On the Mayor's Mind - reflections on the past year

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Chris Roberts
Mayor of Shoreline
By Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts

“It’s a magical world, … let’s go exploring.” - Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes, December 31, 1995)

After a fresh snowfall, our cedars glisten. Our firs show off with their snow-covered branches as if they are about to walk the red carpet. Looking out at the beauty of nature always brings me a sense of peace, and an opportunity to reflect.

One of the first actions the Council took in 2017 was unanimously declaring Shoreline to be an inviting, equitable, and safe community for all. As leaders in the community, we have a special responsibility not to stay silent in the face of discrimination, harassment, or hate against any of our residents. I strongly believe Shoreline should remain a leader in protecting human rights, promoting equity, and ensuring the public safety and social well-being of all our residents.

I am proud that Shoreline has a plan to expand and invest in our park system over the next six years. This July, the Council adopted our Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, guiding investments in our parks system for the next six years. Once implemented, Shoreline will acquire five acres of parkland and restore ten acres of urban forest. Over the next couple of years, we will have a community discussion about building a new aquatics and community center in the City, with the goal to send a proposal to voters in 2020.

This October we welcomed the employees of the Ronald Wastewater District as City employees, as part of phase one of our merger. The City and the District signed a service agreement earlier in the year whereby the City will operate and maintain the utility while the Ronald Board of Commissioners will continue to govern the utility and set rates. This merger will lead to one-stop permitting, and ultimately savings, for Shoreline ratepayers.

As part of our budget process, we prioritized public safety by authorizing the hiring of a new police officer. We also made a substantial investment in our surface water utility, which will reduce flooding, address pollution, and remove the Hidden Lake Dam. Our commitment to public safety and maintaining our infrastructure will be beneficial for years to come.

As a Council, I am proud of several positions we took that will promote democracy and the welfare of our residents. Our legislative priorities include support for automatic voter registration in Washington to reduce the barriers to voting. We also called upon the state legislature to pass the capital budget, which includes funding for some surface water utility projects in our City. We expressed our recommitment to meeting the sustainability goals of the Paris Climate Accord and signed onto a brief that supports endorsement of anti-discrimination laws.

This year we saw the beginnings of some notable construction projects that will shape our City for years to come. Our new police station at city hall will open in the middle of next year. The School District started construction of a new early learning center, the first of four new schools that will be built. The Community College is starting work on its first dormitory, and Sound Transit is starting construction of two light rail stations, and we will see significant private investment across the City.

Next year we will have a continued discussion of sidewalk maintenance and construction, as well as how to fund pedestrian infrastructure.

We will also see changes in both the Council and School Board in 2018. I am very thankful for the work that Shari Winstead has done for our community, especially her invaluable contributions to expanding and renovating our parks. While she will no longer be serving as a member of the council, our community will reap the benefits of Shari’s efforts on behalf of our community well into the future.

Debi Ehrlichman has been and will continue to be a tireless advocate for our children. During her tenure as a Shoreline Director, among countless other important contributions, Debi oversaw the construction of new high schools and the passage of a bond that will lead to the construction of new middle schools. I am looking forward to working with our new Councilmember, Susan Chang, and the newest member of our School Board, Heather Fralick.

As the snow was falling earlier this week, I instinctively stuck out my tongue, hoping to catch a snowflake, and later on, I grabbed a sled and found myself speed down the hill. Snow has magical powers - an ability to bring out our sense of wonder and provides that glimpse of a blank canvas, full of unlimited possibilities and opportunities.

Happy New Years!


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Kenmore Air Harbor to help Kenmore manage invasive weeds in Lake Washington and Sammamish River

Seaplane at Kenmore Air
Kenmore Air Harbor has provided $15,000 to a city of Kenmore program to manage invasive aquatic plants.

The payment is part of an agreement between the company and the Washington Department of Ecology to settle the company’s appeal of a $25,000 penalty for dangerous waste violations Ecology issued earlier this year. (See previous article)

The city of Kenmore is not party to the settlement agreement, nor is the city involved in Ecology’s enforcement efforts with Kenmore Air.

