at the aggregate level. Countywide, property tax billings will be $4.5 billion in 2016, up from $4.1 billion from last year. It’s the primary funding source for schools, public safety, parks and libraries.

The amount of revenue growth at local governments is capped at 1 percent except for revenue from new construction.

About 19 cents of every property tax dollar supports services provided by King County government, while 18 cents goes to local cities.

Property owners can find tax levy rates and more property related information by visiting eReal Property Search on the King County Assessor’s website or by calling 206-296-7300.

Residential and commercial property in King County is assessed each year at its fair market value. For residential parcels, fair market value is determined by analyzing recent sales of comparable properties in the same area.

“The effects of King County’s growing economy and hot real estate market are not felt the same in all parts of the county,” said Assessor Wilson. 
“While property values increased significantly in some Seattle neighborhoods, property owners in Northeastern and Southeastern King County saw much smaller increases.”

To avoid interest and penalties, the first half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by May 2nd, 2016. The second half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by Oct. 31, 2016.

Property taxes are usually included in mortgage payments.

Helpful Links 


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SCC Clean Energy Technology students wow Public Health Laboratories with solar installation proposal

The Washington State Department of Health's Public Health Laboratories campus in Shoreline.

SCC's Clean Energy Technology (CET) program students got real world training on how to work with clients in an industry setting. In January, following months of research, students in the Zero Energy Design Practicum class presented an in-depth solar installation proposal to a board of managers and directors at the State of Washington’s Public Health Laboratories.

“Within the CET program here at Shoreline, students learn a wide range of skills in preparation for future employment in a renewable energy or high-performance building design field,” said CET Program Director Louise Petruzzella. “Conducting high-level analysis and learning the skills to present recommendations based on those research findings is an important part of that career preparation.”

That analysis started during this past summer quarter, when advanced program students participated in the Zero Energy Design Practicum, which is based on a curriculum aimed at presenting students with real-world solar photovoltaic (PV) system design situations and face-to-face customer interactions.

The students were given a variety of projects, including the opportunity to design a solar energy system for the Washington State Public Health Laboratories. The large laboratory campus, located in Shoreline, provided students with a unique challenge, as energy requirements and building layout and composition are more complicated than most typical residential situations.

For this specific project, the students were able to experience an on-site tour of the property, during which they were allowed to analyze the building’s current energy and HVAC systems and perform a solar site analysis to gauge the viability of a potential solar power system. After the information gathering period, the class spent the following weeks developing a potential system design for the laboratory, and put together a presentation outlining their plan.

“This is high-level, real-world work these students are doing in our program,” said Petruzzella. “We really put them through their paces here so that when they graduate they are able to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge employers are seeking.”

The students presented their findings to a board of 10 managers and directors at the Public Health Laboratories. Through their submission to the panel, students were able to educate laboratory personnel in the intricacies, challenges, and benefits of a solar installation, as well as to their specific project’s efficacy.



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Ukelele workshop Saturday at RB Library

Suekulele will teach you to play ukulele


A beginners Ukulele Workshop will be held at the Richmond Beach Library meeting room on Saturday, February 20 from 2-3:30pm

Richmond Beach Library, 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline 98177.

Learn the basics with Suekulele (Susan Howell). In an hour and a half, learn some chords, how to strum to accompany songs and play along with others!

Loaner ukuleles will be available.

Class size is limited; registration required.

Sponsored by the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council.



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9 to 5 opens Friday at Seattle Musical Theatre


Seattle Musical Theatre is excited to bring you 9 To 5 The Musical! Our third show of the season is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie about the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Doralee and Judy live out their wildest fantasy - giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she?

February 19 – March 13, tickets available online.



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Working to open the Fircrest Recreation Building for the community

Fircrest Activity Center

By Denny Sargent

There is an amazing resource in our Shoreline community that is in limbo and a number of us in the community are seeking to revitalize it and reopen this possible community center, including meeting rooms, a kitchen and beautiful pools that could become an important resource for all of us, including Fircrest residents. Closed due to budget issues, we are seeking to reopen and renew this recreation building.

