History Link documents every library in King county

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Shoreline library
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
HistoryLink.org, the free online encyclopedia of Washington state, spent two years documenting the history of every King County Library.

You can explore the entire project by selecting "King County Library System" (under "Filter by Topic") on their search page.

Here are the direct links to our libraries:




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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Wintersong

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Liesl's grandmother makes sure that all the children in the family know the stories of the Goblin King: of his changelings, his love for bright human things, and the danger of letting the fae folk too close. And yet, when Liesl's sister is taken away Underground, she doesn't hesitate to offer herself as a hostage instead.

Gradually, the grim existence of life under the fairy mound begins to wear down even the toughest of humans -- they lose their sense of song, of taste, and gradually fade away as the goblins drain them of their humanity. But Liesl is different ... isn't she?

Some reviewers have compared this to the 1986 movie "Labyrinth" but of course the story of humans taken away underground by supernatural forces is older than Persephone herself. Students of folklore will detect faint traces of Thomas the Rhymer, Tam Lin, and even Rip Van Winkle, and each portion of the story is preceded with stanzas from Rossetti's "Goblin Market." 

The pacing is steady, with excellent character development for Liesl and her family, and also a nice amount of detail developing the various fae folk, especially the Goblin King -- who, despite his grounding in world folklore, probably looks a lot like David Bowie.

Minor cussing, some blood, violence, some sexual situations. Recommended for readers ages 14 to adult. This is first in a series but stands alone.

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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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Seattleite




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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Recycling fraud - electronics shipped to Hong Kong for eight years

Typical flat screen monitor
The owners and Chief Executive Officers of Total Reclaim, the Northwest’s largest recycler of electronic waste, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.

CRAIG LORCH, 61, of Seattle, and JEFF ZIRKLE, 55, of Bonney Lake, Washington, admitted that they collected millions of dollars from public agencies and other organizations by falsely telling them that Total Reclaim would recycle used electronics products domestically in an environmentally-safe manner.

In fact, the defendants secretly shipped millions of pounds of mercury-containing flat screen monitors to Hong Kong, where the monitors were dismantled in a manner that risked serious health consequences to workers, and damage to the environment.

The two men face up to five years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones on February 1, 2019. LORCH and ZIRKLE have also agreed to pay restitution of up to $1.1 million.

“These defendants held their company out as one of the good guys, signing agreements promising they would keep hazardous materials out of the environment. But even as they made that pledge, they secretly shipped millions of flat screen monitors to Hong Kong where disposal practices endangered workers and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
“Their actions were driven by greed and a total disregard for the promises they had made. As a result customers unknowingly ended up harming the environment rather than protecting it as they intended.”

Total Reclaim is the largest e-waste recycler in the northwestern United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeanne M. Proctor of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.

“During an eight-year period, the company exported to Hong Kong millions of pounds of electronic products containing mercury, while fraudulently reporting to customers and state agencies that they were being appropriately recycled.”

According to records filed in the case, Total Reclaim promoted itself as a responsible electronics recycler. Total Reclaim’s website stated that “our commitment to environmental responsibility is at the core of everything Total Reclaim does.”

Total Reclaim signed a public pledge in which it promised not to “allow the export of hazardous E-waste we handle to be exported” to developing countries, where workers are known to disassemble electronics, which contain dangerous materials such as mercury, without safety precautions.

Total Reclaim signed agreements with customers, such as the City of Seattle, in which the customers agreed to pay Total Reclaim to recycle electronics in accordance with these standards. Total Reclaim was also the biggest participant in the “E-Cycle Washington” program. E-Cycle Washington allows consumers to drop off used electronics at stations such as Goodwill Industries, and pays companies like Total Reclaim to recycle to those electronics according to Washington Department of Ecology standards.

In 2008, contrary to its promises to the public, Total Reclaim began secretly exporting flat screen monitors to Hong Kong to avoid the cost of safely recycling the monitors in the United States. 

Flat screen monitors are known to contain mercury, which can cause organ damage, mental impairment, and other serious health consequences to people exposed to the material. 

LORCH and ZIRKLE caused at least 8.3 million pounds of monitors to be shipped to Hong Kong between 2008 and 2015. 

To prevent customers and auditors from learning of the practice, LORCH and ZIRKLE falsified documents, made false statements to customers, and stored the monitors at an undisclosed facility while they awaited shipping.

Defendants’ fraud was discovered in 2014 by a non-governmental organization known as the Basel Action Network (“BAN”). BAN, which studies the export of electronic waste, placed electronic trackers on flat screen monitors and deposited them for recycling. 

The trackers showed that the monitors were collected by Total Reclaim and then exported to Hong Kong. 

