Free lecture: Dementia: Legacy and finding purpose

Wednesday, January 8, 2020



At Aegis of Callahan House, we understand how difficult navigating a loved one’s diagnosis of dementia can be.

Our Life Enrichment Director and art therapist Jael Weinberg, MA, LMHCA is hosting a free, 3-part seminar series to help provide you with important tools and support.

This series can assist you in figuring out what steps you need to take in order to cultivate the best quality of life for yourself and your loved one.

Come join us on Saturday, January 11 from from 12:30pm to 2pm for Legacy and Finding Purpose.

Aegis Living Callahan House 15100 1st Ave NE Shoreline 98155

Please RSVP 206-417-9747.



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Will Hall re-elected as Shoreline Mayor - Keith Scully Deputy Mayor

On January 6, 2020 Shoreline District Court Judge Marcine Anderson swore in returning Councilmembers Doris McConnell, Betsy Robertson, and Keith Scully.


Will Hall re-elected mayor of Shoreline

Following the swearing in ceremony, the Council re-elected Councilmember Will Hall as Mayor and elected Councilmember Keith Scully as Deputy Mayor.

First elected to the City Council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013 and 2017, this will be Mayor Hall’s second term as Mayor. He served as Deputy Mayor from 2010 to 2011. Before being elected to the City Council, Mayor Hall served on Shoreline's Planning Commission for six years including terms as Vice Chair and Chair. 

His professional experience includes environmental planning, public policy, teaching, consulting, and owning a small business. 

In addition to his work on the City Council, Mayor Hall also represents Shoreline and the region on several regional boards, including the Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordination Board, which works to restore the health and sustainability of Puget Sound. 

Mayor Hall has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Washington.

Shoreline Deputy Mayor
Keith Scully

Deputy Mayor Scully was elected to the City Council in 2015 and 2019. This will be his first term as Deputy Mayor. He is an attorney and his current practice focuses on intellectual property. 

Previously, he spent several years in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office before working for the United Nations. There, he prosecuted war criminals in The Hague for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. 

Deputy Mayor Scully is a former board member for the King County Conservation Voters and was the legal director of Futurewise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to responsible land use. Deputy Mayor Scully also served on Shoreline’s Planning Commission from 2012 to 2015 and was elected Chair in 2014. 

He holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's degree from Tufts University, and a law degree from New York University of Law.

As the City’s governing body, Shoreline’s seven elected part-time Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, and approve contracts for services. Council meets most Monday evenings at City Hall at 7:00pm. The public is encouraged to attend meetings. Those wishing to track Council decisions, but who are unable to attend, can watch the meetings online at shorelinewa.gov/councilmeetings.

In addition to Council meetings, Councilmembers represent the City at community events; in meetings with community members; and on national, state, and regional boards and committees. The Council directs City policy based on input from residents, staff, and other stakeholders. In order to receive as much input as possible, Councilmembers are available by email and phone, and often meet one-on-one with individuals and community organizations.



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Recent traffic deaths in Mountlake Terrace

Car sheared off a power pole then caught
on fire and crashed into house
Photo courtesy South County Fire

On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 2:30am, a driver speeding northbound on I-5 got as far as Mountlake Terrace before he sideswiped another vehicle and careened into a roadside barrier and concrete bridge support near the 236 St SW overpass just eight blocks north of the King county line.

The vehicle caught on fire.

The driver, Randy J. Betterton, 28, of Bothell, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 22 year old male, was wearing a seat belt. He was injured and transported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. The driver of the sideswiped vehicle was not injured.

The collision was investigated by the Washington State Patrol.

Car sheared off the power pole
before crashing into house
Photo courtesy South County Fire

On Monday, January 6, 2020, at 7:45am, a car sheared off a power pole, caught on fire, went through a fence and crashed into a house at 220th St SW and 44th Ave W in Mountlake Terrace. The house caught on fire. South County Fire responded.

The driver of the vehicle, a Mountlake Terrace woman in her mid-20s, died. A woman who was in the house was taken to hospital as a precaution for smoke exposure.

Then on Monday, January 6, 2020 another driver crashed into a building, but this one ran away. Here's the story as reported by MLTNews.com

Mountlake Terrace police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a mixed-use building at 24001 56th Ave. W. early Monday morning, then fled the scene. 
According to Mountlake Terrace Police Chief Pete Caw, an officer had concluded a security check at the Recreation Pavilion just after 2:30 a.m. Monday when he observed a silver Acura sedan “driving at a very high rate of speed” near the 22800 block of 56th Avenue West.  The vehicle was driving too fast for police to catch up, but the officer observed the vehicle run a red light at 236th Street Southwest and then lost sight of it. 
Patrol units checking the area located the vehicle after it had crashed through the front door of first-floor medical offices. Occupants living in the residences upstairs were uninjured, police said. The driver had left the scene. 
While police were investigating the incident, the registered owner called 9-1-1 and claimed that her vehicle had been stolen.  However, further investigation revealed that the car had not been stolen but was instead being driven by her boyfriend. 
The vehicle was removed from the building and towed to the police department. Caw said that police are still searching for the driver.


