Fill Up the Hill at 5 Acre Woods Feb 3

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Fill this hill Saturday with workers and supporters
Photo courtesy LFPSF
On Saturday, February 3rd from 9am until noon, there will be a 5 Acre Woods Restoration Volunteer Work Party and Community Celebration.

At 11am, a photo will be taken of gardeners and supporters to send off to Olympia.

So let’s fill up this hill with LFP residents that day whether you are coming for the work party or the celebration only. 
Our state legislators, such as Senator David Frockt, recently told Lake Forest Park residents how really impressive it is to see the community working together like this.

LFP residents have made substantial financial contributions to help the City purchase 5 Acre Woods.

Senator Frockt and other legislators are supporting a $250,000 grant at state level to help the City’s purchase and restoration efforts.

Let’s work together to help get that funding into our own community. Let's get enough people Saturday so we can create a photo showing all the community that comes together at 5 Acre Woods.

5 Acre Woods is located on 40th Place NE (at 45th Pl NE).
Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Saturday, February 3rd
  • 9:00am-11:00am – Work party at 5 Acre Woods (5AW)
  • 10:30am – Walk to 5AW (For those coming to the Celebration portion at 11:00am.) 

To join the gathering, meet in the LFP Elementary School parking lot at 10:30am. (18500 37th Ave NE, LFP.) Departure will be from the LFP Elementary School parking lot, where you can park your car.

Supporters will walk the short distance together up 40th Place NE to meet with everyone for the 11am Celebration and photo op.

  • 11:00 am – Gathering and Welcome. Refreshments served, compliments of Honey Bear Bakery 
More information on Facebook

5 Acre Woods by Jerry Pickard

Caution about stepping into this special place – you may not want to leave! Previously untouched for over 40 years when owned by Seattle City Light, it is now to become a LFP City forest preserve and nature-oriented educational playground.  

5AW - A Magical Place
By Jean Bryant

Calling all you citizens
Calling all you friends
Let's all see what we can do 
Before the MAGIC ends

From the folks up in the Heights
To the Beach below
And don't forget Horizon View
And everyone you know

5 Acre Woods-a special prize
A Treasure without alloy
Let's all dig deep and do our part
To embrace its special Joy



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One Cup Coffee opens drive-thru window

One Cup Coffee on Aurora
drive thru window now open
One Cup Coffee on 170th and Aurora celebrates the opening of a drive thru window

One Cup Coffee at The Junction has been in business in Shoreline since 2014.

It is the third of four coffee houses owned by Christian Kar.

See previous article

One Cup, which boasts the largest interior of any coffee shop in the area, is located on southbound Aurora - a natural for a drive thru.

The entrance is just past N 170th and the corner lot owned by Chuck Olson Auto at the large sign that says The Junction.

The window will be open Monday, January 29, 2018.




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Garden Essentia is closing

Garden Essentia in Ballinger Village
will be closing its doors in March
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Garden art store Garden Essentia in Ballinger Village will be closing its doors in March 2018.

Getting started

In the beginning
From the owners:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Garden Essentia.

In order to have more time with our families, we have decided not to renew our lease. 

We thank you for your loyal support, wonderful memories and all the friendships made these past 5 years.

We will miss each and every one of you.

We will be closing sometime in March. Please stop by to say goodbye.

Michele Dietzel and Colette Highberbger
Owners: Garden Essentia
20152 Ballinger Way NE
Shoreline 98155
206-453-3920
gardentalk@gardenessentia.com

Annual wreath-making workshop

Over five years, they built up their stock, artist affiliations, and events. Their "First Thursday" featured local artists. 

Full inventory
Photo by Jerry Pickard



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Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes to renew the school levies

To the Editor:

It is Levy time! Believe it or not, it has been four years since the voters passed a levy to support the Shoreline School District. On February 13th, two replacement levies will be on the ballot - one for education programs and operations not fully supported by state and federal funding, and one for technology improvement and support. These would replace existing levies that expire at the end of 2018.

The State of Washington has a new model for funding education, but it still includes bonds and levies at the local level. Shoreline will experience several shortfalls with the new budget, and these levies will be as critical as ever in order to ensure the high-quality education we have provided our youth for many, many years in Shoreline.

These levies are not new money, but merely replacements of existing levies. In other words, they are necessary to maintain the level of services currently offered in the Shoreline School District. That includes school counselors, nurses, family advocates and librarians, not to mention building maintenance, transportation and a whole lot more.

For more information, visit the school district website. Here you can read up on all the facts and information about these levies and find dates for Levy Information Presentations near you.