When BAN representatives followed the tracking devices to Hong Kong, they discovered that the monitors were being dismantled by laborers who smashed the monitors apart without any precautions to protect the workers or the environment.

After BAN notified LORCH and ZIRKLE of its findings, LORCH and ZIRKLE tried to cover up their fraud by altering hundreds of shipping records.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.



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Did you shop at a small business for Small Business Saturday?


By Diane Hettrick

Did you shop at a local Small Business on Saturday? The day after Black Friday has been chosen as the day to remind people that there are a lot of small, local businesses right where they live.

You can shop at these businesses any day of the year. Have you explored all the local opportunities? Most of us have regular routes - home to work to usual businesses - and shop online in the middle of the night.

Try exploring a neighborhood you don't know well. Get out of the car and look around. We have business districts in many places.

North City Business district is one of the oldest. Most of the businesses are on 15th NE from 175th to 180th, with a brewpub and Japanese food south of 175th.

Ballinger Village on Ballinger Way has small businesses, a local grocery, a chain massage franchise, and a juice bar.

Town Center in Lake Forest Park has a lot of places to eat and some unique small shops. They have an upper level, lower level, and a lower wing - don't miss anything.

Sky Nursery on Aurora is hardly small, but it's ours. A local business still owned by the family that started it.

There are odd little strip malls all the way down Aurora with places to eat and small businesses. Try pulling in to one some time.

Central Market at Shoreline Place has some company both on the upper and lower levels and will have a lot more when Merlone Geier starts development.

4 Corners is the business district to the west, down Richmond Beach road. It sits where four neighborhoods touch - Hillwood, Richmond Highlands, Innis Arden, and Richmond Beach. Most people think it's Richmond Beach but the north side is Hillwood and the south side is Richmond Highlands. Check out the new bakery on the south side.

Play tourist in your own neighborhoods!


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Washington State Department of Transportation to be the first statewide agency to host an artist-in-residence

An artist-in-residence will spend a year working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to help develop new ways to achieve agency goals through a first-of-its-kind program created by ArtPlace America and Transportation for America, a program of Smart Growth America. WSDOT will be the first stage agency in the country to pilot an artist-in-residence program. 

Applications are now open for artists interested in the year-long position, which will be located within WSDOT. The call for artists and application can be found HERE

Recognized as a tool for pioneering innovative and creative solutions, artist-in-residence programs have been piloted across the nation in municipal governmental agencies, including the Los Angeles and Seattle DOTs, but never before at a statewide agency.

Several organizations collaborated on the artist-in-residence program. ArtPlace America is providing a $125,000 grant for the program, including a $40,000 stipend for the selected artist and $25,000 for a final project(s) the artist and staff develop. Transportation for America (T4A) will administer both the funds and the overall program, including providing staff and consulting assistance. The State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) will also provide staff support. Both T4A and SSTI are programs of Smart Growth America.

WSDOT will supply in-kind contributions consisting of work space for the selected artist and staff time for agency workers to collaborate on the groundbreaking new program.

“Artists can provide fresh approaches and new ways of doing things, interpret complex processes, and provide unique perspectives for existing programs,” said Ben Stone, Smart Growth America’s director of arts and culture. 
"While a handful of cities have embedded artists in various departments over the years, WSDOT will be the first statewide agency to embark on such a program. We’re excited to be a part of helping Washington state harness arts and creativity to create better supported and more beloved transportation projects that help accomplish the state’s goals.”


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Photo: Thanksgiving bouquet at Costco

Friday, November 23, 2018

Photo by Lee Lageschulte


Lovely floral bouquets at Costco - if you are brave enough to go there on Black Friday weekend!




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Lights of Love - Chanukah Menorah Lighting at Lynnwood City Hall


In light of recent tragic events in Pittsburgh, Thousand Oaks and around the world, the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County invites you to celebrate the Festival of Lights with a Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at Lynnwood City Hall, celebrating the light and joy of our shared freedoms and the immeasurable value of every human being.

The Seventh annual Lynnwood public Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place at 4:00pm on Sunday, December 2, at the Lynnwood City Hall 19100 44th Ave W, Lynnwood 98036.

The event will feature speeches by the Rabbi of the Chabad Jewish Center and local dignitaries, as well as the kindling of the giant nine-foot Menorah, delicious Holiday treats, face-painting and balloon-twisting for the kids and (for the second time) a musical performance by the Seattle based Klez Katz Klezmer band.

