Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Hosta la Vista

Sunday, August 26, 2018



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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Sunshine galore at the Annual Dahlia Show at Sky - take some of it home

Puget Sound and Seattle Dahlia Show

This weekend may have been cloudy, but there was sunshine galore in this Annual Dahlia Show at Sky Nursery!

The greenhouse was full of beautiful displays
The bright kaleidoscope of magnificent blooms surely brought smiles to visitors, and the two dahlia societies (Puget Sound Dahlia Association and Seattle Dahlia Society) excelled in displaying the flower in its many forms and hues.

The clubs merged their entries for the first time this year. Let's hope that this will become a summertime tradition that Shoreline and Greater Seattle will be able to enjoy.

Experienced judge Don Filion
examines a bloom
The show and the judging were on Saturday, August 25, 2018. The blooms will be on display Sunday, August 26 at 4pm.

Anyone who wants to take some of these flowers home is welcome to come to the south entrance at 4 and grab a bushel-full. Sky Nursery is located at 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133.







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Half-price membership sale at the Shoreline - LFP Senior Center

One of several exercise groups
Photo courtesy Senior Center
Summer vacation is over, the grandchildren are returning back to school, it's YOUR time now to enjoy an old hobby or try out a new one.

The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center is offering a mid-year 1/2 Price Membership Sale of $17.50 per person!

The sale is open to all, old members as well as new members can receive discounts on the 65+ programs offered each month at the center.

Sewing / quilting group
Photo courtesy Senior Center
Fitness classes, language courses, iPhone classes, dance lessons, foot care, bridge and pinochle games...

Hartu or Badduk, Yoga, Tai Chi...

...a variety of clubs such as knitting, driftwood sculpting, quilting / sewing, plus much more await you at the Center!

Worried about transportation to and from the Center? 

Transportation options
Photo courtesy Senior Center
Call us at 206-365-1536 to learn about your options through Hyde Shuttle and Access Transportation in our community.

The Senior Center is located in the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus, 18560 1st Ave NE.



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Black Witch

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter -- and the perfect likeness -- of the original Black Witch, who drove back enemy forces and saved her people during the Realm War. Because of the power of the Black Witch, Elloren's people are undisputed rulers now.

Long after the death of her famous grandmother, Elloren was raised by her uncle in a small village, surrounded by people very much like her and her family. Now it is time for her to travel to the big city, to attend University there, and possibly to meet someone to marry.

Unlike those in the village, the people in the city are very diverse. And, because this is a fantasy book, these diverse people don't simply have differently-colored skin and hair; instead, some of them have wings, some turn into wolves, and others have types of magic that Elloren has never seen before. Elloren has always been told that people who are different are also inferior, or even evil. Why should she question this?

If you have ever read a book before, you will probably be able to predict what happens to Elloren when she actually gets to know a werewolf, a selkie, and some people with wings. In The Black Witch, as is common in literature, the main character evolves and grows from a state of ignorance to a state of enlightenment (or at least, less ignorance).

However, YA blogger Shauna Sinyard didn't think that the change happened fast enough or convincingly enough. In a very long and damning book review, she condemned both the book and those who enjoyed reading the book. She calls the book "the most dangerous, offensive book I have ever read. It's racist, ableist, homophobic, and is written with no marginalized people in mind."

Ms Sinyard is welcome to her opinion, of course. However, by urging Twitter and Tumblr followers to boost the signal by posting 1-star reviews on Goodreads and elsewhere without actually reading the book, a line is crossed.

I do not always write glowing reviews. 

(Here's my review of a book that was originally well-received and later banned, which I consider a 3-star ho-hum of a read. Here's another review of a book that just wasn't very well-written.)

I do, however, always read an entire book before reviewing it.

So, what was my verdict?

First off, I read this book in about a day and a half, skipping meals and ignoring bedtime to finish it.