You can also visit Vote Yes for Shoreline Schools to donate or volunteer for the campaign.

Please join us in voting YES for Shoreline Schools on February 13th!

Jill Brady and Silje Sodal
Lake Forest Park



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Photo: Doesn't everyone have two snow-capped mountain ranges?

The Olympics
Photo by Jan Hansen


The Cascades are ok but I have always preferred the rugged beauty of the Olympics. They were out long enough this week for Jan Hansen to get a photo of them.

Years ago a friend from Illinois was visiting. We were down on the Seattle waterfront, standing at the end of a pier. He had his back to the water and we were talking. I glanced over his shoulder and there was a jaw-dropping view of the Olympics, looking like they were about to march into the water.

I grabbed him in the middle of a sentence and turned him around, because I was afraid that if I waited, they would disappear.

He had a suitable reaction. "Good Lord Almighty," he said, "are those the Cascades?" No, I said, with suitable but false modesty, the Olympics. (Doesn't everyone have two snow-capped mountain ranges?)

DKH



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Scene on the Sound: the Oscar Dyson

The Oscar Dyson
Photo by Jan Hansen


Jan Hansen muses, "NOAA sent the Oscar Dyson to do some work in our Shoreline Sea. Can you call a  vessel named "Oscar" she? If so, she was  built in 2005 and is 63 meters in length."



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Artist Michael G. Reagan speaks at American Legion meeting

Artist Michael G. Reagan, with some of the
5000 portraits he has drawn

On Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Post 227 held its first meeting of 2018, with featured speaker, artist Michael G. Reagan of Edmonds.

Michael G. "Red" Reagan in Vietnam.
On April 10, 1968 after serving his country as a U. S. Marine, Michael returned home from Vietnam.

He knew he had been spared for a reason and needed to know what that reason was.

While in Nam Michael drew portraits of his fellow Marines.

In some cases, those images were all that returned home.

Reagan made portraits of all of the
Sandy Hook victims

Michael G. Reagan has raised over ten million dollars for charities across the country, primarily with his artwork. 

Now Michael is engaged in what he calls "the most important project he has ever done". The Fallen Hero Portrait Project.

He is creating portraits of all of the Fallen, free of charge, for their families. So far he has completed over 5000 free portraits.
  
In 2007 Michael was awarded the American Legion's Patriot Award and in 2009 the VFW Commander in Chief Gold Medal of Merit. Then in 2010 he was named the 2010 Veteran Volunteer of the Year in Washington State.

In 2013 the Department of The Army awarded him The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.

In March of 2015 the Lynnwood Elks presented him The General Douglas MacArthur Award, and on March 25, 2015 he was awarded the Citizen Service Before Self Honor (known to some as the Civilian Medal of Honor) by the Medal of Honor Foundation in Washington DC.

After the Sandy Hook Massacre, Michael was contacted by an acquaintance who lived nearby. He gathered pictures of all the victims and sent them to Michael. Michael drew the portraits of them all and a local frame shop donated the frames. After completion, Michael crated all the portraits and shipped them to his friend. The Mayor of the town held a meeting of all the relatives and presented them with their portraits.

Photos Reagan used to draw Nisei soldier portraits.

Michael obtained pictures of WWII Nisei soldiers who were Medal of Honor recipients. 

In spite of the way the American Japanese were treated, these men volunteered and served in All-Japanese units in Italy and Europe.

Reagan was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation

Michael captivated the audience as he spoke for over an hour. He fielded questions afterward. (Michael with his display boards of some of the thousands of people he has drawn.

At the end of his presentation, Sgt At Arms Russell Kehrer (left) and Commander Larry Fischer (right) presented Michael with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Michael may be reached at his website or the Fallen Heroes Project. Michael says to feel free to contact him.


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Where's Wooldo?




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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Notes from LFP City Council January meetings

Saturday, January 27, 2018

LFP City Council
Highlights from January meetings
By Donna Hawkey


Town Center/Big Five

Lake Forest Park City Council has been gaining ground on the Town Center redevelopment and all the City’s Big Five projects. The consulting organization, 3 Square Blocks, was hired and communication improvements are seen throughout the projects, including a new website.

A multitude of opportunities to attend various resident workshops and meetings shows a process that is flexible and the effort to seek further resident input is apparent. The planning time schedule has been aggressive due to Sound Transit 3 (ST3) deadline needs.

Town Center property owners, Merlone Geier Partners, have also been working hard to seek LFP resident input. While some of the survey results are online now at their website, it will take about another month for all the info to be included here.

