African clawed frog invades Bothell

Monday, May 2, 2022

Invasive African Clawed Frog. Note the front feet are not webbed but the rear feet are heavily webbed with long claws. Photo courtesy Dept of Fish and Wildlife


This frog poses a danger to all those projects to restore salmon to our streams

From the Department of Fish and Wildlife

The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is a semi-aquatic frog native to sub-Saharan Africa that readily acclimates to a wide range of habitats. These frogs can take over a habitat, and either out-compete or consume native species of frogs, fish, and other wildlife. African clawed frogs are often carriers of diseases that are harmful to amphibians and fish. Their ability to rapidly reproduce and spread make them a significant conservation concern.

Are African clawed frogs in Washington?

Unfortunately, yes. Although there isn’t any direct evidence on how African clawed frogs were introduced in Washington, our Department believes the frog populations were initially established from people dumping aquarium pets into ponds, which is a common practice with other aquatic invasive species.

After receiving reports from contractors, people fishing, and other community members, WDFW has confirmed clawed frogs in three cities in Puget Sound since 2015: Bothell (King County); Issaquah (King County); and Lacey (Thurston County). 

However, there hasn’t been any broad-scale, systematic survey to identify additional populations in the state, so it is possible clawed frogs are prevalent elsewhere.

African clawed frogs seem to become abundant quickly in human-created stormwater ponds. Although these ponds can also make good habitat for native species, clawed frogs may start to push out native species and make it harder for these species to exist in our residential and urban areas.

What are some characteristics of the African clawed frog?

The African clawed frog does not look like a stereotypical frog we see often in European American media, and it rarely ever leaves the water. With olive to brown skin, often with blotches or spots, African clawed frogs do not have eyelids, tongues, or vocal sacs. Their front feet are unwebbed while their back feet are fully webbed with black, sharp claws.

Mature females average larger than males, growing to larger than an adult human fist. Larvae (tadpoles) look like a small catfish, and their most prominent feature is a pair of long thing barbels that extend from each side of their chin.

Unlike native frog species, African clawed frogs are very resilient and can live in a diversity of types of water bodies ranging from polluted stormwater ponds to small streams. However, they are freshwater frogs, so you won’t find them in Puget Sound or in rapid, white water.

Why do these frogs have claws?

The claws these frogs have are like fingernails — and how they use these claws is not always clear. Some believe claws are used to scratch predators, which is likely true. Their claws certainly can hurt! But the primary use of these claws is likely to shred food, which could be a decaying carcass, another frog species, fish, bird, snail, or anything else they can fit in their mouth. In fact, their claws help them eat other frogs and fish that are bigger than them because they can tear their prey into smaller pieces.
How do African clawed frogs threaten native species and habitat?

African clawed frogs harm native ecosystems by competing with and preying on native species. They also have the potential to introduce harmful pathogens that hurt native fish and amphibian populations. African clawed frogs have a long life span, an extended breeding season, and are prolific reproducers. They can even survive severe drought and freezing conditions!

Can these invasive frogs be removed?

This is something we’re trying to figure out, and it’s definitely a big challenge! We’ve tried to remove clawed frogs from a stormwater pond in Lacey. However, one of the challenges we faced was that the stormwater pond was connected to pipes, which meant that even after draining the pond and using poison, clawed frogs were able to recolonize the pond since they were hanging out way up in the pipes.

One technique we have used that has worked well is creating double layers of knee-high cloth fencing around ponds with clawed frogs. This stops the frogs from leaving and prevents them from colonizing a new area.

WDFW is collaborating with partners to figure out best practices to control and manage clawed frogs to prevent them from colonizing across the state. The City of Lacey has been an integral partner since the first detection of clawed frogs there. WDFW is developing more great partnerships with the Washington Invasive Species Council, City of Issaquah, Professors at St. Martin’s and Pacific Lutheran universities, USGS, Trout Unlimited, and others.

Thank you to all of our partners who are helping us figure out best practices to control and manage clawed frogs and prevent them from colonizing across the state.

How can I help prevent the spread of invasive species?

The number one thing people can do to help prevent the spread of invasive species like clawed frogs is to never let a pet go in the wild! As the Washington Invasive Species Council says, “Don’t Let it Loose!”. Never release a frog, fish, turtle, crayfish, or other animal or aquatic plant into the wild, such as rivers, streams, lakes, or stormwater ponds.

The next major thing people can do is to share the Washington Invasives mobile app with your friends and family. The Washington Invasive app allows you to easily report possible invasive species sightings with just a few taps on your phone. 

Information submitted to the mobile app goes directly to our Aquatic Invasive Species Unit. Even if you’re unsure about the species identification, send in your observation and we’ll be able to figure it out and follow up as needed.

How do I report a possible sighting?

You are discouraged from going out of your way to look for clawed frogs, as proper surveying requires special tools, equipment, and a permit to protect native wildlife and habitat.