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WeatherWatcher: Snow returns to the forecast, and a lot of cold

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Snow covered 10th Ave NE at North City Park
Photo by Carl Dinse, February 2019


I've been waiting until we got closer to this forecast to write about it. For the better part of the last 5-6 days some forecast models have been predicting a big arctic outbreak for the Puget Sound region. More forecast models are now starting to agree with the idea that at least some amount of arctic air is going to move in next week, and that this will be a relatively long lasting event.

So right now it's still really early and details are difficult to nail down. For this week, we have our first taste of frozen precipitation possible Thursday night or Friday morning in the form of a convergence zone.

At this time though it looks like this convergence zone will stay north of Everett, so Shoreline and Lake Forest Park will probably at best only see a couple of wet flakes fall in a shower or two. Even if the snow does fly here, it's still going to be pretty warm and is not likely to stick around long on pavement.

Friday another Pacific storm rolls in, bringing rain and wind, with high temperatures in the low to mid 40's. The rain is expected to continue overnight into Saturday before changing over to rain showers. Sometime Saturday night, likely late night, or during the day Sunday the cold air should start moving down. Some models show the cold air not arriving until late Sunday night or Monday.

Snowy NE 193rd St Shoreline
Photo by Carl Dinse, January 18, 2012


When the cold air does push in, a small arctic front is expected to form and bring some light snow through the area, or rain and snow mixed.

Current projections show the snow level hovering around 400-500 feet in elevation. 

Neighborhoods such as Hillwood, portions of Echo Lake, North City business district areas, and other inland higher hills could see trace amounts of snow accumulate.

Beyond Monday it's still really uncertain, with some models showing really cold weather, with lows possibly into the teens and highs in the 20's.

One model has been forecasting single digit lows, with high temperatures only making it to the teens, though most professionals do not think that will happen.

This model is relatively new and could be having some issues with handling certain variables.

The big snow makers are possible going into Tuesday, or Tuesday evening, and again late in the week, Thursday or Friday. 
We could see event totals from anywhere around 2-3 inches to 10-12 inches, or more. 

Bottom Line: Models are being consistent that cold air, and some snow will take place. They are not consistent on how cold, and how much snow.

Some models have forecasted little to no snow accumulation with temperatures marginally around freezing.

Most forecast models have been pointing to a typical cold snap, with highs in the upper 20's and low 30's with lows in the low-mid 20's. Some models have suggested much colder, and snowier. Most recent models I've seen tonight are leaning towards the colder idea.

I do believe it is more likely we will see some cold and snow, than not. In my experience when these models stick with a general idea like this for more than 2-3 days they generally get the idea correct. Details are not clear, so I will be watching this closely over the next couple of days and provide an update once it appears we have a better idea of what to expect.

On the longer range, it appears at this time the cold, however cold it gets, could continue well into February. It's looking like we could easily witness another noteworthy winter season before it's over.


For current weather conditions, watches, warnings and advisories, visit www.shorelineweather.com




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Photos: January sunset

Photo by Lee Lageschulte


Nice to see the sun, even if only occasionally.




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ICHS info session Monday on free / low cost health services

ICHS, which has a large medical and dental facility in Shoreline at 16549 Aurora Ave N, will be holding an information session on Monday, January 13, 2020 from noon to 2pm at the Shoreline Library.

Stop by to visit with an International Community Health Services (ICHS) Community Advocate for information on Free/Low Cost Health Services.

Staff will be located at the round table at the front of the library, which is located at NE 175th St and 5th Ave NE.

Please note that you can no longer make left turns from NE 175th St southbound into the library parking lot.



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Update: Shoreline man under the influence causes head on collision that sends four to Harborview

1/15/2020 Patrick Nestor has died of his injuries.


According to a press release from the Washington State Patrol, a 23 year old Shoreline man driving under the influence on Sunday, January 5, 2020, crashed head-on into another vehicle, totaling both vehicles and sending occupants of both vehicles to Harborview.

The collision occurred at the Northgate freeway exchange at 2:19pm.

John R. White, age 23, Shoreline, was driving southbound on the Northgate Way off-ramp and failed to negotiate the curve. His vehicle left the road, traveling across the grassy median and striking head-on a vehicle driven by Patrick Nestor, age 51, Bellingham who was driving southbound on Corliss Ave N to get on to I-5 southbound.