At the January 18th Council budget meeting, City staff reported that Merlone Geier has shown excitement about the Town Center redevelopment, but they also want to make sure the required ST3 timetable stays on track. Information sharing and project coordination among all the parties involved have also been going very well. The Council will receive an updated schedule on all the Big Five project work in about one month.

“Three-Touch” Rule from Council Governance Manual - discussion about eliminating it

In the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, January 22nd, City Council held a robust discussion about eliminating the “three–touch” rule in their Governance Manual. (Article 4.1)


Any pending request or proposal for adopting or changing public policy, ordinances, resolutions or directives which will require a decision of the City Council or Administration should normally “touch” (oral, written or any combination thereof) the decision makers at least three separate times. 

The Council majority agreed that it does not apply in every situation and that it can cause resident confusion and expectations that don’t always exactly match the timing or policy needs at hand. Councilmember Mark Phillips said he thought it could be possible to keep the “three-touch” rule in the manual, but the rest of the Council appeared in agreement that some issues need three points, some four or more and some less than three. The Council will continue to update the manual as needed.

Communications Committee work complete

Communications Chair and Councilmember Phillippa Kassover presented a very thorough Communications Plan (Updated 3/2/2017) at the same Committee of the Whole January 22nd meeting. Council agreed that all work by this committee is complete and that the written plan was very well done. It was recommended that it now be turned over to City staff for implementation. However, Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford noted that biennial staff budget cuts will make accomplishing this work challenging.

Shoreline District Prop. 1 and Prop. 2 receives unanimous support

At the January 25th regular council meeting, LFP Council all voted in support of Shoreline School District’s replacement levies.

An in-depth presentation had been previously made by Shoreline Schools Superintendent Rebecca Miner explaining the need for the levy replacements. Taxes are never what we want but is what we need to do especially in an underfunded school system. These are replacement levies and are the support services that are critical to our student’s success. School funding is also a difficult issue in multiple states in the nation. Council has also heard from and appreciates the citizens asking to keep the pressure on the State to fully fund education here, and they look forward to working together in the future to help find better ways of doing that other than property tax increases.

Councilmember Tom French reminded everyone that these levies are “not new” ones. And that he “strongly supports” these replacement levies. He is also a former Shorecrest graduate and knows from talking with various school principals, students, superintendents and our own LFP Youth Council, that Shoreline schools provide a very high quality education for students and that the district is a very well run one.

He further acknowledged how very important these levies are after visiting Olympia and having conversations with State Delegates that the full details of the implementation of the McCleary Decision is still unknown. How schools will be funded state wide is something everyone should think about and provide feedback and comments to our legislative delegation for their considerations.

Councilmember Semra Riddle said that these are two important levies that are essential to fully educating children and that she is “proud” to support them. She refers to citizen comments about the need for well-rounded education. While reading, writing and arithmetic is important to a student’s education, she recalls how her theatre days and her visits to the nurse impacted her education and who she is today. And she is very interested in the technology levy replacement.

Shoreline School District has been a known leader in how they have utilized and integrated technology in classroom curriculum. And nationwide we are a well- rated school district and the District has been a good steward of finance management. Many people move to Lake Forest Park because of the high reputation of its school district.

The school district has a presentation explaining the levies.

Conservation cluster housing policy questioned

Some neighborhood meetings have occurred regarding the controversial loosening of land use policies to allow home owners to sell their property to developers for the building of conservation cluster housing. Many residents feel that this negatively impacts and changes the nature of their neighborhood and are opposed to these policy changes. Others are for cottage housing and cite Washington’s Growth Management Act and that LFP needs to do its part to help the housing shortage crisis in the region. (So far this appears to be a smaller amount of residents based on attendance at recent Council meetings.) City Council has not made any decisions as to whether they will review this policy at future work sessions.
More information about the conservation cluster policy here.

Donna Hawkey is a 21 year resident of LFP and can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.net

Correction 1-30-18: The discussion was whether to eliminate the 3 touch rule. The decision has not been made.


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Trivia Tuesday at Darrell's Tavern



TRIVIA TUESDAY @ Darrell’s Tavern !!!
Super Fun ! Test your knowledge...
Win $cash and prizes .... Fun and Delicious !
$1 Tacos (4pm-Midnight) 
TRIVIA starts at 8PM !!!

Darrells Tavern is just south of Fred Meyer



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Small Business: CedarSchemes - handcrafted cedar planters and bee houses

Handcrafted cedar planter by CedarSchemes

CedarSchemes specializes in creating handcrafted cedar planters and mason bee houses. A local small business based in Lake Forest Park, they build custom size planters to fit your space and design.

