FERRIES: Edmonds/Kingston run to add second boat on trial basis

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Photo courtesy WSDOT
According to WSDOT, a consistent second ferry will be added to Edmonds/Kingston run on a trial basis starting in the new year.

The route between Edmonds and Kingston is next in line in WSF’s Service Restoration Plan. 

Starting Sunday, January 1, 2023 WSF will begin operating two-boat service on a trial basis as a first step toward full restoration of the run.

In recent months, schedules have changed most frequently on the Edmonds/Kingston run, where a second boat is added daily if crews are available. 

The Seattle/Bainbridge, Mukilteo/Clinton and Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes already are fully restored. Workforce development is key to restoring sailings on other routes.



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Residential fire Wednesday morning

Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire
Shoreline Fire responded to a Residential Structure Fire today at 6:45am Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the 700 block of N 148th Street.

The residence was unoccupied. There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.


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Robin in snow

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Photo by Jan Hansen

Robin is all puffed out to retain body heat. If it really were as fat as it looks, that tiny branch would never hold it.




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Apply to join the Community Advisory Board for the King County Sheriff's Office

King County recently announced the launch of a new Community Advisory Board for the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO).

It will bring together public safety experts, community members, and advocates to support and advise in the creation of a just, dynamic, and responsive public safety system. 

The Community Advisory Board will have between 10 – 15 members, selected to represent different backgrounds and geographies reflective of the communities where KCSO provides policing. 

Individuals interested in serving on the Community Advisory Board should submit a letter of interest, explaining their desire and qualifications. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2023. 

More information about the board and details on the application process can be found here


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Recycling options


Courtesy City of Shoreline

Cleaning up all of your boxes and bows?

Know which pieces of packaging can go into your recycling bin and which can't. 
  • Flat, dry cardboard goes in the recycling bin. Styrofoam blocks can be recycled at Recology Store. 
  • Plastic packaging like bubble wrap and air pillows can be recycled at many grocery stores. 
For more holiday recycling tips, visit https://buff.ly/3UUgSZv



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Almost 2023

 
Cartoon by Whitney Potter



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McAleer Creek jumping its banks by Lake Ballinger

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

McAleer Creek over its banks in Mountlake Terrace
Photo courtesy City of Mountlake Terrace

The City of Mountlake Terrace shared this photo of McAleer Creek - the outfall of Lake Ballinger - jumping its banks.

McAleer Creek has multiple tributaries in Shoreline which all join up and head through Lake Forest Park to drain into Lake Washington.

Echo Lake drains to Lake Ballinger through a culvert under the highway (SR 104 / Lake Ballinger Way / NE 205th / SW 244th)



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It’s a Wonderful Life and Major Jimmy Stewart

By Doug Cerretti

One of the many things we do during the Holidays is watch Christmas movies. It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart is on the top of my list. 

It’s a Wonderful Life is an example of the darker post-WWII movies reflecting the experiences of WWII. 

The movie was released in 1946 to mixed reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office, in part due to this dark nature with a theme of suicide during Christmas, “you're worth more dead then alive,” as Mr. Potter said.

Maj. Jimmy Stewart
Over the years, of course, it become a Christmas and cinema classic. 

This was the first movie Major Jimmy Stewart made after returning home from WWII. 

You may not have known that Stewart pulled strings to become a pilot in the Army Air Corps (he was too old) and additional strings to fly in combat (who wants to have a movie star KIA under your watch?). 

Stewart was a B-24 Bomber pilor
Stewart was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a B-24 Bomber pilot, 703rd Squadron Commander and 445th Bomb Group operations officer. 

He flew 20 missions over Europe and felt responsible for every airman that was lost under his command. 

Like many veterans he carried this emotional load home and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) although it was not recognized then. 

So when you watch It’s a Wonderful Life or any post-WWII jimmy Stewart movie think about this nuance. 

Below is a link to an article by Dave Kindy published December 2020 about Jimmy Stewart’s war years. 

Just another reason he is one of my favorite actors.

Dave Kindy (12/21/2022) Jimmy Stewart Owed His Most Memorable Holiday Performance to World War II.

Photos from HistoryNet.com



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Why do people play Bridge? Come find out

Tens of thousands of people spend hundreds of hours each year playing bridge. What's so great about the game?

