Lecture at LFP Library Tuesday: Slaying Gerrymandering for Good

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Gerrymandering?
WA 7th Congressional District
Learn about gerrymandering in Washington state and how proportional representation voting systems could eliminate this problem.

Participants will get an opportunity to try out one proportional representation voting system method using a ranked-choice ballot and to ask questions.

Presented by Margaret Morales, Senior Research Associate at Sightline Institute.

Tuesday, February 27, 7pm, Lake Forest Park Library, Lake Forest Park Towne Centre, Suite A-134 17171 Bothell Way NE, LFP 98155, 206-362-8860



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Academy Award Preview Party at RB Library Monday

90th Academy Award Preview Party
Monday, February 26, 7pm

In anticipation of the Academy Awards Ceremony on March 4, film historian Lance Rhoades shares highlights from previous ceremonies, the current nominees, and even his own Oscar predictions!

Richmond Beach Library, 19601 21st Avenue NW, Shoreline 98177, 206-546-3522




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Shoreline Fire team raises money for Scott Stair Climb at Columbia Tower

While one firefighter rocks the stairclimb
others talk to the shoppers about contributions
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Members of the Shoreline Fire stair climb team were at Central Market Sunday morning, talking to people and taking turns on the stairclimb machine.

Four of the seven Shoreline Fire team
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
They're collecting donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and getting in shape for the Scott Stair Climb - "The world's largest stair climb competition"

The event will be held on March 11, 2018.

In 2017, the event featured 2,000 firefighters from over 330 different departments and 9 different countries.

This group of climbers brought in a record $2.4 million for blood cancer research and patient services.

The event is open only to firefighters who must compete in full structural turnout gear. 

The event is consistently sold out. 

Each participant must raise $300.

Teams like Shoreline combine their fundraising goals and work joint events to collect donations. With seven members, their team goal is $2100 minimum.

For more information email the LLS organizers.


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WeatherWatcher: Puget Sound Convergence Zone strikes again

Doppler Radar image at 4:20pm, February 25, 2018.

As seen in the radar image above, the band of precipitation stretching from west to east is a classic Puget Sound Convergence Zone event. We had one runthrough during the morning hours and then this second one that came in during the afternoon hours, more or less parking over the King and Snohomish County line. This event dumped a mixture of everything, from rain, hail, graupel and snow. Accumulations were slushy and wet, up to around a half inch in places.

The Puget Sound Convergence zone is often an overlooked event in the forecast because so few explain or realize that it can be a temperature difference of 10-12°F within a 5 mile north or south direction.

Today was a perfect example of that. I drove from West Seattle at 3:30pm in the afternoon and the temperature was 45°F. When I hit Northgate heading home towards Shoreline the temperature had dropped to 40°F. Once inside Shoreline it was 36°F and dropping.

This huge difference in temperature inside a convergence zone compared to everywhere else is what catches everyone by surprise. You can go from mostly sunny and 45°F and 10 minutes later be stuck in a winter wonderland. The reason for the huge temperature change? The atmosphere is still very cold not far from the surface, so any heavy precipitation brings the snow level down to the surface in a very short time.

The convergence zone forms when moist air moving from west to east is split around the Olympic Mountain range. This causes a mild low pressure zone east of the Olympic mountains and brings the air back together in the middle. The colliding winds downstream of the Olympics forces the air to rise up into colder parts of the atmosphere and condense, forming clouds and precipitation.

Typically this zone can occur anywhere between Mount Vernon and Tacoma. Sometimes it moves from south to north over the course of a few hours, or from north to south. Other times it can park in one spot for many hours, sometimes a full 12-24 hours.

A Puget Sound Convergence zone event parked itself, centered between Shoreline and South Everett, on April 18, 2008. Shoreline received several inches of snow when areas 20 miles north or south were dry and above freezing.

Another notable event occurred December 18, 1990, which left Shoreline buried in 8-12 inches of snow in just a few hours. Sea-Tac in that event only had 2.5 inches of snow, and Paine Field in Everett didn't record any snow accumulation.

Snow in Shoreline from a Puget Sound Convergence Zone April 18, 2008.
Photo by Carl Dinse

Forecast: Our chilly weather pattern is expected to continue for at least the next seven days. Rain or snow showers are expected to continue Sunday evening into Monday, ending by mid-Monday morning.

Tuesday - we are looking at breezy conditions with snow likely in the morning, then changing over to rain showers in the afternoon. Wednesday through Thursday night we are back into rain, then rain showers with temperatures in the 30's and low 40's.

Friday-Saturday snow returns to the forecast, mixed with rain mostly. Saturday night into Sunday is back to rain. Mid to upper 40's is even possible Sunday but this could change.


For current weather conditions and resources visit www.shorelineweather.com



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Last week for Ain't Misbehavin' at Seattle Musical Theatre

Cast of Ain't Misbehavin'
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

Seattle Musical Theatre continues its 40th Anniversary celebration with three-time Tony Award winning musical, Ain't Misbehavin'

1930’s Harlem lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway’s best. Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr. and well known for its blockbuster 1978 Broadway production, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ showcases numbers that composer and performer, the inimitable Thomas “Fats” Waller (1904-43) wrote or made famous.