It’s better to keep your eyes open and if you happen to see a frog, take a picture of it and share it with us if you suspect it could be invasive.
If you observe African clawed frogs or any other known or suspected aquatic invasive species, please report your sighting.


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Fircrest School Master Plan community meeting Wednesday on Zoom

The Navy Chapel and Forest are in the center of this plan

Fircrest Master Plan Community Meeting, Wednesday Night, May 4, 2022, 6-7:30pm

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89237905907

Contact Larry Covey, Capital Projects Manager Department of Social and Health Services at coveylg@dshs.wa.gov if you have any questions.

The master plan as drafted completely surrounds the historic and recently landmarked Navy Chapel and surrounding forest.

The Shoreline Preservation Society, which shepherded the landmark process, in understandably concerned about the future of the Chapel.

So now, DSHS and many other “Stakeholders” are pushing hard to build huge new facilities at Fircrest, and even eventually huge housing developments as well. 
Shiny new facilities may indeed be needed to replace aging medical facilities there, however many in our community want these to be “designed around the trees” to maintain their historic and environmental value they provide for our community and could continue to provide to the disabled residents of Fircrest. 

So, is the Landmarked Chapel and Forest truly protected? The answer still remains to be answered by whatever is finally permitted by the City of Shoreline and Washington State decision makers.
 

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Two important meetings for Richmond Highlands / Linden 10 neighborhoods

Residents along Linden Avenue North and bordering streets in the Richmond Highlands neighborhood have two important meetings to attend on Tuesday, May 10th, and Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING FOR MODERA SHORELINE, a proposed 400 unit apartment building to be constructed on N 178th Street and Linden Ave N. 

It will be the largest development to date in Shoreline and will be directly north of Shorewood High School. Concerns include traffic, emergency vehicle access to local neighborhoods, and density. See www.moderashoreline.com for design information.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 8:00pm. It is an online meeting using the Zoom platform.

Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89012655343?pwd=ZDZRVlNFK0J4OXdVZEZuU0w3NlcrZz09

Join Zoom Meeting via Phone, dial in number by your location:
  • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma); +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose); +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston); +1 646 558 8656 US (New York); +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC); +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
  • Meeting ID: 890 1265 5343
  • Passcode: 734148

RICHMOND HIGHLANDS/LINDEN 10 COMMUNITY MEETING (in person)

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 7 to 8:30pm at Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Ave N

Meet with City of Shoreline staff, police department representative, and neighborhood businesses to discuss issues of traffic, litter, crime, and development. Learn how their efforts are assisting our neighborhood with these challenging issues and how we can give input and make a difference.

Entrance to parking lot is from Aurora Ave only. Parking in front and back of building. Meeting room entrance is lower entrance at the back of the building.

Those walking to meeting can use walkway at south side of Ronald Commons if coming from Linden Avenue.

Contact Linden10.RH@gmail.com if you have questions regarding either of these meetings.



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Shoreline Walks: Woodway Forest Walk Saturday May 7, 2022

Photo courtesy Town of Woodway
On Saturday, May 7, 2022, beginning at 10:00am, there will be an organized walk on the trails in two separate Woodway forest preserves

The walk will begin in Richmond Beach to view some artwork created by local artists, then proceed across the town line into Woodway and their beautiful forests.

The walk is approximately 2.8 miles and will take about 1.5 hours. The trails are a bit bumpy so this walk is rated Moderate.

Meet in the rear parking lot of the Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 15th Ave NW and NW 195th St, Shoreline WA 98177

Walk Leader: Dan



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Chamber music at Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds Saturday

Hwaen Ch’uqi, Brandon Vance, Pamela Liu, Erika Pierson and Anna Doak will perform Vaughan Williams’ Piano Quintet and a world premiere at Cascadia Art Museum May 7th. Brandon Vance photo: Nathan Labunski

World Renowned Pianist / Composer Hwaen Ch’uqi
with String Virtuosi to play Vaughan Williams’ Quintet
and a World Premiere

Saturday, May 7th at 6pm at Cascadia Art Museum

Cascadia Art Museum continues their well-loved classical chamber music concert series with the lush romantic Quintet in C minor for Piano and Strings by Ralph Vaughan Williams featuring international pianist/composer Hwaen Ch’uqi, with acclaimed musicians Brandon Vance (violin), Pamela Liu (viola), Erika Pierson (cello) and Anna Doak (bass). 

The concert also includes the world premiere of Élégie-Berceuse, a beautiful and evocative new composition by Hwaen Ch’uqi.

Mr. Ch’uqi has thrilled audiences with his virtuosity throughout the United States, and in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Japan, as a fellow at Tanglewood for 3 years, and concertizing at Seiji Ozawa Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. 

Internationally acclaimed violinist/composer Brandon Vance is the recipient of Scotland's 2017 Royal National Mòd "Sutherland Cup" in Scottish Fiddle, as well as being the youngest to win the U.S. National Open Scottish Fiddling Championship. 

