Photo: Poem - Golden morning

Monday, March 7, 2022

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


golden morning

daffodil head turns

following the sun


--poem by Eiken Laan




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Local author: The Home Network Manual: The Complete Guide to Setting Up, Upgrading, and Securing Your Home Network

The Home Network Manual: The Complete Guide to Setting Up, Upgrading, and Securing Your Home Network by Lake Forest Park resident Marlon Buchanan has just been published!

You don’t have to be a techie to have the home network you want. You just need a little guidance to get you there.
The Home Network Manual is all the help you need. This complete guide to building and improving your home network is an easy-to-understand manual for people of any technical background and level.

After reading The Home Network Manual you’ll know:
  • The right way to set up a home network from scratch
  • How to have reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home
  • How to diagnose and fix common home network problems
  • How to secure your home network from hackers
  • …And so much more!

Just pick up this book and you’ll have the home network you’ve always wanted in no time! Available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats in bookstores everywhere. 

Here’s what others have to say about this book:
"A practical, comprehensive, ground-up guide to help you install and/or maintain your home network with confidence." - Reedsy Discovery

"I recommend this book to all people who have/will soon have a network installed in their homes." - Raju Chacko, Engineer and IT Consultant

“The book flows smoothly and the author really does an amazing job of covering the basics needed to understand how to work a person’s home networking system.” - Anthony Avina, Author and Book Reviewer

Visit TheHomeNetworkManual.com to learn more about the book.

About the author:

Marlon Buchanan’s genuine interest in home networks shines through in his writing. Taking what’s often considered a boring topic and making it palatable and even exciting is no small feat, yet Marlon manages to do this and more. His invaluable experience and expertise can help anyone from beginner to pro tackle and manage their home network concerns. He holds a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering from MIT and master’s degrees in business administration and software engineering from Seattle University. He works as an IT Director, but was previously a software engineer, business analyst, and college instructor.

Marlon currently resides in Lake Forest Park, Washington with his wife and kids and hopes to make home technology topics common knowledge.

You can reach Marlon at:


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Fircrest School public meeting re Master Development Plan


The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Fircrest School is hosting an early community input meeting to discuss progress on the Master Development Plan that DSHS is preparing to allow for continued maintenance and redevelopment projects on the campus.

The Master Development Plan is a land use permit with the City of Shoreline that is required prior to the construction of projects on properties zoned as "Campus."

The Master Development Plan process began in later 2018, however, was put on pause due to delays in State Legislature providing direction for the future use of the campus. The planning process was relaunched in late 2021 and this meeting is required by the City of Shoreline to allow the public to learn about the Plan and provide input to DSHS and the City of Shoreline Planning Department.

Fircrest School provides support to about 200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting. Its employees take pride in providing excellent care and service to the individuals who reside at Fircrest. 

In order to continue the operations of the campus several facilities need to be upgraded as well as new facilities added.  The nature of these proposed improvements will be discussed in this early community input meeting.

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is:

The meeting is Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 6-8pm

Staff will be available to answer questions regarding the Master Development Plan process. The public is welcome to attend.

Agenda:

6:00pm  Meeting begins
6:10pm  Presentation
6:40pm  Question and answer session
7:00pm  Small group discussions
7:40pm  Group reconvenes
8:00pm  Meeting adjourns



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Sunset and mountains

Sunday, March 6, 2022

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

It doesn't look real, but it is. Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains at sunset.


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Gloria's Birds: Grab 'em, then scatter 'em!

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z Nagler

Photo copyright Gloria Z Nagler

Jenny the Dark-Eyed Junco asked me to record for posterity her method of foraging on a seed tray. Dramatic, if not effective!

--Gloria Z Nagler



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HomeTechHacker: 5 Steps to Secure Your Home Network

By Marlon Buchanan

Sensitive financial information. Private family photos. Important computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices that you and your family count on every day. 

If someone breaches your home network security they can compromise all of these things. You count on your home network now more than ever. Take these steps to protect your home network from hackers and other bad actors.

1. Keep the software on your devices up to date

Hackers come up with new ways to break into home networks every day. Often, they exploit weaknesses in the software on devices. Software updates are intended to quickly address these weaknesses, but if you don’t update the software on your devices you’ll still be vulnerable.

I know everyone hates Windows updates, but they do keep your computer protected. Make sure to keep the software on your computers, mobile devices, and especially your router up-to-date. Your router is your home network’s primary defense and keeping it updated is important.

2. Change your Wi-Fi network name and use a good password

If you’re using the default network name and/or password your router came with you need to change it. Often, the default network name gives away the brand of the router, which can give hackers clues about how to break in.

A strong password for everything is a requirement for security in today's world, and the password to your Wi-Fi network is no exception. 

Wi-Fi networks are susceptible to brute-force password-guessing attacks. Use longer passwords to thwart brute-force attacks. A good Wi-Fi password is a hard-to-guess (but easy for you to remember) phrase or sentence that is at least 15 characters long.

3. Use good Wi-Fi security settings

Wi-Fi security has evolved over time because older standards have been cracked. Make sure you’re not using older standards like WEP security and TKIP encryption. These standards are no longer secure. You should be using WPA3 security and AES encryption. If your router doesn't support WPA3 then WPA2 will suffice.

4. Set up a guest Wi-Fi network

If you don’t have a guest network, you may find yourself in a situation where you have guests over and you have to give them your Wi-Fi password so they can access your network. This gives your guests not only your password, which you may use for different accounts, but also access to all of your networked devices (file shares, PCs, streaming devices, etc.).