As part of the settlement Kenmore Air has paid a reduced fine of $5,000 and will pay another $5,000 if its float plane maintenance facility along Lake Washington violates the state’s dangerous waste regulations within the next two years.

“This funding from Kenmore Air will benefit the city’s important work to restore natural habitat and water quality,” said Darin Rice, manager of Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program. “This settlement also builds on steps Kenmore Air has taken to correct its violations and sustain those improvements.”

The city’s Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan guides city and property owner efforts to control aquatic weeds in Lake Washington and the Sammamish River. Heavy growth of invasive plants harms natural habitats and interferes with recreational and commercial activities.

The city also received a $29,400 Ecology Aquatic Invasive Plant Management Fund Grant this year for development of the plan.

The penalty and settlement are part of Ecology’s broader efforts to reduce and prevent toxic threats to the environment.

(You can view and download “Kenmore Air Harbor Settlement” at Ecology’s public file sharing site.)



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Tuesday in LFP - Mayors of Kenmore and LFP - 46th District Legislators

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

46th District Legislators
From left: Rep. Gerry Pollet, Rep. Javier Valdez,
and Sen. David Frockt


Legislative Send Off and District Town Hall meeting at Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, beginning at 6:30pm.


Mayor Jeff Johnson of Lake Forest Park and Mayor David Baker of Kenmore will each speak on their city's 2017 Accomplishments and 2018 Upcoming Needs.

The 46th District legislative team will be introduced and make remarks:
  • Senator David Frockt
  • Representative Gerry Pollet
  • Representative Javier Valdez 

The gathering will then transition to a Town Hall Event as the legislative team prepares to go to Olympia for the 2018 state legislative session.

The community will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion with legislators and share their views.

The town hall will adjourn at 8:30pm.



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New show at Gallery at Town Center LFP opens Tuesday


The Gallery at Town Center Lake Forest Park
Presents 

Brian Kern and Diane Walker
January 2 - February 17, 2018

The Gallery at Town Center in Lake Forest Park is exhibiting a selection of works by Fine Art Oil Painter Brian Kern and Abstract Impressionist Diane Walker on view January 2 – February 17, 2018. 

See these works and the creations of over 90 other local artists during gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, Noon to 5pm.

Brian Kern’s education is in Mechanical Engineering, but he has worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, boat builder, programmer, musician, teacher, writer, internet systems troubleshooter, Dandelion Botanical Company store owner, and artist. He has been an ocean sailor, taught sailing and navigation, built a 42′ sailboat, and lived aboard a 47′ pilothouse trawler on Lake Union in Seattle for several years. He grew up in the greater Seattle area and has spent much of his time exploring the woods, waters, and mountains here. The last five years Kern has focused on his art and arts community.

Diane Walker’s abstract impressionist paintings are informed by her 15-year career as a contemplative photographer. Working primarily in acrylics, she creates mystical abstract paintings that reflect her more than 20 years spent living on and photographing islands in the Pacific Northwest. Like her photographs, her paintings emerge out of her daily meditation practice: she rarely approaches the canvas with a specific plan in mind, but rather applies the paint in response to the promptings of the moment. The resulting works dance in that thin zone between the formless and form, drifting from individual to universal and back again, and inviting the viewer into an open, imaginative, and peaceful space.

The Gallery at Town Center is a program of the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council and is located inside the Lake Forest Park Town Center on the lower level. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts.



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LFP Realtor® honored by peers

Beverly Read, Realtor®
Windermere Real Estate Northlake
in Lake Forest Park
Eleven individuals and one organization were singled out for special honors at the 2017 Installation and Awards Banquet of the Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR).

The event also featured the installation of the organization’s 2018 leaders, recognition of individuals from affiliated organizations, and a dessert auction to benefit a scholarship fund.

Held annually, this year’s event, held at The Museum of Flight, drew more than 200 participants. They included members, affiliates, and representatives from the group’s Council of Residential Specialists, Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and Young Professionals Network (YPN).

SKCR’s highest honor, the Realtor of the Year award, went to Sam DeBord, managing broker of Coldwell Banker Danforth in Seattle and a leader of Realtor associations at the local, state and national levels.

