City of Lake Forest Park to recognize former resident and award-winning science fiction author Octavia E. Butler

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Octavia Butler being honored in Lake Forest Park
Lake Forest Park, Wash. – 
The City of Lake Forest Park will recognize the many contributions of science fiction author Octavia E. Butler with an honorary street dedication on July 29, 2023.

Ms. Butler was a visionary and influential African American author whose groundbreaking work greatly contributed to the science fiction and speculative fiction genres. 

She was the first science fiction author to receive a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and was later awarded the PEN West Lifetime Achievement Award for her body of work.

Octavia Butler's novels, including Kindred, Parable of the Sower, and Lilith's Brood, have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Awards for Best Novelette in 1985 and the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1999. Ms. Butler spent the last years of her life living on 37th Avenue in Lake Forest Park, where she wrote her final novel, Fledgling, in 2005.

“The City of Lake Forest Park is fortunate to benefit from the wide array of notable and talented people, like Ms. Butler, who found a home in our city, and added to its rich history,” said Mayor Jeff Johnson.

Since her death in 2006, Ms. Butler’s reputation has soared as readers recognize the relevance of her exploration of important themes such as race, gender, power dynamics, and social justice, challenging them to critically examine the world we live in. Her work is now taught in over 200 colleges and universities nationwide and at least two of her novels are currently being adapted for television.

The dedication will be held on Saturday July 29, 2023, at 10:00am at the Intersection of NE 165th Street and 37th Avenue NE.




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Op-Ed: NUHSA Endorses Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy Renewal (King County Prop. 1)

On August 1st, King County residents will have the opportunity to vote to renew the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). 

Many area service providers, senior centers and community leaders have already endorsed this critical support for our communities, and NUHSA is strongly advocating for its renewal.

The VSHSL serves as foundational funding for assisting veterans, senior citizens and our most vulnerable neighbors. 

Throughout King County, the VSHSL provides over $60 million in annual investments to more than 150 community-based organizations and delivers services for residents through over 300 essential programs. 

These diverse programs help people transition to affordable housing, get job training, find employment, access emergency financial assistance, connect with domestic violence advocacy, receive behavioral health treatment, and access many other resources and services.

If approved, the Levy would have an initial levy rate of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value (the same initial rate for the existing levy) and it would create more than $500 million in critical human services funding between 2024 and 2029.

In our north-end communities, that means essential support for our two senior centers, veterans’ organizations and human service providers, such as Crisis Connections and New Beginnings.

It signifies creating deep investments to aid survivors of gender-based violence, offering supportive housing options, and strengthening the human services workforce by improving wages. It also means doubling current funding for many senior centers across the region and continuing our nation-leading efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans in partnership with the Veterans Administration.

Overall, the Levy has served more than 185,000 people since its last renewal in 2017, including more than 27,000 veterans, service members or their families – and more than 100,000 seniors!

Let’s keep doing what works.

Please choose to vote YES on King County Prop. 1 and invest in the people, providers and programs that strengthen connections and build healthy communities.

Thank you for your consideration!

**See here and here to learn more about the Levy’s impact.


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Shoreline resident to DJ at Lynnwood Bowl and Skate 66th anniversary celebration


Shoreline resident Ken Boisse will be the cool DJ The Captain at the 66th anniversary celebration of Lynnwood Bowl and Skate on Sunday July 23, 2023.

The celebration includes a classic car how by Street Freak Kruzers and a performance by the North Queens Drill Team. 

Join them for great food and beverage discounts along with discount rates for bowling and skating.

DJ The Captain will be spinning platters and there will be dancing.

Festivities begin at 10am. Lynnwood Bowl and Skate, 6210 200th St SW, Lynnwood, WA.



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DOJ and UW Medical Center - Northwest resolve allegations the medical center violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in caring for patients who are deaf

Photo courtesy Liberty University which offers a BA in American Sign Language and Interpreting

Seattle – University of Washington Medical Center – Northwest (UWMC-NW) will reform its policies and procedures for providing sign-language interpreters, and other assistive devices for patients who are deaf or hard of hearing following a complaint from a patient that such services were not provided during a hospitalization in 2021. 

UWMC-NW will pay the patient $40,000 in addition to the changes in training, policies, and procedures.