Join the community at a public display of unity at this exciting Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Bring the kids and make this your special Chanukah celebration. We encourage everyone to bring a candle to light in unity.

~~~~~~~
Chabad Centers all around the world are dedicated to spreading light and goodness in their respective communities. Chabad’s answer to the darkness and destruction is an increase in light and warmth. The Jewish Center will host a public community-wide Chanukah celebration where the message of religious freedom is brought to the street.

The kindling of the Menorah each night of the holiday highlights Chanukah, a celebration for all time. "It is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition," said Rabbi Berel Paltiel, director of the Chabad Jewish Center. "In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place." Chanukah also propagates the universal message that ultimately good prevails over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness.

In its Chanukah outreach campaign, Chabad of Snohomish County joins thousands of Chabad centers across the globe that are staging similar public displays of the Menorah and its symbolic lights. From Australia to Africa, Columbia to Hong Kong, New York City’s statue of liberty to the White House lawn, hundreds of thousands will experience the joy of Chanukah with Chabad.

For more information, contact the Chabad Jewish Center at (425) 787-2770.



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Shoreline Fire Calls October 29 to November 18

Shoreline Fire crew in California
to assist with fighting wildfires
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire
Shoreline Fire calls for October 29 - November 11
  • Aid - 130
  • Aid Non Emergency - 23
  • Medic - 76 
    • +86 in Bothell, Northshore some Woodinville including M65 and M47
  • MVA Aid - 20
  • MVA Medic - 1 car vs pedestrian (+ in Bothell w/M47)
  • Cardiac Arrest - 4 
    • +2 in Bothell w/ M47, 3 in Northshore w/ M65
  • AFA (Automatic Fire Alarm) - 22
  • Appliance Fire - 1
  • Flooding Minor - 2
  • Haz - 3 
    • 2 CO alarms, 
    • 1 assist w/broken thermometer (worried about Mercury)
  • Haz Aid - 1 (burning in throat w/CO alarm sounding)
  • Service Call - 7
    • 3 blood draw for PD, 
    • 1 trapped in elevator, 
    • 1 assist w/PD for suspects trapped in complex, 
    • 1 smell of fuel, 
    • 1 tree into a house
  • Smoke in a Residence - 1
  • Structure Fire Residential - 2
    • 1 candle on front porch on Halloween, 
    • 1 possible electrical in the crawl space
  • Structure Fire Multi-Family - 1 (grease fire on the stove)
  • Wildland Deployment - 1 engine w/crew of four to CA

Three new recruits are in training right now
and three more start in January
Photo courtesy East Metro Training Group
Shoreline Fire Calls for November 12-18
  • Aid - 55
  • Aid Non-Emergency - 14
  • MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) - 1
  • Medic - 34 
    • +34 in Bothell, Northshore and some Woodinville
  • MVA Rescue
    • 1 rollover vehicle w/no patient found 
    • +1 in Bothell w/M47
  • Cardiac Arrest - 1 
    • +2 in Bothell w/ M47 and 
    • 1 in Northshore w/M65
  • AFA (Automatic Fire Alarm) - 14
  • Brush fire - 1
  • Flooding Minor - 1 (water main break)
  • Haz - 1 CO alarm sounding
  • Service Call - 2 
    • 1 stuck elevator, 
    • 1 wheelchair assist
  • Smoke/Haze in the Area - 1
  • Smoke/Ventilation - 1
  • Strike Team/Wildland - 1 crew still assigned
  • Vehicle Fire - 1
  • Working Fire - 2 in Bothell w/M47


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Holiday Bazaar Dec 1 at Aegis

Áegis Living of Shoreline wll hold their third annual Holiday Bazaar showcasing handmade cards, woodworking, photography, jewelry, gifts, Seahawks merchandise, apparel and more!

Kamiak High School Barbershop ensemble performs, while Santa pays a visit.  Hot cider and cookies will be served.





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Frank Workman on Sports: 54-51? Ptui.

Frank Workman, who did not
get that tan in Lake Forest Park
By Frank Workman

The Monday Night Football game this week between the Chiefs and the Rams was wildly entertaining, if not artistic. It ended with the highest score in MNF history, 54-51, with the Rams on the winning end of things.

For all its scoring, it paled in comparison to an epic Shorecrest game from October 2005, against Mariner High.

The Scots emerged victorious, 69-60. Those who attended were treated to their money’s worth and then some.

On this holiday weekend, what follows is taken from memory. Some details may have faded over the years, but the essence of what follows is true.

That year’s Shorecrest team was their best in the last 25 years. They won 4A WesCo, in spite of being a 3A team. They were the Gutty Little Scots that season, racking up wins week after week. Only one defeat marred their record going into the state tournament, where they were flattened by a robust Rainier Beach team.

The Scots were led by Jesse Hoffman, a rock-solid, bruising runner and defensive back. He would go on to help Eastern Washington win a National Championship at the 1-AA level. (Former UW coach Tyrone Willingham, that astute judge of talent, had no use for Hoffman. Perhaps that acumen contributed to the Huskies’ 11-37 record in his four disastrous seasons, including an 0-12 mark in his final year, 2008.) Hoffman became a Seahawk for a short time. In high school, he was a man among boys.

Chasen Gardner was the quarterback. Many times that season he would fling the ball as far downfield as he could, and speedy wide-receiver Kevin Ramos always managed to catch the deep balls in perfect stride on his way to the end zone. Ramos doubled as the team’s punter, and he seemed to have carte blanche from head coach Mike Wollan to tuck the ball under his arm and run for a first down. Several times that season Ramos would weave his way downfield, not only gaining the necessary yardage, but taking it to the house for six.

