Purple Reign

Monday, January 8, 2024

Photo courtesy Washington Athletics

Monday, January 8, 2024, the University of Washington Huskies will play Michigan in the national championship game in Houston, Texas. Live venues here will already be sold out but The Seattle Times has suggestions for online viewing.

Make sure you have access to ESPN or the ESPN app, which will broadcast the game. 
Those who have cut the cord on cable TV can pull up ESPN on a variety of streaming services, such as Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. 
Some, like DirectTV Stream, even offer free trials. 
(And, if you just want to listen along, tune into the game by radio on KJR 93.3 FM.)

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Animals In Winter Workshop for ages 6-12 at Richmond Beach Library

Animals in Winter workshop
Animals In Winter Workshop, Ages 6 to 12.
Please register here

Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Richmond Beach Library 19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline WA 98177

Have you ever wondered where turtles go in the winter? Or why some animals migrate, and some hibernate? 

Learn about the unique strategies animals use to survive during the winter season. 

The workshop will include guided science activities and a small wet felted project. 

Presented by Pacific Northwest Biology and sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Beach Library.


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HomeTechHacker: The Importance of Data Privacy in Smart Homes: Protecting Your Personal Information

The Importance of Data Privacy in Smart Homes: Protecting Your Personal Information

By Marlon Buchanan

Smart home technology has transformed the way we live, providing convenience and efficiency with the integration of connected devices. However, as our homes become more connected, it’s crucial to understand the importance of data privacy. 

Safeguarding personal information in smart homes is paramount to prevent potential data breaches and protect our privacy. Let’s discuss the significance of data privacy in smart homes and explore measures to ensure your personal information remains secure.

Data Collection and Storage

Smart home devices are equipped with sensors and cameras that continuously gather data to function effectively. While this data collection enhances the user experience, it also raises concerns about the potential misuse of sensitive information. Information such as daily routines, habits, and even biometric data could be stored in cloud servers or shared with third-party providers. Homeowners need to be aware of what data is being collected, how it is used, and who has access to it to maintain control over their personal information.

Protecting Against Hacking Attempts

As smart home devices are connected to the internet, they become susceptible to hacking attempts and cyber-attacks. A breach in security could grant unauthorized access to personal data or even provide intruders with insights into a household's daily patterns, creating potential safety risks. 

To prevent hacking incidents, it is crucial to implement robust security measures such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating firmware and software. Here are some additional tips for securing your smart home.

The Risk of Data Sharing

Many smart home devices offer additional functionalities through integration with other services or platforms. While this integration enhances user experience, it also raises concerns about data sharing. Homeowners must be vigilant when granting permissions for data sharing, as this could lead to sensitive information being accessed by external entities. Reading privacy policies and opting for devices that prioritize user privacy can help mitigate these risks.

Regular Software Updates

Security vulnerabilities are continually evolving, and software updates play a crucial role in addressing these concerns. Homeowners should regularly update the firmware and software of their smart devices to ensure they are protected against the latest security threats. 

Manufacturers that prioritize security should provide frequent updates to address any discovered vulnerabilities promptly. This is something I emphasize in my free home network security course.

As smart homes become an integral part of modern living, ensuring data privacy is of utmost importance. Protecting personal information in smart homes not only prevents potential data breaches and cyber-attacks but also safeguards your privacy and security.

Marlon Buchanan
If you’d like to take a comprehensive approach to keeping your smart home safe, preventing identity theft, and staying safe online check out my The Home Network Manual or The Personal Cybersecurity Manual books or enroll in my Personal Cybersecurity Protection online course.

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.

If you have questions or comments about this article you can contact Marlon through his website or Twitter.



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Cold weather forecasted, still no emergency shelter in Shoreline

By Oliver Moffat

Although December saw record high temperatures, this week is forecast to bring a severe cold snap to the region with daytime highs well below freezing. 

With freezing weather forecast from Wednesday, January 10 to Wednesday, January 17, there is concern for the safety of unhoused Shoreline and North King County residents.
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) operates Severe Weather Shelters elsewhere but there is not yet an emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents in North King County.

Five North King County cities, including Shoreline, have pooled funding for a coordinated severe weather response.

KCRHA posted a request for proposals in September to seek out at least three bids.

After the original site fell through in early December, a different location has been secured and a contract with a non-profit service provider is pending a site location.

In the interim, Anne Martens from KCRHA said the YWCA will be managing a hotel voucher program for people in North King County in need of severe weather shelter.

