Photo: Blue Heron at The Bog

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Blue heron at The Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia

Martin De Grazia takes wonderful wildlife photos at The Ronald Bog - I need to publish more of them. this is one he took in 2012 of a Blue Heron in the shallow waters.

DKH


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North City Tech Meetup Monday

Paul Barrera will speak
at North City Tech meetup
North City Tech Meetup, Monday February 5th, 7pm at the Lake Forest Park Library Meeting Room 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155

Attendance is free, RSVP requested, but not required.

Start Ups – Starting Out on the Right Foot; Planning With the End in Mind

North City Law will provide a presentation to the North City Tech Group on February 5, 2018, concerning the business and tax law implications of start-up businesses, with special attention to the unique concerns of tech companies.

Topics will include: choice of entity, initial and interim equity contributions, business and regulatory formalities, privacy concerns, intellectual property strategies, ownership changes, and finally (leveraged) buyouts, spin-offs, bust-ups, and all the other various ways to receive the benefit of your investment.

North City Law, PC ‘Conquassabit Capita’

North City Law, PC, helps individuals and closely held businesses grow, protect, and transfer their wealth. Serving Snohomish and King counties, North City Law is a rapidly growing firm that couples high-touch guidance, support, and transactional work with aggressive litigation strategies to serve the interests of its clients.

Paul A. Barrera is the founding attorney of North City Law, offering business, estate, tax, and civil litigation advice and representation. Paul focuses on serving entrepreneurs, himself having founded two business in technology and real estate. Prior to law school, Paul worked for six years in finance and accounting as a cost analyst and fraud investigator. Paul is committed to serving the local community, holding public service positions with the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, the Washington State Bar Association, and the Shoreline Rotary. As a husband and father of three, Paul enjoys travelling to new places near and far, and following national and local politics as a concerned citizen.

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore.

North City Tech Meetups follow an every-other-month schedule. One month we feature a speaker and alternate months are general discussions. Visit the Meetup.com page for each month’s topic.



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Attorney General: Check your Comcast bill for unwanted fees

File a complaint with the Attorney Generall
Photo courtesy AG's office
Dozens of Comcast customers filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office in the last six weeks, claiming that the company’s Service Protection Plan (SPP) appeared on their bill when they did not consent to paying for the service.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced in December new evidence obtained as part of his ongoing lawsuit against the cable and internet giant revealed that Comcast may have signed up more than half of all SPP subscribers without their consent.

Since Ferguson filed an amended lawsuit, the Attorney General’s Office received more than 100 complaints from Comcast customers, including 74 about the SPP. Of those, more than 50 claim Comcast added the plan to their account without their consent.

Comcast claimed the SPP is a “comprehensive” plan covering the cost of all service calls, including those related to inside wiring. Ferguson’s lawsuit alleges Comcast failed to appropriately disclose that the plan does not cover repairs to any “wall-fished” wiring — wiring inside a wall — which constitutes the vast majority of wiring inside homes. The SPP is currently a $5.99 monthly fee.

Consumer complaints received by the office are not necessarily evidence of wrongdoing. However, consumer complaints help inform the Attorney General’s Office about potential unfair or deceptive business practices and allow the office understand the scope of unlawful practices.

Check your bill — if you believe you're being charged for the SPP without your consent, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Speaking American

Speaking American*  how y'all, youse, and you guys talk, a visual guide
by Josh Katz

This book is the result of the interactive dialect quiz posted on the New York Times website in 2013 (you can take the quiz HERE) which identifies regional dialect differences.

When it comes to identifying common objects like that fizzy stuff that comes in cans (pop, soda, coke, or cocola, depending where you drink it), what we say when somebody else sneezes (73% of Americans say "bless you", except those who live in the Deep South), or the pronunciation of the word "crayons" (there are four acceptable forms), it's difficult to believe we're all talking the same language.

I was pleased to note that we do all agree on one thing: pancakes are pancakes, even in Hawaii. Who knew? If you ever need to know, I'm a "potato bug, semi truck, crawfish, drinking fountain, kitty-corner" person.

Don't figure that you'll be able to read just a few pages of this book. It's quick and engaging, and un-put-downable!