A recent tour of the Fircrest Recreation (or Activity) Building was a huge success. Over 32 people attended to take a peek around what is inside this gem of a building which is such a potential community asset for us all in Shoreline. For those of you who were not able to attend, here is a synopsis. Please keep in mind that there will likely be opportunities to view the building in the future.

The vast building holds the following rooms which we all saw; A huge space containing 2 pools and 2 large dressing room and support areas.

These pools are also equipped for people with all kinds of handicaps and that is a unique fixture. The pool area has a beautiful wall of windows as well.

There is an activity room, currently used by Fircrest residents, with a full kitchen and dining area. There are a number of empty offices and meeting rooms and a large gym with pull-out bleachers that can fit hundreds and a hidden full stage that opens up when in use for entertainment.

About the building are open, rolling fields with full sun just waiting for a p-patch or other gardens!

There are a number of other features but those are the main ones.

We had a wonderful and exhaustive and inspiring tour with frequent explanations by Jeff Fleshner, The Superintendent of Fircrest RHC and we all left feeling that this was a resource 'in limbo' due to funding cuts that would very much benefit the whole community for decades to come.

There will be an open meeting for interested people from the community on March the 3rd from 7-8:30 pm  at the Fircrest Recreation (Activity)  Building, just show up. the address is: Fircrest School RHC, 15230 15th NE, Shoreline 98155.

To get to Fircrest Activity Building, drive through the main entrance (off 15th ave NE, where 155th St hits it) take a left and it is the first building on the right, up on a small hill. Everyone interested is welcomed to join us, see you there!



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Photos: Flowers at Central Market

Monday, February 15, 2016

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Lee Lageschulte has an elegant solution to bad weather - she takes her walks inside stores and admires and photographs the flowers she finds in the stores.

These beauties are at Central Market - and no, I don't know what they are. Lilies?




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Lovecraft, scandal, intrigue, and parallel universes at Third Place Books this week

As usual, an eclectic line up of authors discussing their books at Third Place Books this week.

Tuesday, February 16, 7-8pm
Blue Voyage by Diana Renn

Zan is a politician's daughter and an adrenaline junkie. Whether she's rock climbing or shoplifting, she loves to live on the edge. But she gets more of a rush than she bargained for on a forced mother daughter bonding trip to Turkey, where she finds herself in the crosshairs of an antiquities smuggling ring

Wednesday, February 17, 7-8pm
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

The critically acclaimed cult novelist makes visceral the terrors of life in Jim Crow America in this brilliant and wondrous work of the imagination that melds historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror and fantasy.

Friday, February 19, 6:30-7:30pm
Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee

Lilliet Berne is a sensation of the Paris Opera, a legendary soprano with every accolade except an original role, every singer's chance at immortality. When one is finally offered to her, she realizes with alarm that the libretto is based on a hidden piece of her past.

Saturday, February 20, 6:30-7:30pm
Blueberry Muffins are Up a Buck a Pair by Leroy Henry

A fantasy novel from the Parallel Universe written by 2 best friends in the 70's. Each chapter contains its own playlist which can be accessed by a QR code on most smart devices. Load the playlist by simply taking a snapshot of the QR code at the start of each chapter and you will be redirected to the playlist on Spotify.

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



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Quick Start Shoreline Tuesday - entrepreneurs

Join the business community at a Quick-Start “Working Session” TODAY Tuesday, February 16 from 12:00 to 1:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, 98133.

Quick-Start Shoreline is presented by Shoreline Community College Small Business Accelerator and the City of Shoreline. These workshops are designed to be helpful for start-up, existing and potential business owners, and business leaders who want to sharpen their innovation and entrepreneurial skills in a welcoming environment. Sessions are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch. Noon Networking. 12:15 lecture. Free.


Entrepreneurs are known risk-takers who seek ways of disrupting business-as-usual practices. They are endowed with characteristics that allow them to modify the environment and they possess traits that give them personal competitive advantages. They have vision, are risk tolerant, yet seek to avoid it.

They are explores whose passion and perseverance allow them to manage resources and design pathways to success, while they minimize risk along the way. Though their ventures will sometimes fail, they are quick to pick up again. They trust their instincts, they work through intuition, and they continually evaluate self-identify. Yet, there is still much to learn.