Seattle Bridge Center is offering a limited series of drop-in bridge sessions on Monday evenings in early 2023. 

This series is appropriate for adults, and for middle-school and high-school students accompanied by adult family members. 

Bridge players, bridge prodigals, and the bridge-curious are all welcome.

If you're not a bridge player yet, we'll play stepping-stone games that introduce bridge concepts.

If you're a non-competitive bridge player, or you're returning to the game after some time away, we'll get you started with modern duplicate bridge.

If you're already playing duplicate bridge, this is a chance to get some supervised play, with hand records at the end of the evening.

  • Dates: Monday evenings in January (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th). February dates will be scheduled toward the end of January.
  • Times: 7pm to 9pm
  • Location: Seattle Bridge Center, 1539 NE 145th St, Seattle (shared parking lot with Dollar Tree)
  • Cost: $5 per person per session, please bring cash. Youngsters up to age 18 are free.
  • Ages: Adults; plus middle-school and high-school students accompanied by adult family members.
  • Food: Light snacks provided, along with coffee, tea, and water.

Your host is David Dailey, who teaches beginner lesson series at Seattle Bridge Center. The next regular series of beginner lessons will start in late April or early May.

Questions? Email SeattleBridgeCenter@gmail.com with the subject line "January 2023 Drop-In Bridge".


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Winter break basketball clinic for 3rd-5th grade youth and 6th-8th graders

Finesse Inferno Basketball training has been serving youth in the Wesco and north Seattle area for over two years now. We are a program that specializes in breaking down the skills of the game and how to move in the most efficient way possible for ingame results. 

December 30th at Edmonds Frances Anderson Center 700 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020 I will be running a basketball clinic for 3rd-5th grade youth and 6th-8th graders. Our last clinic at Archbishop Murphy High School was a success with a large turn out, we are hoping to see many faces again!

Topics that will be covered: 
  • Man on man defense: teaching the details of how to move your feet and stay in front of your defender.
  • Shooting: the proper shooting mechanics to get your shot off quick. Moves off the triple threat to get by your defender.  


Please give me a call, email, or contact me on one of my social media accounts if you have any questions. 

I have informational videos on my style of training and about my program on my social media sites.

Dante Lewis 425-210-7875
FINESSE INFERNO BASKETBALL TRAINING LLC 



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Gloria's Birds: One of my goals each winter

 
Puffy black-capped chickadee
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler


Puffy varied thrush
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

Puffy junco
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

 is to capture images of puffy boids (it's how they insulate themselves in cold weather).

--Gloria Z. Nagler


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Jeff Foxworthy on living in Washington

Jeff Foxworthy
Versions of this circulate on social media, credited to comedian Jeff Foxworthy. He might actually have written them.

Note: I drove down Ballinger Way in LFP when there was 4 inches of snow on the ground and the temperatures were in the 20s. I passed a guy walking along the road who was wearing bermuda shorts - and flip-flops. 

Jeff Foxworthy on living in Washington
  1. If someone in a Lowes/Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there ...you live in Washington.
  2. If you've worn shorts, flip-flops and a warm-jacket at the same time, you live in Washington.
  3. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.
  4. If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.
  5. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.
  6. If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.
  7. If you can drive through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Eastern Washington.
  8. If you get your kid's Halloween costumes to fit over 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.
  9. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with leaves, mud or ice, you live in Washington.
  10. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.
  11. If you feel guilty throwing bottles, cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.
  12. If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.
  13. If you know more people who own boats than have air conditioning, you live in Washington.
  14. If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.
  15. If you consider that if it has no snow on it (or has not recently erupted), that it is not a ‘real’ mountain, then you live in Washington.
  16. If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tullys, you live in Washington.
  17. If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.
  18. If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Snoqualamie, Wenatchee , Spokane , Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.
  19. If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.
  20. If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai food, you live in Washington.
  21. If you never go camping without a tarp and waterproof matches on you, you live in Washington.
  22. If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.
  23. If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you definitely live in Washington.
  24. If you buy new sunglasses every single year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, then you live in Washington.
  25. If you actually understand these jokes ...and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington


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Power still out for a few at midnight Tuesday

Monday, December 26, 2022

Outages at midnight 12-27-22
After the wind blast that took down branches and trees and power all over the county 7am Monday, December 26, 2022, Seattle City Light is down to 49 active events and 298 customers in all of King county. 