Recommended for ages 8 to adult, fun to share.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Summer internships for students with WSDOT and WTD

A Clean Water intern measures rainfall
Photo courtesy King County
Wastewater Treatment Division

Government agency engineering and clean water internships for temporary summer positions


Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

Job Title: Engineering Interns
Opening Date: 2/1/2018
Closing Date: 3/16/2018
Salary: $17.55-22.90 hourly, depending upon qualifications
Job Type: Internship
Location: Multiple locations in Bellingham, Everett, Mt. Vernon area, Shoreline and South Seattle
Recruitment Number: 18DOT-NWR-EngineerInterns

The Opportunity:

WSDOT Northwest Region has several exciting internships for currently enrolled students who want to observe and participate in real world application of their current field of study. This assignment will provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the practical application of engineering procedures, concepts, and techniques in an on-the-job environment. The candidates will be assisting in a variety of entry-level engineering tasks while under the direct guidance and mentorship of an experienced engineer. Positions in the Northwest region are located in King, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.

This is a temporary position/internship lasting approximately three to five months.

To view the entire posting and apply, please visit Engineering Interns


Job Title: Environmental Sciences/Engineer Interns
Opening Date: 2/1/2018
Closing Date: 3/16/2018
Salary: $17.55-22.90 hourly, depending upon qualifications
Job Type: Internship
Location: Shoreline, WA
Recruitment Number: 18DOT-NWR-EnvironInterns

The Opportunity:

WSDOT Northwest Region Environmental Office in Shoreline has two exciting internships for currently enrolled students who want to observe and participate in real world application of their current field of study. This is a great opportunity to learn about the exciting work WSDOT is doing to meet environmental stewardship goals in a real world setting. The Environmental Office directly supports the transportation needs of Washington State by providing environmental technical studies, field investigations, interagency coordination, and construction support to WSDOT projects and operations. The successful candidates will receive exposure to the various roles in the Environmental Office and WSDOT project teams and gain hands-on experience assisting the program in hydraulics, fish & wildlife, environmental permitting, cultural resources, air quality, acoustics, water quality, and wetlands studies.

This is a temporary position/internship lasting approximately three to five months.

To view the entire posting and apply, please visit Environmental Sciences Interns


King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD)

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is now taking applications for our 2018 summer college internship program through February 25, 2018.

These aren’t the “get my coffee, do my filing” kind of internships, either. From construction management to communications and everything in-between, WTD’s paid internships offer hands-on professional experience and an opportunity to explore careers in the clean-water field.

With the guidance of a mentor, you’ll work on real projects with real responsibilities, all while earning a paycheck and enhancing your studies. The best part about working with us? You’ll get to do something awesome for the environment every single day.

Check out these stories here, here, and here about our past and current interns’ experience working with us.

You can also learn a little more about who we are and what we do, and get the ball rolling on that internship application by visiting our jobs website today.



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Mason Bee questions answered at Sky lecture

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Ray Strelecki explains it all
Photo by Seattle Poppy

Rapt students gather around Ray Strelecki at his Mason Bee seminar at Sky Nursery on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

Strelecki, of Michael's Mason Bees, explained how to attract and encourage these valuable native pollinators. He covered bee houses, siting, favorite plants, and reducing predation and parasites.



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Global Affairs: Study abroad during a political crisis


Global Affairs Center presents:


Study Abroad During a Political Crisis


Professor Jeannette Idiart
English Program
Shoreline Community College

Thursday, February 8, 2018, 12:30-1:30pm
Shoreline Community College


The voters of the province of Cataluña voted for independence from Spain at the end of 2017.

Shoreline English Professor Jeannette Idiart was there with a group of students on a quarter-long study abroad experience. Professor Idiart will explain the historical and cultural context of the vote for Catalan independence; students will describe their first-hand experience watching history unfold.

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.

Small fee for parking on campus before 4:00pm.



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3A District 2 South Sub Regional Wrestling Tournament results

2018 3A District 2 South Sub Regional Wrestling Tournament Saturday, February 3, 2018

Team Scores

1..EDMONDS WOODWAY    419

2..SHOREWOOD                    219.5

3..MEADOWDALE                196.5

4..SHORECREST                   187.5

5..LYNNWOOD                      119



Weight Class : 106

1. 9-BAYLOR DENKINGER(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 1:41
2. 9-REECE LECOMPTE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
3. 10-KAI LAYTON(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      PIN 0:17
4. 9-ZACH SINNES(MEAD) MEADOWDALE   
5. BYE ByE            BYE
6. BYE ByE           

Weight Class : 113

1. 10-KAIYA CONWAY-YASUYAMA(SCST) SHORECREST      13-0
2. 10-OUSMAN FATTY(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
3. 11-ROMAN SHADDUCK(SCST) SHORECREST      PIN 2:16
4. 10-EMMANUEL BOAYKE-ANSAH(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 10-ERIK GONZALEZ(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      PIN 0:58
6. 9-JACKSON BEARD(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     