Even if you trust the people who have your password, you shouldn't trust that all the software and apps they use are free of malware that can compromise the devices on your network. A proper guest network allows you to set a separate and shareable password for your guests and firewalls off your private computer resources from being compromised by guests.

5. Keep good backups of your important data

Having a backup strategy can save you from a catastrophic loss of data if there's a breach, or even if hard drives or computers fail. There are many backup options including backing up to a separate hard drive and remote backup services like iDrive and SpiderOak One.

If you implement these tips, your home network will be well protected. 

You can find more home security tips and ways to improve your home network in my book The Home Network Manual: The Complete Guide to Setting Up, Upgrading, and Securing Your Home Network, available on Amazon Kindle and in audiobook and paperback formats in stores everywhere.

Marlon Buchanan
has worked in the IT field for over twenty-five years as a software developer, a college instructor, and an IT Director. 

He lives in Lake Forest Park, where he can be found researching new smart home projects, playing sports with his children, and writing articles for his blog, HomeTechHacker.com

He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and master's degrees in software engineering and business administration.



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Bumbles and daffodils

 
Photo by Jo Simmons

There's something so endearing about the roly-poly bumble with his loud buzz and bumbling ways. 

Which came first clumsy-looking bee or bumbling human?

--Diane Hettrick



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Ballinger Park Waterfront reopens after renovations

New fishing pier at Lake Ballinger doesn't impress the ducks
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Ballinger Park waterfront opened two weeks ago after being closed since the summer. The updated waterfront features a new 220-foot aluminum fishing pier, boat launch, dock, restrooms and other amenities.

220-foot aluminum fishing pier
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Some fencing will remain on site to protect new plantings that remain vulnerable. Visitors are asked to follow all posted signs as the crews wrap up remaining tasks.

Admiring the view from the fishing pier
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Construction started in July on improvements totaling nearly $1.5 million, much of it funded by grants. The project focused on active waterfront recreation on the east side of Lake Ballinger with quiet activities on the west side. It is important to note that fishing should take place on the new pier and not the boat launch.

New boat launch and boat desk
Photo courtesy City of Mountlake Terrace

Many of the amenities were originally installed in the 1970s, and the park needed to better account for modern standards around accessibility and habitat protection. 

Already enjoying the lake on what looks like a raft
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

This year will bring construction of a Universally Accessible Playground nearby. A separate project, on the west side of the park, involves new trails and a wildlife viewing platform, along with a realignment of Hall Creek for habitat restoration. Designs are nearing completion, with construction expected in 2023.



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Retirement party at Northshore Fire

Retirement party at Northshore Fire
Photo courtesy Northshore Fire

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, Northshore Fire celebrated all four recent retirees from the department. 

Between Battalion Chief Doug Knight, Battalion Chief Jeff Tagart, Firefighter Tyler Williams and Firefighter Brian Gilbert there is a combined 120+ years of service to the citizens of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. 

We honor, congratulate and love you guys. All the best in the next chapter of life!!



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Shoreline Community College to hold virtual open house for bachelor’s degree-seekers

Shoreline Community College
Aerial photography by Jared Solano. Instagram @juarez.solano

On April 28, 2022 from 3pm to 5pm, Shoreline Community College (SCC) welcomes degree-seekers to its virtual open-house event, 2+2: Begin your Bachelor’s Degree at SCC!

The “2+2” approach to bachelor’s degrees is growing in popularity and invites students to complete the first two years of their academic careers at a community college before heading to a university for the last two years. Many students save thousands of dollars by first attending a community college like SCC before transferring to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Prospective students will learn about SCC programs and resources available there to help them pursue academic goals. 

Following the SCC presentation, representatives from Washington State University, Western Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University and University of Washington will hold breakout sessions with students interested in transferring to their institutions. 

Specific transfer plans and pathways from SCC to the university partners will be made available during the presentation.

2+2: Begin your Bachelor’s Degree at Shoreline Community College agenda:
  • 3:00-3:10 p.m.: Welcome
  • 3:10-3:40 p.m.: SCC Experience Presentation
  • 3:40-3:50 p.m.: Q&A
  • 3:50-4:00 p.m.: Break/Open 4-year rooms
  • 4:00-4:25 p.m.: First 4-year session
  • 4:25-4:30 p.m.: Break
  • 4:30-5:00 p.m.: Second 4-year session
SCC representatives speaking at the event are Amy Stapleton, Russell Dorsey and Freddy Vega with Recruitment and Outreach.

Alberto Vazquez from Washington State University, Alex Tadio from Western Washington University, Karim Ahmath from Eastern Washington University, Deedee Orr from Central Washington University and Mia McCurdy from University Washington will represent their institutions during the event.

For more information about the event or to register, visit https://www.shoreline.edu/calendars/begin-your-bachelors-degree.aspx

About Shoreline Community College:

Founded in 1964, Shoreline Community College offers more than 100 rigorous academic and professional/technical degrees and certificates to meet the lifelong learning needs of its diverse students and communities. 

Dedicated faculty and staff are committed to the educational success of its nearly 10,000 students who hail from across the United States and over 50 countries. Shoreline’s campus is one of the most strikingly beautiful college campuses in Washington state. More information about SCC here: www.shoreline.edu



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Local COVID-19 case updates Friday, March 4, 2022

 COVID-19 Case Numbers as of Friday, March 4, 2022

The numbers reported in this article are still being verified as the reporting agencies strive to confirm cause of death, remove duplicates, verify residence, and catch up to a huge backlog from January's surge.