Violist/violinist Pamela Liu has recorded and performed internationally. She was a member of the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra in Taipei, Taiwan, and currently she plays with the Yakima Symphony and in the violin-guitar duo Tutti Dolce, with husband Chris Liu. 

Cellist Erika Pierson has performed as a solo artist and chamber musician in the U.S., England, Germany and Spain. 

Bassist Anna Doak is a member of Northwest Sinfonietta and has played with the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and on numerous recording projects.

“We are very honored to present these outstanding international musicians and the world premiere of a heartfelt and lyrical piece by a major composer at Cascadia Art Museum,” said museum volunteer Cal Lewin. 
“It’s wonderful to be able to hear such great musicians close-up and personal, as chamber music was originally meant to be experienced.”

The concert will be in the museum’s main gallery, surrounded by Northwest art.

Each month the museum features outstanding chamber ensembles, soloists and opera singers. The concerts are about one-hour in length, leaving you time to dine out after. 

Concert tickets include admission to all the museum galleries, so you can arrive early to see the current exhibits.


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Gallery North Featured Artist for May 2022: Leanna Leitzke

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Seattle by Leanna Leitzke
For the month of May this year, Gallery North is excited to feature the brilliantly colorful paintings of member Leanna Leitzke in an exhibit entitled “Beauty Is Around Us”.

Leanna has been painting since she was three years old. “My mom was very supportive of my drawing and water coloring,” she says. 
“I used to come to her with every single picture and she always said, Very nice, good job! Now many years later, she hasn’t changed – looking at my new paintings on Skype she says the same words, ‘Good job, I like it.’”
“My mom never painted herself, but she enjoyed buying art books and encyclopedias. The most influential for me were the Renaissance and French Impressionism books. 
'I found out from those readings that very often art teachers limit their students by teaching them certain rules, which could prevent art students from being fearless and developing their own unique artistic eye and technique. For this reason, it came to me that I should be self-taught.”

Rooster's Life by Leanna Leitzke
Leanna loves sharing her inner self and her love for life through her art. 

Her paintings have won awards in numerous juried exhibits and have found homes from Paris to London to Eastern Europe as well as Florida, California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. 

“The clock is ticking – I’m in a hurry!” she laughs. “All my most beautiful paintings are yet to come. They are there, in my mind, ready to go . . .”

There will be a “Meet the Artist” reception at Gallery North during Art Walk on May 19 from 5-8 pm.

Gallery North has been in operation for more than 60 years, continuing its mission to promote and sell local art in the heart of beautiful downtown Edmonds. 

 The Gallery is located at 410 Main Street in Edmonds, open seven days a week. For further information, please visit the Gallery North website at www.gallerynorthedmonds.com or call the gallery at 425-774-0946.



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Home Tech Hacker: How to Get Started Creating your Smart Home

By Marlon Buchanan

Are you interested in giving your home smart home capabilities but aren’t sure where to start? There’s never been a better time to get into smart home technology. Smart homes can enhance and enrich your life by automating mundane tasks and making other activities easier. 

They make your home much safer. They can help you save money. Also, they can be fun to show off!

Here are some good first steps to take on your smart home journey.

Step 1: Make sure your Wi-Fi is solid

Many smart home devices need Wi-Fi to work. Your smart devices will frustrate you if your Wi-Fi network is slow, has a lot of dropouts, or plain just doesn’t reach many areas of your home. 

For help making sure your Wi-Fi is stable, fast, and secure, check out my free Wi-Fi Tuneup ebook. If you are looking for more comprehensive help with making your Wi-Fi and the rest of your home network as good as it can be, check out my book, The Home Network Manual.

Smart bulb
Step 2: Buy a smart bulb

Smart bulbs are a good smart device to start with because they are useful, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. 

You can program them to turn on and off at certain times of the day. 

You can also create moods and custom atmospheres with lighting and color effects. 

Learning to set up and use a smart bulb will build your smart home device capabilities and confidence.

Smart plug
Step 3: Buy a smart plug


In addition to lighting, being able to automate and remotely turn on and off devices using a smart plug is another key feature of a smart home. 

You can remotely turn on or schedule your coffee maker. 

Also, you can automate holiday lights, lamps, portable heaters, electric blankets, fans, etc.

Echo Dot voice assistant
Step 4: Buy a voice assistant


Buying a voice assistant will truly make your home feel smart. 
Using voice commands to control your smart bulb and smart plug will make you feel more in control. 

Start with a voice assistant that matches your preferred ecosystem, like Google’s Nest Mini, Amazon’s Echo Dot, or Apple’s HomePod Mini.

Step 5: Put it all together

Now that you have a smart bulb, a smart plug, and a voice assistant it is time to put them all together. 

Make sure you link your smart bulb and smart plug with your voice assistant so you can control them by voice. 

Play around with the apps that accompany the smart devices to set up automations like having your coffee maker startup with your morning routine or having a smart bulb turn off with your nighttime routine.

Step 6: Think about what you want out of a smart home

These steps will get you started, but there is so much more a smart home can do. Think about what types of things you want to control and automate in the long term. 

Think about what you want your smart home to be able to do (for inspiration, check out these smart home ideas). This, combined with how much effort and time you want to put into your smart home, determines your next steps.

Marlon Buchanan, Home Tech Hacker
Marlon Buchanan
is a best-selling author, IT Director, and founder of HomeTechHacker.com, a website with free resources to help you make the most of your home technology.



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LFP Mayor: Coffee with the Mayor is back

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

I am happy to let you know that Coffee with the Mayor is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 9:30 - 10:30am. 

When I originally mentioned meeting outdoors, the statewide mask mandate was in place. 

With the mandate lifted, and masks not required at City Hall at this time, I have decided to hold the event in the Council Chambers so we are not impacted by weather. Seating will be set up to provide social distancing.

If you haven't attended the coffee events in the past, they are an informal opportunity for you to share with me what's on your mind. Coffee and pastries are provided.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the 21st!

--Mayor Johnson



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Shoreline planning commission to receive update on Sound Transit Lynnwood Link

Shoreline Planning Commission 2022

Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 5, 2022, 7:00pm - 9:59pm
Contact us

Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk
(206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov



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COVID-19 Case Numbers as of Friday, April 29, 2022


Every year the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries hosts a memorial ceremony for workers who lost their lives on the job.

L/I records show 26 people passed away in 2021 after contracting COVID-19 while working in hospitals, prisons, manufacturing jobs, or other workplaces. 

Another 15 workers died following long battles with other occupational illnesses. This makes COVID-19 fatalities the highest work-related deaths for the second year in a row.

A total of 106 fallen workers were lost. They were all honored in L/I's annual Worker Memorial Day this week.

“Even as we believe that the worst of the pandemic is behind us, we find ourselves looking back on another year where COVID was the leading cause of job-related deaths,” said Joel Sacks, L/I director. 
“We will not forget those who lost their lives to COVID or other causes. We all need to do everything in our power to ensure every worker goes home safe at the end of the day.”

You can view the memorial service and learn more about the fallen workers.


COVID-19 Case Numbers as of Friday, April 29, 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 cases
  • Total confirmed cases - 369,189
  • Cases in past 7 days - 5,259 - 22% increase from previous 7 days
  • Average daily cases - 796
King county hospitalizations
  • Total hospitalizations - 11,558
  • Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 70 - 46% increase from previous 7 days
  • Average daily hospitalizations - 10
King county deaths
  • Total deaths - 2,738
  • Deaths in past 14 days - 11 - 27% decrease from previous 14 days
  • Daily average deaths - 1

Seattle Cases
  • Total confirmed cases - 106,250
  • Cases in past 7 days - 2,230 -  4% increase from previous 7 days
  • Average daily cases - 333
Seattle Hospitalizations
  • Total hospitalizations - 2,466
  • Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 22 -  83% increase from previous 7 days
  • Average daily hospitalizations - 3
Seattle Deaths
  • Total deaths - 642
  • Deaths in 14 days - 1 - 67% decrease from previous 14 days
  • Average daily deaths - <1

Shoreline cases
  • Total confirmed cases -  8,746
  • Cases in past 7 days - 154 - 22% increase in past 7 days
  • Average daily cases - 22
Shoreline Hospitalizations
  • Total hospitalizations - 294
  • Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 1 - increase of 1 in past 7 days
Shoreline Deaths
  • Total deaths - 129
  • Deaths in 14 days - 0 - 0 change in past 14 days
  • Average daily deaths - 0

Lake Forest Park cases
  • Total confirmed cases - 1,595
  • Cases in past 7 days - 31 - 67% increase over previous 7 days
  • Average daily cases - 5
Lake Forest Park Hospitalizations
  • Total hospitalizations - 33
  • Hospitalizations in past 7 days - 0 - 100% decrease in past 7 days
  • Average daily hospitalizations - 0
Lake Forest Park Deaths
  • Total deaths - 6
  • Deaths in 14 days - 0 - no change
  • Average daily deaths - 0


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Gloria's Birds: Ol' Blue Eyes is back!

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(Barry the Barred Owl agreed to a portrait sitting on the condition that I'd use that caption:). Actually, Barry's eyes are nictitating. Birds protect their eyes via this extra membrane, or third eyelid, which can be drawn across their eyes both to moisten the eye and protect it while retaining the ability to see).

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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Field trip #2: Duwamish Clam Garden with historian David Buerge

Duwamish Clam Garden (Field trip 2)

Let's go look for signs and learn from a local historian about the history of the Duwamish clam garden that was tended here for generations.

Low tide Carkeek Park Beach (map)
Monday May 16th - 11am - 2pm

Everyone's welcome! Feel free to share.

