Shift Gears and Help Us Pump Up Our Blood Supply and Win

Monday, July 12, 2021


Donate blood at Bloodworks NW and be entered in a drawing for a Peloton Bike+

To make your next appointment, visit Bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.

Send an Email if you have questions.

Appointments and masks required. 

Type O Donors: Due to increased hospital usage of your blood type, please click Whole Blood Type O+ or O- for special reservation times. You may also call 800-398-7888 or schedule@bloodworksnw.org.

It’s important for donors to keep their appointments, and make future appointments now to ensure blood stays available in our community as we weather this pandemic together.



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Shoreline Planning Commission regular meeting Thursday to review miscellaneous code amendments


Shoreline Planning Commission regular meeting Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 7-9pm - virtual meeting

Instructions for attending the meeting, making comments, and reviewing the agenda and staff documents can be seen here 

Agenda Highlights

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Evolution of the Ching Community Gardens

Today the fruit trees remain but the property is overgrown
Photo by Kathleen Lumiere

By Kathleen Lumiere
Photos courtesy Pam Ching-Bunge except as noted

Evolution of the Ching Community Gardens from bare dirt lot to a neighborhood baseball field, to lush and legendary organic gardens to invasive neglect, and now, perhaps to neighborhood gardens open to all

Note: This article is a follow-up from a previous op-ed piece about a little-known historical treasure, the now-overgrown gardens of some of Shoreline’s very first Asian American residents, and honoring that legacy by restoring the gardens as a community P-patch 
https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2021/04/op-ed-honor-legacy-of-joe-and-jennie.html

Pam Ching-Bunge, daughter of Joe and Jennie Ching, showed up for our first oral history interview with a bouquet of homegrown flowers and a huge bag of greens. “A Ching family tradition!” she laughed as she handed them to me.

Later she described her father doing the same thing. “Whenever people drove by and would see the front garden, they’d marvel, and slow down.” If he was home, Joe would welcome them to park and take a tour of the garden. After the tour, visitors would leave with an armful of vegetables, fruit, and flowers.

Ed Hume, host of the longest-running garden show in North America, met Joe and Jennie Ching exactly the same way. Joe became a frequent guest on Gardening in America.

“Hume used to come in and do videos and walk around the garden and my dad would demonstrate how he made his compost, mulch, or his natural fruit fly/ wasp traps,” Pam said. 
“He used old plastic water or milk cartons, made a hole and put in honey and vinegar, and it attracted them. So, you know, he experimented and tried new things. He was creative.”


“He was curious. He’d always read up and he'd make notebooks, just notebooks full of gardening articles and golfing notebooks and fishing notebooks and recipe notebooks. He wasn’t college educated but always tried to find out what's new regarding fighting garden pests, weeds, boosting fertility and crop yields, etc. And he'd try everything, experiment.”

Pam described some of those experiments, using old wool carpeting to keep weeds down, growing potato towers, shredding paper to add carbon to kitchen scrap compost, as well as the coffee grounds from Canlis, where Joe was something of a celebrity chef for decades.

But that’s getting ahead of the story.

Joe Ching
The Ching family moved from Honolulu, where Joe Ching had been working for Peter Canlis. Peter was opening a fine dining establishment overlooking Lake Union and wanted Joe as the executive chef. After living in the Leschi area for a few years, when an eight year old Pam saw someone stashing drugs in the bushes near their home, her mother said it was time to move.

With three kids, the great reputation of Shoreline schools drew the family. Also, Joe liked to fish, and that opportunity beckoned nearby. Because of red-lining, in 1957 Asian Americans and Blacks could not secure bank loans to buy property in Shoreline, a suburb designated for whites only. Peter Canlis asked the Greenwood neighbors if they’d be okay with an Asian American family living next to them. Incidentally, those neighbors, the Guildmets and Lindjords, became close family friends.

Pam recalls, “When we moved to this property in the 50s, the lot was weeds and hard dirt. The first year, we--meaning kids, friends, family--spent literally most of our free weekends removing weeds and clearing rocks, thousands upon thousands. If I could only have a penny for every rock I tossed. And so it went, on and on. I'm sure if you dig down deep enough, there'll be a lot of rocks.”


After augmenting the soil and planting the front yard, Joe Ching made a baseball field in the back of the 0.65 acre lot, again, no small task. “The backyard was used as a dump long before we moved in. Old car axles, engines, etc. had to be removed by hand.”