King county

King county cases

King county cases

Total confirmed cases - 345,261
Cases in past 7 days - 1,922


King county hospitalizations

King county hospitalizations

Total hospitalizations - 11,182
Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 75

King county deaths

King county deaths

Total deaths - 2,591
Deaths in past 14 days - 69


Seattle

Total confirmed cases - 94,865
Cases in past 7 days - 735

Total hospitalizations - 2,367
Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 10

Total deaths - 621
Deaths in 14 days - 15


Shoreline

Shoreline cases


Total confirmed cases - 8,095
Cases in past 7 days - 59

Total hospitalizations - 290
Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 2

Total deaths - 125
Deaths in 14 days - 0


Lake Forest Park

Lake Forest Park cases


Total confirmed cases - 1,449
Cases in past 7 days - 4

Total hospitalizations - 33
Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 3

Total deaths  - 6
Deaths in 14 days - 0



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Is it spring yet?

Saturday, March 5, 2022

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

The flowers are so waxy they don't look real but the bees are vouching for them.
--Diane Hettrick



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Legislature bans sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington

These high capacity magazines were seized in a
2017 raid on a home in Shoreline. Photo courtesy KCSO
OLYMPIA — On Friday, March 4, 2022, the Washington state Legislature passed Attorney General Request legislation sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, banning the sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington. 

The bill passed the Legislature after a historic 55-42 vote in the House of Representatives. 

It heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The House version of the bill, HB 1164, was sponsored by Rep. Javier Valdez, D-46.

Senate Bill 5078 prohibits the sale, attempted sale, manufacture and distribution of high-capacity magazines. Like Maryland, it does not prohibit the possession of high-capacity magazines, instead focusing prospectively on the supply side.

“Today is the fulfillment of years of hard work from so many,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. 
“More than five years ago, I stood with the parents of shooting victims, legislators, mayors, police chiefs and representatives from faith communities to say enough is enough, and proposed banning the sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington state. 
"Today, our Legislature chose public safety over the gun lobby, and I am deeply appreciative of their service. This policy will save lives and make our communities safer from gun violence.”

“For too long we have accepted gun violence as an inevitable part of life,” said Liias. “My own community was impacted by gun violence in 2016, when three young lives were lost due to a mass shooting. 

"Today," Liias said, "the Legislature took long overdue action to protect families across Washington from that harm by restricting the sale of high-capacity magazines. This is a commonsense policy that will save lives, and I am grateful for all of the years of advocacy that led to its passage.”


Washington will join nine states that already restrict high-capacity magazines. With Washington’s legislation in place, more than 100 million people will live in states that block the sale of magazines with more than 10 rounds.

Ferguson has been pursuing this legislative reform since September 2016. On July 30, 2016, a 19-year-old used an assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine to kill three students and seriously wound a fourth. In September 2016, Ferguson stood beside parents of shooting victims, legislators, mayors, police chiefs, and representatives of the faith community and vowed to continue proposing legislation to ban the sale of high capacity magazines every year until it passed.

The Washington State Medical Association, the Parent Teacher Association, the Washington Education Association, the Governor’s Office and many others have joined gun violence prevention groups, including the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, Washington Ceasefire and more to support the bill.

More information here.



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Appendix

 

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE




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It's time to remove invasive weeds


Now is the time remove many types of invasive weeds! Wetter soils make it easier to remove roots from the ground.

Many bulkier weeds, like blackberry and morning glory, have died back a bit. This means there is less plant matter to remove.

Yellow jackets, hornets, and bees should be dormant at this time, making it safer to work.

Learn methods for effective removal with our Gardening Webinar on Identifying and Removing Invasive Weeds: www.shorelinewa.gov/naturalyardcare

Contact the Garden Hotline for free, 1:1 advice on how get rid of invasive plants in your yard. www.gardenhotline.org

--City of Shoreline



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Consumer Alert: Washingtonians affected by 2021 T-Mobile data breach need to protect their personal information

Large amounts of personal information offered for sale on the “dark web”

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson urges all Washingtonians who believe they were impacted by the data breach announced by T-Mobile in August 2021 to take appropriate steps to protect their personal information from identity theft.

The data breach affected approximately 2 million Washingtonians.

“Data breaches continue to be an escalating threat to Washingtonians,” Ferguson said. 
“We want to make sure Washingtonians have the tools they need to protect themselves in the wake of a data breach.”

On Aug. 17, 2021, T-Mobile reported a massive data breach compromising the sensitive personal information of millions of current, former and prospective T-Mobile customers. The breach affected more than 50 million individuals nationwide. Millions of people had their names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and driver’s license information compromised.

Recently, a large subset of the information compromised in the breach was for sale on the “dark web” — a hidden portion of the internet where cyber criminals buy, sell and track personal information. 

Many individuals have since received alerts through various identity theft protection services informing them that their information was found online in connection with the breach, confirming that impacted individuals are at heightened risk for identity theft.

Ferguson urges anyone who believes they were part of the August 2021 T-Mobile data breach to take the following steps to protect themselves:

  • Place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert tells lenders and creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. You can place a fraud alert by contacting any one of the three major credit bureaus.
Additional Resources. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, go to identitytheft.gov for assistance on how to report it and recover from it. Washingtonians can also visit https://www.atg.wa.gov/guardit.aspx for additional information.



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Lake Forest Park Mayor and City Council create Climate Action Committee

LFP has a robust tree ordinance
Photo by Dan Short
The Mayor and Council of the City of Lake Forest Park have long recognized the need to address climate change and support the efforts of the People for Climate Action Coalition that works with local governments to help achieve King County Cities Climate Collaboration goals. 

The City has also taken initial steps to lessen its impact on the environment through a robust tree ordinance, code adoption to allow increased density at Town Center and near transit, City-sponsored recycling and composting efforts, installation of LED lighting in City-owned facilities, water bottle filling stations in city hall, and a model plastics ordinance.

The purpose of the Climate Action Committee is to gather and analyze climate information and draft a Climate Action Plan for recommendation to the City Council. 

As established in the approving resolution, the following considerations are part of the first-year work plan development process: 
  • review and use of existing municipal climate action plans, recommended changes to City operations, additions and amendments to legislation, community projects, interaction with City commissions and task forces, the financial needs for creating the Climate Action Plan, and 
  • how to achieve the Climate Action Plan goals financially.

At its meeting on February 10, 2022, the Council introduced the enacting resolution and, on February 24, 2022, took action to create the City’s Climate Action Committee and appoint nine of the established ten members. The high school/college student position has yet to be filled. 

The committee will meet once a month at 7:00pm on either the first or third Tuesday; or second or third Wednesday of the month. The committee will be supported by a member of staff from the Public Works Department, who will have the support of the Planning Department.

The following Lake Forest Park community members were appointed by the Council: 
  • Julian Andersen
  • Miriam Bertram
  • Dana Campbell
  • Jessica Cote
  • Tamara Erickson
  • Linda Holman
  • Sarah Phillips
  • Brian Saunders
  • Anne Udaloy

At its first meeting, the Committee is charged with electing a chair and vice chair, and the first work product will be an annual work plan to be approved by Council. Following approval of the work plan, the Committee will next draft a Climate Action Plan for consideration by the Council.



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Passengers in burning van were rescued by Sound Transit contractors

WSDOT crews removing the 
burnt out van. Photo courtesy WSDOT
New details on the van crash and fire previously reported.

After rolling over the concrete barrier and landing on its side, the van was "well-involved in flames" with the driver and two passengers inside.

The crash happened near where Sound Transit constructions crews were working on the Lynnwood Link light rail project.

Seattle Fire reports that the two adult males were pulled out of the burning vehicle by construction employees prior to SFD's arrival.

We'd like to thank the construction company "Stacy and Witbeck/Kiewit/Hoffman, JV." for their quick life-saving actions! The actions of your employees likely saved their lives.

Sound Transit said: A huge thank you to members of our Lynnwood Link light rail extension contractor team - way to go @StacyWitbeck!

Stacy and Witbeck responded: We are glad everyone is safe and that we could help.

The status of the driver is still unknown.

--Diane Hettrick


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Salomon bill to prevent urban sprawl awaits governor’s signature

Sen. Jesse Salomon D-Shoreline
In a blow against urban sprawl, the Legislature has passed a bill to lessen the impacts of development on natural resources, ecosystems and habitats.

Having earlier passed the Senate, Senate Bill 5042 was passed late Thursday by the House and now goes to Gov. Inslee to be signed into law.

Sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline), SB 5042 will protect communities from having to provide costly infrastructure for unplanned development by closing a problematic loophole in permitting.

“If a local government expands its urban growth boundaries into areas like farmland or forests, a permit to develop in that area gets vested under our existing laws, allowing a developer to proceed even if the local government’s decision is later found to be in violation of the Growth Management Act,” Salomon said. 
“Some counties are using this loophole to expand urban growth areas in violation of their own codes and to annex land that creates urban sprawl while circumventing review until after permits have been vested.”

Salomon’s bill extends the effective date of certain actions by local governments, providing the Growth Management Hearings Board more time to invalidate improper permits and block invalid developments.

“When developers proceed with projects that violate the GMA, taxpayers get stuck funding expensive infrastructure to serve development that skirted the system,” Salomon said. “Taxpayers shouldn’t be stuck paying for unplanned, unreasonable increases in infrastructure.”

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, represents the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Seattle, Shoreline, Woodway, and unincorporated Snohomish County.



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Great blue heron are back to the Metro Park n Ride in Kenmore

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Great blue herons have returned to Kenmore to nest.

They are not exactly in the Metro park n ride itself, but in trees next to it. Heron return to their nesting sites every year to raise their young.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

They use the same nests, refurbishing them every year. The trees are stronger than they look. Heron, four feet tall with a six foot wingspan, weigh only seven pounds. However, their nests can weigh 50 pounds.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Christine Southwick wrote a column about them


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Writing While Masked: Seven writers capture life during the 2020 pandemic

PULLMAN, Wash.— Once a week, the seven authors of the newly published Writing While Masked: Reflections on 2020 and Beyond (Mary Ann Gonzales, Tyson Greer, Wanda Herndon, Laura Celise Lippman, Jane Spalding, Suzanne Tedesko, and Beth Weir) — all retired from professional careers — spend two hours together. 

The purpose of their gathering is to discuss what they wrote the previous week. For a number of years prior to 2020 the group met in their homes over coffee, but the pandemic changed that to Zoom meetings. 

Then on May 25, a white policeman pressed his knee to a Black man’s neck. A seventeen-year-old girl captured it all on her cellphone, and the world exploded.

The group recognized the aftermath as the cry of the marginalized, the disrespected, and those in visceral pain. 

They cried, too, and they wrote. “As time goes on, we often forget the little things — the details of an event or year. As this kaleidoscopic year progressed, we wrote as a way to make sense of it all. We want to remember this watershed year, and to learn from it what to keep and what to keep from happening again.” 

The process of putting down their thoughts about the cascading events of the year helped them weather the challenges of 2020 and beyond.

Inside Writing While Masked are personal pieces — writings of the moment, essays that reflect, and poems that express raw emotion. They include thoughts about what the authors experienced and learned, and what they want for the future.

Initially self-published, this updated edition is the first title released under Washington State University’s new trade imprint, Basalt Books. It begins in January 2020 and is organized by month—each with its own timeline—as a reminder of the tumultuous events happening across the United States and the world. 

The 2021 Postscript adds a timeline for January to June, as well as ten new works that were not part of the original book.

Topics comprise those common to many people: isolation, interrupted travel, masks, backyard reunions, caring for a grandchild, and more. There is the grief of lost holidays and milestones, but also the joy of new discoveries. In addition, the authors tackle a variety of themes related to politics, protests, oppression, and dealing with opposing viewpoints.

Writing While Masked is paperback, 6" x 9", 208 pages, and lists for $18.95. It is available through bookstores nationwide, direct from Basalt Books at 800-354-7360, or online at basaltbooks.wsu.edu

The trade imprint of nonprofit academic publisher Washington State University Press in Pullman, Washington, Basalt Books concentrates on general interest titles about cooking, nature, history, science, and more for young children to older readers — all with a connection to the Northwest.

More about the authors

Mary Ann Gonzales has a long history of working with nonprofit social organizations, from the Seattle AIDS SUPPORT GROUP to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Tyson Greer (Lake Forest Park resident) has undertaken a broad array of endeavors including directing documentaries, teaching screen writing at the University of Washington, and authoring a book on technology for Microsoft Press. She is now writing fiction.

Wanda Herndon has enjoyed a successful corporate career in marketing, retiring from Starbucks as senior vice president, Global Public Affairs, after which she founded W Communications.

Laura Celise Lippman is a retired medical doctor and administrator whose poems have appeared in Crosswinds, Poontoon Poetry, Mobius, The Journal of Social Change, and other publications.

Jane Spalding started out as a teacher, and then served as development director for several nonprofits, including Harborview Medical Center and Seattle University.

Suzanne Tedesko worked at KCTS/9, producing two national PBS documentaries, and has written Seattle guidebooks for Fodors and a screenplay.

Beth Weir (Lake Forest Park resident) was a professor of education at Meredith College in Raleigh for seventeen years and after moving to Seattle, the executive director of the Dunn Gardens.


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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting February 28, 2022

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
February 28, 2022

Notes by Pam Cross

The remote meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Scully.

All Councilmembers were present.

Approval of the Agenda

Are there any changes to the Agenda?

Motion to remove item 7(d) from the Consent calendar and added as Action item 8(a).

Motion and second to postpone the above 8(a) and move to a future meeting.

We need time to discuss and staff will need additional time to prepare. Tonight we already have a busy agenda.

Debbie Tarry: I don’t know how long the bids are good for. Delay will impact the schedule.

Mayor Scully: I would like to delay a week.

Randy Witt (City Engineer): A week delay won’t critically impact the project. Staff can work it in. We just need to watch for the contract's 45 day limit.

Vote: Motion passes 6-1 with CM McConnell opposing delay.

The proposed 8(a) is off calendar for rescheduling.

Amended agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

COVID-19 Update (as of this meeting Feb 28, 2022)

The trend of new COVID-19 infections continues to go in the downward direction. We finally moved from the “high” transmittal rate into the lower “substantial” rate.


While the County and State have lifted restrictions as shown above, businesses can have their own requirements and we ask that people comply with those requirements.



Community Climate Conversations

We would like feedback from the community to help us design climate action strategies. You can attend any or all three zoom meetings.


Public Reminders

City Council will hold Planning Commission candidate finalist interviews on March 1.

The Planning Commission meeting for March 3 has been canceled.


Council Reports

DM Robertson attended the Regional Transit Committee. The return to full transit services planned for Mar 1st was delayed due to COVID. I hope it will be rescheduled soon now that COVID cases continue to decrease. They are reworking the Orca Card program but you don’t need a new card if you already have one. Details will follow.

Mayor Scully attended the Lake Ballinger Forum which is a group of the communities in the Lake Ballinger Watershed. Shoreline staff has identified an opportunity to pursue Army Corps of Engineers funding to improve some habitat in the adjacent watershed, which is on the Shoreline side. Possible grant for $250k would go into our existing stormwater infrastructure improvements and improve habitat next to Brugger's Bog Park.

Also,

The City Manager and I attended the Echo Lake Neighborhood Assn. They were interested in how the City has responded to the COVID crisis and its financial impacts. It’s always fun to get out into the community and see how informed and engaged our residents are.

Public Comment
Motion to extend time in order to let everyone speak for 2 minutes. Passed unanimously

Jacke Kurle, Shoreline
Thanks for the recent report on The Oaks Shelter in Currents. It appears that things are going well. I look forward to regular updates.

The following spoke in support of the proposed tree codes in Item 9(b)

Melody Fosmore, Shoreline
Wally Fosmore, Shoreline
Bill Turner, Shoreline
Kean Engie, Shoreline
Martha Diesner, Shoreline
Jean Hilde, Shoreline, Member of PRCS/TREE Board but speaking on her own behalf
Rebecca Jones, Seattle but former longtime Shoreline resident with family still here
Janet Way, Shoreline, Shoreline Preservation Society
Susanne Tsoming, Shoreline, member of the Tree Preservation Code Team
Kara Pomeroy, Shoreline
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline
Jonna Reeder, Shoreline
Nancy Morris, Shoreline
Barbara Johnstone, Shoreline

Speaking in opposition to some of the tree codes

Peter Eglick, Attorney for Innis Arden Club and speaking on its behalf.

Innis Arden has planted hundreds of trees in their forested reserve tracts. But they are concerned that some of the proposals are over the top regulations.