It's a quick, engaging story with magic, family drama, and several star-crossed romances. There was minimal cussing, some nekkidness, discussions of mating rituals with no sex on the page, and mentions of off-page sexual abuse. The story did not explore new ground, philosophically speaking. From Huckleberry Finn to Harry Potter, literature is filled with characters who overcome ignorance by getting to know an individual. The Black Witch follows absolutely in those footsteps.

Ms Sinyard also seems unaware that "The Black Witch Chronicles" will be a series. Her complaint that the character changes happen too slowly over hundreds of pages would be valid if the entire tale were told in a single volume. However, the advertisement for book #2 The Iron Flower (due for release in May 2018) included at the back of my book served as an important clue: the story is not yet finished.

And as soon as I finished The Black Witch, I put myself in the library's hold queue for book #2.

Read it, and decide for yourself. I thought it was a great book, and entirely appropriate and recommended for ages 14 to adult.

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

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



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Shoreline fire calls Aug 13-19

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Shoreline Fire Cadets at the Celebrate Shoreline festival
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Shoreline fire calls for August 13 - 19
  • Aid - 75
  • Aid Non Emergency - 13
  • MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) - 0
  • Medic - 44
    • +10 in Bothell, Northshore some Woodinville including M65 and M47
  • MVA Medic - 2 
    • +2 in Bothell w/M47 and Northshore w/M65
  • Cardiac Arrest - 3
    • +2 in Bothell w/M47 and M65
  • AFA (Automatic Fire Alarm) - 16
  • Brush Fire - 2
    • one on I-5 in Snohomish County and one on 145th
  • Flooding Minor - 1
  • Natural Gas Line Fracture - 1
  • Service Call - 1 assist PD w/blood draw
  • Smoke/Burn Complaint - 5
  • Smoke Haze in the Area - 2
  • Strike Team Wildland
    • 1 Shoreline Firefighter/Medic w/Bellevue Medic to Oregon
    • 3 Firefighters to Eastern Wa w/Bothell Brush Rig and Medic Unit.
  • Structure Fire Unconfirmed - 1
  • Vehicle Fire - 3

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Most Shoreline fire fighters return home from wildfires

Shoreline FF Drechsler and the Bothell unit were on this fire
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

All Bothell firefighters and Shoreline firefighter Drechsler are safely home after spending 14 days on the fire line. The Northwest Strike Team has been demobilized and is heading back for some much needed rest. During the team’s mobilization, they worked the #SilverLake Fire in Cheney WA, #GrassValley Fire near the Grand Coulee Dam and the #Boyd’s Fire in Kettle Falls.

Shoreline firefighter Merrick on the Miriam Fire near White Pass
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Shoreline fire fighter Merrick is still out on the firelines. This photo was the Miriam Fire near White Pass. He is a squad boss for the National Guard crews. Temps drop at night into the 30s and they are expecting some wind.

Six other Shoreline fire fighters are home safe from California and Oregon.


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Weather Watcher: Cool weather, then back to seasonal temperatures, smoke to linger

Photo by Ed Cruver

You may have noticed temperatures on Saturday were much colder than we are used to. My Shoreline station topped out at 61.5°F for the day. We have a cool northwest flow influencing the weather through Monday. The northwest and north winds are bringing the smoke from the major wildfires in Vancouver Island and the interior of British Columbia down into our region through Tuesday.

Tuesday the weather is expected to warm up to 75°F or near 80°F. I'm leaning towards 75°F because of the layer of smoke we are expected to have in the area will block out some of the heat from the sun. Wednesday through next weekend temperatures will be seasonal with highs in the mid 70's and lows in the 50's.

During mornings with low clouds when the marine onshore flow is stronger we can expect to see spotty drizzle or sprinkles in the area, just enough to get the ground wet. No significant amounts of precipitation are expected.

Here's the daily high and low temperatures for August so far. You can see the nose dive in temperatures on Saturday.