Weight Class : 120

1. 10-HOWIE HARE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 6-0
2. 11-KELVIN SCHMIDT(SCST) SHORECREST     
3. 10-CURT TANAKA(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      6-1
4. 10-JIN LEE(MEAD) MEADOWDALE   
5. 9-JOSIAH POWELL(LYNN) LYNNWOOD        PIN 3:22
6. 10-ANGUS RATE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY

Weight Class : 126

1. 11-GRAYSON LECOMPTE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 10-5
2. 10-KODY CARPENTER(SWOD) SHOREWOOD     
3. 10-NATHAN LEE(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      INJ DEF
4. 11-NAHUM CORTEZZO(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 9-AIDAN JUNG(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      14-6
6. 12-CHUGGI ENKHTUR(SCST) SHORECREST   

Weight Class : 132

1. 12-ARIA ZAREI(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      14-10
2. 12-SALIHOU FATTY(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
3. 9-TANNER QUEREE(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      PIN .59
4. 11-ELIAS MEYER(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 11-JACK BARRIE(SCST) SHORECREST      BYE
6. BYE ByE           

Weight Class : 138

1. 12-ELIAS LYNCH(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      7-4
2. 10-TRENTYN GOOD(SCST) SHORECREST     
3. 10-DEVIN LEACH(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      10-1
4. 12-ELLIS CARLSON(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 11-THOMAS CHRISTIN-ERIKSEN(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY  INJ DEF
6. 9-JACK DERECHE(SWOD) SHOREWOOD     

Weight Class : 145

1. 10-OSCAR VAZQUEZ(LYNN) LYNNWOOD        3-2 OT
2. 12-MATTHEW MCMILLAN(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      
3. 12-ALEX OLIVERA(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      19-4
4. 10-THADDIUS GONZALEZ(MEAD) MEADOWDALE   
5. 10-HUNTER JOHNSON(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 1:42
6. 9-DYLAN ANDRE ANG(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     

Weight Class : 152

1. 12-COLE HADALLER(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 10-3
2. 12-SIMON LEE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
3. 9-COLE BECKER(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      PIN 2:28
4. 12-MARK YAMANE(SWOD) SHOREWOOD     
5. 10-MINH NGUYEN(LYNN) LYNNWOOD        BYE
6. BYE ByE           

Weight Class : 160

1. 12-BEN DUONG(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      4-2
2. 10-IAN MORTENSEN(SCST) SHORECREST     
3. 12-EDWARD SOLOMAN(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      12-11
4. 10-GEORGINO MORAGA(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     
5. 12-ETHAN KIM(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 4:21
6. 10-JOHN CHRISTIN-ERIKSEN(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY

Weight Class : 170

1. 10-CHRISTIAN SIMPSON(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 3:09
2. 11-HENDRIK WIRTHWEIN(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      
3. 12-RAYMOND RICKETTS(SCST) SHORECREST      PIN 1:44
4. 12-CESAR RAMOS-GUNN(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 12-ALEX BARBER(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      PIN 1:43
6. 10-CASEY CARLOW(SCST) SHORECREST   

Weight Class : 182

1. 11-JOSH BROWN(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 3-0
2. 11-CAPASSIO CHERRY(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
3. 9-ISAAC HERNANDEZ(LYNN) LYNNWOOD        9-7
4. 9-CHAUNCEY GANTT(MEAD) MEADOWDALE   
5. 10-SPENCER LOREEN(SCST) SHORECREST      PIN 0:59
6. 9-MORIS HASSAN(SCST) SHORECREST   

Weight Class : 195

1. 12-ROBBIE SIMANTON(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 7-4
2. 11-PHILIP BALL(SWOD) SHOREWOOD    
3. 11-LUKE WALKER(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 4:47
4. 11-MATTHEW PEASE(SCST) SHORECREST   
5. 12-TYLER HAGAN(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      PIN 1:55
6. 9-CHRISTIAN KIRKMAN(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     

Weight Class : 220

1. 12-GENEROUS YEH(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY PIN 1.37
2. 11-BEN LUBAG(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     
3. 9-TAEJIN THONGDEE(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      12-4
4. 11-BRANDON HAWK(LYNN) LYNNWOOD     
5. 12-SIMON DALTON(SCST) SHORECREST      PIN 4:07
6. 9-GEORGE KARTANO(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY

Weight Class : 285

1. 10-ALEX KRUEGER(MEAD) MEADOWDALE      PIN 3:58
2. 11-DAVID RIVERA(SCST) SHORECREST    
3. 12-JONATHAN CHO(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY 7-4
4. 12-KEMPER LEE(EDWY) EDMONDS WOODWAY
5. 9-LUKE HOHENSTEIN(SWOD) SHOREWOOD      BYE
6. BYE ByE           



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New Washington voters can register through 4:30pm Monday

Evan Smith
By Evan Smith

New Washington voters can register through 4:30pm Monday, February 5, to vote in the February 13 special election, but they must register in person at either the King County Elections Office in Renton or the King County Elections Voter Registration Annex in downtown Seattle.