See Facebook page KNOWING PLACE



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: College


 Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE



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Annual enrollment for GET closes May 31, 2022

Washington families still have time to start saving for future education costs with Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET), the state’s 529 prepaid tuition program. The 2021-2022 annual enrollment period closes on May 31, 2022.

For the first time ever, the purchase price of a GET unit exactly matches the payout value, meaning savers in Washington have a historic opportunity to buy tomorrow’s tuition at today’s price. Once a GET account is open, the last day to add units to an existing account at the current price of $114.01 is June 25, 2022.

The State of Washington guarantees that a family’s GET savings will keep pace with in-state tuition and state-mandated fees. While GET account values keep pace with in-state tuition, beneficiaries have the freedom to follow their ambitions wherever they choose, as GET can be used at nearly any public or private university, community college, or technical school in the country. GET units can even be used to pay the costs associated with apprenticeships and for student loan repayments.

“Whether your student’s future plans include college, trade school, or another form of career-readiness training, GET is a great way to ensure those dreams become reality,” said Luke Minor, director of Washington College Savings Plans.

The Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program opened in 1998, and since then, thousands of Washington families have saved billions of dollars toward their students’ future higher education expenses. To date, GET has distributed more than $1.3 billion to 60,000+ students who have used their GET accounts to attend higher education in all 50 U.S. states and at least 15 countries worldwide.

The GET program is one of two college savings options offered by Washington College Savings Plans (WA529). The DreamAhead College Investment Plan was launched in 2018 to create additional choice and flexibility for families as they plan for college costs. WA529’s website (wastate529.wa.gov) offers details, charts, planning tools and answers to questions that families may have about either program. Accounts can be opened online, and the GET Contact Center is ready to help at (800) 955-2318 or GETInfo@wsac.wa.gov.



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Compass Housing: Gardening with volunteers

 Program Manager Corinne Stipek McKisson
and Case Managers Addisu and Amy.
Story and photos from Compass Housing

Volunteers from Shoreline Covenant Church, Ronald United Methodist Church, North Seattle Friends, The Practicing Church and Lake Forest Park Rotary put on their gloves, tugged on their boots, and worked with Compass staff and residents to revitalize our amazing garden beds at Ronald Commons!

Fifteen volunteers weeded, raked, and shoveled for nearly four hours and the results speak for themselves!

The volunteers worked alongside Ronald Commons residents and staff.
Before and After
It is so wonderful to be able to have volunteers back and serving our programs! 

If you want to get involved with Compass, check out where we could use your help here: https://www.compasshousingalliance.org/volunteer/.

4-30-2022 story updated

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Jobs: WSDOT High School to Highways program

WSDOT
High school to highway

Attention: recent high school grads!

Have you recently graduated high school or will you be graduating this spring? Our High School to Highways program is looking for a diverse and hard-working group of young people between the ages of 18 to 23 who want to do the important work of maintaining our state highway system.

These positions pay between $3,400 and $5,000 a month and include the great benefits that come with state employment. To learn more, visit our WSDOT jobs website.



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Dr. Dahlia returns to the Senior Center with webinar and tuber sale

Dr. John Hibbs with his dahlias and tubers

Thursday May 5th Annual Spring Planting Webinar with Dr. John Hibbs. Time: 2pm

Dr. John Hibbs, Shoreline-LFP Senior Center’s former site supervisor for Bastyr Naturopathic Medical Clinic at the Center, returns this spring with two outstanding Dahlia events.

Dr. Hibbs - or Dr. Dahlia as we like to call him - will host an online FREE webinar to help guide you on spring planting on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 2:00pm.

Call 206-365-1536 to register for attending in-person or to receive the Zoom meeting number and password to tune in from home.

Thursday May 12th Annual Dahlia Tuber sale with Dr. John Hibbs. Time: noon-2pm

Then on Thursday, May 12th, drop by the senior center as we host in person, our ANNUAL DAHLIA TUBER SPRING SALE with Dr. Hibbs! The sale runs from 12pm-2pm in the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center Multi-Purpose Room. Doors to the sale will open at noon.

The Senior Center is located in the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus, facing NE 185th. Address 18560 1st Ave NE #1 Shoreline WA 98155.



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King county libraries to wipe out late fees on May 4 under Fresh Start program

Richmond Beach Library photo by Steven H. Robinson
On May 4, the King County Library System (KCLS) will clear late fines for all patrons with a new initiative called A Fresh Start for All

This one-time waiver gives patrons a fresh start on their account and enables access to all KCLS materials. 

A Fresh Start for All was approved by the KCLS Board of Trustees on April 27, 2022.

The coronavirus pandemic placed many hardships on King County communities. 

To help patrons, KCLS temporarily stopped assessing late fines in March 2020. The System also lifted electronic access on blocked accounts during this time so patrons could still download digital materials.

KCLS will return to pre-pandemic circulation practices on September 15, and will start assessing late fines again at that time. After their accounts have been cleared on May 4, patrons will have until September 15 to return items before late fines resume.

KCLS is also introducing a new automatic renewal service on September 15. KCLS will automatically renew holds for patrons if their items are eligible for renewal. This will allow patrons to keep their materials longer without accruing late fines. Patrons may opt out of this service if they choose to.

Late fines add up when a patron does not return library materials by the due date. Late fines over $25 lead to a blocked account. A blocked account limits access to library services, books and other materials.

Lost fees are different from late fines. If library materials are more than 30 days overdue, they are considered lost. A Fresh Start for All will not apply to these fees; under state law, KCLS cannot waive lost fees. On May 4, the System will begin processing lost fees again. KCLS will mail billing notices to accounts with over $25 in fees. Patrons will have until September 15 to return items or pay fees before accounts are blocked.

Founded in 1942, the King County Library System (KCLS) is one of the busiest public library systems in the country. In 2021, residents checked out 7.8 million digital eBooks and audiobooks through OverDrive, making KCLS the fourth-highest digital circulating library system in the world and the highest per capita in the U.S. 



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Give BIG to your favorite charities


During the GiveBIG statewide fundraising campaign, individuals and organizations come together across Washington to invest in our community. 

When we give, we take a proactive step towards creating the society we want to live in. 

This year's GiveBIG campaigns kicked off as early as April 19, and will culminate with a 48-hour giving event on May 3-4, 2022.

Find your favorites on the GiveBIG webpage (Discover and Donate) or go directly to your organization's web page  to make your contribution.



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Lifejacket and luck: teen kayaker rescued from the icy waters of Lake Washington

Photo by Rhys Moult on Unsplash

By Diane Hettrick

A middle school student was kayaking with a club on Lake Washington April 11, 2022 when his racing kayak got caught in fishing nets close to shore and flipped over, tipping him into the water. 

His life jacket kept him afloat but he was unable to get back on his overturned boat, still tangled in nets.

After 90 seconds in the cold waters of Lake Washington he was unable to focus or swim without extreme difficulty. 

Fortunately for him, the lakeside property owner saw he was in difficulty and ran down to the dock where he talked the boy in close enough to reach him. He fished the teen out of the water within two minutes but already the boy could not use his hands or think clearly.

The Lake Forest Park resident who saved the teen from the water was Deputy Mayor Tom French.

I suppose there is a certain irony to the fact that he was rescued by the policy maker who sponsored the life jacket ordinance in LFP, but I for one am deeply grateful that he was wearing his life jacket and that I was nearby.

There are many "what ifs" in this story but for French, the biggest one is: what if the young man had not been wearing a life jacket?

I have no doubt that in another minute he would have succumbed to hypothermia and fallen unconscious. 

French says "The waters in our community are in the mid to low 40s and are very, very cold. Wearing a life jacket is just one way to keep yourself and ones that you love safer. The dangers of hypothermia upon immersion are very real."

As of May of 2021, the LFP Municipal Code Ordinance 1222 that French helped create requires wearing of a Coast Guard approved life jacket (personal floatation device or PFD).

While state law requires that a Coast Guard approved PFD be on board a paddleboard or kayak, LFP Municipal Code requires the actual wearing of a Coast Guard approved life jacket (personal floatation device or PFD). It cannot simply be on board the human-powered craft or paddleboard- it must be worn properly.

Tom's message to residents: Wear your lifejacket while enjoying our waters.

When I sponsored this Ordinance last year, it was with these first time or more casual users of human-powered watercraft that I had primarily in mind. I hope it will help contribute to their awareness of the dangers of the water, particularly in the spring and early summer when the water is so cold.

Importantly, this is not like a helmet law- if someone chooses not to wear a helmet (they should wear one as required by our law), they are not placing a first responder in danger. Failing to wear a PDF can place a first responder's life in jeopardy out on the water.

National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27, 2022 and is a perfect time to begin the process of ensuring everyone who wants to access the water this season is safe and educated.


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Save the date for the LFP Garden Club plant sale Saturday May 14, 2022

Friday, April 29, 2022

A previous LFP Garden Club plant sale
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The Lake Forest Park Garden Club will have their annual plant sale on May 14, 2022 at the LFP Elementary School from 9am to 2pm (or sooner if all the plants are gone).

First come gets the best plants and garden art!




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Fire chief Matt Cowan: Shoreline and Northshore Fire combine forces

Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire
Good news! Last night the Board of Commissioners from both the Shoreline Fire Department (SFD) and Northshore Fire Department (NFD) met and approved a contract for SFD to provide services to NFD. 

The contract, or Interlocal Agreement (ILA), details the specifics of how NFD will pay SFD to provide full administrative, operational, and support services. 

The NFD will still remain as a fire department with a Board of Commissioners managing funds and the level of service being provided. However, all the existing employees will transfer into the SFD organization, and essentially, we will be working almost like one fire department.

As one of our Fire Commissioners put it last night, we have been talking about doing this for forty years! We may not have been actively working on this for that entire time, but this has taken many years of effort. 

By combining forces we will be able to serve all of the communities better, with a higher level of service. 

Also, a contract for services isn’t the same as a merger, but there are still significant savings that will occur due to improved efficiencies. And please be assured that this will not impact any of our other activities either, unless it is to improve on those areas too. 

We will still offer the same classes, services, and community events such as the Easter egg hunt and Christmas engine.

Regionalization efforts such as this are occurring nearly everywhere, with the focus of being able to deliver better services for less money. This allows us to stretch your tax dollars further, reducing the pressure on our citizens. 

We are very excited about the positive changes that will be occurring because of this contract and believe that this is a great step forward.

If you have any questions on this or other fire department functions please contact me at mcowan@shorelinefire.com

Thanks!

Matt Cowan
Fire Chief



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Lee went on a walk today


Lee Lageschulte went on a walk today
and met up with some old friends

Lee has never met a flower she didn't like



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Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities expand assistant and payment plans for customers

SEATTLE (April 28, 2022) - Seattle City Light (SCL) and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) today announced new flexible payment plans and expanded assistance for customers who are struggling to pay their bills. 

Customers are urged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or contact the utilities immediately to learn more about their options. Both utilities offer flexible payment plans with no late fees for all customers, and for income-eligible residential customers, significant discounts and emergency assistance money are available.

“We know many of our customers face economic uncertainty that has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Andrew Lee, Interim General Manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. 
“We are taking steps to ensure our customers are aware that assistance is available. We encourage any customer who is behind on their utility bill to contact us today for assistance.”

Approximately 8,500 SPU residential customers and 36,000 SCL residential customers are behind on paying their utility bills. About 1,200 SPU commercial customers and 4,000 SCL commercial customers are in arrears.

While the City of Seattle moratorium on utility shut-offs expired on Friday, April 15, SCL and SPU are focused on proactively engaging with delinquent customers to help them access assistance to get current on their bills. 

SPU and SCL will be communicating directly to customers who are in arrears to make sure they’re aware of resources available to them before beginning the process of shutoffs for non-payment. 

Customers who remain current on their payment plan and current bill will not be at risk for shutoff. 

Customers at risk of having their services shut off will receive additional, direct communications prior to a shutoff taking place.

“Many customers have struggled financially and made tough decisions about which bills to pay. We want them to know that there are options to help get them back on track and alleviate some of the stress through flexible payment plans or assistance programs,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO at Seattle City Light. 
“Our aim is to get customers to a place where they aren’t facing shut-off for non-payment when the process resumes. We’re here for you and want to help.”

Residential customers can visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or call 206-684-3000 to set up a flexible payment plan and to find out what assistance is available to them. The City’s Utility Discount Program offers discounts of 60% off electric bills and 50% off water, sewage and solid waste bills for income-eligible residential customers. Utility representatives will also let customers know what types of emergency assistance money might be available to them.

Commercial customers who are behind on their utility bills may also sign up for payment plans. They are encouraged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp, call (206) 684-3000 or contact their SPU or SCL representative directly for assistance.

To learn about other assistance for customers financially impacted by Covid, including those seeking assistance to avoid eviction, please visit City of Seattle resources.



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Annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon for support of Vision House - Jacob's Well

Vision House is a local non-profit organization providing transitional housing and supportive services to help families experiencing homelessness achieve self-sufficiency. The agency owns and operates 45 units of debt-free housing in two apartment buildings with child care facilities in Renton and Shoreline.

The Jacob's Well facility in Shoreline was built with the support of a dozen local churches and organizations.

The annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon is the major fundraiser for Vision House. Virtual during the pandemic, this year it will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2022 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue – with a fundraising goal of $680,000.

Nationally recognized mental health expert and author, Dr. Gregory Jantz, is the guest speaker at the Annual No Homeless Kids Luncheon.

A mom who graduated the Vision House program will share her story on her challenges raising a child while experiencing addiction and homelessness and how she overcame barriers to permanent housing.

Tuesday May 3rd

Check in: 11:30am
Event: 12:00 - 1:00pm

Questions - 425-228-6356
No cost to attend - please bring a friend!

2022 Vision House highlights  
  • Vision House served over 194 parents and children with housing and support services over in 2021: 128 children, 56 mothers, and 10 fathers.
  • 84% of families who completed the Vision House program transitioned to permanent housing in 2021.
  • Vision House’s Diversion Services provided - 476 families received referrals to permanent housing; support for legal, educational or employment needs; counseling and recovery referrals.
  • Provide educational classes for families – critical “soft skills” - to promote housing stability: Boundaries, Cooking, Education Sustainability, Financial Literacy, Housing Sustainability, Parenting, and Self-care.


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ShoreLake Arts announces winners of 2022 Awards - presentations to be made at the Gala on May 14

2022 ShoreLake Arts announces winners of 2022 Awards
Meet the awardees at Myths and Legends - A Gala for the Arts
on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 6pm

The community is invited to join ShoreLake Arts at Myths and Legends - A Gala for the Arts as we honor four people and organizations who make ART happen in our area. ShoreLake Arts' biggest fundraising event of the year is coming to the Nile Shrine Golf Club on Saturday, May 14, 2022. There’s also an online Silent Auction with previews on May 7 and bidding from May 9 -15.

For 33 years ShoreLake Arts has presented art in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, from public events such as the Lantern Festival, Concerts in the Park and Battle of the Bands, to quality art education for all ages, community grants and the ShoreLake Arts Gallery in Lake Forest Park Town Center. 

In 2022 more than 32,000 people attended our events, both in person and online. And, as we’ve learned over the past few years, the arts add immeasurably to our quality of life and sense of community.

ShoreLake Arts only succeeds by working in partnership with our community, and we’re delighted to honor four outstanding individuals and organizations at our 2022 Gala for the Arts.

Jack Malek
The heART Award
: Presented to a member or members of the ShoreLake Arts community whose long-standing and consistent commitment to the organization has advanced our mission in significant ways. The award winner’s lasting impact has been vital to our organization’s ongoing health and longevity.

2022 heART Award winner - Jack Malek

Jack is a local Realtor and Shoreline resident for 21 years. Jack developed a love for the arts through an elementary school music program, and later acting in local theater. Jack is a longtime admirer and patron of the arts. Jack’s enthusiasm and support is instrumental to ShoreLake Arts programming success, from events to arts education.

Community pARTner Award: Presented to an organization that inspires and encourages arts and culture in the cities of Shoreline and/or Lake Forest Park. With passion, innovation, and commitment to advancing the arts, this organization significantly contributes to our community, promoting the richness of life provided by arts and culture. This award honors past achievements and expresses excitement for future endeavors.

2022 Community pARTner Award winner 
Shoreline Community College: Film, Drama and Cinema Department


For decades ShoreLake Arts has been fortunate to partner with Shoreline Community College in many ventures. We are delighted to honor the work of the Film, Drama, and Cinema Department. We honor them for making excellent, engaging film and theater education broadly accessible and for their commitment to promoting emerging artists.

Led by accomplished actors, directors, writers, designers and technicians, the Department is a community of faculty, students and industry working together to create theater and film productions. For the past six years ShoreLake Arts has been privileged to present the Shoreline Short Short Film Festival and other events in the College's recently renovated 360-seat state-of-the-art theater. The Theater also hosts the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) and a variety of both student- and faculty-led plays, musicals and operas.

Dave Grohl with Robert Lang and Tina Lang
Community Arts Impact Award


Presented to someone who's made substantial and long-lasting contributions to the arts in Shoreline and/or Lake Forest Park.

This award honors those who have elevated arts and culture in our community through visionary leadership, creativity, philanthropy, advocacy, and/or volunteerism and embody ShoreLake Arts' mission by cultivating creativity and inspiring our community through the arts.

2022 Community Arts Impact Award winner - Robert Lang and Tina Liberio Lang

Robert Lang
For the past 47 years, Robert and Tina have co-owned Robert Lang Studios, a major recording studio in Shoreline. 

In 2020 the studio opened its doors to aspiring music producers and audio engineers with the founding of the Robert Lang Studios Academy. 

Artists including Nirvana, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Steven and Damian Marley, and Peter Frampton have called the studio their home. 

Through the decades, Robert and his team have recorded hundreds of local artists like The Sonics, Death Cab for Cutie and Macklemore.
Tina Lang

"Working with ShoreLake Arts, in particular the Battle of the Bands [competition] has been very rewarding ... I love discovering new local talent and finding a way to help them succeed." Tina Liberio Lang

Spotlight Artist of the Year Award

New in 2022, the Spotlight Artist of the Year honors an artist who lives or presents work in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park and whose creations have contributed to the excellence of the arts in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Sandra Garcia-Arceo
Spotlight Artist of the Year Award winner - Sandra Garcia-Arceo


A Latina filmmaker, director, writer, producer, who was born and raised in the greater Seattle area, Sandra studied film production at Shoreline Community College. 

Since graduation, Sandra has worked as a freelance filmmaker. In 2021 she was the inaugural director of the BIPOC Film Project. The three short films she produced focused on BIPOC business owners in Shoreline and their companies: Black Coffee Northwest, Plaza Latina and Teriyaki Plus. 

Through Alma Mía Productions Sandra produces an array of stories including short films, documentaries and commercials.

For more information about the 2022 award winners, to purchase Gala or silent auction tickets, or to make a donation, please visit www.shorelakearts.org/gala

Questions? Email Sahana at communications@shorelakearts.org or Quinn Elliott at director@shorelakearts.org

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



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