 Join this Entrepreneurial Leadership workshop to learn new ways to develop your strengths. Highly engaging. Bring your lunch! Leave when you need to.

Thought Leadership
People use the term “thought leader” as if all you have to do to become one is set up a Twitter account and start tweeting. This is hardly the case. True thought leaders have expertise, passion, and a track record of changing the world. They become thought leaders when they rise above themselves by sharing their knowledge so that others can change the world, too. Perhaps most importantly, they are recognized by their peers — they do not declare themselves. It is only through a sincere commitment to share the path forward to a better future that they earn the right to be called a thought leader.
- -  Guy Kawasaki

Greg Price
Greg Price is the Academic Program Director for MA in Leadership and Human Resource Management at City University of Seattle.  He is also Associate Professor instructing courses in Leadership and Business. In private industry, he served as director for a training organization in Tokyo, Japan, and as Publisher and Vice President for a regional publishing company.

He earned his BA in Economics from the University of Washington, his MBA from the University of Phoenix and he is presently a Doctoral Candidate earning a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership at City University of Seattle.



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Maxine Reyes serves as page in State legislature

Maxine Reyes and Rep. Cindy Ryu D-32
on the floor of the House of Representatives
Photo courtesy Washington State Legislative Support Services

Maxine Reyes, a student at St. Luke School, served as a page last week in the Washington State House of Representatives.

Sponsored by state Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), Maxine is the daughter of Pamela and Arnel Reyes of Shoreline.

Pages perform a wide variety of responsibilities, from presenting the flags to distributing amendments on the House floor.

In addition to contributing to the efficient operation of the Legislature, pages receive daily civics instruction, draft their own bills, and participate in mock committee hearings.

Maxine enjoys public speaking and is a member of the St. Luke Speech Team.



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Governor in Shoreline Wednesday

Gov. Jay Inslee
Governor Jay Inslee will be in Shoreline Wednesday at the WSDOT Transportation Management Center, 15710 Dayton Ave N, Shoreline to announce express toll lane changes on I-405 and new changes to assist with congestion along I-5 corridor.

Gov. Jay Inslee will meet with workers and managers at Washington State Department of Transportation’s new Transportation Management Center in Shoreline on Tuesday, February 16.

Inslee will highlight two key proposals – new Incident Response Teams and faster replacement of aging expansion joints – for improving congestion and safety along the I-5 corridor.

Inslee is requesting the Legislature to approve 10 new Incident Response Teams that can quickly help clear collisions and provide roadside assistance.

IRTs have proven to be a cost-effective way of reducing congestion resulting from blocking collisions and disabled vehicles on the freeway. Inslee proposed $10 million for the new IRTs in his supplemental transportation budget.

Inslee will also announce that WSDOT is scheduled to replace dozens of aging expansion joints along I-5 from Marysville to Federal Way. This is a critical safety and maintenance issue that Inslee says cannot be delayed.

In addition, Inslee will announce more than a dozen improvements being made to the I-405 express toll lanes to improve traffic flow and add capacity.



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Shorecrest boys' swim team #1 in NW District 2A

Shorecrest Swim Team displays its First Place trophy

The Shorecrest Scots took the top spot at the NW District 2A swim and dive finals at the Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center in Anacortes on Saturday.

Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 212

1. Shorecrest High School 308
2. Anacortes High School 271
3. Sehome High School 188
4. Squalicum High School 150
5. Archbishop Murphy High School 120
6. Burlington Edison High School 85
7. Bellingham High School 78
8. Lynden High School 67
9. Sedro Woolley High School 22
10. Blaine High School 16

The Scots took top spots in many of the events

Boys 200 yard medley
2nd - Aric Prieve, Matthew Creagan, Ryan Hallgrimson, Samuel Devos

200 yard freestyle
1st - Grant Heisey

200 yard IM
3rd - Matthew Creagan

50 yard freestyle
2nd - Gunnar Ruud

100 yard freestyle
3rd - Daniel Zevenbergen
4th - Gunnar Ruud

500 yard freestyle
lst - Grant Heisey

200 yard freestyle relay
2nd - Daniel Zevenbergen, Grant Heisey, Gunnar Ruud

100 yard backstroke
1st - Aric Prieve
4th - Ryan Hallgrimson

400 yard freestyle relay
2nd - Grant Heisey, Gunnar Ruud, Daniel Zevenbergen, Aric Prieve