The County elections office is at 919 SW Grady Way, Renton. The registration annex is at the King County Administration Building, 500 4th Ave, Room 440, Seattle. The elections office in Renton is open Monday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The registration annex is open Monday from 8:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30pm.

Voters who register in person can either get a ballot by mail or vote on accessible machines at the elections offices if they choose to wait for their registration to be validated through the state voter registration database, a wait that requires a few minutes.

The deadline to register online or by mail or for currently registered Washington voters to update their addresses was January 15.

The two items on local ballots are a Shoreline School District replacement programs and Operations levy, and a School District replacement capital levy for technology improvements and support. Each needs only a simple majority to pass.

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



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Four Chaplain Ceremony at Post 227 on Tuesday

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, February 6, 2018. A meet and greet starts at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7:00pm.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155

The program will feature two speakers. John Brady, former commander of an American Legion post in Ukiah, California, recently joined Post 227. He will begin the program by conducting a Four Chaplains Ceremony.

Then Debra (Debbie) Maund will speak about her U.S. Army service in Iraq as a Chaplain’s Assistant. After leaving Iraq, she continued ministry work in the U.S. Army Reserves. As a member of U.S. Volunteers, she serves as Chaplain during events involving that organization. There will be an opportunity for questions after the presentations.

While you are at the meeting, you can check out the new Post Library that includes a large collection of militarily related books, videotapes and DVDs. Any of these can be checked out, used and returned by post members and community without charge.

A brief intermission for refreshments after the talk will allow visitors to depart. Post 227 members are urged to stay for the post meeting that will follow the intermission.


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Richmond Beach Community Association presents a Senior Health and Wellness Speaker Series in February

Richmond Beach Community Association is hosting series of speakers on senior health and wellness during the month of February.

This series of three meetings will occur on February 13, 20 and 27. All meetings will start at 7:00pm and will be held in the lower level of the Richmond Beach Congregational Church at 1512 NW 195th Street in Shoreline. The meetings are free and open to all.

Whether you are a senior, have a senior in your family or plan to someday become a senior, this series is designed to educate and inform you on three very important topics: housing options, finance/elder law and care options for seniors.

Housing Options - February 13


According to The National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” To this end, how better to start off our series than with a focus on housing options for seniors. Speakers Julianna Fickeisen-Thal and Melissa Mather-Brown of Choice Advisory Services will explain the range of housing options available for seniors. They’ll discuss the financial considerations of various housing options and the level of care that comes with each option. They will also talk about when a change in housing is appropriate and how to approach that change. And through their experience of working with many families, they will explain the perils and pitfalls of how family, especially adult children, can help and hinder matters.

Financial Wellness and Elder Law - February 20

Financial wellness is having an understanding of your financial situation and taking care of it in such a way that you are prepared for financial changes. For seniors, financial wellness can be thrown off balance by unexpected expenses, illness or even theft. Maggie Knowles of Maggie Knowles Productions has been helping seniors for years manage their finances. Knowles owns her own bookkeeping business and will talk about how seniors can take better care of their finances independently and the signs when they need additional help with their finances. She’ll also speak on what kinds of help with money matters would keep seniors more independent for a longer time.

Often when you talk about finances and seniors there is cross-over into elder law. Peggy L. Sanders of Sanders Law Group will talk about durable power of attorney, wills, planning for extended care and all about trusts. Sanders’ practice focuses on elder law and is in Edmonds.

Care Options - February 27

Our final session will focus on programs designed especially for seniors and their caregivers and offer on-going support for overall wellness. Tanya McGee, Regional Lead Coordinator with Sound Generations Pathways program, will discuss the programs they have for supporting seniors such as fitness classes, meal program, transportation and Medicaid programs. She’ll also talk about Sound Generations programs focusing on caregivers of seniors such as caregiver respite and in-home care programs.

