Scene on the Sound: The Fairweather

Monday, September 21, 2020

Photo by Jan Hansen



Look! Puget Sound - land on the other side - fluffy clouds - and best of all - blue skies! So happy the wildfire smoke is gone.

And the appropriately named research vessel Fairweather is sailing by.




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What? Spread-eagle? No, no, photog. Spread-owl!

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler




Barred Owl preparing for takeoff in our yard yesterday

--Gloria Z Nagler





[For the visually impaired: A barred owl with dark brown, brown, and cream markings is captured in the moment of landing on a branch. His feather covered feet have a firm grasp on the branch. His deep brown eyes are looking directly at the camera. His beak looks like a tiny yellow carrot in the middle of his face. His wings are starting to furl and look like strange creatures riding on his back. It is his tail feathers that are amazing. His tail is completely spread out with 12 horizontally striped feathers in a fan worthy of a Spanish dancer.]



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Community Meeting on North King County Enhanced Shelter

Location of proposed shelter


Community Meeting on North King County Enhanced Shelter
Meeting date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 6:30pm to 9pm

The City of Shoreline and Lake City Partners have announced plans to work in partnership with King County to operate a 24/7 enhanced shelter at 16357 Aurora Avenue N. This program would help address an unmet need for single adults experiencing homelessness in North King County. In addition to providing safe shelter, it would provide case management support for each individual focused on long term housing stability.

The City and representatives from Lake City Partners (see previous article) will host a community meeting via Zoom. We will provide information about the project, address many of the concerns we have already heard, and provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and provide comments. Representatives from King County will also be on hand to answer questions.

Visit shorelinewa.gov/NKCEnhancedShelter for more information

Information on how to join the meeting and participate.
Webinar ID: 960 2490 6611
Passcode 722710

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Case updates September 18, 2020


Case updates September 18, 2020

United States
  • cases 6,706,374 - 49,575 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 198,099 - 983 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays
  • cases 82,199 - 597 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 7,248 - 33 since yesterday
  • deaths* 2,037 - 0 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,399 - 95 in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 2,313 - 0 in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 748 - 0 in previous 24 hours

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 589 - 3 new in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 104 - 1 new in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 62 - 0 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 67 - -1 new
  • hospitalizations 3 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new



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Heart Berries, A Memoir

Terese Mailhot is the author of Heart Berries, A Memoir, which tells of her life in British Columbia and having survived a profoundly dysfunctional upbringing only to find herself hospitalized and facing a dual diagnosis of PTSD and bipolar II disorder. 

Heart Berries is a memorial for Mailhot's mother, a social worker and activist who had a thing for prisoners; a story of reconciliation with her father - an abusive drunk and a brilliant artist - who was murdered under mysterious circumstances; and an elegy on how difficult it is to love someone while dragging the long shadows of shame.

Terese Marie Mailhot


Heart Berries was listed as an NPR Best Book of the Year, a Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year, a Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, and was one of Harper's Bazaar's Best Books of 2018.



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City seeks names for two new parks in Meridian Park and Westminster Triangle neighborhoods

Location of new park in Westminster Triangle


The City of Shoreline invites the public to submit potential names for two new neighborhood parks in the Meridian Park and Westminster Triangle neighborhoods. 

The deadline for submitting name suggestions is Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020.

The City is in the process of acquiring the two properties. One is located at 709 N 150th Street in the Westminster Triangle neighborhood and the other is located at 1341 N 185th Street in the Meridian Park neighborhood. 

Funding for the park acquisitions comes from Conservation Futures Tax grants and Park Impact Fees.

Meridian park new park location

Names may reflect:
  • Neighborhood, community, or geographical identification
  • Natural or geological feature
  • Historical or cultural significance
  • An individual, family, or organization that has made a significant land and/or monetary contribution to the park and recreation system, or has performed significant public service which made a tangible contribution to the parks and recreation system justifying a permanent memorial

To submit a name proposal, go to shorelinewa.gov/nameapark.

Below is a tentative timeline for next steps in the naming process:
  • Oct. 29 – PRCS Board reviews proposed names and makes recommendations to City Council
  • Nov. 23 – City Council discussion on proposed names
  • Dec. 7 – City Council adopts names for Shoreline’s newest parks

The 2017-2023 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan cites a citywide population forecast of more than 15,000 new residents by 2035. To maintain the current level of service of park property acreage per 1,000 residents, the PROS Plan estimated parkland needs of 95 acres citywide. 

The City currently has 413 acres of parkland. One of the top priorities identified in the PROS Plan was managing impacts from future growth through acquisition of park land. PROS Plan Strategic Action Initiative #7 called for ensuring adequate park land for future generations and set a target of adding five acres of new park land by 2023.

The PROS Plan Initiative also called for the City to secure sustainable funding for park improvements identified in the Plan. In 2017, the City Council established Park Impact Fees (PIFs) to require that new growth and development pay a proportionate share of the cost of system improvements to serve such new development.



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Thieves bring floor jack to steal Prius wheels

From King county sheriff's office

Hmm.... is there a shortage on Prius wheels? Looks like a couple of guys wanted this one bad enough that they hauled a floor jack to their planned heist.

