Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag - special Nordic Youth Concert March 3 at Phinney Community Center

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Smile, have fun, and keep your bow moving!
Photo by Martin Ng


Sunday, March 3, 2019, 4pm, hear the Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag in concert at the Phinney Community Center Concert Hall (in lower brick building). Doors open 30 minutes before the show.
6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle 98103.

Come out and hear this amazing Seattle-based group of young musicians who are carrying forward the Nordic folk music tradition!

This concert is co-sponsored by Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag and Seattle Folklore Society.

The group was started more than 50 years ago by Gordon Tracie and is the only surviving group of its kind in the United States. Last year they celebrated ten years under the leadership of Martha Levenson, who was awarded the prestigious Award of Merit by the Swedish Council of America in April 2016 for her work with this children’s group. 

Tickets are $15 / $12 in advance on Brown Paper Tickets with no service charge; or call 800-838-3006. Email for more information: seattlelillalag@gmail.com

Photo by Jason Bloom
The Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag, currently made up talented young musicians ages 8 – 15, is in demand around the Pacific Northwest and stays busy with ten shows a year, including playing for dances, at festivals, pancake breakfasts, Syttende Mai celebrations and parades, and even touring in Sweden and Denmark! The next tour is tentatively planned for Norway in 2021.

They play great, energetic, rhythmic, beautifully styled folk music meant for dance. This group teaches youth a living tradition, the music from the Nordic countries of Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

The music is taught in a cultural context linked to history, dance, a way of life, and to the current folk music scene. All of the music, including harmonies, is learned the traditional way, by ear.

Interested families are encouraged to contact the group to arrange a visit. New members start every September.

In 2015, the group released its first CD, LIVE! which will be for sale at the show for $15. Please bring cash or checks to purchase your own copy! (No credit card sales).

All monies raised at this concert from ticket sales, CD sales and refreshments, will go toward providing scholarships for participants, support travel, and provide resources to work with visiting artists. Refreshments are being donated by SkĂĄl, Ballard's only Viking pub.

The group is a registered 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible.



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Blake Snell accepts Cy Young award

Blake Snell holding his Cy Young award
Shoreline native and Shorewood baseball star Blake Snell accepted the prestigious 2018 American League Cy Young award at the New York Baseball Writers’ Association annual awards banquet in New York City on January 27, 2019.

Blake, who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida, thanked the writers and coaching staff in his remarks.

The BBWAA honored outstanding performances from the 2018 season. In addition to the Cy Young, they gave awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year.

Awards are based on ballots cast by two baseball writers in each league city.

The Cy Young is given to the best pitcher in the league for the year. Previous winners include Mariners' Felix Hernandez (2010) and Randy Johnson (1995).




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Job Fair: Shoreline Public Schools

Friday, February 1, 2019


Are you interested in working for one of the highest rated school districts in Washington? 

Shoreline Public Schools will be hosting a career fair for teachers and certificated staff on Saturday, March 2 from 9am-1pm at Shorewood High School, 17300 Fremont Ave N.

Representatives from each school and support program will be on hand to share information and answer questions about about Shoreline Schools. There will also be short, 15 minute screening interviews held during the event.

Find more information and register HERE



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Tryout for the Spartan Basketball program


Try out for the Spartan Basketball program, February 10 - 15 at Spartan Recreation Center and Shoreline Sports Foundation's Gym.

Spartan Basketball is a competitive AAU program for local girls and boys in 3rd - 8th grade. Players are invited onto teams that prioritize player development, competitive excellence, positive coaching and building community through free Enrichment Events throughout the year.

Register here



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Vision House in final push to finish new apartment building for homeless families

The new building rises next to the original building


Photos by Mike Remarcke

Vision House first broke ground in 2010 for Jacob's Well in Shoreline's Ballinger neighborhood to create housing for homeless families.

Attendees toured a finished apartment in the original building


The first families moved into the 12 unit building in 2014. With the help of 3000 individuals, 200 businesses, 70 churches, 30 community groups, and 20 foundations, the building, community center, counseling offices, and certified child care center were completed debt-free.

New building under construction


Now they are more than half-way through a second building, which will add an additional 10 apartments, an expanded child care center for babies to age 5, and a community center.

Tables were set up inside the community center


On Sunday, January 27, 2019 they held a Kick-Off Celebration and Fundraiser for the partners and donors, to kick off the final push to raise $900,000 to complete the project.

Churches, businesses and volunteers who helped with the first building were honored.

Attendees toured the building under construction


Attendees toured the building under construction and an apartment and the community center in the first building. 

Vision House Executive Director Melissa Gehrig
talked about ways to be involved with the project


Melissa Gehrig, Vision House Executive Director, talked about ways to get involved, such as Adopt-a-Room to help furnish the apartments, as well as financial support to help raise the final $900,000 to finish the building.

