Chief Sutton: How to minimize package thefts

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Package theif
From LFP Police Chief Steve Sutton

Holiday Shopping and Package Deliver Season is Here!! 

In Lake Forest Park, there has been an increase in mail and package theft. 

Just last week, officers were called by a postal delivery person that he was being followed by a suspicious vehicle. Every time he made a delivery, the other vehicle would stop. After doing this several times, he became suspicious and called 911. 

When officers contacted the suspected vehicle, we confirmed that the suspect was in fact documenting each delivery and texting the address to another person who was traveling behind scooping up packages. This is avoidable!

Strategies you can employ to minimize the opportunity
  • Talk to neighbors that you trust. If you are expecting a package and are unable to be home when it arrives, let your neighbor know. Even have them take the package for you.
  • Leave a note to the carrier to deliver in a more concealed area of the residence like your back door.
  • Use Amazon Drop Box locations.
  • Have deliveries sent to your place of work.
  • Install camera systems that are both covert (to catch a thief) and as a visible deterrent.
  • Create or purchase a large box that carriers can place packages in with the ability to lock by the delivery person.
  • Require a signature and allow drop off at a neighbor or different location
  • Pick up your mail promptly after delivery.
  • If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
  • If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
  • Don’t send cash in the mail.
  • Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.
  • Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
Here are a couple of interesting news stories:
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!


Read more...

Home sales in Lake Forest Park during November 2018

Monday, December 10, 2018

The following are properties that sold in Lake Forest Park during the month of November 2018. Data compiled for the Shoreline Area News by the Shoreline Windermere office.

Current market status: We are continuing to see a balancing real estate market. Buyers have more properties to choose from, they are taking their time, and even making offers below list price. While there are more homes for sale, the inventory is at historically low levels, and it is still a Seller's Market.





Read more...

Rob Oxford: I wish this were a movie

2012 - the year that Charee Tillotson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's

It is with my friend Greg Tillotson's blessing that I share this article about his life, his beautiful wife and their difficult journey together. Furthermore, it is my hope that the message I have tried to convey is received in the manner with which it was intended.

“If Only This Were A Movie”

I would venture to guess that most everyone reading this article has seen the 2004 movie "The Notebook," starring James Garner and Gena Rowlands at least once, if not more. I have personally seen it at least a dozen times. It is one of my wife's favorite movies and each time it comes on the television we sit together sobbing as if the story is unfamiliar. It's the tale of a man and the love of his life, how they met, lost touch, found each other again and lived a long and wonderful life until the devastating effects of Alzheimer's slowly took away her memory and eventually her life.

Until a few years ago I had been lucky in that this terrible disease had not personally touched my family. Unfortunately that all changed in November of 2009 when my friend and former boss Greg Tillotson revealed to me that his beloved wife Charee was exhibiting early signs of dementia. Sadly it wasn't until 2012 that she was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

By now we're all aware of the pain and heartache this debilitating disease can cause. The sadness it brings and most often the guilt that can be associated with watching someone you love slip slowly into a dark and unfamiliar place. Still, through the eyes of this very strong and courageous friend, whom I greatly admire, I've been given a unique perspective that I would like to share and that I hope will ease some of the suffering those more directly affected by this terrible disease will at some point most assuredly endure.

Greg hired me to do a morning radio show at a rock-n-roll station in Bellingham, Washington almost 20 years ago. It was a momentous opportunity and with a newborn son, a break I had desperately needed. Greg's wife Charee was also a morning host in the very same building for our sister station KAFE. A fun, energetic, continually positive influence, I often relied on her for advice and emotional support. God knows at that particular time in my life, I needed both.

Five years went by rather quickly and Greg and I were both fired, but Charee continued entertaining listeners with her bright smile, sense of humor and incredible kindness. She had a warm inviting personality and her audience loved her. Facebook wasn't the behemoth that it is today but Greg and I stayed in touch. He managed the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County before getting back into radio as the manager of a group of stations in Spokane.

I would see his occasional posts on Facebook about life and the "business," but one particular comment caused me to take notice and reach out to him directly. Needless to say it came as a terrible shock when he informed me of Charee's diagnosis. She was so young, so vibrant, she was a beloved radio personality, I really didn't understand how this could happen.

Greg and I didn't talk regularly so I don't know what kind of feelings he experienced initially, but afterward I found myself unintentionally distancing myself from him. What kind of support could I possibly offer? He knew I was sorry and that I loved them both, but this was something totally foreign to me and I wasn't the least bit prepared to deal with something of such magnitude. What I didn't realize at the time was that I would soon learn a valuable lesson about unrelenting love and compassion.

Greg was and is a devoted husband, even to this day. Catering to Charee's every need while she underwent treatment. Making plans and facing this situation head on. That's the kind of person he is, he is a Manager, he "manages".