The most versatile and complementary player on the team was Grady Small, still pound-for-pound the best high school football player I’ve ever seen. He played running back and he would flank out as a receiver, too. He was the snapper on punts and place-kicks, he seemed to be involved in every tackle on defense, and there were nights when he sold popcorn at halftime and even helped sweep out the stadium after everyone else had gone home.

Mariner had an outstanding running back in Raymond Fry, who played his college ball for Idaho. By memory, he was maybe 5’ 8” and a chiseled 170 pounds. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him. He wasn’t small by any means, just short. When he carried the football, he was faster than snakes or the blink of an eye. He was as elusive as mercury. It wouldn’t have come as any surprise to learn that he wore a cape and had a blue shirt with a red S on his chest.

The Scots fell behind the Marauders early in the contest, and Shorecrest fans felt a gnawing dread in the first half as their team repeatedly had to score just to catch up to Mariner. But Hoffman righted the ship late in the first half with an exciting touchdown romp. A perfect form tackle consists of the defender executing a hit-lift-and-drive on a runner. Hoffman turned the tables and put a shoulder into a tackler on the five yard line, lifted him off the ground, and landed the tackler across the goal line as he drove him into the end zone.

The Scots pulled away in the second half, extending their lead to three touchdowns twice in the fourth quarter. With such a lead, Coach Wollan subbed in some backup defenders to give his starters (most of whom played both ways and never came off the field) a breather. Both times Fry went coast-to-coast for six points on his team’s first play following the kickoffs.

The Scots had to re-insert their starters with their lead narrowed, and of course they kept scoring. It was that kind of night.

When the game ended, fans stood and cheered in amazement and appreciation for what they’d witnessed. Few were ready to leave right away.

For two fans, old friends and devotees of high school football going back to the Fifties, the game stood out for another reason.

Gamblers at heart (degenerates, some could say) they would make sport right before kickoff of every game they attended together. One would set the line for how many combined points would be scored by both teams, and the other would choose to take the ‘over’ or the ‘under’.

That night, the ‘over’ easily won the wager before the first half ended. So a new total was posited at halftime, the first time a second wager had ever been made in one game.

When the ‘over’ covered by the end of the third quarter, yet a third total was proposed.

The game was one for the books.

Maybe if the Chiefs and Rams lock horns again this season in the Super Bowl, they could dream big, put on their Big Boy Pants, and try to top what Shorecrest and Mariner managed to do in 2005.

I’ll take the Over.


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Leaves, rain, and Public Works

This was issued by the City of Lake Forest Park but except for the specific Municipal Code cited applies to Shoreline, Kenmore, and every city in the region.

As we move into the rainy season and leaves start to fall, the Public Works Department starts turning its attention to the City’s drainage system.

It is time to check the storm drains and clear leaves from them to keep the stormwater flowing.

Street sweeping is a component of the drainage system maintenance, and is perhaps the most visible to the citizens.

The City is encouraging residents to clear any blocked storm drains that are adjacent to or in front of their property keeping in mind:

  • Please do not create piles of leaves expecting the sweeper to sweep them away. Use your yard waste tote so they can be composted.
  • DO NOT rake leaves and debris into the street, ditch lines, or right of ways. 
  • The sweeper cannot handle large piles of leaves. If the sweeper encounters large piles of leaves they must drive around them or the pile of leaves could damage the street sweeper and the process may come to a screeching halt. 
  • Municipal Code 16.25.025 makes it illegal to collect lawn clippings, leaves or branches and discharge them into the path of surface water. 
  • Never try to clear a storm drain or culvert if there is moving water greater than knee deep, and always be wary of traffic when working near a roadway. 

Wet leaves are surprisingly heavy, so be careful not to overexert yourself. Debris from storm drains should be placed in yard waste containers. If flooding is severe, or you find evidence of dumping, please call 206-368-5440 for Lake Forest Park and 206-801-2700 for Shoreline.



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Special meeting of the LFP City Council COW Monday

Lake Forest Park City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
There will be a special meeting of the Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole (COW) on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 6pm in the Lake Forest room at City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE to start discussing the Town Center plan.

Discussion Topics
  • Kickoff Committee of the Whole Process Supporting Town Center Plan/Code Amendments
  • Communications Strategy
  • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Structure/Overview of Alternatives
  • Code Amendments – Overview
  • Town Center Design Standards and Guidelines – Overview
  • Start Key Topics Discussion: Affordable Housing and MultiFamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Options


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Shoreline City Council meetings Monday

Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
At the Monday, November 26, 2018 5:45pm dinner meeting in Room 303 of Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, the Shoreline City Council will discuss the process for replacing Deputy Mayor Jesse Salomon, who has just been elected to the state legislature. (Full agenda here)

