Letter to the Editor: Insist that park maintenance be a priority

Monday, January 10, 2022

UPDATE: See the response from the City here

To the Editor:

Shoreline's Parks Proposition 1 proposes wonderful additions to Shoreline’s parks including new space. What it does not address is the continual maintenance that our parks need and deserve.

My backyard faces Hillwood Park. Friday night someone burned down the port-a-potty. The park had restrooms that were closed when Einstein Middle School began remodeling almost three years ago. The City agreed to allow the construction company use of the park and its facilities while Einstein was undergoing its transformation. 

The old restrooms were closed and a port-a-potty was installed in the parking lot. In return the construction company and school district agreed to resurface the tennis courts and build new restrooms. The tennis courts were resurfaced nearly a year after construction was completed. The restrooms have yet to be added. Teachers and students have been using their new building for over a year. How long must the neighborhood wait for the promised restrooms?

At this moment my husband is using our leaf blower to clean the tennis courts. After they were resurfaced at the end of this summer the parks department abandoned their upkeep. My husband has tightened the nets when needed and sweeps or blows debris from the courts at least every other week. 

We’ve witnessed court users bring their own tools, brooms and leaf blowers, so that they may finally use these courts that were not available for two and a half years. Yes, people do use tennis courts in the winter! Right now the weather might be cold, but the snow has melted and the sun is shining. It’s a new year and city parks offer a place for residents to recreate.

While Prop. 1 is offering more recreational facilities for Shoreline, voters need to look at how our parks are maintained now and how the city plans to maintain them in the future. Hillwood Park has had downed trees and debris in its creek for years. The summer maintenance crew mowed around these hazards. Park users continue to roll logs around, building bridges and dams. Park maintenance should be the City’s responsibility. Please insist that maintenance be a priority.

Cheryl Mathisen
Shoreline



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Classifieds: Shoreline Fire Board meeting time change

NOTICE OF MEETING RESCHEDULED

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department has changed the start time for the January 19, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 4:30 pm. To accommodate the Department’s promotional ceremony.

Notice posted by: Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
January 9, 2022


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Paramount Open Space wetland vs the Chehalis River

 
Photo by Janet Way
The wetlands in Paramount Park Open Space are filled with water, which is what is supposed to happen. Much of the year the Open Space is either dry or only slightly marshy. With the snow melt and downpours the wetlands are proving their worth.

I-5 through Chehalis. Photo courtesy WSDOT
To the south of us, Lewis County is continuing to find out why it wasn't a good idea to build a shopping mall in a marsh and the state is realizing they should have routed I-5 differently. 

During the past several days WSDOT has had to close 20 miles of I-5 in Chehalis because up to three lanes were under water. 

I-5 has been open and then closed and then opened again as the river crests and recedes. Check conditions before you try to drive to Portland.

--Diane Hettrick



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Local birds: American Goldfinch

 
Photo by David Walton
Momentarily distracted, he decided there was no danger of competition and returned to his meal.

This male is wearing his winter plumage. According to a 2011 articles by Christine Southwick, they are not always here in the winter. 

Here's a column she wrote about our state bird.




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Op-Ed: The Meaning of Equality vs Equity

By Gay Armsden

I am a resident of Lake Forest Park and co-president of AAUW Seattle.
 
I regularly come across confusion about the word “equity.” The words “equality”  and “equity” are similar, both having to do with the way people are treated, but the difference between them is very important for our society. 

Equality means every individual or community is treated the same way with the same access to resources. Equity is about every individual or community having equal access to what they need to thrive or succeed. 

To give a simple illustration, if you give a small box to stand on to a tall kid and a tall box to stand on to a short kid, they both will be able to see the ballgame over the fence (this is “equitable” treatment); if you give both kids boxes of the same height, the short kid might not be able to see the game (this is “equal” treatment). By giving what’s specifically needed to each of the kids, they both would see the ballgame.
 
Some people worry that measures to increase equity means they will be forced to give up something. This misconception creates the bias that equity versus equality is like a zero-sum game - that is, that making things fairer for some (the “winners”), others will always lose something (the “losers”) because their goals are opposed to each other.

It’s crucial to understand that the goals aren’t necessarily in opposition. In the simple example above, the same goal for both kids– viewing the game – was met by the equitable access to different-sized boxes. 

Keep in mind that the people who are raised up by equitable treatment end up where they could have been in the first place if they’d had access to the same resources as others.
 