Kids from blocks around came to play in the ball field. “There just weren’t any fences back then,” Pam reminisced. “There was just a free flow of kids.” Their freedom extended across the street and beyond. “That was all Boeing property before it was developed into the community college. And yeah, it was a great place to grow up. It was fun.”

Over time the Ching family transformed a patch of weeds and chalky soil into a chef’s paradise.

Joe favored vegetables and bright, showy flowers, like godetias and dahlias, perhaps in keeping with his expansive personality. Jennie preferred roses, chrysanthemums, and irises which worked well in ikebana -- traditional flower arranging -- which was part of her Japanese heritage, and something she loved to do.

Pam said her father cultivated numerous varieties of dahlias, carefully digging them up and labelling them for storage in the basement over the winter.

In the midst of vibrant colors, Joe built an exquisite, meditative spot by the front porch, a waterfall and koi pond. Pam’s favorite place was “sitting on that little bridge looking at the fish. And the water was just very soothing and very peaceful.” Today the bridge and the little pagoda remain, as does the empty pond, buried in a thicket of blackberries.

Koi pond, pagoda and bridge

In the back, as “the kids grew up and weren't coming anymore, my dad started planting trees, fruit trees. But my younger brother said he remembers playing football between the fruit trees.”

In 1967 Pam returned to Hawaii. The vegetable garden, she said, was still small at that time. On her yearly visits home “I was always amazed. In its final form, it was huge.”


“The fruit trees were dwarfs but with high yields…. varieties of apple, peaches, pears, asian pears, varieties of plum. The largest tree, and most beautiful was the Shiro golden plum in the middle of the back garden. These plums were the most sweet, juicy and irresistible! I think the tree may still produce after decades of neglect. … The soil!”

“Grape vines gave delicious fruit, and it appears are still growing, and are prodigious producers. The vegetables were incredible,” Pam said. “There was always more than we could use, so he gave lots away.”

Gorgeous black bamboo stands bordered the property, kept in bounds by digging and potting them up for Sky Nursery.

In the vegetable garden, now gone, Joe grew every vegetable and fruit possible in the Pacific Northwest, including exotics like kohlrabi (for a German friend who couldn’t find it in the local groceries), kiwi, and persimmons.

“We all helped with the harvest,” Pam said, “but my mom was probably the most active because she would be putting up everything, whether it was making jams or pickling green beans.” In 2014, when the property was sold, her children found some of their mom’s preserves in the basement on shelves their father had built.

The decline of the gardens was gradual. As they got older, Joe and Jennie were unable to do the demanding, daily labor of maintaining the plantings to their standards. Their kids helped, for a time splitting the heavy upkeep between the front and the back. Neighbors leased garden patches, had the benefit of the extraordinarily fertile soil, and kept some weeds in check.

After Joe and Jennie passed away, it made sense for the remaining Ching family members to sell. The land has lain fallow for many years.

A welcoming wave of godetias along the Ching’s front sidewalk


The bones of the property are good. Fruit trees are still varied and abundant, and grapes and kiwi vines drape every close bush and tree. In the late fall, orange persimmons glow in an otherwise grey/green landscape. Roses flash red through mounds of rampant green spring growth.


This recent pandemic gave the author and many others time to appreciate what is closest to home. Having a window onto the secret garden of the neglected Ching property, and learning about its multifaceted history were unexpected gifts of this time.


Also tangled in this present moment and history are the tragedies of racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans. Motivated by the desire to do something meaningful and positive, a group of neighbors have been inspired to honor Asian American heritage in our community by creating a space to grow together.

The idea of purchasing the property, of restoring the land and making a p-patch resonates with the wider community as well. 

GROW, a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to “build healthy and diverse communities by advocating for, managing and funding organic community gardens and orchards, urban farms and green spaces” has agreed to be the fiscal sponsor of the Ching Community Garden project. Among other vital assistance, it means all donations will be tax deductible. (https://www.grownorthwest.org/)

Additionally, Diggin’ Shoreline, whose mission is to “foster a healthy urban environment and sustainable food system by educating, networking, sharing resources, and creating community gardens,” has generously offered to provide expertise and organizational support. 

If you too would like to contribute to this effort in any way, please contact Kathleen Lumiere at chinggardens@gmail.com.

Some quotes in this article have been condensed for clarity.

Updated 7-15-2021

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Crime Stoppers reward for name of Shoreline burglar

Cash reward for the name of this burglar


King County Sheriff’s detectives are asking for your help to identify this home burglary suspect who has broken into four houses during the daytime in north Shoreline since April.
 