Lunch provided by Campbell Auto Group


A BBQ lunch was provided by Campbell Auto Group. Kurt Campbell was the impetus for the entire project. (See previous article)

110 people attended the event and donated over $23,000 on the spot! Development Coordinator Mary Burton said that "Some people took the information home, so we expect more donations will be coming in." 

Kurt Campbell was the start of the whole project


Vision House is a non-profit providing transitional housing, child care and support services for families experiencing homelessness to assist them in rebuilding their lives and achieving self-sufficiency. In 2018, of the families that moved on from Vision House, 96% transitioned successfully to permanent housing.

The agency owns and operates 36 units of housing and two child care facilities in Shoreline and Renton. When the second building in Shoreline is complete, Vision House will have a total of 46 apartments for homeless families.

If you wish to donate or volunteer there is information on the website.



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Photo: Tommy counts his feathers

Green-winged Teal on Lake Washington last week Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler


Tommy periodically counts his feathers, just to be on the safe side...



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Children's Village Child Care has openings for before and after school care


Children's Village Child Care 19610 20th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155 has openings for its before and after school program. It serves Briarcrest, Brookside, Lake Forest Park, and Ridgecrest elementary schools, transporting the children to and from school.

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Maribel 206-582-3565 or James


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In-person voter registration deadline Monday for February Special Election

Citizens who want to vote in the February 12 special election have until Monday, February 4 to register in person. 

Eligible voters can register in person from 8:30am to 4:30pm at King County Elections or at the Elections Annex in downtown Seattle.

King County Elections mailed special election ballots to registered voters on January 23.

To be eligible to register to vote, you must be:
  • A citizen of the United States
  • A legal resident of Washington state
  • At least 18 years old by election day 
  • Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections
  • Not disqualified from voting due to a court order

Voters can visit the Elections website or contact the Elections office for assistance and information.



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Value Pet Clinic evolves into Shoreline Central Animal Hospital


Dr. John Paulson is the new partner and full time veterinarian of Value Pet Clinic in Shoreline.

Over the past 20 years as a veterinarian he built a very successful practice in Silverdale, Washington, with an interest in orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, and preventive care.

I am delighted to bring this experience and high level of client service to Shoreline and look forward to earning your trust in providing individualized and compassionate care for your cherished pets. As your veterinarian I am committed to always working hard for good outcomes and providing honest medical explanation.

The clinic is evolving into a full-service neighborhood veterinary practice and the name will become Shoreline Central Animal Hospital.

But rest assured! Despite the name change, our hospital will continue to deliver the same quality of medical care and economic VALUE you have grown accustomed to.

In 2019 services will be expanded to improve the delivery of high quality veterinary care.
  • Full range of soft tissue and orthopedic surgery
  • Appointments and prompt care services
  • Expanded diagnostic capabilities
  • Home euthanasia services

Dr. Paulson says, Thank you again for entrusting us with the care of your cherished pets and look forward to meeting you in person. I hope you will give us the opportunity to earn or re-earn your trust.

The clinic is located in Shoreline Place (Aurora Square) on the lower level in the building closest to Aurora. 15915 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133



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65 Brookside residents attend meeting about proposed changes at Town Center

Brookside Town Center Open House meeting
Photo by Bart Shilvock


By Donna Hawkey

Residents of the Brookside neighborhood in Lake Forest Park organized a Town Center Open House on the evening of January 30, 2019 at Brookside elementary school. Organizers set up stations with different topics related to Town Center and invited participants to talk to others interested in that topic.

Participants then gathered for a general discussion.

About 65 people attended. They gathered to share information and build support against what they see as an immense housing development allowed for in the current version of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Three alternative scenarios are spelled out in the DEIS. One, which is required, is for no action. The second calls for varied heights up to 75 feet. The third scenario is for uniform heights with structures up to 85 feet tall and potential housing for as many as 1,500 new residents within Town Center.

Residents expressed shock at the number of housing units as well as the building heights.

There are no specific proposals or plans at this point, but residents have different understandings and concerns about the terms of the DEIS and the process to create it.

The DEIS assumes a 15-25 year multi-phase time frame, but some residents fear that if circumstances change, such as if the property is sold to a new owner, that time-frame could be expedited.

Most of those attending the meeting live close to Town Center. They are concerned about what will be built next to them and about the lack of time to understand the issues and make comments to the City.

The public commenting period for the DEIS ends Friday, February 1st at midnight.

These residents would like an extension of this deadline to re-evaluate the process as they don’t feel the DEIS represents the community’s stated visions and values.

The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation has expressed similar concerns.

Much of the process has been driven by deadlines imposed on the City by Sound Transit, which is trying to implement its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) through Lake Forest Park. LFP needs to site a parking garage in Town Center to serve the BRT.