Charee and Greg Tillotson now


All to soon the time came when Charee would need the type of care Greg could no longer provide and although I'm sure the decision to put her in a "home" was difficult, it was the correct one. His love for Charee has never waned, but the drain on their personal finances, in the 100's of thousands of dollars had forced them to divorce. As harsh as that may seem to some, it too was the right decision.

Before her illness could take her away completely, Greg and Charee spoke of many things. Charee made it clear that she did not want Greg to live the rest of his life alone. She knew him better than anyone and knew that being "alone" was not something with which he could deal very easily. As Greg puts it, "Charee knows me and knows I'm terrible at being alone". They also spoke of their lifelong dream of living on the beach.

Greg has been forced to make many difficult decisions since Charee became ill, both about his future and hers. Some of those coming under the scrutiny of friends and relatives, but Greg continues to remain confident he is doing what is best for them both. He is also fortunate that his son Michael, willing to put his own life on hold, has chosen for the time being to give up a lucrative career in order to spend more time with his Mom in Spokane. A commitment other family members, for understandable reasons, were unable to make.

About a month ago Greg posted a photo on Facebook of himself and a young lady whom he has been seeing. To be quite honest my initial reaction was one of confusion. For so many years I'd seen pictures of Greg with only one woman, his companion since he was 22 years old. Who was this new person? Was it a coworker, a friend? It turns out it had been both. Although it was none of my business, Greg is the type of person who would have no problem telling me, so I asked.

Her name is Jennifer and they have been friends and work associates for quite some time. At first Jennifer was merely a comforting ear, someone in which he could confide. However, as feelings for her began to develop, Greg took the time to make sure these feelings were more than just feelings of loneliness. In essence he needed to give himself permission to let go and to begin again.

When Greg left to accept a new position with a Broadcasting Corporation in Florida, fulfilling that dream he and Charee shared of living on the beach, it was Jennifer who stepped in to fill his role by visiting Charee. Before starting every work day, just as Greg had done, she would have breakfast with Charee. For 3 years prior to the move Greg also made a habit of stopping by after work each day to kiss Charee goodnight. His days were long, his patience much longer.

The unfortunate reality is that as the months and now years have gone by, Charee no longer knows Greg. Still he flies to Spokane every 2 - 3 weeks to sit with her. He talks with her or more accurately talks to her and makes sure she is as comfortable as humanly possible. Greg will occasionally share a picture of Charee on Facebook and she appears to be happy in her "new world." Although a bit distant, and not quite as glowing, she still has that smile.

This is undoubtedly a sad story. It's painful, it's unpleasant and to a few I suppose some of the decisions Greg has had to make may seem unfair. However, in my opinion choosing to continue living one's life in spite of this particular type of hardship demonstrates to me a form of bravery. I've often heard it said that Alzheimer's is much more difficult on those who are "left behind" than those directly suffering its effects.

I pray and sometimes wish I prayed more, that should something this horrific ever affect my life, I am able to deal with it as gracefully and respectfully as Greg. I also pray that those who choose to question my decisions are able to do so without passing judgement.

I have greatly appreciated being able to share my thoughts, stories and poems with you over the past year and I thank Diane at the Shoreline Area News for her guidance, direction and for allowing me this voice. It has truly been a pleasure. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.

Rob Oxford



Read more...

Participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count Dec 15

Christmas bird count circle


The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is on Saturday, December 15, 2018 following a tradition that stretches back a hundred years.

Evening grosbeak
Photo by Christine Southwick
It's a fun project to help count birds during Audubon’s Annual Christmas Bird Count, but you are providing important data for scientific research.

Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this nationwide citizen science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months

To date over 200 peer-reviewed articles have resulted from analysis done with Christmas Bird Count data. Bird related citizen science efforts are also critical to understanding how birds are responding to a changing climate.

This documentation is what enabled Audubon scientists to discover that 314 species of North American birds are threatened by global warming as reported in Audubon’s groundbreaking Birds and Climate Change Study.

Townsend's warbler
Photo by Christine Southwick
Here's how you can participate

The Edmonds / South Snohomish County CBC is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles that is centered near Martha Lake in Lynnwood.

The circle includes all of Echo Lake and Ballinger and half of Hillwood, Meridian Park, Ridgecrest, and North City.

All but the southern portions of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore are included.

Check the map. Click on the link and when the map is displayed, enter your address in the search box at the top of the page. Then zoom out until you see the whole circle. Verify that your home is located within it.

You will also need to follow specific counting directions which, along with additional general information about the Edmonds CBC, can be found on Pilchuck Audubon’s website at: Detailed Instructions for Home Counters. You can also contact Rick Taylor at taylorrl@outlook.com (or 425-214-2764).