In comments at a December Shoreline City Council meeting, Mayor Keith Scully said Shoreline Police Officers have been paying for hotel room vouchers out of their own pockets.

Mayor Scully thanked the Shoreline police officers and announced the city would start paying for the vouchers until the KCRHA severe weather shelter is in place.

In addition to distributing vouchers in times of severe weather, Shoreline police also provide transportation to hotels for those in need.



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UW Med: COVID-19, flu trend upward in New Year but updated COVID vaccine protects against JN 1 variant

Helen Chu, M.D. UW
infectious diseases specialist
UW Medicine hospitals this week were treating 55 inpatients with COVID-19. Infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Helen Chu says transmission of both COVID-19 and flu is trending up in Washington state and will probably peak in the next several weeks.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington is among the states with a high rate of respiratory illnesses.

“We have some data from last year when we saw all three viruses [including RSV] circulating, and it's looking like having two infections at the same time is worse in both children and adults,” Chu said.  
“Having COVID and flu simultaneously increases the amount of time you are on the ventilator and increases your risk of death in the hospital.”

She said the updated COVID-19 vaccine introduced in the fall provides protection against JN.1, the newly dominant variant, according to the CDC.

Unfortunately, however, only a minority of Washingtonians are current on their COVID-19 (16.1%) and flu (27.8%) vaccines as of this week.

“It's certainly not too late,” Chu said. “Now would be a good time to get both your flu and your COVID vaccines.”


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Stormray Girls place 25th at largest girls wrestling tournament in the country

Stormrays at Kelso: Cora Morgan, Finley Houck, Aly Fellores, Izzy Crave, Libby Norton, Sarah Norton, Abi Chishungu, Natalia Pittman, Amelia LaClergue, and Kiyomi Hakuno, (not pictured, Ellie Van Horn)

11 Stormray girls were among the 815 girls who entered into the Braided 64 tournament at Kelso High School on January 5-6, 2024. 

Athletes from 103 different teams were entered into brackets that ranged from 32 to 128 wrestler brackets.

Saturday competitors: Aly Fellores, Izzy Crave, Libby Norton, Finley Houck, Abi Chishungu

After several intense rounds of competition on Friday evening, five Shorewood Stormrays were among the 336 girls who would continue on toward the podium on Saturday.

Junior Izzy Crave
Junior Izzy Crave was the leading scorer for the Stormrays with a 6th place finish. She won by pin in 6 of her 7 victories. 

Sophomores Finley Houck and Abi Chishungu also placed. Houck finished 7th and Chisungu finished in 8th. 

The girls placed 25th overall with help from wins by juniors Libby Norton and Aly Fellores, and sophomore Ellie Van Horn.

Coach Tricia Norton commented, “This weekend was equally as difficult as anything we will see at the state tournament. 
"Each bracket had many state placers, some from multiple states. Our girls should be so proud of themselves for stepping up to this incredible challenge.”
 
This week the Stormray girls will be in action at Marysville Pilchuck on Friday Night.

Article by Tricia Norton
Photos by Tricia Norton & Ben Norton


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Santa Bones

Photo by David Walton

This guy showed up in October, peering over a fence on the corner of 55th and 198th in Lake Forest Park (on the way to Kenmore).

Instead of leaving after Halloween, he stayed around for Thanksgiving, transformed into Santa Bones for Christmas, and added the gold tinsel for New Year's.

He's a grumpy Santa because his bag says "Santa's Coal" with "naughty" checkmarked.

He looks pretty good as you are driving by, but he's pretty grisly in a close up.

--Diane Hettrick


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Join LFP Rotary in Polar Bear Dip January 20, 2024 to support the eradication of POLIO


Lake Forest Park Rotary, ‘Come Dip’ will hold their 5th Annual Polar Bear Dip fundraiser supporting the eradication of POLIO…endpolio.org

Saturday, January 20, 2024, 2pm at the Sheridan Beach Club, 16500 Shore Dr NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

  • ENTRY FEE: $5 for dippers/observers
  • BRING: a jar of Peanut Butter to donate to our local North Helpline

LFP Rotary has done this before...
Photo courtesy Rotary Club of LFP

Marine Police will be there to ensure water safety, LFP Police Chief Harden & Detective Craig Teschlog will DIP…!

