900 marchers support Shoreline teen in Stand With Us Shoreline demonstration

Monday, July 27, 2020

Flanked by the Bike Brigade, Kailyn Jordan (in red bandana) leads the march
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


By Diane Hettrick

Kailyn, a Black youth activist and third generation Shoreline resident, was recently the target of a hate crime by a close neighbor. 

Kailyn was exercising her first amendment right of free speech in protest of a blue lives matter flag that a neighbor had mounted, not realizing that to Kailyn and numerous other Black and brown people, represents racism, fear and brutality.

900 supporters stood with Kailyn
Photo by Mike Remarcke


That neighbor removed the flag. 

But while Kailyn was standing in the street with her bicycle and her protest sign another neighbor swerved their car toward Kailyn, as if to hit her, then followed with threats to lynch and shoot her.

Kailyn stood alone when the incident happened but she is no longer alone.
Kailyn speaking to the crowd
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


900 people stood with her on Saturday, July 25, 2020. First gathering at Paramount School Park to make signs and speeches. Then to march seven blocks down the street so Kailyn could stand in the same place where she was accosted, but this time enveloped by supporters.

Members of the Shoreline Black Students Union
l-r: Fal Iyoab, Kayla Palmore, Elijah Johnson, Mikayla Weary, Eternity
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Stand with us to support not just Kailyn but all Black and brown youths and let your presence and support against racism be known. 
Stand with us to let your neighbors know that racist voices will be drowned out and racist acts will be met with positive and supportive action. 
Stand with us so that Black Lives Matter sign in your yard is not just a performative gesture but your commitment to showing up and standing up for our Black and brown neighbors. 
Stand with us so we know that when you see something, you will say something and do something to ensure the safety of all Black and brown Shoreline residents.

There was a purposeful pause near the location of the incident so the impact of community support would not go unnoticed, then marchers returned to the park.

Native Americans drumming
Photo by Mike Remarcke


There were so many marchers that the street was filled for the seven blocks of the route. People waved handmade signs. A group of Native Americans drummed. Somewhere in the crowd was the Shoreline Wall of Moms. The Seattle Bike Brigade. There were a lot of families. And all the colors of the human rainbow.

Marchers filled the seven blocks of the route
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


They were all there for the same reason - in solidarity with a young teen, to help her begin to heal from a traumatic experience.

Kailyn refuses to stay silent and she has become even more empowered through this. 

Kailyn Jordan
Photo by Steven H. Robinson




Read more...

Seattle Public Utilities introduces new water outage map

SPU Water Outage map 


No Water at the Tap? Seattle Public Utilities Introduces New Water Outage Map Tool

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has announced a new tool to help customers: the SPU Water Outage Map.

The map provides a quick view for the public about all water outages, current and scheduled, within SPU’s direct service area. Customers can track the status of a water outage happening in their home, neighborhood, or anywhere throughout SPU’s direct service area, which includes Seattle and parts of Burien, Shoreline, and Lake Forest Park.

Customers can also see how many water outages are occurring or scheduled to occur, where they are located, how many customer accounts are impacted, who specifically is out of water, what caused the outage, and when water will be back on.

The map does not apply to non-service areas.

  • Shoreline is served by two water districts: SPU and North City Water.
  • Lake Forest Park is served by four water districts: SPU, Lake Forest Park Water, North City Water, Northshore Utility District
More information about the map HERE



Read more...

Case updates July 26, 2020; County to distribute masks on Tuesday at Courthouse for King county residents


North King County Mask Distribution Event.
Shoreline District Court Facility 
18050 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Tuesday, July 28 from 1-5pm

You must be a King County resident to be eligible to receive masks at this event.

This is a drive-through pick up event. Interested King County residents can enter at the parking lot entrance on Meridian Avenue North, drive up to the Amazon Treasure Truck, tell the staff person the number of individuals in their family, and receive 2 cloth reusable masks per family member, up to 6 family members. The maximum number of masks a vehicle can receive is 12.

Washington state - confirmed cases by sex and age
Washington state - deaths by sex and age

Case updates July 26, 2020

United States
  • cases 4,163,892 including 64,582 new cases
  • deaths 145,982 including 969 new deaths
Washington state
  • cases 52,635 - 786 new cases - rolling case average is over 600 per day and rising
  • hospitalizations 5,374 41 - 33 new
  • deaths 1,501 - 7 new (data adjustment)
King county
  • cases 14,433 - 178 new (goal: less than 25 new)
  • hospitalizations 1,891 - 14 new
  • deaths 640 - 2 new
Shoreline
  • cases 461 - 5 new
  • hospitalizations 95 - 0 new
  • deaths 59 - 0 new
Lake Forest Park
  • cases 50 - 1 new
  • hospitalizations 5 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new




Read more...

Shoreline-LFP Senior Center needs supplies - can you help?

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Senior Center
The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center needs supplies for the week of July 27-31 for their hot lunch and grocery program for shut-in seniors.

Every day during the week (Monday through Friday) the Center delivers approximately 120 hot lunches to Seniors in need in Shoreline and surrounding communities.

They also offer bags of groceries to about 50 seniors on Fridays to help those who need food for the weekends.

At this time, they are getting very low on the following supplies:

  • Hot Cereal packets
  • Granola Bars
  • Tea bags (individually packaged)
  • Boxes of Cold Cereal – smaller than family size
  • Milk – quarts or pints
  • Cans of Beef Stew
  • Cans of hearty soup such as Chicken Rice/Chicken Noodle/Beef Stroganoff 
  • Mayonnaise – small jars
  • Juices – 10-12 oz size
  • Chips – small lunch size bags (must be individually wrapped)
  • Granola bars and/or small packages of cookies
  • Sandwich bags- ziploc
  • Canned fruit
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Mustard
  • Toilet paper
  • Small containers of soap for clothes washing
  • Small containers of soap for hand washing dishes
  • OLD MAGAZINES - the seniors love them!

*Only individually wrapped items as they do not repackage bulk food. 

Please tell your friends, neighbors, relatives about our needs.  Many of these seniors are not able to access all of their supplies and therefore rely on us.  

Drop offs can be made to the front door of the center, Monday - Friday between 1:00 and 3:00pm unless other arrangements are made. 

Call the Shoreline Senior Center at 206-365-1536 with further questions. The address for the Senior Center is 18560 1st Ave NE #1, Shoreline 98155

Please remember to wear a mask when dropping off food.

Thank you for your support of our seniors,
The Shoreline Lake Forest Park  Board of Directors



Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Short heatwave in the forecast


Sunny Weather
N 185th St looking east from Aurora Ave N
Photo by Carl Dinse

When it comes to temperature forecasts for our area one of the biggest questions I am always asked:

Why does it always seem to be a few degrees cooler in Shoreline or north Seattle than the forecasted high temperature?

Forecast models are run for specific areas, typically based on major airports since that is where weather data has been recorded for several decades. In our case the forecast for Seattle is based on what is expected at Sea-Tac airport. The next closest forecast spot is Paine Field in Everett. 

You have to come up with a magic blend between the two areas to come up with an expected high temperature for the Shoreline area. In addition there are high resolution forecast models that can narrow things down to several square kilometers, but they only go 1-3 days out. Of course the farther out you try to forecast, the greater the uncertainties get.

For a 5 day forecast, I go through forecasts for Everett and Seattle. In addition to those two forecasts I look at the general weather pattern that is set up over Western Washington, use my experience with how those patterns have interacted with the region in the past, and blend it all together to come up with what I expect to see for weather in the Shoreline area.

Forecast:

Monday is expected to be the hottest day this week. We are looking at mid 80's, with a slight chance of a high in the upper 80's but I don't think we'll break the 90°F mark. There is a heat advisory in effect on Monday for Seattle south, through Tacoma, Olympia and Chehalis. This heat advisory is not in effect for the Shoreline area.

Tuesday - Thursday we start to slowly cool back down. Highs in the upper 70's to low 80's on Tuesday, Wednesday highs a little warmer, to around 82°F or so. Thursday comes down into the upper 70's with increasing clouds in the evening.

Friday through Sunday we go back to the partly cloudy skies at times, with morning drizzle or showers. Temperatures will be back down into the low 70's for a high and upper 50's for lows.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com





Read more...

Setting sun


Photos by Jan Hansen


Friday's sunset was particularly beautiful, so Jan Hansen sent a series.



These are taken from west Shoreline. The sunset is slightly to the north over Puget Sound.


And finally, the last spectacular scene is a glowing orb and a grey sky as the sun is about to disappear behind the Olympics.



Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Fishing tackle



Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE




Read more...

Free online workshop - Positive Discipline for families

July 28, 2020 Online Workshop. Hosted by Positive Discipline for Families 
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 10:00am online

Are you interested in knowing more about the Positive Discipline Program?
  • Do you wish to learn new parenting tools?
Would you like:
  • To be more effective as a parent and have fun in the process?
  • To discipline with kindness and firmness at the same time?
  • To raise responsible and respectful children?
  • To reduce power struggle, stress and strengthen relationships inside the family?

We invite you to participate in an Introductory Positive Discipline workshop on Tuesday July 28th from 10am to 11:45 PST via live Zoom

Please register HERE. Don’t forget to add your email address:

  • After registering, you will receive Zoom link and code the day before class, so you can join this workshop.
  • We recommend you register before 5pm on Monday July 27th, so you can get the Zoom info on time, necessary to join the class.

This workshop is FREE and sponsored by the nonprofit Center of Human Services, whereby we ask you to carefully fill out your registration. 

This is important, as we need demographic info of participants to continue getting finance funding for these free workshops.

Personal information is confidential and for exclusive use to report general demographic data of the participants.




Read more...

Case updates July 25, 2020

COVID-10 cases in Washington state


Case updates July 25, 2020

United States
  • cases 4,099,310 including 74,818 new cases
  • deaths 145,013 including 1,145 new deaths
Washington state
  • cases 51849 - 1025 new cases - rolling case average is over 600 per day and rising
  • hospitalizations 5,341 - 40 new
  • deaths 1,494 - -1 new (data adjustment)
King county
  • cases 14,255 - 208 new (goal: less than 25 new)
  • hospitalizations 1,877 - 11 new
  • deaths 640 - 2 new
Shoreline
  • cases 456 - 3 new
  • hospitalizations 95 - 0 new
  • deaths 59 - 0 new
Lake Forest Park
  • cases 49 - 2 new
  • hospitalizations 5 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new



Read more...

Shoreline firefighters deployed to Bertschi wildfire

Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Several Shoreline crew members have been deployed to a wildland fire in south central Washington.

“We are providing medical coverage to both Divisions of the Bertschi Fire near Goldendale, Washington as crews work to mop-up."

The Bertschi Road Fire was burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, Washington. Ground reconnaissance and more accurate mapping has placed the total acres burned at 250. It is contained now.

"With the COVID-19 precautions in place we have been spiked out on the line (camping under the stars) with the crews since last Saturday.”

They should be returning in the next few days.

Local firefighters dispatched to wildfires have special training for fighting wildfire.




Read more...

Stride S3 Bus Rapid Transit is coming to north Lake Washington

The Stride S3 bus rapid transit line

Stride is Sound Transit’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, providing fast, frequent and reliable high-capacity transit service.

The Stride S3 Line, or the SR 522/NE 145th BRT, will connect north Lake Washington communities to the regional transit system. Riders will be able to transfer between the SR 522/NE 145th Stride S3 Line, I-405 North Stride S2 Line, Link light rail and other transit service provided by Community Transit, King County Metro and Sound Transit.

The COVID-19 recession will likely affect Sound Transit’s expansion project plans and timelines. Learn more about how the Sound Transit Board is assessing potential project impacts.

Online open house now through Aug. 23

To see design updates and share your thoughts, visit Sound Transit’s online open house through August 23, 2020 HERE

The page has a lot of information about the STRIDE S3 line, as well as the opportunity to share your thoughts.

The online open house is available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Sound Transit will host virtual public meetings as more detailed designs become available throughout 2020–2021. Visit the online open house to sign up for email updates.

Updates in Lake Forest Park

Sound Transit is proposing Stride BRT stations on SR 522 at NE 153rd Street, NE 165th Street and the Lake Forest Park Town Center. The project also includes additional parking at the Lake Forest Park Town Center; the project team has developed an early design concept for a parking garage adjacent to City Hall.

To ensure buses are not caught in traffic, the project design includes adding a northbound Business Access and Transit (BAT) lane along SR 522 in Lake Forest Park. To minimize significant impacts to driveways on the east side of SR 522, the preferred design was recently updated to shift some of the roadway widening to the west between NE 155th Street and half a block south of 41st Avenue NE. This will allow more property owners to stay in their homes and reduce the overall change to the neighborhood.

Another measure included in the project design to limit property impacts is to replace the center two-way left-turn lane on SR 522 between NE 155th Street and 41st Avenue NE with a raised median. To allow people to access homes and businesses, the project is considering U-turns for the signalized intersections at NE 153rd Street, 39th Avenue NE and NE 165th Street.

Updates to NE 145th in Shoreline/Seattle

Sound Transit is proposing Stride BRT stations at the future Shoreline South/145th Link light rail station, and on NE 145th Street at 15th Avenue NE and 30th Avenue NE.

Design concept for roundabouts at 145th


The City of Shoreline is working with WSDOT, the City of Seattle, King County Metro and Sound Transit to construct two roundabouts to improve traffic flow to and from the future Shoreline South/145th light rail station and reduce the length of widening on NE 145th Street for the business access and transit lane. View the design concept and learn more on the City’s project website.

The online open house contains additional details on these and other updates, maps, information about station design, project background and opportunities for feedback.





Read more...

Christmas in July

Photo by Karen Riston

This is an amaryllis - they sell them as a single, large bulb in a colorful box at Christmas time. They'll bloom for anyone, green thumb or not, and produce blossoms about four inches across on a tall, strong stalk.

After they bloom, no one knows what to do with them and they usually die.

Karen Riston looked at hers, said "why not?" and planted it. Now it's July and she has beautiful blooms that are usually reserved for the winter.

One Christmas I decided that they would make perfect gifts for my large family. I bought a couple dozen boxes just before the family party and stacked them on the floor.

I didn't think that I was putting them right by the furnace vent. Within a few days they had sprouted and were starting to come through the boxes.

I hope that everyone took them out of the box and found a good spot for them.

--Diane



Read more...

Juvenile eagles of 180th St

The juvenile has white wing pits and a black beak


Text by Donna Hawkey
Photos by Gary Hawkey


Two juvenile eagles have taken up residence in a soaring high Douglas Fir on 180th St. in Lake Forest Park.

Juveniles are self-starters and fledge from the nest on their own. Bald eagle parents seek tall canopies to build the necessary huge nests, which are about 5 to 6 feet in diameter and 2 to 4 feet tall. 

Two first-year juvenile eagles take a rest while learning to fly


They prefer trees to be as high as possible for a wide-open view, and they build their nests close to the top. They also like to be near water for convenient fishing. And they can spot prey, such as a rabbit moving, at three miles away.

The mortality rate of eagles is higher than 50 percent in the first year of life, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. During the 1970s, bald eagles were seriously endangered due to many decades of hunting and harmful pesticide use; it wasn’t until 2007 that the eagle was taken off the Endangered Species list.

The first-year eagle has a brown head and belly, but its wing-pits (axillaries) are white. They acquire their white head (plumage) around four to five years old. The beak is black instead of bright yellow as on adult eagles.

At 10-12 weeks, they first start to leave their nest (fledge). But they stay around for most of the summer and learn from their parents, developing their flying and food hunting skills. On regular flights, they can travel about 30 miles per hour, but they can dive up to 100 miles per hour on the hunt for prey.

Eagles become most active between 7-9am and 4-5pm. Keep looking up to view America’s most majestic symbol of freedom, and sometimes right in your backyard!




Read more...

Driver flees accident scene

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Around 6pm a motor vehicle collision at the 19100 block of 3rd Ave NW sent a 10 year old male to Children's Hospital by aid car.

The driver who collided with other vehicles fled on foot. The case has been turned over to Shoreline police.




Read more...

Towns on 145th development taking shape

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Remember the square block of neighbors who banded together to sell their property as a unit to a developer?

That development is well underway. (see our previous article)

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Several buildings look near completion. The rest of the lots have been cleared. Foundations are in place for new construction.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The site is at 1st NE and NE 147th. It's a short distance to where the 148th Pedestrian Bridge will lead to the 148th transit station. The site goes from 145th to 147th and then stretches a long block from 1st to Corliss.



Read more...

Mom gives dabbling demo...

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler


Some ducks dive for food, but Mallards are dabblers.

--Gloria Z Nagler



Read more...

Jobs: Shoreline Community College

Shoreline Community College is recruiting for the following position:

Program Specialist 3 (IBEST) –WorkForce Education and Transitional Studies

Date of first consideration: August 3, 2020

Description and application: HERE

Interested applicants may apply at www.shoreline.edu/hr for our full-time and part-time positions. It’s easy to search for open positions using the search bar and filtering tools.



Read more...

Volunteer opportunity at Senior Center

Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center is looking for volunteers for delivering our To-Go Hot lunches program Monday through Friday from 10:30am – 1pm. 

Tasks include loading lunch bags unto shuttle bus, and leaving meals with senior. 

Must be able to navigate stairs, lift 10 lbs and love serving seniors. 

 If you would like to help please call 206-365-1536 and ask for Donna. 

You may leave a message on our voice mail with your name, phone number and state you are calling about the To-Go volunteer delivery spot open. Many thanks!



Read more...

8X8 Photo Exhibition




An virtual exhibit featuring hundreds of photographs

Show Preview: July 24 - August 1
Sales Begin on August 1 at 10am

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is proud to announce this brand new program and fundraiser! 8X8Photo is a virtual photography exhibition featuring hundreds of original photographs by artists from all over the country. Submissions are from all ages and skill levels!

About 8X8Photo

Photography exhibition and fundraiser, 8X8Photo will feature hundreds of 8x8-inch photographs from talent locally, and all over the country, all available to purchase for $36 each. Free pickup or add a $9 shipping fee.

The photographs will be exhibited online for one week from the 24th July - then sales will open online at 10am Saturday the 1st of August, and continue for the entire month of August. There is just ONE of each photograph available, so you need to get in quick!

You have a week to browse, so create an account and put together your wishlist, save your address, credit card, and be ready to buy at 10am, 1st August.

Proceeds from the event support Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council programming. Thank you!

Why $36? This show is a spinoff of our much loved 6X6NW show (6 x 6 = $36!). This price also allows art to be more accessible and give people a taste for what you do - let's hope they come back for more!

We will announce People’s Choice (be sure to vote!), Director’s Choice, and Sponsor’s Choice Awards at 12pm PST Friday, July 31st via Facebook Live. Awards are for the photographer's work as a whole and the prizes are $100 each.

Thank you to our sponsor Jack Malek | Windermere Broker & Realtor!

Questions? Email Terri Price at programs@shorelinearts.net

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.



Read more...

Online and mail voter registration deadline is Monday, July 27 for Primary Election

Teens who will be 18 by Nov 4 can register now
Those who wish to vote in the August 4 Primary election have until Monday, July 27 to register online or have their mailed registration form received by King County Elections.

In-person registration will continue through 8pm on Election Day, August 4. Eligible voters can register in person at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton or at a Vote Center in Renton or Century Link field. 

Voters who come in person should wear a mask and be prepared to follow social distancing protocols.

Starting on July 31 in Renton and August 1 in Seattle at CenturyLink Field Event Center, King County Elections will offer curbside service to voters needing to register to vote or receive a replacement ballot. Voters can pre-order their replacement ballot online or call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683) to pre-register ahead of time to reduce their wait time.

King County Elections mailed Primary election ballots to registered voters on July 15. Any voter who has not received their ballot should request a replacement ballot online or call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683) for immediate assistance.

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.


Read more...

City urges Shoreline residents to take COVID-19 prevention measures seriously


From the City of Shoreline

COVID-19 Update: Case counts continue to rise at unacceptable rates; continue to do your part to help stop the spread

As hard as we have worked to stop the spread of COVID-19, case counts continue to rise at unacceptable rates. Much of the spread continues to be from community transmission. In other words, cases are occurring in people that didn’t have any known contact with infected individuals. Gathering with people who are not within your household increases your chance of contracting the virus.

We are urging Shoreline residents to continue to take prevention measures seriously. Every new infection puts our vulnerable community members at risk and can set back the time to fully reopen our businesses.

Please help keep our community healthy and safe. This virus is as infectious as ever. We are all in this together and we are depending on everyone to do their part.

For more information, go to shorelinewa.gov/covid

To combat the rising numbers, Governor Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman are changing guidance and regulations around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The changes will also affect family entertainment centers, movie theaters and card rooms.

Weddings and funerals

Under the new guidance, wedding ceremonies and funerals will remain permitted, but receptions are prohibited. Ceremonies and funerals must still adhere to current guidance; for all phases, maximum indoor occupancy is 20%, or up to 30 people, whichever is less, if social distancing can be observed.

The changes will take effect on August 6, providing a grace period for weddings and funerals previously scheduled to take place or readjust their plans.

Restaurants

Restaurant guidance will now require parties to be members of the same household to dine indoors at the same table. Outdoor dining and take-out remains available for small parties from different households.

Restaurants must also close gaming and social areas, such as pool tables, dart boards and video games.

Bars will be closed for indoor service but can continue outdoor service. Alcohol service inside of restaurants must end by 10:00pm.

These regulations take effect on July 30.

Fitness centers

The number of individuals allowed to use fitness centers and other physical health venues at a given time will also be reduced.

For counties in Phase 2, such as King County, only five individuals — not including staff — will be allowed for indoor fitness services at a time. This includes gyms, fitness studios, and indoor pools, ice rinks, volleyball courts, and tennis facilities. These are limited to small group instruction or private training.

The changes are effective July 30.

Entertainment regulations


Indoor family entertainment and recreation centers — like mini golf, bowling alleys, and arcades — are prohibited from opening, as well as indoor card rooms.

Face coverings

Beginning July 25, the face coverings order will expand to include all common spaces, such as elevators, hallways and shared spaces in apartment buildings, university housing and hotels, as well as congregate setting such as nursing homes. Even if you’re alone in these areas, you must wear a mask.

Eviction moratorium extension

Governor Inslee also announced an extension of the state’s eviction moratorium to Oct. 15. Details on the extension will be released in the coming days.

In addition to the moratorium, the extension also directs Governor’s Office staff to convene an informal work group of landlords and tenants to discuss potential changes to the order in the short-term and long-term as the pandemic progresses, including the prospect of rent increases.

To learn more about the Governor’s latest orders, visit coronavirus.wa.gov.


Read more...

Case updates July 25, 2020; CDC says COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness

New CDC report emphasizes COVID-19 can cause prolonged illness, including in younger people. 


The CDC today released the findings of a telephone survey that indicates more than one-third of people diagnosed with COVID-19 but did not have to be hospitalized had not returned to their usual state of health within 2-3 weeks of being tested. Among those between the age of 18-34 with no chronic medical conditions, one in five had not returned to their usual state of health.

The CDC’s takeaway message? “Recovery from COVID-19 can take a long time, even in young adults.” Read the report here.

Case updates July 25, 2020

United States
  • cases 4,024,492 including 72,219 new cases
  • deaths 143,868 including 1,113 new deaths

Washington state
  • cases 50,824 - 865 new cases - the rolling case average is over 600 per day
  • hospitalizations 5,301 - 25 new
  • deaths 1,495 - 13 new

King county
  • cases 14,047 - 213 new (goal: less than 25 new)
  • hospitalizations 1,866 - 28 new
  • deaths 638 - 2 new

Shoreline
  • cases 453 - 3 new
  • hospitalizations 95 - 0 new
  • deaths 59 - 1 new

Lake Forest Park
  • cases 47 - 0 new
  • hospitalizations 5 - 1 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new




Read more...

Hungry mouths to feed

Photo by Nancy Teske

By Nancy Teske

These precious babies were right above the office door at Cannon Beach campground.

Photo by Nancy Teske

I caught them just as mom was sweeping in with dinner.



Read more...

195th Pedestrian Bridge open - but closes again in September

East side of the 195th pedestrian bridge
Photo by Carl Dinse

Walkers and bicyclists have already discovered that the 195th pedestrian bridge has reopened. 

It was opened on Friday, July 24, 2020 and in use almost immediately.

Sound Transit construction crews finished the utility work on the east side of the bridge but will close again in September for other construction.

In the meantime, the bridge, which is a major east-west connector to the north-sound Interurban Trail, is open.



Read more...

Fire at RB Saltwater Park started by fireworks

File photo from previous fire
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg


Fireworks at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park Friday evening around 11pm started a brush fire.

It covered an area 100' x 20' and was extinguished by Shoreline Fire.

Extinguished, but a reminder, fireworks are illegal and do start fires! Be safe!


Read more...

Friday Flower

Friday, July 24, 2020

Photo by Mike Remarcke


This flower comes to us from photographer Mike Remarcke




Read more...

Case updates July 23, 2020; Governor announces new restrictions

Gov Inslee
Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced changes to “Safe Start,” Washington’s phased approach to reopening. The changes target activities that data have shown provide a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.

It has been four months since the governor announced the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. Since then, cases in Washington have risen from 2,000 to almost 50,000, and deaths have increased from 110 to nearly 1,500.

To combat the rising numbers, the governor and secretary are changing guidance and regulations around restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The changes will also affect family entertainment centers, movie theaters and card rooms.

“We do not take these steps lightly. We know every prohibition is a challenge for individuals and business owners,” Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. “But we know that if we fail to act, we expose people and businesses to even greater risk down the line.”

Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.

Case updates July 23, 2020

United States
  • cases 3,952,273 including 70,106 new cases
  • deaths 142,755 including 1,078 new deaths
Washington state
  • cases 50,009 - 762 new cases
  • hospitalizations 5,276 - 65 new
  • deaths 1,482 - 14 new
King county
  • cases 13,834 - 175 new (goal: less than 40 new)
  • hospitalizations 1,838 - 12 new
  • deaths 636 - 1 new
Shoreline
  • cases 450 - 3 new
  • hospitalizations 95 - 0 new
  • deaths 58 - 0 new
Lake Forest Park
  • cases 47 - 0 new
  • hospitalizations 4 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new




Read more...

Volunteer positions available on LFP parks board

Whispering Willow Park
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The City of Lake Forest Park seeks applicants for its Parks and Recreation Advisory Board which is responsible for advising the City Council and Mayor on parks and recreation issues including park master planning, recreation program evaluation and park comprehensive planning.

All board member terms are three years and members are limited to two consecutive full-term appointments.

If you are interested in serving on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board please complete an application and attach a resume and cover letter describing your experience and interest in parks and recreation.

Completed applications, with resume and cover letter, may be emailed to Cory Roche, Community Volunteer Coordinator, at croche@cityoflfp.com or mailed to the Lake Forest Park City Hall at 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

You can find more information on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board here.



Read more...

Lake Forest Park Municipal Services in good shape to weather the Covid crisis…for this year

Tracy Furutani, reporter

By Tracy Furutani

The city of Lake Forest Park is generating enough revenue and has made enough spending cuts to fund municipal services for the remainder of the year, according to city staff presenting at the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting last Thursday evening.

“On the revenue side, there are two silver linings that look interesting,” said Councilmember John Resha, chair of the committee. 
“The Real Estate Excise Tax [revenue] continues to trend strong. We’re still seeing strong home sales in Lake Forest Park.” 
Many communities that have a heavy reliance on the sales tax are not doing well because of lost sales, but “we’re actually trending ahead in sales tax revenue. Why, we don’t know,” he said, though he speculated online sales may be compensating.

The presentation included the accompanying figure, showing the different revenue streams the city receives, each row being a different source of income and the length of the bar indicating the dollar amount of that stream in thousands of dollars. These streams are not all of the revenue that flows to the city, and there is some time lag in the reporting of dollar amounts in some of the streams.

The percentage on each bar shows how much of the anticipated revenue for each source has been collected. The city works on a 24-month budget cycle ending at the end of this year. So, as of the end of June, each bar should read “75%” to be on-target, explained city Finance Director Lindsey Vaughn. 

While the amounts for the Business and Occupation Tax, the Gas Tax and passport sales are down comparatively, the Real Estate Excise Tax is quite a bit up. Even with the high-profile closures of Town Center tenants such as Forest Park Cleaners and VSOP Jewelry, the revenue from Sales and Use Tax is still ahead of where it should be.

On the cost-cutting side, “the City Administration anticipated very early on that the City of Lake Forest Park could realize between a 12-15% revenue loss in the General Fund due to the COVID19 pandemic,” said Vaughn in a statement later. 
“City Administration quickly acted by freezing all vacant positions including not hiring seasonal positions, suspending all nonessential training [and] travel, freezing all discretionary spending, and reserving the ability to suspend contracted work as appropriate. 
"In addition, the City Administrator and Finance Director worked with all departments to identify 15% departmental budget cuts to reduce expenditures until more became known about the financial impact of the COVID19 pandemic directly to the City of Lake Forest Park.”

“Huge props to the mayor and the city administrator” for enacting the spending freezes, agreed Resha.

The City Council will be considering the next biennial budget in the coming months.



Read more...

Agenda for Shoreline council meeting July 27, 2020

Shoreline City Council
Shoreline City Council 
Agenda for July 27, 2020

By Pam Cross

ACTION ITEM

8(a) Adopting Ordinance No. 895 – Interim Regulations for Outdoor Dining

As discussed at last week’s Council meeting, this would adopt interim regulations to remove regulatory barriers and fees for eating and drinking establishments to create outdoor seating areas thereby allowing these businesses to resume table service within COVID-induced seating and capacity restrictions.


STUDY ITEMS

9(a) Discussion of the Structure of Law Enforcement in Shoreline and King County, Including Current Policy Changes Under Consideration

The City contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) for law enforcement services. The staff report provides an outline of how law enforcement is provided to the City through King County and the current oversight, budgetary, and accountability responsibilities that exist through the City’s contract for police services and within the King County structure. Staff has provided this information to facilitate Council and community consideration of next steps. This may include further exploration of changes in law enforcement approaches, review of policing policies and practices, and establishment of certain community benchmarks for policing and the broader criminal justice system.


9(b) Discussing the Update of the Feasibility Study for Transfer of Development Rights and the Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP) in Shoreline

The purpose of the 2011 Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program is to encourage the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) with a public infrastructure financing tool called tax increment financing. The program gives the City access to a new form of revenue in return for TDR from regional farms and forests. LCLIP creates incentives for both land conservation in the county and infrastructure improvements in the city.

The City received a grant to study the feasibility of applying LCLIP in the 145th and 185th light rail station subareas, Town Center, and the Community Renewal Area (Aurora Square). Tonight's meeting is a chance for stakeholders to present the results of the updated LCLIP Feasibility Study that finds that the City stands to gain $8.3M to $12.8M for infrastructure improvements from revenue generated by new development over a 25-year period if all the City’s allocated TDR credits are placed.

What is Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)?

The right to develop land for residential or commercial purposes is one of a bundle of rights associated with land ownership. King County’s TDR Program allows landowners of designated sending sites to separate the right to develop land from the bundle of other property rights. Sending sites are rural or resource lands with farm, forest, open space, or regional trail amenities.

Through TDR, the separated right(s) are turned into a tradable commodity that can be bought and sold – just as land can be bought and sold. When a landowner chooses to separate some, or all, development rights, the property is preserved through a conservation easement. A conservation easement can act to reduce landowner property taxes. Landowners can retain development rights on their property for future use and the land remains in private ownership.

These transferable development rights or “TDRs” are typically bought by developers of designated receiving sites. Receiving sites are typically Urban areas eligible for increased density. The purchased TDRs give developers the ability to build additional houses that exceed the number allowed by the zoning base density.

Council meetings are held virtually, on zoom. Information and how to view and make comments are HERE

Update: Staff report for outdoor dining regulations now available




Read more...

Volunteer positions open on LFP tree board

5 Acre Wood
Photo by Dan Short

The City of Lake Forest Park is seeking applications for several positions on the Lake Forest Park Tree Board. 

The Tree Board provides outreach and education to the community on tree-related issues, organizes and facilitates public events involving trees, and provides advice to the City Council on policy and regulatory issues involving trees.

Tree Board meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7:00pm, at Lake Forest Park City Hall. 

More information about the Tree Board is on the City website.

Board members should live within the Lake Forest Park city limits, but it is not required. Interests or backgrounds in urban forestry, horticulture, and habitat restoration are encouraged but not required.

If you are interested in applying or have questions, email Assistant Planner Lauren Hoerr.



Read more...

A luscious beauty

Photo by Lee Lageschulte


This lush looking flower lives in a garden in Richmond Beach.





Read more...

Testing widely available but results are getting delayed

Swab and reagent

COVID-19 testing is a critical component for us to know where, when, and how the disease is spreading so that we can take proactive measures to get it under control. 

More drive test sites have been made around the County to make testing fast, convenient, and safe and readily available. 

Anyone who experiences any of the many potential symptoms for COVID-19 should get tested as rapidly as possible, and anyone who has been in close contact more than 15 minutes with someone who has the virus should also be tested. 

You can read more testing FAQs here, and you can find a regularly updated listing of King County Testing Sites and Schedules, translated into multiple languages.

Aurora test site is free at the old vehicle emission test site:
Call to make an appointment 

Unfortunately, recently there have been reports of longer wait times to get COVID-19 tests and delays in receiving test results in some instances. These delays are a nationwide issue, due to both recent increases in the number of people seeking testing for COVID-19 which is creating increasing workloads for laboratories, and limited reagent supplies that are needed for COVID-19 laboratory testing. 

Public Health and testing labs across the state are working with the Washington Department of Health and regional laboratories and healthcare providers to develop strategies to decrease the time between testing to results and to minimize disruption of the availability of COVID-19 testing locally. We know it can be concerning and frustrating while awaiting testing results.

That said, anyone with symptoms and who thinks they may have COVID-19 or is being tested for COVID-19 should isolate themselves away from others until their result is back and then follow the instructions from your healthcare provider and Public Health. 

For more information about what to do while waiting for results, you can read this recent blog post from King County Public Health Insider.



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

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

Back to TOP