Hopelink offering free GED classes online for local students

Monday, September 28, 2020


In response to COVID-19, Hopelink is now offering free GED classes online for students who live in or near our service area. Students who need to be at home can still get help earning their GED or high school diploma, a credential which will help them get a better job, prepare for college, or fulfill their personal goals. 

Celia, one of our Hopelink students, had been trying to get her GED for twenty years, but her work and family responsibilities always took precedence. Finally this year, she has been able to make it work!
Every morning, she helps her elementary-aged kids with school and activities, and in the afternoon, her older children watch the little ones so she can study. As of today, she has passed three of her four GED tests, including math! “I tell my friends, if I can do it with seven kids at home, then you can, too!”

For more information, please send an email to Debbie Margolis at dmargolis@hopelink.org or call her at 425-457-9685.




Read more...

Unlicensed food vendor shut down

An unlicensed food vendor selling home-prepared foods from a personal vehicle and found operating at 17229 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 was closed by a Public Health food inspector on September 22, 2020 at 11:00am.

The food establishment closures homepage is online

To protect the public, food vendors are required to have commercial kitchens, licenses and permits, and are periodically inspected for clean and safe food handling.




Read more...

Ahead of the Curve - Washington Women, 1910-2020

Sunday, September 27, 2020


Ahead of the Curve - Washington Women, 1910-2020
Presented by John Hughes (Ahead of the Curve) and Legacy Washington.

Wednesday, September 30, 7-8pm


Washington has been Ahead of the Curve since it first granted women the right to vote in 1883. 

In 1910, our state became the fifth to include women's suffrage in its constitution — a decade ahead of the nation. And Washington women keep blazing trails in fields from science to bridge building. 

Discover the pioneering spirit of some larger-than-life women and little-known stories with big impacts on Washington, the nation and beyond.

Presented by John Hughes, Co-Author and Chief Historian Legacy Washington.

Find the Ahead of the Curve book here and virtual exhibit here

Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library. In partnership with Mercer Island Historical Society.



Read more...

Gallery North’s October exhibit “Melodies Held in Silence” features paintings by Irina Milton

Christmas is Over by Irina Milton


This October, Gallery North proudly presents “Melodies Held in Silence” featuring a collection of still life painting by Irina Kirienko Milton. 

Irina Kirienko Milton is an explorer in life and art, which leads to her unique perspective. She always seeks to see new aspects of her subjects that she can incorporate into her artwork.


Irina explores the human condition, human-made objects, and the natural world in all its manifestations.

She pushes the limits of what is possible in her painting, seeking challenges and learning from the experience.

“Much of my artistic work centers around still life paintings. All of my still lifes are singing beautiful melodies of love and joy. Stop a moment and reflect on these paintings and feel the harmony.”


Gallery North is located at 401 Main St. Edmonds. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm.



Read more...

City with a Past, City with a Future: The 25th Anniversary of the City of Shoreline

October 3, 2020 at 10:30am

City with a Past, City with a Future: 
The 25th Anniversary of the City of Shoreline



Image courtesy of the Shoreline Historical Museum. 1995, Left to right: Shoreline City Council Members Ron Hansen, Bob Ransom, Mayor Connie King, Larry Bingham, Linda Montgomery, Scott Jepsen and Cheryl Lee approve the first “City of Shoreline” sign at 145th and Greenwood.


Have you ever wondered how we got here?! Now's your chance to find out! (And this doesn't have anything to do with the Big Bang Theory!)

Enjoy an hour with Vicki Stiles, the director of the Shoreline Historical Museum, as we look at the history of the City of Shoreline, how it got its start and how its history informs its future.


Sponsored by the Friends of the Shoreline Library.

Registration is required by October 2 at 10:30am. Register at the King County Library link below, and a Zoom link will be emailed to you the day before the program.

https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/5f64e918b6e59ca8040540c1



Read more...

Shoreline Central Market says "Let us shop for you!"



Order groceries online and we’ll shop for you! Pick them up curbside without getting out of your car, or have them delivered to your home.

Early in the pandemic we heard from many of you that you want to shop our markets but were wary of going into a store. So we fast-tracked our online ordering project and are up and running! 

You can now shop our markets from home and choose curbside pickup or delivery. And best of all, our own food-loving personal shoppers do your shopping for you with the same care they take in selecting food for their own families.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell:

ORDER ONLINE

Click the “Order Online” link above to get to our online store.
  • Select your nearest market from the “My Store” tab.
  • Set up an account (or shop first and create your account at checkout).
  • Shop by selecting items to place in your online shopping cart.
  • Select delivery or curbside pickup and choose a time from the openings available.
  • Enter your credit or debit card information and complete your order.
  • Receive your groceries at your specified delivery or pickup time!

More information HERE

Just off Aurora at 15505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline 98133206-363-9226

Temporary Hours: 7am - 10pm



Read more...

Dept of Ecology: Smoky siege – A look back at the smoke storm of 2020

Smoke plume over Washington
Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology


The Department of Ecology provides a look back at the smoke storm of 2020

The record-shattering smoke storm of 2020 is now behind us. 

Rain clouds have replaced the choking fog of smoke that held Washington in a vice for more than a week, and the annual dread of late-summer wildfires appears to have eased.

Before we get back to business as usual, however, we wanted to review: 

-what exactly happened in the first three weeks of September, 

-what it did to all of us that were stuck breathing that toxic soup, and 

-what we can learn from this smoke event to prepare us for future summers when the smoke returns.

Read more HERE 



Read more...