We can expect to see areas of smoke or haze for the next week or two at the least -- probably until major rain events return in late September or October. Until then a good place to check the outdoor air quality is the State of Washington Department of Ecology Air Quality website. This page has a map of the air quality monitoring stations. We happen to have an air quality station at the Lake Forest Park town center. These stations update once every 4 hours or so but you can see what time the last update was by hovering your mouse over the dot on the map.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



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City Bird: the Hummingbird

"Pet" hummingbird
Photo by Mike Remarcke


We have a vegetable garden with mysterious plants in it. In the spring, we went to four different plant sales, and bought things that sounded interesting. We planted them and promptly forgot what they were.

Something in the garden recently sent up a couple of tall stalks - perhaps 14" high. They were covered with minuscule yellow bell shaped flowers. One day we sat in the driveway and watched while a hummingbird methodically worked every flower on the stalk. The flowers only lasted about a week, so that was the only hummingbird we saw.

If Shoreline had a city bird, it would have to be the hummingbird. I have been sent more hummingbird photos than any other bird. They are charming and fascinating to watch, so I completely understand why so many people love them.

DKH



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Vehicle and vessel licensing offices closed for system upgrade

Shoreline Department of Licensing
closed Aug 31 to Sept 4
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Starting next week, the state Department of Licensing (DOL) plans to upgrade its licensing system known as DRIVES. This work, which will continue through the Labor Day holiday weekend, will affect King County Vehicle Licensing and its subagent offices.

Online vehicle and vessel licensing services through DOL will be down from August 29 through September 4. However, customers who renew their registration online prior to August 29 may still be able to pick up their tabs and/or decals in person at a licensing office during this downtime.

The main King County Vehicle Licensing office in downtown Seattle will be open on August 31, however no vehicle or vessel licensing services will be available. Staff will still be able to certify customer signatures on DOL documents that day.

All King County licensing subagencies will be closed from August 31 until September 4. If a customer has chosen a subagency office to pick up their tabs or decals, they will need to do so before close of business August 30 or wait until September 4.

Other King County licensing services, including taxi/for-hire/TNC licensing, pet licensing, and marriage licensing, will not be affected by this work. All King County vehicle and vessel licensing offices are expected to return to normal business on September 4.

For more information at King county or DOL's DRIVES webpage


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Downtown workers: Sanctuary in the City noon concerts



Pacific MusicWorks and Christ Our Hope at the Josephinum present Sanctuary in the City, the second season of free lunchtime concerts at the crossroads of Downtown and Belltown, aimed at fostering a spirit of contemplation and respite in the midst of our busy and stressful lives.

45 minute concerts feature some of the region’s finest musicians performing baroque to modern works, including many works by underrepresented composers.

Wednesday, September 5 at 12:10pm at Christ Our Hope at the Josephinum, 1902 2nd Ave in downtown Seattle.

Sopranos Tess Altiveros and Danielle Sampson along with Stephen Stubbs and the Pacific MusicWorks House Band offer a preview of the 2018-2019 Pacific MusicWorks Main Stage concerts, including music by Barbara Strozzi, Monteverdi, Corelli, and Handel.

After the concert, join the musicians and fellow music-lovers next door at Moore Coffee for sandwiches, treats, and more!




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LFP native, soccer superstar Michelle Akers goes from goals to foals

The Seattle Times has a story about Lake Forest Park native, Shorecrest superstar soccer player Michelle Akers and her current passion - rescuing horses.

A member of the first U.S. National team in 1985, she led the U.S. to victory in the first Women’s World Cup in 1991, scoring 10 goals, including five against Taiwan in a quarterfinal match. She also led the U.S. to victories in the 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup, despite battling several injuries and dealing with chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome.
In 2000, she was named FIFA women’s player of the century, and in 2004, she and Mia Hamm were the only two women on FIFA’s list of the 125 greatest living soccer players. 

Now she is living another passion, with an animal rescue ranch in Georgia, taking in abused horses and bringing them back to health. She is trying to involve the soccer community in her new work.

“I am changing the focus, inviting the soccer community to partner with me and the animal welfare community to provide adoptions, and resources and money for these animals because the soccer community is a family, all over the country,”
“It would be great if the Seattle Sounders, the Seattle Reign, the youth soccer associations and all the clubs and the fans found a way to partner with the animal welfare organizations, like King County animal control, or even the private ones like mine.