“Ensuring effective communication in medical settings has been a top priority in our civil rights work,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. 
“Before and after surgery, a patient must be able to understand the medical staff and communicate their level of pain, their concerns, and any questions they have about ongoing care. This settlement clearly lays out the steps for UWMC-NW to comply with the ADA and provide best practices for their patients.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public entities, including healthcare providers, provide auxiliary aids and services free of charge to patients who need them in order to communicate effectively. 

An investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington, determined that UWMC-NW failed to provide the complainant with a qualified sign language interpreter necessary to communicate effectively with her on several occasions during her hospital stay in April 2021 including pre-surgical consultation, surgery, and post-surgical care. 

The hospital did attempt to use a Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) service, but it was ineffective.

The settlement requires the hospital to make a number of changes including:
  • UWMC-NW will have a designated ADA Coordinator on duty at all times that the hospital is open to the public. That person will coordinate services and assistive devices for patients who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing.
  • The UWMC-NW will enter into contracts with three interpreter services so that they are able to obtain an interpreter in a reasonable period of time.
  • Video Remote Interpreting will be used only if it meets certain guidelines, and will not be used for certain complex or lengthy appointments where in-person interpretation is critical.
  • All staff will be trained on the new procedures including the initial evaluation of whether a patient needs assistive services for communication.
  • The hospital will log the use of assistive devices and services and provide that log to the U.S. Attorney’s Office every six months for review. The hospital will also provide any complaints regarding provision of assistive services.
The review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue for the next three years. If the U.S. Attorney’s Office believes the terms of this settlement have been violated it can file suit in U.S. District Court.

The investigation and settlement were negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Matt Waldrop.


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Salmon Season Opens in Puget Sound

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE
 


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WSDOT to close major routes for maintenance this weekend

The upcoming "monster" closures on SR 520 and Montlake Boulevard will lead to significant progress in the project, which is on track to finish early next year. Graphic courtesy WSDOT

SEATTLE: Closures on SR 520, Montlake Boulevard started Friday July 14

People will encounter what we’re calling “monster” roadway closures on and around State Route 520 in Seattle starting Friday night, July 14, 2023.

Early warning: It’s not going to be pretty. In a nutshell, we’re closing parts of the SR 520 bridge across Lake Washington for two weekends in a row (July 14-17 and 21-24). Moreover, we’re closing Montlake Boulevard, one of Seattle’s busiest streets, during that entire 10-day stretch.

Why is this happening?

We’re aiming to complete the SR 520 Montlake Project early next year. This is a major phase of SR 520’s ongoing reconstruction between Interstate 5 in Seattle and I-405 on the east side of Lake Washington. The Montlake Project’s final stages, unavoidably, require several significant closures.

We know these closures are tough. The good news is drivers will see significant progress at the end of this “monster closure.” We’ll straighten Montlake Boulevard into its final north-south alignment. We’ll also open two new SR 520 on-ramps from Montlake: one westbound and one eastbound. The eastbound on-ramp will link to a new, three-lane eastbound bridge between Montlake and the SR 520 floating bridge. (We like to call the new eastbound span the world’s longest on-ramp to the world’s longest floating bridge.)

Even more exciting is that drivers will see a new, landscaped lid over SR 520 by early 2024. More details on the closures can be found in our blog.

Second weekend SR 520 closure, July 21-24

It’s a busy summer construction season and it means there will be times where work has to stack and its unavoidable.

Both directions of SR 520 will close again from 11pm Friday, July 21, through 5am Monday, July 24. The SR 520 Trail across the lake will remain open for both weekend closures.

Southbound travelers on Interstate 5 will need to plan for potential delays on their trips during an around-the-clock closure of the far-left lane of southbound I-5 near State Route 520 which began at 9pm Friday, July 14. The lane closure will last until 5am Monday, July 17

Limited access to eastbound SR 520

From 9pm on July 14 to 9am on July 15, southbound I-5 drivers will be able to access eastbound SR 520 using the normal exit. One lane of eastbound SR 520 will be open and all eastbound drivers will need to pay the SR 520 Bridge Toll due to the Montlake Boulevard exit being closed.