“Pilchuck Audubon is making a special effort to count birds visiting yard bird feeders. Counting the birds at your feeders for as little as 30 minutes can contribute to science.” says Rick Taylor, a volunteer with Pilchuck Audubon.

Read more...

Photo: Watch where you're landing, Harold!

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler


Watch where you're landing, Harold!

Ospreys on Lake Washington.



Read more...

Solstice Stroll opens this week

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Solstice Stroll opens this week.

The Garden is filled with lights in the darkness.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday,

December 13, 14. 15 and 20. 21, 22 from 4:30pm - 8:30pm

This is an evening event, rain or shine.

Admission: FREE but suggested donation of $10 encouraged.

The parking lot will be closed for this event. The parking lot at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church has been reserved and Kruckeberg will provide a free shuttle service to and from the garden.

Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 1512 NW 195th St, Shoreline 98177

There is no street parking directly adjacent to the garden. Thank you for being mindful of neighbors and their driveways.

The garden will be closed on these dates during regular operating hours due to the evening event.


Read more...

Five more chances to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

For many, seeing a live production is a holiday tradition. Here's one you might have overlooked.

The Seattle Musical Theatre has been producing quality musicals for 80 years.

They were previously known as Civic Light Opera and changed their name when they realized they were more about musicals than opera.

They are located in a stand-alone building in Magnuson Park, with plenty of free parking. 

Magnuson Park, 7120 62nd Ave NE, Seattle 98115.

The holiday production this year is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

It's based on the old testament story of Joseph and his jealous brothers. It is family friendly (in spite of what his brothers do to him). It is unusual in that it has only a few lines of dialog - the music carries the story.

Remaining performance dates:

Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:30 PM
Fri Dec 14, 2018 7:30 PM
Sat Dec 15, 2018 2:00 PM
Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:30 PM
Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:00 PM

Tickets are available online



Read more...

Book Review by Aarene Storms: Dress codes for small towns

Dress Codes for Small Towns
by Courtney Stevens

*Dress Codes for Small Towns* starts with the night that Billie McCaffrey and her best friends accidentally burn down the church youth room. That sentence leads you to think some things about Billie and her friends, and those thoughts would probably be inaccurate. Preacher's kid Billie has a good relationship with God, a strained relationship with her dad, a rocky relationship with the church people, and a confusing relationship with her friends.

Billie's friend Janie Lee might be in love with their other friend Woods, which is confusing because Billie might also be in love with Woods...or with Janie Lee. Or maybe Davey? She really isn't sure. But she's pretty sure what the church people think of her.

She might be wrong.

All the stereotypes of small-town Kentucky that you've ever seen in books are not in this book -- at least, not the way you've seen them before. The characters are dimensional and lovely, and almost nobody does what you think they might do. And yet, the story makes sense, beautifully, from beginning to end.  I was especially pleased that, in this book, "church" and "belief" and "religion" are not weapons used to clobber non-conforming kids. May it be ever so in the real world.

This may be the best book I read in 2017. Highly recommended for readers ages 12 to adult. Some kissing and cussing on the page. Also some praying, some square dancing, a broken bone, and Batman.


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


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: December back to normal

Clouds before the rains, at Richmond Beach, winter season 2001-2002 on 35mm film.
Photo by Carl Dinse


The jet stream is back in the Northwest where it belongs during winter months. We are expecting a series of seasonal storms to move through this next week or so.

We have a slight break Monday with showers, before our next storm system moves in Tuesday morning. Rainy and breezy conditions are expected Tuesday and Tuesday night. Wednesday will be another "break" day with a chance of showers. Thursday a heavy rain storm moves in. The rain may be heavy at times, especially Thursday evening. More rain Friday, with a chance of rain next Saturday. Rain likely Saturday night and Sunday.

Temperatures all week and next weekend in the 40's for highs, lows in the upper 30's to low 40's. This is really good for mountain snow so it should hopefully help with that snow drought in the Cascades and Olympics we've been having this fall.

For December so far a dry and chilly start, but Sunday signals the change. Our first weaker weather system last Friday night into Saturday morning was too weak and most of the precipitation evaporated into the drier colder air near the surface before reaching the ground. The second system on Sunday brought us a half inch of rain. Here's the temperature and rain graphs for December:




For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



Read more...

Christmas wreaths

Wreaths at Sky Nursery
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Good for all you DIY people who get into the Kruckeberg wreath-making classes. If you are not quite that ambitious, Sky Nursery has a large section of ready-made wreaths.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


I usually wait for the windstorm that shows up about a week before Christmas and go out in the yard and pick up a branch to make a swag. But the weather has been so odd this fall that I may need to visit Sky.