Full results here



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Shoreline Planning Commission Thursday to study wetlands issue around 145th rezone

Shoreline Planning Commission
Regular Meeting, Thursday, February 18, 2016
Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Agenda Highlights - Link to full Agenda

  • Additional Technical Assessments for the 145th Street Station Subarea Plan Environmental Impact Statement Study Item (wetlands)
  • Living Building Ordinance Study Item
  • Comprehensive Plan Docket 2016 Study Item
Link to full Packet

Comment on Agenda items




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Shorecrest boys' basketball one game away from Regionals

#3 Malcom Rosier-Butler
Photo by Geoff Vlcek

On Saturday night the Shorecrest Scots came from behind early to win by 31 over the Cedarcrest Red Wolves in the 1st round of the 2A District playoffs.

Down by 1 at the end of the 1st quarter (16-17) the Scots roared back to outscore the Red Wolves 22-13 during the 2nd quarter.

#22 Aubry Victor
Photo by Geoff Vlcek

Strong performances by Philip Pepple (25 pts, 3 blks), Aubry Victor (10+ rebs, 2 assts) and Malcolm Rosier-Butler (15pts, 8 assts, 2 stls) helped to grow the lead. By the end of the game there were 4 Scots in double figures in scoring.

The Scots now move on to play Lynden at Mount Vernon HS on Tuesday at 8pm. The winner of that game will be automatically qualified for the 2A Regionals.

#55 Philip Pepple - dunking
Photo by Geoff Vlcek

Tuesday’s game should be a tough matchup for the Scots with Lynden posting a regular season record of 20-1, but the boys seem to be playing well together and the playoffs are exactly the time to be in the grove.

--Geoff Vlcek



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Left-behind children in China - Global Affairs presentation Thursday evening

Prof. Kam Wing Chan
In China, a new generation of children is growing up in the countryside with only one or no parent around during most of the time of the year. They are called “left-behind children.”

Their population has grown to more than 60 million; half of them are between age 6 and 14. They are left behind because their parents have gone to work in the city, often hundreds of miles away from home.

Lacking day-to-day parental care and close guidance, the “left-behind” children face many problems and many of them get into trouble. Some develop psychological problems; others fall victims to bullying, physical or sexual abuse, or even serious accidents.

A presentation by Prof. Kam Wing Chan, Geography Department, University of Washington on Thursday evening explains how China’s special, “incomplete” urbanization policy and the hukou (household registration) system function in concert to produce a generation of “left-behind” children and “migrant children,” and their implications.

Thursday, February 18, 7pm, PUB Room 9208, Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98155 (campus maps). Admission to the event is free and the community is welcomed. Parking is free in the evenings.

Presented by the Global Affairs Center at Shoreline Community College, directed by Larry Fuell.



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Flags at half-staff

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation issued on February 13, 2016, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of U.S Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, February 20, 2016, or first thing Monday morning, February 22, 2016

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

updated 2-19-2016



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Presidents in Washington (state)

Sunday, February 14, 2016

U.S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Barack Obama
Courtesy HistoryLink.org

Presidents in Residence
From HistoryLink.org

This week HistoryLink.org celebrates Presidents Day with a look at the three U.S. presidents who briefly called Washington their home before making their way to the White House. We begin with Ulysses S. Grant, who in 1852 arrived at Columbia Barracks on the Columbia River in what is now Clark County. He served 15 months there as camp quartermaster and it was here in the Northwest that the future president grew out his beard, which would characterize his appearance for the remainder of his life.

In 1940, Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower reported for duty at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma. His wife Mamie preceded him to establish their home, in a building that still stands and is marked with a plaque. Their son John attended Stadium High School and the Eisenhowers had a very active social life. While stationed at Fort Lewis, Ike was promoted to colonel before he and his family left for Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1941. Following that, Eisenhower went to war where he rose to the rank of five-star general. In 1952, he was elected president and returned to Washington several times in that capacity.

President Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a teenager when she moved to Seattle with her family in 1955, living in Columbia City, then Wedgwood, and finally on Mercer Island. After graduating from high school, Dunham enrolled in the University of Hawaii, where she met and married Barack Obama. Their son, Barack Hussein Obama, was born on August 4, 1961.