SMT is happy to welcome a very talented artistic staff and cast for this production which
includes Teresa Thuman and Savannah Brittan as co-directors, Darrius Willrich as Music Director and Charles Simmons as Choregrapher.

All the favorite songs are being performed including, “Honeysuckle Rose,” T Ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do," and "Your Feets Too Big.”

All performances at Seattle Musical Theatre, 7120 62nd Ave NE, Seattle 98115, Building 47 inside Magnuson Park.

Remaining performances in the run:
  • Thursday, March 1 at 7:30pm
  • Friday, March 2 at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 3 at 7:30pm
  • Sundays, March 4 at 2:00pm

Tickets available online

Tickets are sold by section at $40, $35 and $20 with $5 discounts available for Seniors and
Students.

Seattle Musical Theatre has a concession area with wine and beer for sale.

Stay tuned and Follow

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Rob Oxford: Am I tired of Winter? The answer is...SNOW

Rob's son, sledding down a Shoreline street
By Rob Oxford

I must confess to being a bit puzzled by the reaction to wintry weather here in the Puget Sound.

In particular ... snow.

I for one welcome the occasional accumulation of frozen rain. I like the way it looks as it's falling from the sky.

I like the big, fat, fluffy flakes. The ones large enough to actually appreciate their individual uniqueness.

I like the way it builds up on the branches of the trees, on the fence posts, on the hoods of parked cars and the silence it can bring. I like to see children building snowmen, Dads pulling sleds and Moms who surprise you at the door with hot chocolate.

When the neighborhood is blanketed in white, traffic stops, and dogs don't bark. Home improvement projects have to be postponed and hopefully, at least for the kids, school is cancelled. I suppose for some a snow day is an inconvenience, but they happen so infrequently.

Quite often after what most in our neck of the woods will consider a devastating accumulation of 2" to 3", one will find themselves at the grocery store stocking up on life-saving supplies like a snow shovel and chili. Then, like clockwork, someone in line behind you will say; "I'm from the Midwest and believe me, this isn't snow" and honestly it's not. It's likely that before you remember that you left the shovel in the trunk, the snow will have melted.

If this were Chicago, Dubuque, Cheyenne, Cleveland or a million other places, I could understand being tired of snow in February, but we get so little. Yes, if you have to drive in the snow it can be nerve-racking. But seriously, isn't driving around Seattle in the middle of Summer just as nerve-racking? And don't get me started on studded tires. If you're not driving from Shoreline to Ellensburg on a weekly basis, you don't need them.

Spring is just around the corner, as is the rain. So the next time you hear the weatherman say "there's a chance of snow with the possibility of some accumulation", enjoy it, embrace it and be thankful you don't live in Ithaca.

Yours Truly,

Yukon Cornelius



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Crime in Shoreline week ending Feb 12

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Selected items from the Shoreline Police blotter, week ending February 12, 2018

Behavioral health incidents;
  • Fred Meyer parking lot
  • Man in front of his house, screaming at the neighbors 
  • Nursing home patient out of control and angry 
  • Suicide attempt with knife 

02-04 Individual previously Trespassed from Aurora Safeway is apprehended stealing alcohol, then transported to Sobering Center.
02-04 Suspect prowled multiple cars in the 204th block of Dayton, then went on a shopping spree with stolen credit cards.
02-05 Male was with his girlfriend at home in the basement of his parents' home when he injected himself with heroin and overdosed.
02-05 Found mail scattered along street 21xx block of N 148th.
02-05 Property found along street 13xx N 152nd - Dewalt band saw, lithium chargers, bicycle, wallet. White male suspect ran from police.
02-06 Stopped vehicle for traffic violation. Driver had no license and was a convicted felon in possession of a gun. Arrested.
02-06 Arrested individual at gas station on an outstanding warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia.
02-06 Resident receives emails threatening to kill him if he doesn't pay $10,000.
02-06 Resident pays $3500 to someone who told him he just won a new car.
02-06 Man lost his wallet on the bus, then tried to recover it but scared the bus driver. Wallet not found - he was told to check with Lost and Found.
02-06 Male arrested on Kenmore warrant. Score Medical refused to take him. Taken to Highline Hospital Emergency Room, then released from custody.
02-07 Mail theft 145xx 31st NE.
02-07 Picked up intoxicated individual at N 155th and Interlake who was falling on the street and hurting himself.
02-07 Storage lockers forced open at 17828 Midvale Ct.
02-07 Individual asked for a job at Holyrood Cemetery then stole items from maintenance shop. White male, 5'7", thin, shaved or short hair, black eye.
02-07 Individual threw something through the window at Viking Sports Bar, then was arrested a few blocks away when an eyewitness helped identify him to police.
02-08 Male Trespassed from Club Hollywood after talking to bartender with his hand down his pants.
02-08 Abandoned vehicle at 175th and Corliss had been reported stolen by Richland police.
02-08 Man in vehicle masturbates in front of 14 year old Einstein student in school zone.
02-08 iPhone 7+ stolen from pedestrian on 185th.
02-08 Burglary 147xx 23rd NE - credit cards stolen.
02-08 Burglary 147xx 22nd NE
02-08 Driver arrested for eluding police had multiple outstanding warrants.
02-08 Laptop stolen from unlocked vehicle at El Sabor on Aurora.
02-09 Bicycle stolen from back porch at Ballinger Commons.
02-09 Ongoing domestic violence issues - assault with bat - 195xx 25th NE.
02-09 Residential burglary - firearm taken.
02-09 Traffic stop of van with stolen license plates. Driver booked on warrant.
02-10 Person contacted for smoking in an E Line bus stop; arrested on warrant.
02-10 Wallet stolen from shopping cart at Trader Joe's.
02-10 Two females in Fred Meyer parking lot arrested on outstanding warrants.
02-10 Male was urinating on back door of Wells Fargo bank in Richmond Beach while holding a can of beer. Beer poured out and individual warned.
02-12 Transient male in front of businesses was lighting papers to try to keep warm.