Drivers will not be able to take eastbound I-90 between 11:59pm on July 14 and 7am on July 15 due to scheduled maintenance in the tunnel.

At 9am on July 15, eastbound SR 520 will fully close but eastbound I-90 will be back open.


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Taxpayer Transparency Tool for August Ballot Measures

Tax Transparency Tool screen

King County Assessor John Wilson released his August 2023 primary election Taxpayer Transparency Tool, a website which provides each King County taxpayer an individualized accounting of where their property tax dollars go, and the estimated cost of any proposed property tax measure to be voted on.

All voters in King County will be asked to vote on a renewal of the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

“Taxpayers have a right to know where their money is going, and what each proposed property tax levy will cost them,” said Wilson. “Property taxes keep going up. We need to make sure the public understands why.”

Property Tax Measures on the August Ballot:

COUNTYWIDE: King County Prop 1: Renewal of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy

The tool can be found here.. There is a link to the tool on left side menu of the Assessor’s web page

The Transparency Tool only shows the impact of property tax measures. Other ballot measures, including sales tax measures or benefit charges, are not included.

The Tax Transparency Tool was introduced by Assessor Wilson and first used during the April special election in 2018.

The Tax Transparency Tool was developed for the King County Assessor by Spatialest Inc, a unique enterprise software company focusing on Location, Value and Technology. The company also created “Localscape” for the King County Assessor in 2014, (a map-based visualization tool) that aggregates data to present information.


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Jobs: WSDOT Maintenance Mechanic 3 – HVAC

WSDOT
Maintenance Mechanic 3 – HVAC
Shoreline, WA – Northwest Region
$62,597 – $72,526 Annually

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently seeking a skilled Maintenance Mechanic 3 to serve as the Heating Ventilation and Air Condition (HVAC) technician that will be responsible for performing skilled journey-level work installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventative maintenance on a variety of building systems that include mechanical, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. 

Safety is paramount and this position is expected to consider personal, co-worker, and public safety as the first and foremost objective during the planning and performance of all activities in connection with work assignments.

Job description and application


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Shoreline Fire Brush crew returns from Baird Springs fire

Three of the brush crew are from Shoreline Fire
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Shoreline brush crew returned from the Baird Springs fire after being there for a few days this week. 

Brush truck. Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

This was one of the many Wildland responses Shoreline expects to go on this summer with their new Brush Truck.


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Protests in Lake Forest Park over Sound Transit design for new bus lane through the city

Protesters rally in front of LFP City Hall
By Diane Hettrick
Photos by Mike Remarcke except as noted

Over 100 people gathered in front of Lake Forest Park City Hall on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in advance of an appearance by a Sound Transit executive at the City Council meeting.

CORE speakers rally the crowd

The protestors, anchored by the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation and a new citizen committee called Citizens Organized to Rethink Expansion (CORE) mobilized in response to Sound Transit's plan to expand Bothell Way through Lake Forest Park to add a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane through the length of the city.

The planned transit lane would require acquisition of private property along Bothell Way, removal of 490 trees alongside the road, and construction of a variable height concrete retaining wall along the west side of the street.

Signs say "A Better Way" "Save Our Trees" "Save our LFP"
Photo by Janet Way

Protesters held signs and chanted "JUST SAY NO to removing 500 trees!"

Protesters move into the council chamber to witness the presentation by Sound Transit

As the meeting was ready to begin, most of the demonstrators filed into the council chamber, filling all the available seats. The overflow went into a conference room where they viewed the meeting on a large screen.

Sound Transit CEO Julie Timm addresses the LFP Council.
Timm joined Sound Transit in September 2022.

They question the need for a dedicated bus lane, saying that it will take years of construction and millions of dollars just to save potentially 15 minutes on the route from Woodinville to the station at 148th.

The crowd overflow watched the meeting from a conference room.

The Stewardship Foundation pointed out that: 

LFP is only a small fraction of the overall Bus Rapid Transit route that links Seattle to Kenmore, Bothell, and beyond. 
Yet the inherent inequity between impacts to our city and our neighbors is stark and undeniable: the small stretch within LFP will bear well over 50% of the project’s environmental and property impacts, and represents 40% of the overall budget. 
Modifications will save time, taxpayer money and reduce impacts to the environment.