Ginger shots by sponsor NEKTER juice bar


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WeatherWatcher: Active weather ahead with rain, wind, then uncertainty

 

Blustery day at Richmond Beach
Photo by Carl Dinse

We have a week of active weather in the forecast. A rainstorm moves in late Monday morning, lasting through the afternoon and evening. A windstorm follows that rain Monday evening into Tuesday. A half inch to one inch of rain is expected with the Monday night storm.

Winds Monday night and Tuesday through the afternoon are expected to be south to southwest 15-30 mph, with gusts up to 45mph especially after midnight Monday night. Winds are expected to taper off after midnight Tuesday night into Wednesday. These winds could cause some scattered power outages throughout the area.

Interesting note, the Monday/Tuesday storm has prompted the National Weather Service in Seattle to issue their first blizzard warning for the Cascade and Olympic Mountains in 12 years. 

Rain continues through Wednesday into Thursday morning. Thursday morning and beyond is when things get very uncertain. Many of the forecast models believe we will transition into an arctic outbreak, except for the American GFS model. 

I personally have had a hard time trusting the American model. For the past two years, it has not been very good at predicting more than a couple hours into the future, let alone a few days. 

That said, even on the other forecast models that are run with slightly different starting variables, have a significant disagreement on placement of where the arctic outbreak will occur over the greater Northwest (including Montana). 

Generally, several forecasts are calling for an arctic lobe or "polar vortex" to reach down the west coast and bring us very cold temperatures with snow from Thursday/Friday well through next weekend. Other models have that arctic lobe staying generally east of the Rocky Mountain range, leaving us with our usual maritime climate and lowland rain.

It is still too early to know for sure what might happen after Thursday, but cold and snow-like weather is not ruled out yet. I will do another update Tuesday night, when hopefully we will have better forecast model agreement.


For current weather conditions visit: www.shorelineweather.com

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Edmonds couple whose son died in a Shoreline house fire celebrate the distribution of 6,000 free smoke alarms

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Gerry and Bonnie Gibson next to a poster highlighting their nonprofit’s achievement.


Story and photos by Nick Ng
Reprinted from MyEdmondsNews.com

Six thousand. That is how many smoke detectors the Edmonds-based nonprofit Gibson Home Fire Prevention installed before last Christmas in Western Washington – from Tacoma to Blaine near the U.S.-Canadian border. 

Founders Gerry and Bonnie Gibson and their daughter Emily celebrated the milestone Friday night at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Lynnwood with 14 volunteers and guests.

The Gibsons started the nonprofit after their son Greg “Gibby” Gibson died — along with his pitbull Nino — in a Shoreline house fire around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2016. The fire was caused by faulty wiring, and the house did not have a smoke detector in the basement where Greg was living.

Greg Gibson with his dog Nino. (Photo courtesy Gibson family)

“Our daughters said, ‘we got to do something,’ Gerry said. “We came up with the idea with a nonprofit and provided smoke alarms. And we tried to get some legislation to require smoke alarms and give penalties if [landlords] don’t provide them.”

After three years of lobbying by family and supporters, the Washington State Legislature in 2019 passed SB 5284 – otherwise known as the Greg “Gibby” Gibson Home Fire Safety Act. 

The bill requires property owners or landlords to provide at least one smoke detector before the buyer or renter occupies the residence. Landlords or property owners can be fined $5,000 if they do not comply. 

Tenants and landlords may also be fined $200 if they do not keep the smoke detectors in good condition. These fines will go into the Smoke Detection Device Awareness Account, which the state fire marshal is in charge of managing.

“After we got the nonprofit going, we went to a friend who worked with the Red Cross and told them about our home fire prevention campaign,” Gerry said. 
“We partnered with them and have people install smoke alarms. Between the Red Cross and our website referrals, that’s how we get our requests for smoke alarms and we go on from there.”

Bonnie said that the family had made many trips over three years to Olympia to push the bill. Gibsons also worked with the Washingon State Association for Justice on another bill – SB 5163 – to repeal a 1917 law that prohibited parents from filing a claim for the wrongful death of their adult child.

“Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the Chinese came over to work on the railroads, if they got hurt or killed on the job, their family back in China could not get any money or any compensation for their death or injury,” Bonnie Gibson said.

During that time, the U.S. still had in place the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited Chinese laborers from coming to the U.S. While it was originally a 10-year ban, it was made permanent in 1902. In 1943, Congress repealed the act when China was part of the Allies during World War II.