Recently, Sound Transit pushed their plans back in LFP for one year.

Most of those in attendance seemed to agree that a future possible Town Center redevelopment plan is a welcome idea to increase vitality, diversity, and density in Lake Forest Park. However, they want restrictions that help maintain its current sense of community and beautiful natural surroundings.

A statement submitted by LFP resident Ray Skjelbred, seemed to sum up the feelings of many. “Lake Forest Park is not a suburb. It is a little city that represents an idea of how to embrace and coexist with the natural world, and today it is an endangered species.”

Former LFP Councilmember Jack Tonkin attended the meeting, but instead of any zoning changes, Jack suggests increasing population by loosening regulations of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) so that they can be rented and bring in income to help offset other living cost increases for residents. He likes the idea that the City creates incentives for residents to build additional ADU type housing.

Councilmember Mark Phillips was the only council member at the meeting. He joined in and helped answer questions as best he could. 

He said the City Council has “no specific plans or preconceived notions for any development. The DEIS is the beginning of a long process with various other opportunities for residents to input."

Citizens questioned why these new density levels are so much higher than the required 2035 Growth Management Act (GMA). In the City’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan, only 551 new housing units are stated. The DEIS speaks to 1,500 new housing units, seemingly a large number for a small city like LFP to absorb.

Census bureau data shows that the rate of growth throughout King County has seen a 2.5 percent increase in population just from July 2016 through July 2017. Since 2010 that also represents a nearly 19 percent growth rate.

One long-time resident, who is also an environmental lawyer, sent a letter to Stephen Bennett, Director of City Planning which states, “the DEIS is inadequate, incomplete, and misleading about key issues, impacts and features. The alternatives, the hearts of the DEIS, are skewed toward dramatic increases in density and traffic, and away from the community’s values and needs.”

Even though this is a non-project, and the DEIS states an assumed multi-phased time frame of 15-25 years or more, once it becomes the final EIS, it becomes City code.

Another resident stated that “City Council seems tone-deaf and submissive. What they direct in the Final EIS is translated into code. From the code, a developer could build out the Town Center to over-maximum capacity at any time.”

To help with education, the Lake Forest Park Stewardship recently provided this definition of a DEIS:

“DEIS is the acronym for Draft Environmental Impact Statement. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain actions ‘significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.’ 
"An EIS is a tool for decision making. It should describe the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action, it should compare impacts of alternatives as well as plans to mitigate the impacts. To ‘mitigate’ means to lessen or remove negative impacts.”

The deadline for residents to comment on the DEIS is by February 1st midnight. Send any written comments to this address steve@cityoflfp.com

Here is a copy of the DEIS

--Donna Hawkey can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.net


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Jobs: Transportation Technical Engineer

WSDOT Assistant Local Programs Engineer - Transportation Technical Engineer

Opening Date: 1/31/2019
Closing Date: Open until filled

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking an Assistant Local Programs Engineer located at the Northwest Region (NWR) Local Programs Office in Shoreline, Washington. Through WSDOT's Stewardship Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this position is responsible for managing federal and state grant transportation programs by directing, guiding, and representing cities, counties, transit organizations, port districts, tribal nations, and other agencies in the Northwest Region.

The Assistant Local Programs Engineer will manage activities to coordinate, review, process, and fund transportation and transit improvement and operations in approximately 50 municipalities, MPO’s and RTPO’s, tribal nations, port districts, and other agencies. As a technical program specialist, the Assistant Local Programs Engineer uses independent judgement for decision-making and problem solving to provide direction, guidance, and support to various agencies during preliminary design, environmental, right-of-way, and construction of transportation improvements to ensure the agencies meet all required technical, legal, and procedural requirements. The Assistant Local Programs Engineer will also act on behalf of the Local Programs Engineer in their absence.

The first resume review will take place on February 15, 2019. To view the entire announcement and apply, please visit: Assistant Local Programs Engineer




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Celebrate Chinese New Year with Meridian Park Neighborhood Association



Come celebrate Chinese New Year with a potluck on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 6 - 8pm in Room 303 at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N.

Please bring a dish to share.

Red clothing - for good luck - is encouraged but not required.

Sponsored by the Meridian Park Neighborhood Association.


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New public transportation options for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park

Community Van
In 2017, Metro’s Community Connections Program embarked on a project to understand the transportation needs of people who live, work, or go to school in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Input centered on needs for flexible evening service to connect people to locations around the community and easier transportation options for those traveling off the existing fixed-route network.

Input also indicated that solutions should be easy to recognize as Metro services, offered at a similar price point to existing services, and maintain availability even as personal schedules change.

Community Ride
In collaboration with a working group comprised of stakeholders from the City of Shoreline, City of Lake Forest Park and Shoreline Community College, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride and Community Van were the chosen solutions.