Our hope is the knowledge these speakers share will help you and your family become more aware of the issues surrounding senior health and wellness. With knowledge, we can increase our resiliency and more comfortably ride the inevitable change life brings our way.



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Photo: Spring is in the air

Camellias in bloom
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Days are longer and the camellias are in bloom. Lee Lageschulte took this photo in west Shoreline. Seattle Poppy sent me an almost identical photo from a camellia near the Shoreline Library. Now I need one from Lake Forest Park to make it official.

I have jonquil sprouts six inches out of the ground.

I'd say we were shaking off the winter, but we had another mild winter so there wasn't much to shake off.

Of course, we've had snow in April a couple of times and last weekend's rain produced puddles big enough for a duck pond, so it's not quite all over.

DKH



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New show at Shoreline Community College Art Gallery - metal sculptures by Leah Gerrard


Metal sculptor Leah Gerrard has an exhibition at the Shoreline Community College Art Gallery from February 5th through March 23rd. Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

The Artist Reception will be Thursday February 8th, from 5 - 7pm, Shoreline Community College Art Gallery 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133, Building 1000 Lobby. Free parking after 4pm.

Meet the artist, mingle with friends, enjoy light refreshments!

RSVP or Questions

Leah Gerrard has worked with metal for twenty years. Her passion for wire was sparked by a jewelry class in Italy, and led her to explore sculpture at Linfield College.

Inspired by a fellow student's intricate beaded wire baskets, Leah started weaving her own. After making a few beaded baskets, she found that it was the simple skeletal structure of wire that interested her. Self-taught, she experimented with various wires and different weaving techniques.

Leah continues to develop her methods, expanding into large-scale sculpture entwined with found objects. Her process continually evolves in response to challenges created through her designs.



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Bell Cottages - conservation cluster housing in LFP

Friday, February 2, 2018

North City Homesites LLC is in the permitting process (File Number: 2017-CU-0003) to build the Bell Cottages - a conservation cluster housing in LFP, at 3030 NE 200th St, LFP, parcel # 4022900741.

The project is a cluster of seven single family homes with 50% of the property a permanent conservation easement.

The cottages are classified as condos and would require covenants, conditions and restrictions as well as a joint maintenance agreement to maintain the property.

The permitting process is well underway. Neighbors were notified on January 16, 2018. The first public comment period is now closed. The public hearing date will be announced.

Project files can be reviewed here Files for 2017-CU-0003 "Bell Cottages" Conditional Use Application

City contact: Ande Flower, Principal Planner, City of Lake Forest Park 206-957-2832. Sign up for "Planning Announcements" at the NOTIFY ME to receive future planning notifications.



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Notice of application for major tree removal in Lake Forest Park

The City of Lake Forest Park Planning Department has posted a Notice of Application for Major Tree Removal for construction of a single family home. 

File Number: 2018-TREE-0007
Parcel # 4019301515

Trees proposed for removal include four significant trees and two landmark trees. One tree has a diameter at chest height that meets one criterion of exceptional but fails to meet the full definition due to a high risk rating, based on findings by certified arborist.

Another tree has a diameter at chest height just under the threshold for exceptional and has a moderate risk rating with significant consequences, based on findings by certified arborist.

The applicant’s proposal is still under review. Replacement canopy may be required pending city arborists’ report. Click here to see full Notice of Application with the location of the proposed trees for removal.

Interested parties may comment on this application by submitting written comments to Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 or via email to aplanner@cityoflfp.com for two weeks following February 1, 2018.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Lake Forest Park Planning Department at (206) 368-5440. Materials related to this proposal may be reviewed at City Hall Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Contact Lauren Hoerr, Assistant Planner, if you prefer to make an appointment to review the materials with a planner’s assistance.


 

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Native Plant Society work parties in Shoreline parks

Join Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) Master Native Plant Stewards and volunteer in 2018 to help restore urban forests across the City of Shoreline!

Come meet your neighbors and do good by weeding out invasive species and installing native plants – rain or shine!