The regular council meeting from 7-9pm in the Council Chamber, will approve and authorize agreements and minor contracts with City Light, Yakima County for jail services, SCORE for local jail services. They will discuss a change in refund policy for the recreation program and the legislative priorities. (Full agenda here)




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Photo: Thanksgiving otter

Thanksgiving otter
Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Bog Watcher Martin DeGrazia spent part of Thanksgiving with one of the bog otters. The otters are so used to Martin that they swim toward him, instead of away. He had time for a brief photo session.

Freshwater river otters live in every significant body of water in the area - Ronald Bog, Twin Ponds, Echo Lake, McAleer Creek. They have been known to travel over dry land and have been seen in Kruckeberg Gardens which has no body of water nearby.

They are normally elusive, hunt in the dawn hours, and build their burrows with an underwater entrance.

DKH


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Board game night at Arcane Comics Saturday


Board games at Arcane Comics this Saturday, November 24, 2018 from 2 - 6pm.

Come with friends or come by yourself and join a game.

Arcane Comics is in Parkwood Plaza, 15202 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133

As a bonus, their Black Friday Weekend Sale will still be going on.


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Richmond Beach Turkey Day Fun Run brings out hundreds of runners


Photos by Wayne Pridemore

Hundreds of people came out Thanksgiving morning to run and walk in Richmond Beach's Turkey Day Fun Run.


Babies in strollers, senior citizens strolling, teams in matching outfits, dogs, costumes, red noses - oh and don't forget the team with the turkey heads in honor of the day.


The poster for this year's event was displayed on a sweatshirt held by Christie Quigley (left) and Jan Manfredini.


The turkey heads blend right in with the very diverse crowd of runners.



Lisa Guenser and Jessica Guenser were there to help sign in runners for the Turkey Day Fun Run. The weather was actually quite cooperative for the event, with clear skies. It was a bit cold, as you can tell by the red noses....


It really is all for fun - getting out and being very active on a day traditionally set aside for gorging. 


Kiana Burt had a jar full of red noses. "Clowning around encouraged".


It was clear that this crowd was having a good time!


11-24-18  Corrected name from Kian to Kiana


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Tryptophaned

Thursday, November 22, 2018



Yup, no Shoreline Area News today.
We will return to our regular programming after your 
Editor gets some sleep.

Thanks to Whitney Potter for expressing it so well!







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Happy Thanksgiving one and all


Thanksgiving

Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1850 - 1919

We walk on starry fields of white
   And do not see the daisies;
For blessings common in our sight
   We rarely offer praises.
We sigh for some supreme delight
   To crown our lives with splendor,
And quite ignore our daily store
   Of pleasures sweet and tender.

Our cares are bold and push their way
   Upon our thought and feeling.
They hand about us all the day,
   Our time from pleasure stealing.
So unobtrusive many a joy
   We pass by and forget it,
But worry strives to own our lives,
   And conquers if we let it.

There’s not a day in all the year
   But holds some hidden pleasure,
And looking back, joys oft appear
   To brim the past’s wide measure.
But blessings are like friends, I hold,
   Who love and labor near us.
We ought to raise our notes of praise
   While living hearts can hear us.

Full many a blessing wears the guise
   Of worry or of trouble;
Far-seeing is the soul, and wise,
   Who knows the mask is double.
But he who has the faith and strength
   To thank his God for sorrow
Has found a joy without alloy
   To gladden every morrow.

We ought to make the moments notes
   Of happy, glad Thanksgiving;
The hours and days a silent phrase
   Of music we are living.
And so the theme should swell and grow
   As weeks and months pass o’er us,
And rise sublime at this good time,
   A grand Thanksgiving chorus.

This poem is in the public domain.



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Shoreline Fire crews return after nine days fighting wildfires in California

Photo montage courtesy Shoreline Fire

Shoreline Fire, along with the rest of WA-Strike 5, was on its way home from the Woolsey Fire near Malibu CA when an extreme fire weather warning was issued.

The strike team was requested to hold up for a few days and assist with vegetation fires and structure protection during the event. The crews were dispatched to multiple fires, and have been glad to help CalFire protect the citizens of CA.

They are home now, after nine days in California and they have learned a lot.

KIRO TV's John Knicely did a story on them Wednesday. Watch it HERE



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Fire at Fred Meyer Wednesday

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

A fire in the HVAC unit on the roof of Fred Meyer at 185th and Aurora was quickly extinguished by Shoreline Fire.

The fire did not spread to the interior of the building but it did produce a lot of interior smoke.

There were no injuries.

Photos courtesy Shoreline Fire.



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Sunday deadline for feedback on 185th Corridor study

The City of Shoreline recently completed an initial outreach series to gather community and stakeholder input to help envision a corridor that will be safe for pedestrians and bicyclists; support bus and light rail transit service; address traffic flow; create gathering spaces; and encourage neighborhood businesses.