Benji made his own sign. Photo by Janet Way

The BRT route turns west onto NE 145th and continues to the 148th Shoreline South Transit Station. Yet no similar modifications are planned for 145th.

CORE wants Sound Transit to change the plan and use the design planned for 145th with queue bypass lane segments and bus transit signal priorities. 

Sound Transit data shows this design on 145th, one that does not use any lengthy dedicated bus lanes, saves up to 60% of the 15.6-minute shorter bus ride from the Shoreline Light Rail station all the way to the Bothell UW Campus, during the weekday afternoon rush hour. 

Applying this design in Lake Forest benefits everyone: It is less costly, takes less time to build, will still provide Bus Riders passing through LFP a faster transit, save money and cause far less devastating impact of the City Of Lake Forest Park.

A sell-out crowd observed the proceedings.

From the Stewardship Foundation:

Along with our City administration, City Council, and other concerned community groups, the Stewardship Foundation requests that Sound Transit adopt design refinements to reduce harm to the environment, limit property takings and better preserve our quality of life.


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Gloria's Birds: I love the Owl Perches you humans attach to your transportation, photog. Quite handy!

Friday, July 14, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(Welcomed home by our neighborhood Barred Owl this afternoon...)

--Gloria Z. Nagler



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Forensic Science Summer Camp next week with KIMSeattle

Micropipettes and microscopes are cool! Sign up for the Kids In Medicine camp for rising 6th-9th grade students from July 17th - 21st on campus. Camp participants will immerse themselves in a fictitious, yet realistic, simulated crime and spend the week solving the case.

Collected evidence from the recreated scene is analyzed using eight different fields of forensic science. 

There are 12 forensic science labs and activities daily and guest experts will teach alongside professional camp staff. Each day is infused with entertaining intrigue where camp participants view video footage of suspect interactions that leak clues and potential motive. 

On the last day, teams interrogate their main suspect, and present their cases to a prosecuting attorney. A short reveal-film of what “actually” happened concludes the camp.

Sponsored by Kids in Medicine and Science (KIMSeattle) and hosted at Shoreline Community College 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

Email for more information: info@kimseattle.org and KIMSeattle Forensic Science Summer Camp (campusce.net)


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Local students named to Pacific University Spring Dean's List

FOREST GROVE, OREGON (July 13, 2023) - Local students have been named to the Spring 2023 dean's list at Pacific University in Oregon. 

The dean's list recognizes undergraduate students in Pacific's colleges of Arts / Sciences, Business and Education who earn a grade-point average of at least 3.70 and complete 12 or more graded credit hours.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Seattle, WA 
  • Daniel Park
  • Camden Wyatt

Pacific University serves more than 3,600 students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, optometry and health professions. Committed to inspiring students to think, care, create, and pursue justice in the world, Pacific offers a transformational liberal arts foundation paired with meaningful professional preparation.



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Fatal shooting in Bitter Lake Neighborhood Thursday evening

Seattle Police were dispatched to reports of a shooting Thursday evening, July 13, 2023 in the Bitter Lake neighborhood.

Officers arrived just after 9:30pm in the 12500 block of Aurora Ave N and located a man who appeared to have been shot multiple times.

Police attempted life saving measures prior to Seattle Fire’s arrival. SFD took over medical care, but the 29-year-old man succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The events leading up to the shooting have not yet been determined.

SPD’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Homicide detectives will continue to investigate this case.

Meanwhile, if anyone has information, please call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.


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Problem resolved with follow.it email edition

Email digest subscribers began notifying us this week that they were no longer receiving the daily digests distributed by the follow.it program.

We were able to give specific examples to follow.it and they responded immediately.

We have investigated the issue and discovered that one of our email servers was mistakenly blacklisted by Spamhaus, an anti-spam organization. We have taken corrective actions, and the email-sending functionality should now be restored to its normal operation.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To see the articles that you missed, go to the web version of the Shoreline Area News at https://www.ShorelineAreaNews.com to view all we have published. 

You do not have to do anything to restore your subscription. You should begin receiving digests right away.

Also, email subscribers should be aware that follow.it has begun putting large ads at the head of the digest. Our stories start just below that. They also have ads at the end of the digest and occasionally along the sides.