Shortly after his birth, baby Barack and his mother moved back to Seattle, where Stanley enrolled at the University of Washington. Mother and son lived in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for less than a year, returning to Hawaii before the autumn of 1962. Although Obama's stay in Seattle was brief, it was the beginning of a journey from this Washington's Capitol Hill to the other one.



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For the Birds: Presidents' Day bird - Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow on alert
Photo by Blair Bernson
By Christine Southwick

Never heard of a Lincoln’s Sparrow?

Perhaps that is because most Lincoln’s Sparrows only pass through our neighborhoods on their migration routes to and from their preferred shrubby and marshy fields, preferably located 3,000 feet and above. Since these anti-flocking sparrows are often found walking or hopping in tall grass and thick brush in damp areas searching for their food, they are not as visible as some other species.

They usually forage singly or with another or two Lincoln’s Sparrow , but during winter migration they may join other species of sparrows. They most certainly stop in damp grassy or brushy areas around here, but many people misidentify them as a variant of our local Song Sparrows.

A Lincoln’s Sparrow looks to me, a first glance, like a smallish Song Sparrow with gray instead of brown overtones, buffier breast and darker stripes than our better known dark Song Sparrows, plus a buffy eye-ring. I usually notice the buffier breast first, then I start looking more closely.

Lincoln's Sparrow using blackberries
Photo by Scott Ramos

Lincoln’s Sparrows eat spiders, beetles, larvae, leafhoppers, flies, etc. They add small seeds to their diet in the wintertime. They only occasionally visit feeders, most often suet.

Some Lincoln’s Sparrows have started wintering here rather than migrating to neo-tropical areas. Lincoln’s Sparrows are spotted every winter in Magnuson Park where parts of the park satisfy their needs. This is another species that uses blackberry brambles for winter shelter and feeding.

These birds require edges of wetlands for breeding. The female prefers building her well-concealed ground nest in boggy sites within short willow or birch shrubs, the denser the better. Since even hidden nests have a high danger quotient, the 3-5 newly hatched young leave the nest in 10-11 days, about a week before they can fly. This is a common survival tactic for ground-nesting birds, with the parents feeding these young for about three to four weeks after they leave the nest.

Lincoln's Sparrow
Photo by Blair Bernson

Conservation of their sub-alpine wetland breeding habitat, and also their wintering areas is of vital importance for their continued populations. And because these habitats are not deemed valuable by most people, many Lincoln’s Sparrows have been affected by herbicide application.

Males attract mates and defend their territory with a loud cheery jumble of notes, very different than Song Sparrows, perhaps the best clue, but usually not in the wintertime.



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League of Women Voters presents research on death penalty Wednesday


The League of Women Voters will be discussing the death penalty in Washington State at the unit meeting, Wednesday, February 17, 9:15am at the Third Place Commons, intersection of Ballinger and Bothell Way in Lake Forest Park.

The United States and Washington State has had a long history of using the death penalty.  In Washington it has been established and abolished several times. The death penalty was abolished in 1914, reinstated in 1919, abolished in 1974, reinstated in 1981, and in 2014 Governor Inslee placed a moratorium on the death penalty.

The League of Women Voters recently completed extensive studies on the death penalty. For a summary of the findings go to The Voter on the Death Penalty.

The study finds several reasons for the changing opinions of the death penalty.

  • The death penalty does not deter crime. Death penalty states do not have a lower murder rate.
  • Since 1976, 150 people sentenced to death have been exonerated.
  • The understanding of forensic evidence has changed, e.g., eye witness testimony is unreliable, hair sampling matching and lie detectors are no longer used by the FBI.
  • There are serious problems with the actual execution methods. Recent executions have been botched. Execution drugs are not readily available. 

A recent Seattle University study found that the cost of a capital murder case is a million dollars more than one without the death penalty.  

All around King County there are small monthly League unit meetings, creating time for people to discuss important issues. The unit meeting for the northend of King County meets at Third Place Commons in the Stadler Room. Everyone is welcome.



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Reminder: Echo Lake NA to hear presentation on surface water

"Where does the water go when the rains begin to fall?"