If you were unable to attend any of the events, you can view the open house presentation and displayed materials on the project webpage: shorelinewa.gov/185corridor

After reviewing information, please take the online survey which is linked on the project webpage.

This survey will remain open through Sunday, November 25, 2018.

#Shoreline185 to share your ideas and photos of the corridor or images of other places that include designs or features you would like to see reflected in the future 185th Street Corridor.



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Photos: Houdini the barred owl

Yoo hoo Houdini!

Cynthia Sheridan sent in these photos taken by her sister Mitzie Phegley of Houdini, the Barred owl, so named by her grandson Felix.

Mitzie messaged the following note:

"Outside my bedroom window this a.m. I heard a commotion from some crows and jays.

"There sat Houdini, who we haven't seen for several years, with his back toward me.

You lookin' at me?

"When I tapped on the window, he turned his head around to stare at me."



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Shorewood grads part of crew in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

Fleck, Bjorn, JoJo, and Hugg
from the Netflix movie
When you are watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV - watch for a giant balloon character called "Fleck." 

He's the blue elf from the upcoming Netflix movie "The Christmas Chronicles". 

Then check out the balloon handlers.

Two of them are Shorewood grads Anna Jolene Mork and Frazier Mork.

Jolene is a senior data scientist for Macy's in Herald Square, NY. Frazier is a software engineer for Textio in Seattle.

A big windstorm is predicted for the northeast for Thanksgiving Day, so Anna and Frazier may get a workout!



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AG Ferguson files briefs challenging President Trump’s national monument reductions

Part of the Bears Ears National Monument
Photo courtesy Bureau of Land Management


Washington leads multistate effort to defend over 2 million acres of protected land in Utah


Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed two amicus — or “friend of the court” — briefs today, challenging President Trump’s proclamations to drastically reduce the size of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in Utah.

The briefs were filed in two lawsuits over President Trump’s attempt to eliminate 85 percent of the land in Bears Ears and approximately half in Grand Staircase-Escalante from the monuments. The President’s action, which Ferguson argues is illegal, would effectively rescind a national monument for the first time in U.S. history.

In Ferguson’s amicus briefs to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington and 10 other states assert that the monument reductions overstep presidential authority and upend the purpose of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which delegated authority to the President to preserve the nation’s archeological, historic and scientific resources as national monuments. They also argue President Trump’s rescissions upset the relationship between the states and the federal government regarding managing federal lands within states’ borders.

“President Trump does not have the power to unilaterally revoke national monuments,” Ferguson said. “My office is committed to defending these national treasures in Washington state and throughout the country.”

In May 2017, Ferguson sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, opposing the rollback of national monument protections and declaring his intent to file a lawsuit if President Trump targeted monuments in Washington, such as Hanford Reach National Monument.

Although the Trump Administration did not take action against Washington’s monuments, in December 2017, President Trump proclaimed he would reduce the size of both Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. This prompted five lawsuits that were subsequently consolidated into two, one addressing each national monument. President Trump responded by filing a motion to dismiss the cases.

The U.S. District Court has not yet set a date for oral argument.

The State of Washington is home to two presidentially created monuments, Hanford Reach and San Juan Islands, and one congressionally created monument, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Ferguson’s briefs were joined by California, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Assistant Attorneys General Bill Sherman and Kelly Wood and Special Assistant Attorney General Aurora Janke with the Counsel for Environmental Protection are handling this case on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office.

Protecting the environment is one of Ferguson’s top priorities. In 2016, he created the Counsel for Environmental Protection to protect our environment and the safety and health of all Washingtonians.

Washington has yet to receive an adverse ruling in cases where the Attorney General has led an amicus brief. Washington has led amicus briefs in support of 11 cases against the Trump Administration, and has been on the side of the prevailing party five times. In six cases, a decision has not been issued.

Ferguson has filed 32 lawsuits against the Trump Administration and has not lost a case. Ferguson now has 15 legal victories against the federal government since President Trump assumed office. Nine of those cases are finished and cannot be appealed. The Trump Administration has appealed or may appeal the other six, which include lawsuits involving Dreamers, 3D-printed guns and the transgender military ban.


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Dad?


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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Cristwood Bazaar Dec 5

Cristwood Holiday Bazaar
December 5 - 10am to 3pm




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Learn about school construction on Nov 27 or Nov 28

Parkwood construction
November 2018
Photo by Mike Remarcke
Shoreline Public Schools is starting a new series of community presentations to help the community learn more about the school district’s operations, programs and initiatives.

The district is beginning their Community Connections series of presentations to help provide an in-depth look at the vast and various work that goes into running their schools.
All presentations will be held in the Shoreline Center Board Room, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline 98155 in the center of the main building.

Topic: School Construction

You have a choice of evening or morning. The same information will be presented at each.

Tuesday, November 27 at 7 pm
Wednesday, November 28 at 10 am

Future sessions will be held on Maintenance and Operations in February and the Early Learning Programs in May.


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Hands-on Day at the Museum

Geodesic ornament


HAPPY HOLIDAYS HANDS-ON everyone!

Saturday November 24, 2018 get ready for some hands-on holiday fun - come to THE SHORELINE HISTORICAL MUSEUM at 18501 Linden Ave N. between 11am and 3pm and make a geodesic ornament!

First created in the 1950s for a national women's magazine, these ornaments were a play on the famous geodesic homes invented by R. Buckminster Fuller.

Easy to make for any holiday - put your own spin on it! Free, and take home what you make - supplies provided!

Want more information? Call 206-542-7111 or visit shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org



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St. Barnabas installs stained glass and etched glass

Dedication of the 110 year old stained glass panel
Fr. Harley Crain at left
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


St. Barnabas Anglican church in Shoreline recently dedicated a hundred and ten year old piece of stained glass over the altar in their sanctuary.

They purchased the piece from a restoration company in Minnesota, D. C. Riggott. Two of their parishioners have done some online research, on the piece but have found out more about the pastor who dedicated the window than the actual window so far.

Riggott arranged to ship the panel by a freight forwarder on a flatbed semi. It was received by Windorco of Seattle, whose owners are members of St. Barnabas. Father and son Greg and Jeff Staats fabricated a frame to hold the panel. Greg also adapted LED panels to backlight the whole picture. Windorco installed the window.

Cloud of Witnesses came from the old Bethel Lutheran church
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


The etched panel “Cloud of Witnesses” was obtained from Bethel Lutheran church when it was sold. (The building is now the home of Buddha Jewel Monastery).

St. Barnabas has owned it for several years now. A member of Bethel had kept the panels in his garage until St. Barnabas was able to give them a home. 

St. Barnabas is located at 1st NE and NE 155th
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Windorco picked up the panels from the Bethel Lutheran parishioner's garage. They built a custom frame around the original 8 panels. The proportions were important to maintain relations within the mural. It was too big to install over the altar, so it is freestanding at the entrance to the sanctuary.



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WeatherWatcher: Dry weather ends, long range outlook

NE 185th St at 5th Ave NE, February 7, 2015.
Photo by Carl Dinse


Dry Weather Ends: Wednesday morning is likely to be the last few hours of dry weather left in November. A weather system is approaching as our upper level ridge of high pressure moves east. The jet stream is shifting from the north in Alaska to the west coast and is expected to bring a series of storms with it.

Wednesday there is a slight chance of rain in the morning, then rain is likely in the afternoon. We are expecting rain to continue through the evening switching over to showers after midnight. We could get between a quarter inch to a half inch of rain. High around 50°F with lows in the 40's.

Thanksgiving Day, true to the Pacific Northwest tradition, will feature a moderate rain storm with high winds. Models have been a little inconsistent with how strong winds will be. Right now we are expecting winds of 20-30mph with gusts as high as 40mph. High temperatures will be in the low 50's with up to a half inch of rain.

Thursday evening through Friday evening we are expecting to have rain continue at times, highs falling to the upper 40's and lows down to the mid 30's Friday night. We are expecting a bit of a break on Saturday with mostly sunny skies, temperatures near the upper 40's. We have a slight chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday.

Monday the rain returns lasting through Tuesday and possibly further into next week, high temperatures reaching the lower 50's and lows in the 40's.

Long range outlook: Officially we are heading into a moderate El Niño winter. Typically this means that we are expected to be above normal in temperatures and below normal in precipitation. For Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, look back to the 2014-2015 winter and the 2006-2007 winter as examples of what to expect. Overall it should be a fairly mild winter with more uneventful weather than normal.

Snow chances are less likely; our best window for lowland accumulating snowfall is between December 15th and January 15th. Much of the weather beyond January 15th is expected to be too mild and dry for any snow threats. There could be a windstorm or two; chances are somewhat equal for those during an El Niño season. December will probably be our best month for active weather.



For current weather conditions visit www.ShorelineWeather.com



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Seattle Times: Feds agree to $1.2 billion in funding for Sound Transit’s Lynnwood light-rail line

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Photo courtesy Sound Transit