"We know one person doesn't just commit one burglary, they're going to commit more, and the sooner we get him in custody, the safer our homes in north shoreline and elsewhere are going to be," said King County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Meyer.
Distinctive skin discolorations 

"He helps us out because it seems the places he burglarizes all have cameras, and all those images are stored in the cloud, and that's going to be the evidence we need to get him in custody."

He's wearing a sweatshirt from Avon Braves Youth Football in update New York.


If you recognize him or know his whereabouts, submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound through the P3 Tips app on your cell phone or call the hotline at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 if you know his name.

Washington's Most Wanted Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound Facebook page has the video.

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Hydrangea

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

This hydrangea wasn't bothered by the heat dome. Freeways crumble, air conditioners sell out, and people move into their basements, but the flowers keep on blooming.



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Health Insurance Enrollment Event and Health Fair in Kenmore July 24, 2021

Health Insurance Enrollment Event and Health Fair
Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Centro Rendu, St. Vincent de Paul Kenmore, 7304 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore

Mammograms 8:00am-4:00pm by appointment only, call 1-800-756-5437.

Sign up for health insurance, energy assistance, Basic Food, ORCA LIFT cards, and other supports.

For more information. call King County CHAP 1-800-756-5437 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/outreach 



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Scene on the Sound: Hapag-Lloyd container ship

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

With a fleet of 241 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 1.7 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. 

The Company has around 13,300 employees and 395 offices in 131 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of approximately 2.8 million TEU* – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. 

A total of 121 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the leading operators in the Transatlantic, Middle East, Latin America and Intra-America trades.

This ship is lightly loaded. It's possible that Seattle is the end of its route. This ship is one of its "Express" class, sailing among the world's port cities to deliver and pick up cargo containers.

*TEU stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit which can be used to measure a ship’s cargo carrying capacity. The dimensions of one TEU are equal to that of a standard 20′ shipping container. 20 feet long, 8 feet tall. Usually 9-11 pallets are able to fit in one TEU. Two TEUs are equal to one FEU (forty-foot-equivalent unit).

Example – The world’s largest container ships can carry in excess of 14,000 TEUs.



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Case updates July 9, 2021

Last day for Shoreline vaccination clinic is July 20
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The UW Med clinic at the Shoreline Center, run by Shoreline Fire with the assistance of Bothell and Northshore Fire, will be closing and July 20 is the last day.

Case updates July 9, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 33,659,974 -  26,742 in one day
  • Total deaths 604,596 - 320 reported in one day

Washington state - not updated on weekends
  • Total confirmed cases 417,687 -  new since yesterday
  • Probable (additional) cases 37,416 -  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 25,758 -  since yesterday
  • Total deaths 5,997  -  new since yesterday.

King county - not updated on weekends
  • Total confirmed cases 108,397 -  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 6,550 -  new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,672 -   new since yesterday

Seattle - not updated on weekends
  • Total confirmed cases 25,645 -   new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,450 -  new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 421 -    new since yesterday

Shoreline - not updated on weekends
  • Total confirmed cases 2,494 -    new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 209 -   new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 101 -  new since yesterday

Lake Forest Park - not updated on weekends
  • Total confirmed cases 334 -  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 17 -  new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 4 -  new since yesterday


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In Washington state, 69.6% of people 16+ have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine


Although percentages vary from county to county, as a whole, 69.6% of Washingtonians 16+ have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. As of July 7, 69.6% of people 16 and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage includes vaccination rates from the Washington State Immunization Information System and aggregate data from the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. This information can be found on the DOH data dashboard, which is updated three times per week.

“Shot of a Lifetime” $1 million Grand Prize drawing

Next week someone will be the lucky winner of $1 million when the “Shot of a Lifetime” Grand Prize drawing takes place July 13. To be eligible, you must receive at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and be entered into the state’s Immunization Information System by your vaccine provider by 11:59 p.m. July 11. For more information, visit the Washington’s Lottery website

Vaccine lottery boosts vaccinations by 24%

Following the vaccine lottery announcement June 3, COVID-19 vaccination rates increased across all age groups with the largest increase observed in younger age groups. Based on trend projections, DOH estimates the vaccine lottery increased vaccinations for people 16 and older by roughly 24% between June 3 and June 22, which equates to about 28,500 more people vaccinated than originally projected prior to the lottery.

J/J vaccine effective against variants

Johnson and Johnson (J/J) recently released data showing its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine is highly protective against the Delta variant and other SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. In the trial, J&J’s vaccine was 85% effective against severe/critical disease and demonstrated protection against hospitalization and death. According to the report, data revealed immunity latest for at least eight months, which was the length of the study recorded thus far.

COVID-19 Vax Card

A Vax Card is an easy way to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, which may be needed when traveling or attending certain events. Some Washington businesses also offer incentives for people who provide verified proof of full vaccination. If you did not receive or lost your Vax Card, you can contact your vaccine provider or access your vaccine records online at MyIRMobile.com. MyIR Mobile is an internet-based portal that gives people access to their official state vaccination records. Those who need further help are encouraged to call the state COVID-19 vaccination hotline, 833-VAX-HELP. Language assistance is available.

Get vaccinated today

It will never be easier than now to get your COVID-19 vaccine. If you have questions, reach out to your healthcare provider or visit DOH’s Frequently Asked Questions page. To find vaccine near you, you can use the state’s Vaccine Locator website, text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) or VACUNA (822862) to receive addresses of nearby available vaccination sites, or call 833-VAX-HELP.

Shoreline vaccination clinic to close after July 20th

If you want the convenience of a COVID-19 drop in vaccination clinic right in the middle of Shoreline, you have until Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

The UW Med clinic at the Shoreline Center, run by Shoreline Fire with the assistance of Bothell and Northshore Fire, will be closing and July 20 is the last day.



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Gloria's insects: As Barry enviously watched the amorous couple he mused about that old saying:

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z Nagler

Two's company, but three's even better!

(It's mating season for Red Flat Bark Beetles -- my favorite time to prowl the garden:)

--Gloria Z Nagler






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Sports Desk: Shorecrest graduate named assistant coach at Pepperdine

Rachel Schrote
Photo courtesy UCLA Athletics
Rachel Schrote, 2011 Shorecrest graduate and Athlete of the year her senior year as a Scot, has been named an assistant basketball coach at Pepperdine University, a West Coast Conference school that overlooks the Pacific Ocean in Malibu.

During her senior year at Shorecrest, Rachel suffered a horrific knee injury during the fall soccer season which prevented her from playing basketball for the Scots. 

She’d been chosen captain of the team at the end of her junior year, and she lived up to the responsibility, never missing a practice or a game even though she was unable to play. She was the consummate teammate.

Pepperdine Head Coach Kristen Dowling made the announcement Thursday.

"We're very excited to add Rachel to our staff," said Dowling, who is heading into her third season in charge of the aptly-named Waves.
"Rachel's experience at the highest levels of the game with the WNBA and the Pac-12 has prepared her well to coach our young women. She is tremendously experienced in player development and video breakdown. She brings great knowledge and experience to our staff. Her ability to build relationships stood out and our young women will love working with her."


Schrote has been serving as the director of player development and assistant video coordinator with the UCLA women's basketball program since 2018, and as a video coordinator with the Los Angeles Sparks since 2019.

"I am so excited and honored for the opportunity to learn and work under Coach Dowling," Schrote said. 
"Her passion for people, the game and to develop is what drew me to her. I'm excited to learn, develop and serve under her mentorship and guidance and look forward to taking the program to new heights and being a part of something special."


Schrote was an operations, video and equipment intern with the Seattle Storm in 2018, a year in which they won the WNBA championship. She was a graduate assistant at Gonzaga in 2017-18 as the Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

She served as the junior varsity head coach and an assistant varsity coach at Shorecrest High School in 2016-17, and at Bellingham High School from 2014-16. Both schools posted winning seasons and reached the Washington state tournament.

Schrote graduated from Western Washington in 2016 with a degree in physical education and health, and she received a master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership and coaching from Washington in 2018.

--From the Sports Desk



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Parks and Pedestrian Connections community meeting videos available online

Lake Forest Park citizens: 

If you were unable to attend the recent community meetings to discuss Parks and Pedestrian Connections, videos of the meetings are now available on the City’s website:

Community meeting on June 29, 2021

Community meeting on June 30, 2021



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Lake Forest Park police blotter July 8, 2021

Peruvian political protest march in Lake Forest Park
Photo by Cynthia Sheridan

The following notable incidents in Lake Forest Park were reported as of July 8, 2021

Domestic violence

On June 12, Officers were called to a subject who had fallen approximately 30 feet and was severely injured. Involved parties claimed subject fell off roof. Investigation determined this was a domestic incident where the victim was likely thrown off the deck. DV protection order was already in place due to previous incidents. Victims sustained multiple fractures and was transported to the hospital.

While working above incident, officers were called to a second domestic situation. Victim jumped out of vehicle to flee, and the suspect was attempting to force victim back into vehicle. The suspect fled with a 7-month-old in vehicle. The victim insisted suspect would harm the child. Officers located the vehicle and the suspect. The suspect and victim were both intoxicated and unable to care for the child. The child was taken in our police custody and released to child protective services.

Problem person at Starbucks
 
Officers responded to Starbucks for an unwanted subject. A homeless subject was wrapped in blanket blocking doorway had defecated on himself and was refusing to leave. Starbucks was unwilling to trespass due to corporate policy. Officers determined subject already trespassed from town center and were able to get subject to move along. Without previous trespass, officers would have been unable to remove subject.

Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario
Photo by Cynthia Sheridan
Peruvian political protest 
 

On Saturday, June 12, 2021 officers provided traffic control for a planned march from the statue of Peruvian hero Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario in Animal Acres Park to the Peruvian Consulate. This is in response to a disputed Peruvian presidential election. Everything went very well with a speech from the group. It was friendly and peaceful.

Family heroically saves man in Lake Washington
 
On the evening of May 23, 2021 a family on Beach Drive called 911 to report a male subject ran through their yard and dove into Lake Washington, swimming south away from shore. They immediately recognized the subject was in danger due to cold water temperatures, high winds, and large waves.

The homeowner risked his own safety by deploying his personally owned watercraft to rescue the swimmer, while his wife called 911, providing updates and directing first responders. He was able to locate the swimmer, getting him on board, despite the fact the swimmer was now suffering from hypothermia and was losing consciousness. As officers arrived, the homeowner had returned to his dock with the swimmer who was now unconscious. 

Officers discovered the subject had injected methamphetamine and was in obvious crisis. Officers and Fire personnel began life saving first aid, and he survived. 

The responding officers and the Lake Forest Park Police Department believe that if the citizens had not intervened, this would likely have been a recovery effort by the time officers arrived on scene and been able to mount a response. The actions of this family went above and beyond and absolutely saved this subject's life.
 
Officers responded to multiple calls at known drug/assault/DV residence

One party had locked out another resident then barricaded the door. Subject refused to open door for officers. Resident contacted his father, so they had a place to stay for the night. While speaking with officers, the resident “flipped off” a King County patrol vehicle driving by. The father responded to this by grabbing son by his neck, admonishing him for disrespecting police. Father arrested for assault and administratively booked.

Mental health crisis
 
Officers responded to several subjects in varying degrees of mental health crisis. All refused offers of assistance. Two subjects were sent involuntarily to hospital for evaluation. 

Officer assist

Officers responded to assist KC Marine Patrol with a 30-foot log in the water causing a hazard. Officers were able to get the log secured until it could be safely removed. 

Officers provided traffic control for Northshore Fire at large house fire at 165th and Bothell Way NE, during one of the hottest days ever recorded in the area. 



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Shoreline Police: Help us find this burglar who broke into a Shoreline business


The constant victimization of our local, small businesses is intolerable. So help us find this guy.

On Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 2:01am, Shoreline deputies were dispatched to the 20000 block of Aurora Ave N for a commercial burglary alarm.

Dispatch advised that the alarm company could hear sounds from inside the store of things being broken. They also heard a male's voice in the background.


Arriving deputies found the glass front door to the business shattered. There was also a gray rock lying to the right side of the door.

Once deputies confirmed the burglar was gone, the business owner arrived on scene. The owner showed deputies video footage of the suspect, who made entry into the store at 1:52am. The store owner isn't sure anything was stolen.

The suspect appears to be a white male, carrying an Army-style gray rucksack, wearing dark colored shorts, black socks, brown boots, neon orange gloves, and a dark colored coat with a hood pulled over his head. He was seen arriving and leaving the business on a dark-colored bicycle.

If you have any information on this individual, call our non-emergency number at 206-296-3311 and reference case #C21020868.




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Case updates July 8, 2021 - Shoreline vaccination clinic last day July 20

Shoreline vaccination clinic
Photo by Gidget Terpstra
If you want the convenience of a COVID-19 drop in vaccination clinic with no lines right in the middle of Shoreline, you have until Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

The UW Med clinic at the Shoreline Center, run by Shoreline Fire with the assistance of Bothell and Northshore Fire, will be closing and July 20 is the last day.

Case updates July 8, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 33,631,656 -  26,474 in one day
  • Total deaths 604,251 - 293 reported in one day

Washington state - Due to data processing issues today, DOH could not update data on deaths and hospitalizations. Deaths and hospitalizations that would have been included in today's counts will be added to the update on Monday. 
  • Total confirmed cases 417,687 - 369 new since yesterday
  • Probable (additional) cases 37,416 - 84 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 25,758 - 0 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 5,997  - 11 new since yesterday.

King county
  • Total confirmed cases 108,397 - 75 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 6,550 - 2 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,672 - 1  new since yesterday

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 25,645 - 18  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,450 - 1 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 421 -   -1 new since yesterday

Shoreline 
  • Total confirmed cases 2,494 -  3  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 209 -  0 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 101 - 0 new since yesterday

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 334 - 0 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 17 - 0 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 4 - 0 new since yesterday

Correction: The clinic is closing after July 20.

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Because you need a chipmunk photo

Saturday, July 10, 2021


Chippy taking a break from calling at the trunk of a Douglas Fir - 28 April 2021 - Photo by Tanis Coralee Leonhardi in Innis Arden.



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Scene on the Sound: USNS Guadalupe

USNS Guadalupe


The USNS Guadalupe is a fuel replenishment vessel fitted with five fueling stations; these can fill two ships at the same time and the ship is capable of pumping 900,000 US gallons of diesel or 540,000 US gallons of jet fuel per hour.
 
She entered non-commissioned U.S. Navy service under the control of the Military Sealift Command with a primarily civilian crew on 25 September 1992. She serves in the United States Pacific Fleet.

In June 2004, USNS Guadalupe rescued 13 crew and a dog from the burning Taiwanese fishing vessel Hsin Chin Chanz, around 900 miles north east of Guam in the Pacific.



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Bird and flower

Photo by David Walton
Anna's Hummingbird, Crocosmia

This Anna's Hummingbird (likely a female) hones in on a Crocosmia to get some nectar. 

What a refreshing thought! 
    
--David Walton



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: CNN??

 


Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE



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Jobs: City of Shoreline IT Specialist

City of Shoreline
IT Specialist
CLOSING DATE: 07/18/2021

GENERAL SUMMARY:

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

Join an extraordinary team of IT professionals providing technology support and innovation to the City of Shoreline! Bring your technology troubleshooting skills and knowledge of desktop application support to complete the team! The City is looking for a full-time IT Specialist to provide user support and technical assistance on the use of computer systems and software applications; and to install and maintain workstations and telecommunication systems. If you have these skills, we want to hear from you!

The City's mission is to fulfill the community’s vision through highly valued public service. Our employees work relentlessly to achieve organizational goals while embracing the City’s values. City Mission, Values, and Goals

The City offers generous benefits to all regular employees.

This application does not support attachments. In lieu of a cover letter, candidates are expected to provide complete responses to the Supplemental Questions.

DEFINITION

To provide user support and technical assistance on the use of computer systems and software applications; and to install and maintain workstations and telecommunication systems. Provide first-tier support to the IT Team for workstation, network, applications, web and audio/visual services.

Job description and application



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Goat alert: Goats return to Midvale Garden site this weekend


This weekend (July 10-11, 2021) the amazing grazing goats return to the Midvale Gardens site at N 192nd and the Interurban Trail.

Their mission? To turn the invasive jungle into lunch.

Made possible through a City of Shoreline environmental grant, this entertaining activity is brought to our community by Diggin' Shoreline and Earthcraft Services.  



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Governor declares wildfire state of emergency, limited burn ban

Wildfire in Enumclaw September 2020 photo courtesy WSDOT

Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide state of emergency on Tuesday relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2021.

"Washington is facing a historic drought and we have already experienced record-breaking heat. We must be vigilant in our efforts to prevent wildfires, and the loss of life and destruction of land and property that comes with them,” Inslee said. 
“We don’t want a repeat of recent years with dangerous wildfires across the state that have destroyed towns, killed livestock and resulted in weeks of unhealthy air quality. I urge everyone to do their part to help protect our beautiful state and all our communities.”


“We have seen a record-breaking number of fires for this early in the summer,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Extreme drought conditions leave communities across our state at risk as fire danger continues to climb. I’m asking everyone to do their part and take precautions to prevent wildfires. Our firefighters on the frontlines depend on us to help keep them safe.”

Although this order includes some burn ban exceptions (for example, the use of gas-fueled stoves in some circumstances and also small, recreational campfires in contained structures on a person’s private property) nothing in the order supersedes more restrictive provisions by a lawful authority, like city or county governments. 

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has implemented a burn ban for all state parks. More information is available here.

The proclamation also activates the Washington National Guard to assist in wildfire suppression efforts.

Read the full proclamation here.



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In the Garden Now: Deutzia 'Magician'

Friday, July 9, 2021

Story and photo by Victoria Gilleland

This lovely shrub has been growing under a large evergreen tree on a slope at the back of our property in heavy shade for at least eight years.

This doesn’t sound like a particularly happy place for a shrub to set down roots, but Deutzia ‘Magician’ has done very well.

Clusters of perfect white flowers appear reliably in early summer. ‘Magician’ has proven to be a drought tolerant easy to grow shrub. 

Give this beauty a chance in your garden.



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Letter to the Editor: Ordinance 1222- Required Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices

To the Editor:

Lifejackets save lives.

Our beautiful part of the country, with its abundant lakes, rivers, and our extraordinary Puget Sound, affords us incredible opportunities to us to get out on the water.

All too frequently, outings on the waters of our state result in preventable tragedy. Nearly all of the fatalities on the waters of our region could have be prevented if the victim had been wearing a life jacket.

In an effort to prevent further tragedy, I sponsored Ordinance 1222 - Required Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices, Mandating Users of Human Powered Watercraft to Wear U.S. Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Devices.

It was passed by the Lake Forest Park City Council On May 13th, by a vote of 6-0.

Lake Forest Park law now requires users of “Human powered watercraft” to wear at all times a Coast Guard approved life jacket, also called a personal floatation device or PFD.

“Human powered watercraft” includes, but is not limited to: sailboats (under 20 feet in length), sailboards, paddleboards, water cycles, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, rowboats and rowing shells.

This ordinance is intended to be about outreach, awareness and education, and the first violation will result in educational outreach and a warning. Subsequent offences will result in a citation.

This is not like the state helmet law- if someone chooses not wear a helmet (and they should wear one!), they are not placing a first responder in danger. Failing to wear a lifejacket out on the water can place a first responder's life in jeopardy.

The city will be working on programs for life jacket accessibility and education about water safety at several waterfront access points.

I sincerely hope this ordinance will help everyone better understand the dangers of the water and encourage everyone to wear a life jacket.

Be safe on the water!

Tom French
Vice Chair, Lake Forest Park City Council



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Shoreline: Appreciate Your Neighbors Night Tuesday, August 3, 2021

As we all start to transition to more in-person events, the City of Shoreline encourages neighbors to meet in small groups for National Night Out this year. What a great way to get to know your most immediate neighbors even better!

Since they expect gatherings to be small, the City of Shoreline does not intend to issue street closure permits. You are asked to host your parties in a driveway or yard away from the street and out of the Right of Way.

There is no registration required this summer. If you would like to have a City Councilmember or Shoreline Police representative visit your party, contact Constance Perenyi cperenyi@shorelinewa.gov

And let your neighborhood association know.



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Case updates July 7, 2021

Vaccines are available at many pharmacies
including Safeway and Costco
The Department of Health (DOH) is continuing to see outbreaks in areas and settings where vaccination rates are lower. If you have been waiting to get vaccinated, now is the time. 


Case updates July 7, 2021


United States 
  • Total cases 33,604,986 -  20,071 in one day
  • Total deaths 603,958 - 244 reported in one day

Washington state - Data on today’s new cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and testing counts are incomplete due to a data processing issue. The issue will be resolved for tomorrow's numbers. 
  • Total confirmed cases 417,318 - 486 new since yesterday
  • Probable (additional) cases 37,332 - 96 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 25,758 - 32 since yesterday
  • Total deaths 5,986  - 13 new since yesterday.

King county
  • Total confirmed cases 108,322 - 109 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 6,548 - 5 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 1,671 - 1  new since yesterday

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 25,627 - 33  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 1,450 - 1 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 422 - 0 new since yesterday

Shoreline 
  • Total confirmed cases 2,491 -  3  new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 209 -  1 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 101 - 0 new since yesterday

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 334 - 0 new since yesterday
  • Total hospitalizations 17 - 0 new since yesterday
  • Total deaths 4 - 0 new since yesterday


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King county purchases former Holiday Inn for supportive housing for chronically homeless

Holiday Inn purchased for homeless housing
Photo courtesy King County
King County has completed the purchase of its third property in the Health through Housing Initiative, the former Holiday Inn Express and Suites North Seattle, adding an additional 99 units of supportive housing for the chronically homeless.

"We're glad to be able to partner with the City of Seattle on the County's third hotel purchase to help our most vulnerable residents regain health and stability," said Executive Constantine. 
"Health through Housing is a powerful tool to change people's lives, helping them off the street and into a safe and secure place to call home."

The hotel, located at 14115 Aurora Ave N in North Seattle, was constructed in 2001 and contains 99 units and sits on approximately 1.91 acres. The site has one building and parking areas for residents.

The hotel will provide housing for people experiencing chronic or long-term homelessness, along with 24/7 onsite staffing that will include case management and access to physical and behavioral health services. A competitive process will determine the onsite service provider before the facility is operational later this year

"The coronavirus pandemic and recent record-breaking heat have exposed the critical link between health and housing," said Rep. Cindy Ryu. 
"The partnership between the state, King County, city governments, and local residents to urgently deliver permanent supportive housing through the purchase of properties like the former Holiday Inn Express on Aurora Avenue is one of the most exciting advancements in our efforts to reduce homelessness. 
"This property is perfectly suited to provide housing stability and wraparound services for health and wellbeing."

As with all purchases pursued through the Health through Housing Initiative, King County has worked closely with local leaders, coordinating with the City of Seattle. King County has previously purchased two hotels in the Health through Housing initiative, a former extended stay hotel in Renton with 110 units, and the Inn at Queen Anne with 80 units.

The $17.5 million purchase price of the hotel was funded by the Health through Housing initiative that dedicates one tenth of a cent of sales tax revenues for the purchase of hotels, motels and other single room settings for use as emergency and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic and long-term homelessness in King County.

The King County Council approved the initiative and the implementation of the funding. The sales tax was made possible by the Washington State Legislature by creating a dedicated fund source to help in addressing the crisis of homelessness.



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Lis Johnson: In the Blink of an Eye

By Lis Johnson

Over the long weekend, I went into our home office for the annual clearing of the bulletin board. 

Old receipts, appointment cards, reminders and reminders of reminders. As I took down the school calendar, I had a moment — one of those that leaves you standing flat-footed, staring at nothing in particular — when I realized as I hadn’t before that this coming fall will be the first time in nearly 20 years I won’t have a school calendar on the board.

Our youngest son graduated from high school last month. His older brother started kindergarten in 2002, so the school calendar has been a through-line in our lives for close to two decades.

In the early days, I would go through the calendar when it arrived, circling in red Sharpie all the half-days, teacher work days, holidays and breaks, not to mention penciled in play dates, birthday parties, and field trips, band and choir practice, performances and ballgames.

After smart phones arrived, these days were put on the phone calendar, with appropriate reminders, but the influence remained. Our days off, our vacations, our time was directed by the calendar in one way or another.

And suddenly, I don’t need one any more. As my sons go onto their bigger lives, my own life, my own choices and days, will return to being mine again. For the most part, anyway. And frankly, it feels odd. 

Odd in a way that graduation, sending out announcements and taking photos didn’t quite grasp — the change that was coming. The change that is here.

When our oldest son graduated, we still had another five years to go with the calendar. The bulletin board is full of holes in the cork-board, where calendars were taken up and down, months rolled over and on and on, a flip of the page, the turn of a season, until one day, seemingly out of nowhere, we don’t need it anymore.

I’m reminded of the quote in Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” when a character is asked how he went bankrupt. “Two ways,” he replies. “Gradually, then suddenly.”

Couldn’t the same be said for how our children grow up — gradually, then suddenly.
 
Feels a bit odd to be sentimental over a piece of paper, but more that just about any other “school thing” it represents time going by, and by and by and by. 

And then comes a moment, where you stand looking at a near empty bulletin board wondering what happened and how it happened so fast.



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Home sales in Shoreline during the month of June 2021

The following are properties that sold in Shoreline during the month of June 2021. Data compiled for the Shoreline Area News by the Shoreline Windermere office.




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Scene on the Sound: This morning the Sound was filled with hope

USNS Bob Hope


According to Wikipedia:

USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR-300), the lead ship of its class of vehicle cargo ships for Army vehicle prepositioning, is a naval ship of the United States named after Bob Hope, the entertainer. Very few ships of the United States Navy have been named after a person who was alive at the time of the christening.

The contract to build her was awarded to Avondale Industries on 2 September 1993 and her keel was laid down on 29 May 1995. She was launched on 27 March 1997, and delivered on 18 November 1998.[1]

A non-combatant roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel crewed by U.S. civilian mariners under the Navy's Military Sealift Command, Bob Hope and other ships of the class are used to preposition tanks, trucks and other wheeled vehicles and supplies needed to support an army heavy brigade.

Bob Hope has already seen service delivering supplies and equipment to the Balkans and Iraq.



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