We have six different projects and thirty different community work parties to choose from this winter and spring:

Boeing Creek
2nd Saturdays from 10am to 2pm; (2/10, 3/10, 4/14, and 5/12)
  • 320 NW Innis Arden Way, Shoreline, WA 98177
  • Meet at the north end of the Shoreview Park Off Leash Dog Park, just off the Shoreline Community College campus
  • Contact Sheraden at KimballWNPS@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information

Brugger’s Bog
2nd Sundays 9am to 1pm; (2/11, 3/11, 4/8, and 5/13))
  • 19553 25th Ave NE
  • Meet at the end of the dirt/gravel path entrance to the park on the bridge
  • Contact BruggersBogStewards@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information

Hamlin Park
3rd Saturdays from 10am to 1pm; (2/17, 3/17, 4/21, and 5/19)
  • 16006 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
  • Meet at the far north end of the park, next to the NE 166th Street stairs
  • Contact Hamlin.Restoration@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information

Shoreview Park
3rd Sundays from 9am to 12pm; (2/18, 3/18, 4/15, and 5/20)
  • 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Shoreline, WA 98177
  • Meet at the south end of the Shoreview Park Off Leash Dog Park, (at the stairs) just off the Shoreline Community College campus
  • Contact ShoreviewRestoration@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information

Twin Ponds (North End)
3rd Saturdays from 10am to 12pm); (3/17, 4/21, and 5/19)
  • 16501 N 155th St, Shoreline WA 98133
  • Meet at the northwest corner of the park along the fence on N 155th St
  • Contact NorthTwinPondsRestoration@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information

Twin Ponds (South End)
4th Saturdays from 10am to 1pm (2/24, 3/24, 4/28, and 5/26)
  • 16501 N 155th St, Shoreline WA 98133
  • Meet at the south end parking lot along 1st Ave NE, but north of N 149th St, near the community garden
  • Contact TwinPondsSouthHabitat@gmail.com to RSVP or for further information



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Shoreline CC music faculty and students join Seattle Jazz Society Sunday at Caffè Musica

Shoreline Community College musicians join the Seattle Jazz Guitar Society to entertain patrons at Caffè Musica, 14300 Greenwood Ave N, on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 5 to 7:30pm.

Enjoy a cozy evening out featuring smooth jazz and an array of Italian bites and beverages. No cover, but reservations required to guarantee a table, 206-418-6797. $15 menu.

This open jam will feature some great guitar work accompanied by other skilled instrumentalists on bass, piano, voice, and horn.

Caffè Musica is in Suite A below the Nelson Apartments on Greenwood.



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Kiwanis Open House

The North Central Seattle Kiwanis Club is holding an open house from 6:30 to 8:00pm on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the Elliott Bay Brewery, 12537 Lake City Way NE in Seattle

Are you finding ways to connect with your community? Would you like to make an impact for children? 
Your local Kiwanis Club, North Central Seattle Kiwanis, is all about kids and improving our community.

For over 80 years, we have sponsored Kiwanis Camp Casey, Key Clubs at Ingraham and Nathan Hale, helped with Salvation Army Bell ringing, Tree House for foster kids, food bank and other related projects.

Come and find out what we are all about! As President John Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference, and every person should try.”

The $20 ticket price will include a dinner and a drink. You can RSVP by phone at 206-713-7515 or by email

However, you will be welcome even if you don’t RSVP. Come and enjoy the evening with us!



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FEET Matter!

Bronsa Swint, Certified Strength
and Condition Specialist
By Donna Hawkey

The nimble feet of the Kellogg Middle School Cross Country runners are well taken care of by Lake Forest Park resident and Certified Strength and Condition Specialist, Bronsa Swint.

She educates teens and parents about fitness through her role as a Cross Country Coach. She’s also the owner of “On The Ball Fitness” in Lake City and functions as a Certified Personal Trainer for any age. Through her over 15 years of cross country coaching, personal training experiences, and her own research, she has taken a special interest in the care and health of feet.

Bronsa tells us, “We have disregarded the importance of the foot’s role in balance and the critical nature of those muscles that fire up our bodies. For instance, the foot’s nerve endings trigger muscles that fire up our hips and glutes. 
"So it makes sense that if you have discomfort or pain in those areas, it may be because of weakness in your feet. I am seeing many problems in children now - and that just should not be happening!”

Barbara, age 89 - never too old
for foof impro
Our feet support our entire body weight and keep us moving like nature intended. In 1884, Mark Twain wrote the story of Huckleberry Finn who as an orphan did not wear any shoes, so his feet adapted to a healthy growth pattern, and the bottom of his feet became hardened into natural foot soles. When he did put on a pair of shoes, he did not like them at all as most footwear compresses our feet in an unnatural way.

We evolved with our feet touching and feeling the earth with each step. There were no automobiles or buses back then, so we walked more and our feet became stronger. As we have become a more sedentary society, we need to be reminded that for just average foot health, we should move our feet for a minimum of 10,000 steps per day or about five miles.

We used to wear flatter athletic shoes that did not elevate the foot into unnatural positions such as what high heels do. The idea of putting a higher heel on a sport and recreation shoe was a design trend that Nike started and it was not based in science.