On September 10, 2020 at about 3:22am, Shoreline Police responded to a call in the 16200 block of Meridian Ave N.

When deputies arrived they were told by the 9-1-1 caller that he was alerted by his wife that the alarm on his Prius was going off.

When the homeowner went outside to investigate, he saw two suspects run away in opposite directions and get into two different vehicles before fleeing the scene.

One suspect was described as a white male in his 20’s, about 5’10-6’0 in height and wearing all black clothing. The vehicles that the suspects left in were a dark colored SUV and an older model red Honda Civic.

The suspects left behind an orange floor jack with a white handle. If you are missing a floor jack, or know anything about this little caper please call our non-emergency number at 206-296-3311.




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Second-half 2020 property taxes due November 2; deadline will not be extended

King County property owners who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, have until Monday, November 2 to pay the second half of their 2020 bill.

After that date, interest charges and penalties will be added to the tax bill. 

The Pierce and Snohomish county treasurers are also maintaining this deadline in their respective jurisdictions.

While the first half payment deadline was extended due to the then-emerging COVID-19 pandemic, an extension of the second half deadline could create substantial financial risk for many cities, counties, school districts, fire districts, hospital districts, and other special purpose districts. 

These jurisdictions rely heavily on the timely receipt of the year's second installment of property tax revenue to make December debt service payments.

To make the process easier, King County provides several ways for property owners to pay their taxes quickly and conveniently. Payments can be made:
  • Online using King County's convenient, secure online eCommerce system at kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax. Taxpayers may pay with a credit card, debit card, or an electronic check. (A service fee applies to this option.)
  • By mail if postmarked no later than November 2, 2020. Taxpayers should write their property tax account number on their check or money order. Cash should not be sent through the mail. Taxpayers do not need to include a tax statement with the payment as long as the property tax account number is on the check or money order and payment is for the exact amount due.
  • Because of the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, customer service counters at King County facilities remain closed to in-person payments. However, taxpayers can use the specially-marked, secure dropbox located at the King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave. in downtown Seattle, to make payments by check or money order. Cash should not be left in the dropbox.

Payment plan

To help taxpayers impacted by COVID-19, King County initiated a payment plan program earlier this year. This program continues to be available for real property homes, commercial businesses, land, and mobile homes in King County. To participate, property owners must sign an agreement with King County Treasury. If participating owners also have a mortgage, they should notify their lender about the payment plan program. The program is administered through a third-party vendor and monthly payments are credited to the property tax account once the terms of the payment plan are met.

For those taxpayers participating in a 2020 payment plan, King County is currently waiving the program's $75 setup fee for qualified taxpayers, but participants will need to pay a monthly processing fee charged by the vendor. 

Those taking advantage of this program will also need to pay interest of 1% each month on the outstanding amount of their tax bill, as required by Washington state law. However, the statutory 8% penalty applied annually on December 1 for outstanding property taxes is waived for those enrolled in a payment plan. 

A payment plan for 2020 taxes may be for a term of up to 18 months. For more information on the payment plan program, please visit kingcounty.gov/PaymentPlans or email paymentplans@kingcounty.gov.

For questions about missing tax statements or other tax payment information, visit kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax, contact King County Treasury Operations at propertytax.customerservice@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-2890.

Information on senior citizen exemption and deferral programs can be obtained from the King County Assessor's Office at kingcounty.gov/assessor/seniors, by emailing exemptions.assessments@kingcounty.gov, or calling 206-296-3920.




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LFP Council continues to review Planning Commission recommendations for Town Center Code updates

Town Center
Photo by Tracy Furutani
City of Lake Forest Park Council Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, September 21, 2020, 6-8pm.

Agenda: Review of Draft Revisions to Planning Commission 4/14/2020 recommended Town Center Code Update in response to Council discussion at recent Work Sessions and Committee of the Whole meetings

The edited documents is HERE starting on the 4th page

Click the link below to join the webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/92466676524

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +12532158782,,92466676524# or +13462487799,,92466676524#

Or Telephone:
US:+12532158782

Webinar ID: 924 6667 6524
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aeJkVinpeO



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Lake City Partners ending homelessness

Stanley Machokoto holds the 2019 Outstanding Human Services Program award at the NUHSA ceremony last year while the Lake City Partners smile. Photo courtesy North Urban Human Services



Lake City Partners has been named as the lead agency to manage the proposed 60 bed homeless shelter in the former nursing home at 163rd and Aurora. They have a long-time presence in Lake City and were recipients of NUSHA's 2019 Outstanding Human Services Program.

Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness

  • Who Are They?
  • What Do They Do?

By Donna Hawkey

Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness is no stranger to the City of Shoreline. Their work goes beyond the Lake City neighborhood. In 2019, through their Shoreline Housing Outreach program, Lake City Partners helped 73 Shoreline households get into housing, including families with children. 

Just last quarter, they assisted 17 Shoreline children whose parents are struggling. They see the growing needs of both families and individuals, and the City of Shoreline recognizes this trend. Once the infectious disease COVID-19 arrived, another level of caring for everyone’s health and safety was required.