I'm starting to feel the need to be festive. I've never seen so many lights in my neighborhood and on my block. Starting to feel like Scrooge here. Maybe I could put out a Bah Humbug! sign. In lights.

DKH



Read more...

Forget recycling - reduce instead

Sunday, December 9, 2018

From "How to wrap gifts with textiles"
Here's a hint from Recology to reduce non-recyclable items going into the landfill.

Christmas (and other occasion) Packaging

Bright, shiny wrapping paper is appealing for a moment, but produces unnecessary waste and serves as a prime example of one-time use.

Instead of non-recyclable wrapping paper, try using the Sunday comics or non-shiny paper that can be recycled or composted.

Cloth wrapping is also a beautiful, reusable and eco-friendly way to wrap presents. Tie it all together with some leftover yarn or string to keep pesky tape out of the picture.

The internet and Instagram are full of ideas about fabric wrapped gifts.



Read more...

Letter to the Editor: Shout out to neighbor, Shoreline fire and police

Vandalism at Cedarbrook School
Photo by George Piano
To the Editor:

Here is a big shout out to our neighbor Lori and the Shoreline Fire and Police.

Lori notified me of a large intentional paint spill at Cedarbrook School. 

Someone had deliberately dumped multiple five gallon cans of oil based paint right next to a storm drain in the parking lot. 

After a call to 911, the Shoreline Fire and Police were on site within 10 minutes.

Thank you Lori for being such a good neighbor, and Thanks to the Shoreline Fire and Police for being so responsive.

George Piano
Lake Forest Park



Read more...

Shorecrest grad makes her presence known on college team

Julia Strand
Photo courtesy Chapman Athletics
Strand Records First Collegiate Double-Double

2018 Shorecrest grad Julia Strand is already making her presence known on the women’s basketball team at Chapman University.

She recorded a ‘double-double’ Saturday in the team’s 69-62 win over Redlands. Strand had 14 points and ten rebounds in 29 minutes as the Panthers upped their mark on the young season to 6-1.

Strand, the daughter of Mike and Kim Strand of Lake Forest Park, is averaging just over 9 points and 5 rebounds a game, while shooting a robust 57% from the field. She has been the first player off the bench for the Panthers.

She seems to have made a smooth transition from high school to college.

“I am having so much fun. It’s definitely harder than I thought it would be and pretty time consuming, which took some adjusting to, but I am so glad I am playing and going to school here. Some of my best friends are my new teammates. The whole environment with all the girls is so supportive and fun, and we all push each other to be better. I am super happy here.”

Her coach is happy she’s there, too. Carol Jue is in her 17th season as Head Coach of the Panthers and has a 290-116 record, winning an impressive 71.4% of her games. They play a smart, scrappy brand of pressure basketball that’s truly fun to watch.

Here’s what she has to say about the six-foot tall former Scot.

"What a gem we have in Julia!! We are so fortunate she chose Chapman and is becoming such a force on our team. She’s making an impact in the center position with her rebounding and scoring. She’s a fast learner and she’s able to make adjustments quickly. We have her playing in the front of our press defense with the guards. Thank goodness she’s on our team!!"

Chapman, the defending Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference champion, is an NCAA Division-III school located in the City of Orange, right in the heart of Orange County, California, a stone’s throw from the Big A, Anaheim Stadium.

Its noted graduates include former Mariners owner (and U.S. Ambassador to Spain) George Argyros, actor Colin Hanks, San Diego attorney Tim Workman, former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin.

--Sports Desk



Read more...

Missio Church to host clothing drive at Northgate Community Center



As the winter weather descends upon the Pacific Northwest, the need for warm clothing is crucial for our community’s vulnerable populations.

In keeping with our mission to love God, love people and awaken a movement in Seattle, Missio Church will host a clothing drive at the Northgate Community Center on Sunday, December 23 from 9:00am - noon. 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle 98125

The clothing will be donated to organizations across north Seattle including Northgate Elementary, where 25% of the student population is considered homeless, the Giving Room, Mary’s Place and Aurora Commons.

Please donate the following new articles of clothing:
  • Socks
  • Coats (gently used or new)
  • Hats
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
Adult and children sizes are both needed.

“The wet and cold Northwest winters are incredibly harsh for those experiencing homelessness,” explains Jared King, Pastor, Missio Church. 
“This holiday season, we are gathering warm clothes for people that are often overlooked this time of year. Our goal is to revitalize the Northgate neighborhood by giving generously and joyfully to the people who need it most in our city. We want to be an example of loving our neighbors throughout the city.”

Missio Church will also hold a Christmas service on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 10am inside the Northgate Community Center which is open to the public. 10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle 98125

Learn more about this event HERE



Read more...

