Joint Shoreline / Northshore Board meeting June 17, 2024

Monday, June 17, 2024

SPECIAL JOINT SHORELINE/NORTHSHORE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RFA
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Planning Committee Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department will hold a Special Joint Regional Fire Authority (RFA) Planning Committee Meeting on June 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.with the Planning Committee Board Commissioners of the Northshore Fire Department.

The purpose of the special meeting is to continue discussions of establishing an RFA between Shoreline and Northshore Fire Departments.

  • DATE: June 17, 2024
  • TIME: 5:00 p.m.
  • LOCATION: Shoreline Fire Department
    • Station 61 Public Conference Room
    • 17525 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
To attend the meeting online, please use the below information. The agenda will be posted separately on the Department’s website.

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 826 8295 0797
Passcode: 492609
Dial by your location: 1 253 215 8782

Notice posted by: Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
May 29, 2024


Read more...

Concerts in the Park start Wednesday, June 19, 2024

The first concert in the series features JHP Legacy at Shoreline City Hall for Juneteenth

Nothing says summer like spending time outdoors. ShoreLake Arts has seven exciting performances for you this season. Pack up those low-backed chairs, grab a picnic blanket, and join us at a local park every Wednesday. Concerts are free and family-friendly and donations are appreciated.

June 19  6:00 PM, JHP Legacy, Shoreline City Hall.

Join us for the second annual Shoreline Juneteenth Celebration from 4:00 - 8:00pm as we honor the journey and celebrate unity.

June 26  6:30 PM, Portage Bay Big Band, Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Lake Forest Park.

The Portage Bay Big Band is an authentic musical tribute to the legends of the Swing Era, playing the swing hits of the 30's and 40's with featured singer, Hannah Scott.

July 10  7:00 PM, Seattle Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Richmond Beach Community (Library) Park, Shoreline.

Status, friendship, and true hearts collide in this comedy of impulsive love. Don't forget to pre-order your picnic box meal from Vault 177 and pick it up in the park before the show.

July 17  7:00 PM, Tinsel Town Mafia, Cromwell Park, Shoreline.

Tinsel Town Mafia performs high-energy rock & pop songs from films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Top Gun, Footloose, The Crow, So I Married An Axe Murderer, and many more. Shoreline's Swingin' Summer Eve at Cromwell Park from 5:30 - 8:30pm.

July 24  6:30 PM, The Whateverly Brothers, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline.

The Whateverly Brothers are seasoned folk music collectors, performers, and multi-instrumentalists. Richmond Beach Congregational Church will open its parking lot for this event. Vault 177 will also offer pre-ordered meal boxes for pick up in the garden before the show.

July 31 6:30 PM, E. Pruitt and Maureese Itson, Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Lake Forest Park.

The Pruitt-Itson band is a musical mix of Contemporary Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, and Neo-Soul.

More information about the Concerts in the Park series can be found on the ShoreLake Arts website.


Read more...

John Farrimond named as ShoreLake Arts Executive Director

John Farrimond, Executive Director
ShoreLake Arts
John joined ShoreLake Arts in May and has already been making an impact. 

He began his arts career in Chicago before earning his business degree and relocating to Los Angeles. There he worked in rising leadership positions in the field of developmental disabilities. 

Although he was on the administrative side, he kept in close contact with the arts through important projects such as Through Our Eyes, a visual arts show featuring the work of students on the autism spectrum. 

In addition, he produced live events with student choirs, video productions, and Music for Autism concerts.

After moving to Tennessee to lead another developmental disabilities organization, John transitioned to consulting and then to the CEO position at Chattanooga Ballet where he led a renaissance of the organization. 

In late 2022, he very happily moved to the Seattle area, the fulfillment of a long-standing goal. Here he has worked with several educational institutions before taking the reins of ShoreLake Arts.

John is looking forward to being a part of the community so please do not hesitate to say hello when you see him out and about!


Read more...

Town & Country June recipe - Jarcuterie hand-held charcuterie boards

Jarcuterie
Jarcuterie

Be the artist and make these cute and functional hand-held charcuterie boards. Perfect for parties and picnics. With so many ingredient options, use what you love!

Difficulty Level: Easy
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Yield: 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

8 small jars, glasses, plastic or paper cups
Bamboo picks
1 cup Marcona almonds
8 ounces cheese, cubed
8 ounces brie, wedged
8 ounces salami
24 olives
2 cups berries
16 crackers
8 breadsticks
Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish

PREPARATION

STEP 1
Divide and add almonds to the bottom of the jars.

STEP 2
Build picks with cheese, salami, and olives. Add to jars.

STEP 3
Add berries, crackers, breadstick, and rosemary sprig.

OPTIONS

Other options could include mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, baby bells, prosciutto, cornichons or cocktail pickles, pickled peppers, cocktail onions, grapes, candied pecans, breadsticks, dried figs, dried apricots, panino, meat sticks, cheese straws, so many to choose from!