Don Beacom, woodworker
Owners Don and Darci Beacom moved here from Wheaton, Illinois four years ago to be near their daughter.

Don (the talent) loves woodworking and has been creating for years. He started building planters when he realized he could do a better quality job than anything he saw in the stores. They started selling their planters at the Farmers Markets two years ago.

What makes us unique is our ability to modify any planter design so it fits what the owner has in mind, to do it affordably with quality. 
We use long lasting untreated western cedar, so gardeners who want to grow vegetables, fruit or herbs can do so without worrying about toxins getting into their edibles.

Prices vary based on size and style.

We’ve modified our designs and created new ones thanks to customer suggestions. 
In fact, one of our most popular planters, the patio planter on a stand with a removable drip tray, was created after a customer asked for one that would work for her condominium deck!

They love working with home gardeners and local landscapers who want to incorporate beautiful and functional cedar planters in garden, deck and landscaping plans.

Their website features many pictures of their standard planter designs, with a separate tab for some of the custom planters they’ve built over the past couple of seasons.

It also talks about the way they build the planters. 

Planter bench
They hope to be at a few Farmers Markets this spring, but they’re now finding most of their orders are coming through referrals and repeat customers.

For more information, pricing and to see some of their planters, visit their webpage Cedar Schemes.

They also have a Facebook page; and if you have questions, you can email them



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State adopts Washington’s first reclaimed water rule

Friday, January 26, 2018

Reclaimed water is not wastewater. The process
of reclaiming water uses advanced technologies
to filter and remove pathogens and contaminants.
Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology
New rule expands options for communities to recycle water

From the Dept. of Ecology

Even in rainy Washington, water is a precious commodity. Agriculture, industry and our communities all depend on sufficient, stable supplies of water.

As our state’s population and economy grows, finding ways to conserve water is becoming more important. A new rule from the Washington Department of Ecology will streamline the process for reclaiming water.

The rule requires that reclaimed water projects protect public health and water quality. Reclaimed water can be used for irrigation, landscaping, flushing toilets, improving wetlands or stream flows, recharging groundwater and other beneficial uses. It addresses all aspects of reclaimed water; including permitting for generating, distributing and using reclaimed water across the state.

Reclaiming water uses advanced technologies to remove pathogens and contaminants from wastewater so that it is safe to be used again.

Reclaimed water is a key component of managing Washington waters wisely and protecting our state’s resources for future generations. The use of reclaimed water preserves Washington’s drinking water, and helps reduce the discharge of wastewater to the state’s lakes, rivers and Puget Sound. It can also help our state prepare for impacts from climate change.

“We’re proud of the effort that has led to this new rule,” said Ecology Director Maia Bellon. “Reclaiming water can help Washington communities prepare for and recover from droughts. By expanding options for reclaimed water use, we can help Washington communities use the right water for the right use.”

Reclaiming water is one way Washington’s rapidly growing communities can meet increased demands for water. An example can be found in eastern Washington, where the Odessa aquifer is being depleted. The city of Othello, south of Moses Lake, is pursuing reuse and reclaimed water projects to take pressure off the aquifer and ensure the city has the water it needs.

“We’ve documented declining groundwater in Othello’s water supply wells. The city is pursuing the reuse and reclaiming of water as tools for our city,” said Mayor of Othello Shawn R. Logan. 
“This will ensure we use existing water sources more efficiently and protect the city’s potable water. Ecology’s adoption of the reclaimed water rule clarifies the regulatory requirements for the city and we strongly support this planning process.”

The reclaimed water rule is the state’s first rule governing these practices. The rule creates statewide standards and makes a clear and predictable permitting process for reclaimed water projects, while protecting public health and water quality.

The rule comes after a decade of work with Washington State Department of Health, utilities and other stakeholders to develop protective standards, as well as a project planning, design and permitting process that works for everyone.

This rule will become effective on Feb. 23, 2018.

Learn more on Ecology’s website

The Brightwater treatment plant in King County produces "graywater" which is used to water some parks and golf courses.



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Free bike helmets for kids at Mar 17 event in Shoreline

Mark your calendar for March 17 for
a free kid's bike helmet
Seattle Children’s is hosting a free bike helmet and giveaway event through our Kohl’s Helmet Safety Program.

The event is scheduled to take place in Shoreline at the Spartan Recreation Center, 202 NE 185th St. Shoreline, 98155 on Saturday, March 17, 2018, 12:30 to 3:30pm.

Free for kids ages 1 to 18; wearer must be present and fitted to receive a free helmet; supplies are limited (first come, first served)



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Resources for veterans entering retirement

As of 2015, there were 9.3 million armed services veterans of retirement age.