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North Cascades Highway closed due to avalanche


Both directions of State Route 20/North Cascades Highway east of Newhalem in Whatcom County are closed due to an avalanche that blocked the highway near milepost 122.5 at 10:30am, Sunday, February 25.

The snow slide is estimated to be about 300 feet wide and 25 - 30 feet high. The closure is approximately 11 miles west of the seasonal closure point for the highway.

Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will reassess the slide area on Monday morning, February 26. There is currently no estimate for when the roadway will reopen to travelers. WSDOT is working with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service as part of a unified command to handle the situation. There are approximately 55 to 60 people behind the slide area, all of whom have access to food and housing.




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Fire at restaurant on Bothell Way in Shoreline

According to Shoreline Fire, there was a working structure fire at a restaurant this morning at approximately 2:45am. The bystanders called 911 stating it was a fire on the roof. This was in the 14500 block of Bothell Way NE.

Shoreline Fire and neighboring departments responded.

The cause is under investigation. There were no injuries.

There are several restaurants at that location; the report did not specify which one.




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Sears is in liquidation

Everything must go at Sears
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Sears Shoreline at Aurora Square is technically not closed. It is in Liquidation - meaning that the store is scheduled to close and everything, including the fixtures are for sale.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Great prices on all merchandise - clothing, tools, appliances, beds, shoes, housewares, jewelry and more. 

Last day of operation for retail customers is April 8th.

Land's End, Optical and the Outlet Store are still open until April 8th.

Sears store hours are Monday through Saturday 10am - 8pm. Sunday 10am - 6pm.

--Patty Hale (Sears employee)




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Deadline: Tuesday February 28, 10:59pm for Shoreline Arts Festival Marketplace


Call for Artists: 2018 Shoreline Arts Festival Artist Marketplace
Deadline: February 28, 10:59pm, 2018

The deadline to apply is coming up fast! Submit your applications by February 28th.

Apply today to become one of the 70+ artists that make up the beating heart of the 2018 Shoreline Arts Festival!

This free community event will gather 10,000+ art lovers at Shoreline Center on June 23 - 24 and the vibrant Artist Marketplace is situated on its most prominent street front, with booths occupying the large space between the Shoreline Center building and 1st Ave NE.

5 Reasons why you should apply to the Shoreline Arts Festival Artist Marketplace:
  1. Over 10,000 art lovers come to this keystone community event each year.
  2. Celebrating its 28th year, the Shoreline Arts Festival has a lot to brag about and is planning for improved event flow and expanded advertising in 2018.
  3. Location! Show and Sell your work in the art-loving neighborhoods of North King County from the Festival’s most prominent street front.
  4. With over 70 artists participating in the Artist Marketplace, the festival is a vibrant event with an incredible community of artists.
  5. Water, snacks, booth sitters, and artist/member lounge are available for selling artists to make sure you have the best weekend possible!
How to apply

Submit your application and $20 application fee online via Call for Entry by 10:59pm on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018.

Eligibility
  • All work must be handmade. No commercially produced work, kits, or imported goods
  • All work must be original and created by or under direction of the artists(s).
  • Artist(s) must attend the entire Festival (June 23, 10am – 6pm and June 24, 10am – 5pm).
  • Items must match type and quality submitted for jurying. No work by non-juried artists.
Booth Specifications

Two types of outdoor booth spaces are available:

  • 10’ x 10’ uncovered, on asphalt: $175
  • 10′ x 20′ uncovered, on asphalt: $350


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

Jurying

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

The Shoreline Arts Festival is a program of the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council with major support from the City of Shoreline, City of Lake Forest Park, and 4Culture.

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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Friday afternoon at the movies: Lifeboat



FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES - SILVER CINEMA PROJECT

Friday, March 2, 2018, 1:30pm at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center, southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155. Free parking in south lot.