Case updates September 25, 2020 including the neighbors; U.S. tops 7 million cases

Case updates September 25, 2020


Mexico
  • cases 726,000 - 5,573 since yesterday
  • deaths 76,243 - 399 since yesterday

Canada
  • cases 151,671 - 1,251 since yesterday
  • deaths 9,262 -  1 new since yesterday

United States
  • cases 7,009,216 - 50,584 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 203,180 - 851 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays.
  • cases 85,830 - 604 since last report
  • hospitalizations 7,431 - 19 since last report
  • deaths* 2,100 - 0 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 22,000 - 71 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 2,353 - 4 since yesterday
  • deaths 758 - 0 since last report

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 606
  • hospitalizations 105 - 0 new
  • deaths 63 - 0 new

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 67 - 0 new
  • hospitalizations 4 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new


Read more...

Shoreline Schools Black and Brown Families Virtual Town Hall October 12 sponsored by Equity Team


Shoreline Schools Equity and Family Engagement Department will host a Black and Brown Families Virtual Town Hall webinar on Monday, October 12 from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Although this meeting is open to all, the voices and conversations will be centered for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Join us to learn more about what has and will be happening in our schools and district to address the needs of our BIPOC students and families. This is also an opportunity for school leaders to hear the needs and concerns of our BIPOC families.

We really want to hear from you, so please share this information with your friends and family.

Register HERE

What is an Equity Team?

The goal of the Equity Team is to promote institutional change within Shoreline Public Schools to better serve our community. Each school and the district office have an Equity Team that provides direction and leadership in culturally relevant professional development, policies and practices. The Equity Team works to provide an equity-focused lens to examine our work and institutionalize change.

Equity Teams support increased capacity building and training on racial equity, anti-racism and culturally relevant practices of all staff, significant improvement in policies, procedures, decision-making processes, allocation and use of resources, community engagement and more. This work is grounded in a mission to support and advocate our families, staff and students who have been historically underserved.



Read more...

Third Place Books presents Christopher Paolini - To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (Tickets Required!)


Sunday, September 27, 2020 - 7:00pm

This is a Virtual Event and Tickets are required Purchase Tickets Here!


Each ticket purchase includes access to the event, and a copy of Christopher Paolini's new novel TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS.

The first 100 ticket buyers will receive SIGNED bookplates. All ticket holders will receive a special complimentary swag item! Books will be available for pickup or shipping (within the United States) after the event date.


A brand new epic novel from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Paolini.

Exploring new worlds is all Kira Navarez ever dreamed of doing. But now she has found her nightmare. 
On a distant planet ripe for a colony, she has discovered a relic previously unseen by human eyes. It will transform her entirely and forever. Humanity will face annihilation.

She is alone. We are not.
There is no going back.


Christopher Paolini was born in Southern California and has lived most of his life in Paradise Valley, Montana. He published his first novel, Eragon, in 2003 at the age of nineteen, and quickly became a publishing phenomenon. His Inheritance Cycle—Eragon and its three sequels—have sold nearly 40 million copies worldwide. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is his first adult novel.

James Rollins is the author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the "top crowd pleasers" (New York Times) and one of the hottest summer reads (People magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets--and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. He lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains.




Read more...

Photo:Poem The Hummingbird's Farewell

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


The Hummingbird's Farewell 


Two little white blossoms
So stately and tall
The hummingbird there
Knows that now it is Fall


He's come there to tell them
He loves every one
And he will be happy
When Spring has begun


The days are quite gloomy
The rain has begun
All Nature is thirsty
HE's had QUITE A RUN


He's come there to thank them
For ALL that they give
Their Beauty and Sweetness
That helps Him to live


He's whispering to them
Before you depart
Just know that your Sweetness
Lives on in my heart


--jean monce bryant



Read more...

Reminder from Shoreline Schools: Learning Option preference survey closes Sunday night

Shoreline Schools Superintendent Rebecca Miner is asking families to take their Learning Option Preference Survey (one minute), if they have not already done so. Over 5,500 submissions have been turned in so far. 

It will close at midnight Sunday night, September 27, 2020.

The survey is not a commitment to either option. The purpose of the survey is to give an estimated percentage range based on which way people are leaning at this point in time.

Details of each option are not available at this time, but will be shared well before families are asked to commit to a learning model for their children.

It is an intricate and complex process to develop two separate learning systems that will run concurrently with the same number of staff and resources. 
Some decisions will be contingent upon bargaining and other collaboration with our employee groups, and others will depend on the number of students we will estimate for each option. 
We also expect to receive updated health and safety protocols guidance next week from the Department of Health that will need to be incorporated into our plans. 
We deeply appreciate your patience and grace as we thoughtfully and thoroughly work through these processes.



Read more...

Localized flooding in Shoreline Friday

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Photo by Heather McLaughlin



Shoreline Public Works crews responding to flooding on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 2:00pm on 185th and 10th. This is looking south on 10th from the new roundabout in the North City neighborhood of Shoreline.




Read more...

September is apple harvest season

Photo and apples by David Walton



September is apple harvest season in Western Washington. 

Jonagold apples are a great variety, even in backyards!



Read more...

Jobs: City of Shoreline

City of Shoreline
Plans Examiner II

Closes 10/11/2020

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.

This position's focus is on conducting residential plan reviews (IRC) for compliance with locally adopted Washington State Building Codes. It will also provide backup for residential/plumbing/mechanical on-site inspections.
 
The incumbent will join a building plan review staff of three other seasoned plans examiners to support sustained local redevelopment construction growth in this inner-ring city of 55,000. The City is preparing for two Link Light Rail Stations and the School District touts an aggressive school facilities capital improvement plan. City Staff is proud of our customer service focused work ethic.

A qualified applicant will have experience and skills in accurately checking building plans and specifications; interpreting, applying and enforcing applicable building codes; performing on-site inspections and customer service. Preferred experience involves electronic plan review and project management practice.