Supporters gather at Lynnwood’s Old Spaghetti Factory to celebrate the installation milestone.

However, the state statute remained almost unchanged for more than 100 years until April 2019, when the state Senate passed SB 5163. That allows parents to file a claim for the wrongful death of their adult child, even if they did not depend on the child for money or did not live on U.S. soil. 


Previously, parents could only sue if they were financially dependent on the person who passed away and resided in the U.S.

Bonnie highlighted the 2016 Ride the Duck fatal accident, when five international students from Asia were killed. The victims’ families were not compensated because of the statute.

“The Washington Association for Justice took that on and solicited other families that had wrongful deaths,” Bonnie said. 
“So we learned how to negotiate and how to handle the legislature from Larry Shannon, who was the head of this. We met with lawmakers. We went to different legislators and told them our story. When you sit there, waiting in this room, and you testify, you don’t know if the legislator next to you will testify for you or against you. It was quite a lesson.”

After SB 5163 was passed, the Gibsons received compensation from Greg’s former landlord’s insurance.

The news of Gibson Home Fire Prevention’s work and activism also reached other states – even in Wisconsin – where people asked Gerry and Bonnie if they could have someone install smoke alarms in their homes. 

“They see us on the website and don’t realize that we’re a small family and volunteer group,” Gerry said. “We have posters in [local] banks, grocery stores, senior centers. We participated in a lot of safety fairs to get the word out.”

Emily Gibson, center, with two volunteers at the celebration dinner in Lynnwood.

Emily, who manages the nonprofit’s social media accounts and volunteer outreach, said that most of the donations were originally from people the Gibsons know. The amount donated was enough to cover their expenses so that they do not have to do a lot of fundraising.

“When we put smoke alarms in people’s homes, a lot would ask where they could donate,” Emily said. “We’re also included in programs from Boeing and Microsoft where the donations are matched.” 

Donations can be made through the nonprofit’s website.

“If you’ve ever known somebody who has died in a home fire or you’ve had an experience with a home fire, share your story because that’s the most impactful way to help people understand the dangers of home fires,” she said.

Gerry said that he would like to hit the mark of 10,000 smoke alarms installed but that may be a few years away. 

“Seven thousand is on the horizon,” Gerry mused. “We do it in Greg’s honor and keep doing it until we drop. It’s helped our family with the grief, and we want to prevent somebody else from going through what we went through.”

If you need a smoke detector installed, contact Gibson Home Fire Prevention.


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Our changing sky

Horizon View Park, looking southwest

Story and photos by Gordon Snyder

Keep an eye on the sky when going for a walk in our neighborhood this time of year.

Beautiful and partly sunny to the SouthWest in the first photo.

Horizon View Park looking northeast

But, looking just beyond the sunbeams to the NorthEast gloomy grey…

About 5 minute later, “All Hail Broke Loose” as that dark grey cloud took charge.


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Rainbow Bingo Friday, January 12, 2024 at Senior Activity Center


RAINBOW BINGO 

Friday, January 12


Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center holds our monthly fundraiser RAINBOW BINGO with our incredible hostess Sylvia O’Stayformore!  


Friday, January 12, 2024
Games start 7pm, doors open at 6:00pm

Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center,
southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus,

  • Participants can expect ten (10) rousing rounds of bingo, complete with prizes and a few musical numbers!
  • Cost: $20 Admission and $10 at the door for your bingo cards.
  • The $20 Admission reserves your seats and includes the evening’s entertainment and loaded nachos.
  • $10 Bingo cards must be purchased at the door by cash or check as required by the Washington State Gambling Commission.
Register online or Call 206-365-1536 if not registering online.

Bingo is a 21 and over event. Cash bar will serve soft drinks, water, beer, wine and Jell-O shots.


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Sew Thoughtful: Friday, January 19, 2024

Cedar Valley Grange in Lynnwood
Community members who sew are invited to join the Snohomish County Clothing and Textile Advisors (CTA) to cut, pin, press, sew and serge shields and liners for Days for Girls on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 10am - 2pm at the Cedar Valley Grange in Lynnwood 20526 52nd Ave West.

Fabric and kits will be provided. Bring your sewing machine or serger, basic sewing accessories and dark-color thread. 

Bring your lunch and a beverage, hot water is available

This project has many parts and processes to make the ‘package’ that CTA donates, so we will have a job for everyone -- sewing, cutting, serging, pinning and pressing.