For the Birds: A Christmas Bird for Shoreline

Intergrade Northern Flicker, male—pretty enough to be on a Christmas tree
Photo by Charlotte Byers

By Christine Southwick

What to decide for a Christmas bird here in Shoreline… We don’t have Northern Cardinals, so I eliminate them. We don’t have Partridges; and the closest thing we have to doves is our native Band-tailed Pigeons.

Now, we do have calling birds — all winter long: chickadees, juncos, song sparrows, fox sparrows, Northern Flickers, Pileated Woodpeckers, plus Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Some people even have Varied Thrushes.

Showing white rump (diagnostic field mark of a flicker )
Photo by Elaine Chuang
I’ll go for the colorful Northern Flicker.

Its plumage is almost like a Christmas ornament with its delightful mix of black bib, black poke-a-dots on their chests and bellies; stripes (barring) on their backs, black tails (top side), and white rumps that clearly show as they fly away. 

IF it is a Red-shafted Northern Flicker, our most common subspecies, the undersides of their wings (and their tails) are a brilliant salmon color. 

And if it is a male Red-shafted Flicker, then it has a red moustache.

There are also Yellow-shafted Flickers in Washington, most of them higher in the mountains and further east. Every winter residents here may see birds that are part Red-shafted, part Yellow-shafted (since I haven’t seen a Yellow-shafted in my yard, I am assuming that the Reds go find the Yellows).

Pair showing their salmon-colored tails (Red-shafted)
Photo by Elaine Chuang
These Intergrade (same species, just subspecies, therefore not a Hybrid) will have coloring on the heads that is a combination of the marking of both subspecies.

If it is a male Yellow-shafted it will have a black moustache.

And both male and female yellow-shafted have a red spot on the back of their heads — red-shafted do not.) 

And most often the under-wing, under-tail are a yellowish-salmon color, although I have seen fully yellow undersides with the “mixed up” head coloring.

Learning from Dad
Photo by Elaine Chuang
Northern Flickers favorite meal is ants, so they will often be seen feeding on the ground. They nest in tree trunks, with the male being the main chiseler. Both parents feed and teach their young. 

It is common to see one of the parents take their youngsters to the suet feeder the parents use. 

They patiently teach each of the youngsters how to eat, and then how to get their own suet.

Flickers prefer open forests, especially pine, cottonwood and willow, so if you have a tree that might have a dead branch or two, keep the tree, prune or make it a snag, so that flickers and other woodpeckers can make nesting and roosting homes.



Read more...

Public Health comments on State Supreme Court ruling on I-27

Public Health Laboratory
in Shoreline
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that Initiative 27, which would have banned public funding for safe injection sites, was outside the scope of local initiative power.

In 2017, a group collected enough signatures to put the initiative on the ballot but were blocked by a judicial ruling. They appealed the decision. The courts just upheld the initial ban and the initiative will not be on the ballot. 

King county council is planning to site two clinics - one in Seattle and one in the county. Bellevue, Kent, and Federal Way have passed city ordinances to ban safe injection sites.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health – Seattle and King County said,

"In 2016, the 38-member Heroin and Prescription Opiate Task Force issued recommendations that included opening and evaluating sites to prevent fatal opioid overdoses, called Community Health Engagement Locations (CHEL’s). King County has $570,000 in currently held funds as well as up to $420,000 per year in unallocated funds to support a CHEL in Seattle.

"The Washington State Supreme Court today determined that Initiative 27 improperly interferes with the budgetary authority of the King County Council, allowing us to utilize the full range of evidence-based public health strategies to confront the opioid epidemic in King County.

"Our priority remains increasing access to low barrier medication-assisted treatment such as buprenorphine so that people can access treatment for opioid use disorder when they need it, where they need it. We have close to 90 buprenorphine providers and 7 methadone clinics in King County. Treatment access will continue to expand over the next year, including through our Public Health Downtown Needle Exchange and King County jail.

"We’re also preventing fatal overdoses by making life-saving naloxone kits available throughout the county. Over the past two years, we’ve distributed naloxone to law enforcement, treatment providers, community agencies and through Public Health Needle exchange sites. In 2018, we’ve distributed over 9,000 naloxone kits.

"And finally, we’ve made it easier to safely dispose of unused and expired medication – including prescription painkillers – by setting up over 100 Drop Boxes at participating pharmacies and law enforcement agencies throughout the county. We’ve just launched a program for people to find the nearest drop box. Text the word MEDS to 667-873. You’ll then enter your zip code for the nearest location."

Updated 12-9-18 to provide background information on the Initiative.

Read more...