Beverly Read, a Seniors Real Estate Specialist at Windermere Real Estate Northlake in Lake Forest Park Town Center, received the Leader of the PAC award for her commitment to the Realtors’ Political Action Committee and Realtor Party.

Read, named a multiple-year “Five Star Agent” by Seattle Magazine, has earned several professional designations and recognition for her advocacy for clients, peers, and the industry. In 2016 she became the 21st Realtor from Washington state to be inducted into NAR’s Hall of Fame.

The Seattle King County Realtors® is a nonprofit professional trade association whose goals include promoting ethical business practices and supporting policies that preserve and expand real property rights and housing affordability. Based in Bellevue, SKCR has around 7,000 members and is a local board of the National Association of Realtors®.



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Bahá’ís to dedicate bench at Park at Town Center in Shoreline

The Bahá’ís of Shoreline have donated a bench
Photo by Deborah Todd

The Bahá’ís of Shoreline have provided a donor bench to the City of Shoreline commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. The bench was installed recently in Shoreline’s Park at Town Center.

The Park at Town Center is a newly developing space in the center of the City of Shoreline that will continue to evolve as it provides an inviting space for community gatherings, public art, performances, and informal recreation.

It is bordered on the east and west by Midvale and Aurora Avenues North, respectively, and on the south and north by N 175th Street and N 185th Street.

The Dedication of the bench will be held this Saturday, December 30th, at 1pm., closing out a year of celebrations by Bahá’ís around the world marking this significant event. All are welcome.



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Join the Global Peace Dance to bring in the New Year in Shoreline


New Year's Eve Peace Concentration, this year in Shoreline

NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
No drugs or alcohol, please.

Singing short phrases from around the world, we reinforce the greater web of human goodwill. 

Come alone or bring a friend. Layered clothing and comfortable shoes work best. Snacks and beverages provided.
Live acoustic music.

Silent meditation is our toast to the New Year. 

27th Annual GLOBAL PEACE DANCE
Simple movements in a circle, hand-to-hand and heart-to heart. 

Sunday, December 31, 2017
8pm until about 1am
at
Shoreline Community Acupuncture
(Next to Prosser Piano at Aurora and 185th)

DONATIONS gratefully received to offset expenses.

For more info, contact Hayra, 206-546-6092 before 1pm on the 31st.


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Holiday Magic at LFP Library Friday

Jeff Lewis Holiday Magic
Photo by Jerry Pickard
Holiday Magic

Enjoy magician Jeff Evans performing magic tricks designed for the holiday season at the Lake Forest Park Library on Friday, December 29, 2pm.

Family program, ages 5 and older welcome with adult.

LFP Library, lower level Town Center (by escalator) 17171 Bothell Way NE.




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Shorewood girls basketball defeat Sedro-Woolley in overtime

Katie Taylor in February 2017
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
According to Steve Willits of Prep Sports Weekly KRKO, the Shorewood girls basketball team defeated Sedro-Woolley 57-50 in overtime on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 in the Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament.

They were 50-50 at the end of regular play, then went into overtime where Shorewood picked up an additional 7 points for a decisive win.

Senior Katie Taylor led the T-Birds with 17 points, Danait Haile added 16 (5 first half 3s).



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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides on Metro

Metro's late night bus service
For the first time, King County Metro will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve between 4am on Sunday, December 31, and 4am on Monday, January 1, including DART and Access service. 

In addition, Metro will add service to its night routes.

The Seattle Streetcar will also be free on New Year's Eve and Sound Transit will extend Link light rail service between Angle Lake and the University of Washington.

"As we put the finishing touches on 2017, we want you to be able to get out on the town and come home safe," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
"Whether you are heading to the Seattle Center or other King County destinations on New Year’s Eve, Metro will get you there and back, all for free. It’s our way of saying thank you for making Metro the nation’s best transit system, and we look forward to riding with you next year."



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Local theater companies nominated for awards - but you vote

Aurora Theatre Company at City Hall
Several theater companies that we follow are nominated in the local Broadway World's Regional Awards categories.

Aurora Theatre Company, which produced You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Shoreline City Hall outdoor amphitheater last summer. Scott Charles Francis, Artistic Director.