Town & Country Market is located on the upper level of Shoreline Place 15505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline WA 98133


Read more...

Shorecrest senior featured in Seattle Times article

Lily Fredericks in Olympia as part
of the School Board delegation
The Seattle Times published a lovely article by Shorecrest senior Lily Fredericks about her high school experiences and personal growth.

For Lily Fredericks, an 18-year-old graduating from Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, the last four years have been a period of discovery: finding a new hobby, a group of teachers and friends she could count on, and realizing that a shy girl can emerge from a life-altering event confident, outspoken and a champion for her peers.



Read more...

Garden Guy: Looking For Alien Garden Visitors

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Alien garden visitors
By Bruce Bennett

As the days lengthen and the weather warms, newspapers and magazines are filled with articles and pictures of the newest plants coming into the retail marketplace and designs for sun and shade. By contrast, whenever my group of professional gardening colleagues get together for an alfresco cup of morning coffee and we discuss warming weather, we’re usually discussing the latest warm weather waves of invasive insects that may begin chewing on those newest plants in the very near future.

In North America, more than 3,400 non-native insect species are established (including, of course, the beneficial European honeybee). Fortunately, only about 10 percent of these non-natives are considered ‘invasive’ meaning they cause significant damage to native ecosystems and agricultural crops. 

Naturally, the Pacific Northwest is not immune to the winged beasties and we do our best to combat the culprits who already call the Pacific Northwest home as well as prepare for the hitch-hiking interlopers that are on their way here to chow-down on our juicy plants. As many of these insect infestations are initially found by homeowners and gardeners during the summertime, let’s use this month’s column to update you about which terrors to watch for during the early summer weather.

Japanese Beetle. Photo by wsu.edu

One of the newest invaders to Washington State is the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica). They were first noticed in New Jersey around 1916. They have since become established in just about every state east of the Mississippi River and have been making their way to some of the western states. 

Their first Washington appearance was in Sunnyside in 2021 and, this year, reached Yakima. The Cascade Mountains will pose a barrier to them, but, as with the other insects mentioned on this list, it’s only a matter of time until they hitchhike a ride on a commercial vehicle or RV and reach the western part of the state. 

They are most noticeable in their adult forms as fingernail-sized beetles with glistening green and copper colors to their wing shields. They look like bronze scarabs which could easily serve as jewelry for an Egyptian costume. But ours will leave skeletonized leaves in their wakes; LOTS of skeletonized leaves. Why is it always the pretty ones that do the most damage?

In winter and spring, the beetle larvae attack the roots of plants, particularly the roots of grasses. Roses are a particular delicacy for them. These insects were, and still are, the scourge of my Connecticut garden. 

Plants already stressed by our hotter summers may not survive with the added pressure of infestations from these guys. They have been a problem on the east coast and in the midwest for decades. We haven’t seen them in Washington before, but, with our new warmer temperatures, they have recently been found in Idaho, at a few sites south of Portland and near Yakima. So, it’s only a matter of time, I fear.

Depending on their life stage, Japanese Beetles can be controlled in a few ways. With small populations of adult insects, hand-picking, pheromone traps, insecticidal soaps and Neem Oil can be effective in June – September. 

The beetles lay their eggs in early summer, so, in July – September, using HB (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) beneficial nematodes, the root-feeding grubs can be located and killed. Other options for grubs are BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) which is, to a grub, a stomach poison and Milky Spoor (Bacillus papillae), a bacterium that interrupts the insects’ blood system.

Emerald Ash Borer. Photo by cfans.umn.edu

The Emerald Ash Borer
(Agrilus planipennis) is a small Asian, wood-boring beetle that has already killed millions of ash trees in North America. First discovered in 2002, near Detroit, MI, the adults will be noticed as narrow, half-inch long slivers of metallic green on tree bark. The larvae burrow under the tree’s bark and eat the sapwood which transports water and nutrients throughout the tree. 

Once damaged, the layers can’t transport nutrients causing the leaves and the trees to gradually die. While not yet in Washington, the EMBs were recently noticed just west of Portland, OR. There are a few systemic insecticide soil drenches which have been found to be fairly effective against these borers. However, they do need to be applied every other year.

Spotted Lanternfly. Photo by canr.msu.edu

Probably, the most colorful insect of the invasive hordes is the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Its red, white and black colors remind me of a masked kabuki dancer (or a member of the Sith for you Star Wars fans), although the youngsters are black at first with white spots). 

Another of the vampire-like piercing-sucking drinkers, the Lanternfly hails from eastern Asia. It was first noticed in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has now spread through the mid-eastern coast states and is appearing in California and southern Oregon.

Lanternflies feed on a wide variety of plants, with apples, cherries, grapes, plums and hops being among their smorgasbord preferences. Not good news for home or commercial growers. 

Also, like birch borers and aphids, Lanternflies excrete large amounts of honeydew, which can cover lower plants and promote the growth of sooty mold. And, I don’t even want to imagine what they can do to the outside of a car parked under a ravaged tree. 