While there are still over a million Korean War veterans and close to a million veterans of WWII alive today, the bulk of today’s retired veterans served in the Vietnam era—with 4.8 million already retired, and another 1.6 million reaching retirement age in the next ten years. 

Whatever period you served, however, chances are that you’ve taken advantage of education programs, job search and training resources, and home loans that are available to veterans of all ages. But if, like so many others, you’re a veteran approaching retirement age, you should be aware of a host of other resources waiting to assist you as you leave the working world.




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Global Affairs: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Culture


Transitioning from Military to Civilian Culture

A panel discussion with military veterans from several generations
Moderated by Lourdes E. “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos, 
Director, WA Department of Veterans Affairs 

Thursday, February 1, 2018
7:00-8:30 PM
9000 Building, Room 9208


What sorts of challenges confronted military veterans returning from Vietnam compared to veterans who served in more recent conflicts (The Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq). What kinds of assistance and support did they receive in meeting those challenges?

This discussion is a collaboration between the Global Affairs Center and Veterans Programs at Shoreline Community College. The program is also supported by the Vietnam War Commemoration, U.S. Department of Defense; and by the Center for Global Studies, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington.

This event is open to the public and FREE. However, in order to help better prepare, we ask you to register that you plan to attend. Click here, then click again on Sign Up. To receive email confirmation, you must provide your email address. Your email address will not be shared with others.

Parking on campus in the evening is FREE.



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Jobs: Lake Forest Park

Receptionist/Office Clerk - City of Lake Forest Park

The receptionist is the initial contact for persons entering City Hall or communicating by telephone. The position provides information, answers routine questions and correctly routes inquiries, saving staff time to perform their principal job functions.

The responsibilities include answering a multi-line phone console, issuing special event and solicitor permits, issuing pet licenses, ordering office supplies, processing incoming and outgoing mail, and receipting payments.

Job description and application



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WSU President’s Honor Roll Fall 2017

The President’s Honor Roll at Washington State University recognizes students who stand above the rest with excellent academic performance.

To be eligible for the honor roll, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine graded hours in a single term at WSU and earn a grade point average of 3.75 or earn a 3.50 cumulative GPA based on 15 cumulative hours of graded work.

The data displayed in the President’s Honor Roll may be affected by students who restrict the release of some or all information about themselves.

Kenmore

Cristalle Ann Barnard
Anna X Buzzell
Megan Rose Clinesmith
Kristen Jaye Dahlin
Sidney del Ray Murphy
Elizabeth Anne Murray
Annabella Elizabeth Paulay
Adrienne Elizabeth Reagan
Alexis Julia Robichaud
Kevin Charles Schindler
Olivia Mariah Rose Stapp

Lake Forest Park

Hailey Irene Bouffiou
Amelia Ann Brown
Amy Lyn Jones
Emilie Suzanne Philips
Madeleine Grace Stencil-Swartz

Shoreline

Ana Gabriela Barnes
Ashley Mae Elizabeth Beeson
Shusanta Sanskar Bhattarai
Olivia Elizabeth Nelson Brockhaus
Grace Marie Brown
Ella M Chandler
Lauren Nicole Cook
Josephine Marie Engelhart
Petr Petrovich Gaburak
Ryan Michael Holmes
Vreni Augusta Hutt
Chelsea Gonzales Keopraseurt
David James McLerran
Katelyn Elizabeth Miles
Nicole Oswald
Ilya Stanley Panek
Marina Evangelos Pappas
Sabrina Kay Pridemore
Jessica Robinson
Sarah M Rosenthal
Mitko Stoyanov Tanev
Robin William Carlos Turner
Jamie William Wright



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Photo: Smoke tree

Photo by Jerry Pickard

Just wanted to start your day with a pretty picture!
Jerry says this is a Smoke Tree.



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Rob Oxford: When do you take a threat seriously... Always!

By Rob Oxford

I'd like to begin this article by thanking Shoreline Law Enforcement and the Administrators at Shorecrest High School for working swiftly yesterday to insure the safety of all our students from what was perceived to be a viable threat. Let me state clearly that there is no longer any threat, I repeat there is no longer any threat of violence at Shorecrest High School.

Yesterday at 6:45pm, my youngest son returned from basketball practice and alerted me to a disturbing post that originally appeared on an app called "Sarahah". The developers of this particular application state that its purpose is to enable its users to give and receive "honest feedback from your coworkers and friends." anonymously. I have much to say about this type of application, but my feelings will have to be shared on another day.