Be careful not to click on any of these.

follow.it is a free program and the ads are the price of doing business with them.

--Diane Hettrick


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On the ballot: Renewal of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski speaks in support of the VSHSL to the LFP City Council, Mayor, and citizens at the Lake Forest Park city council meeting on Thursday, July 13.
Photo by Mike Remarcke

King County Proposition No. 1 Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) is on the primary ballot for the August election.

The King County Council passed Ordinance 19604 concerning replacement of an expiring veterans, seniors and human services levy. 

If approved, this proposition would fund capital facilities and services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families; seniors and caregivers; and resilient communities susceptible to reduced health, housing, financial, or social stability outcomes. 

It would authorize an additional six-year property tax levy for collection beginning in 2024 at $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with the 2024 levy amount being the base for calculating annual increases by 3.5% in 2025-2029; and exempt eligible seniors, veterans and disabled persons under RCW 84.36.381.

It is the largest source of funding for social service agencies in the county and as such has been endorsed by NUHSA as well as the Shoreline City Council.

 


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Lake City Summer Festival and Parade August 5, 2023

Free and Fun - It's a Northeast Seattle Tradition with something for everyone. Car show, Free Petting Zoo, meet a mermaid. Enjoy the Salmon Bake and treats from The Food Trucks. Crafts Vendors, Kid's area, Live Music and Dance, and a Giant Potato!

Map Lake City Way at NE 125th. Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Since 1947, The Lake City Summer Festival and Parade has been Northeast Seattle's biggest event of the year.

Join us again for our Classic Salmon Bake, Car Show, Family Fun Zone, Live Music and Dance Performances, Arts and Crafts Vendors, Food Trucks, a Free Petting Zoo, Mermaids, and A Giant Potato!

  • In the evening, see three parades down Lake City Way.
  • Your kids can be in The Rotary Kids parade at 6pm.
  • Bring your Dogs to the Dog Parade at 6:30.
  • And cheer for the Floats, Drill Teams, Bands, Clowns, and Pirates at our own Twilight Seafair Grand Parade at 7pm.
Did we mention the Giant Potato?


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Over-the-counter oral contraceptive approved by FDA

Dr. Sarah Prager
UW Medicine
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill (norgestrel) tablet for nonprescription use to prevent pregnancy— the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription. 

Approval of this progestin-only oral contraceptive pill provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online.  

The timeline for availability and price of this nonprescription product is determined by the manufacturer. Other approved formulations and dosages of other oral contraceptives will remain available by prescription only. 

Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the director of the department’s family planning division, expects the expanded availability to have widespread positive impact.

“Honestly, it impacts everybody because it doesn't matter what socioeconomic or sociodemographic group somebody is in: Almost all people who are using contraception at one point or another find themselves with a prescription that has run out, and the pharmacy is closed or they can't get in to see their clinician to get a refill, or they're traveling or some (other) barrier to being able to effectively contracept,” Prager said.

 

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NEW PRICE! Herbs and Recipes - Grow, Make and Use

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Grow your own herbs and learn how to dry and store them for year-round use. 

We will explore using herbs in sweet and savory recipes and then you will aromatic dried mixtures, scented gifts and herbal infused vinegars to take home! 

(children 10 or older, with supervision).

Dates: 7/18/2023 (TUES)
Times: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Fee: $49.00
Room 1504
Instructor: Kathy Anderson

REGISTER

Continuing Education from Shoreline Community College


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Estelle goes to the Market (Shoreline Farmers Market)

Intern Estelle Lee and a friend went to the Shoreline Farmers Market to check it out from a youth perspective. It should be noted that the musicians are different every week and the vendors and food trucks also change from week to week. The market is held every Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the Shoreline Park 'n Ride at 192nd and Aurora --Editor

Shoreline Farmers Market’s entrance on a bright Saturday afternoon

Shoreline Farmers Market: More Than a Farmers Market

Story and photos by Estelle Lee

Live music, art displays, and food with fresh ingredients from all around the world — am I at Bumbershoot? Nope, this is Shoreline Farmers Market.

Though I’ve lived in Shoreline for many years, I had never visited the 10-year-old seasonal farmers market. My parents do the grocery shopping, so I never went out to buy produce for the family either.