My yard is covered with branches again. Only a few will require a chainsaw; most are small enough to be picked up and stuffed in the compost bin - which fortunately was emptied sometime last week.

I think I'll wait until after the next windstorm. (See the most recent WeatherWatcher article).

--Diane Hettrick



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WeatherWatcher: Wind Advisory issued for Tuesday

 
Wind storm aftermath in Shoreline August 2015
Photo by Carl Dinse
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a wind advisory for the greater Puget Sound region, including the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas. The wind advisory is in effect from 7am on Tuesday until 1am Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of 50mph are possible, with a slight chance of wind gusts exceeding 60mph.

Winds are expected to peak in the area at around 4pm or 5pm Tuesday evening. In general, strong winds are expected to last 6-8 hours on Tuesday compared to Monday morning's short burst. More power outages are expected with this storm, especially with the moist soil conditions. 

Another round of heavy rain is preceding this wind event adding around another 3/4 of an inch of rain to the already saturated ground. There is also a Flood Watch in effect until Wednesday afternoon. Significant amounts of rain with snow melt have added an increased risk of landslides in the area.

A cloudy, rainy, and mild weather pattern is expected to continue into the New Year. There is some potential for another windstorm to arrive sometime around Friday. I will write another weather article when details become clearer on that storm system.

Monday morning, we had a short burst of winds with a strong cold front that moved through around 7am. Winds at SeaTac airport gusted to 55mph, while at Paine Field in Everett winds gusted to 49mph.

We recorded a gust of 31mph at the Shoreline Weather Richmond Beach station. Another personal station near the Puget Sound in Shoreline on Weather Underground recorded a gust of 52mph.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



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Christmas greetings

Sunday, December 25, 2022

 
The days are getting longer, the snow and ice are gone (for now), the rain is back. May your days be peaceful, your nights restful, and your heart be still.

--Diane Hettrick



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Cold hummingbird finds a little warmth

Photo by Mike Remarcke

This cold little hummer found some warmth in Mike Remarcke's Christmas lights. Temperatures are up for now but another storm is due mid-January.



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For the Birds: Hummers need winter nectar

Feeder under eave with trouble light keeping it
 and the area warm Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

When the winter cold temperatures start making the hummingbird feeders freeze up, it is time for extra attention. 

Because of their high metabolism hummingbirds always have a thin margin between adequate nutrition and starvation, especially when insects are scarce.

“Anna's hummingbirds eat more insects than any other North American hummingbird, and this may help them in bad weather. 
"It is thought that Anna's hummingbirds are able to spend the winter so far north because they eat more insects and spiders than most hummingbirds.”  kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/annas-hummingbird 

As long as there are no cats, putting a feeder
under shelter can keep nectar warmer.
Photo by Elaine Chuang
Anna’s are able to eat spiders and bugs wedged in crevices to supplement their instant nectar shots. These little smarties know where to look, but ice makes it hard to get to them.

To help conserve their energy, Anna’s Hummingbirds are able to down-shift their metabolism by entering “torpor” where heart rate and body temperature are reduced to a bare minimum of about 40 beats per minute (down from 400) and body temp about 48F (down from 107F).

Many other hummingbird species do this, like the ones in the Andes.

When temperatures get below 30 degrees people with hummingbird feeders need to keep them from freezing. 

One way is to bring them in at night, but Anna’s feed very early in the morning, often before sunrise, because our long northern nights make it too long to wait any longer, so you need to put them out early, early. 

Rotating a couple of feeders throughout the day works but requires diligence.

Anna's Hummer on covered
heated feeder. Photo by Mary
Another way to keep the feeders from freezing is to put the feeder under an eave and shine an incandescent light near it to keep the feeder area warm, or one can buy a hummingbird feeder heater.

Adding a baffle over a feeder will keep the snow and ice off the feeder ports, protect the hummers, and keep the feeder a little warmer during the cold. 

Hand warmers and incandescent Christmas light work marginally, but not down into the teens.

It is important to clean your feeders about once a week during cold weather.

Keep the nectar solution at four-parts water to one-part cane sugar. Don’t believe the myth that the ratio should be changed in cold weather.

These little bundles of energy bring us delight as we watch them zipping around. Help keep them alive by keeping their nectar liquid during cold spells.