A message of violence towards students at Shorecrest was posted on the application of which someone quickly took a screenshot (the process in which a photo can be taken of what is currently being displayed on your phone or computer's screen). The "picture" was then shared on the popular "Snapchat" app with many students at Shorecrest.

After initially having a difficult time communicating the seriousness of such a threat to both my sons, I was able to convince them that informing the proper authorities was not only the right thing to do, but our obligation. I stated that yes, it could be a practical joke but unfortunately in today's society, things of this magnitude must be taken seriously. Asking them how they would feel if they failed to report this and someone they knew was injured because of it, seemed to be the convincing factor.

I then notified a friend of mine who works with the district. He thanked me for the information and suggested I thank my children for coming forth, which I had already done and stated he needed to contact the proper authorities immediately. Within minutes an email was sent from Principal Lisa Gonzalez explaining the situation and that law enforcement was investigating.

It was later revealed that the police had been working on the perceived threat since the end of the school day and by 8:30pm the perpetrator had been apprehended. My friend Lloyd mentioned in a text thread that had been shared among concerned parents, that he "...hoped this person gets the help they need". I think we can all agree that for someone to initiate such a horrible prank only days after the school shooting in Kentucky, "help" is certainly something that should be provided.

I am very proud of my sons for having enough faith in me, respect, confidence and concern for others to feel comfortable sharing this information. Now might be the perfect time to sit down with your own kids and ask them if they were aware of the threat. If they were and failed to tell you, you might just want to ask them... why?



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Groundbreaking held for Shoreline Early Learning Center

Enthusiastic groundbreakers at site of new Early Learning Center
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By Diane Hettrick

It was more like digging a moat than breaking ground, but the elated attendees didn't mind. The event was billed "rain or shine" and it is the Northwest, after all.

The little ones were given shovels and hard hats and had a wonderful time.

Handing out hard hats - safety standards matter!
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

With the construction of the Shoreline Early Learning Center, all three preschool programs will be in one building for the first time.

  • Tuition-based preschool
  • Head Start
  • Early Childhood Education

Over the years, they have been housed in different school buildings.

The official groundbreaking was a joyful, if wet, occasion
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The building which was torn down for this construction was the original Meridian School, which opened in 1957, and was the oldest building in the school district.

For the 2017-2018 school year, the Children’s Center program moved temporarily from the site at 1900 N 170th St to the former North City Elementary at 816 NE 190th St.

School Board members lean on their shovels
while the 4 year olds do the digging!
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools


Construction will begin soon for the new facility, which is scheduled to open at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year.

The project was funded with the 2017 bond election. Other projects in that funding are:
  • Rebuilding Einstein Middle School
  • Rebuilding Kellogg Middle School
  • Rebuilding Parkwood Elementary School


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Meeting Monday for proposed townhouses on 1st Ave NE

The meeting will be held in the building behind the
Senior Center, in the Hamlin Room of the
Shoreline Center.

Citizens are invited to hear a presentation for a proposed development at 18521 1st Ave NE. At this meeting specific details of the project will be shared and comments will be solicited from the neighborhood.

The meeting will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 5:30pm in the Shoreline Conference Center, Hamlin room in the south end, classroom wing. 18560 1st Ave NE, across from the building site.

The proposed project is for seven townhomes to be constructed. The project will be completed in three phases. The first phase of the project includes the demolition of the existing single family residence on the property, to include asbestos inspection, capping and/or abandoning existing utilities and removal of the house.

The second phase of the project will be a building permit for the construction of seven dwelling units, the first being 840 square feet with a 25 square foot porch and the other six being 640 square feet.

All units will have ground floor parking spaces which will be accessed through a private driveway. They will also have access to a private walkway connecting to 1st Ave NE.

The last phase will be the submittal of a short plat to subdivide the property into seven individual lots for sale of the townhome on each lot. This phase of the project includes a Short Plat, Site Development Permit, and Right of Way Permit.


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Air Pollution Bench Monitoring Station installed in Lake Forest Park

Air pollution monitoring station in Lake Forest Park
Bothell Way is in the background
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

In December 2017, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) installed a fine particulate air pollution monitoring station in Lake Forest Park near the intersection of Bothell Way and Ballinger Way.

The monitor is partially disguised as a Park Bench with a moderately sized box behind it that contains the monitoring station equipment.

The station primarily monitors fine particle pollution (PM2.5) that is often a byproduct of wood stove and vehicle exhaust.

According to the PSCAA, “Particle pollution poses serious public health impacts and is the most important criteria air pollutant challenge facing our region.”