Edmonds Driftwood Players, at the Wade James Theatre in Edmonds. Mark Press, Musical Director.

Seattle Musical Theatre, in Magnuson Park.

All three, plus many Seattle theaters, have been nominated in multiple categories.

Voting is only open through December 31st, so click on the link and vote for your favorites.



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Insurance Commissioner sues Sears for service contract violations

Sears at Aurora Square
Sears Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, Ill.; fined $100,000, order 17-0037

Sears was a registered service contract provider in Washington state and was legally selling warranties to consumers.

The insurance commissioner suspended the company’s registration in March 2016 because it didn’t fulfill its financial responsibility requirements according to state law.

Effectively, the company’s net worth was too low to make the business financially viable. The commissioner issued the fine because the company waited 15 months to disclose its financial difficulty, a violation of state law.

During the 15-month period, Sears sold 4,171 jewelry service contracts and 2,836 service agreements to Washington consumers. The company has since transferred the service contracts to its financially solvent company, Sears Protection Co., which is authorized to sell service contracts in Washington state.

--Office of the Insurance Commissioner



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Photo: Christmas sunrise over Lake Washington

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Photo by Mike Remarcke


If you like the mystery of Mike's photo - stop reading now.

I stared at the photo for a while and then couldn't stand it - I had to ask WeatherWatcher Carl Dinse what was going on.

Carl said:

Cold air over warm water causes evaporation, so locally dense fog forms above the water.

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Snowman in Northcrest Park

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Surprising, but the snow was good for snowball fights and snowmen. This fine specimen was at Northcrest Park, 827 NE 170th St, Shoreline 98155.



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Puppet show at Shoreline Library Dec 27


A Tale of Two Bad Mice Puppet Show
Wednesday, December 27, 1pm
Presented by Thistle Theatre


Family program, all ages welcome with adult.

In this fun puppet show, Young Beatrix Potter re-enacts the day the mice Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca came to be called, "two bad mice". Be enchanted by their antics and outrageous behavior!

Space is limited. First come, first seated.



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Photo: Froghat

Art and photo by Shirley Sidell

This one is screaming for a clever caption but my brains are tired. Feel free to volunteer your own.

The art and the photograph are by Shirley Sidell.

DKH



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Snow: Christmas postcard from Paramount Open Space

Photo by Janet Way

Trees in Paramount Open Space, 946 NE 147th St, Shoreline 98155.



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Snow in Richmond Beach

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


Shoreline was covered with snow on Christmas Eve. The Pridemore home on 21st Ave NW was looking especially cheerful during this rare occurrence.



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Snowbathing beauties

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Maybe she lives in a quirky neighborhood, but SeaPop often manages to find the whimsy in Shoreline.

She photographed this scene on 9th NE near NE 160th.


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Snow in South Woods

Photo by Dan Short

South Woods, on NE 25th by Shorecrest High School, is another park in Shoreline which has been left wild, with walking paths added.


Photo by Dan Short

It's always a beautiful park, but it was particularly beautiful in the snow on Christmas Day.



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Snow: the pitter patter of little feet

Photo by Frank Kleyn


A family of raccoons left a set of straight tracks as they crossed NW 191st in Richmond Beach on Christmas morning.



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Snow: Walking in Paramount Open Space

Photo by Janet Way

Paramount Open Space is a wild and beautiful natural wood in the middle of Shoreline. Walking trails circle the space.

Photo by Janet Way

The snow smoothed the trail, tamed the undergrowth, and limned every branch.



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WeatherWatcher: Snow Flurries followed by a warm up


Some snow flurries are expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. It may take until the afternoon hours for the snow flurries to change over to light rain. No accumulation is expected, and the main concern for Wednesday morning is patchy ice on the roadways for the morning commute.

Later Wednesday evening we are expecting to warm up into the 40's to finish out the week with a series of seasonal rain storms. There's even a possibility of a wind event later in the week as well. Forecasts have been very inconsistent last couple of weeks.

For those curious, Christmas Day was our first official White Christmas since 2008. There was 3.9 inches of snow on the ground this Christmas morning at the Shoreline weather station. The minimum to qualify is 1 inch.