Magaña Farms’ shaded, red booth

But this farmers market may have changed my habits. As my friend and I glanced around the stands for Hayton and Magaña Farms, I couldn’t help but call my family. Were we in need of juicy red cherries? Or ripe golden onions?

Olsen Farms offers tubs of bacon, sausage, pork chops, and more

Coleville’s Olsen Farms displayed a delicious double-booth set-up with every kind of beef, lamb, and pork.

Another booth, Little Lolos Farms, even brought specialty herbs and microgreens from their innovative vertical farm in Belltown.

Shoreline Farmers Market is also “more than a farmers market.” Besides the tasty fruits and vegetables dispersed, it offers other dishes for brunch or dessert like Bosnian pastries, Indonesian eatery, and multiple Mediterranean options with pita and hummus. 

A food truck, Kathmandu MoMoCha, pulled into a spot by the entrance, offering Nepalese street food and Himalayan dumplings. 

“Your dog called… said to bring PupCakes!”

Even dogs can enjoy a gourmet snack at the PupCakes stand, ready for hungry pups with a tub of water besides their fresh-baked mixes.

Trying out Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce

At Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce, my friend and I tested five different gourmet sauces with local ingredients. Luckily, we had a bottle of water for between rounds. When water no longer sufficed, we turned around to see Smith Brothers milk and Seattle Pops in the booths conveniently across. For $5.50 each, I got a mint chocolate chip pop (my go-to), and my friend got chocolate banana.

Fan-favorite Seattle Pops sells pops of eight different flavors

Shoreline Farmers Market brings not only good eats, but good information. With stands like Save Shoreline Trees, I learned about tree canopies in Shoreline that are currently at risk with our city’s zoning plans.

Alluria displays colorful candles with colorful flags supporting LGBTQ visitors

At the woman and LGBTQ-owned candle company, Alluria, I sniffed beach and Prince-inspired candles while learning about the Lambert House, a center for LGBTQ youth in Seattle.

Manuel Castro Glass displayed gorgeous glasswork — in the shape of leaves, cups, and even spears. Nearby, M Jewelry sold colorful dangly earrings and necklaces in the shade. As I was about to leave, I saw kids lined up at a face painting table.

Jitensha takes a break to speak with passersby

Along with visual arts, my whole experience at the market was backed by garage pop duo Jitensha singing “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. It made me truly love my home of Shoreline.


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No Urban Center at Point Wells

Point Wells from Google Earth

By Tom McCormick

BSRE’s attempt to develop Point Wells as a high-density Urban Center is officially dead.

Since about 1900, Point Wells has been a tank farm. Point Wells is a low-lying property on Puget Sound in unincorporated Snohomish County, directly north of Shoreline. The only road to Point Wells is through Shoreline.

BSRE Point Wells, LP (BSRE) owns the land at Point Wells (about 61 acres). An unrelated oil company owns the pier, the fuel and oil tanks, pipes, and other structures. 

Marine fuel and asphalt oil operation and loading dock
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Since June 2020, the marine fuel and asphalt oil operations have been quiet. No vessels have offloaded or loaded marine fuel as they had in the past, no trains have offloaded asphalt oil, and no tanker trucks have transported it.

In 2011, BSRE submitted land use applications to Snohomish County to develop Point Wells as a high-density Urban Center. BSRE proposed to build about 3,000 residential units, in buildings as tall as 180 feet, plus over 100,000 square feet of commercial space. Since 2011, BSRE has spent over $10 million attempting to get its applications approved.

Snohomish County twice denied BSRE's applications due to substantial conflicts with the County's development code. The County's most recent denial of BSRE's applications was upheld by the state Court of Appeals in December 2022.

In March 2023, BSRE filed a petition for review with the Washington Supreme Court, hoping that the Court would accept its petition and reverse the Court of Appeals decision. That did not happen.

On July 11, 2023, the Washington Supreme Court denied BSRE's petition for review. As a result, BSRE’s attempt to develop Point Wells as a high-density Urban Center is officially dead. The County's denial of BSRE's applications, as upheld by the state Court of Appeals, is final.

Now we must wait to see what BSRE, and the unrelated oil company, will try to do next.