With Nestor were Linda Nestor, 53, Bellingham and Elliot Nestor, 20, Bellingham.

All parties were wearing seatbelts.



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RESCHEDULED: Customer Information Night at Expedia CruiseShipCenter Jan 21

Event rescheduled from Jan 14 to Jan 21 because of weather.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters and Angie West with Norwegian Cruise Lines will be hosting a free Customer Information Night on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 6:30pm.
Angie will be sharing information on their new Ultimate Alaska-Passage through the Glaciers itinerary, their newest ship sailing the Caribbean - the Encore, and Spring Break sailings from Los Angeles on the Joy.

Please call our office, 206-347-8777 to RSVP. We're located in the upper, outside level of the Lake Forest Park Town Center, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Suite A015. Light refreshments will be served.



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Benefit concert for Camp United We Stand on Jan 19



Camp United We Stand is a 35 member homeless encampment that is incorporated as non-profit with the State of Washington and has 501(c)3 IRS federal status.

The Camp shelters at Shoreline area churches for periods of 90 days or longer. They have a board of directors but are a self-managed entity with regular, scheduled garbage pick-up, port-a-potties, donation and communal tent.

A benefit concert will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 2 - 3pm at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline 98177.

The concert is free to all - donations gladly accepted.




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Lake Forest Park Water District names Armand Micheline 2019 Water Protector

Armand Micheline with a water taste test
at the LFP Green Fair
Photo courtesy LFP Water District


The 2019 Lake Forest Park Water Protector Award for service and leadership has been awarded to Armand Micheline.

The Water Protector Award is awarded to individuals and organizations that show exceptional leadership in protection of LFPWD’s drinking water. 

Water Protector
Award


Armand is a founding member of the LFPWD Advisory Committee (ADCOM) and has been involved in several sub committees, including public communication and community outreach.

Armand has also been a driving force behind LFPWD’s science curriculum for elementary students. 

The District’s science unit educates local youth about the local aquifer, the value of locally sourced drinking water, and how human activities have the potential to affect the water quality of streams and drinking water sources. 

This education aims to protect the drinking water source that serves many Lake Forest Park residents.

The public is welcome to learn about the LFPWD drinking water at events that are scheduled throughout the year, including fun runs, science nights, market days and emergency fairs.

LFPWD Commissioners; Dave Hammond, Eli Zehner and Bill Donahue, our General Manager Alan Kerley, District staff and our community thank Armand for his service.


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King County Assessor to be sworn in Tuesday in Shoreline

The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center is proud to host King County Assessor John Wilson and King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Jim Rogers, at 10:30am on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 for a swearing in ceremony at the Center, located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Blg 1, Shoreline.

Mr. Wilson will also share information and take questions regarding the income limit changes and the property tax exemption program.



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Physical Poetry 2020 - get tickets now for Friday and Saturday performances

Monday, January 6, 2020



Physical Poetry 2020 is a high energy dance revue featuring groups performing Contemporary, Dances of Brazil, Highland Dance, Hip Hop, Jazz, Mexican FolklĂłrico, Modern, Tap, Contemporary Chinese and more.

There are three performances of Physical Poetry 2020 on Friday and Saturday January 10 and 11, 2020 - Friday and Saturday evening and Saturday matinee. 

Tickets goes fast - advance purchase is advisable.

The event is a benefit for the nationally award-winning Shorecrest Dance Team, to help pay for supplies, costumes, equipment, and scholarships.

Purchase tickets here

Groups performing include: 
and of course Shorecrest High School Hip Hop Teams!



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She wanted to boldly go where no squirrel has gone before...

Photos by Gloria Z Nagler


Douglas’s Squirrel in our yard the other day (they are exceptionally cute critters!).

--Gloria Z Nagler



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AG Ferguson statement on seeking Supreme Court review of Affordable Care Act (ACA)



SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson offers the following statement on asking the United States Supreme Court to review the lower court’s decision in a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