The Community Ride service is offered by King County Metro and operated under contract by Hopelink Transportation. 

Community Van is also offered by King County Metro, and the Community Transportation Coordinator role will operate under contract by Hopelink Mobility Management.

“The launch of Community Ride and Community Van programs serving Shoreline and Lake Forest Park is an exciting step in improving access to transit,” said Council Chair Rod Dembowski.  
“Many folks in our community are unable to use our existing fixed route service, and these new options take advantage of technology and flexible scheduling to expand their transportation choices  
"King County Metro is consistently implementing new strategies to meet customer needs, and I am excited to see how these services help to get people where they need to go when traditional bus service isn’t available to them.”


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Community Ride: Metro launches on-demand evening shuttle for Lake Forest Park and north central Shoreline

Community Ride for LFP and most of Shoreline
launches February 5, 2019
The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride service launches February 5, 2019 in Lake Forest Park and the eastern portion of Shoreline, including Shoreline Community College.

It will provide on-demand, evening transportation service within the area.

The Community Ride service travels within a specified area instead of traveling along a fixed route with a set schedule.

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park’s service differs from existing Community Ride services in that it is app-enabled and on demand. Advanced reservations are not required, nor available.

Service map for Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Ride;
open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school within the territory

The new service will operate in the evenings only and allow residents to easily connect to local points of interest as well as transportation hubs. 

In 2014, Shoreline’s bus route 331 ceased its evening operation due to low ridership at the time. 

Community Ride will address the resulting gap in service past 6pm.

How to use Community Ride
  • Book trips on-demand using the Community Ride app anywhere throughout the service area. Starting Tuesday, February 5, download the Community Ride app by visiting the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play store (Android) and searching “Community Ride.”
  • Riders without access to a smartphone or data plan may book rides by phone at 1-855-233-1880.
  • Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday 6pm to 11pm and Sunday 6pm to 10pm.
  • All Community Ride vehicles are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks.
  • All standard Metro fares and payment methods apply, including ORCA, cash, paper transfers and mobile ticketing.

Metro has also launched a 24/7 reservation-based, group trip transportation option called Community Van. See article.



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Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Van provides residents with a 24/7 reservation-based, group trip transportation option

Community van service is available to Shoreline and LFP residents 24/7
and is reserved in advance for 2 - 12 people

The new Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Community Van can provide group trips 24/7 and is reserved in advance.
 
Group trip requests are made through a local Community Transportation Coordinator. This local, paid representative then finds a volunteer driver to fulfill the trip request and makes the transportation opportunity public to the community at large. The minimum group size is two riders plus a driver.

The Community Van service is available to any resident of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park. The service area is flexible; reserved trips must simply originate within the boundaries of the cities of Shoreline or Lake Forest Park.

This person-to-person booking approach has been successfully implemented by Metro in partnership with other communities such as Bothell-Woodinville, Vashon, and Duvall.

How to use Community Van
  • Preschedule a Community Van trip by contacting Shoreline-Lake Forest Park’s Community Transportation Coordinator, Bree Boyce, at Communityvan@Hopelink.org.
  • Make a new trip request at least 48 hours in advance of your desired trip. Riders wishing to join existing scheduled trips may join same day by contacting the CTC. 
  • Community Van is eligible for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Community Van has 12 passenger or 6 passenger vans available, depending on group size. ADA-equipped vans are available upon request.
  • All monthly ORCA passes, including transfers, are accepted along with mobile tickets via the Transit GO app. Drivers are unable to accept cash payment.

Metro has also launched an evening shuttle service for Lake Forest Park and north central Shoreline called Community Ride. See the article.



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Photos: Tonight's sunset was spectacular from all angles

Thursday, January 31, 2019

North City viewpoint
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Wednesday night's sunset was spectacular no matter where you live. I turned from 15th NE in the North City Business District, on to NE 180th just in time to get a view of the snow-capped Olympics back-lit by brilliant pink skies. It was stunning.

When west Shoreline gets skies of fire, central Shoreline has every shade of bright pink.


Innis Arden view
Photo by Mary Igl


West side Shoreliners know that the colors constantly shift. The light changes, the clouds move and everything seems different from moment to moment. It's not something you get tired of.

Innis Arden view
Photo by Mary Igl

As the sun goes down, the colors got more intense, turning the clouds black and the sky fire red.

Edmonds view
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Even a few miles up the sound, the clouds are different.

Last of the light in Kenmore
Photo courtesy Northshore Fire Department


The last shot was taken from the fire department training tower in Kenmore. The last of the light shows the reddish orange to the south and the pink behind the grey and black clouds to the north.

 Spectacular no matter where you were.