History of White Christmas's in the Seattle area:

  • 2017: 3.9 inches on ground
  • 2008: 11-12 inches on ground (Shoreline)
  • 1990: ~8 inches on ground (Shoreline)
  • 1971: Sea-Tac had a trace, areas north of Seattle (Maybe Shoreline?) had up to 4-8 inches.
  • 1965: Sea-Tac received 1" on Christmas day, the official record for Sea-tac, tied with this year. 4" on ground, 8 inches on Christmas Eve that year. Unknown what it looked like in what is now Shoreline.

Sea-tac records only go back to 1944 and even with that, data for the Shoreline area is spotty at best. It's possible there's a few more in there that were not recorded.





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Snow: Special at the juice bar

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Christmas special at the juice bar was a sno cone slushy. 

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

If freezing weather were to last, the kind people who maintain bird feeders and bird baths would need to take measures to keep the water and food from freezing.

Here's what Bird Lady Christine Southwick says:

I have two hummingbird feeders that I fill year round— I make my own nectar— 1/4 cup of sugar (sugar cane only— those little devils won’t drink nectar made with beet sugar) to 1 cup of water— no dye required. When temperatures start freezing, I wrap non-LED Christmas lights, red of course, around the feeder near my kitchen window. I hang the back feeder next to a 75w light under the eaves.
Offer clean water all year long, and keep it from freezing with a bird bath heater that comes on automatically at 35 degrees and below. Our local Wild Birds Unlimited in Lake Forest Park Town Center is one of the places that carries them.


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Merry Christmas to all from the Shoreline Area News

Sunday, December 24, 2017



Merry Christmas to all from the Shoreline Area News

We'll be taking a couple of days off
to enjoy the holiday




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WeatherWatcher: Winter Weather Advisory - dreaming of a White Christmas

Snow in Shoreline, Washington January 17, 2012.
Photo by Carl Dinse

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a winter weather advisory for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The advisory is in effect from 7pm Christmas Eve until 10am Christmas Day. A weak weather system is moving in Sunday afternoon and will bring with it light rain or snow to start. After 7pm the temperatures are expected to drop enough for most areas to turn over to all snow.

Snow accumulations are expected to total out between 1-3 inches of snow. Snow showers may continue in the convergence zone anywhere between downtown Seattle and Everett through the afternoon, that could bring an extra inch or two for the area the zone forms.

There is a high chance that this forecast could fail. Models have been very inconsistent on where snow is expected to fall, and how cold it is expected to get. But given that many models have been intermittently showing snow in this time window since Thursday last week I think it's a safe bet we'll see something at the least.

A White Christmas is defined as having 1 inch of snow accumulated on the ground at 7am Christmas morning. Our last two White Christmases occurred in 2008 and 1990. We may have another one this year to add to the record books.

For updates on this winter advisory and any forecast changes that come up, you can follow me on twitter @SWeatherWatcher or visit www.shorelineweather.com





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Christmas lights: 8th NE

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

15200 block of 8th NE

Would anyone like to send in their own photos?
Editor@ShorelineAreaNews.com



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Figgy pudding



Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter can be found under Features 
in the first column of the front page of the Shoreline Area News



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Santas I have known

By Charles Kraus 
aka Charles The Clown

“Is this the line for cheeseburgers?” 
"NO! It’s for Santa!"

That’s a kid responding to my question. I’ve been Charles The Clowning my way through life — more than 50 years of performing for children, including hundreds and hundreds of Christmas events.

That means I’ve introduced, worked with, and/or helped to sober up hundreds and hundreds of Santa Clauses. Evidently kids are not particular about who is wearing the outfit.

I finish my show, making the final extra gigantic balloon reindeer. My puppet and I are saying good-bye when suddenly we hear something.

"Hold on kids." I look up. 
Could it be … ? 
"I think Santa might be up there." 

Puppet: "Santa Monica?"
"No … that’s to the south."

Puppet: "Santa Barbara?"
"To the north."

Puppet: "Santa Who?"
"Santa CLAUS!"

I point to the door, the prearranged door, for the prearranged entrance. I’ve said my line … now Santa is supposed to come rushing in.

Not yet? Where is he?

"OK. Kids, maybe he’s having trouble finding a parking spot for the sleigh. Perhaps his GPS isn’t working and he can't locate us. Why don’t we shout “Hello Santa!”

"HELLO SANTA!”

Eventually, when he, or she, is ready, has gotten up the nerve, refastened the beard, and figured out the cue has been given … and given ... out pops Santa.

The person in the red suit is young, or old. He’s fat or skinny. He’s Black, Hispanic, Asian, Filipino. There was the Santa with the very French waxed handlebar mustache, the ends twisted into swirling curlicues. It might be time for Mrs. Santa. Santa in a wheelchair or using a walker. I’ve worked with gay Santas, with lesbian Santas, and in retrospect, possibly with transgender Santas.

One of my jobs is to travel the line, keep the kids entertained while they wait for a turn to tell The Claus what they would like for Christmas.

“I’ve got my list,” I tell them, waving it around. I start to read … 
“Bread, Milk, Swiss Cheese … hold on, that’s my shopping list.”

Sometimes I ask children what is on their Christmas list. Occasionally, having sized up the Santa they are about to meet, I’m thinking the best thing the kids could ask for would be a change of venue.

The meet and greet is a rite of passage that most kids take in stride. Some may be fearful, but I’ve heard few complaints regarding authenticity. It does strike me that most Santa impersonators have been cajoled into donning the suit. There is a reluctance. Perhaps an embarrassment aspect.

A little Ho Ho Ho. The official questions: Been good? And what do you want for Christmas? Not a demanding script.

The trick is to listen to the answers.

The better Santas help children put the gift thing into perspective.

“I’ll try to get you that, Harriet, but if the elves don’t have time to make one, I promise to get you something else you’ll enjoy.”

Say it like you mean it, Santa. And, oh …. pull down that sleeve. Your Grateful Dead tattoo is showing.



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Share a Drug- and Alcohol-free New Year's Eve at the Global Peace Dance


Share a Drug- and Alcohol-free New Years Eve
Join in the 27th annual Global Peace Dance. No experience needed.

Simple movements are taught, so we move as a unified Circle to the live acoustic music. Short phrases from a variety of the world's wisdom traditions are taught and sung as we connect, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart. Come alone or bring a friend.

A period of silent meditation is our toast to the New Year. 

Non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and seating are available throughout the evening.

Suggest wearing layered clothing and comfortable shoes. 


Sunday, December 31, 2017
8pm until about 1am


Shoreline Community Acupuncture
(Next to Prosser Piano at Aurora and 185th)

DONATIONS gratefully received to offset expenses

For more info, contact Hayra, 206 546-6092



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Christmas Lights: 6th NE

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


15800 block of 6th NE.

Steve has barely had to leave home to find spectacular lighting displays. Tonight I drove through Briarcrest and there were so many displays I didn't even bother to make note of the locations.

It really feels like there are so many more lights this year than in previous years - or do I just not get out much?

--DKH


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Local Shop with a Cop Friday at Fred Meyer

Offices from Shoreline, Lake Forest Park
and Washington State Troopers with
their shopping buddies.

Photos courtesy Police departments

Shop with a Cop was held at the Shoreline Fred Meyer on Friday, December 21, 2017.

It included officers from Shoreline PD, Lake Forest Park PD, and troopers from Washington State Patrol.

Shoreline Officer Gaffin and his buddy

Officers paired up with the kids and took them through the aisles at Fred Meyer to pick out gifts for themselves and their families.

Each child brought a wish list of items for their family members and we did our best to make dreams come true.

Really hard to say who had more fun...

Amazing kids, great cops and generous community partners made this a day these families won’t soon forget.

Officer McSwan and his deputy for the day

The kids had a wonderful time with the officers and shopping for gifts, and the officers clearly had a wonderful time as well.


Afterwards, everyone went back to wrap presents - probably the most serious moment of the day.


Serious until the job was done, that is. After all, what else are you going to do with those cardboard tubes?

The kids got a lot more than presents out of the day.




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Scene on the Sound: U S Coast Guard

Friday, December 22, 2017

Look at the wake
Photo by Jan Hansen


Jan Hansen says "It was a treat to see a holiday ballet from my kitchen window today. The US Coast Guard vessel Anacapa ( Military Ops) performed maneuvers near the mid channel.

After a few pirouettes, she took her bouy (bad pun) and headed back to port.



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Attorney General's Office expands lawsuit against Comcast for deceptive conduct

Attorney General
Bob Ferguson
On Friday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson amended his lawsuit against Comcast to include new evidence revealing even more deceptive conduct than previously alleged.

Ferguson filed a more than one-hundred-million-dollar lawsuit against the cable television and internet giant in King County Superior Court in August of 2016. The suit asserts Comcast misrepresented the scope of its Service Protection Plan (SPP) as part of more than 1.8 million violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

More than half a million Washingtonians subscribed to the SPP since 2011, paying at least $73 million to Comcast for the service plan from 2011 through the end of 2015.

A sample of recorded calls between SPP subscribers and Comcast representatives obtained by the Attorney General’s Office reveal that Comcast may have signed up more than half of all SPP subscribers without their consent. Comcast deceived consumers even when mentioning the SPP, telling them the SPP plan was “free” when they signed up, when in fact, Comcast would automatically charge them every month after the first month.

“This new evidence makes clear that Comcast’s conduct is even more egregious than we first realized,” Ferguson said. “The extent of their deception is shocking, and I will hold them accountable for their treatment of Washington consumers.”

If Washington consumers believe Comcast added the SPP to their account without their consent, they should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by going online and clicking on the “file a complaint” button on the homepage.

More details here



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Give your feedback online for the Safe Streets project

Phase 2 of Safe Streets project
The City of Lake Forest Park has provided an additional opportunity to provide input on the Safe Streets project

Safe Streets

The final Safe Streets report was adopted by LFP City Council on July 27, 2017. The report and other products from this effort are available on the Project Files page.

However, in November 2017, City Council approved an additional phase of this project – assessing ways to improve safe access for people walking and cycling to the Town Center and waterfront amenities.

This new phase is focused on areas within a half-mile of the Town Center, or roughly a 10-minute walk. For this portion of the project, there is an interactive web map that allows you to directly give staff your own ideas and your opinion on ideas shared by others.

The web map, available on the Map Your Ideas page, will be live until the end of January 2018.

We encourage you to visit the website, enter your ideas on the map, and vote on your neighbors’ ideas. Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors. Your input is needed!

Safe Highways

The Safe Highways project is still underway.  Check out the website for more information.



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Classifieds: Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners meeting

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
RONALD WASTEWATER DISTRICT


DATE:     December 21, 2017

TO:          Board of Commissioners (Gretchen Atkinson, Wesley Brandon, Laura Mork, Robert Ransom and George Webster)

CC:           Joe Bennett

FM:           Douglas Wittinger

Pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Bylaws, Board President Atkinson has called a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of Ronald Wastewater District and directed me to send you this notice:

DATE:       Wednesday, December 27, 2017

TIME:        2:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Ronald Wastewater District
                      Board Conference Room
                      17505 Linden Avenue North
                      Shoreline, Washington 98133

__________________________________________________________

MEETING AGENDA

1. Public Comment

2. Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)

3. Health Care Benefits Discussion/Possible Decision



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Classifieds: Fire Commissioners meeting


Classifieds: Board of Commissioners of Shoreline Fire Department will hold special meeting Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-5pm for a joint Board meeting with North City Water District.

The meeting will take place at fire department headquarters 17525 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133.



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LFP early registration for Shoreline recreation programs begins Jan 4

LFP residents can register early
for Shoreline recreation programs
Early Registration for 2018 Winter Recreation programs with City of Shoreline begins Thursday, January 4 for Lake Forest Park residents

Live in Lake Forest Park? Interested in recreation? Take advantage of recreation programs offered through the City of Shoreline.

Lake Forest Park residents are eligible for a 24-hour early registration period prior to the start of each season’s programs plus an 8% discount on all program fees (not rentals) through the entire year!

Winter 2018 early registration for Lake Forest Park Residents is Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 12:01am online and 8:00am in person.

The City of Lake Forest Park offers scholarship reimbursements for eligible residents of youth and specialized recreation participants who are registered and attend cultural, recreation, or aquatic programs and camps.

The City will reimburse each qualified Lake Forest Park resident up to $100 for summer quarter (and up to $50 per quarter for fall, winter and spring). The application form can be downloaded here, or found in the lobby at LFP City Hall.

You may also find more information on how to register, scholarship opportunities, or the partnership with City of Shoreline here.

Remember that you have to set up a free account in order to register online. Here's the link.

Click here to view the Recreation Guide!



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Eight times around the sun

Betteline Brown marks "8 times around the sun"
at her birthday party on Friday
Photo by Janet Way


Well known Shoreline community volunteer Bettelinn Brown celebrated her 80th birthday on Friday, December 22, 2017, by inviting 300 of her closest friends for dinner.

The gymnasium / cafeteria at Brookside Elementary School was full of food and friends.

Name tags were arranged by segments of her life and the people she knew from each. Bastyr University. Briarcrest Neighborhood Association. Politics. Yoga. Family.

Bettelinn shares a special reading
Photo by Janet Way
She introduced a special few: a man who had been her yoga student forty-five years ago. A woman she had been giving reflexology treatments to for forty years. Joe Pizzorno, co-founder and first president of Bastyr University, where she taught yoga. "Bettelinn was one of the first people I hired," he said. State Sen. Maralyn Chase.

Food was provided by Patty Pan Neighborhood Kitchen "On the street where I live," said Bettelinn, and The Everest Kitchen in Lake Forest Park.

Bettelinn talked about her Briarcrest neighborhood. "When I realized that people on one side of the neighborhood didn't know the people on the other side, I created a newsletter. Then I recruited someone on every block to deliver the newsletter to their neighbors every month."

After people had eaten, Bettelinn did a ceremonial walk with a globe, eight times around a "sun" with each circuit representing ten years of her life.

Bettelinn is not retiring, simply marking a milestone. She still has plenty of things she wants to accomplish.

--Diane Hettrick



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WSDOT: Response to questions about curves on rail lines

From the Washington State Department of Transportation

With the recent derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train, we wanted to talk a bit about the Point Defiance Bypass and our agency’s work to develop it for Amtrak Cascades passenger train service. Our thoughts remain with the passengers and families involved in the tragic Monday, Dec. 18, derailment and we want to answer questions that have arisen about the tracks where the train derailed.

Long-range planning to develop these tracks for expanded passenger rail service began more than a decade ago and was initially conceptual – looking at all possible options. The long-range plan referenced in recent media stories states it was developed “without financial constraints” and goes on to explain “as a result, the plan’s ‘building blocks’ with the operational benefits are intended to be implemented incrementally.”

As a transportation agency, we must always balance providing service goals with funding and schedule constraints. Our goal with our recent improvement project was to provide better reliability and six Seattle to Portland roundtrips. The work done on the Point Defiance Bypass – and the rest of the tracks from Blaine to Vancouver, Washington – achieved those goals, allowing us to continue to travel at the same maximum speed as before – 79 mph – but improving the reliability of our service and giving travelers two additional options for daily roundtrip service.

The track configuration as it exists today meets all Federal Railroad Administration requirements.

The bypass tracks have a reduced speed limit before the curve where the derailment took place to inform engineers to decrease their speed to negotiate the curve. The maximum speed limit decreases from 79 mph to 30, with signs posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve. Amtrak is responsible for ensuring all engineers on this specific set of tracks are qualified. It is common for railroads to have areas of reduced speeds due to curves or other factors, as found along the entire Cascades route.

Trains successfully ran the bypass track numerous times in the past few months during track testing, locomotive testing and engineer qualification on the tracks, and the ceremonial train ride with passengers on Dec. 15 during the new station dedication.

The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the cause of the derailment and we cannot speculate as to what caused it while the NTSB conducts its important work. We’ll continue to share updates and any information we can while the NTSB investigation continues.




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