LFP City Council Committee of the Whole meets Monday

City Hall, Lake Forest Park
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The Lake Forest Park City Council COW will meet on Monday, December 10, 2018 from 6 - 8pm in the Lake Forest room at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

Discussion Topics
  • Overview of Alternatives Analysis Results from DEIS 
  • Continue Code Amendments/Key Topics Discussion: 
    • Recommended open space provisions (public and private use) 
    • Preserving the Function of Third Place Commons (Indoor and Outdoor) 
    • Recommended setbacks and edge condition provisions 
    • Provisions related to Lyon Creek 
    • Environmental stewardship elements integrated into Code 
    • Tree preservation 
  • Delivery of Draft Town Center Design Standards and Guidelines document to COW 
  • Discuss Intent to Encourage Design Excellence and Creativity, High Quality Development


Read more...

Shoreline City Council to hold dinner meeting, reception, and regular meeting Monday

Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
It's a full slate for the Shoreline City Council on Monday, December 10, 2018.

It will begin with a dinner meeting at 5:15pm in Conference Room 303 with the representatives from the Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods.

Following at 6:15pm in the lobby is a reception for Deputy Mayor Jesse Salomon, who will be leaving the Council to serve as State Senator in Olympia, representing the 32nd Legislative District, which includes all of Shoreline.

At 7pm the Council will hold its regular meeting.

Some highlights

CONSENT AGENDA

7(d)Adopting Ordinance No. 849 – Interim Regulations Adding a New Section to SMC 20.30.420 Changes to Approved Subdivision to Address Plat Alterations Pursuant to RCW 58.17.215

ACTION ITEMS
  • Adopting Ordinance No. 845 – 2018 Comprehensive Plan Amendments
  • Adopting 2019 State Legislative Priorities
STUDY ITEMS
  • Discussing the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee Policy Position on the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force Five Year Action Plan
  • Discussing Ordinance No. 850 - Amending Development Code Sections 20.20, 20.30, 20.40, 20.50, 20.70, and 20.23 

Link to the Meeting Agenda
Download the entire packet



Read more...

Student art on display at Shoreline Center for PTA Reflections contest

Looking at the featured works are Kathie Schindler, on left,
Rebecca Miner, district superintendent, and Cindy Pridemore

Photos by Wayne Pridemore

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.



Young artists get involved through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are: Visual Arts Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.



Each year has a theme. The 2018-2019 Reflections theme is “Heroes Around Me”



The PTA Council accepts 20 total advancing entries per school. A panel chooses the entries which will be District winners. These are now on display in the Lobby of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE. The main entrance is in the center of the building, on 1st NE and is open to the public.

The District Reflections Reception will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 .


Read more...

Dangerous vs Difficult: Tools for responding with compassion and concern

Join NUHSA in Kenmore Tuesday for the last session in the Homelessness in Our Community series. 

Dangerous vs. Difficult: Useful Tools for Responding with Compassion and Concern

Dr. Kevin St. Jacques PsyD, LMHC, CCIS-III, CAMS-II will share how to assess and engage in a potential crisis situation with effective de-escalation techniques - and we will hear directly from two representatives of the Real Change Speakers Bureau about the challenges of being homeless.

Tuesday, December 11th, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Kenmore City Hall 18120 68th Ave. NE

Contact staff@nuhsa.org for more information.



Read more...

Shoreline named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community

Shoreline Councilmember Doris McConnell
The League of American Bicyclists recognized Shoreline with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award, joining 464 other bike friendly communities across the country.

With the announcement of 61 new and renewing BFCs today, Shoreline joins a leading group of communities in every state that are transforming the American landscape.

“We applaud these communities for making bicycling a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director at the League of American Bicyclists. 
“We are encouraged by the growing number of leaders who see bicycling as a way to build more vibrant, healthy, sustainable and connected communities and be a part of the solution to many complex challenges faced at both the community and national levels. We look forward to continuing to work with these communities as we move closer to our mission of creating a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.”

The BFC program helps communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability, and accessibility, while allowing them to benchmark progress toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. The Bronze BFC award recognizes Shoreline’s commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

“We are honored to receive this national recognition for our work at developing a bicycle network throughout Shoreline that is safe and convenient for all riders,” stated Shoreline Mayor Will Hall.

Since the Bicycle Friendly Community program’s inception over 20 years ago, more than 800 distinct communities have applied for recognition. The program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly Community for communities of all shapes and sizes. The rigorous application process is an educational tool in itself and includes an opportunity for local bicyclists to provide input on their experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community.

The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.



Read more...

Retirement party for Marilyn Yeider at Senior Center

Milner Family Fiddles will entertain
at retirement party December 20
Join us for a beautiful Holiday Luncheon in honor of Marilyn Yeider. 

We celebrate her dedication and service to the community and in particular, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center. 

Thursday, December 20, 2018, 11:45am - 1:00pm.
Suggested $4 for those 60+ and $10 under 60
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Ste 1, Shoreline 98155

Entertainment provided by: Milner Family Fiddlers and the Shoreline-LFP Kapuna Hula Group Dancers.