For smaller infestations, organic solutions such as insecticidal soaps, Neem and botanical oils appear to be effective. For larger problems, think about using contact poisons and systemic drenches. In both instances, contact the appropriate State agency.

Spongy Moth / Gypsy Moth. Photo by entsoc.org

The Spongy Moth, AKA, Gypsy Moth, (Lymantria dispar) have been in-country for many years. Originally native to Eurasia, and unlike most invasive insect pests, this fuzzy beastie did not stow away on some cargo ship and escape to fertile New England forests. It was actually imported to Boston in 1868 by several entrepreneurs who were interested in developing a silk industry in North America. 

Instead of serving as the foundation of a new business venture, the Spongy Moth has become one of the worst American forest pest insects. It devours the leaves of more than 500 different species of trees and shrubs and causes enormous damage to the environment and the economy. 

Following the banning of DDT, the Spongy Moth reached some of its greatest population numbers, culminating in my home state of Connecticut with the extensive outbreaks of 1971 and 1981. Those outbreaks are legendary in both forestry and arboricultural circles. A wide range of tree species were stripped clean and the woods were turned bare due to the extensive feeding of these insects. The caterpillars covered houses, roads, and sidewalks. 

They were even blamed for traffic accidents, as people would skid on their massed numbers in the roadways.

The Spongy Moth appears in Washington every now and then after hitching a ride on some unsuspecting vehicle, RV or ship. The Department of Natural Resources is currently spraying newly found infestations in different parts of the State. 

While municipalities continually check for infestations, gardeners and homeowners can also do their part. Spongy moth caterpillars can be controlled with applications of the biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk). It must be applied to the foliage of the plants the caterpillars are feeding upon and will control them while they are still small and becoming less effective as they grow larger. 

This bacterial insecticide kills caterpillars that eat it within a week of its application by damaging the insect’s digestive tract. Like Btk, certain foliar spray products can pose fewer risks to other insects. This group includes insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, pyrethrins, and spinosad. The soaps, oils, and pyrethrins only kill when sprayed directly onto spongy moth caterpillars and are very short-lived. 

While they can be a good option for smaller plants, these ingredients are not a good option for larger trees.

Giant Asian Hornet / Murder Hornet. Photo by invasivespecies.wa.gov

While more commonly known as the Giant Asian Hornet (Vespa mandarinia), this publicized ‘Murder Hornet’ (cue the music from ‘Jaws’) ranks as the world’s largest hornet and can grow to two inches long, with a wingspan of some three inches. 

These hornets need meat to feed their young and they are pretty direct about getting it. Among protein sources, they prefer honeybees. A single Murder Hornets can decimate a honeybee hive in a day. They do so by biting the heads off the much smaller honeybees. 

Unlike honeybees, Murder Hornets can sting multiple times and have venom several times more potent than local bees and wasps. Fortunately, they are not terribly aggressive around humans unless their nest seems threatened. 

They arrived in Washington in 2020 and, thus far, they have only been sited and exterminated north of us in Bellingham, Blaine and British Columbia. This insect, with its half-inch stinger, is not something gardeners should fool around with. The best eradication advice is to contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture or the Washington Invasive Species Council and let the pros handle the problem.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

A Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) is another native of East Asia and was first introduced in Allentown, PA in 1998, possibly having arrived in a shipping crate. It arrived in Washington in 2010. These half-inch long suckers will attack a large variety of plants, including many fruits and vegetables. It leaves small necrotic patches on any plant it eats, rendering produce inedible. 

As a homeowner, you will likely notice an invasion before anyone else, because this stink bug initially will attack vegetable gardens and landscape plants. The damage they do to crops and landscapes, as well as the efforts to control them are costly. These beasties will then spend the winter in homes and other structures. 

Look for them on the south side of your homes as the weather cools. Presently, there are no viable strategies for control of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, although insecticidal soaps and neem oil seem to be effective against stink bugs, especially early in the season. Remember to read and follow the directions and safety precautions on the labels.

It is homeowners, campers and hikers who are usually the first to notice all of these new invasive insects. Trees, lights and standing water are great places to look for insects. Checking yards regularly plays a critical role in protecting Washington’s unique environment from the pests. Citizens can help spot infestations when they are easy to handle. 

This not only saves time and money, but limits the damage these beasties can cause to our gardens, local and national parks and farms and forests. Residents who find a suspected invasive insect are encouraged to take a picture and report it via the Washington Invasive Species Council or the Washington Department of Agriculture. Be aware of what organisms, beyond the plants, are living in your little pieces of verdant heaven.

Finally, with the coming of May, most of the King County Master Gardener Clinics opened to assist the residents of their surrounding communities. 

For the readers of the Shoreline Area News, the closest the closest clinics may be found at the 
  • Lake Forest Park Town Center Ace Hardware (17171 Bothell Way NE, Sundays, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) and the 
  • Shoreline Farmers Market (18821 Aurora Avenue N, some Sundays, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM). 