Read the article here



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Shoreline Rotary packs 250 backpacks

Shoreline Rotary packed 250 backpacks
for the Back to School Event


Members of the Shoreline Rotary Club and some of their family packed 250 backpacks for the Shoreline School District Back to School event. The club also raised funds to purchase needed supplies.

The Shoreline Rotary brings together community leaders who work to improve Shoreline and communities around the world and are only one of the 33,000 clubs around the world. Their motto is "Service Above Self".

Besides Back to School support, other projects include Students of the Month from King's and Shorewood High School, scholarships for graduating seniors, the arboretum at Ronald Bog Park, Shoreline Historical Museum, Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council, The Dale Turner YMCA as well as international projects for clean water, health concerns, sanitation and school construction.

The Shoreline Rotary are always looking for new members. The Shoreline Rotary meets every Wednesday morning starting at 7am at the student union building of Shoreline Community College. For more information please check out their website.



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Outdoor Movie Night rides again Saturday night

Friday, August 24, 2018

Outdoor movie Saturday night at
Aldercrest Annex
Outdoor Movie Tonight (Saturday 8/25/18, with two hours of Pre-Movie Play

Tonight is the night! Ballinger and Meridian Park Neighborhood Associations have put their hearts and energy into creating another amazing all volunteer-powered Outdoor Movie Night.

It features a giant screen showing “The NeverEnding Story” with a pre-show two hours of movie-themed crafts, photo booth, face painting, balloon animals, and kids games, as well as giant bubbles.

Robotics and remote control planes will be demonstrated. The gate opens for this FREE admission event at 6:30pm at The Aldercrest Annex located at 2545 NE 200th St, in the Ballinger neighborhood of Shoreline.

Goodies will be available at the Snack Bar. There will be multiple prize drawings happening before the movie, which starts at 8:30pm. Each family group / Single will receive one free drawing ticket upon entry.

Attendees should expect free admission, and to consider bringing cash for snacks and additional prize drawing tickets. Any donations community members wish to share will be used to support future community activities.

What else to bring to enjoy your evening? Layers of clothing (due to temperature drop after sunset), a blanket and/or low chair, flashlight, and hat and/or sunglasses. Please leave dogs at home.

General and ADA parking is free and is accessed on NE 200th St. Carpooling is encouraged! Gate opens at 6:30pm, prize drawings begin at 8:00pm, and movie begins at dusk ~8:30pm. See you there!



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Jill Filipovic: Stormy Daniels, Feminist Hero

Jill Filipovic
2001 Shorewood graduate Jill Filipovic (see previous article) has an opinion piece in Friday's New York Times: Stormy Daniels, Feminist Hero.

Filipovic, author of "The H Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness,” discusses the current situation with Ms Daniels and Mr. Trump in terms of classic roles of women and men in American culture - and how while Mr. Trump and his attorney Rudy Giuliani are playing stereotypical roles, Ms. Daniels is refusing to be typecast. "A woman who refuses to wear either a scarlet letter or a superwoman’s cape."

"Which is why," Filipovic writes, "there is so much power in the fact that Ms. Daniels does not believe her job or her involvement with Mr. Trump or the payoff is her shame to carry. She wants him held accountable, and the justice system is actually stepping in."




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Photos: Shoreline Celebrated at Cromwell Park festival before the smoke set in



Photos by Steven H. Robinson

The festival for Celebrate Shoreline was held under sunny skies August 18, timed perfectly to miss the wildfire smoke.

Texas BBQ

There was all kinds of food available, from Texas BBQ to pastel cotton candy, to food trucks, to food booths.

Pet the snake

There was a wild variety of children's activities - an exotic animal petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, games, toy-making.

Australia has very strange animals

This creature is cousin to kangaroos and wallabies.

Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Arts Council
in their bright yellow canopy

The Arts Council had a print-making booth - for kids and adults alike.



Performers were scheduled all day long. Eric Ode entertained the kids early in the day, along with the Reptile Man, a magic act, and a music group. Later, seven different groups took the stage to keep the music going until the end.