According to health experts, this trend can, and does, change the natural foot strength and health outcomes, and did nothing to prevent runner injuries.

So what did the athletic shoes industry do – they added even more elevation and cushion! After famous athletic endorsements, this has become the norm, even though running injuries have not decreased. Then we need more arch support and orthotics to help fix design trends that helped weaken our feet in the first place!

Nature's perfect foot
Bronsa is concerned that along with heel and plantar fascia pain she is seeing weak arches and even bunions in 13-year-old children;

“This is happening because parents are buying the wrong shoes for their kids!” 

Information meetings for parents are well-received when they do get it from a local expert like Bronsa. 

“I hold up a large foot model and deliver a lot of information in a short time. Everyone, and especially kids, need to be wearing shoes that mimic the natural shape of the foot. 
"We have a lot of shoes that shape the foot into a triangle, even for kid's shoes. A foot friendly shoe will have a wide toe box and preferred zero drop or minimal heel and flexible soles that should bend easily in the very middle of the shoe, not just near the heel. 
"Don’t buy stiff, heavy shoes that restrict movement and growth in the foot's 26 bones and 33 joints! Children’s foot bones don’t fully develop until 18 or 19 years of age, so they need to have shoes that allow for bones to grow properly during this critical time period.”

All ages workout
Keep in mind that prior to the 1970’s, the required physical education shoe in school was a flat Keds shoe. They have been around since 1916 and were perfectly suitable for all sports. They are still a good choice as are simply wearing “water socks” or for more sole but round toes, Crocs can also work well, says Bronsa.

Even those in orthotics are being helped with minimalist type footwear. Ten years ago, now 71-year old Bonnie had a foot injury that changed her gait and she was put in orthotics. After some fitness work, she was able to get out of orthotics and eventually into minimalist shoes. 

Bonnie says, “At my age, balance gets to be an issue; scrunched toes from past shoe wear really hurt balance, I always thought that’s how shoes were supposed to fit. But wearing these new shoes are giving my feet and my body a new sense of balance which is incredible!”

Michael had a similar experience. “I had been wearing orthotics for 25 years and my foot pain never completely went away and impacted my ability to hike and to play golf. Bronsa encouraged me to gradually switch to minimalist shoes, and after working with her in conjunction to this change, within six months the pain was totally gone.”

Here are some quick tips to strengthen your feet. 
  • Go barefoot as much as possible to utilize and awaken muscles and nerves and to help strengthen feet. Start slowly with going barefoot if it’s new to you. 
  • Keep a bowl of small rubber balls right near your computer or a tennis ball to roll under your feet. Apply gentle pressure and roll back and forth including the arch. Start gradually and work yourself up to about two minutes per foot per day.
If you want healthy, strong Huck Finn feet to develop – it’s best to start young - but any age is a good one when it comes to changing habits into healthier ones!

The human body is a very complex system of working parts and they all need to integrate properly to best perform. Bronsa helps her clients experience the joy of becoming more fit with small group sessions and more personally tailored ones as well. She is an enthusiastic, kind, yet 'unsympathetic to excuses' professional. She always believes there is an answer to any fitness issue, and always searches for it in a holistic way.

Bronsa’s Facebook page has lots of great health related information.


Donna Hawkey has enjoyed working in collaboration with Lake Forest Park resident Bronsa Swint in writing this article about foot health. dhawkey@comcast.net



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Friday is Groundhog Day


Wikipedia says:

"Groundhog Day, is a popular tradition celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if he does not, due to cloudiness, spring season will arrive early.

"The weather lore was brought from German-speaking areas where the badger is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on Candlemas forebodes a prolonged winter.

"The Groundhog Day ceremony held at Punxsutawney in central Pennsylvania has become the most attended. Grundsow Lodges in Pennsylvania Dutch Country in the southeast part of the state celebrate them as well. Other cities in the United States and Canada have also adopted the event.

"The 1993 movie (Groundhog Day) helped boost recognition of the custom, and the celebration has spread even further afield. In 2009, Quebec began to mark the day (Canadian French: Jour de la Marmotte) with its own groundhog."

Sadly, there are no groundhogs / woodchucks in Washington but maybe we could substitute mountain beavers.



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Special author event: Meet Jojo Moyes

Jojo Moyes at Lake Forest Park Tuesday
Meet Jojo Moyes and hear her presentation of her new book Still Me at Third Place Commons on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 7pm, Main Stage, Third Place Commons. Town Center Lake Forest Park, Ballinger Way at Bothell Way.