Happy gardening all!

Further Reading
  • Bradley, F.M. et. al. Natural Pest and Disease Control. 2009. New York, NY: Rodale, Inc. 
  • Cranshaw, Whitney. Garden Insects of North America. 2018. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. 
  • Entomology Society of America Web Page, https://www.entsoc.org 
  • Washington Invasive Species Council Web Page, https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/ 
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture Web Page,https://agr.wa.gov

Bruce Bennett
Gardening columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Certified Master Gardener, lecturer and Seattle-area garden designer. 

If you have questions concerning this article, have a gardening question or two to ask concerning your home landscape or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com.

Previous Garden Guy articles can be seen here.


Read more...

Travels with Charlie: Blowdowns at Horizon View Park

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Walking around Horizon View Park, we noticed a change behind the court. There’s a boggy, spring type area where some trees grow. They’re sorta hiding the reservoir.

Photo by Gordon Snyder

The recent winds left some of the trees blown down. Charlie wanted to check them out.
 
Something new to sniff…


Read more...

Scene on the Sound: The Healy

Photo by Jan Hansen

At 8:15 this Saturday evening the Coast Guard icebreaker, Healy sailed past.

Wikipedia:

USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is the United States' largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker as well as the US Coast Guard's largest vessel.[1] She is classified as a medium icebreaker by the Coast Guard.[1] 

She is homeported in Seattle, Washington, and was commissioned in 1999. On 6 September 2001 Healy visited the North Pole for the first time. 

The second visit occurred on 12 September 2005. On 5 September 2015,Healy became the first unaccompanied United States surface vessel to reach the North Pole, and Healy's fourth Pole visit (and her second unaccompanied visit) happened on 30 September 2022.

See previous stories about locally homeported icebreakers Healy and Polar Star here


Read more...

Letter to the Editor: The 809th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

To the Editor:

On this day 809 years ago, the Magna Carta was signed, marking a pivotal moment in history. This monumental document, agreed upon by King John of England and a group of rebellious barons, laid the groundwork for modern governance and justice. It established the revolutionary idea that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law, and introduced fundamental rights and liberties that have influenced countless generations and played a crucial role in shaping the development of constitutional law worldwide.

The Magna Carta's most significant contributions include the concepts of due process, habeas corpus, and the right to a fair trial. By asserting that no one could be deprived of liberty or property without lawful judgment, it set a precedent for legal protections that are still relevant today. The document also addressed the rights of the Church, the protection of barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift justice, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown.

The legacy of the Magna Carta can be seen in numerous constitutional frameworks, from the English Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has become a cornerstone of democratic ideals, promoting the rule of law and limiting the power of rulers. Its influence is evident in the development of parliamentary systems, legal precedents, and the ongoing global struggle for human rights and justice.

Over the centuries, the Magna Carta has remained a symbol of the enduring fight for freedom and equality. It reminds us of the power of collective action in the pursuit of justice and continues to inspire modern societies to uphold and protect the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights. The Magna Carta's impact is profound and far-reaching, cementing its place as one of the most significant documents in the history of human civilization. 

As we commemorate the signing of the Magna Carta, we reflect on its lasting influence and the principles it enshrined. The document's assertion that no one is above the law has been a guiding force for legal and political systems around the world. Its emphasis on rights and liberties has shaped the discourse on human rights and justice for centuries.

Today, we celebrate the Magna Carta not just as a historical artifact, but as a living document whose spirit continues to resonate. Its ideals have inspired movements for democracy and civil rights across the globe, reminding us of the ongoing struggle to achieve a fair and just society. The Magna Carta's enduring relevance is a testament to its visionary principles and the timeless pursuit of liberty and justice.

Alan Charnley
Shoreline 


Read more...

Not lightning but cast illness forces postponement of this weekend's performances of Move Over Mrs. Markham


The Phoenix Theatre has cancelled this weekend's performances of Move Over Mrs. Markham, due to cast illness.

We apologize for the inconvenience this causes for you, your families, and friends. The show will not take place on Fri June 14th, Sat June 15th, or Sun June 16th.

We anticipate running the following, scheduled, weekend June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd and hope that it will be possible for you to reschedule. 

We will also announce added dates shortly!

If you know you can reschedule now, please call us at 206-533-2000 or email PhoenixTheatreInfo@gmail.com 

If you know that you have no other availability, we are happy to offer a refund for your tickets.

Managing Director, Tracy, and House Manager, Lauren, will be calling all ticket holders using their cell phones, please watch for their calls (541 and 253 area codes).

Thank you and we hope to see you again very soon!!


Read more...

Lake Forest Park and Ridgecrest removed from closure consideration list

Saturday, June 15, 2024

A map from the Shoreline school district website shows the current nine elementary school boundaries 

By Oliver Moffat

At the June 6, 2024 School Capacity Review and Closure Consideration meeting, the task force voted to remove Lake Forest Park elementary and Ridgecrest elementary schools from the list of schools that may be recommend to the school board for closure in 2025.