Equity is not a highfalutin value nor is it a hinderance to equality; it is part of a solution to the severe social and economic injustices in our society. Equality can be truly achieved only through equity.
 


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Copper skies Sunday evening

 
Photo by Jan Hansen

Sunset photo over Puget Sound on Sunday, January 9, 2022 after a beautiful day.



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Sound Transit reopens section of 5th Ave east of I-5

The 5th Ave NE realignment section from NE 183rd Court to NE 185th St is open as of Friday, January 7, 2022.

During the closure, Sound Transit contractors completed the following work:
  • Storm and water drain installation
  • Converted overhead power to underground utilities
  • Re-aligned 5th Ave NE for the future guideway to be constructed
  • Built a retaining wall
Where:
  • South portion of NE 185th St at I-5, and 5th Ave NE between NE 185th St and NE 180th St
  • 5th Ave NE will be open to through traffic between NE 180th St and NE 183rd Ct; however no pedestrian traffic is available at this time
  • NE 185th St remains open across I-5 to alternating one-way traffic.
More information:

The multi-pedestrian path is not completed and will open later. Sound Transit is continuing construction on the west side of 5th Ave from NE 180th St to NE 185th St.


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The Shorewood High School Stormrays

Shorewood High School

Shorewood High School students and staff were able to unwrap a special surprise prior to heading off for winter break. At a special all-school assembly on December 17, 2021 the school’s new mascot — The Shorewood Stormrays — was unveiled. You can watch the student-produced unveiling video here.

This followed a lengthy selection process that included over 150 mascot idea submissions from the community, student voting, and a mascot selection committee made up of students, staff, alumni and parents/guardians. 

The Stormray is loosely derived from the Pacific electric ray, which is found in Washington coastal waters. A large group of “rays” is called a “fever” and evokes the idea of many rays moving forward with common purpose, grace, power, strength and speed.

“We sought to honor our past and look to the future in recognizing school cultural values- community, inclusiveness, connection, creativity and a connection to our environment,” said Shorewood Principal Bill Dunbar. 
“Our committee placed a high value finding a creative and unique mascot that’s representative of the characteristics, strengths and values of our student body.”

The school is now in the process of working with graphic designers to develop the imagery and style that will be used to represent the Shorewood Stormrays mascot.

The mascot change was completed in accordance with Washington State House Bill 1356, which prohibits the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images as public school mascots, logos, or team names by January 1, 2022, and by a resolution of the Shoreline School Board

The school's previous mascot, the Thunderbird, was a powerful mythological creature that is a part of the history and culture of many Native American tribes and indigenous people. It was appropriated as the Shorewood mascot in 1975.



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Toxic Chemicals and Your Hormones: Health Effects and How to Reduce Exposures

Sunday, January 9, 2022

The harmful effects of toxic chemicals in our personal care products will be examined in an online seminar offered by the Edmonds SnoKing and Seattle Branches of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, January 11, 18, 25, and February 1.

"Many consumer and personal care products are useful in our everyday lives, but contain chemicals that disrupt hormones. 
"These endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) have effects that are fascinating, alarming, and far-reaching. 
"However, we can inform ourselves and our loved ones on how to reduce exposure," states instructor Dr. Fran Solomon, environmental scientist.

The seminar will provide, in layperson's terms, an overview of EDCs: sources, toxic properties, how these chemicals act, and how we are exposed. 

Also to be examined are effects of EDCs on brain development, the immune defense system, body weight, and reproductive health, as well as links between EDCs and breast cancer. Information will be provided on toxic chemicals regulations and actions that we can take to reduce our exposures to EDCs.

For those who register but cannot attend at those times, a recording will be available for viewing later. Cost is $50. 

Email AAUW at aauwprogramvp@gmail.com to register. Some scholarships are available for high school and college students in need. For more information, check the AAUW ESK website at AAUW Edmonds SnoKing (WA) Branch




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Jazz Vespers Sunday at 5pm


Jazz Vespers Sunday January 9, 2022 at 5pm.

Celebrate the beginning of 2022 and adventure into ”Uncharted Lands.”

This Vespers will feature Greg Campbell on drums, vibraphone, french-horn and maybe other instruments, and Jean Chaumont on guitars, for an uncharted set. 

Greg Campbell. Photo by Daniel Sheehan

Greg is a multi-faceted musician who is like fish in water in complete improvisational settings, he has been for the last twenty years a prominent figure in the improvised scene in Seattle, and he serves currently on the music faculty at Cornish College.

Jazz Vespers will be live at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church on January 9 at 5:00pm. If you aren’t able to join us in person, there will be a live stream on our Facebook page.




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Missing dog may have been spotted in Shoreline

Storm is an Alaskan Klee Kai - a mini-Husky
A long-missing dog may have been spotted in Shoreline recently, near Costco at N 200th St.

On August 28, 2021, Storm was in a fenced yard in the Mount Baker area of Seattle, with his owners and their 9 day old baby in the house. Someone let him out of the yard, possibly the group of kids who then chased him as far as Franklin High School on Mount Baker Blvd.

His owners Jessica and Troy have been looking for him ever since. In the process, she has become an expert on lost dogs and how to find them.

Storm is wearing a black and teal harness
Storm is a distinctive looking dog. He is an Alaskan Klee Kai (mini husky), and he is wearing a black and teal harness.

She has had tantalizing clues, as reports have come in, leading her search northward.

Someone may have spotted him at the Shoreline Costco (Aurora and 200th) on Jan 1, 2022 around 2-2:30pm. 
They say they saw a tiny husky who was curious but scared and when approached it ran across 200th toward some apartments. She said she was certain the dog was wearing a teal harness which is what my dog was wearing when he went missing.

If you have information, contact Jessica at:
Storm is a very small dog
Please contact us 24/7 with any information/leads. Help us find Storm! 206-778-0617 or 206-919-2741

For more ways to be involved and help, please see our links below. Our website includes free ways that you can help us from the comfort of your own home!



Instagram: akk_storm
Hashtag: #FindStorm

Thank you from Storm's family,
Jennifer, Troy, Baby Dylan, and Athena / Samus (Storm's cat sisters)



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Local builder named as president of the Building Industry Association of Washington

Joseph Irons, President BIAW
OLYMPIA…The Building Industry Association of Washington welcomed its 2022 president and senior officers into leadership this week.

The Association’s new leaders represent residential homebuilders and remodelers as well as others in the building industry from across the state, including King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island, Yakima and Clark counties.

President Joseph Irons, CAPS, CGP, CGR, GMB, GMR, Certified Builder, Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS)

President and general manager of Irons Brothers Construction, Inc., Joseph Irons has been a leader at his local association for over 20 years. 

He served as MBAKS 2016 board president and chair of MBAKS and BIAW Remodelers councils. His company is a four-time Remodeler of the Year winner. 

He is an active member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers Board of Trustees and served as BIAW’s representative to NAHB’s executive board.

A BIAW Certified Builder, Graduate Master Remodeler and NAHB Young Professional of the Year for Region E in 2018, Irons is a published author and accredited educator.

Outside of work, Irons dedicates his time, talent and resources to his community. He’s a regular participant in both MBAKS’ Rampathon, helping build ramps for people who need them, and Painting a Better Tomorrow, painting non-profit buildings and structures.

Irons Brothers Construction is located at 1510 NE 170th St #2, Shoreline, WA 98155.

The Building Industry Association of Washington is the voice of the housing industry as the state’s largest trade association with nearly 8,000 member companies.  The association is dedicated to ensuring and enhancing the vitality of the building industry so more Washington families can enjoy the American Dream of owning a home.



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20th Ave NW sidewalk - community meeting January 12, 2022

20th NW from 190th to 195th
20th Ave NW Sidewalk -- Community Meeting January 12th

At noon (12:00pm) on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the City of Shoreline is hosting an online meeting for this sidewalk project. 

They will present design alternatives and respond to your questions about the sidewalk that will go along one side of 20th Ave NW from NW 195th St to NW 190th St, the entrance to Saltwater Park.

Please come to the meeting by going to www.shorelinewa.gov/20AveSidewalks and choosing one of the options under Project Overview.

Many of you have taken the online sidewalk project survey made available by the City. Now is your chance to see what they are proposing and give further input. Don't miss it!


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Lake Forest Park Garden Club presents zoom meeting Tuesday morning January 11, 2022

Lake Forest Park Garden Club presents a zoom meeting on Tuesday January 11, 2022 at 10:30am with Master Gardener Bruce Williams on “Water Saving Irrigation”

Learn how to think and see differently about watering.