Jojo Moyes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of After You, Me Before You, The Horse Dancer, Paris for One and Other Stories, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Bay, and The Ship of Brides.

She lives with her husband and three children in Essex, England.

Presentation is FREE. Signing line ticket only available with pre-order of Still Me. PRE-ORDER NOW! (Jojo will only be signing copies of Still Me)

From the sensational #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, a new book featuring her iconic heroine of Me Before You and After You, Louisa Clark.

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She has been hired by the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his unhappy, much younger second wife, Agnes-- and finds herself amid a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. But Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and this very privileged New York life.
Soon though, Lou realizes that life in the Gopnik household is not as straightforward as it first seemed. She also begins to make friends who inhabit a less rarefied side of New York--from the building doorman and his rambunctious family to the sisters who run the quintessential vintage clothing store downtown, to the world's crankiest neighbor, Margot De Witt, and her fierce little dog, Dean Martin.
Before she knows what's happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. As Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets--not all her own--that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself, Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?


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Sky lectures: Mason bees, starting seeds indoors

Saturday, February 3rd 11 am – 12:30 pm

Orchard Mason Bees Ray Strelecki of Michael’s Mason Bees

The Northwest native bee Osmia lignaria, or Orchard Mason Bee, is adapted to seek pollen in wet and chilly weather that keeps many other pollinators shivering at home. This makes the mason bee ideal for pollinating your fruit and berries throughout our cool wet springs. Ray Strelecki will tell you how to attract and encourage these valuable native pollinators. He’ll cover bee houses, siting, favorite plants, and reducing predation and parasites.

Sunday, February 4th 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Starting Seeds Indoors 101 Emily Apple Wilkins

By growing your own plant starts, you can save money, choose from more varieties, and have your plants ready exactly when you need them. Emily will cover why, when, and how to start your transplants. Will you need grow lights? When should you start tomatoes? She’ll cover the basic questions about seed-starting and transplanting and show you Sky’s full line of seed starting supplies, from seeds to peat pots to heating mats to mini greenhouses.




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Skandia First Friday Dance

Friday, February 2, 2018 Skandia First Friday Dance, Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood 98036. 

Larry and Jennifer will teach Bingsjö Polska from 7:30 to 8:30pm, then you will hear some fine music as Dansaspel comes south from Bellingham (and thereabouts) to play for us. These folks have a great sound and are very danceable, so you won’t want to miss them.

Class, 7:30; dance, 8:30–11pm. $15 (Skandia members, $10); kids, free. Information, 425-954-5262.



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Volunteer Saturday at 5 Acre Woods

5 Acre Woods volunteers
Photo by Donna Hawkey
On Saturday, February 3, from 9:00am to 11:00am, you are invited to volunteer with the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation at the newly acquired 5 Acre Woods property.

Volunteers are asked to meet 9:00am, where the day’s tasks will be removal of invasive ivy and to restore the health of the new park property. The Stewardship Foundation will also be hosting a celebration for the new park property following the work party.

Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven terrain / mountain beaver holes. Some tools will be provided but feel free to bring your garden shears, loppers, folding hand saws or metal rakes. Leave your power tools at home but don’t forget your gloves!

Dress for the weather (rain or shine) and feel free to bring family and friends to help volunteer at the work party, no experience required! Children 14 yrs and under require parental liability wavier and must be accompanied by parents. There will be a volunteer table to check in and receive direction.

Questions? Contact Polly by email or phone 206-999-1406.

Directions to 5 Acre Woods Property



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St. Luke student serves as page in Washington State Senate

Serenity Healy and Sen. Chase in Olympia
Photo courtesy LSS

Serenity Healy, 14, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of January 22, 2018.

Pages are sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Maralyn Chase, D–Edmonds, sponsored Healy’s week in the Legislature.

“It was a privilege to host Serenity at the Capitol this week,” said Chase. “I hope that she enjoyed her time with the Legislature.”

The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in pages creating their own bills in a mock committee setting. The educational experience is furthered by guest speakers.

“One of the best things I’ve done while I’ve been here is working in the Senate galleries,” said Healy.

Pages also have the opportunity to work on the Senate floor. Their maroon coats and credentials allow them access to all parts of the Capitol Campus.

“Everyone has been so nice,” Healy added. “The interns and assistants have helped make this experience even more pleasant.”

Healy is in 8th grade at St. Luke Shoreline. She enjoys participating in speech team and math club, as well as swimming, in her free time.

For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov



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