LIFEBOAT. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock 1 hr, 37 Minutes (1944)

In this tense thriller, survivors of a u-boat attack struggle against the elements and each other when one of them is revealed as the u-boat captain. 
In the Atlantic during WWII, a ship and a German U-boat are involved in a battle and both are sunk. The survivors from the ship gather in one of the boats. They are from a variety of backgrounds: an international journalist, a rich businessman, the radio operator, a nurse, a steward, a sailor and an engineer with communist tendencies. Trouble starts when they pull a man out of the water who turns out to be from the U-boat. -IMDB.com 

Rhias Hall of Scarecrow Video will share additional information regarding the making of this popular Hitchcock film.

If you are traveling with ACCESS or HYDE, we suggest you schedule your return ride at 4:00pm.



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Report: Opiate Crisis - A Community Forum

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Overflow crowd at Opiate Forum
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
By Donna Hawkey

A forum to educate the community about the opiate crisis was well-attended on January 23, 2018 at the Shoreline Conference Center.

Sponsored by Shoreline Public Schools, the City of Shoreline, and the City of Lake Forest Park, speakers were passionate about getting their urgent messages into the community. This is a crisis like we have never seen before and last year for the first time, drug overdoses surpassed automobile accident-related deaths. Each minute, 144 overdose deaths take place throughout the nation.

LFP Police Chief Steve Sutton
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Opioid use disorder was the main topic of discussion. Many get addicted after taking pain medicines prescribed by their physician or doctor.

Prescriptions began to be written in large amounts after a 1999 New England Journal of Medicine reported a study that found opioid drugs were not addictive. This was the only study done, it was a small sampling, and it was obviously flawed.

Before this 1999 study, physicians did not have much in the way of treatment for pain, nor were they trained about pain management in medical school. The doctors started showing lots of empathy for their patients when they finally had a solution with opioids, and that started a trend in writing these prescriptions so frequently.

Also, in 1996 Purdue Pharma introduced OxyContin and began to market it very aggressively including large sales bonuses to the pharmaceutical representatives and also doctors, pharmacists, and nurses were recruited to serve on the Purdue Pharma’s speaker bureau circuit. These 1996-1999 occurrences are considered the two biggest factors in this opioid crisis.

Patients were just following their doctor’s recommendations and trusted that no harm would come from them. Opioid for pain relief is generally safe when taken for a short period of time and under a doctor’s supervision, but since the physicians were lead to believe they were non-addictive, they also increased dosages in patients when they continued to complain about pain.

We have natural opioid receptors in our nerve cells and our brain. When you add in a prescription opioid, those receptors are increased and tolerance levels to the drug increases too, so the patient may start craving higher amounts. The addiction cycle can start due to not only the pain relief, but many patients experience a feeling of euphoria as well.

Now considered a medical disease, opioid use disorder often has one behavioral component and one genetic component. Medicine stabilizes the patient by alleviating the drug cravings. Today, opioid use disorder is often compared to the diseases of diabetes and hypertension.

A panel of experts spoke at the forum
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

The forum panel included health experts talking about how this drug addiction is very challenging, but with the right fit and long enough treatment plan, it’s not impossible to treat it successfully. Also expressed was the importance of a loving family, friends and other social support networks.

Current treatment is a very lengthy process though and all addiction data are grouped together under one umbrella, so it can be difficult to find out which treatments are working the best for this specific addiction. Insurance companies are also finding ways to reduce benefits for treatment due to the large increases in the number of patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder.

When prescription drugs are not available or become too costly, those with opioid use disorder can find a cheap street substitute with heroin which is now available everywhere and this leads to many overdoses.

Most of these drugs coming into the Pacific Northwest are from Mexico, however, Yakima has also become a big problem in illegal drug distribution. Drugs are entering the United States from all modes of transportation - automobiles, ships, airplanes, trains. This is a huge black market industry with an estimated size of between $200-750 million dollars per year.

Shoreline Police Chief Shawn Ledford
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Everyone needs to be educated about this crisis. The importance of the community working together to combat this problem is key and was stressed by law and drug enforcement officials and healthcare professionals.

Here are further tips and other resources.
  • Young athletes can become addicted to opioids with sports pain management treatment.
  • Many children who become adult addicts started taking pain medicines at the ages of 12-13 years old. Most of these prescription drugs are taken right from their parent’s medicine cabinets and some are sold to friends, too.
  • 53% of pain relievers are obtained for non-medical use by a relative or friend.
  • Drug dealers like to give out samples to hook youth into addiction.
  • Lots of synthetic heroin is being manufactured that look like prescription drug pills and users are often unaware that these drugs are 50 times more potent than heroin.
  • Children and teens should be taught to never accept or ingest medications or pills unless it is from their parent or a health care provider. Also, parents should warn children about not inhaling any type of powders.
  • If someone suspects they were offered drugs, they should call 911 if they can and report it to the police, or get the information to a school authority or parent or guardian right away.
  • Review your medicine cabinets and either lock-up your pharmaceuticals, especially any pain relievers, or dispose of them at your local police department, just drop them off, no questions asked.
  • Prescription drug abuse can also start with ADHD drugs such as Adderall. An increase in the abuse of these drugs is being seen on college campuses as students try to stay up late to study. 
The Washington State Department of Health reports that between 2012-2016, there were 3,460 overdoses and 285 of those were between the ages of 15-24.

Over 40 overdoses per year take place in Shoreline. 

All police cars in Lake Forest Park are now equipped with Naloxone, the nasal drug spray used to attempt to reverse an opioid overdose.

Washington State has the “Good Samaritan Law” so pharmacists can dispense Naloxone to someone even without a prescription. Albertson/Safeway Pharmacists are well versed in this.

There are resources available: 

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
*We now know that overdoses from prescription opioids are a driving factor in the 16-year increase in opioid overdose deaths. The amount of prescription opioids sold to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors’ offices nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2010, yet there had not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans reported. Deaths from prescription opioids—drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone—have more than quadrupled since 1999.”

Note: After writing the above, our State Legislators have announced plans to put the opioid reversal nasal spray Naloxone into public schools and on college campuses.

This makes sense because we know this is where most 12-13 year olds and older teens are located five days a week, so many lives can be saved. 

It’s ridiculous to think that the schools will be seeing an overflow of drug addicts outside their doors because the school has a supply of Naloxone.

No school is going to allow anyone to just hang around outside their school, that is what police are for. With our state having the “Good Samaritan” law, pharmacists can dispense Naloxone, often called Narcan, without a prescription and some will give it for free in certain cases.




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The opioid crisis: When the young die young

Teenaged Steve working a booth for a
summer restaurant job handing
out cold drinks on a hot day at the lake
By Donna Hawkey 

When I heard that Steve, my 23- year young godson had died, I only remember the feeling of shock that took me over.

He had died of an opioid overdose. Everyone thought Steve was doing great, but can anyone really know what is going on inside another person?

Someone who has always been so trusted, who is at first honest in addressing what has happened, can suddenly be too ashamed to ask for further help. They can fool you into thinking everything is fine.

What follows is a little bit about Steve and his family. When I think of that innocent child and that bright and kind and funny spirit that developed into Steve the young adult, it's just so hard to believe he is gone.

Steve met his best friend Ian
 in preschool
Steve was never a disciplinary problem. He was more like the star of the show. Leading his hockey team to win the state championship with determination and inspiration as the team captain, he was loved and respected by teammates and parents. Steve went on to play college hockey for Chicago’s DePaul University.

He was a great conversationalist and could engage nearly anyone on a topic of their interest offering knowledge and facts.

Steve loved to read, and spent his summers at academic camps exploring philosophy, geopolitics, computers, and one really favorite one, a class called “Fairy Tales on Trial.” (Oh, how fun that was for his family dinner table conversations!)

An honor student in high school, he graduated from DePaul University with honors and a degree in history.

Steve had completed his student teaching and earned his Master’s Degree in Education, as well as a position to teach high school history and to coach the hockey team at his alma mater.

Steve and his dad, Doug
Steve and his brother James had grown up playing hockey. Brothers and best friends, they talked often of coaching the high school hockey team together and developing the program.

A star forward and a star defenseman, their love for the sport was shared from early on, and mom recalls Steve playing goalie so James could practice with shinny sticks in the basement.

In honor of his brother, James is now the Head Hockey Coach for the high school team.

His parents miss him dearly. Steve’s father Doug never missed a hockey game for either of his boys, and this dedication and the sport helped develop a very special father-son bond. This bond still continues with his son, James, and the many hockey friends made throughout the years that have shown much loving support to the entire family. 

Losing a son is an unnatural occurrence and an unthinkable grief to bear.

Steve and his mom, Debbi
Mom Debbi recalls how Steve would come home sometimes and pick her up in his arms and swing her around in the kitchen, in joy and laughter for both of them.

His mother is a very strong lady. 

She said, “He made us laugh and smile nearly every day of his short life. Such a smart, interesting, kind and funny person!!”

To experience this kind of tragic and life altering loss makes Steve’s family want to encourage every person to be on their vigilant guard by getting educated about the opioid crisis and how it now affects everyone’s community.

There is also a need for more aggressive treatment options to combat this addiction cycle faster. New technologies and solutions need to be developed for treating pain without opioids.

Not all patients respond to the current medications used in treating the opioid addiction and not everyone responds well to behavior therapy. Researching treatment options carefully and asking lots of questions are very important. 

With a powerful drug addiction like this, no matter who the person is, expect a lie from them. They can’t really help it until they get the serious treatment needed and as quickly as possible.

We should also be questioning - if our nation is spending $50 billion dollars a year on drug enforcement, investigation, and drug entry controls, then why is the problem getting worse and not better?

Finally, please show compassion and empathy towards anyone that has gotten caught in this tangled death trap.

It can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere and it can really, really surprise you. 

----
Donna Hawkey is a 21 year resident of Lake Forest Park and can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.net



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February Senior Health and Wellness Speaker Series: Care Options for Seniors



February Senior Health and Wellness Speaker Series
Topic: Care Options for Seniors

RBCA is hosting the third and final meeting in its series of speakers on senior health and wellness on Tuesday, February 27, at 7:00pm in the lower level of the Richmond Beach Congregational Church located at 1512 NW 195th Street. The meeting is free, open to the public and designed for seniors, those who have a senior in their family or those who plan to someday become a senior.

The 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.


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Global Affairs lecture: The Tragedy of North Korea


The Tragedy of North Korea

Dr. Clark Sorenson
Professor of International Studies, and
Director of the Center for Korean Studies
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Thursday, March 1, 2018
7:00-8:30 PM
Shoreline Community College


North Korea’s continued development of nuclear weapons, and the tragic death in 2017 of an American student who arrived in Pyongyang fit and left in a mysterious coma, is likely to dim further prospects of improved relations between North Korea and the U.S. What can be done to improve the situation? Is a military confrontation on the horizon?

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 after 4:00 PM is FREE

Presented by Global Affairs Center, Shoreline Community College
Additional support from Center for Global Studies, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington



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Death notices as of February 24, 2018

Obituaries are condensed biographies of people's lives, written by the people who loved them.

Like a memorial service, they tell us things we may not have known about the person, and may leave us wishing we had known them better.

Obituaries extracted from The Seattle Times

Edwin Gerald Teel 1941-2018 Served two years in the Army during Vietnam. Returned to the family business, Vitamilk. Active leader at First Free Methodist Church in Seattle for more than 50 years and served on the church board. On the Board of Trustees for Seattle Pacific University and founded the E. Gerald and Katherine Teel School of Economics and Business Scholarship Endowment, coordinating a partnership between SPU and the Teel Charitable Foundation, sponsoring sporting events such as SPU Basketball's Vitamilk Classic. With wife Kathi, named Seattle Pacific University's Alumni of the Year in 2006.

Nicholas William Brady 1985-2018 Shorecrest graduate served briefly in the U.S. Navy. Was a bartender at several local lounges and clubs.

Rita Elizabeth Grohman 1925-2018 Shoreline School District PE teacher at Richmond Beach Jr. High School and Jane Addams Jr. High School from 1946 to 1952.

Robert L. Carlson, MD Age 90 He was a public school teacher before becoming an MD. He was a family practice doctor, as well as an emergency room doctor. He established a large family medical practice in Lake Forest Park; his clinic is now owned by the UW.

Marjorie Rorrison Olmsted Age 88 Marge was dedicated to serving her community, volunteering for many organizations including Cub Scouts, League of Women Voters, Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church, Mountlake Terrace Food Bank, and the Mountlake Terrace Senior Center.

Walter Edward Brewe 1931-2018 Walter and wife Carol raised their five children in Lake Forest Park and celebrated their 65th anniversary last year. He owned several insurance agencies in western Washington, including Redmond and Ilwaco. He was CPCU designation and was a well-regarded teacher in the insurance field.

Lester Earl Poole 1929-2018 Lester was a civil engineer who was in the ROTC and served in the army in Germany after college graduation. Moved to Seattle in 1956 and eventually became Director of Engineering for the John Graham Company. Services held at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach.

Roland Norvell Lindstrom 1929-2018 Grew up on Beach Drive on the shore of Lake Washington in Lake Forest Park. Attended Lake Forest Park Elementary, Roosevelt High School and Bothell High School where he graduated with the class of 1947. Served in the Navy during the Korean War. A founder of the Kenmore Art Show.

Thomas James Hoagland Age 56 1979 Shorewood graduate passed away after many years of health challenges. Worked at Mercury Pharmacy. Loved playing with his nieces and nephews.

Richard Lee McNeely 1922-2018 Shoreline resident was a scientist who invented the underwater TV camera. He worked 25 years for NOAA, earning numerous awards for successful innovations in the fisheries industries. His technical papers are published in 14 languages, and he lectured around the world. Received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor - 1976 - US Dept of Commerce for successfully reducing porpoise mortality to levels approaching zero, as required by the Marine Mammals Protection act of 1972 - "Saving Flipper" he called it.

Nicholas Ryan Harrison 1986-2018 Studied accounting at Shoreline Community College. Played with the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League Knights in 2016.

Elizabeth Ruth Halfacre Age 69 She was an art instructor at Shoreline Community College for 17 years and was a member of the Northwest Collage Society, Women Painters of Washington, UUC Art Committee, Columbia City Gallery, Seniors Making Art Program, Gallery 110, and Kirkland Art Center.

Frank John Foote 1956-2018 Graduated from Shoreline High School in 1974 and continued his education at Shoreline Community College. Lived in Langley.

William Thomas Montgomery 1926-2018 A marine in WW II and Korea. He played the violin at senior centers and made violins as a hobby.

Carol Hudson Grieser 1941-2018 Celebration of Life at Lake Forest Park Civic Club. "Carol was passionate about living life on her own terms throughout her struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and, with amazing strength and resilience, refused to let the disease define her life."

Dorothy Oma Ray Heuchert Honored as Shoreline Teacher of the Year in 1967. Active member of Luther Memorial Church and First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach.

Linda Lee Cook 1944-2017 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shoreline Fire Department.

Tiffany Joy Paige Tynes 1990-2018 Died after a lifelong battle with Batten's Disease. "Full of life, Tiffany was always active and carried a huge smile." A memorial service was held at the First Lutheran Church in Shoreline.

Mildred (Kay) Chelemedos 1922-2017 Kay was active in the League of Women Voters, local Democratic politics, the University Unitarian Church and the Shoreline Unitarian Church. She was a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society, the Seattle Storytellers Guild, and the Audubon Society. Services at Shoreline Unitarian Church.

Virginia M. (Lowry) Volpone 1924-2018 Her passions were camping, coaching kids CYO volleyball, being the original soccer mom, and travelling. But mostly, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Kay Beeson 1939-2018 Memorial service at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian, where remembrances may be made in her honor.

Sue Bartels 1951-2018 She sang in many choral groups, and played the euphonium, trombone and tuba in several local bands and ensembles. Her compassionate nature and musical talents led her to initiate and nurture The Evergreen Threshold Singers. Memorial service at Richmond Beach Congregational Church-UCC. In lieu of flowers, donations to Music4Life.


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Photo: Winter morning light

Photo by Janet Way

Snow was left in random places today - part of a roof, edges of flower beds, scrunched up by curbs - and in many places, particularly in the morning, on delicate branches.

There was a possibility of another weather system on Friday. Right on cue, the snowflakes started falling at 4pm - but they were light and danced around in the air. Most didn't reach the ground and after 45 minutes, they stopped.

It was cold enough but we stayed in the shadow of the Olympic mountains.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

DKH



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Jobs: LFP Maintenance worker


Position Summary
Perform general Public Works maintenance manual labor duties operating a variety of light and moderately heavy construction and maintenance equipment. This includes using hand and power tools in the construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of city streets, vegetation control, asphalt, concrete, gravel, and drainage repairs, and right-of-way areas. Operates backhoes, rollers, dump trucks (Class "A" or “B” Commercial Driver's License required), jackhammer, lawn mowers, and other specialized equipment. Provide support for special events. May perform duties of similar complexity in streets, sanitary sewer, parks, building facilities and storm drainage facilities as required or assigned.

More complete job announcement.

How to Apply
Applicants are invited to apply online using the City's online application tool. Job applications are also available at City Hall, front desk. If applicants do not wish to apply online, they can submit a resume and City's job application to: Public Works Maintenance Worker, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 or email resume and completed application (completed and scanned) to: HR@cityoflfp.comwith Maintenance Worker in the subject line. No phone calls please. Due to the volume of applications, the City is not able to respond to phone call inquiries.… Read on



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Olympic Curling



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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Shoreline fire stair climb team at Central Market Saturday

Firefighter at the 2014 Central Market
fundraising event
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Shoreline Fire has seven climbers participating in the Scott Tower Climb and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

They will be 'climbing" at Central Market Saturday and you are invited to visit!

Central Market Shoreline, Saturday, February 24, 2018, 8:30am - 2pm, 15505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133

In the Scot Stairclimb, 1,900 firefighters from eight countries participated in a race to climb 69 flights of stairs - 1,356 steps - in the Columbia Tower, wearing full firefighting gear and breathing apparatus.

Each firefighter is expected to raise at least $300 to participate in the event, which has more applicants than it has space for.

The Scot Stairclimb was started in 1992 by Shoreline firefighter David Engler. Here's his story.



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Join the LFP's newly established Parks and Recreation Advisory board

Friday, February 23, 2018

Eagle Scout Park
Photo by Jerry Pickard
The City of Lake Forest Park seeks applicants for its newly established Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

This seven-member board, including one high school student, will be responsible for advising the City Council and Mayor on parks and recreation issues including park master planning, recreation program evaluation and park comprehensive planning.

All board member terms are three years and members are limited to two consecutive full-term appointments.

If you are interested in serving on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board complete an application and attach a resume and cover letter describing your experience and interest in parks and recreation. Completed applications, with résumé and cover letter, may be emailed to Cory Roche, Community Volunteer Coordinator, or mailed/ delivered to the Lake Forest Park City Hall at 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

Applications are due by 5:00pm, March 9, 2018 to be considered for the first round of interviews.

More information on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in the application or contact Cory Roche, Community Volunteer Coordinator at  206-957-2814.

Additional Information on the Board



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Letter to the Editor: Property tax bill is a 24% increase

To the Editor:

Last Saturday a property tax notice arrived from the KC Assessor's office for 2018 on my small east Shoreline fixer upper. This $4322 property tax was is a 24% increase compared with 2017. This amount is equal to my total annual food budget PLUS my total annual utility bills. These three expenses are almost one third of my annual income for 2018. I did not do any of the necessary repairs on my house in 2017 b/c I was still paying off such repair bills incurred in 2014 and 2015. While I qualify for a Senior exemption it is not clear how much that will reduce my property taxes b/c that is determined by the KC Assessor's office.

I also recently received a happy letter from 32nd LD Rep. Cindy Ryu providing information on what she worked for in the legislature. This includes not only education but also subsidized housing for those who cannot find affordable places to live in Seattle. With both property taxes and utility rates rising, I wonder if I will be able to stay in my house (which I have been paying on for 21 years) while subsidizing other's housing. It appears to me that our three Democratic legislative ladies think that our private purses are theirs to spend without consideration of the costs and consequences to their constituents, citizens and voters.

The Republicans are right on this issue. The higher the taxes the less money people have to spend on often necessary goods and services, including higher health care bills. When one recalls that our economy thrives because of consumer purchases, loss of income because of higher taxes is not good for the economy as a whole. That also means that there are fewer jobs because consumer purchases keep others employed. And people's income is not elastic for the most part. Higher taxes are not a solution to social problems.

I wish our Democratic legislative ladies were able to do cost/benefit analyses, as my junior level CC students learned to calculate in my Sociology classes.

Gini Paulsen
Shoreline



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Albertsons buys Rite Aid stores

Ballinger Rite Aid
Google maps
The Albertsons grocery chain, which already owns Safeway, has purchased the remainder of the Rite Aid chain in the western and northeastern United State.

About half of the Rite Aid chain, in the southern states, was purchased by Walgreens last year.

The result, according to a story in the Coupons in the News newsletter, will be a "food-and-pharmacy giant that both companies say will be a convenient, affordable arrangement for customers."

The announcement from Albertsons and Rite Aid says they will not only "retain the Rite Aid name and continue to operate existing Rite Aid stores as standalone locations, but they will also rebrand Albertsons-owned grocery stores’ in-store pharmacies as Rite Aid."

Photo by Jerry Pickard
There has been no announcement of plans to close any stores, but it's possible that locations that are too close will be merged.

Coupons says that "The two companies say they’ll be able to combine the best of both retailers, offering customers an expanded selection of food and pharmacy products, with Albertsons grocery stores offering more comprehensive pharmacy and wellness services, and Rite Aid drug stores offering expanded food options."



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Pub Night Talk at McMenamins: Early history of blacks in King County

Quintard Taylor, UW
Professor Emeritus
Historian Quintard Taylor, UW professor emeritus will speak on “Seeking Freedom in the Pacific Northwest: The Early History of Blacks in Seattle and King County," at a Pub Night Talk cosponsored by the University of Washington Bothell and McMenamins.

7-8:30pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Doors open at 6pm. Hayne’s Hall, McMenamins Anderson School, 18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell

In the 1800s, blacks experienced more racial equality and economic progress in Seattle than in almost any other city in the nation. Quintard Taylor explains what created that environment and why conditions changed. Followed by Q/A. All ages welcome. Free.



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KCGOP Lincoln Day Dinner Apr 21

Scott Rasmussen
Keynote Speaker
The King County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. General and VIP receptions begin at 6pm and the dinner begins at 7pm. Ticket prices start at $85. To register for the event, click here.

The keynote speaker, Scott Rasmussen, is the publisher of ScottRasmussen.com and the Editor-At-Large at Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics. For Ballotpedia, he writes "Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day", exploring newsworthy and interesting topics at the intersection of politics, culture, and technology.

Scott is also the founder of Rasmussen Reports, co-founder of ESPN, a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, and syndicated columnist.

Mark this date on your calendar as you won't want to miss this great event! Contact Executive Director Lane Covington or 425-990-0404 for sponsorship opportunities. To purchase tickets, click here.



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Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council elects new Board President

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is pleased to announce that Dominica Myers, a currently serving member of the Arts Council Board of Directors, has been elected to the position of Board President. 

Ms. Myers has a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University, as well as many years of experience as a performing and teaching theatre artist in Seattle and Los Angeles, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Central Washington University.

“We’re so excited about the energy, expertise, and vision that Dominica Myers brings to our leadership team. The community couldn’t ask for a better arts advocate, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner to guide our organization into the next chapter.” --Lorie Hoffman, Arts Council Executive Director

Professionally, Ms. Myers specializes in board relations and administration at Seattle Opera. This connection to the larger regional arts scene has proven invaluable as a starting point to strengthen partnerships and build connections that benefit our local community.

In addition to her service with the Arts Council, Ms. Myers has been on the Advisory Committee for Shoreline Community College’s department of Performance Arts/Digital Filmmaking since 2012, and is a current Shoreline School District parent.

“The joy of living and raising a family in a community as vibrant and welcoming as ours is a direct result of intentional and continued investment in arts and culture over time. For more than 25 years, the Arts Council has played a key role in cultivating and shepherding that investment, and I am truly humbled by this leadership opportunity in giving back to an organization that has given so much to our community.” – Dominica Myers, Arts Council Board President

Before joining the Arts Council Board in 2016, Ms. Myers volunteered as Director of the Arts Council’s Readers’ Theatre program, focusing on nurturing the play development process of local emerging playwrights by mounting public staged readings of their new works, featuring professional actors.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501c3 nonprofit focused on cultivating creativity and inspiring our community through the arts. Last year Arts Council programs served over 25,000 people in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and the surrounding region.


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