PSCAA is interested in collecting data throughout the Puget Sound to better understand air quality and its health risks.

Chick here view the data from the new monitoring station



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Shorewood wrestling wins on Senior Night to finish second in WesCo South

Shorewood wrestling pulled out a late 45-32 victory over the Meadowdale Mavericks on Senior Night Thursday to secure a second place finish in WesCo South.

The match began at 170 pounds and Thunderbird senior Edward Soloman pinned his opponent to start the night off right. With two more pins at 195 and 220 pounds Shorewood had an early 18-0 lead. Meadowdale pulled within 8 at 24-16 by taking three of the next four weights. A tight 8-7 win by Curt Tanaka at 126 pounds and a first round pin by Kody Carpenter at 132 pounds stretched the lead to 33-16 for the Thunderbirds. The Mavericks then grabbed three straight wins to close the gap to 33-32. The T-birds would not be denied, winning at 160 pounds and closing the regular season with a pin by Hendrik Wirthwein at 170 pounds.

The two teams will see each other again next Saturday, Feb. 3rd, at the Disctrict Tournament hosted by Shorecrest High Sschool.

Shorewood 45 – Meadowdale 32
@ Shorewood High School

106: Zach Sinnes MD win by forfeit
113: Nick Lotz SW pinned Erik Gonzalez 0:57
120: Jin Lee MD maj. Dec. Dick Street 14-4
126: Curt Tanaka SW dec. Nathan Lee 8-7
132: Kody Carpenter SW pinned Nathan Reese 0:53
138: Aria Zarei MD pinned Devin Leach 5:11
145: Elias Lynch MD Alex Olivera 5:54
152: Thaddius Gonzalez MD maj. dec. Mark Yamane 20-9
160: Matthew McMillan SW win by inj. def. Ben Duong
170: Hendrik Wirthwein SW pinned Alex Barber 1:40
182: Edward Soloman SW pinned Chauncy Gantt 1:11
195: Phil Ball SW pinned Tyler Hagan 1:42
220: Taejin Thongdee SW pinned Tyler Paul 1:21
285: Alex Kruger MD pinned Luke Hohenstein 0:18

Shorewood Record: 5-2 Overall, 3-1 WesCo South

--Clark Norton



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They Changed Lives

Thursday, January 25, 2018

By Carroll Goering
Photos by Jerry Pickard

In January 2012, the American Legion Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 in Shoreline initiated a new program to serve the community. They called it the Life Changer Award program.

Flyers were distributed to churches, schools, neighborhood associations, and businesses in Shoreline and surrounding communities, urging people to nominate candidates for the award. The flyer included these words:

“Has your life been changed for the better by another person? If so, you can nominate that person for a Life Changer Award. The person who changed your life profoundly for the better might be a teacher, a parent, a friend, a doctor, a pastor or anyone. This is your chance to thank that person by nominating him/her for the Life Changer Award.”

Since 2012, the award has been offered annually. Each year, nominations are due by May 1. Then a committee of Post 227 members selects the winner. In an award ceremony conducted at post headquarters, the winner receives a framed certificate signed by the post commander and a $200 gift certificate to dine at the Sky City Restaurant atop the Seattle Space Needle.


Lea Coats (on left) with nominator Mrs. Lee (center)
while Past Commander Tom Drapac looks on.
The first winner was Mrs. Lea Coats, wife of an Everett Police officer. Her nomination came after the marriage of a young couple with three children was in danger of breaking up due to the death of the wife’s father and severe illness of her husband.

Despite having four children of her own and being pregnant with her fifth child, Lea provided sustained, wise counsel that enabled the young couple to weather the storm and stay together. Lea was recognized at a luau held at post headquarters in August, 2012.


From left, Post 227 member Carroll Goering,
winner Bill Briggs, Sr. and Bill’s friend, Ken Hubbard.
Bill Briggs, Sr., of Kenmore, won the Life Changer award in 2013. Over a 40-year period, Bill enabled several thousand kids with physical disabilities to attend Camp Casey, a week-long summer camp, free of charge. At different times, he served as Camp Casey cook, counselor, director, fund raiser and benefactor. 

He did this as a member of the North Central Seattle Kiwanis club, the Camp Casey sponsor. Bill was unable to attend the award ceremony due to illness but he asked his friend, WWII navy veteran Ken Hubbard, to stand in for him. Later, post member Carroll Goering accompanied Ken to Bill’s home to present the award to him.