Surging and sewing liners is easy, a member will demonstrate how to sew the tricky shields. There will be a potpourri of things to do so we will have a job for everyone -- sewing, cutting, serging, pinning and pressing.


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Edmonds SnoKing AAUW meeting January 13, 2024


EDMONDS SNOKING AAUW BRANCH MEETING
January 13, 2024
10am – Noon

Topic: Public Policy

Join Edmonds SnoKing AAUW and our Public Policy liaison as she shares the importance of connecting with our representatives. Learn how you can create change and improve WA State laws to protect and advocate for our friends, neighbors, communities and beyond.


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Shoreline Tool Library now open for business

Ribbon cutting with a chain saw. Exec Director Josh Epstein center in green vest.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, the eagerly anticipated Shoreline Tool Library opened for business. A project of Seattle REconomy, which also runs the NE Seattle Tool Library, it is sponsored by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology, in partnership with King County Solid Waste Division and the City of Shoreline.

The Tool Library is located in the Evergreen RV building. The yellow sign is still out front.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Located in the Evergreen RV building at 16610 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133, the ribbon cutting was accomplished with a chainsaw, with Shoreline Mayor, Councilmembers, and Chamber of Commerce members standing by.

Front counter. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The check in counter is right in front of the doors, with volunteers ready to greet and direct customers.

The building interior is a log cabin. Racks hold shovels, and brooms.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The surprisingly beautiful interior was clean and organized with the inventory neatly arranged on shelves and racks.

Photos by John Boril
Everyone has their favorite things. John Boril favored wheelbarrows and clamps - and found a sewing machine among the power tools.

Neatly organized shelves - and Executive Director Josh Epstein
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Josh Epstein, Executive Director, was everywhere during the Grand Opening, making sure that questions were answered and everyone got to find everything they wanted.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Fixer Nights

He has plans for the future. There is a space for bicycles. He plans to hold regular “Fixer Nights” where people can fix their lamps or tools that may need some attention.  

The Fixer Nights will be held on the third Wednesday starting this month on January 17, 2024.  People can stop by at 7:00pm or sign up on the website

Membership

Members join for a monthly, yearly, or lifetime fee. Or they can volunteer for regular shifts. Then any tool in the library can be checked out.

Tool Donations

The library will accept your donated tools to add to its inventory.

Correction: Address is 16610 Aurora. The description and map link are correct.

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Naval Chapel listed on National Register of Historic Places

The chapel sits in a grove of evergreens in the middle of the Fircrest property
Photo by Janet Way

After four years of hard work by Shoreline resident Janet Way, the Naval Chapel located in a small grove of trees in the middle of the Fircrest property, has been listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the National Parks.

Interior of the Naval Chapel at Fircrest
Photo by Janet Way

Listing as it appears on the weekly report of the National Parks registry of historic places:

WASHINGTON, KING COUNTY,
Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel,
1902 NE 150th Street,
Shoreline, SG100009645,
LISTED, 12/26/2023

Last fall it was listed on the Washington State Registry of Historic Places (see previous article)


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NEMCo Drone Team demonstration on Saturday January 13, 2024 in Kenmore

Saturday, January 6, 2024


On Saturday, January 13, 2024 NEMCo will be hosting a community information session to provide a program update regarding the NEMCo Drone program and you will be able to see the Air Squirrels Drone Team up close.

Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 11:00am - 12:00pm at the Kenmore Fire Station 51, 7220 NE 181st St, Kenmore WA 98028  No registration required.

NEMCo is one of the first local organizations to implement a volunteer Drone Program with the mission to provide its Emergency Manager and partnering agencies with a way to reduce risk, liability and exposure to hazards for volunteers, first responders and the public.

We are actively looking for volunteers to join the drone team.

If you have an interest in drones and would like to participate, information on how you can get involved will also be presented. Training is starting soon and we have several positions including: Ground Safety, Air Safety, Flight Safety, Pilots and Data Processing.

There is no previous experience required. Stop by on the 13th to learn more!

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Washington State Animal Response Team members practice packing dog in carry litter

WSART members pack Quinn, a willing participant into a litter
Photo courtesy WSART 

What you don't see in this picture is the wagging tail on the other side as Quinn, one of our member’s dogs, lets us practice with him during a training. 

We often need to pack a dog out in a litter and it's good to practice under good conditions with willing subjects so we can do our best when a dog is in pain.

We generally lay dogs sternal, so all four paws touch the litter along with their chests for comfort. The rolled foam is meant to keep him stable and in place and also keeps the webbing from putting pressure on him. 

The muzzle is standard safety protocol for us. Most dogs are fine, but a dog in pain being handled by a stranger does not behave as it would if it were safe and relaxed.

Though this is a training photo, WASART responds throughout the year to help injured dogs on hiking trails. Be safe and prepared out there, but we are ready to help should you need us.

--Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) rescues pets and livestock in emergency situations: such as dogs over cliffs, horses in wells. Emergency Phone: 425-681-5498


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The Great Shoe Giveaway January 14, 2024


THE GREAT SHOE GIVEAWAY

Visit us on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 12-2pm to receive one new pair of shoes for each K-12 child in your family! No appointment is required, but students MUST attend to go home with a pair of shoes.

EL GRAN OBSEQUIO DE ZAPATOS

Visítenos el Domingo, 14 de Enero de 12 a 2pm y le obsequiaremos un par de zapatos nuevos para cada niño en su familia que curse grados de Kinder a 4to de bachillerato! No necesita hacer una cita previa para asistir a este evento, pero los estudiantes DEBEN estar presentes para recibir sus zapatos nuevos.



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Cartoon by Whitney Potter Go Huskies!

 
Go Huskies!



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LFP Council Corner – Update on the Climate Action Committee

The Climate Action Committee will release the city’s preliminary Climate Action Plan in January. The committee, comprising a group of ten residents (including a couple of Shorecrest High seniors) and guided by the city’s Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche, has been working for 20 months on putting the plan together. 

The plan will have recommendations on cutting greenhouse gas emissions in city operations and suggestions for homeowners, renters, and businesses to become more resilient in the face of climate change.

Reasoning that Lake Forest Park residents have much personal, business, and academic background and experience in understanding the Pacific Northwest climate and its changes, committee chair Sarah Phillips and vice-chair Anne Udaloy steered the committee away from hiring outside consultants. 

The result is a report that is literally tailored for Lake Forest Park and our unique geography, canopy, and community.

The main recommendation of the report is the recognition that climate mitigation (reducing greenhouse gases) and resilience (adapting to climate change) cross multiple city operations (as well as many aspects of our personal lives). 

Designating a single person as a Climate Action manager will help implement the other recommendations of the report and assess, over time, how the city and its residents are meeting our climate goals.

What effect will a climate action plan have on multiple 100-degree days, weeks of smoke-laden air and deluges of rain? 

We do what we can! The city’s leaf-blowers and other maintenance equipment are all now battery-powered. This year there have been 90 permits for residential heat pumps and 12 for solar-power systems. 

This past month, dozens of LFP residents participated in the Miyawaki forest planting (with native and non-invasive non-native species) at the Shoreline Historical Museum, a radical approach to increasing urban canopy cover.

“The environment” was cited by the majority of respondents to our survey as to why they moved to LFP. The Climate Action Plan is a roadmap to preserving the environment we all cherish. 

With the discovery of several salmon fry in Lyon and McAleer Creeks, we are seeing the fruits of working on our climate actions.

And the committee would love to talk to you about the report and any aspect of the climate that concerns you! 

Find us at the LFP Farmers Market (where we’ve been at the sponsor table the past two summers), or at Picnic in the Park or other city-sponsored events. 

Or, you’ll find us inviting you to take part in a survey, as we did in November 2022, to find out your concerns and your aspirations in mitigating climate change and building climate resilience (nearly 500 of you responded – thank you!). 

Or, you’ll come to one of our series of climate talks that we set up with the cities of Shoreline and Kenmore; we covered induction cooking, home and business solar power and heat pumps this past year. You can always get ahold of us at climate@cityoflfp.com.

--Councilmember Tracy Furutani


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Lake Forest Park Garden Club to hear from Debbie Teashon of Rainy Side Gardeners

Debbie Teashon
Photo from Rainy Side Gardeners
Lake Forest Park Garden Club will start out the new year on January 9, 2024 at 9:15am meeting in Town Center at Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in LFP.  They will gather in Third Place Commons on the upper level, by the stage.

General meeting starts at 9:30am and a short break for goodies and then at 10:30 the speaker starts:

We hope you can join us for this exciting new year with our club. If you wish to join it is only $35.00 a year. We meet from Sept to May. We also have a few events in the summer.

Debbie Teashon is a garden writer, an award-winning co-author of the book – Gardening for the Homebrewer, garden speaker and award-winning photographer. 

Her passion for creating gardens and containers, and cool plants made her turn to write about the subject because she wouldn’t shut up about her plants!

Teashon’s career spans many decades. Her speaking engagements include the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Tacoma Home & Garden Show, and garden clubs across the Northwest. She's been a guest on Garden Time television show in Oregon and radio programs such as Gardening with Ciscoe on 97.3 FM KIRO radio and Poppy Tucker's Louisiana Eats on NPR.

Online since 1998, Teashon's website  Rainy Side Gardeners focuses on regional gardening west of the Cascades. Her articles and photographs appear in local, national, and international magazines and newspapers, such as Fine Gardening, Digger Magazine, West Sound Magazine, Oregonian, and more.


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Online computer classes from King County Library in January

The King County Library System offers a wide range of free classes, both in person at various libraries and online.

January features a series of Online Computer Classes for adults presented by Bridget of Gentle Tech Help.

The sessions will not be recorded.

Register here - for one or all

Augmented Reality Fun on Your Phone
Wednesday, January 10, 2-3pm

Use free apps to explore an Egyptian pyramid, change your hair color and much more!

A Beginner’s Guide to iPhone Photography
Wednesday, January 17, 2-3pm

Learn about easy built-in tools to improve your everyday photos.

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!
Wednesday, January 24, 2-3pm

Get tips to minimize time spent on your computer sorting email, printing documents and more.

Explore Google Arts & Culture
Wednesday, January 31, 2-3pm

Curious minds will enjoy walking through the world’s museums, playing with color and much more.


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Parkwood Neighborhood advertising the old-fashioned way


New flyers about the Parkwood Neighborhood Association were posted around the neighborhood Friday, encouraging neighbors to join their community organization.

The Parkwood Neighborhood (PNA) is located in south central Shoreline.

Their first meeting of the year is Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 7-9pm with guest Susana Reyes, Superintendent of Shoreline Schools.

PNA meets at The Evergreen School 15201 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 (@ the 150th St entrance)

The Parkwood Neighborhood Association is pleased to host Shoreline School District Superintendent Susanna Reyes for a presentation on the State of the District. This is an opportunity to meet the Superintendent and ask questions about our School District.


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Robbery and car crash in Lake City Tuesday turns to carjacking / abduction with suspect caught in Shoreline

A 19-year-old man was arrested in Shoreline for an armed kidnapping after he fled from the scene of an injury collision in Lake City on Tuesday night January 2, 2024.

Starting at 5:57pm, Seattle police officers responded to a 911 call of a robbery in the 10200 block of 15th Ave NE. Officers contacted the female victim who stated three males approached her and grabbed her purse and backpack. The suspects fled the scene in a black sedan.


Photo courtesy Seattle Police
Shortly after the reported robbery, dispatch received reports of a two-car collision near the intersection of Lake City Way NE and NE 115th St in Seattle's Lake City neighborhood. 

Witnesses stated the vehicles were racing and after the collision both drivers, along with several passengers, fled the scene. Officers arrived and located two vehicles pinned against a tree in the median. 

One remaining passenger was located inside a vehicle with serious injuries. Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the injured passenger to Harborview Medical Center in serious but stable condition. 

Both vehicles were reported stolen. Detectives assigned to Traffic Collision Investigation Squad responded to the scene.

At 6:36pm, officers responded to carjacking turned abduction near the scene of the collision. Police contacted the caller who stated his friend was driving in the area when a male jumped into the passenger seat of his vehicle, held a gun to his head and demanded he drive away. 

Police were able to track and locate the vehicle. The suspect forced the victim to speed away from officers, but after a brief pursuit, the vehicle slowed, and the victim jumped out of the moving vehicle. 

The vehicle stopped at the intersection of 5th Ave NE and NE 163rd St in Shoreline. The suspect got in the driver’s seat and tried to drive away but couldn’t, reportedly because he didn't know how to drive a stick shift. 

The suspect then fled on foot but was caught and arrested.

Searching for a gun used in abduction
Photo by Bruce Miller 

Police brought in a K9 unit to search for the gun in the 16200 block of 5th Ave NE in Shoreline.

Robbery detectives were able to confirm all the incidents were related and connected the suspect to each of them. The suspect will be booked into King County Jail for multiple felony offenses.

Detectives continue to look for the remaining suspects, as well as all the occupants of the involved vehicles.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

 

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