Hokulani’s Hula Studio

Hokulani’s Hula Studio had almost everyone on their feet trying a few hula moves.

Police robot

A toddler runs the police robot through its paces, picking up crumpled paper instead of bombs.

Candidates and organizations in the booths

A field of booths housed candidates for office, organizations, city departments, arts and volunteers, friends of the library.

Shoreline Youth programs

Shoreline Parks and Recreation has one of the best tween and teen programs in the Puget Sound region.

Hamster ball

Who wouldn't enjoy the opportunity to be a human hamster?



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Photo: Sunset and smoke

Photo by Lee Lageschulte


Edmonds can't help but be picturesque. Add in a dramatic sunset and you have a great photo.

I don't know for sure that the clouds are smoke, but they look dark and the recent weather has made me suspicious.

It was lovely to have a cool day Thursday and a blue sky with small white clouds. There was apparently some rain in the early morning but I don't think it got to my house.

DKH



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QFC and Fred Meyer eliminating all plastic grocery bags in stores

A large wad of plastic grocery bags
Photo courtesy Coupons in the News
According to the blog Coupons in the News, Kroger, the corporate owner of QFC and Fred Meyer,  has announced plans to phase out single-use plastic bags and begin transitioning to reusable bags in all 2,779 of its grocery stores, starting in Seattle.

“Our customers have told us it makes no sense to have so much plastic only to be used once before being discarded. And they’re exactly right,” Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen wrote in an editorial that appears in today’s editions of USA Today and Kroger’s hometown Cincinnati Enquirer. 
“As America’s largest grocer, we recognize we have a responsibility to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste that contributes to litter, harms the environment and, in some cases, can endanger wildlife.”

So, beginning with the Seattle-based chain QFC / Fred Meyer and rolling out to other Kroger-owned chains over the next several years, plastic bags will no longer be offered. QFC expects to complete the transition by next year, with all Kroger stores going plastic bag-free by 2025. During the transition, shoppers will first be offered paper bags, then reusable bags will be available for sale, at a dollar or two apiece.

And the change won’t only apply to the bags you get when checking out. McMullen’s announcement doesn’t explicitly reference those clear plastic bags you use to wrap your produce and meat, but it turns out they will be phased out as well.

“We consider these bags to be a part of our phaseout project,” Kroger spokesperson Kristal Howard told Coupons in the News
“Of course, food safety is always our priority and as we increase awareness and use of reusable bags, we will need to ensure that fresh food is safely packed for the trip to our customers’ homes. We will work to identify alternatives that maintain our commitment to food safety first, and ultimately, phase out all plastic bags.”

Kroger cites estimates that some 100 billion single-use plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. every year, while less than 5% are recycled. Kroger offers in-store recycling bins to collect plastic bags, “but we recognize merely offering such services is not enough,” McMullen said.



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Sound Transit light rail ridership up 6.2 percent second quarter

Light rail train
Photo courtesy Sound Transit
More than 6.3 million people rode Sound Transit’s popular Link light rail trains during the second quarter of 2018, a gain of 6.2 percent compared to the same period last year. 

Overall, 23 million riders hopped aboard Sound Transit trains and buses, a 2.9 percent system-wide increase from second quarter of last year.

“More people are taking advantage of Sound Transit trains and buses to avoid congestion and the hassle of commuting,” said Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers.

“Expansions to Lynnwood, Bellevue and Federal Way will only bring more people into our system, providing additional transportation options to the Puget Sound region.”

Transit ridership in the Puget Sound region continues to grow at significantly higher rates than in other regions of the country. According to the American Public Transportation Association, transit ridership nationally declined 2.9 percent in 2017 from the previous year.

The second quarter ridership report can be found here.



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Garage sale Friday and Saturday

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, 9am to 3pm. 

Many household items, some furniture, jewelry, books.



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Longtime Shoreline resident and Paramount School Park walker dies at 101

Sara Erickson 1916-2018
100th birthday
Sara Erickson passed away at her home in Shoreline after a short illness, at the age of 101. Sara was well known at the Paramount School Park where she walked three miles a day in all weather, except snow and ice.