In an email, the school district said Lake Forest Park and Ridgecrest were removed from closure consideration because:

  • Lake Forest Park Elementary School: Lake Forest Park serves a relatively diverse population and a large number of families supported by subsidized housing, including families who speak English as a second language. Closure of this school would also have a relatively greater impact on middle school enrollment patterns and other schools during a boundary process.
  • Ridgecrest Elementary School: Ridgecrest serves a diverse population of students and receives federal funding to allow all students to receive free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision. Closure of this school would also have a relatively greater impact on middle school enrollment patterns and other schools during a boundary process.

The task force previously removed Briarcrest, Cascade K-8, Meridian Park, and Parkwood from closure consideration. 

There are four schools left that may be considered for closure: Brookside, Echo Lake, Highland Terrace and Syre.

Like school districts across the state, Shoreline is facing budget shortfalls and dwindling enrollment. But unlike other districts the district assembled the task force to make a closure recommendation.

The final decision on whether to close a school and if so, which one, will be entirely up to the elected School Board and Superintendent Dr. Susana Reyes.

The closure decision and any new school boundaries is expected to be finalized in time for Kindergarten open enrollment in January of 2025.

Information on the School Capacity Review and Closure Consideration task force and how to attend a school board meeting and submit public comment is available on the district’s website.


Read more...

Home Maintenance Tips

Routine home maintenance will help you enjoy your home for years to come
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction, Inc.

By Joseph Irons, President Irons Brothers Construction, Inc.

Making your house a home is just as important as maintaining that home. 

Routine home maintenance will help you enjoy your home for years to come. Maintaining your home not only helps ensure your home is working at an optimal level, but helps to identify or fix problems before they become a larger issue. 

To keep your home comfortable and enjoyable, consider adding these maintenance items to your annual list of home activities.

Schedule a Mechanical/HVAC Tune-up 

Annual checkups can extend the life of your heating & cooling units, regardless of their age. Typically, a qualified professional will thoroughly clean your unit and identify if any leaks are present. Mechanical experts recommend changing your air filter every 60 or 90 days and at least an annual tune-up. Other factors — such as your home size, pets or allergies — can alter how often your filters should be replaced. Changing out your air filter will reduce the wear and tear on your unit and improve the airflow in your home.

Check Your Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. NFPA recommends testing all smoke alarms in your home at least once a month. Simply press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions if available. NFPA also recommends a visual inspection of the detector for damage. The detector should not be dirty or obstructed.

Routine maintenance will help to identify small problems before they become big.
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction, Inc.

Recaulk Your Windows
 

If you have a drafty window or if you can see daylight around a window frame, then you may have an air leak. Caulk — a flexible material used to seal air leaks — can be found at any hardware store. There is caulk for exterior windows, which can withstand different types of weather, and interior caulk, which shouldn’t emit any toxic fumes. According to energy.gov, the best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45 degrees and low humidity will prevent cracks from swelling with moisture.

Clean Your Gutters

Making sure water flows away from your home during a storm is critical. Your gutters protect your home’s foundation, roof and walls by controlling the flow of rainwater from your roofline. Neglecting your gutters can lead to mold or water damage to the exterior or interior of your home. Although it may seem like a hassle, it is important to keep your gutters clutter-free. Also, make sure to read all warning labels and follow manufacturer instructions if you are using a ladder to clean your gutters.

Touch Up Exterior Paint 

Eventually, the exterior of your home will endure wear and tear because of the elements. Adding a fresh coat of paint where needed not only enhances your home’s curb appeal, it functions as an extra layer of protection to your home. A simple visual inspection around the exterior of your home once a year will help you identify problem areas. It is important to address any issues, such as cracking or peeling paint, before it gets worse.

Home maintenance tips courtesy of Irons Brothers Construction, Inc. For more information on their firm visit www.ironsbc.com


Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Happy Fathers Day




Read more...

Farmers Market closes early because of lightning

Wild weather shut down outdoor events on Saturday
Photo by Jan Hansen

SFM is closing NOW due to inclement weather and lightning. Thank you to everyone who came out for our second annual  pride celebration

We'll have plenty of goodies to give away for the rest of the month for those who didn't have a chance to celebrate with us


I'm pretty sure that the Edmonds Arts Festival outdoor exhibits went diving for cover as well. That was some wild weather we had!

The first lightning / thunder was dramatic enough, with rain suddenly pouring from the sky as if someone pulled the plug. And then it stopped.

I had an appointment and left the house just as the second strike happened. I swear it was right over my head. I didn't see the lightning but I heard it crack. There was enough time to get to the car before the hail came down, bouncing on the windshield. 

Water was sheeting down the street.

It was altogether too dramatic for my taste.

The blue skies returned. Photo by Jan Hansen

Half an hour late - blue skies.

