LFP Planning Commission recommends changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) regulations

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Example of one type of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Over the past few years, the Lake Forest Park City Council and staff have heard from residents that the Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations are very restrictive, including preventing the building of detached units in front or side yards, even though many of the single-family homes in LFP are built in the rear of the property.
 
In theory, an ADU may be created as a separate unit within an existing home (in an attic or basement), an addition to the home (a separate unit with separate entrance), or in a separate structure on the lot (also known as a detached ADU or DADU).
 
The Planning Commission reviewed the current regulations and surveyed the community about the issue. After thoughtful discussions at meetings over the summer and fall, the Commission has forwarded its recommendations to the Council, which began discussions at a special meeting on November 4, 2021.
 
The Planning Commission has made several key recommendations, including 
  1. removal of the rear-yard restriction,
  2. raising the height restriction to 25 feet to allow building an apartment on top of a garage or other structure, and 
  3. allowing both an ADU and a DADU on lots of one acre or more. The City Council will continue discussion of the Commission’s recommendations at upcoming meetings and will likely hold a public hearing on them early next year.


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Executive Constantine announces changes to leadership team for 2022

King County Executive Dow Constantine
Heading into 2022, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced several promotions and changes to the leadership of his office, including naming April Putney as Deputy Executive. 

With reelection to a fourth term, Executive Constantine is focusing on four major priorities: 

  1. housing individuals who are chronically homeless, 
  2. battling the climate crisis, 
  3. becoming an anti-racist government, and 
  4. transforming the criminal legal system and public safety.

"Together we’ve achieved so much for King County, but now is no time to slow down. It will take our entire government working together, in tandem with community, to ensure that we make more than mere progress, but create transformational change to achieve our True North: ensuring King County will be a welcoming community where every person can thrive," said Executive Constantine. 
"The work ahead has never been more important, and I’m pleased to have these and other talented leaders on our team stepping into new roles and greater responsibilities to serve the people of Martin Luther King Jr. County."

April Putney will serve as Deputy Executive, and will provide strategic direction and coordination for Executive Constantine’s priorities, and advise on emerging issues, policy development and external and governmental relations, and communications. Putney currently serves as Chief of Staff.

Shannon Braddock will serve as Chief of Staff, overseeing Executive Department policy priorities and manage Executive Office staff, and will serve on the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic support across the organization. Braddock currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Karan Gill will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, and will oversee governmental and external relations for the Executive Department and County. Gill currently serves as Director of Council Relations.

Celia Jackson will serve as Director of Criminal Legal System Transformation, overseeing Executive Constantine’s priorities for transforming the criminal legal system so that it is anti-racist, pro-equity, and just for all. Jackson currently serves as Director of State Relations.

Chase Gallagher will serve as Director of Communications, developing and executing strategic communications and coordinating with King County departments on internal and external messaging. Gallagher currently serves as Interim Communications Director.

The appointments will be effective January 1, 2022.



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Final market of the year for Shoreline Farmers Market Saturday

Join us for the final market of the year this Saturday, December 18th!

We couldn't be more excited to bring you a December Harvest Market. It may be chilly but you can warm up with hot drinks from Vulpine Espresso and sit down for a nice hot lunch of dumplings and himalayan fries from Kathmandu MoMoCha. Prepare you shopping list, pack your market totes, and bundle up!

Musical performance by PK Dywer featuring folksy tunes from 10am-12pm. From noon-2pm Sunday Seppedtrap will be performing his classic holiday set list getting us all in the mood for holiday festivities. FaLaLaLaLa

Local Gifts Are The Best Gifts!
Looking for a gift for the foodie in your family? Try candied pecans from The Brown Pecan, a mushroom growing kit from Skagit Gourmet Mushrooms or local honey from Rainy Day Bees.

How about friends with a new house? We've got you covered with a range of candle options from Nature's Element, SEH Artisans, and Karmany. How about handcrafted wood cutting boards and serving trays from Joel Mathieson Live Edge Design.

Plant lover? Check out succulents and mini plants from Plantasia.

Connoisseur of craft adult beverages? Finnriver Farm and Cidery will have your favorite ciders, Tin Dog Brewing has got your beer lovers covered, and our newest vendor 4 Good Hard Seltzer will be selling holiday gift packs of hard seltzer made with "ugly fruit".

Don't forget to fill your pantry with winter storage produce like squash, garlic, onions, beets, turnips, and more from Farias Farm and stock your freezer with humanely raised grass-fed meats from Olsen Farms.



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Vendor Line-up for LFP Holiday Market on Sunday, December 19


Vendor Line-up for LFP Holiday Market on Sunday, December 19, 2021

The secret is out! The Lake Forest Park Holiday Market this Sunday, December 19th is going to be jam-packed with an amazing roster of both favorite food vendors and amazing artisans for all your last minute shopping needs.

The vendor list keeps growing, but here’s a quick look at where things stand:

Food Shopping
  • Amantikir Coffee
  • Cascade Valley Farm (aka Rainier Salsa)
  • Doll House Baked Goods
  • Everything Elderberry
  • Garden Treasures
  • Greenwood Cider
  • La Pasta
  • Lopez Island Vineyards
  • The Mediterranean
  • Pete’s Perfect Toffee
  • Seattle Granola Company
  • Sidhu Farms
  • Smith Brothers Farms
  • Well Fed Farms
  • Wilson Fish
Gift and Holiday Shopping
  • Amanda Sarah Metals (festive holiday items, garden art, housewares, jewelry)
  • Arte Aldrete (silver and fused glass functional art, e.g. bowls, platters, jewelry)
  • Darcy’s All Natural Soaps and Products
  • Dennis Cant Metal Art (metal and copper indoor and outdoor garden art)
  • Embroidery and More (blankets, sweatshirts, scarves, toys, etc.)
  • Forest Green Enterprises (cement garden art)
  • Fotografia Artistica (artistic photos, cards, prints of architecture & nature in PNW, Europe, & Latin America)
  • Jacoby Woodworking (cutting boards, cribbage boards, coasters, etc.)
  • Je Ne Sais Cluck (hand drawn/colored prints of chickens & birds on cards, towels, etc.)
  • Jessica’s Jewelry (jewelry for kids)
  • Lake Washington Candle Company (soy wax candles, upscale designs, seasonal scents)
  • M Jewelry (semiprecious gem and metal)
  • Second Stitch Clothing (upcycled clothing, patchwork fabrics)
  • Studio Sardine (ceramics, ornaments, jewelry, cards)
  • Tiffany Pitts (diamond painting wall art)
  • T.M. Originals (drawings, prints, jewelry)
  • Yeng Garden (Christmas wreaths)
Looking for someone in particular? The vendor list continues to grow, so keep an eye on the full vendor list on the Third Place Commons website for any updates.

Rain or shine, it’s going to be a beautiful day at the Lake Forest Park Holiday Farmers Market and Crafts Fair. So come on down to show your support for this amazing line-up of vendors and go home with all the good stuff you need to make your holidays perfect!

The last market of the season takes place this Sunday, December 19th from 10am to 2pm in the regular market location, the parking lot of the Town Center at Lake Forest Park at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

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. 



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Gloria's Birds - Life is a traveling to the edge of knowledge, thought Chester, then a leap taken!

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z Nagler

(Well, OK, D.H. Lawrence thought that. Chester is a well-read, chestnut-backed chickadee:)

--Gloria Z Nagler






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New county council districts finalized

King County council district 1

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 the King County Districting Committee unanimously adopted the Amended Final Draft Districting Master Plan. The adopted redistricting plan will be filed with the Clerk of the Council and will become the new King County Council district boundaries, effective upon filing.

A map of the new King County Council district boundaries is available online.

The work of the Districting Committee is guided by legal criteria. By law, Council district boundaries must be redrawn after each U.S. Census to make each district as nearly equal in population as possible using the most recent census data. 

The new district boundaries must be compact, contiguous, and composed of economic and geographic units. To the extent feasible, the districts must correspond with the boundaries of existing municipalities, election precincts, census tracts, recognized natural boundaries, and preserve communities of related and mutual interest. Population data may not be used for purposes of favoring or disfavoring any racial group or political party.

The County Charter places sole responsibility for redistricting with the independent, citizen Districting Committee. Members of the non-partisan King County Districting Committee include Chair Ann Schindler, Cherryl Jackson-Williams, Paul Graves, Sophia Danenberg, and Rob Saka.

The Districting Master, King County GIS, served as the technical expert in developing the plan.

The Committee strived to keep smaller cities whole, isolated from Seattle and Bellevue to the extent possible, and ensure that when cities needed to be split between districts that sufficient portions were in both districts as to avoid divisions with small city slivers.

District 1: Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, by preference, are kept in a group of north end cities which includes Kenmore, the King county portion of Bothell (which is also in Snohomish county), and the northern section of Kirkland. In order to reach the number goal, a large section of northeast Seattle is included.

District 1 continues to be represented by Rod Dembowski.

In drawing the redistricting map, each district must be as nearly equal in population as possible. No district in the adopted plan deviates by more than 0.16% from the 2021 Council district target population of 252,186. Black, Indigenous and People of Color accounted for 100% of the population growth within King County over the past decade and comprise a majority of constituents in Council Districts 2 (50.30%), 5 (59.99%) and 7 (53.00%) under the newly adopted plan.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/districting



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Teeny-tiny Christmas tree lot in Lake Forest Park

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

 
Photo by Lis Johnson

As seen in Lake Forest Park - a miniature Christmas tree lot, complete with camper and station wagon.



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Case updates December 14, 2021 - get boosted

Delta
Omicron is spreading and is expected to increase but Delta is still the problem. 

Medical advisories are consistent: get a booster vaccine. If you started with Moderna, Pfizer is ok for a booster and may even give you an advantage.

COVID-19 Updates
 

United States  

  • Total cases 50,181,003 - 125,503 new  
  • Cases in past 7 days - 825,653    
  • Total deaths 797,877 - 1,842 new   


Washington State
  • Total confirmed cases 699,633  - 1,140 new    
  • Total hospitalizations 43,986  -  82 new    
  • Statewide ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients - 16.8%
  • Total deaths 9,635  - 27 new   

Levels of Community Transmission:
based on the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 7 days:

High: ≥ 100
Substantial: 50-99
Moderate: 10-49
Low: < 10


King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 167,470 -  444 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 1,874  
  • Total hospitalizations 8,913 -   -2 new  
  • Total deaths 2,129 -  2 new   
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 41,670  -  109 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 625  
  • Total hospitalizations 1,881  -   1 new    
  • Total deaths 521  -   0 new  
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 3,657  -   8 new    
  • Cases in past 7 days - 35    
  • Total hospitalizations 254 -   -1 new   
  • Total deaths 114 - 1 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 579 - 4 new      
  • Cases in past 7 days - 10   
  • Total hospitalizations 23 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 5  - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL


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Jobs: Vision House childcare positions

Employment - Vision House
Multiple childcare positions

Employment at Vision House in Shoreline gives you the opportunity to work in a faith-based non-profit that works with homeless families toward positive transformation.

Multiple open positions for a brand-new childcare center in Shoreline!!
  • Childcare Lead Teachers $18-$20 per hour, DOE
  • Childcare Assistant Teachers $17-$18 per hour, DOE
Here is a link to our webpage with our application links for different positions: https://visionhouse.org/employment/

Our mission is to provide every child with a loving, nurturing, Christ-centered environment where they can build positive relationships with others and fosters a love of learning.


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Teen Angels and Shepherds - St. Luke youth helped create living Advent scenes

At the Ward's home on 25th NW, the middle school teens were the shepherds
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
At Sunday's living Advent scenes on December 12, 2021, teens from St. Luke's youth groups helped create two of the scenes.

At the Dotson's house on 24th Ave NW, teen angels posed beatifically
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Every year, St. Luke's in Shoreline creates a drive-to set of living re-enactments of the Advent stations. Local families host the eight stations and they or other members of the church create and enact the scenes.



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Case updates December 13, 2021 - U.S. cases exceed 50 million

Omicron is spreading but
Delta is still the main concern
COVID-19 Updates
 

United States  

  • Total cases 50,052,008 - 201,786 new  
  • Cases in past 7 days - 825,235    
  • Total deaths 796,010 - 1,350 new   
Washington State
  • Total confirmed cases 698,493  - 931 new    
  • Total hospitalizations 43,904  -  60 new    
  • Statewide ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients - 17.5%
  • Total deaths 9,608  - 28 new   

Levels of Community Transmission:
based on the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 7 days:

High: ≥ 100
Substantial: 50-99
Moderate: 10-49
Low: < 10


King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 167,026 -  140 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 1,762  
  • Total hospitalizations 8,915 -   7 new  
  • Total deaths 2,127 -  2 new   
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 41,561  -  26 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 618  
  • Total hospitalizations 1,880  -   -1 new    
  • Total deaths 521  -   0 new  
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 3,649  -   3 new    
  • Cases in past 7 days - 32    
  • Total hospitalizations 255 -   2 new   
  • Total deaths 113 - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 575 - 2 new      
  • Cases in past 7 days - 10   
  • Total hospitalizations 23 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 5  - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL


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From the LFP Mayor - December 14, 2021

Mayor Jeff Johnson, LFP
From Lake Forest Park Mayor Jeff Johnson

At the turn of the year, we will see three of our current city councilmembers leave and welcome three new councilmembers elect.

I would like to take this chance to thank outgoing Councilmembers Mark Phillips, John Resha, and John Wright for all their years of tireless service to the Lake Forest Park residents and broader community.

Together, we have worked on many major policies and code amendments, and I believe LFP is the better for it.

I would also like to congratulate incumbent Semra Riddle, Position 1; and welcome new members Jon Lebo, Position 3; Tracy Furutani, Position 5; and Larry Goldman, Position 7. We will have a busy year ahead and I look forward to working with all of you.

Our community is lucky to have so many citizens interested in running for a city council position and taking on an election campaign. Thank you to all who ran for office this year.

I have the pleasure of also recognizing two long-time City employees who are retiring this year. Municipal Judge Linda Portnoy is retiring after 23 years of service and City Clerk Evelyn Jahed is retiring after 24 years of service. I wish them both well in their retirement and thank them for their contributions to the City.

While we don’t know all that 2022 holds for us, I do know your Council will be busy working on projects and code updates that move our community forward.

Let’s all remember during this busy holiday season to hold our family and friends close to our hearts and approach our interactions with others with kindness.

Happy Holidays! –Mayor Johnson



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2022 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival tickets on sale at Sky Nursery

Looking for the perfect last minute gift? 

Starting today, Shoreline residents can purchase special commemorative tickets to the 2022 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival at their local nursery to save money and support local businesses.

Tickets available at nurseries are uniquely designed to match each year’s show theme. The nurseries are the only place to purchase these distinctive tickets, support your local nursery and pick up your tickets directly at the checkout!

Shoreline residents can purchase tickets starting today for $20, all the way up until the event dates (Feb. 9-13) at Sky Nursery 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133.

Cash or check only!


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Porch Light Parade

 
The Winter Porch Light Parade December 1 - 31, 2021 celebrates communities shining bright. Sponsored by the cities of Shoreline, Bothell, Kenmore, and Lake Forest Park. Register your outdoor display and share your creation with the community on the Porch Light map. 

More information here.



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Jobs: WSDOT Transportation Technician

WSDOT Shoreline
Transportation Technician 3 - TMC

Washington State Department of Transportation has an outstanding entry level opportunity in our new state-of-the-art facility. Candidates should have a passion for real-time traffic management, teamwork, and serving the people of Washington. 

Successful applicants will provide daily traffic management activities in the TMC consisting of operating traffic management systems, tunnel control systems, and radio communications. The goal of this position is to manage daily traffic, collisions, construction, and maintenance closures in WSDOT’s Northwest Region, which stretches from Federal Way to Blaine and includes the greater Seattle area, Bellingham, Island County, and parts of Mt. Rainier National Park. Decisions made by this position directly affect the safety of the traveling public and traffic flow on the freeway and adjacent arterial system.

Job description and application



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Looking for a great way to share this holiday season? Donate blood to Bloodworks NW

Bloodworks NW is not allowed to bring crowds into their donation centers, so the blood supply is low. 

For two days, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Shoreview Ward is turning their Church building at 102 N 132nd St. Seattle, WA 98133 into a blood-donation center. 

Sign up to donate on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 11:30am - 6:30pm or Saturday, December 18th, 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Can you help out? It is easy to sign up for a time to donate at https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/GroupLanding.aspx?s=0497



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Notes from Shoreline council meeting December 13, 2021 - last meeting of the year - last meeting for three councilmembers

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
December 13, 2021

Notes by Pam Cross

Mayor Hall called the remote meeting to order at 7:00pm.

All Councilmembers were present.

Approval of the Agenda

Mayor Hall proposes moving Council Reports to the end of the Agenda just prior to adjournment. Then the usual Council reports can be followed by any year-end comments, since this is our final meeting of the year.

Revised Agenda approved by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

COVID-19 UPDATE
 

King County’s new infection rate is still at the high end of the “substantial” designation, and trending up again as can be seen in the above graph. Hospitalizations and deaths remain low but are slowly increasing. Shoreline infection rates are also increasing, with hospitalizations and deaths remaining very low.


Vaccine Clinic for adults and children through December 17.


Thanks again to our Shoreline FD, Shoreline CC, and UW Medicine for making this resource available to us.

Proposition 1


We are holding a series of factual informational presentations. Please join us online on the dates shown above. Additional dates for presentations are available on the City’s website shown above.

HOLIDAY EVENTS


The map is now available for everyone to use to explore the creative light displays in Shoreline and our surrounding communities. You can still be added to the map by signing up by Dec 19.

Public Reminders

The Planning Commission will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday Dec 16 at 7:00pm to discuss the outdoor seating development code amendment.

This is the final Council meeting of 2021. The next Council meeting will take place on Monday Jan 3, 2022.

Shoreline City Hall will be closed on Friday, Dec 24 and Friday, Dec 31.

Spartan Recreation Center will be closed Friday-Saturday, Dec 24 - 25, and Dec 31 - Jan 1.

For more information, visit shorelinewa.gov/calendar


On behalf of all of us at City Hall, and our other facilities, I want to convey our very deepest gratitude for the many years of dedicated service from our three outgoing members of Council. The City of Shoreline will forever be shaped by your service.

Public Comment

Pam Cross, Shoreline, SAN Reporter
Mayor Hall, Councilmembers McGlashan and Chang will be missed for their knowledge, insight, humor, and vision for our City. Although I don’t always agree with them, I believe they make informed decisions based on what they believe is best for our City. Looking at Seattle, it is easy to see what happens to a city when Councilmembers are more interested in making a name for themselves than doing what they were elected to do. Thank you for your service.

Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
I too want to thank the outgoing Mayor and Councilmembers for their service.
Additionally, I want to reiterate the importance of having maximum transparency for the operations of the advanced shelter with regular updates of shelter operations, success stories or challenges.

Approval of the Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar approved unanimously (7-0)

Council Reports

CM Robertson
We had a meeting of the North King County Coalition on Homelessness. Predominately, this was a discussion with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. We got to see a document that they are preparing that summarizes the activities that are taking place in the North KingCo cities. This would include the number of units that are available, and the number of individuals and beds in those units and so forth. We also got to see a list of investments that Shoreline has made, and makes throughout the year, to our area services supporting the homeless. They started to ask about future consolidation of those funds and whether or not Shoreline would consider putting them in the hands of the Regional Authority for them to distribute throughout the North KingCo region. This was very preliminary and will require Council discussion.

Regarding the three outgoing Councilmembers: I will never forget working with this group for my first seat on the Council. Thanks for your wisdom, support and camaraderie.

CM Roberts
At the Sound Cities Association (SCA) annual meeting, the association adopted its budget without challenges.

At the The SCA Public Issues Committee (PIC) meeting last week, the board elected CM Roberts as Vice-Chair for 2022. Bill Boyce, Kent Councilmember, is the new Chair.

I don’t know where to even begin thanking the outgoing members for their service to the community on this Council. Our Council works because of the people who are on it. When CM McGlashan was Mayor, he was able to bring us together. He was able to create this environment where we are able to respectfully disagree, and where we can have policy disagreements that don’t affect how we treat each other as individuals. And I think that has really been something that has made our Council work unlike other Councils across the region. I’m grateful to serve on a body that is supportive of everyone’s efforts.
I want to thank CM Chang for the way she has brought passion and a sense of humanity to this Council, for everything she brought from her background, as well as her ensuring that the voices of the community were heard and felt.
Mayor Hall, I appreciate your passion for the environment. We have done some great work on this Council and I think we can be proud of what we have done for the environment and our community. I believe we have done our part for the community and for the generations to come.

Deputy Mayor Scully
CM Chang, we all relied on your technical expertise. Sometimes you asked questions I didn’t understand, but you also have a gift for turning complicated concepts into words that we all can understand. I think you’ve help elevate our understanding of some of the technical stuff. More than that, you’re really connected to the community and I’ve always been impressed by how actively you listen and how well you bring forward what you’ve heard from folks. I’ve appreciated your friendship and support.
CM McGlashan and I were more likely to vote together on any issue than any other two Councilmembers. But the one thing we couldn’t do at the same time was say the Pledge of Allegiance. (Laughter). We always had a slightly different cadence. I relied on his experience and appreciated his connection to the small business community. Mostly, I appreciated his ability to just cut to the chase. That has kept us grounded on many occasions
Mayor Hall, we’ve had a long working relationship. We conflict on some policy stuff, but the reason why I think this is, is because we both feel very passionate about things. I have learned from you over the years how to temper that and how to better interact with those around me. I’ve come to view you as mentor and a friend and it will be a very different Council without you three members.

CM McConnell
You are all a diverse group of people and, as already stated, we all have unique qualities that make us all work better for the community. I never saw anyone with a personal agenda. I will miss the more casual times when we travelled and didn’t talk “shop.” I wish you all a great life “afterwards” because we know you have plans of how you’re going to spend your time.

CM Chang
I’m going to miss all of you. It has been an honor to serve the City and I think we’ve done some great things. We spent so much time together. This has been one of the highlights of my life. Thank you.

CM McGlashan
I want to thank everybody in the community for their support (or non-support). it’s been an honor to serve. We’ve been through a lot of growing pains in the 16 years I’ve been on Council. I think the City is turning out to be a pretty darned good place because of the decisions we’ve made. And heartfelt thanks for your kind words. Best to you in the new year. I’ll be around.

Mayor Hall
I want to share my appreciation for all of you. Serving this community and this Council has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life and I’ve learned so much from you. I just can’t express how thankful I am for each of you, your work to make this a special place, and the work the community does as well.
 
I want to acknowledge and thank our City Manager and our employees. Those are the people who do the actual hard work everyday to take care of the City, fix our roads, work with kids on education programs, and clean up our parks. Everything that makes this such a beautiful community is thanks to the hard work of our city employees. I think we have the greatest team of employees in the State.

We’re all flooded with negativity on the news and the internet, even in conversations with friends. There’s certainly a lot to complain about between COVID, racism, climate change, homelessness, gun violence, inequity between the haves and the have-nots, and the list goes on. But in the midst of all that negativity, we can either just complain about it, or we can look for ways to make a difference. And what I appreciate about everybody on this Council, and all the elected officials that represent us at all levels, everyday they are looking for a way to make a positive difference - instead of just complaining.

That’s what gives me hope that Shoreline will just keep getting better and better. I’ve enjoyed and learned from each of you. And I will miss it. Thank you.

MEETING ADJOURNED



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The Porch Light is on at Kruckeberg

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden's Porch light
Photo courtesy KBG

Winter Porch Light Parade at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is excited to join the cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline by participating in the 2021 Winter Porch Light Parade! 

In lieu of our traditional Solstice Stroll, the front of the Garden will be lit up all December long for visitors to enjoy from the street or sidewalk.

Check out this event's website for more information and to register your own porch light display!



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Case updates December 12, 2021

COVID-19 Updates
 

United States  

  • Total cases 49,844,242 - 46,143 new
  • Cases in past 7 days - 817,194    
  • Total deaths 794,558 - 185 new   


Washington State
  • Total confirmed cases 697,562  - 2,945 new    
  • Total hospitalizations 43,844  -  174 new    
  • Statewide ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients - 17.8%
  • Total deaths 9,580  - 26 new   

Levels of Community Transmission:
based on the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 7 days:

High: ≥ 100
Substantial: 50-99
Moderate: 10-49
Low: < 10


King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 166,886 -  918 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 1,719  
  • Total hospitalizations 8,908 -   25 new   
  • Total deaths 2,125 -  0 new   
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 41,535  -  333 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 589  
  • Total hospitalizations 1,881  -   8 new    
  • Total deaths 521  -   0 new  
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 3,646  -   21 new    
  • Cases in past 7 days - 30    
  • Total hospitalizations 253 -   0 new   
  • Total deaths 113 - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 573 - 8 new      
  • Cases in past 7 days - 9   
  • Total hospitalizations 23 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 5  - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL


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More Lake Forest Park Christmas lights

 




All photos by David Walton

Most are in the vicinity of the previous group of LFP photos around 34th St NE. But there are brightly decorated homes everywhere. Possibly because of the Porch Lights promotion and possibly because it has been such a difficult two years.

And this is the dark time of year. Hard to imagine that the winter solstice is just a week away and the daylight will slowly increase - assuming that we can see it through the cloud cover.

In the meantime, enjoy the bright lights.

--DKH


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Light during power outages

By Vicki Michels

I want to put in a 'plug' for an item I have found priceless. They are light bulbs. But THESE bulbs contain a self-charging addition. 

They look and work just like normal bulbs. But if the power is suddenly cut (like from an outage, or even when we overload a circuit and it flips the breaker, like I did last night) the light stays on!

And it will last for hours. I personally have one screwed into my living room lamp, bathroom fixture, dining room chandelier, and kitchen light. 

Last time there was an outage, I could get around just fine. You can even remove the bulb entirely, when it lights up during an emergency, and use it as an emergency flashlight!

I highly recommend these. Mine are from Boundery, but I think other manufacturers have taken the hint. They are more expensive (of course) than your garden-variety light bulbs. 

But you need only a few in the most important areas, both for safety and convenience. (Nice Christmas presents?)



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Busy Shoreline burglar featured on Fox 13's Washington's Most Wanted show

Recently featured on Fox 13's Washington's Most Wanted

The King County Sheriff's Office is looking to identify a man accused of burglarizing several Shoreline small businesses, costing them thousands of dollars.

Investigators say the suspect breaks into a business and then tunnels his way through the drywall to get into neighboring businesses.

He is also suspected of breaking into mailboxes at apartment complexes in the north Shoreline area.

"From the timespan of May to November, so recently, just last week, the suspect has broken in, stolen plenty of cash, plenty of property, damaging drywall, windows, etc., so we're really asking community members to help us out with finding this individual," said Deputy Megan Ross with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect hit the Trad Apartments on 15th Avenue NE three times in the span of five days. He also allegedly stole from Wake N Bacon and Spin Alley Bowling Center.

The suspect was seen on surveillance footage using a crowbar to open the cash register at Spin Alley Bowling Center. He also broke through the office door and stole two safes.

Manager Rose Werelus said between the damages and what he took from the safes, the business is out more than $17,000.

"You didn't hurt a big corporate business. You hurt my family. You hurt Joe's family. You hurt Cassie's family. You hurt Dom's family. You hurt every single person who has blood, sweat and tears in this building," said Rose Werelus, the manager at Spin Alley Bowling Center.

"We really want all of our small businesses to know we are taking these crimes very seriously and every crime matters so if something is happening, we need them to call us, report it so that we can gain as much information as possible about this suspect," Deputy Ross said.

Deputies say he may be driving a Honda minivan.

If you recognize this suspect, Crime Stoppers will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000. Submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.


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For the Birds: Pacific Northwest Christmas Bird - the Varied thrush

Male in snow photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

Much of the U.S. recognizes the Northern Cardinal as the Christmas Bird due to its bright red coloring.

But we in the western US do not have Northern Cardinals. Southern Arizona has some, but that is as close as they come to the rest of the West.

When an area doesn’t have the most recognized U.S. Christmas bird symbol in their area, what is the alternative? 

We could pick one that does hang out in our area during the winter months.

We don’t really have any winter birds with much red, or green for that matter. Sure, we have Spotted Towhees with their rufous sides, Pileated Woodpeckers with their red caps, Red-breasted Sapsuckers with their red heads, even some American Robins, but a distinctive bird that is just a winter visitor would be preferable.

Female in snow photo by Craig Kerns
Varied Thrushes fit the bill. Their coloring is so impressive they could be a Christmas ornament, and their ethereal winter song can stop you with delight. 

They are in the same family as American Robins, but more vividly colored.

The male has a burnt-orange stripe above his eyes that match his vivid breast and belly. 

He has a wide black necklace, and his head, back and tail are a bluish slate color. 

If that isn’t enough to make it look like an ornament, the wings are a bold pattern of slate, black and orange.

A male Varied thrush forages on the ground
Photo by Craig Kerns
The females have the same pattern, but her back is brown rather than slate-color, so the overall impression of the female is “What is that orange-ish bird?” 

The necklace on some females is hard to see — but it is there.

Varied Thrushes breed at higher elevations and come down to our area during winter months looking for seeds and berries.

As a Pacific Northwest bird, they particularly like dense forests and bushes, especially near streams, but they will sometimes dart out into yard opening during the winter.

In the wintertime Varied Thrushes will eat from ground feeders. Planting native fruiting shrubs is also a good way to attract them into your yard. 

Male and female foraging on the ground
A yard with native plants will often have a pair
Photo by Craig Kerns
Snowberries are an easy plant to grow. The white berries throughout the winter add interest to an otherwise drab yard, and once there has been a frost, Varied Thrushes and Spotted Towhees will eat those berries. Often while foraging you’ll hear a cute little “Chuck,” “Chuck.”

Maybe your yard will have our PNW Christmas Bird this year.



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