The Echo Lake Neighborhood Association February 16 meeting, 7-9pm at City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, 3rd floor, will hear a presentation from Uki Dele, City of Shoreline Surface Water and Environmental Services Manager.



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LFP City Council mini-retreat on Tuesday

The Lake Forest Park City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, February 16, from 4pm to 7pm at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE to:

Discuss and identify service levels regarding strategic plan with Leadership Team




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Food truck schedule - one a day - new on Saturday - Charlie's Buns

Charlie's onion ring burger
Charlie's Buns 'N Stuff

Ridgecrest Public House Week Food Truck Schedule
February 15-21, 2016

The Ridgecrest Public House at 5th NE and NE 165th continues to sponsor food trucks outside their business on most days.

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.

Monday 15th: El Cabrito
Mexican food.

Tuesday 16th: Bread and Circuses
Sandwiches: burger, roast port, salmon reuben, chicken, tofu taco, and fried Brussel sprout caesar.

Wednesday 17th: Napkin Friends
Soups, sandwiches, salads

Thursday 18th: The Peach and The Pig
Pulled pork, grilled chicken, or mushroom sandwiches, meatballs and mushrooms, prawn salad, beer.

Friday 19th: Streetzeria
Italian food, salads, salads on flatbread, 11 different pizzas.

Saturday 20th: Charlie's Buns 'N Stuff - New!
Burgers from local, 100% pasture-raised beef, free of growth hormones, antibiotics, and animal by-products. Cheesesteaks available both in steak and chicken on a fresh baked (daily) hoagie roll.

Sunday 21st: Yummy Box
Asian food: pork stew, bacon burger, Indonesian beef, popcorn chicken, chicken curry, fried noodles.



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Crime in Shoreline - week of Feb 8, 2016

Selected items from Shoreline Police blotter, week of 2-8-2016

01-30  12 boxes of pistol ammunition were left in front yard at 3xx NE 158th.
01-30  Unknown suspects broke padlock to enter vacant house at 7xx N 201st posted "Do Not Occupy".
01-31  Car window smashed and purse taken from front seat of car parked at Boeing Creek Park.
02-01  Glass door kicked in at Taco Del Mar on N 205th.
02-02  Unknown suspect found a home with unlocked sun room and unlocked car and rummaged through both. 171xx Midvale.
02-02  Burglar entered home at 173xx Ashworth at 3:27am. Homeowner confronted burglar, fought him and threw him off the porch. Burglar dropped a bag with 6.5 ounces of heroin inside.
02-02  Locked mountain bike stolen from back yard at 3xx NE Serpentine.
02-02  Suspect jumped the counter of the Richmond Beach QFC Pharmacy and stole drugs.
02-03  A shoplift turned violent at A/A Wireless, 526 NE 165th and the shoplifter was chased out of the strip mall.
02-03  A refund check mailed to victim was never received, but was cashed.
02-03  A suspect at the Park Ridge nursing center on 145th confronted officers and attempted to grab a weapon. Tazered and booked into jail.
02-03  Burglar entered home by prying open second story window, 16xx NW 192nd.
02-03  Burglar stole laptop but ignored cash sitting in the open at 148xx 15th NE.
02-04  Car left running and unlocked in front of apartment at 22xx NE 198th Ct was stolen.
02-05  Police area check for a suspicious person at 8xx NE 170th found person with drugs and outstanding warrant.
02-05  Garage door spray painted and vehicle windshield and hood smashed with rocks at 152xx Fremont.
02-05  Burglar entered through unlocked kitchen window at 183xx Ashworth.
02-07  21xx block N 175th, driver arrested for DUI after car jumps curb and stops with front wheel on sidewalk and one flat tire.



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Small Business: Stepping Stone Graphics and Loving Companions


Stepping Stone Graphics is a home-based print and web design business in the Parkwood neighborhood of Shoreline. Owner Barb Levy has many years of experience as a graphic artist, creating ads, business cards, signage, flyers, forms, websites, and more. She has a special fondness for working with small businesses, non-profits, artists, and healing practitioners.

Parkwood NA Web Page
created by Stepping Stone Graphics
Locally, she has designed and produced the Parkwood Neighborhood Association’s website, signage, and print newsletters, as well as print projects for the City of Shoreline’s Council of Neighborhoods.


An animal lover, Barb recently launched Loving Companions, and creates web pages for pet owners to “share the joy of adopting a new pet, the antics of your current companion, or reminiscences of a pet you’ve had to say your final goodbyes to.” A portion of profits are donated to animal rescue groups.

You may contact Barb at 206-920-0670, or by email. design@lovingcompanions.org



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Local Shoreline businesses among the exhibitors at the Seattle Home Show

This year the Seattle Home Show, the oldest and largest home show in the nation, will open its doors on February 20 to 28 at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Among the many exhibitors will be local businesses from Shoreline.

Businesses from Shoreline include:

Other trends and features the public can see at the Seattle Home Show include:
  • Tiny homes, from modular to custom
  • Remodeling of all types, from fixing up to sell to aging in place
  • In-home game rooms
  • Technology in every aspect of the home, from kitchen to whole house home automation
  • Decorating for millennials/first time home buyers
  • “Swim/Bike/Run for Habitat,” an on-site fundraiser where local volunteers compete to raise money for affordable housing
  • Free collectible appraisals by celebrity art and antiques appraiser Dr. Lori (February 22 and 23 only)
The Seattle Home Show runs February 20 through February 28 at CenturyLink Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle 98134. Show hours are: Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 6pm; Monday – Friday 12pm – 6pm. Admission is $12.00 Adults, $8.00 Seniors (60+), $3.00 Juniors (7-15), under 7 free. E-tickets are available for purchase online.

The Seattle Home Show is sponsored by Master Builders Association and The Seattle Times. Toyota Official Show Vehicle; DISH Official T.V. Satellite Provider

Parking will be available at CenturyLink Field Event Center Parking Garage, CenturyLink Field North Lot and Safeco Field Garage.



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A Little Night Music at Shoreline Community College Feb 19-21



Shoreline Community College Opera Workshop is presenting Stephen Sondheim’s sublime musical, A Little Night Music, on February 19, 20 and 21 in the Shoreline Campus Theater, 16101 Greenwood Ave N (campus maps). Free parking.

The plot follows the romantic lives of several interconnected couples and features the block-buster song Send in the Clowns.

Tickets available online or at the door.



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Body found at Mountlake Terrace - Lake Forest Park border identified as missing MLT woman

Mountlake Terrace Police Commander Kevin Pickard briefs the media
near where the body was discovered Sunday.
Photo by Amanda Petrowski

Reporting by Natalie Covate and Doug Petrowski in MLT News

A search party of family and friends looking Sunday for missing Mountlake Terrace resident Cheryl DeBoer discovered the body of a woman in a culvert at Cedar Way and 244th Street SW in Mountlake Terrace, (just north of 37th NE in Lake Forest Park.)

While police would not officially confirm the identity, Han Nachtrieb, vice president of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center human resources, released a statement stating that the body had been identified as DeBoer, our online news partner The Seattle Times reports.

“It is with deep regret and sorrow that we’ve recently had confirmation that Cheryl DeBoer, missing since February 8, has been found. Her remains were located this afternoon near the King/Snohomish border,” Nachtrieb wrote. “Cheryl has been in the hearts and minds of her many friends and co-workers, and we are deeply saddened by this tragic news.”

Mountlake Terrace police spokesman Commander Kevin Pickard said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that the body has not been officially identified. The area where the body was found is now an active crime scene and investigators are processing evidence, Pickard said.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the body as well as the cause of death, he said. There is no time frame for when that will occur.

“Our hearts are really heavy right now,” Pickard said.

Road closure on Cedar Way.
Photo by Doug Petrowski

Cedar Way between 236th Place Southwest and 244th Street Southwest remained closed to traffic Sunday afternoon.

Cheryl DeBoer
Cheryl DeBoer was last heard from on Monday, Feb. 8 when she texted her work friend that she forgot her work badge and couldn’t meet her at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center to carpool. Her friend said she would wait for her, but couldn’t reach her.

DeBoer worked as a systems analyst at the Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Police said there was no activity on her phone since she went missing. The phone was not in her car, which was found Monday near the Transit Center overflow parking, located in the 23400 block of 58th Avenue West.

Volunteers have been searching for DeBoer since the day she vanished. A GoFundMe page was created Saturday to support the family.



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Car - pedestrian accident at 160th and Aurora Sunday evening

8:30pm Aurora was closed at N 160th because of a car-pedestrian accident. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital and onlookers reported that it looked serious. The road was reopened at 10pm after the investigation was completed.



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Valentine's Day blooms at local stores

Saturday, February 13, 2016


Richmond Beach QFC is a riot of color for Valentine's Day.


Not to be outdone, Fred Meyer has its own display.


If you are lucky, they may still have Valentine's plants on Sunday


All photos by Lee Lageschulte



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For the Birds: Valentine’s Day Bird –The bird with the heart face

Female Barn Owl
Photo by Max Warner

By Christine Southwick

The Barn Owl has a distinctive heart-shaped face, unlike any other owl, which makes it perfect for representing Valentine’s Day. Matter of fact, Barn Owls are so different from other owls that they belong to a separate family from all other owls, and are found in temperate zones on all continents.

Did you know that Barn Owls don’t hoot, or that they have such definitive hearing that they can hunt in total darkness? Scientists believe that their large heart-shaped faces condense sound and, added to their asymmetric ears, these owls can triangulate the source of scurrying little feet, and this allows Barn Owls to hunt in a deep darkness other owls cannot.

Barn owl flying
Stock photo

Barn Owls are medium owls with long legs and toes, and are the only owl that tolerates humans. Barn Owls have found that where there are open fields for farming there are many of their night-moving favorite vermin, rats, mice, voles, and other rodents, including rabbits.

According to research, a family of Barn Owls can kill about 1,300 rats a year — truly a farmer/rancher’s best friend.

Barn Owls fly low over large open areas of marsh, grass, or farm land with slow, buoyant wing beats, making their flight distinctive, although not usually seen since these are strictly nocturnal hunters.

Northwest barn with resident owl
Photo by Samantha Robinson

During the day they sleep (and nest) in cavities — holes in large trees, barns, church steeples, silos, hay piles, basalt cliffs, even nest boxes. Their eerie, raspy calls at night, or when startled by an unsuspecting human, has led to many a fright, and stories of haunted abandoned buildings.

Barn Owls mate for life, but will replace a deceased partner. Barn Owls will defend the area around their nests, but are willing to share their hunting territories, which is one reason there are not many confrontations between Barn Owls and humans.

Male barn owl
Stock photo


The females are slightly larger than the males, are usually redder, and have more spots on their chests than the males.

The greatest danger for these owls is habitat loss, especially since open flat areas are great for parking lots and other development. And as habitat dwindles and car traffic increases, many Barn Owls are hit by cars, since they fly low over fields (hedgerows next to roads help elevate their flight).

Old open buildings and large trees with openings near open areas would welcome these vermin-controlling owls. Nest boxes help too.



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Proposed changes to 145th to be revealed at Open House

A design concept for 145th from the 9-30-2015 open house

145th, from the freeway to Bothell Way, will be a major traffic corridor for the new Sound Transit station planned for 145th.

It is one of only two major routes from Lake Forest Park to I-5. Right now it is a narrow, two-lane road bordering a residential area. Shopping areas make for challenging intersections at 15th NE and at Bothell Way.

As the dividing line between Shoreline and Seattle, the ownership of the road is a complexity of shared space.

It is high-traffic, accident-prone, and lacking in safe and accessible sidewalks.

Shoreline transportation planners have been working on changes to the road for a year and have held two previous open houses to share their work.

The third and final open house for the 145th Street Multimodal Corridor Study will be on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 6 - 8pm (presentation at 6:30pm) at Shorecrest High School, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

At this time, a draft preferred concept for the corridor will be presented and the project team would like to hear your comments.

Additional information can be found here

If there are questions about this study, the project manager is Kurt Seemann 206-801-2483.





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After school hang time at Kellogg


Photo courtesy Shoreline Public Schools

Kellogg Middle School's Hang Time Program has been offering students something to do after school for many years. 

The program is a collaboration among many local organizations and governments that offer students numerous activities and club opportunities in the hours after the final school bell rings.

A video about the program can be viewed here.



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