Planning outdoor events is always a challenge around here. But at least we don't have to water the plants.

--Diane Hettrick


Read more...

Gloria's Birds: Pine Siskins favor ol' Will

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler


Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

(Shakespeare's witches in Macbeth)



Read more...

HearMeWA statewide reporting system focuses on the safety and well-being of young people

No problem is too small to report to
HearMeWA
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the launch of HearMeWA, a first-of-its-kind statewide reporting system exclusively focused on the safety and well-being of young people.

HearMeWA removes barriers to help young Washingtonians get the help they need to deal with their most pressing challenges: bullying, social pressures, suicidal thoughts, threats of violence, or anything that makes life hard. 

No problem is too small to report to HearMeWA, which was created with direct input from the young people it serves.

HearMeWA makes it easy to connect youth to a wide range of existing support services, by offering a direct line to a national crisis center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Reports can be made by phone, text, online or in the HearMeWA mobile apps available in the Apple or Google stores. Once a report is filed, highly trained crisis counselors triage them and connect the person with service providers who can help.

Youth mental health is in crisis. Data show that eating disorders in adolescents more than doubled from 2018 to 2022. The rate of young people dealing with depression doubled from 2009 to 2019, to nearly 16%. According to Forbes, 57.7% of Washington youth with depression do not receive mental health services.

HearMeWA can help youth with a variety of challenges, such as:
  • Bullying;
  • Mental health struggles, such as depression or anxiety;
  • Suicidal thoughts;
  • Domestic violence;
  • Housing or food insecurity;
  • Gender identity;
  • Threats of violence or rumors of a school shooting;
  • Anything that makes life hard.

From the start, young Washingtonians from across the state have been directly involved in the creation and outreach for HearMeWA.

Members of the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group meet quarterly to offer feedback on how to build trust and get the word out about the program. The Youth Advisory Group also consulted on branding for the program, including the name. Other youth have participated in surveys and focus groups to offer feedback on the program.

How to file a report to HearMeWA

Anyone with information about risks or potential risks to the safety or well-being of youth can call the toll-free, statewide number at 888-537-1634 or make a report online by visiting HearMeWA.org and clicking the “send a tip” button. Youth can also text HearMeWA to 738477, or file a report on the app available in the app store on their mobile device.

Youth up to age 25 and any concerned adults can file a report with HearMeWA. Identifying information such as name, age or address are optional, meaning youth can file anonymously if they choose.

Unlike other crisis hotlines, HearMeWA allows anyone filing or responding to a report to track it and provide updates. That means help is not cut off once the first call or communication ends. Every individual who files a report is given a tip ID and password to review the report later, either online, on the app or by phone.

What happens when you file a report to HearMeWA

When youth or a concerned adult files a report to HearMeWA, it is immediately received by a highly trained crisis counselor with the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center. The counselor makes contact with the individual, talks through the details of the incident and triages it based on the level of urgency. 

The most urgent reports that threaten someone’s life or safety are routed to 911 or emergency responders. If a school is identified in an incident, such as an active shooter threat, the school is simultaneously notified.

Less urgent incidents are triaged to a wide range of other types of responders. Responders include:
  • Schools, where youth could be connected with counselors, social workers, nurses or other trusted adults in their community;
  • Regional crisis lines or 988, the national suicide prevention line;
  • Local law enforcement and emergency responders;
  • Child protective services;
  • Other community-based resources.This range of responders makes HearMeWA the first of its kind in the country. 
About the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center

HearMeWA triages all its reports through the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center. This crisis center runs similar programs in other states, and is the only crisis center dedicated solely to school-based, anonymous reporting.

The Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center already serves 3.5 million youth across the country. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“Every minute of every day, the crisis counselors in the National Crisis Center are here to connect young people to live-saving and life-changing resources whenever they’re in need, no matter what issues they’re facing,” said Crystal Garrant, chief program officer at Sandy Hook Promise. 
“All young Washingtonians have the right to physical and emotional safety. HearMeWA will provide a lifeline, ensuring that young people have a trusted adult to turn for help 24/7/365.”


Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit that operates the crisis center, educates and empowers youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes and communities. It is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.

All of Washington’s 39 counties were represented in the Youth Program Team’s outreach. It affirmed that communities, especially in rural areas, lack sufficient trusted resources for dealing with the broad range of challenges youth face. Often underserved communities do not have an alternative to calling 911 when they need help. Additionally, some youth say they know there are resources out there for them, but they are located somewhere other than where they live.

HearMeWA helps fill those gaps, and also addresses a range of issues that are not suitable for a 911 call, such as housing insecurity or bullying.

To file a report or learn more about HearMeWA, visit HearMeWA.org.


Read more...

Sno-Isle Genealogy will help with your research

Sno-Isle library at Heritage Park in Lynnwood
Are you out of research ideas to find an elusive ancestor? 