Post Commander Shane Freund presenting the
 2014 Life Changer award to Barbara Williams.
In 2014, the Life Changer award was won by Lake Forest Park resident Barbara Williams, who has spent much of her life serving children with disabilities. As a high school student, she served as a counselor for Kiwanis Camp Casey, a free one-week camp held on Whidbey Island each summer for children with physical disabilities. Later she served as a therapist in the public schools.

After retirement, she became the volunteer director of the Kiwanis Camp Casey program. She is the main driver in raising the $50,000 in funding needed annually and in all other aspects of putting on the camp. Barbara and her husband Paul attended the September 2, 2014 meeting of Post 227, where post commander Shane Freund presented her with the award.


Post 227 Commander Richard White presenting
a Life Changer Award to Virginia Harvey.
In 2015, the Life Changer Award was won by Seattle resident Virginia Harvey. She served as a volunteer at Veterans Hospital twice weekly for more than 15 years, traveling there by Seattle Transit. In addition to delivering blood and other tasks, she moved ailing veterans throughout the hospital in their wheelchairs. 

She certainly made life better for many ailing veterans. Post 227 Commander Richard White presented the Life Changer award to Virginia at the September 1, 2015 meeting of the post.


Post 227 chaplain Larry Fischer presenting the 2016
 Life Changer Award to Kim and Brad Lancaster.
Shoreline residents Kim and Brad Lancaster received the Life Changer Award in 2016. In the fall of 2015, a group of homeless people were desperate. They had been living in tents by a Shoreline church when the property was sold. The group, including families with children, had nowhere to go. That’s when Kim and Brad invited the homeless group to camp in their backyard.

They also offered the group the use of their kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Four months later, these homeless people were able to get on their feet and acquire housing. Kim and Brad certainly made life better by opening their hearts and home to these homeless folks. Post Chaplain Larry Fischer presented the Life Changer Award to the Lancasters at the September 6 meeting of the post.


Past Commander Richard White, left, and Vice Commander
Ray Coffey presenting the Life Changer Award to Leah Setala.
Leah Setala won the Life Changer award in 2017. As a music and band teacher at St. Luke School in Shoreline, Leah goes the extra mile to help children learn to play and enjoy music. When families find that band instruments are beyond their means, Leah helps them acquire used instruments. Those families love hearing their children play music but know none of it would have been possible without Leah.

In their spare time, Leah and her husband acquire furniture and other household items at rummage sales and yard sales. They recondition items needing repair. Then they donate them to the needy at St. Francis House in downtown Seattle. By helping children to play and enjoy music and by helping the needy, Leah made a positive difference in the lives of others. She received the Life Changer Award at the July 15 BBQ of Post 227.


Post 227 is grateful to the persons who took the time to nominate candidates for the Life Changer award. Special congratulations are due to the following people who submitted winning nominations: He Youn Lee nominated the 2012 winner, Lea Coats. Ray Walters nominated the 2013 winner, Bill Briggs, Sr. Mike Servais nominated Barbara Williams, the 2014 winner. The 2015 winner, Virginia Harvey, was nominated by Joyce Crandall. Bettelinn Krizek Brown and Linda Stein nominated the 2016 winners, Kim and Brad Bradford. Bob Grasmick nominated the 2017 winner, Leah Setala.

Post 227 hopes to continue offering the Life Changer award annually as long as members of the community continue to nominate worthy candidates. A flyer announcing the 2018 competition will be coming soon. Watch for it in the Shoreline Area News.

Correction to name: Kim and Brad Lancaster

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Shorewood bowling teams qualify for State but can't afford to get there

Shorewood bowling teams qualify for State Championship
but can't afford the trip.


Three of Shorewood's bowling teams have qualified for the WIAA state championships, to be held February 1-3, 2018 at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place, west of Tacoma.

Unfortunately it is a very costly trip and many of the bowlers are unable to afford the expenses. The kids are doing some fundraising to pay for the team fees.

Parent Michelle Van Patten is hoping to raise the funds for the accommodations, transportation, and meals.

In the past, the amazing coach has paid for fees out of pocket and I don't believe she should have to do that. 
Please help us come together as a community to help them compete at State.

Michelle has set up a fundraising page at YouCaring and has raised a third of her goal of $1500.




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5 Acre Woods volunteers remove three truckloads of ivy, branches, and logs

Photo by Rick Bender

Photo by Rick Bender

LFP Public Works gathered three truckloads of ivy, branches and logs that came from the Five-Acre Woods volunteer cleanup efforts.

More than 50 volunteers attended the cleanup event in January.

And there's lots more where this came from! Look forward to future gardening events.

See previous story

5 Acre Woods property is located just north of where 40th Pl NE and 45th Pl NE intersect in Lake Forest Park.


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