Will BSRE try to gain approval to develop Point Wells as a smaller-scale Urban Village, with perhaps 400 to 800 residential units, plus a second access road? As long as Point Wells remains unincorporated--that is, as long as it is not annexed by the Town of Woodway or the City of Shoreline--any application by BSRE to develop Point Wells as an Urban Village must be submitted to the County for processing.

Or will BSRE work with the oil company, and try to resume the site’s marine fuel and asphalt oil storage and distribution operations, a nonconforming use under the site's current Urban Village zoning? Under the County's code, if the oil company's marine fuel and asphalt oil operations are determined to have been "discontinued" for more than 12 months, the oil company cannot resume its "nonconforming" operations. 

While there are strong arguments that operations have been discontinued, the oil company could try to argue that, even though there has been no offloading, loading, or distribution of marine fuel and asphalt oil since June 2020, operations were never completely discontinued because it continues to employ a small crew, apparently to oversee management of the storm water system, and maintenance and repair of the equipment to keep it in running order.

Meanwhile, annexation lurks. Pursuant to a 2019 Settlement and Interlocal Agreement between the City of Shoreline and the Town of Woodway, the Town has the first opportunity to annex Point Wells. As an initial annexation hurdle, the Town must successfully negotiate an annexation interlocal agreement with the City of Shoreline, the County, and Olympic View Water and Sewer District. 

If the Town is successful, then the Town’s elected Council would need to vote in favor of annexation. If the Town fails to annex Point Wells, then the City of Shoreline will have an opportunity to annex it.

Stay tuned for further developments.


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Wildfires: Wagner Road Fire in Whitman County - 1000 acres and growing - evacuation in effect

Whitman County – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Wagner Road Fire located in Whitman County, near the town of Ewan. 

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 12, 2023, at 6:00pm at the request of Assistant Chief Ryan Scharnhorst, Whitman County Fire District 8.

The Wagner Road Fire started on July 12, 2023, at approximately 5:33pm. This fire is estimated at 1000 acres, and growing. It is burning in grass and brush and is threatening homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure. Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.



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Make your own sprout farm Wednesday at the Richmond Beach Library

 

Make Your Own Sprout Farm at the Richmond Beach Library
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 4pm

Join Lisa Taylor, garden educator extraordinaire, in a lively session all about sprouts! 

Learn how to setup your own sprout farm and what seeds you can use. Dive into the spice cabinet for surprising sprouting possibilities. Ages 5 to 10 with adult.

Please register here


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Historian David Buerge to speak at RB Library Saturday on Indigenous Communities of Richmond Beach

Historian David Burge will speak at the 
Richmond Beach Library Saturday
Indigenous Communities of Richmond Beach

Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 1:00pm-2:30pm at the Richmond Beach Library

Local historian David Buerge will discuss research on the lives of the indigenous peoples who traveled through and inhabited the Richmond Beach area. 

Registration not required. The library is located at 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline WA 98177.


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North Helpline Bitter Lake Food Bank celebrates its 6th year anniversary

North Helpline is inviting everyone to join them to celebrate their 6th year in the Bitter Lake neighborhood! 

North Helpline operates a food access program in the Bitter Lake and Broadview neighborhoods of North Seattle. This free and family-friendly event will have food, games, music, and resources from community partners!

North Helpline is a local nonprofit organization that provides access to food through two food banks and a home grocery delivery program. North Helpline also works on homelessness prevention through a direct financial assistance program for rent, utilities, and moving costs.

  • When: Sunday, July 30, 2023; 1-4pm
  • Where: Bitter Lake Community Center - 13035 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
  • Who: Everyone is invited to attend with their families, enjoy some appetizers, and learn about the community resources available in the North Seattle community.


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Celebration of Life Saturday for Mary E. Pacher


This coming Saturday July 15, 2023 at 2pm Saint Dunstan’s is celebrating the life of Mary E. Pacher.

Mary was a beloved long-time parishioner at St. Dunstan’s who tirelessly contributed to our church community as well as the Shoreline community at large in so many ways - Senior Warden, Vestry member, director of children’s and youth group education, and member of the choir, just to name a few.

Her legacy as a Sunday School Teacher and program leader will be remembered for a very long time. We know that many children and families look back fondly on their time with her. 

It is our hope to give them the opportunity to remember her and these memories. We invite anyone from the community who Mary touched to come and celebrate this amazing woman with us.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Charles (Chuck) and her family.

Saint Dunstan's is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA  98133


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Dunn Gardens class: Native Plants for Pollinators and Birds

Native plants at Dunn Gardens. Photo courtesy DG

"Native Plants for Pollinators and Birds"
Members: $15 | Not-Yet-Members: $20
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 1pm

"What’s with the buzz about native plants?
  • Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air.
  • Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife.
  • Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage.
  • Native plants are beautiful and increase scenic values!

Join our horticulture team to learn about native plants and how to use them in your garden. 

Sample some treats made from plants native to our area while we talk about why native plants are so important for the birds and the bees. Then we’ll head out to the garden to see examples. 

Class fee includes a native plant to take home.

Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle WA 98177

Register here


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Jobs: WSDOT Maintenance Mechanic 4 – Senior Specialist

WSDOT
Maintenance Mechanic 4 – Senior Specialist
Shoreline, WA – Northwest Region
$73,706 - $85,532 Annually

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently seeking a Maintenance Mechanic – Senior Specialist in Shoreline, WA. This senior specialist position is responsible for performing expert journey-level work installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventative maintenance on a variety of building systems (e.g., water, plumbing, sewer, air, and natural gas). 

This position is expected to consider personal, co-worker, and public safety as a first and foremost objectives during the planning and performance of all activities in connection with work assignments.

Job description and application


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Jobs: WSDOT Maintenance Mechanic 4 - HVAC

WSDOT
Maintenance Mechanic 4 - HVAC
Shoreline, WA – Northwest Region
$73,706 – $85,532 Annually

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Northwest Region (NWR) is currently seeking a highly skilled journey-level individual to fill the role of Maintenance Mechanic 4 and join our Facilities Maintenance team in Shoreline. 

This senior specialist position will be responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on a variety of building systems, with an emphasis on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), energy management and environmental control systems. 

The appointee of this position is expected to consider personal, co-worker, and public safety as the first and foremost objective during the planning and performance of all activities in connection with work assignments.

Job description and application


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Big news and big wins at the National Technology Student Association Conference

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Shoreline students at technology conference

Sixteen Shorecrest, two Shorewood, and three Cascade K-8 students traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, recently for the National Technology Student Association Conference, for which they all qualified in March.

Each and every student who traveled to Kentucky competed with extremely high quality work, perseverance, and professionalism.

At a conference with 6,000 students from across the nation, Shorecrest had several teams and individuals who achieved high honors:
  • Forensics Science Team - Hannah Bolton and Lola Maas finished as top 10 finalists
  • Music Production Team - Cyrus Atkinsonclark, Ronan Connell, Jameson Gibbs and Vivian Zittle won 2nd Place
  • Promotional Design - Aiden Rouhani won 2nd Place
  • Structural Design and Engineering Team - Devin Montegue and Shyam Srinivasan finished as top 10 finalists
  • Systems Control Technology Team - Jameson Gibbs, Brendan Rudberg and Aidan Welsh won 1st Place
Shares Shorecrest Math and Engineering teacher Emily Slack, "We have never had this many students on stage in the history of Shorecrest's Technology Student Association. A giant congratulations to all of our Shoreline students!"


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Monthly dances at the Senior Activity Center start on July 17

You may purchase tickets in advance (cash, check, debit/credit) or at the door (cash only). Beer and wine will be available for purchase (cash only).


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Take the Lynnwood Link Connections Survey

Elevated Link train crossing over roadway
with Metro bus on it
As Link light rail extends to Lynnwood, the Lynnwood Link Connections mobility project will address changing transit needs and improve mobility options for communities in northwest King County and southwest Snohomish County. 

Metro is working with Sound Transit and Community Transit, among other partners, to coordinate bus routes based on feedback from communities.

Get ready for changes to your neighborhood bus routes! 

To support the opening of Lynnwood Link light rail in 2024, King County Metro and Sound Transit are creating new service plans. 

Help finalize these bus routes by taking the survey by August 27.

Visit Lynnwood Link Connections to learn more about the potential bus route changes, take the survey and register for an upcoming online open house.


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