As of January 2020, King County counted 11,751 people experiencing homelessness, a 5% increase over the previous year. 53% of those people are unsheltered. Demographically, this composes 7% of the total population and disproportionately affects people of color. 25% of the homeless individuals counted are Black. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are 1% of the total population and are 15% of the 2020 homeless count. This number, 11,751 is a single night count for King county and is likely an undercount. 
Graph from National Alliance to End Homelessness Report


This graph shows a national picture of all the financially struggling households. 

There is a small percentage of homeless; however, many more households are at risk or live in poverty. 

So households experiencing homelessness are not significantly different than other low-income families.

(40% of the US homeless population are under the age of 18 with the highest rates occurring in Western US.)

This year, Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Director, City of Shoreline, was tasked with finding solutions for homeless individuals. While there are various shelters for families, there is little available for individuals. 

Federal Department of Commerce funds became available to King county at the same time that a local  nursing home with 60 rooms at NW 163rd and Aurora Ave in Shoreline came up for sale. The funds are available to create a shelter but it has to be operational by the end of the year. 

The nursing home is a perfect facility as the individual rooms allow for COVID-19 protection as well as being able to house people in rooms that allow for privacy and dignity to develop stability in their lives.

“The City of Shoreline is deeply committed to taking on the challenge of homelessness in our community, but it is no less committed to ensuring that all of our neighborhoods are safe and healthy,” stated Shoreline Mayor Will Hall. 
“We believe this shelter can provide a needed service to our community while also being a good neighbor.” (See previous article “Shoreline collaborates with Lake City Partners on 24/7 enhanced shelter”)


Lake City Partners had already built a relationship with Shoreline through its successful winter shelter program that runs from November through March. 

The Lake City Partners winter shelter rotates monthly among various congregations including Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Shoreline. They have been a host since the program’s inception in 2012. 

Each community church welcomes up to 30 nightly guests that include hot meals, bus tickets, and trained staff to help with a multitude of support needs. Those needs range from helping someone fill out an application for housing, determining appropriate referrals for services, and providing a crucial human connection through a caring hand and heart during the traumatic effects of becoming homeless. 

Melanie Neufeld, Director
Lake City Partners


Melanie Neufeld is the Director of Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness and a Minister at Seattle Mennonite Church. She has been forging community relationship-building in the Lake City Neighborhood and beyond for 14 years. 

She says that is how the organization evolved, and today it’s mainly word of mouth referrals. It started as a Lake City Taskforce in 2005, and in 2015, Lake City Partners to End Homelessness was established by the Taskforce.

Pastor Pam Russell, Prince of Peace, describes Ms. Neufeld as “tremendously talented, and I am in awe of how wonderful she is.”


Ms. Neufeld has worked in the non-profit sector for 24 years, specializing in social work and community development. 

Her training includes understanding shelter best practices with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. She is a Lake City resident who shows an unrelenting passion for those that become homeless and for social justice issues.

She says, “Harms need to be addressed and especially as we look through a racial equity lens. If we can’t help our most vulnerable population, how can we ever become a healthy society? COVID-19 has also given us a lens as to how we are all so connected; this disease knows no city, state, or country boundaries.”


Here are Ms. Neufeld’s answers to several interview questions.

What does the word “Partner” in your organization name stand for?

We are made up of many organizations working together. We refer to these groups as partners and they are represented on the board of directors and participate through the Lake City Taskforce on Homelessness which continues to meet monthly.

Your mission is to end homelessness. How do you do that?

We do that by housing one person, one family at a time. Affordable housing is at the forefront of solving homelessness. Without shelter, it’s difficult for a person to get restorative sleep, so how can we expect this person to go to work when they live in survival mode? And when people get the kind of services they need, a large portion of people will self-resolve to exit homelessness for good.

How did the Lake City Neighborhood initially respond about the development of the congregation of shelters?

At first, as most communities do, there are many fears about shelters. Public safety is always a top concern. As we build trust and strong relationships through community dialog and unity, we become an asset as the residents see positive results. As a community partner, I attend monthly neighborhood task force meetings and meetings with groups such as Building Lake City Together. We work together to solve the challenges towards a very worthy goal.

What are some examples of how you go about finding permanent housing?

First, we ask that person where they slept the night before and whether they can go back to that place, and we start the dialogue from there. Sometimes it is just a matter of helping that person get back to their family living outside our state, but a homeless person has no money to return.

Or that person lost their job and could no longer pay the rent, or they need to buy their car tabs. We work a lot with United Way’s Streets to Home program, which has established flexible funding that provides a bridge of solutions for various situations. There are many reasons a person becomes homeless, and there are numerous programs out there to help, but access can be difficult for someone who doesn’t own a computer or even own a mobile phone. And the system can be quite complex to navigate.

Every community is concerned about drug use and appropriate behavior. Please comment.

Let me be clear; there is no tolerance for drug use at our shelters or disrespectful behavior! We expect all residents to be home by 10:00pm. We follow the harm reduction theory, which allows for a tapering of drug use through pharmaceuticals and is overseen by their medical providers. But there is no usage of illicit drugs at our shelters. If that happens, that person is not a good fit for our program, and we quickly find them another place with the support they need.

Shelter staff


Then how do you go about finding a “good fit” for your program?


That happens in various ways, including referrals from Shoreline Police, fire and parks department. About 2-1/2 years ago, we started a program called Shoreline Housing Outreach. A full-time housing specialist, Stanley Machokoto, assists in this public work to walk the streets of Shoreline with the purpose to connect people to housing and other services necessary for survival.

How is the Housing Outreach funded, and when did it start?

The program started in May 2018. King County jointly funds it with 20% of matching funds from the City of Shoreline. Housing Outreach started with a small group of concerned citizens, including Pastor Russell, a current board member. It’s been very successful.

Was this King County’s answer to moving homeless people from Seattle to the nearby suburbs?

Absolutely not. King County is a national champion making housing the first priority, and they have done a lot in the Seattle area to establish this reputation. For instance, in Lake City, we have McDermott Place (75 apartments), which includes 38 units for veterans and Valor Apartments, 21 units for veterans.

McDermott Place by Eugene Shibayama

Mc Dermott Place is named in honor of Washington state congressman Jim McDermott, a strong and successful advocate for affordable housing. Services here include not only housing but the means to access education and employment services.

Is there a religious component to your programs?

No, there is not. It is the churches that have welcomed these shelters, and with a built-in volunteer congregation base, it’s easy to get things like emergency meals made and delivered in a flash. It’s incredible support that we require in these times and are so lucky to have.

How did Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness evolve?

We started as a group of faith-based and neighborhood organizations that saw the needs right before our eyes. Labor Ready had moved into the Lake City community, and suddenly, there was a need for showers, backpacks, and sandwiches to bring to work.

God’s Li’l Acre Day Center

That is how the program God’s Li’l Acre got started. 

Today, we oversee the God’s Li’l Acre Day Center that provides a hot shower, laundry facility, a community kitchen, internet and phone access, resource referrals, nursing care, clothing.

Beyond this work and our other programs mentioned, relationships and financial support from the Cities of Shoreline, Kenmore, and Bothell have developed due to increased community needs.

Do you think you are the right organization to manage an enhanced shelter, such as the one in consideration on Aurora Ave?

I feel we are a good match as we understand the single adult population, and we’ve had lots of neighborhood experience in Lake City. 

We are a small non-profit that has accomplished a lot with little staffing, so I feel confident we are ready and able. And I would look forward to working further with the City of Shoreline and neighbors and residents to make an enhanced shelter a safe place for all.

What would you do if you had unlimited funds?

I would buy housing, housing, housing, that is the first step. We don’t have enough of that, and with the price of housing now, I would need unlimited funds for sure.

Do you have any other future goals?

We are very concerned about a homeless person when discharged from a hospital setting and have no physical and mental health support when they leave. We have partnered with Seattle University College of Nursing and have a vision of working with hospitals to assure that released patients will get the help they need. It is very distressing for the health care workers as well, and some say it is the most stressful part of their job when they have to release a patient who has no home or family.

Leaves memorial - a leaf for each person who dies on the streets


Is there anything else you want the community to know?

Yes, the Leaves of Remembrance initiative started by Women in Black that has unfortunately grown, too. Bronze leaves embedded into city right of ways/streets with an inscription of the names of those who have died while living outside have 17 locations throughout King County. Each Leaf is to honor that person, and a website tells their story in honor of their life. 

Tree of Life sculpture

There is a Tree of Life sculpture north of Pike Place Market in Victor Steinbrueck park, the Leaves' companion. I hope one day we won’t ever need any more Leaves. 

In 2019, 58 human Leaves fell. Here is a list of the people who died.

More information about Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness here





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Decorative plants which may or may not be pampas grass

Saturday, September 19, 2020


Photos by Lee Lageschulte

I think this is pampas grass. Lee found the plant somewhere in Richmond Beach.


i forgot to ask her how tall the plants are. Pampas grass is usually very tall - 4-5 foot stalks. 

It's a very dramatic plant.

[Deep breathing for those of you who get incensed when I publish flower photos without proper identification.]







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Seattle Humane supports shelter partner in wake of Washington wildfires

Volunteers hold a supply drive for Central Washington Humane societies
in the parking lot at Seattle Humane in Bellevue


In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires are now devastating communities across the West Coast. The resulting unhealthy air quality is greatly impacting people and pets, especially in Eastern and Central Washington.

In response to this unexpected need, Seattle Humane hosted a volunteer-led supply drive in the shelter parking lot on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Thousands of pounds of pet food, plus hundreds of crates, towels, leashes, vet supplies, hay, critter bedding and pellets, food bowls, and more than $500 in monetary donations, was collected to support the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society’s efforts to help pets and livestock displaced by wildfires in Central Washington. 

Volunteers and staff delivered the supplies to the humane society the next day by way of a caravan of personal vehicles and a Seattle Humane transport van.

“They hit Wenatchee by storm with 12 vehicles filled with supplies,” said Wenatchee Valley Humane Society executive director Dawn Davies. “We sent three trucks, a trailer and our van loaded with supplies to Omak, Bridgeport, Waterville and Mansfield. Everyone was over-the-top grateful!”


The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society needed to add a small storage unit to accommodate the influx of donations, and the organization has been able to expand support to Grant County, Yakima and Quincy. People can still provide monetary donations by clicking here.

The supply drive followed on the heels of a pop-up One Health Clinic* vaccine clinic at the shelter that was coordinated by Dr. Katie Kuehl, a veterinarian and clinical instructor of shelter medicine at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine based at Seattle Humane. 

WSU vet students have come to Seattle Humane to train and receive hands-on experience for nearly a decade, however, rotations have been suspended since the pandemic started. 

When the One Health Clinic planned for September 11 was canceled due to wildfire smoke in the planned location, Seattle Humane's veterinary, community outreach and Pet Resource Center teams all stepped in to help make a pop-up clinic possible on-site at Seattle Humane.

“Even prior to the impacts of COVID-19, families in our community were struggling to access care for their service animals and animal family members,” Kuehl said. 
“When families are experiencing so many challenges with housing, employment, education and food insecurity, the last thing we want them to also be worrying about is having to give up a member of their family or watch them suffer because they are unable to access veterinary care.”


Seattle Humane has been working tirelessly to keep up with the growing demand for pet resources and evolving public health guidelines since Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency over COVID-19 in late February.

The need for emergency food and pet care assistance in the Pacific Northwest reflects the financial hardships people are facing across the nation as the pandemic shows little sign of slowing down or ending soon. Seattle Humane remains deeply focused on community outreach efforts that prevent pets from entering or re-entering the shelter system.

Seattle Humane partnered with several regional animal shelters to create a Mobile Pet Food Bank in April, providing free food and supplies to pet owners at pop-up events across King County. The Mobile Pet Food Bank has distributed more than 134,000 pounds of food since April, and Seattle Humane has provided more than 75,000 pounds of pet food to individuals during that same time through its own longstanding Pet Food Bank.

One Health Clinic joined the Mobile Pet Food Bank collaborative earlier this summer, adding veterinary care to the list of services provided during pop-up events. Seattle Humane veterinary services staff have jumped in to help provide services at many of the One Health events.

Seattle Humane has provided numerous emergency life-saving surgeries and treatment for low-income pet owners since closing its doors to the public for on-site visits in early March, and its Schuler Family Medical Center has been inundated with service requests since public spay/neuter appointments recently became available again.

The latest service under development at Seattle Humane is a temporary foster program that will allow people facing economic evictions to place their pets in the care of volunteers until they resolve issues regarding housing. Seattle Humane is looking toward the future and attempting to get ahead of a looming eviction crisis.

Seattle Humane will continue looking for opportunities to support members of our community in need of emergency resources. There is a dedicated COVID-19 resource page on its website to help pet owners access information and resources needed during this incredibly challenging time.

*One Health Clinic is a collaboration between the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Washington Center for One Health Research to create a health care model that addresses human and animal health and well-being. One Health focuses on serving families with pets who are experiencing homelessness and are at risk of homelessness in King County and beyond.

ABOUT Seattle Humane
Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane proudly promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need. We provide adoption services 7 days a week, plus pet workshops and training, a pet food bank, a low-fee spay/neuter surgery program, humane teen club, a visiting pets program and more. Seattle Humane is located in Bellevue, at 13212 SE Eastgate Way. For directions and more information, visit www.seattlehumane.org or call 425-641-0080.





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Case updates September 17, 2020

Case updates September 17, 2020


United States
  • cases 6,656,799 - 43,468 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 197,116 - 832 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays
  • cases 81,602 - 404 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 7,215 - 19 since yesterday
  • deaths* 2,037 - 6 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,304 - 127 in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 2,313 - 3 in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 748 - 0 in previous 24 hours

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 586 - 0 new in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 103 - 0 new in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 62 - 0 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 66 - -1 new
  • hospitalizations 3 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new



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Shoreline Community College contemplates cuts in view of budget shortfall

Photo by Jared Solano


Due to the State’s $8.8 billion loss in revenue as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, Shoreline Community College is preparing to meet an unanticipated, permanent loss of up to $7.3 million in state funding and tuition revenue for the 2020-21 fiscal year. 

In these very difficult budgetary times, this expected reduction will require the College, like most Washington community and technical colleges, to become smaller and re-think how we do our work. 

Specific budget reductions will be announced in September and October 2020, with the Board of Trustees voting on the final 2020-21 budget at their October 28th meeting.

In spring and summer of 2020, some actions were taken to begin addressing the budget reductions needed for the 2020-21 year. 

Five administrative positions and three annual (temporary) faculty contracts were not renewed for the 2020-21 academic year. A limited number of temporary staff layoffs occurred in revenue-dependent programs that were unable to continue in the summer because of COVID-19. 

In addition, the 3% Cost of Living Adjustment salary increase for all administrators at the College was not implemented for the 2020-21 year. These changes resulted in nearly $1 million in savings toward the potential $7.3 million shortfall expected in state funding and tuition revenue.

Over the summer, Shoreline’s Executive Team has also continued to collect additional financial data, to carefully review solutions identified by employees in a recent budget survey and evaluate various scenarios to determine how to make the necessary reductions with the least impact on students and employees. 

These decisions surrounding budget reductions are extremely difficult to make and the College continues to take great care in determining the best course forward under severe economic constraints.



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Short term memory

 

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE



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Traffic revision in Lake Forest Park for culvert replacement work

Intersection at NE 178th St and 44th Ave NE to be closed for 20 days


On Monday, September 21, the City will be closing the intersection at NE 178th St and 44th Ave NE, for a minimum of 20 days.

The closure is so work can be performed on the L60 culvert replacement project. 

Detour signs will be posted. For more information, click here for previous article "Culvert replacement to be more fish-friendly."

For the location of the closure, click here.



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For the birds: Missing birds—usually a temporary situation

Yellow Warbler, Photo by Tony Varela


By Christine Southwick

Several people have asked “Where have their birds gone?”

Evening Grosbeak,
Photo by Christine Southwick
The last week of Aug thru the first couple of weeks of September adult birds that had successful broods are finally replacing their feathers -- a process called molting.

The energy to replace each-and-every feather each year is high; too high to take place while a bird is actively feeding four to six babies.

Right now many resident adults are currently missing important flight feathers.

Purple Finch, male by Christine Southwick

Therefore, many of these birds will stay under cover in bushes and trees to save energy and keep safe. 

These adults are mainly eating bugs and fruits in place.

So they are not being seen at most feeders.

This includes our local Anna’s Hummingbird. The juveniles, this year's new birds, will come to the feeders, but there will still be fewer birds at your feeders.

Additionally, some of the birds that are at your feeders are migrants -- like Evening Grosbeaks and Purple Finches. Some of them have already left, and most will soon.

Black headed Grosbeak
Photo by Christine Southwick

Consistently keeping your feeders stocked with good quality food will give long-distance migrants like Black-headed Grosbeaks going to Mexico and warblers, like Yellow Warblers going as far as South America a good start by supplying the protein-loading needed to survive their long-distance migration. 

Especially this year with all the forest fires, many rest stops and roosts may have been eliminated, making a strong start imperative.

So yes, there are less birds at your feeders right now, but the resident adults will be back in another week or two.

Additionally, the smoke made even more birds to hunker down, and our rain will help them return.

Keep food in your feeders, your resident adult birds will return.

[For the visually impaired: the Yellow Warbler at the top is a fat little yellow bird, firmly attached to a small branch. His head is thrown back and his beak is wide open. He is in full song. The Evening Grosbeak and the Black-headed Grosbeak are very similar. They have sturdy looking bodies with orange throat and chest shading to vanilla on their lower body. Seen from the front, the Black-Headed Grosbeak has a mostly black head with shades of orange and white. His wings and tail are black with splotches of white. The beak is light colored, very thick and bends down. The Evening Grosbeak has more distinct markings which we can see in profile. His long feathers are black and the feathers in the middle of his back are brilliant white. The Purple Finch is a mottled red-purple color. He has the same strong beak.]



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Flags at half-staff for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Friday, September 18, 2020

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in her memory immediately.

The flags will be at half-staff until the day of internment. Once that date has been established, we will send out another notification to advise when the flags will be returned to full-staff.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Please call 360-902-0383 if you have any questions about this flag lowering.




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September’s Suicide Prevention Month: What can you do?

Photo by Hannah Reding on Unsplash


Suicide rates in Washington have continued to rise and health officials at the Department of Health want people to take five actions urged in the national “#Bethe1to” suicide prevention campaign.

“We want people to know there are steps they can take that can help prevent suicide,” said Secretary of Health John Wiesman. “Learning these may be vitally important to those you love and care about.”

In 2017, 1,300 Washingtonians died by suicide, and from 2006 to 2017 suicide in Washington state increased by an average of 2.5 percent annually.

The national #Bethe1to campaign, highlights five actions people can take to help prevent suicide.

1. Be the one to ask.

Ask the tough question. When somebody you know shows warning signs, ask them directly: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Take an online screening.

2. Be the one to keep them safe.

Do they have access to medications, firearms, or other means of suicide? Ask if they’ve thought about how they would do it and separate them from anything they could use to hurt themselves. Learn more from WA’s Safer Homes Coalition.

3. Be the one to be there.

People thinking about suicide can feel a burden to their loved ones.

If your friend is thinking about suicide, listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen with compassion and empathy without judgement. Now Matters Now has videos from people who have experienced suicidal thoughts share what individuals can do to help manage those thoughts.

4. Be the one to help them connect.

Help your friend connect to a support system, whether it’s 800-273-TALK (8255), the crisis text line (text “HEAL” to 741741) family, friends, faith-based leaders, coaches, co-workers, health care professionals or therapists, so they have a network to reach out to for help. 2-1-1’s online database is another way to find local resources.

5. Be the one to follow up.

Check in with the person you care about on a regular basis.

Making contact with a friend in the days and weeks after a crisis can make a difference in keeping them alive. Send a caring contact. This could be a phone call, text, email, or letter.

If you want to connect with someone anonymously, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, chat, or text “HEAL” to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor.

More information on suicide prevention in Washington and the state’s Suicide Prevention Plan is online.

The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign-up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.



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A very confused great blue heron sat in a tree

Great blue heron sits atop a tall tree
Photo by Bill Schnall



This seemingly very confused great blue heron sat in the tree above Richmond Beach Saltwater Park for more than 60 minutes… 

Probably wondering where the water was and wondering how come he couldn't find any dinner.

How does one explain climate change / air pollution / forest fires to a hungry heron?

--Bill Schnall



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AG Ferguson: Washington Federal judge issues nationwide injunction blocking Postmaster General’s unlawful policies delaying mail

Bob Ferguson, Washington
state attorney general


A federal judge in Yakima, Wash., today granted Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s request to grant a nationwide injunction forcing the U.S. Postal Service to immediately halt drastic operational changes.

Judge Stanley A. Bastian issued a detailed written order Thursday afternoon September 17, 2020. In its motion for a preliminary injunction, Ferguson and the coalition of states asked the judge to order the Postal Service to:

  • Immediately stop its “leave mail behind” policy, where postal trucks are required to leave at specified times, regardless if there is mail still to be loaded
  • Continue its longstanding practice of treating all election mail as First Class mail, regardless of the paid postage
  • Replace, reassemble or reconnect any removed mail-sorting machines that are needed to ensure timely processing and delivery of election mail
  • Abide by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s public commitment to suspend the recent policy changes that have affected mail service until after the electionThe judge said his order would substantially follow the state’s motion.

“Today’s victory protects a critical institution for our country,” Ferguson said. “Americans can now confidently vote by mail and have their voices heard.”

Case background

Ferguson is leading a coalition of 14 states that filed a lawsuit over the changes to the Postal Service on Aug. 18, 2020. The coalition includes battleground states, including Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin. 

The Postal Service changes, including eliminating or reducing staff overtime, halting outgoing mail processing at state distribution centers and removing critical mail sorting equipment, threaten the timely delivery of mail to millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service for everything from medical prescriptions to ballots.

Ferguson’s lawsuit asserts that the postmaster general unlawfully implemented drastic changes to mail service, and seeks to stop the service reductions. 

Immediately after Ferguson filed his lawsuit, the postmaster general made public commitments that he would halt some — but not all — of those changes. Since that time, mail delays continue, and questions remain about what changes are still in effect.


The changes at the Postal Service come as President Donald Trump continues to claim without evidence that widespread vote-by-mail will lead to a fraudulent election. Washington state has allowed elections to be conducted completely by mail-in ballot since 2005, and mandated the practice statewide in 2011. The state has not experienced voter fraud at any significant level.

More information HERE



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Shoreline firefighter called up to support state of Oregon

Oregon wildfire
Photo courtesy National US/R Response System


In response to a FEMA Region X request for assistance to support the State of Oregon Wildfires, FEMA US/R resources have been activated, and operations began September 12, 2020.

The team includes Shoreline’s Lieutenant Ciraulo who was deployed to assist in Oregon’s wildfires as part of a Red US/R Incident Support Team

2 NIMS type 1 US/R Task Forces:
  • Washington US/R Task Force 1
  • Utah US/R Task Force 1
1 Mission Ready Package Canine Search Human Remains Detection from Nevada US/R Task Force




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Residential fire in Shoreline Thursday

Shoreline Fire responded to a residential structure fire called in as a laundry room fire, just after 12:30pm on Thursday, September 17, 2020. 

This was at the 20100 block of 12th Ave NE, between I-5 and 15th NE in the Ballinger neighborhood of Shoreline.

There were no injuries reported. The Red Cross was called and is assisting the residents.




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Art Walk Edmonds on hold - but there is still art to see in Edmonds


The Art Walk Edmonds Board has canceled the September 17, 2020 Art Walk. Until Snohomish County is in Phase 3 of “Smart Start” re-opening, all future Art Walks are on hold. We are looking forward to when we can safely and responsibly hold our beloved Art Walk again. 

However, there is still art to see in downtown Edmonds! We are highlighting a few that we know about. Please check with the individual locations and visit during their business hours.
  • Interiors of Edmonds (326 Main St) is featuring the works of photographer Lynne Greenup and several other artists.
  • Randall J Hodges Photography Gallery (317 Main St) is showing new images of world re-known landscape and nature photographer Randall J Hodges
  • Demetris Woodstone Taverna (101 Main St) has local chainsaw carvings of wildlife by owner Kyle Huffman displayed in the restaurant for sale.
  • The Curious Nest (405 Main St) is featuring the artwork of Gloria Frietas in a show called "Strings Attached" - which mostly features animals that are endangered species or on the watch list.
  • Gallery North (401 Main St) is hosting featured art show "Dreams of Color" by Leanna Leitzke
  • Cole Gallery (107 5th Ave S) is featuring artist Layne Cook's show "A Sense of Time and Place" and artwork by impressionist Mike Wise "Painting Whidbey".
  • Maize and Barley (525 Main St) presents a Sea Series art exhibit by local artist Heather Stadler Weichert.
  • ARTspot (408 Main St) is hosting an ArtWatch Livestream on Thursday, September 17th at 6pm. You can watch on their Instagram, Facebook or YouTube account as Bryn, Ray and Angeline will be sculpting and answering questions.
  • Glazed and Amazed (514 Main St), in partnership with the Edmonds Food Bank, is hosting an Empty Bowls event through September 24th. Buy an unfinished bowl to either paint in store or at home for $20. $16 will go to Edmonds Food Bank.
  • The Edmonds Center for the Arts (410 4th Ave N) is hosting it's annual gala virtually this year on Friday, September 25th from 7-9pm. For more information visit here.



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Pilar is capable of great focus in her work...


Photo by Gloria Z Nagler


Pilar is a Pileated Woodpecker whose tongue is long, but actually shorter than some woodpeckers' tongues. Her tongue is barbed at the tip (looks like dark spot here) to enable Pilar to extract bugs from deep holes in trees.

Pilar, like other woodpeckers, stores her tongue by winding it around the back of her head between her skin and skull. The wound-up tongue also helps cushion her brain from the shock of her pecking.

---Gloria Z Nagler




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Case updates September 16, 2020

Case updates September 16, 2020


United States
  • cases 6,613,331 - 41,464 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 196,277 - 1,224 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays
  • cases 81,198 - 386 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 7,196 - 34 since yesterday
  • deaths* 2,031 - 11 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,196 - 38 in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 2,310 - -7 in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 748 - 0 in previous 24 hours

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 590 - 3 new in previous 24 hours
  • hospitalizations 103 - 0 new in previous 24 hours
  • deaths 62 - 0 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 68 - 1 new
  • hospitalizations 4 - -1 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new

Where it all started:

Kirkland
  • cases 647
  • hospitalizations 125
  • deaths 62




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Protestors on Aurora: "The Pandemic is a Fraud"

Photo submitted by a reader


Protestors on Aurora Thursday afternoon held signs that say "The Pandemic is a fraud," "Honk if you question the mask mandate" and "Vote Culp."

They may not believe in the dangers of wildfire smoke either, as they are standing in a cloud of it.




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New Shoreline Community College online class - Drawing Seascapes, Above and Below the Water

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Windy spring day at Richmond Beach
Photo by Wayne Pridemore



This Fall, travel virtually to the seashore and focus on drawing what you see on the shore or in the water! 

Join instructor Marina Megale in an online sketching class focused on the many subjects around the shore: boats, ships and seabirds, driftwood, kelp and shells, beachgoers, fish, marine mammals, docks, etc. 

Students are encouraged to visit a beach (using social distancing and masks) in their area for inspiration. 

The remainder of the classes will be spent using Zoom to meet and critique each other’s drawings and discuss new subjects and techniques, while drawing from selected photographs and gathering physical subjects to draw from. Vintage or contemporary points of view are welcome. This class is offered in partnership with Highline College.

Fee: $179
Dates: September 25th - December 4th (Fridays)
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Click here to view the full details for this course and register today! Questions? Email continuing-ed@shoreline.edu.



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Everett man in stolen vehicle speeds recklessly through Shoreline Thursday after four hit and run collisions in Snohomish county

Photo courtesy Snohomish county sheriff's office



At approximately 10am on Thursday, September 17, 2020, a 28-year-old Everett man was arrested after stealing a vehicle, hitting four occupied vehicles, leading deputies on a pursuit into King County and intentionally ramming a deputy’s patrol vehicle.
 
Just after 9am, deputies responded to reports of an active vehicle theft on 48th Ave W in Lynnwood. Approximately 10 minutes later, additional callers reported three hit and run collisions involving occupied vehicles. 

Deputies located the suspect vehicle on Hwy 99 and witnessed the suspect hit a fourth occupied vehicle and flee. Near 236th Street and Hwy 99 deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the suspect accelerated and took off. 

A pursuit was initiated and continued southbound on Aurora through Shoreline. The suspect vehicle continued driving recklessly, nearly hitting a vehicle head on and driving at speeds of approximately 60 MPH, at which time deputies terminated the pursuit.

Additional units observed the suspect vehicle begin to slow down, however the suspect continued driving southbound on Aurora through several red-light intersections. The suspect vehicle lost a tire in the 11800 block of Aurora and continued driving. Deputies maintained a visual of the vehicle through Northgate and responding units drove ahead to deploy spike strips. The suspect continued to lose tire debris as he continued driving southbound around Green Lake.

The suspect avoided spike strips at W Marginal Way, but a second set of spike strips near the S 128th Street exit on southbound 509 in Burien were successful. 

Moments later, the suspect intentionally swerved the stolen truck and rammed a deputy’s patrol vehicle parked on the side of the highway. The 28-year-old Everett man was taken into custody at the scene of the crash.

He is expected to be booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, vehicular assault, and four counts of occupied hit and run. He is also being processed for suspicion of DUI.



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