Sno-Isle Genealogy society is offering researchers another opportunity to get help with their "brick wall" problems on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at its Research Library, 19827 Poplar Way, Heritage Park, Lynnwood. 

To make a reservation call 425-775-6267 to leave a message in a clear voice. Your call will be returned later to confirm your appointment if we can understand the message. 

Margaret Summitt is an experienced researcher who can direct your research efforts in the free 40 minute session. If the four sessions are filled you will be placed on a waiting list for the next "brick wall" day.


Read more...

SR 520 closed across Lake Washington in Seattle this weekend beginning Friday night, June 14, 2024

520 bridge closed this weekend
SEATTLE – People traveling across Lake Washington should plan for a weekend State Route 520 closure this weekend. 

The SR 520 closure spans from Interstate 5 in Seattle to 92nd Avenue Northeast in Clyde Hill and lasts from 11pm Friday, June 14, through 5am Monday, June 17.

The SR 520 Trail will also close across the lake over the weekend. In addition, a section of the Bill Dawson Trail between East Calhoun Street and Montlake Boulevard will also close.


Read more...

Local student on University of Wisconsin-Madison spring Dean's List

University of Wisconsin - Madison
MADISON, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2023-2024 academic year.
 
Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. 

To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. 

Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.
 
HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COLLEGE, AWARD
 
Seattle, WA 98125

Ian Zhou, College of Engineering, Dean's Honor List


Read more...

Shoreline student named to Dean's List at U Wisconsin-Superior

University of Wisconsin - Superior
SUPERIOR, Wis. (June 11, 2024) - The University of Wisconsin-Superior has named Yu Sato of Shoreline to the Dean's List for academic achievement during the Spring 2024 semester.

To be named to the Dean's List, students must have completed 12 degree-seeking semester credits and achieved at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).

Founded in 1893 as a teacher's college, UW-Superior has more than 50 program offerings, select online and graduate programs, competitive Division III athletics programs, continuing education, research and scholarship programs that support the community and region.

The University of Wisconsin-Superior is a nationally recognized public liberal arts institution of more than 2,700 students in the Superior-Duluth, Minnesota, metropolitan area. UW-Superior has more than 50 program offerings, select online and graduate programs, competitive Division III athletics programs, continuing education, research and scholarship programs that support the community and region.


Read more...

Local student graduates from Southwestern College

Southwestern College - Kansas
WINFIELD, Kan. (June 6, 2024) - 

Southwestern College held Commencement exercises Sunday, May 5, in Winfield. 

The ceremony was preceded by receptions for graduates and their families, and the Order of the Mound honorary society induction which represents the top 10% academically.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, DEGREE, MAJOR

Seattle, WA

Gannon Dow, Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration

Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. 

Southwestern College Professional Studies provides options for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.



Read more...

Edmonds Driftwood Players – announcing 66th season


Edmonds, WA – June 14, 2024 – Edmonds Driftwood Players is excited to announce our upcoming 2024-2025 Season 66, which will include four mainstage productions. We feel incredibly grateful to be headed into our 66th Season of theatre in Edmonds and look forward to celebrating with the community!

Season subscriptions go on sale for return subscribers on July 9 and for new subscribers on July 23. Tickets for individual shows go on sale July 30.

Edmonds Driftwood Players is a volunteer-based, non-profit community theatre with the mission to produce live theatre that entertains, enriches, and engages the community. Established in 1958, Edmonds Driftwood Players is one of the oldest continually operating community theatres in Washington State.

In addition to mainstage productions, we produce an annual Festival of Shorts, which consists of eight short plays centered around a different theme each year. The finalists are selected from hundreds of playwright submissions from around the world by volunteer reading groups who were given blind copies for rating. 

Our annual playwriting festival provides an opportunity for playwrights to have their works brought to life on stage, as well as gain recognition and potential awards. Past winners have later been developed into full-length award-winning plays!

EDP’s New Works program includes First Draft, a staged reading series of nearly production-ready scripts curated by the members of Driftwood After Dark (EDP’s group of local playwrights). With a few rehearsals and minimal staging elements, First Draft readings give audiences an opportunity to experience the sorts of plays not usually included in the Mainstage Season, and to be a part of the development process by participating in post-reading feedback sessions to help playwrights further polish their work.

EDP also has an education program which includes camps for students to learn the ins and outs of putting on a production as well as classes and workshops. Additionally, Take a Kid to the Theatre is our outreach program that allows us to share the joy and wonder of live theatre with families in local shelters and transitional housing.

Edmonds Driftwood Players also offers annual scholarships for deserving students interested in pursuing theatre education at any college, university or technical school in the United States.

2024-2025 Season 66 Mainstage Productions:

Murder Inn (September 13-October 6, 2024)
  • By Howard Voland and Keith McGregor
  • Show Synopsis: Murder Inn is set in New England, at the Barnsley Inn, a dilapidated eighteenth century inn, which is supposedly haunted by Marco, a knife-throwing poltergeist. A group of tourists, on a tour - Ghosts and Ghouls of New England - is forced, by a storm, to make an unscheduled stop at the Barnsley. What looks to be an unpleasant and uncomfortable detour soon turns into a night of mayhem and madness as knives begin to pop up… in the most unexpected places. As the storm builds and the body count rises, the survivors try to figure out who done it. And even more important- who’s likely to have it done to them next?
Miracle on 34th Street, The Play (November 22-December 15, 2024)
  • Adapted by Mountain Community Theater from the novel by Valentine Davies. Based upon the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture Miracle on 34th Street.
  • Show Synopsis: By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy's. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy's customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy's vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl's belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy.
Clue: The Musical (March 14-April 6, 2025)
  • Book by Peter DePietro. Music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci. Lyrics by Tom Chiodo. Based on the Parker Brothers’ Board Game
  • Show Synopsis: The internationally popular game is now a fun-filled musical that brings the world’s best-known suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room, and with what weapon. The audience receives forms to help them deduce the solution from clues given throughout the fun-filled evening. Three audience members choose from cards representing the potential murderers, weapons, and rooms; there are 216 possible solutions! Only one hard-nosed female detective is qualified to unravel the merry mayhem. Comic antics, witty lyrics, and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room. Even after the culprit confesses, a surprise twist delights the audience.
Drinking Habits (May 16-June 8, 2025)
  • By Tom Smith
  • Show Synopsis: Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancées, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves.
SEASON 66 MAINSTAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS
$110 General Adult (19-59); $100 Youth/Senior/Military. Season subscriptions are on sale for return subscribers on JULY 9, 2024, and for new subscribers on JULY 23, 2024. Available by phone at 425-774-9600, email office@edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org, or online at www.EdmondsDriftwoodPlayers.org. The last day to purchase season 66 subscriptions is October 2, 2024.

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
$28 General Adult (19-59); $25 Youth/Senior/Military. Available online starting JULY 30, 2024, at www.edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org or by phone at 425-774-9600. Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ people are also available.

Our 14th Annual Festival of Shorts (June 26-29, 2025) may be added on to any subscription package or purchased individually.

WHERE: Performances at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main Street, Edmonds.
WHEN: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm.


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Slight chance of thunderstorms

 
From the archives, Lightning at the view from Log Boom Park July 11, 2009
Photo by Carl Dinse

Forecast: Showery weather just in time for the weekend. Friday evening and early Saturday morning scattered showers are moving through with an ever so slight chance of a thunderstorm. 

Saturday as we get more energy from the sun through the afternoon our chances increase for more showers and scattered thunderstorms. High temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid 60’s. Rain showers and thunderstorms start to taper off by midnight Saturday night.

Sunday turns partly sunny, with a slight chance of some showers here and there. We begin to dry out Sunday evening. Temperatures get a little chilly Sunday night with lows down to the mid to upper 40’s.

As the saying goes, what do you call two days in a row of rain? A weekend in Seattle. Summer returns on Monday and lasts all the way through the entire week next week. High temperatures return to the 70’s with overnight lows in the low to mid 50’s.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


Read more...

Travels with Charlie: Charlie had a Visitor

Friday, June 14, 2024

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Today before we headed out for a walk, we had a visitor. Our neighbor was just outside my office where Charlie and I spend a bunch of time...

Urban Wildlife is a rare blessing.

Cheers
Gordon Snyder


Read more...

Juneteenth at the Beach – Celebrating Freedom - Wednesday, June 19, 2024


Seattle actress, public speaker, and master storyteller Eva Abram will tell the Juneteenth Story in a special presentation at the Juneteenth at the Beach – Celebrating Freedom event on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 11am to 2pm on the grounds of the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds, WA.

The annual Festival of Freedom event will include free food, book reading circles by adults to children, storytelling, music, and a free musical film presentation of “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).” 

The event is organized by Lift Every Voice Legacy (LEVL) and the Edmonds Waterfront Center (EWC) with assistance from the City of Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department.

Eva Abram
“Eva is not only an avid lover of history but performs a variety of African American and multicultural stories for adult and children audiences throughout the Puget Sound area in a variety of venues. 
"Her masterful use of gestures, body language, character voices, and expressions brings characters to life and richly captivates her listeners,” said Donnie Griffin, LEVL Founder and President. 
“She is one of our favorite presenters,” Griffin added.

As a primary sponsor of legislation making June 19th a paid holiday for Washington State employees in 2021, Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, will deliver opening remarks on America’s newest holiday.

“Being a recipient of the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice (OSJ) community sponsorship initiative, Mr. Peterson will also be wearing his county councilmember hat as well,” said Robin Ullman, EWC Director of Operations and Outreach.

“We appreciate his leadership in equity and justice matters here in Edmonds and throughout our county,” commented Ullman.

Juneteenth – also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day – is a portmanteau of June 19 and marks the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 and informed the last enslaved outpost of African Americans in the Confederate South that they were no longer under bondage.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP