Register now for Fall Recreation classes

View the Recreation Guide

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

Registration is open now for Shoreline residents.

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

Fall 2018 early registration for Lake Forest Park Residents is Thursday, August 23, 2018 starting at 8:00am.

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

The City will reimburse each qualified Lake Forest Park resident up to $100 for summer quarter (and up to $50.00 per quarter for fall, winter and spring). The application form can be downloaded (here at: http://bit.ly/2N6El6G), or found in the lobby at City Hall.

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

Click Here for the Recreation Guide!

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Jobs: Part-time Retail Associates at Recology

Part-time Retail Associates at Recology

Are you looking to join a company that values its employees, customers, and the environment?

Do you want to make an impact by working with us to write the next chapter of change in the resource recovery industry?

This is a unique retail environment where you are educating customers on products to help them reduce their solid waste.

LOCATIONS: Shoreline and Bothell

HOURLY RATE: $15.00/hr

SCHEDULE: Includes weekends. See schedule for each location on our careers page

FACEBOOK: Check out our Facebook page to learn more about us!

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• One year of experience in customer service and/or retail.
• Valid driver's license.

See online postings for complete information

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Friends of the LFP Library book sale at the Farmers Market Sunday

The Friends are a volunteer group dedicated to supporting the Library through fund-raising activities that support programs and classes for all ages.

Funds raised by the Friends supplement the King County Library System (KCLS) funding and enhance library services by supporting programs such as the summer reading program for children; pizza and books and a writers' group for teens; adult educational programs and resources such as Book Page; library staff support and volunteer appreciation.

These are all programs which the library staff can tailor to meet the needs of children, teens, adults, and families within the Lake Forest Park community.

Support the Friends by becoming a member -- we welcome new members and new ideas. Your participation includes opportunities to:

• Attend meetings [held in the library meeting room on the second Wednesdays of September, November, March, and May at 7pm, and in January a daytime meeting is held at 2pm]
• Help coordinate Friends’ activities, learn about Library activities, make budgetary decisions, and share "good reads." 
• Help with our annual book sale.
• Help to stock the book cart or sort donated books

Annual dues are $5 for individuals. To find out more, please contact Mary Ellen Tolberg, Membership Committee Chair, or Carol Geil, Secretary, 206-743-6475 or speak to anyone with a Friends' name tag at the book cart or a book sale.

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Construction to begin next year on 17,000 square feet of shops and restaurants at Shoreline Place

Shoreline Place vision

Merlone Geier Partners revealed plans Wednesday for Shoreline Place, a vibrant mixed-use development at the former Sears Property near North 160th Street and Aurora Ave North in Shoreline.

The development will take shape in four phases over more than a decade, featuring 90,000 SF of shops and dining options, 1,300 apartment homes that may eventually include condos, green space including a dog park and a large community park called the Town Green, and connections to Metro’s E Line and the Interurban Trail.

  

“Our plan is directly tied to the vision and environmental approvals the City prescribed in its 2015 Community Renewal Area Plan for Aurora Square,” said Jamas Gwilliam, Vice President for Development at Merlone Geier Partners. “Equally important, it’s also reflective of input we sought from area residents over the last year.”

Phase 1  2019 - 2022

The first phase of development, slated for construction next year, is 17,000 SF of shops and restaurants at the corner of Westminster Avenue, near the Central Market parking lot. 

“We conducted a survey of over 6,000 area residents, and the main things they wanted to see at Shoreline Place were more dining and housing options,” said Gwilliam. “We’re excited to bring those options to the community first.”

Merlone Geier released a video and artist renderings to better explain all four phases of development. 

The Sears building will remain intact until the third development phase, when it transforms into five-over-one housing and retail, anchored by the large Town Green. The Town Green will serve as a community gathering and performance area, as well as the future permanent home of the Shoreline Farmer’s Market.

Sears was new in 1967

Background on the Aurora Square Community Renewal Area

Sears opened in Shoreline in September 1967, and more than 50 years later, the area and the needs of Shoreline residents changed. In 2013, the City of Shoreline designated Aurora Square – the 70+ acre Sears-anchored retail center and several adjacent properties – as a Community Renewal Area (CRA), finding that it qualified as economically blighted with “old, obsolete buildings, defective or inadequate street layout, faulty lot layout, excessive land coverage, diversity of ownership, and connectivity problems”.

As part of the CRA, the City of Shoreline completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for site redevelopment in 2015. The EIS evaluated their vision for a development that would include mixed-use commercial and residential development and gathering spaces. Merlone Geier Partners acquired property rights of the former Sears property in 2017, focused on meeting the needs of the current and future community in Shoreline, where there is strong demand for modern retail, better restaurants, and additional types of housing.

Merlone Geier Partners engaged GGLO to design the project.

MGP owns and manages 15 million square feet of retail on the west coast, 4.2 million of which is in the Pacific Northwest including Lynnwood Square, The Town Center at Lake Forest Park, Shoreline Marketplace, Ballinger Village Shopping Center, and Alderwood Plaza. Visit MerloneGeier.com for more information.

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Dahlia of the Week -- Funfair

Funfair
Photo by John Hibbs, ND

By John Hibbs, ND

Funfair was introduced to dahlia lovers in 1963, one of the oldest varieties in my garden. 

That she’s kept our attention for so long is testimony to her spectacular color pattern and versatility in bouquets. 

Her blazing, spreading oranges, yellows and reds are most like the colors of a burning flame, captured in one moment in time.

Funfair’s blossoms are officially 6-8” in diameter, officially size B or medium; but when cutting is delayed for a day or two and she’s well-watered they can easily reach 9”. 

She blooms heartily on exceptionally long, strong stems; and with her upright presentation on stem she’s a strong contributor to bouquets.

Formal Decorative dahlia flower forms have “flat petals with an even, regular placement throughout the flowers” according to the website of Swan Island Dahlias, one of the region’s largest dahlia tuber retailers, and Informal Decorative blossoms have both some curl to the petals and less regular spacing.

Funfair is categorized Formal Decorative, but for my money she’s far from formal, having much play and curl to her petals, and is a great evidence that we just can’t capture all the possibilities in a simple categorization of shapes for something as varied as the world of dahlias. 

The 2018 Dahlias for Seniors fundraiser for the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center is bustling along; I’ve added a 3rd dahlia delivery day each week to our two sites and they are selling out in less than a day!

You can pick up a bouquet at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center (18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after about 10:30am. And at the Ridgecrest Public House (520 NE 165th St, Shoreline 98155) Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays shortly after opening.

~~~~
John Hibbs, ND, supervises the naturopathic medicine shift held at the Senior Center on Mondays. Clinicians see children and adults for a fee of $15 to the Senior Center. For appointments, call the Center at 206-365-1536.

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Steel Magic Northwest youth steel ensemble going on the road

The Pan Wizards are going on the road
Photo courtesy Steel Magic Northwest

The Steel Magic Northwest “Pan Wizards” advanced youth steel ensemble is proud to announce two trips it will be making next year. The group has been invited to perform and give a presentation at the National Association of Music Educators regional conference in Portland, Oregon, in February, 2019.

And in June, the group will embark on their first 4-day tour, into western Montana and northeastern Oregon.

The group is by invitation or audition only, and is comprised of young musicians from the area who are 7th – 12th grade. Steel Magic Northwest also provides a preparatory group for students seeking to join the Pan Wizards (starting in the 5th grade). Audition and registration information here.

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Photos: Shoreline air was better than Seattle Tuesday

Echo Lake Tuesday 3pm
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Echo Lake has skies the wrong color Tuesday afternoon but the lake is clear and you can see the buildings across the lake.

Innis Arden Clubhouse Tuesday afternoon
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

If you don't look at the sky, the Innis Arden Clubhouse looks fine - although at either location the air was not good to breath. But even the sky has a slightly bluish tinge.

Downtown Seattle from Beacon Hill Tuesday afternoon
Photo by Mike Remarcke

Downtown Seattle was a very different story. Imagine all the workers standing on the street waiting for their busses. Possibly it will not be such a long wait now that regular traffic has been blocked from 3rd Avenue.

Downtown Seattle across Lake Union from Gasworks Park Tuesday afternoon
Photo by Mike Remarcke

Here's one more of Seattle on Tuesday. There are waterfowl in the foreground. Hard to even tell what they are. Wonder how they are doing in the wildfire smoke.

DKH

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Frolic at the Lake Thursday Aug 23 at Echo Lake Park

The Echo Lake Neighborhood Association (ELNA) is holding their second Frolic at the Lake this Thursday from 5 - 8pm at Echo Lake Park, 19901 Ashworth Ave N.

The weather is expected to cool down and the skies will be at their clearest on Thursday, so it's a good time to get out of the house.

There's a playground, a lake, and the Bubbleman will put on a show from 6 - 6:45pm.

Kids can get their faces painted for free.

Everyone can buy dinner from the Yummy Box Asian fusion food truck and get wonderful cupcakes and cheesecake from Sweet Pearl Bakery - who will be opening at 4-Corners very soon.

See you at the lake!

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Seattle Humane Seniors for Seniors week - Pet Guardian Program

Looking for a mature, easy-going pet to match your lifestyle? In honor of Senior Citizens Day on August 26, Seattle Humane is waiving adoption fees on all senior pets ages 7 and up, for people ages 60 and up, all week long! 

While senior pets may not be as active as their younger counterparts, they offer plenty of love and appreciation. With their relaxed temperament, senior pets make perfect relaxation buddies! Come by Seattle Humane August 20-26 to find your perfect match. See adoptable pets here.

Many seniors hold off on getting a pet because they are worried about who will care for them if they can’t. 

Seattle Humane’s Pet Guardian Program provides a service for those who wish to entrust their companion animals to the organization in the event of their incapacity or death. An individual or family can enroll as members in the program.

This membership covers up to five cats, dogs and small critters; remains in effect during the lifetime of the enrollee; and includes any animals they own at the time. Click here to learn more about Seattle Humane’s Pet Guardian Program and planned legacy opportunities.

Seattle Humane is located in Bellevue at 13212 SE Eastgate Way near the junction of I-90 and I-405. Seattle Humane is open seven days a week, from 11am to 8pm Thursday - Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday - Wednesday.

All Seattle Humane pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.

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Shoreline collaborates with King County on affordable housing project at 198th and Aurora

The City of Shoreline purchased the site to use as a staging area for construction
equipment during the completion of the Aurora Corridor project, which was
still in process when this photo was taken by Google.

The City of Shoreline, in partnership with King County, Community Psychiatric Clinic, and Catholic Housing Services, recently announced plans to develop 80-100 units of permanent supportive housing for people that were homeless or experiencing housing instability. This includes individuals dealing with chronic mental illness.

“Shoreline is doing its part to tackle the regional housing crisis,” said Shoreline Mayor Will Hall. “We continue to work with our partners on more effective ways to provide housing for those in our community and in our region who are most in need.”

Shoreline is contributing the property for the project, located at the intersection of N 198th Street and Aurora Avenue. King County is providing funding support from the voter-approved Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

“Our collaboration with the City of Shoreline will create much-needed housing for people exiting homelessness, while giving us the opportunity to pilot the speed and cost effectiveness of modular construction to help tackle our region’s serious shortage of affordable housing now, and in the future,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

The City Council’s decision to collaborate with King County is driven, in part, by the increasing cost of housing, which is contributing to the rising number of people experiencing homelessness. There is a demonstrated need for more affordable housing, both locally and regionally. This year’s annual “Point-In-Time” count identified 12,112 people experiencing homelessness in King County, with 6,320 of them unsheltered. The Shoreline area saw a 330% increase in unsheltered individuals over last year’s count.

Community Psychiatric Clinic (CPC) provides an array of accredited outpatient mental health treatment and counseling services that serve the community. CPC has a proven track record of owning and operating supportive housing programs, such as the one proposed for this location. Supportive housing provides not only housing, but also connects individuals receiving housing to support services to improve long-term success in moving out of homelessness.

CPC also anticipates opening a community health clinic offering both physical and mental health services on site. These services will be open to the public and will expand the health care network in Shoreline. Shoreline has an unmet need for mental health services in the community. Many residents already access CPC’s Northgate and Lake City Way clinics.

Catholic Housing Services (CHS), which will lead the development and management of the property on behalf of CPC, also has deep experience in affordable housing and supportive housing development in King County and across Washington. CHS will have staff on site 24 hours a day 7 days a week to quickly respond to residents’ needs. Both CPC and CHS, as well as Shoreline and King County, have committed to a transparent and open development process, which will include public meetings and working with local neighborhoods to respond to questions and concerns.

One additional feature of this project will be the use of modular housing construction methods. King County is interested in seeing if this approach might bring affordable housing online more quickly and save money. “Modular construction” refers to the way a contractor builds a building. The contractor builds portions of the building off-site and then assembles it on site. The result will look like any other multi-family residential building.

Visit Shoreline Projects for more information. For questions, contact Intergovernmental Program Manager Jim Hammond, 206-801-2215.

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Richmond Beach food trucks Wednesday are still on

Richmond Beach Community Association will proceed with its scheduled Food Truck Shoreline event on Wednesday, August 22, from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 2021 NW 190th St, despite the air quality alert.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has warned everyone to take precautions, but especially children, older adults, people that are pregnant and those with underlying heart and lung conditions. Sensitive groups are advised to limit time spent outdoors.

Shoreline is showing signs of clearing, so guests are being allowed to make their own health decisions. If you are “at risk,” please consider getting your food to go and skipping the concert by Clave Gringa in the upper shelter.

Details here

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Free Concert by the Highway 9 Band, Wednesday at Cromwell Park

CONCERTS IN THE PARK – HIGHWAY 9 BAND

AMERICAN COUNTRY MUSIC

August 22, 6:30pm (rain or shine or smoke)

Cromwell Park

Meridian Ave, at N 182nd St.

Shoreline 98133

If you, your family, and friends feel like braving the smoke, then come enjoy a free performance by the Highway 9 Band at Cromwell Park on Wednesday, August 22nd, 6:30pm. Bring your blankets, hats, low chairs, and snacks.

This concert is the finale for this year’s Concert in the Park series from the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council. Thank you for coming out and supporting the Concerts in the community this year! If you cannot make it, do not fret, we will be back for more music next summer.

Highway 9 is an American country music band from Mill Creek WA. Playing the hits from artists Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, and more.

Plus, try some refreshing infused waters from our present sponsor Aegis Living of Shoreline’s free “Hydration Station.”

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council’s Concerts in the Park are always free and held at various community parks throughout Shoreline and Lake Forest Park on Wednesdays in July and August at 6:30pm (unless otherwise noted), rain or shine.

Concerts in the Park are supported by the City of Shoreline, City of Lake Forest Park, 4Culture, Aegis Living of Shoreline, Jack Malek of Windermere, and by Arts Council friends and members.

For more information and details, visit the Arts Council’s website or call 206-417-4645.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations.

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Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice Sept 8 with Snohomish LWV

From the Snohomish County League of Women Voters

Smoky air and starving orcas getting you down?

Like communities all over the world, our precious home is being impacted by pollution and climate change. No more stalling, no more delays: it’s time for a fair and fast transition to 100% renewable economy for all.

Come to the Snohomish County Administration building September 8, 2018 from 8:30am to noon. Join thousands around the world to call for a swift transition to a fossil fuel free economy in a way that provides jobs and justice for all.

Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice events are planned on September 8th worldwide. These events are timed to build support for the Global Climate Action Summit, a September 12-14 gathering in California of mayors, governors and local leaders from around the world.

The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County is an active co-sponsor of this event. 

Our Snohomish County event, a Community Teach In/ Chautauqua, will be a morning of inspiration and learning. There will be time to learn from local experts and time to huddle with community members to create action. 

Go to the website to order a free ticket and join us on September 8th.

For more information contact Lynn Lichtenberg 425-258-1109.

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Washington receives $284,000 grant to bolster access to mental health and addiction treatment services

Insurance Commissioner
Mike Kreidler

Washington is one of 30 states plus the District of Columbia to receive a portion of an $8.6 million grant awarded through the State Flexibility to Stabilize the Market program created under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Washington received $284,135 of the total grant funding. Our state chose to focus the use of the funding to bolster access to mental health and addiction treatment services.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler applied for the grant to conduct a thorough analysis of whether health insurers in Washington offer comprehensive and affordable health coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments.

Under the grant, his office will study health plan benefit design, insurers’ policies and procedures for coverage of these services, and claims data.

Kreidler’s office intends to form an advisory committee of consumers, medical and behavioral health providers and insurers to begin work this fall.

Analysis of the data will reveal if there are any coverage gaps or disparities in how behavioral health is covered compared to other health services and identify possible solutions.

Any issues uncovered during the data collection and Kreidler's recommendations will be part of a detailed report produced at the end of the two-year grant.

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Work party volunteers at Twin Ponds Saturday will remove summer weeds

Young volunteers at Twin Ponds
Photo courtesy Washington Native Plant Society

On Saturday, August 25, 2018 from 10:00am to 1:00pm volunteers are needed to continue an environmental restoration project in Twin Ponds Park begun a year ago.

New plantings need protecting from some weeds that have returned to the work area. They need water as well. Last year volunteers removed masses of blackberry vines and other weeds from a badly degraded site and added native trees and shrubs.

This project is sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society and the Shoreline Department of Parks and is led by Master Stewards trained in environmental restoration.

Saturday, August, 25th, 10:00 to 1:00

• Location: The southern end of Twin Ponds Park by the parking lot along First Ave NE one block north of N 149th St. 
• Bring tools and gloves. Water and light snacks will be provided or bring your own.
• Credit is available for required student volunteer hours.

RSVP or information at: RestoreTwinPondsSouth@outlook.com

They meet most fourth Saturdays, but adjust the date near holidays.

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Kenmore outdoor movie moved indoors to Bastyr University auditorium

The Kenmore free movie event (Black Panther) will still be Wednesday night, August 22, 2018 but will now be indoors at the Bastyr University Auditorium, 14500 Juanita Dr NE in Kenmore. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has declared that: “air pollution is still at UNHEALTHY levels throughout the Puget Sound region. With a high pressure weather system over our region pushing the smoke down, we expect UNHEALTHY levels to continue on well into Wednesday.”

For safety reasons, our team has made the decision to move the movie night indoors... we are so fortunate to have a great community partner in Bastyr!

Important details:

• Activities start in the “common room” space outside of the auditorium starting at 8:00pm. 
• The movie will begin at 8:30pm. 
• There is a maximum of 245 seats available in the auditorium. 
• Wristbands will be given to attendees on a first come, first serve basis. 
• Wristbands are required for admittance into the auditorium. They can be picked up at the Event Info Booth outside of the auditorium starting at 8:00pm Wednesday night. 
• The public may not enter the building to obtain their wristband(s) until 8:00pm. The public may not lineup anywhere on Bastyr University’s campus before 8:00pm. to obtain their wristband. 
• Parking is free and available at Bastyr University. Attendees should follow signage when they arrive. 
• Food and drink are allowed in the auditorium, however we ask everyone to be careful to not spill anything and to clean-up their space after the movie. 
• Food and drink vendors will not be onsite for tomorrow’s movie. 
• Chairs are not allowed. Auditorium seating will be provided. 
• Service animals only; no pets. 
• No alcohol. 

Questions can go to: Shelby Krogh, Volunteer and Events Supervisor, This information is also posted at Kenmore Movies at The Square

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Scene on the Sound: The Shoreline Sea is covered with smoke

A panoramic view of the Shoreline Sea
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Lee's photo was taken around 3pm on Monday on the bluff overlooking RB Saltwater Park and the Shoreline Sea.

Jan Hansen tried to get a photo of the Coast Guard boat patrolling the central channel but that didn't work out so well.

Ghost ship
Photo by Jan Hansen

The ship is just below and to the right of the bird. Not our usual crisp view of water, mountains, and ships.

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Writing, traveling, and enjoying the coast at Third Place Books

Three authors this week at Third Place Books will read from their new books, answer audience questions, and autograph the copy you purchase.

Third Place Books, upper level Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way, Lake Forest Park

Tuesday, August 21 7pm
Paulette Perhach (in conversation with Jennie Shortridge)
Welcome to the Writer's Life (Sasquatch)

Like a freshman orientation for writers, this book is an in-depth exploration of all the elements of a writer's life, from your writing practice to your reading practice, to your writing craft and often-overlooked business of writing. Joining Perhach to discuss the writer’s life will be acclaimed author Jennie Shortridge (Love, Water, Memory).

Wednesday, August 22 7pm
Terry Woods
Accidental Travels of a Single Woman (Basic Books)

Entertaining and often humorous vignettes culled from the author's travel diary. Woods winds her way through Canada, the United States, and Europe, encountering thought-provoking people along the way, including the doctor who created the abortion pill, a well-known painter, and a famous pianist. 

Thursday, August 23 at 6pm
Nancy Blakey
By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Coast Like a Local (Sasquatch)

From whale watching to squid jigging to making your own sea salt, this adventure guide to the iconic Pacific Northwest coast has something for vacationers and locals alike! By the Shore “feels like a well-executed love letter to the Pacific Northwest shoreline” (Library Journal).

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Animals need protection from the smoke

Gabriel is getting very short walks
Photo by G M Wiegand

Animals are affected by smoke inhalation just as humans are.

One local vet recommends keeping walks as short as possible, basically just for potty breaks.

Pets can develop respiratory distress/ coughing/ wheezing issues just like with people.

If your pet has been breathing outside air and develops any of those symptoms, call your vet.


Be safe and stay indoors!

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Photos: Richmond Beach sandcastle contest

Photo by Bob Pfeiffer

In spite of the smoke in the air, the beach level was clear Sunday morning and warm. A large crowd gathered to enjoy the beach, listen to the music, and make sand creations.

Photo by Bob Pfeiffer

This family was working on a step pyramid, excavating as well as building up.

Photo by Bob Pfeiffer

Sea turtles were a popular theme. 

Looking on with pride
Photo by Bob Pfeiffer

This one is after a mermaid
Photo by Bob Pfeiffer

The competition is held every year at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park as an event in Celebrate Shoreline. 

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Counting on volunteers to tally people who walk and bike

Volunteer to count bicyclists and pedestrians
Photo by M J Heller

Statewide partnership preparing for annual count Sept. 25-27

Each year, the number of people who choose to walk, ride bicycles or take other active travel means as their mode of transportation is increasing in Washington.

How do we know? Volunteers annually count the number of people who walk or ride bicycles at selected locations during a three-day survey. 

For those who would like to help, volunteer registration is now open for this year’s survey starting Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Volunteers are vital to the success of this project, and about 400 people are needed for the count. For the 2017 count, volunteers tallied more than 63,500 people biking and walking in communities across Washington. In 2017, the number of people who walked, biked or used other active modes increased 4 percent over the 2016 count, when evaluating comparable sites.

“This volunteer effort makes sure that people who bike and walk are counted as essential users of the transportation system,” said WSDOT Active Transportation Division Director Barb Chamberlain. “Each year that volunteers make the collection process possible, we get a more robust picture of the growth in active transportation.”

Data collected during the count is used by state and local agencies to estimate demand; measure the benefit of bicycle and pedestrian project investments; and improve policies, project designs and funding opportunities.

The data also helps agencies understand how and where to address active transportation options for people who don’t have the income to choose other transportation alternatives. For these people, walking and biking might be their only mode, or part of a multimodal trip to access transit.

In addition to the annual count, WSDOT, Cascade Bicycle Club, and local agencies are partnering to install permanent counters at locations around the state. To see counts from both data collection programs, visit the WSDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Portal.

Participating communities include Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, and Shoreline.

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Free car wash at Brown Bear Thursday - enter photo contest

Brown Bear Car Wash turns “61” this Thursday, August 23, 2018 and celebrates by offering free “Beary Clean” car washes to customers from 8am to 8pm at 26 tunnel wash locations, including the Shoreline location at 16032 Aurora Ave N.

Last year’s one-day event added sparkle and shine to a record-setting 30,853 cars and trucks across the Puget Sound area.

Brown Bear founder and CEO Victor Odermat opened the company’s first location in 1957 at 1800 15th Ave West in Seattle. Brown Bear now owns and operates a total of 48 car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.

“This has become a tradition for us, and it’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the communities that have supported us for over 60 years,” said Odermat. 

“It’s a fun and busy day as we celebrate with our customers while benefitting the environment.”

For participating tunnel wash locations and more information about Brown Bear Car Wash, visit www.brownbear.com.

Local tunnel washes

• Shoreline 16032 Aurora Ave N, 98133
• Lake City 14312 Lake City Way NE, 98125

While you are there Thursday, take a photo and post it on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #FreeCarWashDay!" for a chance to win a full year of free washes!

Seattle-based, family-owned Brown Bear is the largest car wash operator on the West Coast and 10th largest in the United States. Widely recognized for its environmentally-friendly practices, Brown Bear uses gentle, biodegradable cleaning detergents at all its locations.

Updated

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WeatherWatcher: Stage 1 burn ban issued, air quality alert, smoke to start leaving Thursday

Where's the Puget Sound and the Olympics? Smoke filled skies at Richmond Beach.
Photo by Frank Kleyn

Monday August 20, 2018 at 5pm the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued a Stage 1 burn ban. This is typically a burn ban issued during winter months for air quality. For the same reason they have issued one today, which will be in effect until conditions improve. This burn ban is in addition to the current fire safety burn bans already in effect.

During the Stage 1 burn ban:

• No charcoal barbecues or similar solid fuel devices
• No campfires or bonfires
• No fire pits, chimineas, fire bowls, or similar free-standing devices
• No fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves or uncertified inserts
• No agricultural fires

It is okay to use natural gas or propane grills, stoves, or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

An air quality alert continues for the entire region issued by multiple agencies including the National Weather Service in Seattle. Unhealthy air has become common across the area due to wildfire smoke, the majority from Vancouver Island and the coastal mountains of British Columbia. Some of the smoke is also from a few large wildfires in the Cascade mountains and one smaller fire in the Olympic National Forest.

The air quality is in the unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous ranges for the region for all of the population, not just sensitive groups. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency advises people to stay inside at all times, run air purifiers or have some form of filtered or closed recirculated air. You should not run a vacuum unless it has a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate absorber) filter in it.

Forecast: So when's all this smoke going to blow away? Most recent models indicate that for Seattle south, it will start clearing out Wednesday afternoon and be almost totally clear by Thursday morning at the surface. Seattle north (Shoreline, Lake Forest Park) shows some clearing but we really don't get to clear up until Thursday night and Friday morning.

Models are showing more smoke moving back in though Friday afternoon and evening. The smoke forecast models are experimental, and anything past 48 hours is getting to be a bit of a stretch for accuracy.

As for weather beyond the smoke, forecasts point to seasonal temperatures and smoke filtered sunny skies through next weekend. Highs topping out in the mid-upper 70's and lows in the 50's. Our clearest day is likely going to be Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Here are the temperature graphs for the month so far. Would you believe it if I told you we have been running at seasonal temperatures since August 11th? It's our longest stretch at average or below average temperatures since June 14th.

For current weather conditions you can visit www.shorelineweather.com

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Shoreline Library Sunday hours to change starting Sep 2

Shoreline Library
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Starting September 2, 2018 the Shoreline Library’s Sunday hours will change. They will be opening at 11am and closing at 7pm on Sundays.

In order to better serve patrons who want to use the library on Sundays, the King County Library System is changing hours at six locations.

Starting Sunday, September 2, Bellevue, Bothell, Federal Way, Redmond and Shoreline libraries will be opening at 11am and closing at 7pm on Sundays.

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Metro Transit to become independent county department

Rob Gannon named Director of Metro
Photo courtesy King County

King County Metro, recognized this month as the best large transit system in North America, will become an independent County department with today’s unanimous approval of legislation by the Metropolitan King County Council. 

King County has been responsible for public transit since the voter-approved merger of the county with the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Metro). 

Metro Transit has been a division of the King County Department of Transportation (KCDOT) since 1994. 

The adopted legislation will make Metro Transit responsible for all of the functions currently in the Transit Division of KCDOT as well as the Marine Division of KCDOT.

Rob Gannon, who has been the General Manager of Metro, will become the department’s first Director and General Manager when the legislation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

“This change strengthens Metro Transit by giving it the organizational flexibility to meet the rapidly growing needs of transit riders,” said Council Vice Chair Claudia Balducci, who serves as the chair of the Council’s Mobility Committee. 

“Mr. Gannon has been an effective leaders and I am confident in his ability to continue to build an efficient and adaptable transit service that works as part of an integrated transportation system to improve mobility for all residents in King County.”

The legislation also calls for the new Metro Transit Department to emphasize:

• Innovation in the development, planning and delivery of mobility and transit services around the county,
• Performance standards to meet the increasing demand for transit among King County’s residents, and,
• Foundational commitments to equity and addressing disparity through transit services.

The Council unanimously approved Gannon’s appointment as Metro Director at today’s meeting. Gannon who, served as Metro’s Deputy General Manager from 2011 to 2013, has been Metro’s General Manager since 2016. 

“General Manager Rob Gannon is an excellent choice to lead Metro Transit. I trust that he, along with the incredible staff at Metro, will continue providing first-rate transit service while pushing to improve regional mobility,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott.  

“I look forward to working with Mr. Gannon as we tackle our transportation challenges and opportunities.” 

The riders who board Metro’s 200 bus routes, use a Metro vanpool, walk onboard the King County Water Taxi, or reserve a ride on an Access paratransit van, will not see any changes in service when Metro becomes a county department.

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Events cancelled due to air quality

It's not the moon or nighttime
Very smoky sky on Monday at 2:30pm
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Most of the August events have managed to get in between bouts of wildfire smoke pollution. 

However, the Richmond Beach Running Club cancelled their Tuesday Pub Run in favor of a private party. Air conditions permitting, they will have a Pub Run: Part 2 (Ridgecrest Pub to Salish Sea Brewing Co.) on August 28, 2018.

The Parkwood Groundbreaking on Monday, August 20 for the new Parkwood Elementary was canceled due to unhealthy air quality.

Groundbreaking will be rescheduled for a future date when the air quality has improved to allow all families, students and staff to attend this special event.

The air may clear on Wednesday evening, and hopefully will not impact the big Richmond Beach Food Truck event or the Arts Council concert in Cromwell Park.

Some days the air has been decent at ground level.

We will publish any changes as soon as possible. If not here, then check with sponsoring groups.

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Ridgecrest extravaganza ice cream social

The Ridgecrest Ice Cream Social
The Around the Sound Band in the foreground
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association put on their annual ice cream social on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Paramount School Park, 15300 8th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155, and as usual, it was an extravaganza.

Inflatables slides, pirates, three bands, multiple emergency vehicles for kids and adults to try on for size, -- did I mention the helicopter landing?

Oh, and there was ice cream, too, served by neighborhood volunteers and city council members.

Pirates
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Northwest Junior Pipe Band
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Keystone Kops
Photo by Jerry Pickard

King County helicopter landed on the field
and let kids sit inside
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The line up to sit in the helicopter
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Inflatable slide
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Veterans from American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Walgreen's staff handed out toys
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Shoreline Firefighter Michelle Pidduck brought an aid car and let kids inside
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Patty Pan Cooperative brought dinner
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Shoreline City Councilmembers help serve ice cream
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Does this look like fun? Check out ways to be involved in your neighborhood association - right here.

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