DEFINITION
To respond to inquiries from developers, contractors and the general public regarding building code compliance issues; to receive, review and approve building plans and applications for building permits; to serve as project manager for residential project review; to conduct on-site inspections of buildings for code compliance; and to perform a variety of plans examination tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the full journey level class within the Plans Examiner series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Plans Examiner I by the level of supervision received and by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including reviewing and approving building plans and specifications, and conducting on-site building inspections. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Plans Examiner III in that the latter performs plans examination work supporting building projects of greater scope at a higher level of responsibility and has supervisory responsibility.

Job description an kd application



Read more...

New Shoreline Community College online class - Director Series: Light and Shadow: The Films of Josef von Sternberg

Josef von Sternberg and
Marlene Dietrich


Travel back to Classic Hollywood with facilitator George Watt as you explore the films of Josef von Sternberg! 

Revered and reviled in his own time, Sternberg is notable for a series of films in which he directed Marlene Dietrich and is renowned for his lighting, mise en scene, staging, and costume design.

Sternberg's surviving silent films are remarkable examples of the silent art form, and his gangster film during this period launched the gangster film cycle of the following decade.

Students will view six of Josef von Sternberg's films throughout the class and learn how to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize each film. 

Additionally, students will discuss how the various elements of each film - lighting, camera work, composition, sound, costume, etc. - work together to create meaning and examine cultural influences, including race, ethnicity and gender roles.

Film titles are available on the Internet, via YouTube, or from streaming services, such as Amazon Prime. Some titles are available on DVD from public libraries, from rental services such as Netflix, or may be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray.

Fee: $149
Dates: September 30th - November 4th (Wednesdays)
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Click here to register today! Questions? Please email continuing-ed@shoreline.edu.



Read more...

AG Ferguson: Mesh manufacturer Bard must pay Washington $2.38 million for failing to disclose the risks of its transvaginal mesh devices

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Friday that Bard, a medical device manufacturer and formerly one of the biggest manufacturers of transvaginal mesh devices, will pay $2.38 million to Washington for misrepresentations and failure to include serious risks in the instructions and marketing materials for surgical mesh devices.

The money will go into a larger restitution fund, established after the Johnson and Johnson mesh recovery, for women who received transvaginal mesh devices. 

In April 2019, Ferguson announced a similar, separate resolution of Ferguson’s case against Johnson and Johnson over the company’s failure to disclose the serious risks of their surgical mesh devices. On the eve of trial, Johnson and Johnson agreed to pay $9.9 million to Washington.

Read more here




Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Pamplona 2020

Three men run along the sand next to the water, hotly pursued by a cheerful pack of running seagulls. The caption says The Running of the Gulls.

 


Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE




Read more...

Rolling Stone publishes op-ed from Gov. Inslee in recognition of Climate Week

Gov. Inslee meeting with local leaders in fire-ravaged communities
Photo courtesy Washington state
 

Rolling Stone published an op-ed this week from the governor in recognition of Climate Week and the many challenges that lay ahead in guaranteeing a sustainable future for Washingtonians. The op-ed reads, in part:

"While we know this administration would be wise to change its destructive path – by bringing our country back into the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, by putting in place strong clean car standards, or by restoring key environmental protections razed by Trump’s cronies – we know they won’t. 
"However, public opinion is clear even after years of misinformation and downright lies. There is not enough oil money in the world to stop the American people from rising up for what’s right, and it’s time to hit back.

"Let this Climate Week be a reminder not merely of the long road ahead, but of our own power to make that journey together. Start now, so that in Climate Week 2021 we’ll have a little less distance to cover."

Read the op-ed on Rolling Stone.com



Read more...

Case updates September 24, 2020

Case updates September 24, 2020


United States
  • cases 6,958,632 - 42,340 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 202,329 - 918 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays. Clark county had delays in uploading data and did a large amount at once which is reflected in these numbers.
  • cases 85,226 - 988 since last report
  • hospitalizations 7,412 - 55 since last report
  • deaths* 2,100 - 20 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,896 - 93 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 2,353 - 11 since yesterday
  • deaths 758 - 0 since last report

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 602 - 1 new
  • hospitalizations 105 - 0 new
  • deaths 63 - 0 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 67 - 0 new
  • hospitalizations 4 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new




Read more...

Lake Forest Park Town Center – Burke-Gilman Trail Connector: Overpass or Underpass?

Option A Mid-block crossing approximately where the current Bank of America building sits.
Viewed from the south at Town Center
V+M Structural Design


By Tracy Furutani

How should pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles get from the Burke-Gilman trail to the Town Center and the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) garage and stops?

Three preliminary options, two of which involve an overpass across Bothell Way (State Route 522) and the other an underpass, were presented to the Lake Forest Park City Council Thursday night.

“This project has a lot of constraints on it, “ said Schaun Valdovinos, the president and principal engineer of V+M Structural Design, the firm hired by the city to perform the preliminary design, funded by a state Department of Commerce grant.

The constraints include Lyon Creek, which parallels Bothell Way in the project area, a patchwork of privately-owned parcels and buildings on either side of the roadway, and overhead power lines and buried fiber optic cables. 

Option B Overpass - viewed from the north
V+M Structural Design


Three alignment options for the crossing were investigated, he said:

  1. “mid-block” overpass (Option A) approximately where the current Bank of America building sits, 
  2. overpass (Option B)
  3. underpass (Option C) on the south side of the intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way.

Councilmember John Wright raised the point of an underpass’s effect on the Lake Forest Park aquifer, and Councilmember Semra Riddle pointed out some seismic safety and traffic disruption concerns.

Councilmembers Tom French and Lorri Bodi both wondered if any of the options would be used by people crossing Bothell Way, rather than those people continuing to use the existing level crossings.

The cost of the construction of the crossing, which has not been funded, would be least for the mid-block overpass, according to Valdovinos.

Option C underpass on the south side of the intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way
Viewed from the north on the Burke-Gilman trail
V+M Structural Design


The overpass at the intersection would be more expensive because of the need for an elevator for accessibility on the east side.

The underpass would be still more expensive because of the high water table in the area and the need for continuous pumping.

The mid-block overpass would have the least impact on the trees lining Bothell Way.

“This is preliminary design work to understand all the constraints of our future project and that we’re not presuming at this point that other property owners would concur or enter into any agreement that involves their property,” said Donnelle Dayao, Project Manager for the city.


The next step in the project is the December presentation of the Type, Size and Location (TS&L) report, which will contain information such as recommendations and numerical cost estimates.




Read more...

Virtual Resource Center offers easy online access to dozens of community service providers in King County



King County District Court provides online and telephone options while in-person resource centers are closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic

To provide King County residents with ready access to dozens of community service providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, King County District Court is making available a Virtual Resource Center (VRC).

Operated as part of the court’s community court program, the VRC is open to anyone in the community to visit via Zoom videoconference or by telephone. Services at the VRC include access to education, work training, substance abuse treatment, transportation discounts, Public Health / DSHS, and many more.

Prior to COVID-19, King County District Court operated in-person community resource centers in Redmond, Shoreline, and Burien. To help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the in-person options have been replaced by the VRC until they are safe to re-open after the pandemic.

“Having a community resource center with so many vital services available at one time makes a significant difference for the entire community,” said Chief Presiding Judge Susan Mahoney.

Anyone in the community can access the King County District Court Virtual Resource Center at the following days and times, when service providers are available to assist and answer questions:
  • Tuesdays, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
  • Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Details for accessing the VRC online or by telephone can be found at: kingcounty.gov/VRC

Service providers that would like to participate in the VRC can contact Ericka Cooley, community court coordinator for King County District Court: 206-477-4990, email: Ericka.Cooley@kingcounty.gov

About King County District Court

King County District Court is the largest court of limited jurisdiction in Washington State, processing approximately 200,000 matters per year. The district court operates at 10 locations throughout King County: Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, King County Courthouse (Seattle), King County Jail (Seattle jail calendars only), Redmond, Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent), Shoreline, and Vashon Island (one day per month). [Note, courthouse hours and services are currently modified due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.]



Read more...

Personal voter guides available now online

Evan Smith
Politics reporter


By Evan Smith

Voters’ pamphlets won’t arrive in our mailboxes for another month, but the information is available online now.

Those online voters’ guides can be personalized for any voter in Shoreline, in Lake Forest Park or anywhere in King county.

Voters can read about candidates on their ballots without wading through material from other congressional and legislative districts and can get the online voter guides now, rather than waiting for the King County local voters’ pamphlets to arrive after being sent October 13, 2020 by bulk mail from Renton or the state voters’ pamphlet to arrive after being sent from Olympia October 14.

While the mailed pamphlets will have information on contests from all over King County, online guides are individualized for each voter.

In addition to being available early and being personalized, the online voter guides have material that we’ll find in both the state voters’ pamphlet and the King County local voters’ pamphlet.

You can find your personalized voter guide by going to this web site:

https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/vote/myvoterinfo.aspx

Then, you respond to these prompts:
  • First name (must match your voter registration)
  • Last name (must match your voter registration)
  • Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • House or building number

You can then read about candidates for all of the federal, state and judicial offices and state and county measures on your ballot.


Correction: this guide is for King county voters only


Read more...

Rain or shine?

Friday, September 25, 2020

 

Photo by Jan Hansen



Just try to remember how much we wanted the rain...



Read more...

Case updates September 23, 2020

Case updates September 23, 2020

United States
  • cases 6,916,292 - 41,310 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 201,411 - 1,136 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays
  • cases 84,238 - 1690 since last report
  • hospitalizations 7,357 - 8 since last report
  • deaths* 2,080 - -0 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,803 - 126 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 2,342
  • deaths 758 - 0 since last report

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 601 - 10 new
  • hospitalizations 105 - 1 new
  • deaths 63 - 1 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 67 - 2
  • hospitalizations 4 - 1 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new



Read more...

Call for Philip Morris!

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler



For those of you younger than I -- and there are many:)-- the "call" was a popular cigarette commercial in the 50s

--Gloria Z Nagler




[For the visually impaired: a brown bird (a grosbeak) with three rows of large white dots on his wings is in profile on a sturdy, angled branch. His body appears to be plain yellow on his breast but his back has muted, thick scribbled dark lines running from head to tail. His head is brown, with white racing stripes.
His thick beak is open so wide that it's the width of his head and his black eye looks like it's popping out. Ed.] 



Read more...

Book review by Aarene Storms: Under the Broken Sky

Under the Broken Sky by Mariko Nagai (novel in verse)

Natsu is only twelve years old and her sister Asa is even younger when the Japanese army comes to her village and conscripts all the men and boys to fight in the war. 

But when the Japanese lose the war, the whole village flees the incoming Soviets, walking across Manchuria in hopes of finding a new home. 

Their story is bleak, and seems hopeless most of the time, but Natsu is stubborn.

Here's one short poem from the middle of the book:

Water is as precious
as food here. The well
is iced over this morning.

We throw the portrait
of the emperor into the fire
to melt the ice so we can drink

the water, so we can warm
ourselves. At least he's good
for something, finally.

The publisher's blurb on the book cover makes it seem like selling Asa to a Russian family so that she will be fed and survive is the center of the narrative, but really, it's a small scene towards the end, and quickly resolved. The rest of the story is not so easily resolved, especially in light of refugees facing similar perils in the modern world.

For best results (unless you know a lot more about the history of Manchuria in WWII than I did), read the author's Afterword before the rest of the book to gain some historical perspective on the story.

Death, fear, bullying, blood, starvation. Implications of sexual situations but nothing on the page. For readers ages 14 to adult.


Aarene Storms 
Teen Services Librarian
King County Library System 
astorms@kcls.org  



Read more...

Bastyr Center for Natural Health offers Wellness Coaching as a free service

Throughout the last six months, many people have been dealing with increased stress, attempting to practice self-care, and struggling to maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, and/or work colleagues.


As the U.S. continues to navigate the uncharted waters, financial worries hampering the ability for people to seek help is still prevalent and organizations are stepping up to help. 

Bastyr University, the leading naturopathic university in the U.S., is offering free services to local communities to help residents deal with the current situation as well as the future.

Bastyr Clinic offers free wellness coaching


Wellness Coaching – Staying Well through the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Bastyr Center for Natural Health is offering Wellness Coaching as a free service. While a $5-20 donation to the university is requested, no one will be turned away during this time.

Their wellness coaches support people in achieving specific goals in their personal wellness. Coaching goals may include:
  • Dealing with stress related to COVID-19 changes
  • Enhancing mindfulness practices
  • Creating healthy self-care practices while staying home
  • Improving relationships and social connection.

The clinic is ideally suited to provide short-term wellness coaching via online video meetings. Sessions are 45-minutes long, and typically meet once each week for no more than 10 weeks. Student coaches are supervised by a licensed mental health clinician who oversees the sessions. Supervisors may refer for counseling services if appropriate.

For those interested, forms to be filled out can be found here




Read more...

Non-filers: Expect a letter about your stimulus check

By Lisa Lake 
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If you don’t usually file a tax return, or didn’t file a return for 2018 or 2019, you might not know you could qualify for an economic impact payment.

You might be one of the nine million people getting a letter from the IRS letting you know how to register on their website to claim your payment by October 15, 2020.

If you get this letter from the IRS, it’s legit. Go only to the IRS’s real website at IRS.gov/EIP, or call them directly at 800-919-9835 to register to claim your payment.

You only have until October 15. 

But if someone claiming to be from the IRS calls, emails, or texts about helping you get your stimulus payment, that person is running a government imposter scam on you. Hang up, and don’t respond to or click on any links in texts or emails.


Why? Because the IRS will not text, email, or call you about your economic impact payment. And they’ll never ask you to pay a fee to get your money.

Visit the IRS’s website to find out more about stimulus payments. And be sure to tell the FTC if someone pretending to be from the government contacts you.



Read more...

New Shoreline Community College Online Class - Digital SLR Photography for Beginners

Digital SLR photography for 
beginners at Shoreline Community College


Dust off your "fancy" camera and finally learn how to use it in this introductory online class with facilitator and professional photographer Lara Grauer. 

You'll explore what the different settings on your DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) or mirrorless camera can do and how to get creative by making purposeful choices. 

The course will cover basic topics such as: shooting modes, exposure, lighting and composition, depth of field, aperture, shutter speed, flash, and more. 

Each week, you will practice the techniques taught in class and observe and critique work from fellow classmates. Point and shoot with confidence while learning in a fun and supportive environment!

Prerequisites: Students must have a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) or mirrorless camera with both automatic and manual controls, and the ability to remove and switch out lenses. (Only one lens is needed, but it must be removable.) Students will also need the ability to transfer images to a device - either by using a cable connection or a memory card reader - to share their work.

Fee: $139
Dates: September 29th - November 3rd (Tuesdays)
Time: 6:30 - 8pm
Location: Online via Zoom

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



Read more...

Notes from Shoreline council meeting Sept 21, 2020

Pam Cross, reporter


Shoreline City Council Meeting
September 21, 2020
Notes by Pam Cross

The meeting was held remotely using the Zoom platform.

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
All Councilmembers were present.

Proclamation

Mayor Hall, on behalf of the City Council, recognized that September 12-19, 2020 was Welcoming Week in the City of Shoreline. 

It is noteworthy that one in five people who live in Shoreline were not born in this country, and nearly half of the students in the Shoreline School District are youth of color. 

The spirit of Welcoming Week supports the City’s goal to be an inviting, equitable, and safe community for all.

Report of the City Manager’s Office, Debbie Tarry

COVID-19 Update

Please continue to take prevention measures seriously.

Face coverings are required in all indoor public places, and outdoors when you may be unable to maintain six feet of distance from others. Businesses are required to enforce the use of face coverings for all customers and visitors. Masks are also required in common spaces like elevators and public hallways, even when you are alone in those spaces. The safest thing you can do is to stay home if at all possible.

Practice physical distancing of six feet or more, minimize contact with those outside of your home, wash and sanitize your hands frequently, and avoid large gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.

Get tested at the first sign of illness.

Help name a park!

Shoreline is getting two new parks:
  • 709 N 150th St in the Westminster Triangle Neighborhood
  • 1341 N 185th St in the Meridian Park Neighborhood
Submit suggestions for names by October 15 to shorelinewa.gov/nameapark

Remote Learning Camps

Registration is still open for full-day camp opportunities for kids and teens that support Shoreline Schools District’s remote learning. Free for qualifying families. The camps started Sept 14, but there is still room available. More information is available at shorelinewa.gov/registernow

Climate Change Champions Series

This free series is taking place on Tuesdays over 7 weeks. You can attend any or all parts. The City of Shoreline is partnering with Washington State University to offer this educational and action series. Most seminars will have two speakers and last up to two hours with opportunity for online discussion.

For more information: shorelinewa.gov/climate

Free Fall Gardening Seminar: Fall Prep for a Luscious Lawn

Shoreline is partnering with local gardening experts to help you learn to revive and restore your lawn this fall. The first one is this Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30pm featuring Ladd Smith who will cover key lawn care practices to help you grow a healthy lawn naturally. You need to RSVP at shorelinewa.gov/calendar and more information is available there as well.

Public Reminders

The PRCS/Tree Board will meet Thursday September 24, 2020 at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place remotely. On the agenda is strategic priorities - cultural services and public art, and a discussion of a proposal for a park improvement bond. For information on how to participate, go to shorelinewa.gov/calendar

Council Reports

none

Public Comment

Due to the number of speakers, time was limited to 2 minutes each. Complete comments can be listened to in the video of the meeting available on the Shoreline website. Written comments are also available.

The following speakers were opposed to location of the planned Enhanced Shelter (previously referred to as the Navigation Center) at 163rd and Aurora:

Vinay Venkatesh, Shoreline
Ed Jirsa, Shoreline
Joanne Godmintz, Shoreline
Barbara Twadell, Shoreline
Margaret Willson, Shoreline
Larry Pfeil, Shoreline
Nancy Morris, Shoreline
Guruprasad TG, Shoreline
Chris Chalcraft, Shoreline
Nancy Pfeil, Shoreline

Speakers in support of the Enhanced Shelter:

Jason Metcalf-Lindenburger, LFP
Stephanie Henry, Shoreline
Pastor Kelly Dahlman-Oeth, Kirkland. Pastor of Ronald Methodist Church in Shoreline

Rebecca Jones, Shoreline, Save Shoreline Trees, spoke in support of keeping Shoreline’s landmark trees near the pending WSDOT office project

Approval of the Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

The Consent Calendar adopted unanimously by roll call vote.


ACTION ITEMS

ACTION ITEM 8(a) QUASI-JUDICIAL: Approving Preliminary Formal Unit Lot Subdivision No. PLN19-0133, Dividing Three Existing Parcels into Nineteen Unit Lots at 18002, 18008 and 18016 12th Avenue NE

Law requires any written or oral ex parte communications be disclosed before councilmembers can participate in a quasi judicial procedure. Councilmembers confirmed they had nothing to disclose. A quasi-judicial body is a non-judicial body which can interpret law.

Cate Lee, Associate Planner, gave the staff report

Blue Fern Townhomes is a Formal Subdivision because 10 or more lots are proposed for creation. A Preliminary Formal Subdivision is a Type C action for which the Hearing Examiner holds an open record public hearing and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council is the final decision-maker and can accept, deny, or modify the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation. The public hearing was held on July 29, 2020 by the Hearing Examiner. Therefore, no further public comment can heard.

The lot is zoned Mixed-Use Residential 35’ (MU-35) and is located in Station Area 3 in North City.

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve the subdivision.

This is what Council decided two years ago, believing it will be a great addition to North City. Street and sidewalk improvements will be at a corner that will be a major connection between the new transit station and the North City business district. We want the hundreds of people walking past there to go to the restaurants, the bars and the shops.

Single family homes in Shoreline are priced too high for many first time buyers. This development will provide a more affordable alternative to a single family home.

Item passes unanimously.


ACTION ITEM 8(b) Adoption of Ordinance No. 896 - Amending Certain Sections of Shoreline Municipal Code Title 20 to Permit Professional Offices in the R-8 and R-12 Zoning Districts.

This was last discussed at the August 3, 2020 Council meeting.

Steven Szafran, AICP, Senior Planner, gave the staff presentation.

On December 9, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 881 which adopted two Comprehensive Plan Amendments. The amendment in question, amendment #3, added “professional offices” to Land Use Element Policy LU2.

The purpose of amendment #3 is to allow professional offices through the use of a conditional use permit, to clarify the definition of professional office, and to add indexed criteria to address impacts to adjacent residential use.

The Amendatory Motions proposed by Council:

Remove indexed criteria #1, in order to allow more professional offices throughout the City by removing the requirements that they be located on an arterial and next to a commercial zone.

Remove indexed Criteria #5, making the number of vehicles allowed consistent with home offices. Staff asks: if amended, should commercial vehicle parking be in addition to required parking for the professional office? If commercial vehicles utilize the required parking spaces, employees may be forced to park on the street, which is what we want to avoid.

Remove indexed Criteria #9, sign regulation should not be more restrictive than for a home office. This would allow internally lit signs.

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve Ordinance 896.

Motion and second to remove criteria #1 (not require arterial or adjacent commercial).

As more people work from home, having more places for professional offices makes a lot of sense. Removing Criteria #1 would allow professional offices on 145th. 145th is not a Shoreline “arterial” because it’s on the border. But it is a state highway and actually is one.

The original amendment would allow 92 properties to add a professional office. This change will allow them on 303 properties. Professional offices do bring more traffic and more lighting, creating an increase in activity. So having them near areas that are already busy seemed fine. Without this limitation, you have an office here or there throughout the City.

This would benefit the neighborhood as long as professional office owners are good neighbors. But we can’t know who that will be. Maybe we should start small and expand later, rather than starting big and having to cut back. We should revisit at a later date and consider expanding then.

303 parcels out of 20,000 is still small and this could be an opportunity to correct what turns out to have been a mistake in 20th century urban planning. Our cities were designed when people went to factories to work and then returned home. Current worksites are not like that. We are a service economy, not a manufacturing one, and many people can work from their home. A CPA, for example, can easily work out their home. If the CPA is successful, they may want to hire one or two others and suddenly they can no longer work out of their home office. Without the option of a professional office, they will be forced to find office space.

It’s better for the environment living closer to where you work and it also will result in supporting local restaurants at lunchtime.

Vote to remove Criteria #1. Passes 4-3.

Councilmembers Chang and McConnell and Deputy Mayor Scully opposing.

Motion and second to remove criteria #9 (allow internally lit signs).

Sign standards are in sections 20.50.530 through 20.50.610 of the Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC). Table 20.50.540G details information such as allowable sign area and dimensions by zone. The Code sections relating to signs can be found online at: www.codepublishing.com/wa/shoreline/

Professional offices should not be treated differently than home offices.

Internally lit signs look too commercial. Actually we should prohibit home offices from having them as well. We have to think about how we’d feel if it was across the street from our house. We haven’t had any complaints about internally lit signs from home offices, however with 303 potential locations, we may have complaints arise. Nighttime businesses need the lights. Daytime businesses don’t have the same need since they’re basically 9-5. A lot of signs will certainly degrade the appearance of the neighborhood.

Vote to remove Criteria #9 (allowing internally lit signs). Fails 5-2.

Councilmember Roberts and Deputy Mayor Scully supporting.

Questions about indexed Criteria #5 (number of vehicles)

Does “storage of vehicles” mean overnight?

Reply: any parking either day or night. It’s not a defined term. The intent is “day or night”.

Is “a vehicle” limiting to one? Shouldn’t it be the same as home office occupation? And why is it limited to fewer than a home residential site that can have six in addition to those in a garage or carport?

Reply: It’s just that the use is presumed different. Impact-wise you have to think commercial vehicles would be coming in and out more often.

Where did 14,000 lbs, height of 9’ and 22’ length come from?

Reply: it’s about the size of a class 3 box truck. It’s listed in our home office occupation code.

Is a van with a logo a commercial vehicle?

Reply: no

So just one vehicle of this size can be stored on the location?

Reply: limited to two in the home office occupation code.

Move and second to modify Criteria #5 since the home office occupation allows for storage of 2 vehicles.

We tend to think of a home business as referring to a single office. But home office occupation could include an entire floor of a home and possibly another person. They shouldn’t be penalized for changing to a professional office.

This amendment just limits it to one vehicle. Now we have a motion to change to two.

So the rest of the questions aren’t really up for discussion. We can always clean up definitions later. And the Planning Commissioner can interpret in the interim.

Vote on changing from one to two commercial vehicles.

Passes: 6-1. Deputy Mayor Scully opposing
.

Vote on Ordinance No. 896, as amended.

Passes unanimously 7-0



STUDY ITEM 9(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 901 – Amending Certain Sections of the Shoreline Development Code to Provide for Commercial Space on the Ground Floor of Multifamily Buildings

Presentation by Steve Szafran, Senior Planner andCate Lee, Associate Planner

An online survey was conducted April 17 to May 17, 2020 to better understand community preferences and priorities regarding ground-floor commercial requirements. The Planning Commission held two study sessions on this topic on June 18 and August 6, 2020, and there was a Public Hearing on September 3, 2020.

The Comprehensive Plan already includes support for ground floor commercial. 21 jurisdictions around the region have some form of code requirements for ground floor commercial and most include incentives to promote ground floor commercial pedestrian-oriented retail.

Our online survey showed the most favored uses for ground floor commercial are: restaurant, coffee shop, bakeries, brewpubs, and services such as salons. Least favored: adult facilities, marijuana operations, and tobacco/vape stores. Pawn shops and check cashing were added.

As incentives for restaurants, we have offered a height bonus and a hardscape increase.

Minimum ceiling height and minimum depth are necessary for restaurants.

The Planning Commission recommendation included Ordinance 901 as well as recommending a vacant commercial space registry, future code amendments to encourage commercial development of spaces in existing buildings, grant program for the owners of restaurants to incentivize new development, and activate rooftops for commercial use.

Potential adoption is scheduled for October 19, 2020.

DISCUSSION

Could the restaurant space be used for an arcade or dining hall layout? Could this space be broken down for multiple restaurants?

Reply: This is just the minimum size of the shell before bathrooms or anything. It can be configured any way they want and the builder can always use more space.

Vacant commercial registry is a necessary and good idea to let us know what vacant spaces exist here and think how can they be used. It allows the city to take a more proactive approach to filling spaces. People looking for space could go to the website and see what’s available. It would be interesting to have some feedback on this issue. It’s not part of these regulations but a good topic for additional discussions.

In order to fill these spaces, especially for start-ups, the rent has to be low. It will take a while for businesses to build up in this area. A building owner who can rent out housing at market rate is not going to let retail space remain vacant. That means that the cost of the residential space is going to be slightly higher but right now the market will bear that.

We are granting “incentives” because they are in a particular zone. Everyone gets the 8’ height bonus just by being in the zone. If everyone gets it, it’s not an incentive. But if they put in a restaurant ready first floor that includes ADA compliant bathrooms (common facilities are acceptable); A central plumbing drain line; A grease interceptor; and A ventilation shaft for a commercial kitchen hood/exhaust, then they get an 18’ bonus. Correct?

Reply: Typical ground floor commercial requires 10’ height. Restaurants require 18’. Multifamily new construction in the particular zone gets the 8’ height bonus so they are not penalized for building something we now require.

And all buildings currently require a first floor with a commercial height requirement of 12’.

Reply: Right

So it sounds like we’re creating a new zone and calling these things incentives when they are actually required.

When we say certain commercial businesses are not allowed because they’re not “family friendly,” some of these business are already in commercial buildings. We have to be careful saying no to some of these businesses, eg., pawnshop. Would it be allowed in a commercial building right next door?

Reply: Yes

What if new construction has two bottom floors of commercial, with residential above. Could a pawn shop go on the second floor?

Reply: Yes

We don’t want empty first floors.We don’t want adult venue stores, but they but could be in a commercial building right next door. Shoreline Place is concerned about filling their retail space — especially since COVID-19 has caused some of this to fall through. Maybe we don’t want to limit who they can rent to. They may be unable to rent the space. Some of the existing space is vacant now.

The best way to address restricted occupancies is by zoning. There are already zoning limitations for some types of business, such as marijuana retail stores. So this needs to be addressed, but we were trying to get around the delay of the Comprehensive Plan so too much time didn’t go by before we added commercial first floor requirements. As more applications are received and permits are granted, the less time we have to get these new changes incorporated. Maybe should think of this as pilot project.

Reducing required parking as incentive. Did staff consider this?

Reply: since the commercial occupants are unknown, staff set a standard parking ratio for commercial spaces. It’s one parking space for every 400 sf which is much lower than required if they eventually put in a restaurant, which is one space for every 75 sf. So using this standard ratio is actually providing an incentive for a restaurant.

This is scheduled to be brought back for adoption on October 19th. Councilmembers are asked to present any additional amendments or any other questions to staff within the next week


STUDY ITEM 9(b) Discussing the 2020 Resident Satisfaction Survey Results

The results will be publicized on the City’s website and through its monthly newsletter, Currents.

Presentation by Eric Bratton, Communications Program Manager, and Chris Tatham, CEO of ETC Institute.

There were 50 slides with the presentation. It can be found as an attachment to the staff report for this discussion item on shorelinewa.gov

This is the 10th survey of Shoreline. The goal was to receive 800 surveys but we actually received 946. The main point is Shoreline results have stayed steady, unlike the rest of the country. In spite of the challenges caused by the pandemic, residents continue to have very positive perceptions of the City and city leaders. Satisfaction with City services is higher in Shoreline than most other U.S. cities, rating above the average in 26 of the 37 areas that were assessed. Satisfaction with the overall quality of City services rated 16% above the U.S. average.

Details of these major findings can be viewed in the actual report:

#1 Residents have a positive perception of the City

#2 Dissatisfaction with city services has not increased during the pandemic.

#3 Satisfaction with city services is much higher in Shoreline than in other cities

#4 Priorities for improvement: the City’s response to homelessness; the quality of human services; the quality of police services. (We didn’t even ask about homelessness in 2018.)

#5 Streets, sidewalks and housing

#6 Effects of COVID-19 (survey was done in June)


DISCUSSION

Homelessness - Do we want the City to do more? Or do we want the City to do less?

Reply: Unfortunately, we can’t really get that type of information. We tried using a follow-up with another similar city, only to find out the answer came back 50% wanted more and 50% wanted less from their city.

Police services - survey predated the problems that have occurred in Shoreline. So are we seeing nationwide focus rather than Shoreline specific?

Reply: Shoreline hasn’t changed. Most people were satisfied. There’s media input to consider as well. The City needs to communicate what it is doing to keep residents safe.

There are a lot of neutral responses. Thank you for pointing out that neutral can mean the respondent is unsure. It’s important to focus on the red (dissatisfied). It’s not a bad thing to have a lot of neutral answers.

This survey was finished before any discussion of Shoreline’s enhanced shelter. Not a single opponent of the Enhanced Shelter has said that homelessness is not an issue in Shoreline. They recognize that there are problems here that need to be addressed. The dissatisfaction is with the location. When first discussed, we talked about working with a lot of North King County cities (Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, and LFP) because it is a site to serve all of them. The survey, if taken now, might have very different responses regarding City communication and satisfaction.

Meeting adjourned



Read more...

Night of Wonder Saturday to benefit Wonderland

Thursday, September 24, 2020



Join Wonderland for the first ever virtual Night of Wonder this Saturday, September 26th, at 7pm!


Tune in for a special livestream event featuring Seattle Seahawks Legend Curt Warner, and help us raise funds for Wonderland!

In this time of COVID-19, we are seeing a 50% drop in new referrals as many children and families are falling through the cracks. You can help close the gap and also ensure that all families have access to services regardless of their ability to pay.

Join us for a one-of-a-kind livestream event! Former Seahawk Curt Warner will share his remarkable journey from football stardom to the challenges of raising children with disabilities. You can participate in this unique event via a live chat during the Q&A session hosted by Q13 News anchor Matt Lorch.

Put on your finest dress (or sweatpants if that’s your preferred style these days) and join us live for Night of Wonder September 26th! This event will also include live auction, so if you love bidding, register now and be ready to outbid the competition Saturday night!

You can attend this event from anywhere, so spread the word to your family and friends and invite them to support Wonderland!

Learn more and register at www.wonderlandkids.org




Read more...

Case updates; Resources to manage mental/emotional health


Public Health – Seattle and King County has shared some resources on managing mental/emotional health during the pandemic (and beyond). 

  • Crisis Connections provides many resources and support for anxiety, loneliness, recovery, and more. Language interpretation in more than 155 languages is available. Call 866-427-4747 or text HOME to 741741 for support.
  • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline provides trained counselors and support for stress, anxiety and more. Support available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUS to 66746. Spanish-speakers can call the hotline and press "2" for bilingual support. Interpreters are available for 100 other languages.
  • The Boys Town National Hotline is a free resource and counseling service that assists youth and parents 24/7, year round, nationwide. Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for more than 100 languages also are available 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-448-3000, text VOICE to 20121, or email hotline@boystown.org to connect.
  • King County's Department of Community and Human Services provides publicly funded mental health and substance use services to low-income people in need.
  • Additional resources and mental health resources can be found on Washington State Coronavirus resources website.

Case updates September 22, 2020

United States
  • cases 6,874,982 - 49,285 cases since yesterday
  • deaths 200,275 - 813 deaths since yesterday

Washington state - *no death reports on weekends / holidays
  • cases 82,548 - 1154 since last report
  • hospitalizations 7,349 - 87 since last report
  • deaths* 2,081 - 44 since yesterday

King county
  • cases 21,677 - 113 since last report
  • hospitalizations 2,346 - 11 since last report
  • deaths 758 - 5 since last report

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018)
  • cases 591 - 1 new
  • hospitalizations 104 - 1 new
  • deaths 62 - 0 new in previous 24 hours

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018)
  • cases 65 - -1
  • hospitalizations 3 - 0 new
  • deaths 1 - 0 new



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