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AG Ferguson updates student loan survival guide

Download the Survival Guide
AG-requested Student Loan Advocate now available to help borrowers

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today released an updated Student Loan Survival Guide, which provides tips and resources for those impacted by student loans, including high school students thinking about taking out student loans, former college students making repayments and parents who cosigned loans.

Among updates to the guide is information about the new Student Loan Advocate at the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), a position created by AG-request legislation last year.

The advocate is now available to help student loan borrowers understand the terms of their loans and options available to them, such as loan forgiveness and deferment.

Students can contact the advocate directly by calling (833) 881-0397, sending an email to LoanAdvocate@wsac.wa.gov or visiting the website.

More information on the office’s student loan work is available here.


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In The Garden Now…..Red Hellebore ‘Ice N Roses’

‘Ice N’ Roses Red’ Lenten Rose
Text and photo 
by Victoria Gilleland 

About this time of year we’re all starved for garden color. On a recent trip to Sky Nursery I discovered a wonderful display of blooming hellebores.

While many were quite beguiling, the one that beckoned to me was a dark maroon variety named ‘Red.’ 

This little beauty is said to be an unusually long bloomer, flowering from early winter into spring. 

Of course bloom time is dependent on weather and growing conditions in a particular garden.

‘Red’ holds forward facing or slightly up-tilted flowers on stems 12 to 16 inches tall. This is an improvement over many hellebores that have downward facing or nodding flowers that are difficult to see in the garden

Placement of hellebores in the garden is important. They bloom in the coldest months when we are least likely to be in the garden. So they won’t be missed, plants are often placed near paths and entries where people walk. Alternatively they might go into a container or garden bed that can easily be seen from a house window. The photo above was taken with the plant positioned against a large blue pot which provides a wonderful contrasting background for the dark blossoms.

Since our Northwest soils tend to be acidic and hellebores like neutral to alkaline soil it’s a good idea to apply garden lime yearly to keep hellebores happy and healthy. As with other hellebores, old and damaged leaves can be cut to keep plants looking neat and clean. They can be grown in shade to sun, are drought resistant, deer resistant and available for pollinators in the coldest months of the year.

All parts of the plant are poisonous so keep pets and children away from them.

Take a look around your place and see where you might find a spot for one of these winter charmers. If you aren’t a fan of red or maroon, hellebores are available in an array of colors including white, ivory, pink, purple, chartreuse and multi colored blossoms. There’s probably one that you would love to have in your garden!

(Botanical Name: Helleborus x glandorfensis The Helleborus Gold Collection Ice ‘N Roses Series “Red”)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 25 years.


She can be reached at vjgilleland@yahoo.com



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Monday's Shoreline City Council meeting will study Fircrest Master Plan



The agenda for Monday’s February 1, 2019 Shoreline City Council meeting includes two Study Items. 

(a) Discussing Fircrest Master Plan and Underutilized Property Land Use Options.

Staff is bringing this item to Council to better understand the Council’s preference for the City’s participation in discussions and actions that could lead to land uses, zoning, and/or development of underutilized property at the Fircrest Campus.

The State is interested in maximizing the number of affordable housing units that could be built. City staff has continued to advocate for mixed-market housing, which is reflective of the City’s adopted housing policies. There are various options on how the City can work with the State to address the State’s interests in repurposing portions of the Fircrest Campus.

The location of the Governor’s requested BHFs (Behavioral Health Facility) has not yet been decided but, DSHS expects that the Fircrest Campus could be considered. 

DSHS indicated that if the Fircrest Campus is considered, then DSHS would anticipate that the focus would be on Area 5 (Attachment E) of the Fircrest Campus for either a 16-bed or 48-bed facility. The south-west corner would be the only area on the campus to support a 150-bed facility.

A BHF is a state-owned and state-run community-based mental health facility providing services for clients that currently are (or would theoretically be in the future) served by Western and Eastern State Mental Health Hospitals (Hospitals). The Governor’s proposal would reduce clients in the Hospitals that are civil in nature, leaving the “forensic” cases coming from the criminal justice system and the more complex civil cases at the Hospitals.

Staff report HERE

(b) Discussing the 2019 Federal Legislative Priorities

For 2019, staff proposes a continued focus on funding and support for investments in the NE 145th Street Corridor and the associated I-5 Interchange. This supports our goals for the 145th Corridor, the interchange replacement, a pedestrian overpass serving the light rail station and redevelopment of the station area for housing and economic development.

Comments above are taken from the staff reports available online.



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WeatherWatcher: Snowy weather looms, and rain returns

Dusting of the white stuff in Shoreline, December 6, 2009.
Photo by Carl Dinse


Rain is expected to return by Thursday evening, going into the late night hours. With high temperatures Thursday in the low-mid 50's and lows down to the mid 40's, this is going to be a warm day for this time of year. Friday rain is expected to continue, with up to a half inch of rainfall possible and highs near 50°F.

Friday evening the rain breaks off into showers, and that pattern will extend through Sunday. Highs in the upper 40's for the weekend, lows in the upper 30's.

Now to discuss this looming weather, and how it's setting up. That "Polar Vortex" in the midwest is expected to retreat north later this week. Once the Polar Vortex has retreated, it is expected to redevelop over British Columbia over the weekend in a slightly less intense form.

Sunday night this new mass of arctic air slides south over Washington and Oregon. We will not see the severe cold temperatures the midwest saw Wednesday due to our elevation near sea level and our proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

Temperatures Sunday night are expected to dive into the low 30's or upper 20's after midnight, with rain showers turning over to snow showers. Snow showers are in fact possible Monday through Wednesday morning. We are possibly looking at breezy north winds as well during this cold period.

Models for snow this far out are not very good at forecasting accumulations. Right now, and this has been changing a lot, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park could see a dusting to a trace. Places north of Lynnwood appear to expect more snow.

Though the accumulations are inconsistent in the forecast models, the general idea has been consistent for the first time this winter season. We likely will get cold, and should have snow showers in the region. Some models suggest we could see a low temperature in the low 20's or upper teens Tuesday morning, but I'm going to lean towards mid-upper 20's for now.

I will provide updates as we get closer to the weekend when we might have a better idea of where the snow will fall and how much of it will fall.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



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Everett Film Festival Friday and Saturday Feb 15-16


The Everett Film Festival is proud to announce an exceptional lineup for its 2019 event, which will take place Friday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave.

Highlights include speeches by two filmmakers/ representatives, an appearance by a guide-dog trainer with a puppy, and the screening of an Academy Award-winning short on an undocumented 15-year-old girl with a hard life and amazing artistic talent.

Featured films with presenters are as follows:

Friday: 

  • Pick of the Litter. Rebecca Minelga from Puppy Guides of Snohomish County will bring a puppy in training and discuss her experiences while training one of the dogs featured in this heartwarming documentary.

Saturday:

  • Return of the River by Jessica Plumb. A fascinating documentary about the largest dam removal project in U.S. history and the effort involved in making it happen. Jessica is sending a video to update the audience on the Elwha River since the dam removal.
  • Intersection by Nicole McMurray, local filmmaker. A narrative short about a conflicted young woman as she waits to cross the street. Nicole will be on hand with her film crew. Filming took place at Everett intersections.
  • Take My Nose…Please by Joan Kron. A first film, made when the filmmaker was 89 years old, about cosmetic surgery. Often humorous and at times poignant, it includes interviews and commentary by several well-known female comedians as they contemplate “getting work done.” Joan is flying in from New York to speak to our audience about her film and may discuss her next project.

The festivities will kick off with an opening-night reception catered by Lombardi’s from 6-7pm Friday, followed by the screening of two captivating short films, plus Pick of the Litter. Doors open at 5:30pm, and the screenings end at 9pm.

Saturday will be a full day, with doors opening at 12:30pm and seven screenings beginning at 1pm. At 4:30pm, the intermission will feature Sips and Snacks — a complementary selection of tasty treats from Everett eateries.

The nonprofit Everett Film Festival has been engaging local film-lovers with quality international films since 1997.



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Lake Forest Park ranks in top 15 safest cities in the State

Safest Cities in Washington 2019


From LFP Police Chief Steve Sutton


As some of you may know, the Police Department’s Vision is to ensure the City of Lake Forest Park is one of the safest cities in the Puget Sound Region, achieved through the delivery of quality law enforcement services. 

Once again, the National Council for Home Safety and Security has Lake Forest Park ranked in the top 15 in the State of Washington -- not just in the Puget Sound Region -- and third in King County behind Snoqualmie and Enumclaw. That is simply amazing given the demographics and the rankings of our neighboring cities.

Here are a couple of quick facts from our 2018 annual report (to be published in a couple of weeks):
  • There were 39 residential burglaries in 2018, down from 50 in 2017 and from 97 in 2014
  • There were 3,014 proactive traffic stops even with our staffing issues, which is over 300 more than our seven year average of 2,700
  • Officers conducted 1,361 proactive neighborhood patrols, which is again over 300 more than our five year average of 1,034

The Police Department’s annual operations plan has been the key to our success outlining specific performance measures, intense community outreach activities, and coordinated partnerships that has led to our success.

If you would like to find out more about specific objectives in our plan, check it out on our webpage.



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The American Legion marks its 100th Anniversary

The cake served at the January 8, 2019 meeting of Post 227
Photo by Jerry Pickard


By Carroll Goering and Jerry Pickard

At 11:00am on Monday, November 11, 1918, the guns fell silent to fulfill the agreement that had been signed earlier at Compiegne, France. The Great War, at it was called at the time, was finally over. The Allies, including the American Expeditionary Force led by General Pershing, had defeated the aggressor, Germany.

It was hoped at the time that it would be “the war to end all wars”, but that hope was dashed two decades later when Germany again attacked her European neighbors. The European neighbors, joined by the Americans, fought Germany again in what became WWII. The original Great War then became known at WWI.

From March 15 to 17, 1919, members of the American Expeditionary Force convened in Paris for the first American Legion caucus. They met again from May 8 to 10, 1919, and adopted “The American Legion” as the official name of a new organization. A draft preamble and constitution were approved. Meeting on June 9, the National Executive Committee adopted the Legion emblem.

On September 16, 1919, The US Congress chartered The American Legion. From November 10 to 12, 1919, the first American Legion convention was held in Minneapolis. The delegates approved the preamble and constitution. They also voted, 361 to 323, to place the national headquarters of The American Legion in Indianapolis. Indianapolis was chosen over Washington, DC. Finally, the delegates approved a resolution in support of the Boy Scouts of America, support that has continued to the present time.

During its first century of existence, The American Legion worked tirelessly to secure improved benefits for military veterans and created numerous programs to help local communities, especially the youth of those communities. The Legion has accumulated a long list of accomplishments. There are too many to recount in this story but the most important of them can be seen at The American Legion Post 227 website

Today, the American Legion has over 2.4 million members in more than 14,000 posts world wide. The posts are organized into 55 departments, one each for the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. Within each state department are geographic Areas, Districts and local Posts.

The Department of Washington, with 23,599 members, contains 4 Areas, 12 Districts and 160 local Posts. Legion members belong to Posts, Post Commanders report to District Commanders, District Commanders report to Area Commanders, Area Commanders report to Department Commanders and Department Commanders report to the National Commander.

Dept. of Washington Commander Roach speaking at the January 9, 2019 meeting of Post 227.
Photo by Jerry Pickard


Starr Sutherland, Jr. Post 227 is The American Legion local post in Shoreline. The Post building is located at 14521 17th Avenue NE. The post was chartered March, 1948 and was named for First Lt. Starr Sutherland, Jr., who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII and is buried in Luxembourg Cemetery. Starr graduated from Lincoln High School in the Wallingford area and enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943, with the war underway, he left the University of Washington to join the Army.

Post 227, along with 12 other Posts, is in District 11 and Area 1 of the Department of Washington. Post 227 meets the first Tuesday evening of each month at the Post building. Post 227 interacts with the local communities in various ways, including sponsoring boys to attend Boys State, hosting pancake breakfasts and a summer BBQ, awarding a Life Changer Award annually to a community member who makes life better for others, and inviting all veterans and visitors to attend Post meetings, which usually feature a speaker discussing some aspect of military life or history.

Most American Legion Posts have a women’s Auxiliary where wives of veterans meet and conduct programs in support of the local Post. Post 227 has a woman’s Auxiliary that was chartered about the same time, March, 1948, that Post 227 was chartered. The Post 227 Auxiliary raises funds in various ways, including distributing poppies each spring in exchange for donations and conducting rummage sales.

The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion began at the 2018 national convention that was held at Minneapolis, Minnesota, the site of the first American Legion convention.

Local posts, including Post 227, also celebrated the centennial. At their monthly meeting on January 8, 2019 Post 227 invited Department of Washington Commander Gary Roach to speak. Roach spoke about the American Legion and plans for celebrating the 100th Anniversary.

After the Commander’s talk, those in attendance had cake and ice cream. The cake was adorned with 10 candles, one for each decade of the Legion’s existence. As the candles were blown out, the attendees sang “happy anniversary” for the Legion.

The centennial year will conclude at the 2019 American Legion national convention, to be held August 23-29 at Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the American Legion national headquarters.



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Photo: Shy

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler


The photo could just as easily have been called "Reflections of a headless duck" but "Shy" will do just as well.

I don't know how Gloria is able to get all these incredible shots but I am very happy that she is willing to share them with us!

DKH



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Council appoints Betsy Robertson to Council Position #6; Selects Doris McConnell as Deputy Mayor

Betsy Robertson
Shoreline City Council
After reviewing fifty-three applications and interviewing six applicants, the Shoreline City Council appointed Betsy Robertson to Council Position #6 on January 28. 

Robertson was sworn into office immediately following the appointment. Robertson’s appointment will expire upon the certification of the 2019 general election results in November 2019, as the position will subsequently be filled in the 2019 election cycle. 

Robertson fills the position vacated by former Deputy Mayor Jesse Salomon who resigned from his City Council position after being elected in November 2019 to represent the 32nd District in the Washington State Senate.

Councilmember Robertson has been a resident of Shoreline for twelve years. She received a bachelor in arts in communications from the University of Washington.

Robertson has spent much of her career in local television broadcasting, including seven years as the Director of Communications and Marketing at KING 5. She is currently the Communications Program Manager for the American Red Cross Northwest Region.

Robertson has been a member of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services/Tree Board since 2013 and is an active member of the Ridgecrest Elementary School PTA.

Doris McConnell
Shoreline Deputy Mayor
Following the swearing in of Councilmember Robertson, Council selected Councilmember Doris McConnell as Deputy Mayor. She will serve until January 2020. Deputy Mayor McConnell was first elected to the City Council in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011 and 2015. Her current term expires December 31, 2019.

McConnell has been part of the Shoreline community for over 24 years. She received her bachelors of science degree in psychology from Washington State University.

She served for many years on the Shoreline PTA Council in a variety of capacities including president, secretary, treasurer and vice president at both the individual school and district level. McConnell has also served on numerous Shoreline School District advisory boards and is an active Richmond Beach Community Association volunteer.

As a City Councilmember, she has served and continues to serve locally on the Regional Water Quality Committee, Domestic Violence Initiative and Seashore Transportation Forum as well as nationally on the Human Development Steering Committee and on the APAMO (Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials) board.



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Wintergrass Preview 2019 at Edmonds Library

Wintergrass preview at Edmonds Library
The Edmonds Arts Commission and Edmonds Sno-Isle Library present Wintergrass Preview 2019, part of the Music at the Library series, with the Cascade Mountain Boys, Saturday February 9, 2 – 4:30pm in the Plaza Room, above the Library at 650 Main Street, Edmonds.

Featuring hot pickin’ and three-part harmony, the Cascade Mountain Boys, with Mike Faast on guitar and vocals, will perform traditional Bluegrass music followed by a jam. Bring an acoustic instrument and stay to jam with members of the band or just stay and listen.

Learn about music related resources at the library. Information will also be available about Wintergrass 2019 and enter to win a day pass with a Sno-Isle Library card.

Wintergrass is a family-friendly acoustic music festival held in Bellevue Feb 22-24, with concerts, dances, music education programs for kids and adults, workshops, impromptu jams, and a chance to see and hear some great music including bluegrass, gypsy jazz, celtic, old-timey and more.



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Reminder: Job and Resource Fair Wednesday Jan 30 at Northshore Fire



The Job and Resource Fair is today - Wednesday January 30, 2019 from 12 noon to 4pm at the Northshore Fire Department, 7220 NE 181st Kenmore 98028.

Several dozen major local employers will be there, including six cities, fire and police departments, utilities, school district, sheriff's department, as well as a few smaller employers.

No cost, no registration, no schedule. Just drop in from 12 - 4pm and talk to people.


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LWV presents 2019 Democracy in Action Award to Kristin Kelly

Kristin Kelly
On February 16, the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County will present its 2019 Democracy in Action Award to Kristin Kelly. 

Kristin Kelly is the former executive director of the Pilchuck Audubon Society and its Smart Growth Program. She has worked for sixteen years with Snohomish County local governments to help balance growth with livability.

Through education, outreach, activism, coalition building and advocacy she has contributed to comprehensive land use planning and development regulations to achieve more sustainable urban communities. She has been a champion for protecting our county’s natural resource and rural lands, our air and water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat from irresponsible development.

The presentation will be at the annual League of Women Voters Birthday Luncheon, 11 am-1:30 pm on February 16, at Legion Memorial Golf Club, Greenside Grill Room. Cost is $25 per person.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and after member study and agreement, works to influence public policy through education and advocacy.



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Four chaplains presentation at the American Legion Post 227 meeting Feb 5

The American Legion Post 227 in Shoreline will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, February 5, 2019. A meet and greet starts at 6:30pm and the program starts at 7:00pm. Both veterans and the public at large are invited and welcome to attend.

The meeting will be held at Post 227, located at 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155. [Behind Goodwill @ NE 145th St and 15th Ave NE]

Post 227 Second Vice Commander John Brady will conduct the Four Chaplains ceremony. The ceremony commemorates the heroic actions of four chaplains aboard the USAT Dorchester when it was sinking in the Atlantic Ocean in 1943 after being torpedoed by a German U-Boat. Also, Post 227 Chaplain Richard Bologna will discuss the duties of the post chaplain. There will be an opportunity for questions after the presentation.

A brief intermission for refreshments after the talk will allow visitors to depart. Post 227 members are urged to stay for the post meeting that will follow the intermission. We hope to see you at the meeting.

While you are at the meeting, you can check out the Post Library that includes a large collection of military related books, video tapes and DVDs. Any of these can be checked out, used and returned by post members and community without charge.



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