Without the Affordable Care Act, hundreds of thousands of hardworking Washingtonians will lose access to affordable health care coverage, and many more will face devastating cost increases. That’s why Washington and a multistate coalition have stepped up to defend the Affordable Care Act, after the Trump Administration callously refused to defend the law. We’re asking the Supreme Court to protect Washingtonians’ access to affordable health care — and we expect to win.” 
A 20-state coalition including Washington is seeking review of a decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which held that the individual mandate is unconstitutional, but declined to further rule on the validity of the ACA’s remaining provisions. The court instead sent the case back to the Northern District of Texas to determine which provisions of the 900-page law are still valid. 
Republican Attorneys General, led by Texas, filed the challenge to the ACA in February 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. 
In a brief filed in June 2018, the Trump Administration declared that it would not defend the ACA against the challenge by the Republican Attorneys General. In a letter to Congressional leaders, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the decision not to defend the ACA was made “with the approval of the President of the United States.”
Because of the Administration’s decision, Ferguson and a multistate coalition filed a motion to intervene in the case on the side of the federal government to defend the ACA. This is not one of Ferguson’s 54 lawsuits against the Trump Administration. 
More than 800,000 Washingtonians depend on the ACA for their health care. Since the ACA went into effect, Washington’s uninsured rate dropped by 60 percent, and now fewer than 6 percent of Washingtonians are without health insurance. 
If the ACA is eliminated, Washingtonians would lose an average of $295 per month in federal premium subsidies, and more than 600,000 people enrolled in Apple Health as part of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion would lose coverage. Insurers would once again be allowed to discriminate based on medical history, and patients would again be subject to annual and lifetime limits to their health benefits

Ferguson has defended the ACA on multiple occasions, including defending against a previous challenge to the law by the U.S. House of Representatives, and filing a lawsuit to ensure critical funding would continue. Ferguson also filed two “friend of the court” briefs in cases challenging tax credits for low- and middle-income people buying health insurance (Halbig v. Burwell and King v. Burwell).




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Winter/Spring 2020 Create and Make Workshops registration now open

Join the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council every other Wednesday this winter/spring to explore new artistic mediums and techniques in 5 exciting workshops led by professional, local artists.

Workshops are $40 each, or if you are an Arts Council member or become a member, workshops are $35 each. They are held from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center at 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline


All materials are provided, all you need to bring is your imaginative spirit!

The series kicks off on Wednesday, January 29 with Glass Infused Wall Hanging. Participants will learn the basics of fused glass, intermediate techniques, glass types, compatibility and the history of Dichroic Glass. Enjoy creating a composition of glass embellishments on a 4x4 inch square to hang as a wall decoration, or used as a coaster. (The instructor will fire the pieces and return for your pick up.)

Instructor: Sharon Pfister

Then, come back for more!

Light and Shadow Collage with Jess Graff – Feb 12

The art of paper-cutting is found in cultures around the world. Participants in this workshop will explore techniques for drawing with blades to create layered story-filled artworks from their imaginations. Techniques will include safe blade usage, drawing skills, and take participants from start to finish to create beautiful images that play with light, shadow, negative space, and story. Information about creating mini travel cutting kits will be included.


Polymer and Copper Jewelry with Meredith Arnold – February 26

Discover creating glass-like effects, patterns and textures, combined with copper wire to create pins or earrings! The instructor will provide a variety of texture tools for you to design your unique pieces of beautiful jewelry for you, or as a gift for someone special.



Persian Patterns with Amina Quraishi – March 11

Geometric patterns are one of the major components of Islamic art, which reached its peak of perfection in Persia. Learn how to draw and paint a star-shaped tile pattern from 15th century Persia using just a compass and ruler. Then transfer the pattern to watercolor paper and paint a beautiful, final piece.



Art Journaling with Christine Soja – March 25
The journal is a free place to experiment, express and explore your inner landscape. The instructor will guide you through multiple creative ways to engage in art journaling using many materials you may already have at home: ink, acrylic and watercolor paints, collage, stencils, markers and more. Students will create a safe place to engage in new possibilities while encountering resistance, self-criticism and the satisfaction of making art anyways! All materials provided, just bring your own journal.

More info is available on the Arts Council’s website.

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts.



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Student vaccinations

By Diane Hettrick

A new law that took effect in Washington state on January 1, 2020 requires that students in public schools be current with all recommended vaccination paperwork on the first day of school.

A law passed in May 2019 removed personal and philosophical exemptions to the MMR vaccination (measles - mumps - rubella). It maintains religious exemptions but the parent needs to submit a form.

The Seattle School District is scrambling to comply and is planning to send students home starting January 8, 2020 if they lack the paperwork to prove they are current with their vaccinations. They have approximately 2300 students who are either not current or who have not provided the appropriate paperwork.

Number of students in Shoreline Public Schools who are out of compliance with vaccinations?

Zero.

"It's probably because we have a nurse in every school," said spokesperson Curtis Campbell.

Shoreline Schools also have at least half-time family support staff who can work with the nurses to provide families with information about free or low-cost vaccinations, and make sure that families who do not speak English at home understand the requirements.

A nurse at every school means that careful records are kept and follow up is done when needed. Seattle's problems were exacerbated by a change in the way nurses input data.

ICHS, which has large medical clinics in the International District and Bellevue, as well as Shoreline, is providing free vaccinations to students.

The law was prompted by the nationwide outbreak of measles, which first appeared in Clark County, Washington. Before that, it had been thought that measles was eradicated.

PBS has a fascinating article on the history of measles and vaccinations against it in this article.