Speakers in favor of 9(a) interim use of above-ground three-phase power.

Jake McKinstry, Seattle, Spectrum Development Solutions
Chris Kelly and Rosalie Merks, AAA Management
Robert Gregg, Clinton, Construction Manager on two projects in 145th station area
Jack Malek, Shoreline, Realtor with Windermere

The Amended Consent Calendar was approved unanimously 7-0.

Action Item 8(a)

*This is a quasi-judicial action for which the Council does not take public comment.

Action on Preliminary Formal Unit Lot Subdivision No. PLN20-0139, Dividing Eleven (11) Existing Parcels into Seventy (70) Unit Lots at 2105, 2117, and 2123 N 148th Street; 2116, 2122, 2132, 2142, and 2150 N 147th Street; 14704, 14710 and 14718 Meridian Avenue N (East side of Meridian Avenue N, between N 147th and 148th Streets)
No disclosures.

Presentation by Cate Lee, Senior Planner

The public hearing for this subdivision was held on Jan 18, 2022 by the Hearing Examiner, which created the record for the basis of a recommendation from the Hearing Examiner to the City Council.


The Applicant has proposed 70 unit lots. Each proposed lot is rectangular in shape, containing the necessary footprint for an attached single-family home and a portion of landscaping, walkways and driveways into private garages. There are two tracts proposed, Tract A is an access tract for vehicular circulation, and Tract B is common outdoor space.

The Subdivision makes appropriate provisions for the public health, safety and general welfare, drainage, access, and other facilities and services. The Subdivision will also serve the public use and interest, creating additional opportunities for owner-occupied housing developed in a manner that is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan policies.

The Hearing Examiner recommends that the City Council approve the application subject to conditions listed in the staff report.

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve the application.

I’m concerned about access to the subdivision.
  • Reply: There is no access off of Meridian, but multiple access points both on north and south sides.
Does the City have any restrictions or code requirements about access?
  • Reply: It is a private access tract - it’s not a public right of way. The City will not have an easement for public use. This would be a homeowners development with joint use and maintenance of common garage, parking, vehicle access, landscaping, utilities and so forth.
How many square feet of open space is on this tract?
  • Reply: I can look it up - don’t know off-hand. But this is the area where the trees are being retained. Fairly big part of the property.
Will there be any amenities there? Like playgrounds or picnic tables where the community can congregate? As density increases, we need access to open space. I do note it is two blocks from Twin Ponds.
  • Reply: No playgrounds, but walking paths and so forth.
There was feedback from the public regarding density and saving trees. How did you address this feedback?
  • Reply: We reduced the number of units to provide better tree retention.
We are limited in what we can consider here because this is a quasi-judicial decision. We need to apply the code, and I believe this meets the code requirements.

Broader issues: it is an environmental benefit by getting 72 residences in a fairly small area. This is also a way to make housing affordable for first time homebuyers.

VOTE

Motion passes unanimously 7-0.

Study Item 9(a)

Discussion of Required Undergrounding in the South Shoreline/148th Street Light Rail Station Area and the Impact on the Sound Transit Project


Presentation by John Norris, Assistant City Manager

In SMC 13.20 Electrical and Communications Facilities, the City Code puts a high value on undergrounding utilities because of better system reliability, increased safety, and less visual clutter or aesthetics for our community. But there is a high cost to that when it comes to electrical facilities.


Given the power loads (higher voltages) required to run light rail, 3-phase power with thicker wires is needed, rather than the less robust single-phase power or the existing direct buried 3-phase power in 5th Ave NE. Many projects, including multi-family projects or commercial projects, as well as light rail, need the more robust higher voltage.

Seattle City Light (SCL) currently has three-phase (3-phase) underground power running down 5th Avenue NE, in front of the future Shoreline South/148th Light Rail Station. This underground power is what is called “direct bury” power, in that the powerlines are not installed in any conduit (typically plastic piping), but rather are buried directly in the ground as was the typical practice in past years. The issue with direct bury lines is that they degrade over time due to exposure to the elements and the difficulty in replacing the lines as the lines must be dug up rather than being “pulled” like those in conduit. All current underground electrical lines are constructed in conduit for these reasons.

Constructing new connections to this existing direct buried line is not viable for most development, including the Lynnwood Link Extension (LLE) Light Rail Project, due to its age and the inability to replace or upgrade the cables without digging it up. Given that the 5th Ave NE 3-phase line has reached the end of its useful life and is in danger of failing, SCL has planned for its replacement with new 3-phase power in a duct bank project (multiple conduits put together) within 5th Ave.

However, in early 2021, SCL informed Sound Transit and the City that it does not have the capital funding to complete the Duct Bank Project in coordination with the LLE Project timeline. Seattle City Light is looking at 2027 to complete the duct bank project, well past the 2023 target.

Prior to, and independent of the delay of the Duct Bank Project, Sound Transit still needed to start construction of their Shoreline South / 148th elevated station and garage to keep the LLE Project on schedule. Therefore, in April 2020, the City permitted Sound Transit and SCL to construct a temporary overhead, 3-phase powerline along NE 148th St, pulling the 3-phase power from the existing overhead powerlines that run north/south along 8th Ave NE, and included six new poles within City right-of-way installed in June 2020. Code requires removal of temporary overhead powerlines, once a project is complete.

Traction Power Sub- Stations (TPSS) allow light rail to move by supplying power to the trains.


For new developments that were relying on the duct bank project, they would need temporary construction power and interim operational power until the duct bank is completed. This would require a code amendment to allow it as an exception to undergrounding regulations. There is also a proposal for some overhead interim power to be constructed and remain in place until the duct bank is completed.

Question for Council:
  1. Is Council supportive of an amendment to allow for temporary construction power?
  2. Is Council also supportive of some level of interim overhead power until Seattle City Light planned facilities are installed?
DISCUSSION

Do you have any concerns that SCL will not follow through with building the duct bank? Or further delay past 2027?
  • Reply: SCL says they are planning to construct the duct bank. We continue to work with them to get a further commitment so we can learn when it will be constructed. SCL staff do understand the importance of the project for Sound Transit and for private development. So, at least at the staff level, there is a strong commitment to get the project constructed.
Can we include language in these proposals to encourage the completion?
  • Reply: I’m not sure our code language would do it. This is really SCL’s infrastructure - it is their capital project and they are the electrical provider for Shoreline.
For the temporary power for new developments, what kind of timeframe is “temporary”?
  • Reply (Trish Juhnke): “Temporary” would just be for construction. It would have to be removed prior to the building being occupied. And it would be conditioned as such. Building construction has a somewhat finite time frame of a couple of years.
So what if SCL isn’t ready? Can they not use their building until SCL can complete their duct bank?
  • Reply (Trish Juhnke): There needs to be a focus on both temporary power and also interim power as mentioned in the second part of the question for Council.
  • Reply (John Norris): Temporary construction power would be available throughout the City where there isn’t this specific geographical issue in the 145th light rail area. For operational use, they would have to connect to underground power.
There don’t appear to be many options.

Is there a way to limit this ordinance to something other than citywide? I’d rather have it narrowly tailored to the station area or MUR 70 zones. But I need more information.
  • Reply: Yes, we could bring back some options for Council.
Temporary occupancy - how would that work for Sound Transit (ST)? There is temporary project power there already.
  • Reply (Juniper Nammi, Project Mgr Light Rail Project): Do you mean if the interim power isn’t allowed?
Until we know what the lever is with Sound Transit, it might affect what options we have available in the future. If we only adopt option one would that preclude ST from operating because they wouldn’t be able to occupy the building?
  • Reply: That is correct. They would need the interim power as well as the temporary. Or, ST would have to build the powerline at much greater expense. Or they would have to delay opening until they had power.
What is the expectation that Shoreline has, or other similar cities have, in expecting developers to provide underground power to their property? Is the general expectation that the developer will have to bring power from the nearest available source?
  • Reply (Tricia Juhnke): We haven’t looked at cities other than Seattle. We can get back to you with the information if you’d like.
But with ST, there was the expectation that the cost was too high to bring it and/or too far.
  • Reply: We looked at 5th Ave as the primary source of power and it’s a fairly short distance to underground so we hadn’t considered 8th Ave or other locations. If that project would have gone as planned, ST would have pulled power from there either to their station or their TPSS site.
  • Reply (John Norris): In 2016 when we were looking at this with ST, the assumption was that the duct bank project would be in place by 2023 to support the station, the garage, and the TPSS. We did some preliminary work leading up to it. Now this hold up is delaying a critical project.
The permits that the City issued ST were based on the idea that the duct bank project would be completed and that would provide the power to ST?
  • Reply (John Norris): Correct.
Then that didn’t happen. Is it normal for any city to issue a permit based on the completion of the public works project of another entity? If we think about other utilities such as sewer, we wouldn’t grant an exemption for a developer to not have the required lines for the permitted occupancy. So I’m trying to decide how we said to ST, your permit is OK - when it was based on SCL which was not party to the permit. Does that make sense?
  • Reply (Trisha Juhnke): Yes. Let me see if I can compare this to another project. Other projects often have to do a lot of utility work to bring all the necessary utilities (water lines to provide fire flow or to upgrade service from a small waterline). That is the developer’s responsibility. They would have to work with Seattle’s Public Utility or North City Water District to make provisions for that. We really don’t get heavily involved during our permitting process - it is the developer’s responsibility and therefore the developer’s risk. If they have a problem, we leave that to the developer to resolve.
So we’re in this situation because promises were made to ST and to the developers that the duct project would be complete and now it’s not. So shouldn’t ST really be working with SCL to get that done? And other future developers would work with the line that ST did, and theoretically reimburse ST for the work.
  • Reply: We do have options for latecomers on some utilities, but it’s my understanding that latecomers cannot apply to electrical companies.
Thank you. I think it’s a shame that we’re in this position but I think we need to move ahead with option 2.

It’s concerning that SCL has put us in this predicament. Didn’t they see this coming? We have light rail stations we’re trying to open up and large developments - this is big for both the City and the developers. A 4 year delay is not acceptable. ST cannot have it.

I wish there were people here from SCL to answer these questions. These are not questions for our staff - they are questions for Seattle City Light. I don’t feel that we can trust their word because they are not going forward on a commitment that they made to this community and the much larger community that is relying on the link light rail station.

In 2016 the buried line on 5th was considered to be at the end of its useful life and was in danger of failing. In 2016! Why has this project been put off by SCL? Why has it not been considered a priority? They are a public utility. Can we ask them for their budget and try to determine what other projects SCL has deemed of a higher priority? Where are they channeling their funds? Has something catastrophic happened to their budget in the last 3-4 years? This is so frustrating. And when this project finally happens, whenever that is, it is going to be a massively disruptive project for people trying to access the light rail station. It doesn’t feel good to not have a choice.

This is not our first challenge with Seattle City Light. There have been several items including customer service, dramatic over-billing of residents, and the ongoing inequity between Shoreline ratepayers who have to pay to underground and Seattle ratepayers who do not. Unfortunately the contract with them is valid for several more years. This is a big deal. This isn’t a supply-chain issue or something, it’s just a policy decision that they have made. Shoreline needs the same respect and not be expected to wait “maybe four years” for something as crucial as this. As I understand it, the answer has to come from the Seattle City Council who has to say this has to change.

Developers need certainty and a lot of those projects are funded. You can’t go to a bank and say I think we’ll have the power we need? We can construct it but we might or might not be able to hook it up to power? We need a solution in place. We started thinking that our City requirements were making it too difficult for these projects to move forward. And if we throw yet another thing at them, we could have people pulling out and Shoreline could become a place where no one is willing to invest.

Study Item 9(b)

Discussion of Ordinance No. 955 – 2021 Batch Development Code Amendments Group C - Related to Tree Regulations, Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Sections 20.20 and 20.50


The Development Code Batch Amendments consist of three distinct groups of amendments that have been grouped by topic:

  • Group A: Miscellaneous amendments proposed by City of Shoreline staff.
  • Group B: Amendments to the procedure and administration of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The proposed amendments to SEPA procedures are largely clarifying amendments that make the administration of SEPA less cumbersome and clarify that SEPA is not a permit type but a decision that is tied to a proposed permit or action.
  • Group C: Amendments to tree regulations.
This discussion will focus on Group C.

There are 31 slides in the presentation and it’s 9:05pm. Councilmembers have read the staff report. Mayor Scully has asked staff to move quickly through the slide presentation only to orient us to the discussion.

Presentation by Cate Lee, Senior Planner

Slides concerning Code regulations for trees on private property. The brief overview covered when a permit is required, number of trees that need to be retained, some exceptions available, replacement trees, requirements for developments.

Presentation by Steve Szafran, Senior Planner

The 10 proposed tree amendments are mostly proposed by individual members of the Tree Preservation Code Team, which is a group of residents committed to protecting and preserving trees in Shoreline. One amendment in the Group was proposed by staff.

There are several clarifications of definitions regarding different trees.

Because of the brevity of the presentation, the staff report should be reviewed.

DISCUSSION

Thank you to the members of the community (members of Save Shoreline Trees and the Tree Code Team) who put together this list of recommendations. It had to take a tremendous amount of work. I look forward to further conversations.

There is room for potential discussion only when it comes to the denials. I believe the staff did a really nice job of justifying and explaining the reasons for denial. The only one that I would like to continue to talk about and question is C6 - Exemptions from permit. I am not an expert. But for me, it was the justification itself that I didn’t agree with. It was the idea that all properties be treated equally. A property that is densely forested should not be treated the same as an unforested property. I feel there should be a way for us to give extra attention and extra value to forested properties and try to steer development towards the ample other lots that are available in Shoreline.

I agree with that comment. As a general statement, how often is the tree canopy measured? Some people asked about incentives and enforcement and I do not believe these things are adequately addressed. As regards C10, the tree protection standards, I’m not clear what the timeframe is. What is the duration of the permit that the additional irrigation water would be required? A couple years during construction?
  • Reply: Typically we require a 3 year period where we would inspect it after the 3 years to make sure that what was replaced is living.
What happens if it’s not living?
  • Reply: then we have the bond in place to replace it and try again,
Is that a sufficient incentive for developers to want to keep things living? Is the amount of money sufficient?
  • Reply: In my experience, it has been.
When this comes back to us, I would like to change the diameter measurements of significant trees. I appreciate the work of the planning commission and would just like to see that one item come back.

Item L was not presented in the Council presentation that related to penalties. Can Mr. Szafran speak to that?
  • Reply: The Planning Commission did not recommend this so it was not included as part of their recommendation.
Does that mean these fines are still in place?
  • Reply: No, they would not be approved and would have to be added back into the amendment language.
Why were the fees taken out?
  • Reply: There are other avenues that the City has to enforce or impose penalties on someone who doesn’t follow the permits and staff felt there would be a conflict with the new language and the processes we already have.
Are the other enforcement tools you mention monetary?
  • Reply: yes, monetary.
I would like to know more about what they are.

We are in a climate crisis. We know that the most effective way to reduce our carbon footprint is to increase density and transportation corridors. Some of these items may create barriers to accessing public transportation. Does staff have an opinion of whether these amendments may hamper some of those proposed developments like the pedestrian bridge? Would changing tree codes create a barrier for projects like that?
  • Reply: We are strengthening what we already have. It’s nothing that would be detrimental to development under our two light rail areas. We are strengthening what we have now.
We need an opportunity to talk to our residents about urban forestry, about stormwater, and about other sustainability issues.

Which sections of which zoning designations do these amendments apply to?
  • Reply: Unless they’re specifically called out zones, they apply citywide.
The tree code doesn’t apply to MUR70, right?
  • Reply: Commercial zones, MUR70 are specifically exempt.
Can you walk us through the amendment that would allow the director to reduce the tree retention percentage?
  • Reply: Yes, apparently the director can reduce the tree retention. There have been circumstances where a property with a single family home has one significant tree and that tree has caused foundation and utility issues. The property owner wants to remove the tree and the director doesn’t have the authority to approve that - even though it’s causing property damage. That’s where the amendment came from. For the director to actually approve that, there are criteria that a property owner would have to meet. There has to be good justification to do that. But there’s also, in that same section, it does say that if the exemption is granted, they are still subject to the tree replacement requirement.
I generally support the staff recommendations except for this last one and the one that follows. It’s not limited to trees that are impacting the foundation. It’s a broad brush that lets the director get rid of the entirety. This needs to be narrowly constrained.

MEETING ADJOURNED.



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