Read more...

Remembrance event for Sandy Hook

Volunteers with the Shoreline, Bothell/Mill Creek, and Edmonds local groups of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytownfor Gun Safety, will gather on Saturday, December 15, 2018 with community members for an event to honor the six-year mark of the Sandy Hook School shooting, which took the lives of 20 children and six educators.

The event is one of nearly 100 across the country commemorating the Sandy Hook six-year mark and asking lawmakers to act to prevent gun violence.

In the six years since Sandy Hook, Moms Demand Action volunteers, along with survivors of gun violence and other gun violence prevention advocates, have fought hard – and successfully – to change America’s lax gun laws, but much more must be done. Nearly 100 Americans are shot and killed every day, and hundreds more are wounded.

Volunteers with local groups in the Seattle area will hold an event honoring victims and survivors of gun violence in our communities.

The event will include a slideshow in remembrance of gun violence victims in our local communities. Survivors are invited to send photos of loved ones to be included in this tribute to this email

Organizers are asking for donations of non-perishable food items for the Hunger Intervention Program, whose leader was recently honored by NUHSA (see previous article).

Specified needs include: canned tuna and chicken, Tasty Bite entrée meal pouches, individual Jif peanut butter packets, and Amy’s low-sodium vegetarian soups.

Participants:

  • Volunteers with the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
  • Zach Elmore, member of the Everytown Survivor Network, whose sister survived the Route 91 Shooting in Las Vegas
  • Nyla Fritz, gun violence survivor and Einstein Middle School Principal
  • Ruquiyah Damrah, Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
  • Emma Johnson, Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
  • Clio Nyquist, student gun violence prevention activist
  • Shelley Kloba, State Representative, 1st Legislative District
  • Jennifer Gregerson, Mukilteo Mayor
  • Mike Nelson, Edmonds City Council President

The event will take place on Saturday, December 15, 2018, from 1:00 – 3:00pm at Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 1512 NW 195th St, Shoreline 98177.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.

Facebook or on Twitter at @MomsDemand



Read more...

Photos: Sunny day brings out shades of blue in Shoreline

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

It's crisp and cold out - but oh so beautiful. The blanket of cloud will probably be back soon but we can enjoy the sunny days in the meantime.

Speaking of blanket of clouds, look at this:

Both sides now
Photo by Jan Hansen

This was the sky last weekend. Jan Hansen took this on Sunday over the Shoreline Sea. I saw the leading edge of this cloud at the same time, over Lake Washington with pretty much the same view.

So most people in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park at that time had dark, gray skies with possibly only a glimpse of light.

It reminded me of how many times I've been surprised about how early it got dark, without even realizing it wasn't dark - I was just under a cloud cover. Of course it was a lot warmer than this week!

One more photo. My hardy Christmas cactus has been blooming since before Thanksgiving. It persists in spite of my under and overwatering. (No pictures - there are too many gardeners among the readers and the blossoms look pretty bad).

Photo by Diane Hettrick

This photo was taken yesterday. This rhodie is normally the last one to bloom - and it did bloom months ago. With the warm weather the last month it started blooming again. It had planned to keep going - see all the buds? But the cold weather the past two days made the blossoms start to shrivel.

I think it thought it was a Christmas cactus. It was pretty and cheerful while it lasted. 

DKH

 

Read more...

Dow Constantine - King county action to confront homelessness crisis

King County employees converting bunks in the vacant West Wing
of the correctional facility in downtown Seattle into single beds for emergency shelter.
Photo courtesy King County


King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a news article about emergency action being taken to confront the homelessness crisis in our region.

We are utilizing every available property, resource, and asset we have to confront the homelessness crisis in our region.

Here is a summary of recent actions:

  • We will open a temporary 24-hour enhanced shelter in the vacant West Wing of the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. The voluntary shelter will provide beds and 24-hour on-site services.
  • We will open a shelter in the vacant Harborview Hall on First Hill for 100 adults each night while we explore the possibility of providing 24-hour access and services in the future.
  • We purchased 20 units of modular dormitory-style housing that will help up to 160 adults make the transition from shelter to permanent housing. We will make on-site services available to help them succeed once they have a permanent place to live. We will locate the first six units of housing at a Metro-owned property in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle.
  • We will augment the 50-person overnight shelter located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Seattle to include a day center and expanded street outreach. It will provide people who are experiencing homelessness in the Pioneer Square neighborhood access to showers, case management, and connections to healthcare.