Corrections and updates 1/9/2020

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Scouts collected old Christmas trees


From left: Ben Stevens, Matthew Pacunski (Star Scout) and Assistant Scoutmaster Todd Wunder.


Text and photo by Cynthia Sheridan

Boy Scout Troop 309 was out early Saturday morning, January 4, 2020 to collect and dispose of Christmas trees in their assigned area. The boys were especially excited to open the donation envelopes after they tossed the trees into the trailer.

They had previously left the envelopes at homes in their area, letting people know that they would come around on Saturday to pick up Christmas trees and would appreciate a donation.

Ben is a sixth grader who loves sharing his scouting adventures and the new skills he is learning as a Boy Scout. Matthew is a junior in high school and is focused on completing his Eagle Scout project. Todd is the Assistant Scoutmaster.

Troop 309 meets every Monday 7:00pm at St. Mark Church in Shoreline. The troop is actively seeking boys between the ages of 11-17 to join them. They are also interested in starting a group for girls. For information about becoming a scout, contact Troop Master Dwight Thompson: 206-399-9477.

Troop 309 thanks BloomaTreeExperts.com who handled chipping of the Christmas trees at no cost to the Troop.

Correction 1/6/2020: Ben - sixth grade; Matthew - high school junior; Todd - assistant scoutmaster

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Humble Feast and recipe for Black-eyed Pea Salad

Black-eyed pea salad recipe
Photo by Devra Gartenstein

Patty Pan's Humble Feast is a series of community-based, monthly dinner events featuring local ingredients sourced primarily from area farmers who are our friends and neighbors at the markets.

They are held the first Monday of each month, 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Patty Pan in the Briarcrest neighborhood at 15550 27th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155.

Reservations appreciated (and you get a discount if you prepay!)

This month's dinner is Monday January 6, 2020.

The menu: Butternut and chickpea stew, grilled polenta, braised cabbage with (or without) bacon, black-eyed pea salad, and ginger poached pears.
This month's recipe:

January Black-eyed Pea Salad

2 cups black-eyed peas, cooked or canned
1/2 cup finely chopped crunchy salad vegetables, such as green onions, radishes, carrots, red onion, or red cabbage
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
Black pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together

--Devra Gartenstein




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An author a day - Monday to Saturday at Third Place Books

Six authors this week, with books featuring healthy family meals, war stories, vampire slayers, Star Wars and the Sixties - something for everyone at LFP.

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



 Monday, January 6 at 7pm
★Melissa Hartwig Urban
Whole30 Friends and Family: 150 Recipes for Every Social Occasion

It's never been easier to make Whole30 meals at home, but navigating social gatherings can feel daunting. You can honor your health commitments while enjoying time with family and friends, and this book shows you exactly how. The Whole30 Friends & Family is packed with recipes for all of life's special moments, from birthdays to baby showers, barbecues to brunches. And in true Whole30 style, the recipes are creative, colorful, and so flavorful that your guests will never miss the added sugar. 

Presentation is free; Priority Signing Line Tickets are available with purchase of Whole30 Friends and Family.


Tuesday, January 7 at 7pm
Kevin Schinick
The Rise of Skywalker: Force Collector

Karr is a teenage boy like many others in the galaxy. He goes to school, helps his parents with the family business, likes speeders and droids. But Karr also has a secret: when he touches certain objects, he gets searing headaches and blacks out. And along with the pain sometimes come visions of people he doesn't know and places he's never been. Learn more of the Star Wars backstory in this official novelization from Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, director, and producer Kevin Schinick


Wednesday, January 8 at 7pm
Walt Gragg

The Chosen One

A fundamentalist army is on the march in the Middle East, and the fight to stop the spread of madness will take everything the American military can muster, in this novel from the author of The Red Line.



Thursday, January 9 at 7pm
Kiersten White

Chosen

Vampire slayer Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.


Friday, January 10 at 6pm
Doug Margeson

Gazing at the Distant Lights 

Were the sixties really a magical time? Many who came of age in the era would argue they were not - although glimpses of magic sometimes showed themselves, tantalizing, like flickering lights on a dark night. Doug Margeson's short stories have been published in The Chaffin Journal, The MacGuffin, 580 Split, Straylight, Worcester Review, The Homestead Review, SNReview, Soundings East and New Millennium Writings magazines.


Saturday, January 11 at 6pm
James D Shipman

Task Force Baum

In the tradition of Saving Private Ryan and Bridge Over the River Kwai, bestselling author James D. Shipman delivers a powerful, action-packed novel that illustrates the long-buried secrets and unending costs of war — based on the true story of General Patton’s clandestine unauthorized raid on a World War II POW camp.





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Seminar: Indoor Plant Care through the Seasons: What to Do When

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Saturday, January 11th 1:00pm – 2:00pm at Sky Nursery

Indoor Plant Care through the Seasons: What to Do When -- Hannah Palm 

  • How often should you water your houseplants? 
  • When should you feed them? 
  • Repot them? 

Did you know that the needs of indoor plants change almost as dramatically through the seasons as those of outdoor plants?

Let Hannah Palm teach you how to take optimal care of your houseplants in winter, summer and every season! Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Ave N Shoreline WA 98133 206-546-4851



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Jazz Vespers at LFP Presbyterian on Sunday evening



Jazz Vespers ia a music event happening Sunday, January 12 at 5:00pm at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church, 17440 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

This monthly event (the second Sunday of each month) features professional jazz musicians from the Seattle area, with a different theme each month.  The event is free, childcare is available.

To celebrate and reflect on the theme "Light in the Darkness," Jazz Vespers presents a night of Bossa Nova and Samba to help lighten us up from all of our hard work and goal setting.

Special guests joining us for this musical celebration Sunday, January 12th, are Marco de Carvalho, guitar and vocals, Sam Esecson, percussions, Dean Schmidt, bass, and Jean Chaumont, guitar!



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Photos: Finally - snow on the mountains

Photo by Mike Remarcke


This last weather system brought us lots of rain - but it brought snow to the mountains. Finally.



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Insurance company pays $1.5 million fine to Washington state for violations of laws and rules

Health Plan Intermediaries Holdings, LLC, doing business in Washington state as Health Insurance Innovations (HII), has paid a $1.5 million fine for more than 50,000 violations of Washington state insurance laws and rules. 

It’s the largest single penalty against an insurance producer in the state’s history.

The record fine follows a lengthy investigation by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.

“This was an egregious case of flouting state laws around what types of companies are allowed to sell insurance and what products are legal to sell here,” said Kreidler. “HII had the highest number of law violations we’ve ever seen from an insurance producer in the history of our state.”

HII describes itself as a “market leading cloud-based technology platform and distributor of innovative health insurance products that are affordable and meet the consumer's needs.” The company has been the subject of investigations in other states for allowing deceptive sales practices.

HII sold 34,351 health insurance-related products to Washington consumers from Jan. 1, 2016 through Oct. 1, 2018, collecting $24.5 million in premiums.

Kreidler’s office found violations in the following areas:
  • HII sold unauthorized products in Washington state, including a dental plan and several discount programs that were included with various memberships.
  • HII sold products on behalf of two life insurers without being properly appointed by the companies, Unified Life Insurance Co. and Gerber Life Insurance Co.
  • HII allowed 434 unaffiliated insurance producers to sell 75% of its Washington state sales, a total of nearly 26,000 transactions. Washington state requires insurance producers to be affiliated with an insurance agency in order to represent the agency.
  • HII failed to register one of its “doing business as” (DBA) names, MyBenefitsKeeper, with Kreidler’s office.

HII indicated in the order that it voluntarily suspended business in Washington state in April 2019.

Kreidler also took action against six individual insurance producers who worked for HII and ultimately surrendered their licenses. He also fined Ameritas Life Insurance Co. for allowing HII to sell illegal products.

In 2018, HII settled a multistate examination into its sales, marketing and administrative practices by agreeing to pay $3.4 million and monitor its sales practices more closely. The examination was led by Indiana’s insurance commissioner and included 42 other states. Washington state opted out of the settlement.

Kreidler’s office oversees Washington’s insurance industry to ensure that companies, agents and brokers follow state laws. Since 2001, Kreidler has assessed more than $28 million in fines, which are deposited in the state's general fund to pay for state services.

The office publishes disciplinary orders against companies, agents and brokers. You can search by name or the year they took effect.

For an insurance question or complaint, contact Kreidler’s consumer advocates online or by phone at 800-562-6900.



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Classifieds: Fire Commissioners meet Tuesday



SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of Shoreline Fire Department will hold a special meeting/workshop on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the Departments regionalization efforts.

The special meeting will be held at the Shoreline Fire Department located at 17525 Aurora Avenue N., Shoreline, Washington 98133 in the upper conference room.


Notice posted by:Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
January 3, 2020



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Site prep continues for the Shoreline transit stations

145th St Station
Looking north from 145th
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Mike Remarcke found a relatively dry day to check in on the site prep for the two Shoreline transit stations and get some photos.

This photo of the site for the 145th St Station "Shoreline South" is a poster child for why we need transit solutions.

I-5 is like this for hours every weekday, packed with slow-moving vehicles. Note the brake lights in the photo.

145th Station
Looking south from N 155th
Vehicles are exiting onto N 145th St
Photo by Mike Remarcke

This is the Shoreline South station, taken from N 155th, looking south, at a different time of day. Vehicles in the background, right, are exiting to N 145th St. Here's the information page.

185th St Station
Looking north
Photo by Mike Remarcke


This photo is the 185th Station "Shoreline North". The view is to the north and the vehicles are exiting to NE 205th Lake Forest Park and Edmonds. Here's the information page.

Service on the Lynnwood Link is expected to begin in 2024. More information.



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Lime bike share has shut down - and will be back with scooters

Seattle has been experimenting with bike-share programs. The idea is that anyone can pay online to use one of these bikes for transportation and leave them at the rider's destination.

The three vendors contracting with Seattle are JUMP (red bikes), Lime (lime green), and Lyft (black and pink).

JUMP is still in operation, Lyft is "coming soon", and Lime has just shut down in Seattle.

In spite of pious exhortations on Seattle's webpage about parking bicycles responsibly, local experience of these bikes is to see them sprawled in bushes and across sidewalks.

Lime says that they have removed their fleet as of December 31, 2019 - but if you see one hiding in the bushes, try this contact info to report it.

  • Lime (green): 1-888-546-3345; support@limebike.com

JUMP bikes don't seem to be as popular - but here's their contact info:

  • JUMP (red): 1-833-300-6106; jump.com/support

Lime is coming back in the spring, with "free-floating scooters and improved bike options that are a priority to the City of Seattle." Lime / LimeBike are an international company.

They are pulling their bicycles in other cities besides Seattle and appear to be switching to small scooters and some electric assist bikes.

So hold on to the contact information  - you'll need it for scooters.

--Diane Hettrick





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Shoreline Rotary to hear about college mentoring program at Wednesday meeting

Join us Wednesday morning, January 8, 2020 at the Shoreline Community College Pagoda Union Building (PUB), 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Meetings start at 7am with breakfast and camaraderie; and formal program starts at 7:30am.

Children are the future, as we all know. But what goes into preparing them for their roles as responsible adults and contributing members of society?

Even in stable families there may not always be easy answers, but for kids who are struggling with economic, social and other challenges, the answer to that question may be even harder.

The organization M.U.S.T., which stands for Mentoring Urban Students And Teens, was created by Mercer Island Rotarian Rick Newell to help mitigate those challenges, giving at-risk kids a leg up for their futures.

Right now, the mission of M.U.S.T. is to find responsible African American men in college to help spring kids free from the hardest generational cycles of poverty through long-term paid mentoring. 

Ultimately, their mission will be expanded to include Latino, Pacific Islander and Native American mentors who can assist youths in those communities as well.

Rick will tell us all about how M.U.S.T. is working, and their plans for the future. This program on M.U.S.T. will be of interest to every educator, and everyone who cares about getting kids off on the right foot!

Everyone is welcome to attend.




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Polar Bear Dip at Sheridan Beach Saturday to support End Polio campaign

Want to be a Sponsor?
You get this cool golf towel

Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 2pm, marks the 1st annual POLAR BEAR DIP into Lake Washington from Sheridan Beach Community Club, 16500 Beach Drive NE, Lake Forest Park 98155

The DIP is a benefit for EndPolio.org sponsored by LFP Rotary, SBCC, and City of Lake Forest Park. Anyone is welcome to participate. Forms are outside the gate or online.

Invite your friends and family to participate or to watch you take the plunge! Gate admission to watch is $1 - which also goes to the End Polio fund.

Sign up sponsors to contribute if you make it into the water up to your neck (you don't have to stay there!)

Mayor Jeff Johnson is Dipping along with other brave community souls. The Marine Police will be at Sheridan Beach at 2pm to supervise.

Wanna dive into a sponsorship? You get this cool golf towel. Email for details.

Questions? Robin 206 390-1261

Robin Roat
President, Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park



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New law makes changes to retirement plans

H.R. 1994 enacted by Congress
effective 2020

It might not have made the headlines, but a recently passed piece of legislation could affect the IRAs and 401(k)s of millions of Americans beginning in 2020. 

So, if you have either of these accounts, or if you run a business, you’ll want to learn more.

The new laws, collectively called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, include these noteworthy changes:

Higher age for RMDs – Under current law, you must start taking withdrawals – known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs – from your traditional IRA and 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan once you turn 70 ½. The new law pushes the date to start RMDs to 72, which means you can hold on to your retirement savings a bit longer.

No age limit for traditional IRA contributions – Previously, you could only contribute to your traditional IRA until you were 70 ½, but under the SECURE Act, you can now fund your traditional IRA for as long as you have taxable earned income.

Limitation of “Stretch IRA” provisions – Under the old rules, beneficiaries were able to stretch taxable RMDs from a retirement account over his or her lifetime. Under the SECURE Act while spouse beneficiaries can still take advantage of this "stretch" distribution, most non-spouse beneficiaries will have to take all the RMDs by the end of the tenth year after the account owner passes away. Consequently, non-spouse beneficiaries who inherit an IRA or other retirement plan could have tax implications due to the need to take larger distributions in a shorter timeframe.

No early withdrawal penalty for IRAs and 401(k)s when new child arrives. Typically, you must pay a 10% penalty when you withdraw funds from your IRA or 401(k) before you reach 59 ½. But now, with the new rules, you can withdraw up to $5,000 from your retirement plan without paying the early withdrawal penalty, as long as you take the money within one year of a child being born or an adoption becoming final.

Some provisions of the SECURE Act primarily affect business owners:

Multi-employer retirement plans – Unrelated companies can now work together to offer employees a 401(k) plan with less administrative work, lower costs and fewer fiduciary responsibilities than individual employers now encounter when offering their own retirement plans.

Tax credit for automatic enrollment – The new law provides a tax credit of $500 for some smaller employers who set up automatic enrollment in their retirement plans. And a tax credit for establishing a retirement plan has been increased from $500 to $5,000.

Use of annuities in 401(k) plans – It will now be easier for employers to consider including annuities as an investment option within 401(k) plans. Previously, many businesses avoided offering annuities in these plans due to liability concerns related to the annuity provider, but the new rules should help reduce these concerns.

The SECURE Act is the most significant change to our retirement savings system in over a decade. 

You may want to contact your financial advisor, tax professional and estate planning attorney to assess the potential impact on your investment strategies and determine any possible tax and estate planning implications of the SECURE Act.

--Edward Jones article submitted by Micah K Blair CFP®, AAMS®, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, 621 B NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline 98177. 206-542-4930



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2020 yoga session at Tree House Iyengar Yoga Studio begins Monday

Class session at Tree House Iyengar Yoga

The New Year 2020 yoga session at Tree House Iyengar Yoga Studio located in Shoreline is starting on January 6.

We offer Iyengar Yoga classes, new Hatha yoga classes, and many workshops.

You can sign up by emailing us at info@thiyoga.com, calling 206-361-YOGA (9642), or drop in 15 minutes before your class.

If you are new to Tree House, your first class is free!

Explore our classes at our website.

Tree House Iyengar Yoga, 20011 Ballinger Way NE, Suite 209. Shoreline 98155




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Ridgecrest food drive gathers 1,117 pounds of food for Hopelink

Big THANK YOU to everyone who donated and helped with the Ridgecrest Food Drive! 

Special thanks to Cafe Aroma and the Ridgecrest Pub for being the collection sites this year. 

Each time we took donations in to Hopelink, they were so thankful. All donations to them have been down this year, so what we were able to collect was truly appreciated. 

What we can do together as a "community" is incredible. Together we were able to donate 1,117 pounds of food to Hopelink - Shoreline's Food Bank.

Patty Hale
Ridgecrest Neighborhood Food Drive Organizer



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Wrestling: Shorewood wins the championship at the Shoreline Invite

Shorewood wrestlers and coaches

It was a banner day for the Shorewood Wrestling team as they took home the championship trophy for the 2020 Shoreline Invite. With three champions and eleven placers total the Thunderbirds easily out paced the field with 187.5 team points. Second place North Creek scored 154.5 points.

#1 Fan Geneva Norton, showing tournament trophy,
flanked by sons Coaches Derek and Clark Norton 


WesCo 3A South Shoreline Invitational, Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Shorecrest High School.

Shorewood was led by a strong cast of underclassmen and impressive ability to pin.

120: Quincy Laflin 1st Place

Sophomore Quincy Laflin at 120 pounds and Freshman Isaac Van Horn at 126 pounds each captured their first ever individual tournament titles, while Freshman Hunter Tibodeau grabbed his second title at 182 pounds.

126: Isaac Van Horn 1st Place

 The trio of champions were joined by four other underclassmen placers.


132: Joseph Rivera 2nd Place and Aidan Jung 3rd Place

Along the way the T-Birds pinned their opponents twenty times, with Aidan Jung at 132 pounds and Kody Carpenter at 145 pounds each tallying three pins as they took third place.


138: Kurt Tanaka 2nd Place
145: Kody Carpenter 3rd Place

160: Cole Becker 3rd Place

170: RJ Buchheit 4th Place

182: Hunter Tibodeau 1st Place

195: Max Null 2nd Place
220: Isaac Kabuchi 4th Place
220: Elysiah Shultz, 2nd Place, Shorecrest junior

The next meet is Thursday, January 9, 2020 at home against Archbishop Murphy at 5:30pm and Mountlake Terrace at 7pm. Shorewood High School, 17300 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline 98133.




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