Sound Transit has secured a long sought-after agreement with the Trump administration for $1.2 billion in federal money for the planned 8.5-mile Northgate-to-Lynnwood light-rail line, our news partner The Seattle Times reported Monday.

The agreement between Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) still must undergo a 30-day congressional review period, but it is highly likely that it will be finalized next month, The Times said. 

Along with the $1.2 billion grant, the FTA also approved more than $650 million in low-interest, deferred-payment federal loans for Sound Transit to complete the Lynnwood line.

An estimated 68,500 daily riders are expected to board the Lynnwood Link trains, which will provide an option to escape some of the nation’s worst highway delays.

Read more in The Times story.



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King County Metro to pause bus service Nov 23 in remembrance of transit operator Mark McLaughlin


Hundreds of Metro and Sound Transit buses will be in service the afternoon of Nov. 23, and the majority will pull over and stop for a brief moment of reflection in honor of Mark McLaughlin, who was killed in the line of duty Nov. 27, 1998, while driving Route 359 - the Seattle to Shoreline run.

He was shot and his bus plunged from the Aurora Bridge at 3:20pm. One other passenger died, the shooter took his own life and 32 passengers were injured.

“We will always remember Mark McLaughlin’s commitment to public service and the tragedy of how he was taken from us in the line of duty,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon.
“We’re honoring his memory and reflecting on his life and the challenging work our operators engage in each and every day to carry the public safely to their destinations. Together, the Metro family of 5,000 employees invite everyone to join us as we briefly pull our buses to the curb for a solemn moment of remembrance.”

McLaughlin was 44 when he was killed. He joined Metro in 1979 and was a transit operator for 19 years. Coworkers called him a simple, humble man, a gentle giant who was known for handing out bubblegum to his passengers.

“I was a recent part-time driver when Mark McLaughlin lost his life in a senseless tragedy 20 years ago,” said Ken Price, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587. 
“He was known as a kind, teddy bear type of guy, who loved giving bubble gum to his passengers and driving a bus. His portrait now hangs in my office as a daily reminder that we can never back away from our efforts in keeping our Bus Operators safe. The loss of our Brother Mark is still hard to accept, even 20 years later. So, I hope that we all stop and remember our Brother and how he lost his life by just going to work and doing his job.”

Metro created a park in Shoreline and named it for him. See our previous article.

Buses participating in the moment of remembrance will stop only where and when it is safe to do so. Buses will not pause service if they are traveling on highways, in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel or on roadways where there is no place to safely pull over.

Metro will notify riders via transit alerts and on-board announcements in the days leading up to the moment of remembrance. In publicizing in advance our intent to pause service, Metro also extends its appreciation to riders for respecting and supporting these efforts and assures riders that transit service will quickly restart at the conclusion of the moment of remembrance.

11-22-18 Added link to previous article about Shoreline park named for McLaughlin.


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City of Shoreline to bring grounds maintenance in-house - jobs available

City of Shoreline Grounds Maintenance Crew

The City of Shoreline is pleased to announce the formation of a new work group within the Utility and Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department.

The new work group is dedicated to the maintenance and repair of grounds and landscaping infrastructure located within easements, right-of-ways and other designated public spaces.

We will very soon be hiring Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Sr. Grounds Maintenance Worker, and Grounds Maintenance Workers I and II.

To learn more about qualifications required or each of the Grounds Maintenance positions, please go to Class Specification page and search for Grounds job descriptions.

If you would like to be notified by email when those jobs open, please go to the Job Interest Card page and click on Subscribe.




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Black Friday sale at the Shoreline Bargain Boutique - 50% off everything in store

50% off everything in the store on Black Friday, November 23, 2018. 15835 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133 in the lower level of Shoreline Place.

Seattle Children’s Bargain Boutiques provide support for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s to help ensure that no child will be turned away because of inability to pay medical costs.



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City of Shoreline wants to know what you find useful about "Currents"

November Currents
Ten times a year, the City of Shoreline sends Currents, the City’s newsletter, to approximately 24,000 households and businesses in Shoreline.

In the 2018 Resident Satisfaction Survey, 87% of residents said they received information about City issues, services, and events through Currents.

According to the City, "Because residents play such a big role in making Currents so successful, we want to make sure we are providing you with information that is the most useful and valuable it can be, in a way that works best for most people."

The City would like residents to fill out a short survey on what they find most useful about Currents and provide ideas on how you think it could be improved.

Survey



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