We created a new partnership with the City of Shoreline (the 198th St project) that will create permanent housing for 80 to 100 people using modern construction techniques that will make the housing available sooner.
 (see previous article)

This is in addition to the former Public Health clinic in White Center and a former Sheriff’s Office property in Kenmore that we converted into 24-hour enhanced shelter for families, both of which are operated by Mary’s Place.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to work with cities, businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropies to tackle the root causes of homelessness: the lack of affordable housing region-wide, inadequate access to behavioral health treatment, negative impacts on youth involved in the child-welfare system, prior criminal justice involvement impacting the ability to obtain housing and find employment, and education and employment gaps that make housing unattainable.

We will succeed by simultaneously providing emergency shelter to bring people in from the cold, helping more people transition to permanent housing at a faster rate, and preventing children, youth, and families from experiencing homelessness in the first place.

Dow Constantine
King County Executive



Read more...

SR 522/NE 145th Community Workshops Summary - available online

Sound Transit reports on the round of outreach for the SR 522/NE 145th Bus Rapid Transit Project
We appreciated getting to meet with so many of you and are now working to review your feedback to help us determine which project refinements to move forward into the next phase of the project. 

Here are some quick numbers that summarize this round of outreach:
  • Approximately 175 people attended the eight in-person public events held in Bothell, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Shoreline
  • Over 880 unique participants visited the online open house
  • 244 online surveys, 34 comment forms, and 126 comments on flip charts and sticky notes were submitted, in addition to feedback received during in-person events on project maps and through conversations with staff

Visit the project website to view a full summary of our September/October 2018 outreach process and the comments we received. Summaries of what people said and what Sound Transit heard start on page 8.

What's next?

We're using your feedback to help further clarify the potential project refinements, including parking locations, sidewalk locations, lane configurations, and more. Early in 2019, we'll hold another series of public meetings in Kenmore and Shoreline to hear your thoughts on these additional project details. Check your inbox for more information on dates, timing, and venues later this winter.

Background on the SR 522/NE 145th BRT Project

The SR 522/NE 145th BRT Project will provide fast, frequent and reliable bus-based transit service from north Lake Washington communities to the new Shoreline South/145th light rail station. Riders will be able to transfer between the SR 522/NE 145th BRT, I-405 BRT, Link light rail and other transit service provided by Sound Transit, Community Transit and King County Metro. Approved by the region's voters through the Sound Transit 3 plan, the representative project includes nine stations in the north Lake Washington area, with stops in Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Bothell.

For more information


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Very slight chance of the S word possible early Saturday morning


A scenario that always catches forecast models in the Puget Sound region off guard is happening early Saturday morning. When you have cold, dry air in place with an approaching storm front off of the Pacific such as we do tonight, an experienced forecaster will look at temperature and dew points.

If you have an air temperature of 35°F and a dew point of 25°F, and suddenly throw precipitation into that air mass, the evaporation of the precipitation into the dry air cools the air until it saturates. As the air saturates, the dew point temperature will increase, and the air temperature will decrease until the two temperatures are the same, typically landing about halfway in between.

Using the above numbers of 35°F and 25°F, the air mass would saturate down to an air temperature of about 30°F and instead of rain, you'd get snow. Often this is overlooked, especially when today's weather forecasts depend so heavily on computer models.

I did a quick check on my weather stations for the Echo Lake area and Richmond Beach area. Both stations have a low dew point, 29°F at Northridge (Echo Lake), 23°F at Richmond Beach, with air temperatures at 37-38°F. It is marginal, but we could get very near 32°F when the precipitation arrives at about 1-2am. I checked the radar and it does show areas where precipitation has already started near Olympia as rain and snow mixed.

Light rain could start as rain and snow mixed, or even snow in the early morning hours in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

I'm not expecting accumulation with this. At most it would be a show of wintery weather for the few that might be awake in the early hours of the morning. The storm front moving through is weak, but expected to warm us up slowly into the low-mid 40's tomorrow mid morning and afternoon.

Bottom line: Maybe some snow or rain and snow mixed overnight, all light rain by late morning. No accumulations expected. We have a stronger, all-rain storm moving in Sunday as well. I'll have more on the forecast late Saturday night.




Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Fur tree



Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter can be found under Features 
in the first column of the front page of the Shoreline Area News




Read more...

Brugger's Bog work party Sunday

Brugger's Bog
Photo by Hannah King-Juhnke
Work party at Bruggers Bog this Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 10am. 

Dress for the weather and bring your water bottle for a fun day restoring native habitat in your city's very own Bog, Bruggers Bog!

Refreshments, snacks, and tools provided!

No skills required, this is a fun day of gathering and land stewardship amongst knowledgeable native plant Stewards who are eager to share with the community their habitat know-how.

The Bog is in the Ballinger neighborhood, on 25th NE, just off Ballinger Way.

Bring a friend and see you at the Bog!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE! This work party starts at 10am instead of the usual 9am.



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP