In the Garden Now: Spike Tail Shrub

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Spike Tail in the garden

Spike Tail Shrub

This is by far the most elegant blooming plant in our garden. Spike Tail puts on an amazing show for weeks each winter and early spring. Pendant pearl like flowers drape gracefully from bare branches.

It's as if an ethereal curtain is filtering our view into the garden! This is a fabulous winter garden shrub!


Spike Tail varieties include 'Joy Forever', 'Morning Dew' and 'Sterling Silver.'

(Stachyurus praecox)

--Photos and text by Victoria Gilleland



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AG Ferguson, Gonzaga University will host two-day Environmental Justice Symposium

Gonzaga University

OLYMPIA — On March 23 and 24, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Gonzaga University School of Law will convene a symposium to discuss environmental justice issues around Washington and the work being done to address them. 

The goal of the symposium, titled “Environmental Justice: Race, Poverty and the Environment,” is to provide a platform for communities disproportionately impacted by structural racism, climate change and pollution.

The online, two-day event will include a series of panel discussions that will shine a light on the work these communities across the state are doing to pursue environmental justice. The panels will focus on topics in four major areas: air, water, land and the built environment, and racism. 

Panelists will discuss their ongoing environmental justice work, examine the latest research and discuss ways to improve environmental protections that meaningfully involve the communities affected most.

The symposium is free, online and open to the public. Registration and a full agenda for the event is available here. Registrants will receive the video conference login information by email closer to the event date. Event participation is capped at 500 at any one time.

More information here



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Remove your studded tires by end of day March 31

Photo courtesy WSDOT
The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds drivers that state law requires all studded tires to be removed by the end of the day Wednesday, March 31. 

Starting at midnight on Thursday, April 1, drivers with studded tires face a $136 fine.

Studded tires damage pavement, so removing them promptly after winter has passed helps preserve state roadways.

Tire removal services can get crowded near the removal deadline, so please plan accordingly.

WSDOT is not extending the studded tire deadline this year, but crews continue to monitor roads, passes, and forecasts and will work to quickly clear any late season snow or ice. 

Travelers are always advised to “know before you go” by checking road conditions before heading out and staying up-to-date on changes by using WSDOT’s social media and email alert tools or calling the 5-1-1 road conditions report.

Washington and Oregon share the same studded tire removal deadline. Other states may have later dates, but the Washington law applies to all drivers in the state, even visitors. No personal exemptions or waivers are issued.

More information about studded tire regulations in Washington is available online.


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Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds award a monetary contribution to Edmonds Stream Team/Students Saving Salmon

l-r: Randal White, OFF Conservation Chairperson; Joe Scordino, Project Leader; Greg Sisson, OFF Communications Chairperson; and Mackey Guenther, OFF Website Developer and former SSS member.

On March 12, 2021, the Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds awarded a monetary contribution to the Edmonds Stream Team/Students Saving Salmon, an Edmonds-Woodway High School conservation/education club. 

The Edmonds Stream Team works with high school students from the Edmonds-Woodway High School’s Students Saving Salmon club to enhance local salmon populations in Edmonds. 

This involves placing coho and chum salmon eggs in local streams using remote site incubators (RSIs) and placing juvenile coho salmon in upper stream areas that are otherwise blocked to adult spawner passage. 

The Edmonds Stream Team, with retired fishery biologist Joe Scordino as Project Leader, has permits from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to do this work. This contribution will be used to continue the club’s work.

The Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds is a group of men and women who promote the sport of fly fishing through education, conservation and camaraderie. 

Conservation and education has been at the center of the club’s mission. Through the Olympic Fly Fishers Foundation 501(c)(3), donations are made each year to support the betterment of the streams and lakes in our region. 

They also focus on the education of our members and the community through training in the sport and monthly speakers. The group is open to the public, and welcomes new members. More information can be found at their website: www.olympicflyfishers.com.



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Scene on the Sound: Snow on the Olympics

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

It's always so reassuring to see snow covering the Olympics. This sunlit shot shows the foothills, which often look like clouds on a typical overcast day.



 

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First ever membership drive - join ShoreLake Arts

 

“It is an honor to have this organization in our community -- my support demonstrates the value of the arts in our day to day lives.”
-Anina Coder Sill, ShoreLake Arts Member

ShoreLake Arts is hosting its first event membership drive this month!

This is a great opportunity to provide support for the arts events and programs in our community.

A monthly membership provides continuous support throughout the year, and by donating each month, you are more engaged with our programming and community impact.


Join us today! Check out our annual impact report at shorelakearts.org/reports to see all of the amazing things that happened in our community last year, and sign up for a monthly membership at shorelakearts.org/membership!

For questions about membership or donations, contact Nathan at development@shorelakearts.org.

ShoreLake Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts. Established in 1989.



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Happy St. Patrick's Day from the O'Dochartaigh clan


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

After four years, Ancestry just informed me that I have Irish DNA. Not a clue where it came from except that family story about someone bringing a rose cutting from Fermanagh.

However, my husband's O'Dochartaigh clan is well documented so I'm posting some of their family crests. They're probably recent, but they're pretty.

--Diane Hettrick



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Agenda for Shoreline City Council meeting March 22, 2021

Shoreline City Council

The agenda for the March 22, 2021 Council Meeting includes one Action item and one Study item.

Action Item 8(a) Appointment of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services/Tree Board Members

Study Item 9(a) Discussion of the Housing Action Plan (HAP)

Development of a HAP will help to implement City Council Goal 1: Strengthen Shoreline’s economic climate and opportunities. The Council goals include an action step of:

“Encourage affordable housing development in Shoreline and engage the community to determine which additional housing types and policies may be appropriate for Shoreline and codify standards for selected styles.”

--Pam Cross


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Case updates March 16, 2021

Case updates March 16, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 29,374,758 - 51,954 in one day
  • Total deaths 534,099 - 995 in one day

Washington state 
  • Total cases 352,012 - 903 in one day   
  • Total hospitalizations 19,957 - 47 in one day  
  • Total deaths 5,156 - 7 in one day  

King county
  • Total cases 84,574 -  158 since yesterday 
  • Total hospitalizations 5,188 - 3 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,444 - 3 in one day

Seattle - population 744,995 (2018)
  • Total cases 20,868 - 17 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,205 -  -2 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 374 - 0 since yesterday

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018) 
  • Total cases 2,053 -  5 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 187 -   -1 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 91 - 0 new deaths

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018) 
  • cases 281 - 0 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 17 - 1 since yesterday
  • deaths 4 - 0 since yesterday







 

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Progress made: donated art on the walls at North King County Enhanced Shelter at the Oaks

In the hallway

Volunteers have hung the donated artworks in the wing of the North King County Enhanced Shelter at the Oaks which will be the first to open.

We will be hanging the rest once we have our feet under us a little more, but it have already made the building so much more life-giving.

Every room has two paintings

Lake Forest Park artist Billy King organized the art donation after he toured the shelter while it was being refurbished. As an artist, he immediately thought that it would be uplifting for people to have beauty around them while they were working to get their lives back together.


In a room

The first collection day they received 150 works of art. So Billy did it again and got more - enough for every room, common area, and hallway.

Grace Helmcke, with Lake City Partners - who are managing the King county-owned shelter - said,

I know I for one am completely humbled by the outpouring of support for our organization and what we are doing!

Because the art is donated by almost 100-200 people, there is amazing variety.



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Nevermind: Shoreline Fire doesn't want your cars

Photo by Diane Hettrick

By Diane Hettrick

I got it wrong. Shoreline Fire has its own source for cars to practice on and doesn't need yours.

If you do have a vehicle to get rid of, Volunteers of America is a good place. They will take your car, running or not, in any condition. They'll haul it away for free and give you a tax statement.

They make it very easy. Here's the link https://voa.careasy.org/home



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Gloria's Birds: It's always a good time to meditate, thought Milly serenely...

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler


Gloria explains that Milly's a female Mallard preening on Lake Washington 



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Shorenorth Co-op Preschool presents: Spring Carnival and online auction


Shorenorth Co-op Preschool presents: Spring Carnival and online auction!

ONLINE Auction: (CLICK HERE TO BID!)

Starts: March 18th, 9am
Ends: March 20th, 2pm

Winning Item Pick-up and Socially Distant Games Saturday 3/20 from 4-6pm

Shorenorth Cooperative Preschool

19931 Forest Park Dr NE
Shoreline, WA 98155

206-440-1411



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Registration for the Spring Term 2021 of the Creative Retirement Institute (CRI) of Edmonds College starts now


Days are getting longer, more sunshine is around, crocuses are appearing, the world is slowly opening from over a year of COVID-imposed isolation, and CRI is offering a spectacular array of courses for the upcoming spring term. 

Classes will again be taught using the Zoom platform, but our students and instructors have become fluent in this medium over the last few terms.

There are over 30 courses offered. And, if possible, the range of topics that will be covered is even greater than winter term. 

The first week of classes you can delve into increasing your understanding of the threat that malware brings to your computer experience. The second week get a dramatic change of pace by taking a course in jazz appreciation, the form of music with roots in the United States. 

Continuing in the vein of artistic appreciation, try a course in contemporary art, which (with the power of zooming) will be taught by a retired professor who lives in Portland, OR. Migrate from this to a course that digs deep into the history, expansion, Great Power involvement, industrial development, environmental impact, and efforts at cooperation of fossil fuels. 

End the term by delving into a part of history that is often neglected – the African American military experience.

And there are many other equally interesting topics covered in the courses taught at CRI this spring. Look through the selection. It’s kind of like eating popcorn – you cannot stop with just one serving. One course looks good; the next one does too. Take several. 

Invite your friends from across the country to join you in a course. You are Zooming so it is an easy way to enjoy a shared experience.

A complete list of the courses and the names of their instructors is here

To register for a course, go to www.edmonds.edu/cri Once you are at the CRI page, go to “How to Register” on the right-side bar. Click on this and you will be taken to detailed instructions about registering for classes. 

And if you would like a hard copy of the description of the courses, the bios of the instructors, and the calendar, click anyplace in the picture of the brochure cover (picture at right) and you will be taken to a printable pdf file.

If you want a quick refresher on how to use Zoom, information is available on the CRI website. To find it, click on “Zoom Resources” on the right-side bar.

If you need help registering for a class or using Zoom, reach out to us at cri@edmonds.edu or leave a message at 425-640-1830. We will get back to you as soon as we can.



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Governor: State moves to Phase 3 March 22; Phase 1B, Tier 2 eligible for vaccine March 17

Gov. Inslee
On Thursday, the governor announced that every group prioritized in Phase 1B, Tier 2 will be eligible for their COVID vaccine starting Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

This includes workers in agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, firefighters and law enforcement, among others. Phase 1B, Tier 2 also includes people over the age of 16 who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high-risk.

The state will continue to ensure those eligible in earlier phases who have not yet been administered doses have space to be vaccinated, even as more people become eligible.

You can find out more about who is eligible and how to make an appointment on the Department of Health's website.

Phase 1B Tier 2 adds High-risk critical workers who work in certain congregate settings: 
  • Agriculture
  • fishing vessel crews 
  • food processing
  • grocery stores
  • corrections; prisons, jails or detention centers
  • public transit
  • remaining first responders  
  • People 16 years or older who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Effective March 22, the entire state will enter Phase 3.

Sports guidance will change in Phase 3 to allow in-person spectators at events for the first time in a year. Spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor venues with permanent seating with capacity capped at 25%. 

The change affects both professional and high school sports, as well as motorsports, rodeos, and other outdoor spectator events. Social distancing and facial covering are still required.

Read more about the Phase 3 announcement here.



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: St. Paddy’s Day

 


Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here




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Destinations: The Roozengaarde fields are blooming with daffodils

 
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Steve says that the Roozengaarde fields were open to the public to walk to the Daffodil planted area.

The Tulip Festival will be on a purchased schedule that will be limited to two hours in the fields at either Roozengaarde or Tulip Town fields starting in April.


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Floyd Schmoe Peace Scholarship now accepting scholarship applications

Floyd Schmoe with Travis Jo Cufley, the first recipient of the scholarship, in 1998 in the Seattle Peace Park, which he created from a weedy patch at the north end of Lake Union. Photo by Karol Milner.


The Floyd Schmoe Peace Scholarship is now accepting applications for the class of 2021 High School Seniors. Please see www.peacescholarship.org.

The Floyd Schmoe Peace Scholarship was established in 1997 and is available to all high school seniors in the Seattle Public Schools and Shoreline Public Schools with post-high school education plans. 

The scholarship is one of the first of its kind in recognizing an outstanding student dedicated to humanitarian causes. This person could have worked in food banks, tutored homeless children, or any other work for the betterment of our world.

The Floyd Schmoe Peace Scholarship has given awards to 22 deserving students and $25,500 has been dispersed to recipients over a 15-year period.

The scholarship began at Shorecrest High School in 1997. Past recipients are listed at www.peacescholarship.org

Beginning in 2021, one or more $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving applicants.


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Case updates March 15, 2021; Constantine says that 81% of King county residents over 75 have been vaccinated

King County Executive Dow Constantine says that in King County, at least one vaccine dose has been administered to:
  • 83% of currently eligible residents 
  • 81% of those 75 over 
  • 27% of the total adult population

Case updates March 15, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 29,319,457 - 49,867 in one day
  • Total deaths 533,057 - 702 in one day

Washington state 
  • Total cases 351,109 - 603 in two days   
  • Total hospitalizations 19,910 - 19 in two days  
  • Total deaths 5,149 - 14 in two days 

King county
  • Total cases 84,416 -  113 since yesterday 
  • Total hospitalizations 5,185 - 5 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,441 - 4 in one day

Seattle - population 744,995 (2018)
  • Total cases 20,851 - 43 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,207 - 3 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 374 - 2 since yesterday

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018) 
  • Total cases 2,048 -  0 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 188 - 1 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 91 - 0 new deaths

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018) 
  • cases 281 - 0 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 16 -   -1 since yesterday
  • deaths 4 - 0 since yesterday



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Girl Scouts Beyond Bars to speak at Kiwanis virtual meeting Thursday

The North Central Seattle Kiwanis Club will hold a Zoom virtual meeting beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Learn how Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is building healthy relationships between girls and their incarcerated parents.

This program reduces girls’ emotional distress and behavior issues during their parents’ incarceration, and improves parent/child bonding, and strengthens parenting skills.

These Scout meetings are led by incarcerated parents with a curriculum taught to strengthen their leadership skills. The program has demonstrated a successful community reentry process for parents and reduced infractions during incarceration, and reduced recidivism after parents’ release. 


All Kiwanis members and members of the public are welcome to participate. Those who are not Kiwanis members can get instructions on how to access the Zoom meeting by contacting Barbara Williams at
bandpwilliams@comcast.net

We hope that you will use this opportunity to hear about a wonderful program that is making a difference in the lives of children.



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Shoreline Planning Commission meeting and hearing Thursday March 18 at 6pm

Planning commission meeting
Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting
and Public Hearing Online
Thursday, March 18, 2021 
from 6pm to 10pm

The Planning Commission will hear a presentation on Shoreline Prop 1 for park improvements and land acquisition which will be on the April ballot. 

The public hearing is about the proposed zoning changes to allow enhanced homeless shelters. 

Per the staff documents:

The proposal before the Planning Commission is a code amendment defining Enhanced Shelters and permitting them as a use in the MB zoning district subject to certain index criteria. The MB zone, along with Community Business (CB) and Town Center (TC) 1, 2 and 3, already allows homeless shelters, though enhanced shelters have different operational criteria and therefore are being defined and regulated separately.

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Photo and Poem: Chester the Crow

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


Chester the Crow

My name is Chester and you can see
That starts with CHE
So when CHEddar and CHEese arrive
I know that they are meant for me

Well Wayne was eating on his deck
He had his camera nigh
And when he had enough of lunch
He let his sandwich fly

And I of course was on the ground
To see what might come near
We CROWS invented "take aways"
I think that is pretty clear

So he just took another shot
To add top his big file
I have to say I am so proud
It really makes me smile

--Jean Monce Bryant


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2021 Shoreline Short Short Film Festival


2021 Shoreline Short Short Film Festival

Saturday, April 24, 7pm-11pm


The Shoreline Short Short Film Festival is back for its fifth season. This time in the form of a pop-up drive-in! Join ShoreLake Arts and your community for a special night of celebrating the art of the short film. Get your ticket today!

Filmmakers from all over Washington have submitted their “short short” films and you’re invited to see the selected films on Saturday, April 24, 7pm, located at Shorewood High School (enter the parking lot on 175th). In the case of extreme rain or high winds, we have two backup dates reserved, #1 Sunday, April 25th, #2 Sunday, May 9th.

Car arrival is from 7-8pm, and the program will run from 8:15-11pm.

The Shoreline Short Short Film Festival aims to support emerging and developing filmmakers in Washington State and encourage appreciation for the art of filmmaking in our community.

We're excited to bring this single night short film festival back to the community! It's important to ensure that our local filmmakers (and artists) have an opportunity to get their work shown to a live audience again. Truly nothing beats the energy and spirit of a live audience. Even from our bubbles and the seats of our cars, it's still a very impactful evening. All watching and reacting at the same time. This group of filmmakers exemplify the very belief that creativity can't be quarantined.

The evening will showcase a juried selection of 3-12 minute films made by emerging and developing filmmakers working in our community. The top filmmakers will be honored with handmade Golden Sasquatch statues, cash prizes, NW Camera Co. rental discounts, and goodies from Trader Joe’s! Plus, audience members can vote for their favorite filmmaker to win the People’s Choice Award!

Categories include General Films (Drama), Comedy, Music Video, Animation, and Student Film. We had 61 total submissions this year! A big thank you to everyone who submitted this year. This was the most competitive and diverse group of film submissions in our 5 years.

All films are unrated and a select few contain adult/mature content. Viewer discretion is advised.

2021 Official Selections:
  • A Christmas Heist by Zech Johnson
  • ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER by Gabrielle Grimm
  • Betty and Teddy by Kendra Ann Sherrill and Adam Gaulke
  • Boat People by Long Tran
  • Callthistrackamazon by Kamyar Mohsenin
  • Coffee and Sugar by Andy Volk
  • Delirium by Thelma Tunyi and Shanley Fermin
  • Holtze 135 by Jack E.K Collier
  • Lazarus Motel By Ben Wade
  • On the Frontlines of Covid-19 by Laila Kazmi
  • One Minute to Midnight by James Brammer
  • Only Thing Defined by Cody Jordan
  • Six Day Back by Scott Cierski
  • Sparkles and Spotlights by Dylan Thompson and Alison Erickson
  • Swipe by Jeff Schick
  • That Week Each Year by Lynnette Oostmeyer
  • Tiki Weed by Ty Minton-Small
  • Trash Birds by Squidems
  • Worthless by Dawson Doupé, Ryder Doupé and Todd Tapper

A special thank you to our jurors, Tony Doupé, Vivian Hua, Amy Lillard, and Zubi Mohammed. They screened and reviewed nearly 7 hours of short films.

Tickets are $40 for standard, or $75 for VIP. ShoreLake Arts Members get a $10 discount! Each ticket is for 1 car with one goodie box.

Don’t miss your opportunity to support up-and-coming filmmakers during this fun and safe community event! Secure your spot today through Eventbrite.

Help keep our community safe and review our Covid-19 health policy. Thank you!

Our sponsors are critical in backing our event costs. This event is generously supported by our Golden Sasquatch Sponsors, Jack Malek of Windermere and the Shoreline Film Office. Thank you to our sponsors, Shoreline Community College, McDonald’s, Trader Joe’s, Northwest Camera Co., and Selah Life Styling and Events.

Thank you to our Partners, the City of Shoreline and the City of Lake Forest Park.

Questions? Email Kevin at publicity@shorelakearts.org

ShoreLake Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts. Established in 1989.



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Case updates March 14, 2021


Case updates March 14, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 29,269,590 - 40,428  in one day
  • Total deaths 532,355 - 589 in one day

Washington state 
  • Total cases 350,506 - 1,081 in two days
  • Total hospitalizations 19,891 - 61 in two days
  • Total deaths 5,135 - 12 in two days 

King county
  • Total cases 84,303 -  272 since yesterday 
  • Total hospitalizations 5,180 - 5 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,437 - 0 in one day

Seattle - population 744,995 (2018)
  • Total cases 20,808 - 35 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,204 -   -2 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 372 -  -1 since yesterday

Shoreline - population 56,752 (2018) 
  • Total cases 2,048 -  7 since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 187 -   -1 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 91 - 0 new deaths

Lake Forest Park - 13,569 (2018) 
  • cases 281 - 4 since yesterday
  • hospitalizations 17 -  1 since yesterday
  • deaths 4 - 0 since yesterday


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Shoreline PTA Council and all four secondary school PTSAs sponsor a session on Building Student Resiliency


For Shoreline Schools families: 
“An Evening with JC Pohl - Five Keys to Building Student Resiliency”
Thursday, March 25, from 7:00 – 8:30pm 
 
COVID is affecting student life every day. Teen suicide is on the rise. Mental health continues to be a concern. And students are feeling more and more disconnected from their peers. 

In the face of such overwhelming stress, how can we help our students work through the adversity they regularly face?
 
JC Pohl, the President and CEO of Teen Truth, is an award-winning producer and nationally certified counselor. He offers five proven and immediately applicable ways to help students build self-efficacy and resilience. 

These keys to building resilient students might save the next suicidal student, help ignite campus culture, or remind every struggling child that brighter days lie ahead.
 
A question and answer roundtable session will follow Mr. Pohl’s presentation, which will include middle school and high school principals, district counselors and community partners. 
 
This free event is co-sponsored by the PTSAs of Shorewood, Kellogg, Einstein, Shorecrest and the Shoreline PTA Council. 

Registration is required. Sign up HERE. Interpreter services are available upon request during registration. 
 


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Registration opens this week for Shoreline recreation programs


The City of Shoreline has published its spring offerings and will open registration this week. The City of Shoreline Recreation Programs, Information, and Registration Links can be found here 

Registration dates
  • Shoreline Residents: 3/16/2021
  • Lake Forest Park Residents: 3/18/2021
  • Non-Residents: 3/19/2021
Limited Spring programs include: Remote Learning Camps, Tween/Teen Camps, Specialized Recreation, Youth Enrichment and Nature Based Programs, and Health, Fitness, Sports, and Walks.

Both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park offer scholarships to their residents.


Lake Forest Park

Lake Forest Park residents have the opportunity of a 24-hour early registration period with the City of Shoreline’s Recreation Programs prior to the start of each season, plus an 8% discount on all program fees (not rentals) through the entire year! 

Lake Forest Park offers LFP Residents scholarship reimbursements for eligible youth and specialized recreation participants who reside in the City and are registered for and attend cultural, recreation, or aquatic programs and camps. You may find more information on scholarships, how to register, or the partnership with City of Shoreline at: http://www.cityoflfp.com/index.aspx?NID=396 or call LFP City Hall, 206-368-5440.

Shoreline

Scholarships

Please call Spartan Recreation Center at 206-801-2600 to register using scholarship funds. You cannot register online with scholarship funds. If you have applied and qualified for a scholarship for the year 2021, you do not need to reapply for the scholarship funds. Please call and let us know you have a 2021 scholarship.

To apply complete the 2021 Scholarship Application and 2021 Liability Waiver Form. Submit the forms with supporting documents email shorelineparks@shorelinewa.gov or call 206-801-2600 before you register.



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Now is the right time for college

You can do this!
The idea of going to college sounds out of touch to many right now. But here’s why it’s worth considering a second look, even as things are a bit unsettled right now.

There Is More Funding Assistance than Ever Before

Most people in Washington qualify for financial aid, thanks in part to emergency funds from the federal government as well as the recently expanded Washington College Grant

Even families with median incomes of $97,000 per year qualify for state grants, which do not need to be repaid. Additionally, if you are unemployed, even more opportunities are open to a free education (yes, free).

Unemployed, laid off, furloughed, and underemployed workers can qualify for free Workforce grants to pay for job training and sometimes living expenses. Learn more about how to apply or attend an upcoming info session.

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to begin unlocking money for college and becoming eligible for certain scholarships and other aid.

Take advantage of federal pandemic relief money. Colleges have special emergency grants set aside to help students, most of which do not have income requirements. Check out Shoreline Community College’s COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Fund, in which students can apply for up to $2,115 each quarter for tuition, books, technology, housing, groceries, childcare, or healthcare.

Our college also offers a free laptop loan program and technology training and support to help students transition successfully to online learning.

It’s a Good Time to Sharpen Your Skills

Unemployment remains high across the country. Jobs, even minimum wage positions, are harder to come by. That makes it a perfect time to focus on your skills. If you’re receiving unemployment benefits or live in a low-income household, you likely even qualify for free or very low-cost training to skill up for a new job.

While remote learning may have its challenges, many people taking online college courses are realizing that it has also made it easier to squeeze in classes while also juggling work and family commitments. 

Shoreline student Sunshine Cheng says taking asynchronous classes (that do not meet at a particular date or time) has allowed her to try out courses she would not have otherwise due to her work schedule. She adds, “because everything has been remote, I have also been able to take on new internships and jobs that I didn’t have time for before.”

Identify a skill you’d like to develop, whether it’s a “hard” technical skill like project management, or a “soft” people skill such as improving communication skills (something employers in every field value).

Research career paths online, in podcasts, books, or from trusted people in your life. Find out which industries are likely to see job growth after the COVID-19 crisis subsides and see what skills and backgrounds people in those industries have.

Sign up for an online course that you can do on your own time.

If you’re not sure where to start, attend a virtual college info session or talk with an enrollment specialist.

You Can Start Small and Take on More as You Go

Community colleges are flexible and continuously admit new students of all stripes. You can start or stop when you want, sample courses from multiple campuses, or enroll part time and still advance your goals or knock out degree requirements.

“The first few quarters I was at Shoreline, I only took one class at a time so that I could learn how to balance school and work, and ease into a new routine with minimal stress,” says Cheng.

This is a smart option right now, even if you’ve decided to take a “gap year” from full-time studies. While taking time off from school may sound appealing, the truth is jobs, internships, and travel opportunities are limited right now. Pausing your studies now may simply delay your progress, without much to show at the end of your year.

Cheng has advice for other students, “Just take one class in something you know or think you might be interested in. I think it’s easier to take on the rigor of college coursework if the subject is something you are already interested in learning more about.”

While your future may feel unsettled at this moment, the pandemic can also be an opportunity to think about your career path in a new light or pivot in a new direction. Give yourself permission to imagine what you would like to be doing in three or four years, in a post-COVID-19 world. Take some time to reflect on what is important to you. The more you can clarify what you want, the easier it is to map out an educational or career plan that resonates.

As we all deal with pandemic-related challenges, one thing is certain: you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin moving forward. 

You can look for small, purposeful steps toward a goal, even if it takes time to get to the final destination. Doing something now, no matter how small, will reap benefits that long outlast COVID-19. Later, you will be so glad you did.

Learn more about Shoreline Community College programs and funding opportunities, or attend an upcoming virtual admissions event.



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Backyard birds: Band Tailed pigeons

 
Photo by Steve Schneider

Steve Schneider says "Today three Band Tailed Pigeons visited our house. They stayed around for a half hour.  I could only get a shot of two in the same frame.  

It was the first time we had more than one visiting. One has been visiting every day for the past week.  They do like the Madrona Tree's flower petals."



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Aging Expert Discusses “What’s Age Got to Do with It?” this Saturday, March 20th

Dori Gillam - speaker for Commons event
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”

Speaker Dori Gillam poses this question as part of her work helping others to discover new perspectives on aging. As an expert on aging and ageism, Gillam takes a multigenerational approach to raising awareness about ageism while helping folks to embrace the gifts of every age.

On Saturday, March 20, 2012 at 1pm, Third Place Commons invites you to join Gillam for a free, interactive conversation via Zoom entitled, “What’s Age Got to Do with It?”

Gillam has researched and spoken on ageism and aging for over 30 years. Her past roles include community organizer, trainer, and speaker for AARP and the King County Library System. 

She holds a BS in educational psychology and a teaching certificate for secondary education. She currently writes for 3rd Act Magazine, serves as board chair for the Northwest Center for Creative Aging, and is a charter member of Age Friendly Seattle.

Gillam’s approach to aging and conversations about age is joyful and engaging as she encourages us to see the strengths and potential of folks at every age, including our own.


So tune in Saturday at 1pm for a fresh perspective on your own journey as well as those around you! REGISTER HERE for ‘What’s Age Got to Do with It?”

Third Place Commons, a community supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been building real community in the heart of Lake Forest Park for over 20 years. In addition to presenting its largest program, the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, Third Place Commons now also fosters real community in digital space with TPC At Home programs. Learn more at ThirdPlaceCommons.org.



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