Sara was born in 1916 on the prairie of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. She was the second child born to Scottish parents, Donald and Katherine Grant MacDonald. They lived on the family homestead for a couple of years until sister Ellen was about 2 years old. Life on the prairie was cold and difficult.

In 1917, the family moved to Bellingham, Washington, where Sara’s mother had been a school teacher. They purchased a small farm and settled in Laurel, just halfway between Bellingham and
Lynden. Their life revolved around family, neighbors, friends and work on the farm. Sara often commented that their life was similar to the popular TV show “The Waltons”.

Sara Erickson and daughter Rita Clark
at a garden tour in 2017
Sara and “John Boy” graduated from High School in 1934. Both Sara and her sister Ellen graduated from the Bellingham Normal School with Teaching certificates. After several years of teaching, both Ellen and Sara married and had two children each.

In 1958, Sara’s husband, Ralph Hackett, was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was sent to the Firland Sanatorium in Shoreline. After three years as a patient, Ralph was discharged and offered a full-time job, in the machine shop at Firlands, where they manufactured parts for Boeing.

Sara obtained a job at the University of Washington Library system’s Catalog Division where she worked until retirement in 1982. Ralph passed away in 1973 after complications from his tuberculosis.

Upon retirement, Sara enjoyed traveling, gardening, family and friends. She especially enjoyed ballroom dancing at all of the local Senior Centers. She met her second husband, Carl Erickson, at the Senior Center dances. They married in 1997 when she was 80 and he was 85. He passed away in 2002.

Sara Erickson walking in Paramount School Park
Sara was always active and had walked her dog on the sidewalks of Shoreline, but when the Paramount School Park opened she felt it was a safer and easier place to walk.

She became a fixture and was easily recognized by her Tilley hat. As Sara aged and began to slow her walking, she could be found resting on a bench and visiting with the many friends that she made through the years.

If she had two words of advice to everyone, it would be to “Keep walking”.  It’s good for body and soul.



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Allstate Foundation hosts a backpack giveaway and free day at the Science Center



This Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 2pm, foster children and underserved youth can get a free backpack and school supplies, and enjoy a free day at Pacific Science Center.

Nonprofits that support underserved and foster youth are invited to bring the children they support to enjoy a free day at the Science Center, and pick up a free backpack and supplies to get prepared for the school year.

As Seattle children get ready to go back to school, families can expect to pay $637 in school supplies for an elementary school student, $941 for a middle schooler and $1,355 for a high schooler, according to the Huntington Bank's 2018 Backpack Index.

To help relieve some of the pressure of school supply costs, the Allstate Foundation is partnering with Pacific Science Center to give away 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to underserved youth and foster children on Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 2pm.

AdoptUSKids reports that there are over 10,000 children in foster care in Washington, so the Allstate Foundation and PacSci invited local nonprofits that support foster children and underserved youth, and the children in their care to enjoy a free day at the Science Center and a free backpack filled with supplies before the school year starts.

“Every child should have access to the tools needed to succeed in the classroom, regardless of their family situation,” said Kristian Landon-Suson, a local Allstate agent. “The price of school supplies remains a challenge for many families—a challenge they face every year—so the Allstate Foundation wants to lend a helping hand by providing essential supplies to those who need it most.”

Together, participating Washington agency owners and the Allstate Foundation are also donating $15,000 to PacSci to support its mission to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery. Among the participating Allstate agency owners is Rallie Jamero with an office in North City in Shoreline and John Ramsay on NE 45th in Seattle.

“Pacific Science Center is excited to partner with the Allstate Foundation for their backpack drive. We share Allstate’s commitment to ensure all children have the opportunities and tools to learn,” said Will Daugherty, Pacific Science Center president and CEO.
“Through our Family and Youth Access Memberships, we are able to supplement science education for youth who may not otherwise have access. We very much appreciate Allstate’s generous donation of supplies. Together, we ignite curiosity and help these students succeed in school.”


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Reykdal: Washington State will not arm its teachers

State Superintendent of Schools
Chris Reykdal
On Wednesday, it was reported U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was considering using federal funds to arm teachers. Below is Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s statement.

OLYMPIA—August 23, 2018—It has been reported that U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is considering a federal policy change that would allow states to use federal funding provided in the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant program to purchase firearms for classroom teachers.

This program provides about $15 million to Washington state school districts. It funds a variety of activities, such as expanding science and engineering beyond the school day, supporting a local Youth and Government program, and increasing mental health services. It is important for Washingtonians to understand where I and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction stand on the issue of arming classroom teachers.

I will not authorize, permit, or distribute any resources to support efforts to arm teachers.State law is clear that our schools are gun-free zones for teachers and students. The law allows exceptions for commissioned police officers on our school grounds, and for designated and trained school resource officers.

While no research indicates arming teachers improves student safety, an abundance of research clearly shows gun density is strongly correlated with higher rates of homicide and suicide. The proposed approach by Secretary DeVos to promote more guns in schools appears to be based purely on ideology, and I remain deeply troubled that the U.S. Secretary of Education would consider increasing the risk of harm and possible death to students.

Research does not show us that putting firearms in schools will make them safer. Instead, this action will undoubtedly harden our schools, create a culture of fear and imprisonment, and raise anxiety about the safety of children in schools.

Youth suicide, domestic workplace violence, and accidental deaths by firearms are on the rise. Introducing more firearms into the school environment puts our students and school employees at much greater risk of being injured or killed by gunfire.

My agency will continue our efforts to increase mental health supports for students. We are seeking additional resources for school counselors, threat assessments for students believed to be at risk of suicide or other violence, and professional development for educators to better recognize students who are in need of mental health support.

Secretary DeVos should be utilizing every resource at her disposal to reduce the number of firearms in schools and to increase resources to address our students’ growing mental health needs.

I have been in public K–12 and higher education for 28 years, and I have never seen a more destructive and dangerous policy contemplation by a U.S. Secretary of Education.

Washington state will not participate!



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Business: West Coast Self-Storage facility on Bothell Way

West Coast Self-Storage Sheridan Beach
West Coast Self-Storage Group opened a new self-storage facility on Bothell Way near Lake Forest Park's Southern Gateway on June 14, 2017.

The new facility is named West Coast Self-Storage Sheridan Beach, and is located at 14535 Bothell Way NE, one block north of the intersection of NE 145th St. and Lake City Way NE in Shoreline.

The facility, designed by Stephen Bourne, of the architecture firm Site + Plan + Mix LLC, and developed by West Coast Self-Storage Group has 696 self-storage units, amounting to 64,780 rentable square feet of storage space.

The facility offers both inside storage units and drive-up access spaces, with a majority of the units being heated. The facility is also a U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer and has moving trucks available to reserve.

Additional property features include a covered loading and unloading area, a retail store carrying boxes and packing supplies, and high-tech security measures. The building was built Sea Con LLC, headquartered in Issaquah.

“We’re thrilled to be opening our newest facility in the Shoreline / Lake Forest Park area. It represents our continued goal of offering customers a higher level of self storage amenities and service,” said John Eisenbarth, Vice President of Operations for West Coast Self-Storage.

West Coast Self-Storage Group is a self-storage property management, acquisition, and development company headquartered in Mill Creek, WA. The company currently has 41 managed and owned locations with twenty-eight stores in Washington, seven stores in Oregon, and six stores in California.



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Inmate mistakenly released from King County Jail, active search for suspect underway

Escaped inmate
A 49-year-old male inmate was mistakenly released from custody on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. 

Inmate Joseph Matthew Tremato was arrested in Seattle on Saturday, August 18, 2018 on drug and burglary charges, as well as warrants, and the search for the suspect is currently underway.

At approximately 3:30pm on Wednesday, while inmate Tremato was being escorted in the facility, he was able to conceal his identity with a group of inmates being escorted to release. 

He was processed through release and was recorded on video leaving the facility on foot at approximately 4:30pm. 

When a headcount was conducted and Tremato was discovered to be missing, the facility was placed in lock down and Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office were notified. The search for Tremato is ongoing.

No injuries occurred during the incident, and an internal investigation has been launched.

Tremato is believed to be in the Seattle area. He is 5’7” tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has a large black ink tattoo on the back of his head with the word “ZOOM.” If you see Tremato, call 9-1-1.

This is a general warning. There is no particular indication that Tremato has any connections in north King county.


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Letter to the Editor: Large development proposed in North City

To the Editor:

Members of our North City neighborhood have discovered that the City of Shoreline could be considering rezoning our MUR-35, Phase 3 neighborhood in 2018 rather than 2033 as originally planned. Currently, the Council has only had a pre-application meeting with the developer, Blue Fern LLC, who proposes to replace seven single-family homes with forty-seven townhouses. Their proposal lacks yards and green space, and has no additional parking other than a single car garage.

Many concerned neighbors of my 10th Ave NE and Serpentine community met to exchange information and discuss options. All would be impacted by greatly increased traffic in what is currently a quiet single-family neighborhood. Additionally, those living on Serpentine, a narrow, twisting road, believe that greatly increased traffic volumes would affect pedestrian safety on their street. Our surroundings include a dense tree canopy that diminishes the Interstate noise and provides shelter for humans and wildlife. Many of us feel that our quiet neighborhood would be fundamentally changed; trees and green space in exchange for increased urban density and more traffic. We question why, with all the zoning that was put in place, is there is any room for rezones or zoning exceptions this many years before the impact of light rail is known.

There are more steps in the process before the proposed development in our neighborhood can occur. A hearing with the affected neighbors is required. After the developer’s formal application is received, a public meeting with a Hearing Examiner and then City Council approval must occur. If approved before 2033, this decision would set a precedent, making it more likely for other neighborhoods with phased zoning to open up ahead of schedule. Because of the proposed impact to our neighborhood and possibly others, citizens who believe that the City should keep to the zoning schedule, should stay informed and voice any concerns to the Shoreline City Council.

Cheryl McMillan and Concerned North City Neighbors
Shoreline



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Resident shot and killed by SWAT team in Shoreline

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Handgun in possession of suspect
prior to police shooting.
Photo courtesy KCSO
King county detectives had reason to believe a Shoreline man and his associates were selling narcotics out of their home in Shoreline.

Because it was expected there were weapons in the house and it would be a high-risk situation, a search warrant was served by the TAC-30 SWAT team.

On Thursday morning, August 23, 2018, at 4:32am, police entered the residence in the 19000 block of 16th Ave NE in Shoreline.

Just after making entry into the home, police were confronted by a male suspect in a bedroom. The suspect armed himself with a handgun. 

He was ordered to drop it, but instead moved the handgun towards the TAC-30 members. He was shot by three Deputies.
 
Residence where shooting took place. Broken window
is the bedroom where the death occurred.
Photo by courtesy KCSO

The 55 year old suspect died from his injuries. Other occupants inside the residence were taken in for questioning.

The Deputies have been with the Sheriff’s Office for 20 years, 18 years and 6 years. 

All three of them were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard for Officer-involved shootings.


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Cheerful photos for people who are tired of smoke

Kayu Kayu Ac park was deserted Wednesday
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

People were avoiding the outdoors. Some were out but wearing masks. The playgrounds were deserted.


The orcas were in place
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

The air was still bad, but at least you couldn't see it at ground level. Or even higher, where the orcas swam in the trees.

Sunflowers against a blue sky
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Cheerful sunflowers against a blue sky in Richmond Beach.



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Peppers at the Shoreline Farmers Market Saturday

Shoreline Farmers Market will be at Shoreline Place every Saturday from 10am-3pm, through October 6th. 

Bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, shishito peppers, pablano peppers, habanero, the list goes on!

Alvarez Farms has you covered for all of your pepper needs.

For inspiring ideas, check out this delicious slow roasted bell pepper recipe from Bon Appetit.


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