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USCG cutter Healy meets Santa

Earlier this year, researchers aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy reached the North Pole for the third time in the ship's career. 
And who did they happen to find? Santa  of course!

The trip to the Arctic was part of the international Synoptic Arctic Survey, a research initiative aimed at collecting empirical data in the Arctic Ocean. The goal of the research is to build a comprehensive data set to provide a baseline and track climate change and its impact on the Arctic.

Want to learn more about the research? Check out this blog from author and artist Leonard Sussman who was aboard the "Healy" during the cruise https://bit.ly/3YM7B8a (His blog has gorgeous photos)



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The Little Demonstration Garden That Could

Demonstration garden in LFP
Photo by Marty Byrne
By Marty Byrne

The Animal Acres Demonstration Garden is tucked away in south Lake Forest Park's Pfingst Animal Acres behind Town Center (and across from LFP Presbyterian). 

The garden is approximately 1200 square feet, situated along a split rail fence that borders the street. 

WSU Extension Master Gardeners and community volunteers plan, plant, and maintain the 10 raised beds, arbor, and containers to show how vegetables, herbs, fruit, and ornamentals can co-exist and enhance a garden space. 

The park features a popular walking path, so WSU Master Gardeners get quite a few questions from residents.

During the 2022 season, the garden yielded beyond our expectations, despite the periods of heavy rain, drought, and the other weather oddities we experienced. 

Here is a sample of the produce we harvested:
  • Apples (2 varieties): 20 lb
  • Grapes: 60 lb
  • Blueberries: 3 lb
  • Carrots (2 containers): 2.5 lb
  • Chard: 2 lb
  • Collards: 4 lb
  • Lettuce: 10 lb
  • Tomatoes (cherry): 3.5 lb
  • Herbs: approximately 3 lb
  • Total (includes yields not listed): 133 lb
All produce is donated to local food banks.

The apple "trees" are espaliered along the split rail fence, as is the grapevine. Plant choices for nine of the beds change each year, to try new varieties and adjust for rotation and changing conditions. 

Bed #10 is a well-established herb bed. The Master Gardeners and community volunteers installed a drip irrigation system in 2014 that greatly simplified watering chores at the garden.

In 2023, astrological spring is March 23. Meteorological spring arrives March 1, and Celtic spring on February 1. 

We are looking forward to planning and planting in the new season as early as possible! You can find the garden on our website at https://mgfkc.org/resources/map-of-mg-clinics-and-gardens

Marty Byrne is a WSU Extension Master Gardener



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Breakfast at the Juice Bar

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Photo by Wayne Pridemore
 
Wayne's juice bar was in demand, as usual, as this little hummer came in for breakfast.



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Christmas services at Saint Dunstan's

Saint Dunstan’s the Church that Feeds People wants to invite you to join us at one or all our three Christmas services this year. 

On Christmas Eve at 4pm we will be having our Lessons and Carols “Family Service” which will be a great time of celebration for all people.

At 10pm we are having our Candlelight Service, a beautiful traditional service to welcome Christ into the world.

Finally if you are looking for a Sunday Morning 10am service we would love to have you join us on Christmas Morning to celebrate the Birth of the Christ Child!

We hope to see you there, and Love Always!


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Margaret Hartley: Snow Day

 
Cartoon by Margaret Hartley

Almost everyone except first responders and snow plow operators had an unplanned snow day Friday.



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Best holiday movies to watch with kids this season

Stock photo courtesy ParentMap.com
Reprinted from ParentMap.com

By Christopher Shiple

Right off the bat, I’m going to get myself on the naughty list by cheating a little. Our family’s all-time favorites, the ones we seem to watch every year, are “A Christmas Story” (1983), “Home Alone” (1990), and “Elf” (2003). 

Chances are you’ve already watched these with your kids, but if you haven’t, you absolutely need to start with these three. But I don’t want to take up three recommendation slots with such obvious choices, so I’m cramming them all together — which technically makes this list have twelve suggestions ... for the 12 days of Christmas! Thematically appropriate! Ho ho ho!!

You might also notice some all-time classics missing from our list. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) is a magical story your kids might appreciate when they’re older. But if your gang is anything like mine, anything in black-and-white makes their eyes roll back in their skull. So we’re only going as far back as the ’80s.

1. For some reason, we watched “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989) at an outdoor screening last summer. The film is way more family-friendly than the other National Lampoon vacation movies, and my kids laughed the whole way through the story of Chevy Chase stuck hosting his entire extended family for Christmas.

2. Okay, time for a little controversy. People have been arguing for years about whether or not “Die Hard” (1988) should be considered a Christmas movie. I say yes. It’s set at Christmas, and it features lots of Christmas music. But the important thing to keep in mind is if you’ve got older kids (the movie is rated R) who seem reluctant to want to sit down for movie time, they will probably make an exception for what is inarguably the greatest action movie of all time. Yippee ki-yay, Christmas lovers!

3. The Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” gets retold in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992). I’ve always had a soft spot for Kermit and the gang’s gentle but still laugh-out-loud comedy. With any luck, your kids will like it enough that, afterward, you can stream them old episodes of “The Muppet Show.”

4. I know not everyone thinks “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) is an all-time classic. And frankly, it’s nowhere near my personal favorite. But there are only so many versions of “Santa’s in trouble” and “Let’s save Christmas” I can stand every year. And Henry Selick’s stop-motion dark fantasy that blends Christmas with Halloween is an imaginative change of pace that’s worth checking out.

5. “Get Santa” (2014) is another one of those familiar versions of kids saving Christmas, with the fun twist here that Santa is going to prison. With its British roots, it has a different vibe than most typical American holiday films. But there are farting reindeer, so your kids will love it.

6. “The Christmas Chronicles” (2018) follows familiar ground in a story about kids racing against the clock to save Christmas. But it’s well made, and Kurt Russell brings his trademark swagger to the role of Santa. There’s a sequel I haven’t seen yet, but I expect more of the same, especially from Netflix.

7. I’m recommending the animated version of Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” (2018) and not the Jim-Carrey-looks-creepy live-action one. We all know the story, but the movie manages to add a lot of topical humor for today’s audiences.

8. I can’t think of an actress who more embodies the holiday spirit than Anna Kendrick, who brings her unbridled joy to “Noelle” (2019), where she plays Santa’s daughter who gets wrapped up in some family drama. This one’s as charming as it is funny.

9. If you’re looking for something completely original, try “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (2020). It’s a story about a toymaker trying to right a wrong. I just learned it was originally supposed to be a stage production, which makes sense — the music and dancing are fantastic. This film was nominated for nine NAACP Image Awards, too.


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When your best friend picks up your newspaper every day...

Olive picks up the newspaper at 4am every morning
Photo by Martin Král

it's even better when the driveway is covered in ice and snow



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Plan ahead if your holiday travels involve driving onto a ferry

Docking in the San Juans
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Hundreds of thousands of people will be dashing through the sea in white and green ferry boats through the end of the year.

Travelers planning a ride aboard Washington State Ferries this holiday season should prepare for busy sailings and long waits if boarding in a vehicle. Riders are also encouraged to regularly check online sailing schedules, as some timetables are dependent on staffing or may be affected by winter weather.

Customers can sign up for rider alerts to receive an update each night and morning on what schedule is operating on each route. The alerts also provide updates if staff shortages lead to unexpected service reductions.

Ferries are popular every holiday weekend. 

The busiest sailings will likely be westbound (or onto an island) Saturday, December 24, then eastbound (or off island) Sunday, December 25, and in the days after Christmas. 

To reduce or eliminate waiting, riders may consider taking an early morning or late-night sailing or walking on. On Christmas, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1, all routes will operate as a typical Sunday.



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Region’s congressional leaders secure critical funding for transit expansion

Sound Transit Board leaders

News from Sound Transit

The passage of Congress’ FY 2023 spending bill will provide $586.5 million in funding for Sound Transit—including earlier-than-expected payments toward previously executed federal grant agreements and more than $115 million in new funding.

"This bill significantly expands funding for completing the largest transit expansion program in the nation," said Sound Transit Board Chair Kent Keel. 
"It not only provides accelerated funding of the Full Funding Grant Agreements for Lynnwood Link and Federal Way Link but also provides more than $115 million in new funding for those projects through a provision similar to Senator Murray’s Public Transit Capital Investment Relief Act of 2021, which was co-sponsored by Senator Cantwell."

The bill, which will be signed into law in the coming days by President Biden, provides a total of $468 million to fund Sound Transit’s two Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs):
  • The Federal Way Link FFGA will receive $268 million, which finishes the federal commitment of $790 million three years ahead of schedule
  • The Lynnwood Link FFGA will receive $200 million, leaving only $250 million remaining to fulfill the $1.17 billion agreement.

The accelerated payments will reduce agency borrowing, creating more than $40 million in savings for regional taxpayers.

The bill also includes a provision that will provide an additional $115.5 million for those two projects: 
  • $54 million for Lynnwood and $61 million for Federal Way. These funds are on top of the FFGA commitments for those projects.

Additionally, Sound Transit will receive $3 million for safety and security improvements to the stations in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, through Congressionally Directed Spending sponsored by Rep. Jayapal and Senator Murray.

Sound Transit’s financial plan assumes 19.5% of the capital program will come from federal sources, and these funds are critical to helping meet that target.

"As Sound Transit forges ahead with the nation's most ambitious transit expansion program, we are exceptionally fortunate to have the strong support of every member of our Congressional delegation, including Senators Murray and Cantwell, along with Representatives DelBene, Jayapal, Kilmer, Larsen, Schrier, Smith, and Strickland," said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who will chair the Sound Transit Board starting January 1, 2023. 
"Together, we will build and operate the infrastructure to protect our planet while helping millions of Puget Sound residents thrive."

"This investment by the federal government comes at a crucial time for Sound Transit, as we enter a period of unprecedented expansion north, south and east," said Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Dave Somers. 

"Our expansions will not only enhance the region’s mobility, economy and environment, but also help train and employ the next-generation labor force and connect workers to jobs. Coming on top of this year’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this spending bill marks an exceptional year for federal investments in transit for the Puget Sound region, and I look forward to continuing progress on Lynnwood and Everett Link."

In the next several years, Sound Transit will more than double the region’s light rail system from 26 miles to 62 miles. Later expansions are set to expand the light rail system to 116 miles while establishing new Stride bus rapid transit services along the north, east and south sides of Lake Washington and improving Sounder commuter rail service.


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When life gives you an ice rink in the street..

Seth Walton holds 'broom' at the ready
Photo by David Walton
Well, when life deals you lemons or ice, make lemonade or an ice rink - and do some curling! A little makeshift curling - in the street in Lake Forest Park!! 

Matthew Walton sweeps the ice while Seth makes the throw
Photo by David Walton
Thanks to the ice that covered everything and shut down most things.

--David Walton


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Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter closed until further weather events

Friday, December 23, 2022

NUHSA reports:

It appears that temperatures are rising, and we are not seeing activation conditions for the next week (as of Friday). We will remain closed until the next stretch of severe weather.

The few local daytime warming locations are run by volunteers and libraries. Most seem to be shut down due to dangerous driving conditions that kept people at home Friday.

The unsheltered depend on public transportation. All local transportation was shut down, except for Sound Transit. Metro announced they will resume service at 4pm Friday.

The Hangar in Kenmore is listed as a daytime warming center, but did not appear to be open on Friday. 

The King County Regional Housing Authority lists resources here including three small shelters in downtown Seattle and Seattle Center.

It appears that many people will be outside.

--Diane Hettrick



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Reader reports: icy roads

5:26am  The hills in the area of 24th NW and 201st NW are super slick. Studded tires didn’t help.
--Rebekah







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Dec. 23 7:30am: All Metro service suspended due to ice

Photo courtesy Metro Transit
From King County Metro Matters blog

As first shared on Dec. 23 at 5am, King County Metro’s buses are unable to leave bus bases due to deteriorating and unsafe road conditions. 

We regret the impact on our riders. We continue to reassess and will provide the next update at 10am. 

We remain optimistic that we will be able to provide service later today.

Since Metro communicated yesterday its move to the Emergency Snow Network (ESN), fast-accumulating ice and sub-freezing temperatures across King County have worsened and make it impossible for any buses to travel at the present time. 

We will add bus service as soon as it is safe for customers and employees.

Other service updates for Fri., Dec. 23
  • Access paratransit is suspended today other than for than life-sustaining medical needs. Providers are assessing conditions and icy roads may interfere with additional trips.
  • City of Seattle Streetcar is currently suspended on both the First Hill and South Lake Union lines.
  • King County Water Taxi’s morning trips today on both the Vashon and West Seattle routes are canceled.
  • On-demand services including Community Ride, Community Van, Ride Pingo and Via to Transit are suspended today.
  • Sound Transit Link light rail is currently operating.

The National Weather Service Seattle recommends staying indoors and not driving if you can. Cold weather shelter locations are available through the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe and warm. Our crews continue to work throughout the night and the morning to ensure safe operating conditions for our vehicles, and access to bases, bus stops and transit centers.


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When your living room looks like a Christmas card


Photo by Jan Hansen
Jan Hansen doesn't need Christmas cards - she lives in one.

 

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Congressional and Legislative District recounts certified

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
OLYMPIA — Election recounts for the 3rd and 9th Congressional Districts and the 10th Legislative District have been completed, confirming the General Election outcomes certified by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs Dec. 7.

The amended results certified by the Office of the Secretary of State reflect the outcomes of the recount processes prescribed in state law.

The requested machine recount of the full 3rd Congressional District, certified today, resulted in a 14-vote change in the total. 

The addition of nine votes for Democratic candidate Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and five votes for Republican candidate Joe Kent adjusted the margin of victory from 2,629 votes to 2,633 votes. 

Seven counties took part in the recount, which amended the vote totals in Clark County by 10 votes, Cowlitz County by two votes, and Skamania and Thurston counties by one vote each.

A requested two-precinct hand recount in the 9th Congressional District did not change the vote totals for the race. A machine recount required by state law in the 10th Legislative District added five votes to the total, all for Democratic candidate Clyde Shavers. 

The recount adjusted the margin of victory from 211 votes to 216 votes. All five votes were from Island County.

Election certification documents can be found at the Office of the Secretary of State’s 2022 General Election data web page.



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Irons Brothers: Secure your home for the winter cold

Photo by Bruce Hill
Winter tips from Irons Brothers Construction Design-Build

While snow or extreme cold may not be frequent for us in the Pacific Northwest, when we experience even moderate snow falls or brief cold snaps during the winter, these temperatures can take a big toll on your home.

Winter weather can also knock out heat, power and other services to your home, sometimes for several consecutive days.

Here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you make sure your home is the best shelter possible for you and your family during the colder months that have just begun for us.
  • Ensure you are keeping out outside air and moisture. Insulate walls and attics, caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and install storm windows.
  • Clear rain gutters so they don’t fill with water that could freeze and cause damage to the roof due to the added weight.
  • Trim tree branches that could potentially fall on your home during a storm. Hiring a professional is strongly advised, especially if any branches are near power lines.
  • Have your heating equipment and chimney cleaned and inspected every year. Ensure there are no openings in the chimney bricks or mortar or flashing.
  • Insulate water pipes with foam wrap or similar products to help prevent them from freezing.
  • Make sure all your fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, and the vent openings are clear of debris and snow.
  • Learn how to shut off your main water valve in case your pipes do freeze and burst.
  • Hire a contractor to check the structural integrity of your roof to sustain the weight of accumulated snow or water.
During the winter, many people use alternate heating and power sources. But doing so can increase the risk of electric shock, house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning if the necessary safety precautions are not taken:
  • Keep fire extinguishers around the home, and make sure all family members know how to use them.
  • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning device inside your home, garage, basement, crawl space or any partially enclosed area. And do not place the unit near a door, window or vent where carbon monoxide could seep indoors.
  • Space heaters should only be placed on a level surface and away from heavy foot traffic when in use, especially if pets or small children are nearby. It’s best to have space heaters that automatically turn off when a room reaches the desired temperature or in the event it is tipped over.
We hope these small lessons will help you in being safe and smart this winter season. Stay warm and safe!



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Pink mountains

Photo by Lee Wolfe

For a few moments Thursday morning the mountains glowed with pink snow.

--Lee Wolfe



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City of Shoreline Winter Weather update 12/22/2022 2:30pm

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Boeing Creek Park photo copyright Tom Wear
City of Shoreline Winter Weather update REVISED - Thursday 12/22 - 2:30pm Update
  • Holiday Break Camps at Spartan Recreation Center are CANCELLED for Friday, December 23.
  • Spartan Recreation Center and Shoreline City Hall will both delay opening until 10:00am Friday December 23. 
  • Depending on conditions Friday morning, these facilities may close all together.
Conditions forecast

Cold temperatures and wind chills will impact the area overnight and there is a strong chance of widespread freezing rain overnight through the Friday morning commute. 

Avoid or delay travel if possible. 

If you must travel, check road and transit conditions before beginning your trip and prepare for possible delays.

What is freezing rain?

Freezing rain is liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with cold surfaces as it enters a shallower layer of temperatures at or below 32 degrees F near the surface. 

This creates a dangerous coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees, and power lines.

With an accumulation of ice, there is a possibility of tree limbs snapping and taking out power lines. Prepare for potential power outages.

For the latest weather forecast go to National Weather Service.

Stay Safe!
  • Live Wire Warning - Keep your distance from any downed lines and report them at 206-684-3000.
  • Darkened Intersections - Treat all darkened intersections as a four way stop and to be cautious of drivers who may not stop.
  • Apartments without Fire Alarms - Apartment buildings without power for long periods of time can lose their fire alarm systems. Conduct a fire watch to keep residents safe.
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Do not use barbecue or other open flame sources in the home. The smoke from an open flame indoors can lead to death or injury from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Snow Removal

Shoreline crews have worked hard to clear primary and secondary routes and are prepping them with sand/deicer in anticipation of cold overnight temperatures causing ice. Reminder, plows only move to neighborhood streets after primary and secondary roads are clear. Depending on conditions, it could take several days before you see a plow on your street. 

Property Owner Responsibilities - Clear your sidewalks and driveways

Shoreline homeowners and business/property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off driveways and sidewalks near their property, including the ridge of snow left along the edge of driveways by the snow plow. Please keep your sidewalks clear for pedestrians.
  • If snow is removed from your property, make sure the snow is not placed in the right of way.
  • Right of way and catch basins must also be kept clear to accommodate melting snow and to avoid pooling water.
  • More information about stormwater drains can be found on the Adopt-A-Drain page.
Road Closures

Depending on conditions, the City may post road closure signs on some of our known danger spots. You can see where those are on the Snow Event Closure Map. The City may also need to close other roads due to conditions.

Current road closures (additional closures may be added as conditions are assessed):
  • All roads on the Snow Event Closure Map are currently closed.
Facility closures and/or hours of operations and meeting notices:

We are monitoring weather and road conditions. City facility hours might be impacted if conditions warrant late opening or early closure.
  • City Hall
    • Delayed opening until 10:00am Friday December 23. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may close all together.
  • Spartan Recreation Center
    • Delayed opening until 10:00am Friday December 23. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may close all together.
  • Richmond Highlands Recreation Center
    • Open. Depending on conditions Friday morning, City facilities may be closed.
  • Shoreline Parks
    • Richmond Beach Saltwater Park is closed to vehicle traffic.
    • Our other parks are open; however, we encourage visitors to use caution. Ice on trees from freezing rain can cause tree branches to snap and trees to fall. Please stay out from under trees and avoid forested park areas during the current weather conditions.
Power Outages

The Seattle City Light website allows you to check the status of a power outage. Contact Seattle City Light for more information at (206) 684-7000.
  • Never use a generator, charcoal, or gas grill in an enclosed space, including your home and garage. These emit carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell but can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat especially when families look for alternate ways to heat their homes during a power outage.
  • Never touch or go near any downed power lines.
  • Remember to treat all intersections as a 4-way stop when traffic lights are out.
Power outage safety and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention information

Public Transit

Some King County Metro and Community Transit buses are running on snow reroutes. Please check your route before traveling. For more information, visit Metro's Service Advisories website or Community Transit's Rider Alerts.

Storm drains and localized flooding

As the snow melts, street drains and culverts can plug as chunks of snow and slush move towards the drainage inlets. If this occurs there may be localized flooding as the water ponds or bypasses plugged drains. 

City maintenance crews will be clearing drainage inlets and culverts but may not be able to catch them all in advance of a problem. You can help prevent problems in your area - if you see snow plugging a drain or culvert consider clearing it and putting the snow uphill of the drain where it can melt without causing problems.

Locate storm drains near your house

A similar situation can arise on roofs with snow that may plug roof drains or scuppers as it melts. If possible, monitor your roof and maintain the roof drains. Some structures, such as out buildings and car ports, are at a higher risk of collapse under wet snow, so please use caution.

Winter Storm Resources


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