Watering may seem like the simplest thing we do as gardeners, but, in reality, proper watering of our gardens may be the most complicated, time consuming and expensive part of our garden work.

Bruce is a retired veterinarian. He’s been a Master Gardner and a Master Pruner since 2016. He is secretary of the Puget Sound Bonsai Association, on the board of the King County Master Gardener Foundation and is a docent at the Pacific Bonsai Museum.

This is a free Zoom meeting to all interested. Please contact Jan Barcello at janronzu@comcast.net to get the zoom link and the password. 



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School Board meeting Tuesday, January 11, 2022


The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:00pm in the Shoreline Room, Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE). This meeting will also be available via Zoom using the log-in information below. The reports and presentations for this meeting are listed below.

Please note that all in-person attendees must wear masks and there will be six-foot distancing between those in attendance.

Reports and Presentations:
  • City of Shoreline Proposition 1 Informational Presentation
  • 2020-2021 Year-End Financials Report
  • Legislative Report

Link to full agenda: HERE

If you would like to provide written public comment for the regular board meeting, you can do so by filling out this online form by 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 11 and it will be provided to the Board. There will also be a live public comment period during the meeting for those attending in person and on Zoom.

Attending the Regular Board Meeting via Zoom at 6:00pm
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81760605446?pwd=bWRyaFVxYi9PN08zc1JYdDJSb3Brdz09
Passcode: 769281
Webinar ID: 817 6060 5446
Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833



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School district presents: Windows and Mirrors

Windows and Mirrors Community Event on January 12

Join Shoreline Schools on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 5:30-7:00pm for a special Zoom event hosted by our Equity and Family Engagement Department. 

The Windows and Mirrors Community Event is a family-friendly event that will examine representation in children's books and the stories we share. During the event, families will explore how books can provide us with meaningful opportunities to view different perspectives and reflect on our own experiences in positive and empowering ways.

The event will be held via Zoom and registration is required. Register here. Those participating are asked to bring a book that their family connects with for a special share-out in breakout rooms.



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Code Red: Blood supply at emergency levels

Bloodworks NW reports that our local blood supply has hit emergency levels. 

They are asking everyone who is feeling healthy - especially O negative and O positive donors - to please schedule a donation in the next three weeks, ASAP. 

Schedule your donation today at schedule.bloodworksnw.org or call 800-398-7888.

If you do not see an immediate appointment available, booking the next available appointment is still vital, or contact us for help locating a time and date at 800-398-7888.



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Some passes will open Sunday - WSU cancels classes Monday and Tuesday

Photo courtesy WSDOT

Update: Sunday, January 9, 2022- 4:00pm
Snoqualmie & Blewett passes will reopen at 5 p.m. today with a 45 mph speed limit & traction tires advised. Priority is to get freight traffic moving; recreational/general traffic should continue to delay travel.
~~~~

WSDOT made good progress clearing Snoqualmie, Stevens, White and Blewett passes on Saturday. 

There’s still a lot of work to go, but Snoqualmie and Blewett will reopen sometime Sunday. It will take longer to get Stevens and White reopened.

Snoqualmie: Using plows, blowers, and graders, they continue to clear snow and make sure hillsides are stable from earlier avalanche concerns. They are also clearing catch basins to allow for drainage from melting snow & rain

One of the tow plows - Plowie McPlow Plow - was moved from Spokane to Snoqualmie Pass to assist with the work. They are on track to reopen on Sunday. They will have a better sense for time late Sunday morning.

Blewett: Avalanche control was successful and crews continue to use a blower and plows to clear the highway. Davenport-based crews sent a blower to help. They are optimistic Blewett will open Sunday and will have a better sense for timing late Sunday AM

Stevens: Several snow slides produced areas of snow that stand 30-35 feet tall. One lane is open to allow crews further access for avalanche control and clearing work. Snow has built up in rare locations on the mountain and they may do avalanche control from a helicopter to knock those hazards down Monday. 

While not Stevens Pass, US 2 Tumwater Canyon east of the pass affects their ability to open Stevens. There have been 208 snow slides in Tumwater Canyon - about 25 slides per mile.

They continue to monitor conditions and work where it is safe to do so to get this stretch of highway open. At this time, it is unlikely Stevens Pass or Tumwater Canyon will reopen before Tuesday

White: While there is no remaining avalanche concern, there is still a substantial amount of snow and debris, including trees, rocks, etc., to remove. Crews have brought in an excavator to help but it is unlikely White Pass will open before Monday

WSDOT says "This has been a long, tough process and again, we appreciate everyone's patience while our crews work as fast and hard as they safely can to reopen. We will have another update Sunday morning."

Washington State University - Pullman

In the meantime, with so many of their students unable to get to school, the WSU Pullman campus will cancel classes on Monday, January 10 and Tuesday, January 11, 2022 to allow students time to return to Pullman safely following recent highway closures. 

All other WSU Pullman facilities and operations will be open normal business hours on Monday and Tuesday.



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Christmas in Dubai

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

 Marc Weinberg sent this to me in 2017 after one of his many trips to exotic locales to take photos. 



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Case updates January 7, 2022 - a grim milestone as deaths in state top 10,000

Everyone 12 and older should get a booster dose at least:
  • Five months after completing the Pfizer primary vaccination series,
  • Six months after completing the Moderna primary vaccination series, or
  • Two months after receiving the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
  • Boosters can be mixed and matched, which means adults can get any mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available. Pfizer is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for people ages 17 and younger.
COVID-19 Updates

 

United States  

  
  • Total cases 58,689,973 - 791,734 new  
  • Cases in past 7 days - 4,301,870
  • Total deaths 831,729 - 1,989 new

Washington State
  • Total confirmed cases 820,232 - 14,773 new  
  • Total hospitalizations 47,062 - 310 new  
  • Statewide ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients - 22.1%
  • Total deaths 10,004 - 30 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 216,887 -  4,921 new   
  • Cases in past 7 days - 22,407 
  • Total hospitalizations 9,495 -   62 new  
  • Total deaths 2,197 -  13 new   
  • Level of community transmission HIGH  

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 56,535  -  1,126 new   
  • Cases in past 7 days - 6,541
  • Total hospitalizations 2,024  -  17 new  
  • Total deaths 533  -   2 new  
  • Level of community transmission HIGH  

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 4,756 -   102 new    
  • Cases in past 7 days - 545    
  • Total hospitalizations 266 -   1 new   
  • Total deaths 115 - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: HIGH

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 829 - 27 new     
  • Cases in past 7 days - 112 
  • Total hospitalizations 23 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 5  - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: HIGH


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Lost

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE



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Home sales in Shoreline during December 2021

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



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Gloria's Birds:Will Rogers said that "the older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for."

 
A large woodpecker clings to the side of a suet basket, eating the suet. A smaller junco sits on a branch just below with his head turned upwards to watch the woodpecker.
Photo copyright Gloria Z Nagler

But, thought Jerry Junco, Will Rogers didn't know about suet!!

(Dark-eyed Junco waiting impatiently for Downy Woodpecker to finish her turn at the suet -- though could be Hairy Woodpecker, can't tell size of her beak.)

--Gloria Z Nagler



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Shorewood wrestlers on the mats for first competition in three weeks

Shorewood got back onto the mats for their first competition in over three weeks on Thursday night, January 6, 2022 against the Wildcats of Archbishop Murphy High School.

The Wildcats were severely undermanned as Shorewood used a trio of first round pins and a slew of forfeits to run away with a 60 to 12 victory.

Shorewood 60 - Archbishop Murphy 12
@ Archbishop Murphy
*Match began at 182lbs

106: Double Forfeit
113: Owen Mulder SW win by forfeit
120: Double Forfeit
126: Joseph Davis AM pinned Masa Taura 1:05
132: Quincy Laflin SW win by forfeit
138: James Nottingham SW win by forfeit
145: Isaac VanHorn SW pinned Cole McCourt 1:20
152: Jonathan Burkholder SW win by forfeit
160: Ahmed Abdeen SW win by forfeit
170: Addison Brueck SW win by forfeit
182: Alberto Solano SW win by forfeit
195: Shae Burke AM win by forfeit
220: RJ Buchheit SW pinned Jack Shipley 0:34
285: Milan Johnson SW pinned Kohl Burke 0:50

--Clark Norton



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ShoreLake Arts Gallery presents Cheryl Brown and Jenna Brechbiel

Friday, January 7, 2022


Cheryl Brown and Jenna Brechbiel
January 5 - February 19, 2022

ShoreLake Arts Gallery is exhibiting a selection of works by Mixed-Media Collage Artist Cheryl Brown and Watercolor Artist Jenna Brechbiel. 

See these works and the creations of other local artists during gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, Noon to 5pm. Located in Town Center at Lake Forest Park. You can also view and purchase art in the online shop.

The ShoreLake Arts Gallery is not-for-profit and features changing art exhibits on the walls every six weeks, as well as jewelry, ceramics, glass and more by over 100 local artists.

Cheryl Brown
Artist Bio

I am my mother’s daughter. Watching her experiment with fiberglass, knitting, sauerkraut, new culinary creations, painting and more, gave me the desire to try new things and create. For me, the passion for planning a project and collecting just the right papers, fabrics and cast-off items for a project is as fulfilling as its completion. Thus, I have partially formed ideas in my head, many supplies for unfinished projects and many new things to try on my calendar.

My nest is empty, but I still work full time, my art fills in the gaps. I enjoy doing summer festivals and meeting other artists and art lovers. I am looking forward to retirement and more time to try new things and visit new places!

Artist Statement

I work in the medium of collage enjoying the many tactile benefits of the art form that give me permission to collect, to tear, to touch, to play. I use a combination of handmade and manufactured papers and re-purposed materials, always looking for that perfect something to add an element of surprise and whimsey into my art.

I have always been fascinated with old maps, books, sheet music, scraps of paper and fabric, wrappers and ribbons, and have amassed quite a collection on my own, as well as from the collectors of my work.

Looking deeper at what is mundane or ‘normal’ and presenting it in a new and surprising way is the goal of my work. In my “Common Bird” series, the crow or raven is simply a black bird that is seen everywhere to the point of being at times, a nuisance, but upon closer examination displays an incredible intelligence, curiosity and many human-like traits.

Instagram: @cherylbrownstudio

Jenna Brechbiel
Artist Bio

Jenna Brechbiel is a self taught watercolorist and has been teaching watercolor for the past six years. She has had the privilege of teaching at many wonderful locations such as Bellevue College, South Seattle Community College and Daniel Smith in Seattle (current).

Artist Statement

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

As a creative watercolor artist, Jenna strives to create beauty out of the chaos. Jenna’s paintings are created by vibrant washes of watercolor mixing together to create unique and unpredictable combinations. Then she molds and shapes the image and slowly builds while still highlighting the chaotic first layers. Life is unpredictable, live free.. paint free.

www.jennawatercolor.com

Instagram: @jennacreates


The ShoreLake Arts Gallery is a program of ShoreLake Arts and is located inside the Town Center in Lake Forest Park on the lower level. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

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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Water main repaired in Richmond Beach

Approximate location of water main break
Google maps
35 customers in a section of Richmond Beach had their water restored just after midnight on Friday, January 7, 2022 after an eight inch water main broke.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews repaired the break, located near Richmond Beach Drive and NW 195th. 

According to a spokesperson from Seattle Public Utilities, water service was out four hours.

1-13-2022 - Article updated with information from Seattle Public Utilities

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Leave the lights on for us

2 story home with a traditional christmas tree in green lights in a 2nd story window. the tree is continued below on the first story. a separate section of the upper story has three huge multi-colored star outlines with a slightly smaller star outline inside each one.
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

We were tired of the snow, but it did reflect a great deal of light. So we appreciate the homes that still have their outdoor lights.

This home is on 20th NW near 195th in Richmond Beach.



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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting January 3, 2022

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
January 3, 2022

Notes by Pam Cross

The remote meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk.

On December 22, 2021, Shoreline District Court Judge Marcine Anderson swore newly elected City Councilmembers Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, and John Ramsdell into office. Judge Anderson also swore in returning Councilmember Chris Roberts.

The recording of the ceremony was played.

After the swearing in, City Council members selected Councilmember Keith Scully as Mayor.

The meeting was then turned over to Mayor Scully.

Councilmember Betsy Robertson was elected as Deputy Mayor.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

COVID UPDATE



As we all know by now, the Omicron variation has greatly increased the number of transmissions.

SNOW EVENT

It’s over!

RECOLOGY PICK UP

Back to normal next week.

PROPOSITION 1


Council Reports

Mayor Scully
reported that the State Auditor’s office found nothing out of the ordinary in Shoreline’s records. No exceptional findings and no corrections.

From the City’s website: This audit examines the City's financial statements to ensure that they are fairly stated and that the underlying financial records support the information reported in the financial statements. As the recipient of major federal grants, Shoreline is also subject to the Federal Single Audit for grant recipients. This is a review of Shoreline's grant expenditures and records to ensure that the City has complied with the federal regulations and requirements associated with the grant.

Public Comments

Nathan Hawkins, Shoreline
I’m speaking to the issue of transportation. We have trouble with cut-through traffic in Westminster Triangle in order to avoid traffic lights. There are no sidewalks and no curbs and there are schoolchildren living here. We have talked about this with Council for a long time and nothing has been done. Traffic continues to increase. We would like some mitigation.

Ann Michel, Shoreline
I am talking about our property next to Echo Lake Park and the Interurban Trail. Seattle City Light plans to remove the security fence that’s been there since about 1964 and also to take over part of what we assumed was our yard. We are concerned about safety in the open area along the trail. We have been writing about this for some time. We are caught between SCL and the City of Shoreline in trying to reach a resolution.

Isis Charest, Shoreline, Save Shoreline Trees
The Race to Zero campaign was recently covered in Currents. However, tree codes are passed over repeatedly. Decisions are put off for months. The reality is there is no commitment to preserve trees - they are overlooked in favor of building regulations.

Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
I encourage maximum transparency of the operation of the enhanced shelter for the benefit of both residents and neighbors. I hope to see updated statistics.

Approval of the Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar approved unanimously 7-0.

Study Item 8(a) Discussion of the 2020 Annual Traffic Report

Presentation by
Kendra Dedinsky, City Traffic Engineer
Captain Ryan Abbott, Shoreline Police


During 2020 there were fewer collisions, probably due to decreased traffic during the pandemic. But fatalities increased which is similar to state and national results.


Shoreline is shown in green.

As suggested by theses slides, this is a detailed statistical report.

Arterials have the most injury collisions (Aurora and Ballinger).The only hot spot for bike collisions is Meridian and 185th.

Items being considered and implemented to address safety concerns:
  • Street lighting improvements
  • Re-striping
  • Design for injury reduction
  • Lowering speeds
  • Increased lighting for pedestrians
  • Driver education
  • Pursuing grants
  • Interval signal phasing
  • Spot signage
  • Various capital and development street improvements
  • Ongoing enforcement and education with speed emphasis patrols.
  • (Enforcement was down in 2020 due to the pandemic for health safety. There were 649 reported abandoned vehicles and were 55 impounded.)
Comments

Council’s decision to lower speed limits on the north end of 15th Ave has turned out to be the right one for the safety of the community. And thanks for mentioning the 175th grant opportunity. That discussion came up before I was on Council, but it is in my neighborhood so I heard a lot about it. What is the plan for outreach to the Ridgecrest and North City neighborhoods?
  • Reply: This was discussed as part of the 175th project about 3 years ago. It was contentious, to say the least. And it was on the heels of the re-stripe of Richmond Beach Road. We have budgeted quite a bit of outreach time. We hope to present several ideas.
The community doesn’t love it when we make quick decisions and without proper process and feedback. I’m not against it and open to the conversation.

Are you asking Council if we should seek the March 2022 grant?
  • Reply: that would be helpful. We can always refuse grant money if we decide it’s not the right move.
Several of the businesses there were concerned about trucks being able to navigate a 3-way road in that segment. It would be quite difficult for somewhat larger trucks that serve some of those businesses. I don’t think it was neighborhoods that were raising concerns, it was the North City Business Association.
  • Reply: The main concern of two primary businesses was congestion rather than the ability to navigate.
I think we need to continue that discussion with them before we move forward.

One of the challenges Shoreline faces is that there is very little that can be done without building a whole set of infrastructure to narrow a road or make a street safer. We have various right of way widths across the City, without sidewalks or anything else to slow traffic. Westminster Triangle, as mentioned by Mr. Hawkins, has a very wide right of way with no improvements. How can we slow traffic when there isn’t anything we can build upon? We would have to do the whole set of improvements including curbs and sidewalks.
  • Reply: There are chicanes and traffic circles, or street parking, but there are always trade-offs involved. It is a huge challenge.

Regarding Evanston (in Westminster Triangle): there are the two mitigating traffic features between 148th and 156th. People fly down the road and then slow down when they hit the mitigating features.

In general, lowering speed limits 5mph should help, along with enforcement, radar feedback signs, and improved crossings with pedestrian activated traffic beacons.

How can we make turns safer to protect pedestrians? Making turns sharper like with a median strip through the sidewalk so drivers can’t cut the turn close, or are raised sidewalks safer? Are these being considered?
  • Reply: Yes. We used raised sidewalks along Westminster between 155th and 99, our city’s first use and we hope to use more. Pedestrians are often hit when crossing streets so slowing drivers down, while turning, is critical to that. Design changes we’ve made will discourage fast turns.
I looked at the intersection of 10th and 175th and arrived shortly after an accident. And I’ve been tied up in traffic there for long periods in the past. As we trying to create alternatives? Can we put up signs saying no left turns between specific hours?
  • Reply: there are a couple of low cost interim improvements. Time turn restriction is challenging because it requires enforcement support in order to get compliance. And we are quite short staffed for traffic enforcement. Also we need to look at, if they can’t turn left at one intersection, how else will they get there and how does that impact other streets? Through local streets? That is very unpopular. But importantly, we see the collisions at 8th and at 12th as well as 10th, and the driveways. It would be almost impossible to reduce the number of collisions. And they don’t necessary occur during peak hours. Be we can further evaluate.
Thanks for the clarification.

Your report is excellent. You respond to citizen reporting of community complaints. Is this coordinated with traffic and police so a pattern can be recognized? It would be helpful to see that.
  • Reply: we receive about 400 traffic safety complaints each year. Every single one is responded to (not always as timely as we’d like) and 90% center on local street complaints. It is untenable to address each one as they are on multiple streets. We don’t have the resources. So that’s when we refer to the traffic data collision history. We appreciate the issues but rely on the data that is very dynamic and complex. It can take 2-3 years to make sure we’re not impacting the adjacent neighborhood by moving the problem one street over. We share the data with the police - we work together informing each other. Signage and markings can be done. But contracting out things like speed humps is a big expense including staff costs. So those are used on more priority places.
Level of enforcement. With COVID we didn’t want contact. Now we are staying safer and we can begin contact. Police need to work with Council to get police up to speed in enforcement of traffic and parking and to improve public satisfaction.

Back to the Grant. In this type of grant is it project restricted ? Or can you get a grant and apply it to several projects in the city?
  • Reply: WADOT requires project specific. The are looking at same data we are: collisions, injuries, fatalities. You get to choose from different safety items. Grant is fund restricted, so building a round-about is too expensive while 3-lane re-striping is ok. There are grant cycles so we can continue other options.
The grant you’re asking for is for other areas. I encourage applying for it. Grant money is important to go after. Even if it’s project and not just a “pot of money” we can spend wherever we want.

Changing a road from 4 to 3 lanes is good for safety but the community does not like it so public outreach is important. Heavy outreach to give public time to get onboard with it. Public input helps me decide whether data is more important than public input.

MEETING ADJOURNED.


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WSDOT: Mountain passes closed

A mountain road completely covered with snow; an overpass crossing the road is also white with snow.
Conditions in the passes. Photo courtesy WSDOT

As of Thursday evening, January 6, 2022, Snoqualmie, Stevens, White, and Blewett passes remain closed.

Because of the conditions and amount of work needed to safely re-open, our passes will likely remain closed until Sunday.

Conditions are too dangerous for crews to be in the pass areas. Snow and debris continue to slide onto the highways. Crews are working in areas where it is safe to plow, clear catch basins and do other work to have those areas ready when we can reopen

More snow and possibly rain is in the forecast for the passes overnight. This will only increase the avalanche danger. If it is safe to do so, we will spend all day Friday addressing avalanche issues to create a safe work zone.

Once avalanche work is done, we will spend Saturday clearing the areas, including plowing and treating roads, removing snow/ice from signs, clearing trees and debris from the road and clearing catch basins for drainage.

In lowlands, heavy rain in several areas of the state will increase flood and washout danger. Several rivers are under advisories with risks to increase as snow melt continues. There is high danger of downed trees due to saturated soil, heavy snow and rain.

In Eastern WA, rain/flooding is a concern as is snow and strong winds, including in the Palouse. Blowing and drifting snow produce low visibility and challenging conditions leading to road closures and possibly power outages

We recognize the importance of these corridors but nothing is more important than the safety of our crews and the public. We are prepared to move in once it is safe, and we appreciate your patience during this challenging situation.

--WSDOT



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