Highland Terrace Elementary teacher awarded Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for Finland

Monday, August 19, 2024

Kitten Vaa, Elementary Teacher
Highland Terrace Elementary
Kitten Vaa, a Second Grade Teacher at Highland Terrace Elementary School, has received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award to Finland for the 2024-2025 cycle from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The Fulbright is the US Department of State’s most prestigious award. She will use this award to go to Finland to research sustainability and social emotional educational practices around climate change. 

Kitten is among over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, study, and/or conduct research abroad for the 2024-2025 academic year through the Fulbright Program. 

She joins distinguished company. Notable Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 78 MacArthur Fellows, and 41 who have served as a head of state or government.

Kitten Vaa has been an educator for over 20 years, with the past five years spent teaching second grade at Highland Terrace Elementary in Shoreline, Washington following her work at Edmonds School District and Brighton School. Teaching kids to be thinkers, problem solvers, and to love learning is her passion. 

She loves to teach science and literacy, and has recently focused her learning around climate change education. Kitten collaborates on science education at the district, state, and national levels. Recognized for her leadership, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2018 and the Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Educator in 2024. 

In July 2024, she was awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research for her project, "Empowering Hope and Action: Sustainability Education Tools for the Primary Classroom." 

This January, she will spend three months in Helsinki, Finland, to enhance her teaching of sustainability and climate change, aiming to create a comprehensive unit that inspires action and hope in students, which she plans to share at local and state levels.


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Bridge Lessons at Seattle Bridge Center


There’s a lot going on at Seattle Bridge Center this fall. This article contains links to detailed information about two lesson series this fall.

Basic Bridge: Ten Steps to Basic Bridge, a series of 10 lessons for beginning bridge players, starts Monday, September 9, 2024 and runs on Monday & Thursday evenings through October 10. 

In this series, you’ll learn bridge from the ground up. No partner, and no previous bridge experience required, though it is helpful if you have previously played some trick-taking card game (like Spades, Hearts, Euchre, or Pinochle). Cost is $15 per person per lesson, pay as you go, cards & cash accepted. Full information here

Intermediate Bidding: Two Over One in a Nutshell, a series of 10 lessons for players with a reasonably solid understanding of the basics of the game of Bridge, starts Monday, October 21, 2024, and runs on Monday & Thursday evenings through November 25 (no class on October 31). No partner required. Cost is $15 per person per lesson, pay as you go, cards & cash accepted. Full information here

Classes are held at Seattle Bridge Center, 1539 NE 145th Street, Seattle WA 98125. We are a half-mile east of Interstate 5 at Exit 175 for NE 145th Street. We share a parking lot with the QFC supermarket and Dollar Tree store on the southeast corner of 15th Ave NE and NE 145th St. If you are facing the entrance to the Dollar Tree store, turn to your right and you will be facing our front door. We have plenty of free parking, and (beginning September 14) a direct bus link to the new Link light rail station at Shoreline South/148th.

If you'd like to watch a game of Duplicate Bridge live and in person, please join us Tuesday evenings for Rookie Duplicate, where spectators are always welcome. The game starts at 7pm; please arrive 10 minutes ahead of game time to get settled in. (No Rookie game on August 20.)

The complete and current schedule for Rookie Duplicate games and the beginner lessons can be found here -- then follow the link for "Results/Calendar."

Questions? Want to register? Send an email to SeattleBridgeCenter@gmail.com and tell us to "Sign me up for the beginner series starting September 9" or “Sign me up for the two-over-one series starting October 21”.


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Travels with Charlie: Let’s get thru this Storm

This recent massive lightning / thunderstorm used to be misery for Charlie. Shaking and Hiding was all he did.

But. Back on July 4th… Charlie learned Fireworks were coupled with treats and playing around. (Travels with Charlie: How Charlie learned to love fireworks. 7/5/24)

Now this current Lightning / Thunderstorm meant time for Charlie to take the leap from understanding Booming Fireworks to coping with Bright Light Explosions that shake our house walls and windows. I heard the storm was coming and got prepared with some training kibbles and apple chunks for soothing diversions.

Soon this monstrous storm engulfed us. Weather action all around us...

Charlie and I were in my basement office with the garden door open to the lightning, thunder and rain. 

Lots of weather everywhere.

Flashing Lights and Booming Thunder Cracks all around us.

Charlie did not freak out!

Photo by Gordon Snyder
He was hanging out in a favorite chair.
He already figured out that every storm event was followed by a crunchy treat.

He was correct. We enjoyed the storm energetic ruckus without any shaking fears.
Of course, he loved some treats.

Love 'tis weather.
Cheers,
Gordon Snyder


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Mountlake Terrace installs "no access" sign to Edmount Island

Photo courtesy City of MLT
Following the fire on August 4, 2024 on Edmount Island in Lake Ballinger, the City of Mountlake Terrace has installed a sign to inform the public that the Island is off limits.

The fire was thought to have been started by an illegal campfire.

The island has been closed to the public since an illegal barbecue sparked a peat bog fire on the island in July 2009, that lasted for months and filled the skies with smoke.


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City of Mountlake Terrace considering future of Recreation Pavilion

Sunday, August 18, 2024

By Diane Hettrick

Here's a story familiar to Shoreline residents. The Rec Pavilion in Mountlake Terrace is aging, should have been replaced 15 years ago, parts are no longer available, and it has reached a point where something has to be done.

When Shoreline was faced with this issue, they tore down the pool and planted grass.

MLT ia a small city and swimming pools are very expensive. The Rec Pavilion has extensive use and it's no secret that many of its users live in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Following is an article published in MLTNews.com
Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion
Photo courtesy City of Mountlake Terrace

While beloved for generations, the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion is worse for the wear. The Mountlake Terrace City Council is scheduled to hear a presentation at its Thursday, Aug. 22 meeting about the status of the building and options that mainly involve renovation or replacement.

“We knew eventually this would be a discussion we’d have to have,” said Jeff Betz, the city’s recreation and parks director. “It’s been recommended for replacement for over 15 years now.”

Betz was citing the work of the Civic Facilities Advisory Task Force, a volunteer group that spent much of 2008 studying city Hall, the police department and the Pavilion.

Since then, not much has changed: The Pavilion is aging beyond repair, and any fix is going to cost money.

The Recreation Pavilion is a distinctive, hexagonal work of 1960s architecture. According to a city news release, its 33,000 square feet host an award-winning pool, plus spaces for dance, fitness, child care, racquetball and an indoor playground. The facility saw 270,000 visits in 2023. That figure is especially striking in a town of 24,260.

Maintenance is challenging: Many of the needed parts no longer are produced. Some repairs would require months of closing the doors. Plumbing and electrical systems look like you walked into a time-warp. Sites like eBay don’t sell these items anymore.

Earlier this year, staff examined the panels of the system that controls the flow of air around the pool. They found spots that were rusted through, something they likened to seeing footage from a shipwreck.

As thecouncil decides next steps, public outreach will be crucial, Betz said.

“There aren’t many public pools anymore, because they’re expensive,” he said. “It’s a lot for one small city to manage by ourselves. We can’t do anything this big without talking to our community first. The Pavilion is an important part of people’s lives.”

City council meetings start at 7 p.m. at city hall and via Zoom. They also are streamed at www.youtube.com/cityofmlt. As a reminder, 24-hour registration is required to provide comment via Zoom. More info: www.cityofmlt.com/129.


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State Lands Commissioner reports 3300 lightning strikes in 24 hours

State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz says 

"We needed the rain, but not the lightning. What a show but definitely didn’t need the fire starts it brought. 

"Our firefighters, aviation pilots, dispatchers and all the teams that support our firefighters and first responders behind the scenes are working around the clock to contain the large fires on our landscape and put out all the new starts on initial attack so they don’t grow."

Over 3300 lightning strikes in 24 hrs sets a new record this year.

Fires on state lands along the Cascades.

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New power outages after isolated thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon

Power outages as of 10pm Sunday August 18, 2024

75 customers are out of power in Shoreline Sunday evening after an isolated thunderstorm moved through the area around 5pm.

WeatherWatcher Carl Dinse reports that winds gusted to around 40mph, with some places as high as 45mph.

The top wind speed he was able to find inside Shoreline city limits was 35mph.


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A fun day at Celebrate Shoreline

Photo by Claudia Meadows

The Celebrate Shoreline Festival was held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 12pm - 9pm, at Cromwell Park 18030 Meridian Avenue N, Shoreline WA 98133.

Musicians on multiple stages and frozen cookie dough for snacks
Photo by Claudia Meadows

Celebrate Shoreline is the City's annual birthday celebration. 

Incorporated in August 1995, this is the City’s signature event celebrating Shoreline’s cityhood.

New friends to meet
Photo by Pat Deagen

The festival had multiple stages with live music and shows, a beer garden, pony rides, children’s theater, food, toy workshop, hands on activities and more!

Photo by Claudia Meadows

The free, family friendly festival had sunny weather and cheerful crowds. Food trucks were lined up on the perimeter and there were trees for those who preferred shade.

Photo by Pat Deagen

Shoreline Schools, Shoreline Police, Shoreline Fire, City of Shoreline, Shoreline Library, the ACS van all had interesting displays and things to explore.

The inflatable toys are always popular
Photo by Pat Deagen

Besides the giant inflatable slide, there were pony rides and goats to pet.

Photo by Pat Deagen

Who doesn't love a goat? They are very affectionate and like to be petted.

Photo by Claudia Meadows
But for those who preferred to ride, there were ponies! Every kid can be a cowboy.


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Historical fiction by local author receives the President's Award Gold Medal from Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA)


Alice's War received the President's Award Gold Medal in historical fiction from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA). The FAPA contest is open to books published anywhere in the world.

Alice's War follows the lives of ordinary people from the coastal town of Weymouth, England as they face the extraordinary challenges and upheaval of WWII. 

Alice must balance her own ambitions as an aspiring naturalist against her responsibilities for her two grandchildren suddenly placed in her care.

Alice struggles to help her grandson Martin, who comes of age during this tumultuous time. His attraction to the Jewish refugee, Sonja, is challenged by the forces of hatred set loose on the world.

As outside forces tear Alice's family and community apart, she quietly gathers and reforms their sustaining bonds.

Author William McClain is a Lake Forest Park native, currently residing in Lynnwood. In addition to writing fiction he has published numerous articles on environmental issues, focusing on ways to make our home spaces environmentally friendly.


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LFP Early Registration for Fall Recreation Programs with the City of Shoreline begins August 22, 2024

Live in Lake Forest Park? Interested in recreation? 

Take advantage of recreation programs offered through the City of Shoreline. 

Lake Forest Park residents are eligible for a 24-hour early registration period prior to the start of each season’s programs plus an 8% discount on all program fees (not rentals) through the entire year! 

LFP Residents early registration for Fall 2024 begins August 22, 2024 at 8:00am.

Visit shorelinewa.gov/recreation for more information or give them a call at 206-801-2600 with any questions.

Reminder, LFP offers scholarship reimbursements for eligible youth and specialized recreation participants who reside in the City and are registered for and attend cultural, recreation, or aquatic programs and camps. 

For more information, go to the LFP webpage or call City Hall, 206-368-5440.


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Spoiled



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Washington State man arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor charges for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON – A Washington State man was arrested on Aug. 15, 2024, on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.


Derek Noftsger, 47, of Snohomish, Washington
Photo courtesy DOJ
Derek Noftsger, 47, of Snohomish, Washington
, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, both felony offenses. 

In addition to the felonies, Noftsger is charged with misdemeanor offenses of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

The FBI arrested Noftsger on Aug. 15, 2024, in Snohomish. He made his initial appearance in the Western District of Washington.

According to court documents, Noftsger was identified in open-source video standing near a line of police officers on Jan. 6, 2021, on the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol grounds. At approximately 2:26 p.m., multiple rioters began to push against the police line near Noftsger. In response, Noftsger allegedly picked up a police officer’s riot shield from the ground and faced a Metropolitan Police Department officer. When officers pushed back a rioter near Noftsger, he allegedly lifted the riot shield above his head with both hands and threw it at the officers.

At about 2:28 p.m., rioters on the West Plaza overran the police line, and Noftsger made his way onto the Southwest Scaffolding and the Lower West Terrace. Here, Noftsger unfurled a flag that he had been carrying.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington.

The case is being investigated by the FBI's Seattle and Washington Field Offices. Noftsger was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #339. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department

In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.


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Edmonds Driftwood Players is looking for an experienced Stage Manager

Edmonds Driftwood Players is looking for an experienced Stage Manager to join the Miracle on 34th Street, the Play team! 

If you (or someone you know) have experience calling cues, coordinating teams, and managing communications, we would love to meet you!

We have multiple volunteers interested in splitting ASM duties to support the Stage Manager. All production team members are volunteers with a nominal stipend provided to help offset costs of participation. The Stage Manager stipend is $600.

For schedule and additional details, please visit: www.EdmondsDriftwoodPlayers.org/volunteer/


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Dramatic storm knocks out power

48 households in northwest Shoreline without
power at 2am. One each at two locations in LFP.
There are just a few households in Shoreline without power at 2am after the dramatic thunder and lightning storm knocked out power to some parts of City Light's service area.

What happened at your house? Some people report their lights flickering, some had no power interruptions. 

I was happy to get my plants watered.

--Diane Hettrick

 

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Op-Ed: Removing fish barriers to improve salmon habitat and transportation for generations to come

Crews work to install a buried, concrete box-like structure that will allow Skagit River fish better access under SR 20 between Concrete and Rockport. Photo courtesy WSDOT

By Roger Millar, Washington State Secretary of Transportation

Perfect is the enemy of good. This feels remarkably applicable to the Washington State Department of Transportation's work improving fish habitat. A 2013 federal court order directed WSDOT to correct hundreds of outdated fish barriers and open hundreds of miles of habitat. We're doing just that: working to remove 400 fish passage barriers and restore 90% of habitat blocked by state highways in little more than a decade once the Legislature ramped up funding.

The federal court order requires this work and sets the parameters (prioritizing projects by potential habitat gain) – and that's how we're going about it. As of June 2024, we have corrected 146 injunction barriers, opening 571 miles of potential fish habitat – 50 percent of the total blocked habitat of injunction culverts. We currently have 160 additional sites under construction contract. Once those additional 160 barriers are corrected, WSDOT will have restored access to 70% of blocked potential habitat. With existing funds, we expect to restore access to 75% of blocked potential habitat. The remaining work to get to 90% requires additional funding estimated at $4 billion.

One of two new box culverts shown here now helps tributaries to Patterson Creek flow freely underneath SR 203 near Fall City, opening up a potential 11 miles of habitat for salmon and other native fish. Photo courtesy WSDOT

In the past year, the Seattle Times has questioned the value of the projects we've addressed, confused our court mandated approach with other state agency fish passage efforts and asserted the presence of other fish barriers up- or downstream of our projects renders our work little more than "stranded investments." 

Here are the realities. The legal fight to arrive at these court-ordered requirements started in 2001 and lasted 17 years. Is the project list perfect? Does it immediately resolve every other barrier in every waterway we've worked on? No. But contrary to the assertion that we're building "stranded investments," we're simply the first owner out of the gate.

State law requires every barrier owner to fix their barriers and we just happen to be the only barrier owner also required to do the work by the court. Our work is the linchpin. When we correct our barriers, it creates or continues momentum as WSDOT barriers are often the largest and most expensive. 

Other owners in that same watershed may have less expensive barriers that likely will score higher for grant funding opportunities to correct them after our work is complete. Subsequent actions taken by other barrier owners makes every WSDOT investment valuable. As with anything difficult, if there's not motivation to do the work, no one will get it done. Salmon can't wait decades and again, perfect is the enemy of good. And our share of the effort would only become more expensive if we were to wait the years or decades for all partners to be ready to go at the same time.

Workers dig under a new bridge to restore a stream under US 12 in Grays Harbor County
Photo courtesy WSDOT

I call this work a moonshot – a monumental, aspirational effort – because that's exactly what we are delivering. No other state department of transportation or organization anywhere in the nation has been tasked with fixing generations of significant environmental harm in such little time. Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife field surveys confirm fish are already returning to many of the restored waterways.

We've faced many challenges not directly within our control, including funding, supply chain, workforce and construction industry shortages, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and the presence of up- or downstream barriers. We've gotten better and more efficient with the work, including new contracting methods and bundling projects to save time, money and impacts to the traveling public.

SR 108: A worker holds a small cutthroat trout gently removed from a fish passage construction site in Mason County before work begins to improve access along SR 108. All fish are removed, counted and then released into another part of the waterway as part of the preparation process. This fish passage work improves access for salmon as well as many other types of fish. Photo courtesy WSDOT

While a federal court requires this work, correcting fish barriers benefits every single Washingtonian present and future. From a purely transportation perspective, removing fish barriers allows us to design and build structures to better withstand earthquakes and extreme storms and flooding. The new structures' natural stream conditions restore runs and open habitat to salmon and many other types of wildlife. 

More importantly, improving salmon habitat is one crucial step we can take to repair the fragile ecosystem of the beautiful state we call home. WSDOT remains committed to continuing this hard, rewarding work in partnership with Washington's tribes.

Bottom line – the court injunction lays out roles and responsibilities for culverts under state-owned roads. Local governments, landowners and tribes have roles to play in broader watershed and stream restoration efforts. While WSDOT culvert projects may not bring back salmon solely on their own, they are a critical piece of the puzzle – OUR piece of the puzzle.


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The sun isn't the only one to change its look every few minutes...

Saturday, August 17, 2024

"Egg moon" By Bruce Hill

In just a few hours, Thursday's moon had so many looks.

Golden moon by Bruce Hill

A wonderful show...

Orange moon by Bruce Hill

And, then, it was gone!

Bruce Hill



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Hillwood Neighborhood Association project to restore Einstein Salmon now underway

This explanatory poster is now attached to the vacant pole where the fiberglass salmon has been on the corner plaza at 3rd Ave NW & NW 195th St in Shoreline. The first salmon, the female Coho, will reappear there when it's restored. The male Coho will be next.
Photo by HannahJunePhotography

Hillwood Neighborhood Association (HNA) has begun the process of restoring the iconic fiberglass salmon installed on the corner plaza at Einstein Middle School at 3rd NW & NW 195th in Hillwood Neighborhood.

The fish are owned by Shoreline Schools who have given HNA permission to remove the fish and take them off-site for restoration work.

After safely moving the salmon to the work site, HNA board members Paul Lewing, Kim Brazell (with back to the camera), Jocelyn C. Asher and volunteer Rick Asher discuss the paint removal process. Photo by HannahJunePhotography

Research for this project began at the end of 2022.

In July of 2024, the City of Shoreline approved the funding for the restoration through a Neighborhood Mini-Grant. The project has now begun!

HNA board member Kim Brazell and volunteer Rick Asher transport the first salmon to a carefully cushioned van for the ride to where it will undergo cleaning, repairing, and painting.
Photo by HannahJunePhotography

Once the work is done, the salmon will be reinstalled and dedicated in a public ceremony in October 2024.

If you would like to help with the project, contact Hillwood at myHillwoodmail@gmail.com

The Hillwood webpage will be active later this month.


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Travels with Charlie: AppleSauce Time

Photo by Gordon Snyder

A few weeks ago Charlie and I checked out a favorite wild apple tree. We wandered back there to check the apple crop.

I noticed a few apples already on the ground for the critters. But there were lots on the tree.

While Charlie sniffed around, I used the only bags I had to pick enough for Homemade Applesauce.

Now’s a good time to check out your favorite wild apple tree now while apples are still green. Ignore any that have insect or other scares.

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Here’s some of our good ones.

Chris will turn these beauties into an unbeatable treat.

Cheers,
Gordon Snyder


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SHORELINE: Overnight I-5 lane reductions and ramp closures next week

Lane restrictions on 145th all next week

Sound Transit contractor crews will continue work in several areas around Shoreline as part of the ongoing Lynnwood Light Rail extension project.

The work involves the following closures at all three I-5 interchanges in Shoreline

  • The northbound I-5 off-ramp to NE 145th St from 11pm to 5am nightly Monday, Aug. 19, through Thursday morning, Aug. 22.
  • The left lane on the NE 145th St on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 8pm to 6am nightly Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday morning, Aug. 23.
  • The three left lanes of northbound I-5 between NE 175th St and SR 104 from 10pm Wednesday, Aug. 21, to 5am Thursday, Aug. 22; from 10:30pm Thursday, Aug. 22, to 5am Friday, Aug. 23; and from 9pm to 7am nightly Friday, Aug. 23, through Sunday morning, Aug. 25.
  • The NE 175th St on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 11pm Thursday, Aug. 22, to 5am Friday, Aug. 23.
  • The northbound I-5 off-ramp to eastbound and westbound SR 104 from 11pm Thursday, Aug. 22, to 5am Friday, Aug. 23.
  • The NE 175th St on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 11:59pm to 7am nightly Friday, Aug. 23, through Sunday morning, Aug. 25.
  • The northbound I-5 off-ramp to eastbound and westbound SR 104 from 11:59pm to 7am nightly Friday, Aug. 23, through Sunday morning, Aug. 25.
SR 104 in this context is Ballinger Way to the east and NE 104th to the west

In addition, from Saturday, Aug. 17, through Thursday, Aug. 22, Sound Transit will conduct waterline work on eastbound and westbound NE 145th St (WA-523) from 3rd Ave NE to 8th Ave NE. 

This work will cause nighttime lane restrictions just east of 5th Ave NE on NE 145th St. The closures will happen at night to minimize traffic and community disruptions. 


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Retired state ferries sold for $100,000 each to be recycled in Ecuador

The Klahowya in her final assignment, as the inter-island vessel in the San Juan Islands. Courtesy of Brandon Swan at Evergreen Fleet.

Buyer plans to recycle Elwha and Klahowya at clean facility

SEATTLE – Two vessels that each spent more than 50 years as part of the Washington State Ferries fleet are heading to South America.

WSF has entered into purchase and sales agreements with Nelson Armas of Ecuador for Elwha and Klahowya. The sale price was $100,000 each, previously paid to WSF. 

With approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, the new owner plans to transport the ferries by tow for recycling at a clean, green steel mill facility in Ecuador. Both boats are certified to be free of hazardous materials.

A small Western Towboat Co. tug, supplied by the new owner, will take Elwha and Klahowya out of Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island, where they are currently docked, starting at 9:30am Monday, August 19, 2024. 

Then the vessels will connect with the voyage towing tugboat Wycliffe, which will take them out of the Puget Sound. Track Wycliffe’s progress in real time using MarineTraffic.

The sale of a third decommissioned vessel, Hyak, is pending.

“After safely serving our customers for more than five decades each, the sale of these two retired ferries will free up our docking space so we can focus vessel maintenance needs on our current fleet,” said WSF Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey. 
“In addition, any time we needed to move these decommissioned boats to allow for vessel or terminal maintenance, there was a cost for a tugboat, and we needed a tow captain on board, taking away a crewmember from working on one of our routes.”

Elwa courtesy West Coast Ferries forum

The 144-car Elwha and Hyak are two of four Super-class ferries built in the mid-1960s. Elwha mainly served the Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia route before being retired on April 8, 2020. Hyak, which was decommissioned on June 30, 2019, was primarily used on the Seattle/Bremerton route and is now docked at Kingston terminal. 

The final two Super-class ferries, Kaleetan and Yakima, are still in service.

Built in 1958, the 87-car Evergreen State-class Klahowya mainly served the Fauntleroy / Vashon / Southworth route. It moved to the San Juan Islands inter-island run in 2014. When Klahowya was decommissioned on July 1, 2017, sister ship Tillikum replaced it on the route.

WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries tens of millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. 

For the latest service updates, sign up for rider alerts and track each ferry using the real-time map online.


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Hollywood Card Room gambling license revoked

Friday, August 16, 2024


The Hollywood Card Room Casino, located at 16716 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133, had its gambling license revoked by the State Gambling Commission at their meeting on August 8, 2024.

The casino is permanently closed.

They were faulted for having insufficient funds to run the operation, for not following standard accounting practices, for failing to pay their license fees, and for making misleading statements to state investigators.

Their financial difficulties were first discovered in 2023. The "player supported" jackpot revenue was far below the prizes paid out. In the June through September 2023 period the total amount collected was $48,693.60, whereas the total amount of prizes paid out was $121,962.00, a difference of $73,268.40.

The majority owner transferred retirement funds into the operating funds and obtained a $75,000 loan from an unregulated merchant business funding company, repayable on a daily basis through fifteen (15) percent of the daily gross receipts.

When state agents reviewed the general ledger in both the physical and electronic forms, several inaccuracies were noted, including contributions not being entered into the general ledger, failure to keep an accounting system on a double-entry system in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, inaccurate reporting of transactions, and failures to report cash infusions correctly.

These inaccuracies made it impossible for agents to determine what funds were infused into the business or when those funds were infused.

Hollywood was required to submit quarterly license reports and pay quarterly license fees during the duration of their license. They failed to pay two of those quarters in 2023.

During the course of this investigation the majority owner repeatedly failed to disclose material facts, made several false or misleading statements as to the total debts Hollywood was incurring, agreements with third parties, and ability to repay these debts.

The Hollywood Card Room Casino is listed as permanently closed.


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Shoreline Public Schools Foundation establishes SAFE fund to help keep kids in school

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation and the generous donors who contribute to help enrich our schools contributed over $100K over the last school year, which funded 46 Engagement Grants.

For the 2024-25 school year, the Foundation is launching SAFE (Student Aid for Essentials).

SAFE is a new initiative with a simple and far-reaching goal: to keep kids in school by removing barriers for students who are living with a low income or experiencing a financial and/or family crisis.

The SAFE program will act as a lifeline, providing immediate help for basic needs and emergency support.

Below are a few examples of what the support will fund:
  • Gift cards for groceries, gas, and necessities
  • School supplies
  • Backpacks
  • Field trip fees
  • Class and activity fees
  • Transportation to services outside of school
Please consider donating to the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation to support local students who are experiencing the most need.


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WeatherWatcher: Chance of thunderstorms Saturday evening

 

From the archives: Lightning over Lake Washington from Log Boom Park
Photo by Carl Dinse, July 11, 2009

Every few summers we seem to get that one day, or night, or a week worth of active weather containing lightning in the area. 

The last major outbreak of lightning storms was September 7, 2019. This is typical weather for summers here in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas. 

Sometimes we get it two or three years in a row and other times we go up to five years or so without one. Sometimes it is one evening and done, other times we get it spread out with breaks over the course of a week.

Starting Saturday afternoon or early evening, we will start a week of excitement in weather. Our biggest chance will be between 6pm and 11pm Saturday evening. Some showers and thunderstorms might still pop up overnight into Sunday morning. 

We also may see some windy conditions in isolated spots Saturday evening, with some isolated wind gusts that could reach up to 45mph, but it won't be a typical windstorm.

The winds will be short bursts, and isolated to thunderstorm activity areas. 

What can make them particularly damaging, though, is they can switch directions at any time and all our trees are in full summer foliage right now. I can't rule out scattered power outages with this event.

Once we get past the main event sometime Sunday morning, skies should start to clear. We'll be back to our normal sunny weather until Tuesday afternoon. 

Chances of showers return Tuesday afternoon and possibly a slight chance of thundershowers return Tuesday through Thursday. The threat of lightning in these showers should ease off completely by the end of next week.


For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com


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Travels with Charlie: Neighborhood waterings

Photo by Gordon Snyder

A perfect summer day. Charlie and I hung out in our neighborhood.
Time for a little watering caught the sunlight…

Get outside and enjoy the small beautiful spots.

Cheers,
Gordon Snyder


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Feria Viva Latinoamerica August 24, 2024 in LFP


Feria Viva Latinoamerica
Saturday, August 24, 2024

¡SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY AUGUST 24! ¡Come Together and Celebrate! Join the community in celebrating Latin American culture in Washington State at Feria Viva Latinoamerica 2024!


Immerse in a cultural festival filled with live music, a fashion show, delicious food, handmade treasures, community services, and more! Come with family and friends and enjoy a variety of mouthwatering dishes and discover unique handmade products from Latin America.

We'll see you on Saturday, August 24th, starting at 11am at the beautiful Animal Acres Park, Lake Forest Park. Get ready to dance and soak up the joy and good vibes at Feria Viva Latinoamerica 2024.

¡Come Together! ¡Collaborate and flourish! ¡Be Nice! ¡Be Happy!


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LFP “Legacy” business Ballinger Automotive closes

Ballinger Automotive. Photo by Lis Johnson
State plan to restore Lyon Creek culvert will cause traffic headaches
By Lis Johnson
 
One of LFP’s oldest businesses, Ballinger Automotive, closed its doors recently after just over 80 years in business, catching customers by surprise.

The closure was made necessary by the Washington Department of Transportation’s salmon recovery program. Ballinger Automtoive’s property includes a Lyon Creek culvert that is part of a $13 million state effort to restore salmon habitat and migration along the creek as it runs under Ballinger Way.

The project on the Ballinger Automotive property will cost close to an estimated $9 million of the funds set aside to local projects along Lyon Creek.

Ballinger Automotive had been in negotiations with the state for some time over the price offered for the property, but with the work slated to start next summer, the state exercised eminent domain, offering compensation of $124,000. The owner, Rob Ricker, is pursuing the matter in court, saying the price is too low.

Considered a legacy business because of its longevity, Ballinger Automotive had a loyal clientele, who valued its fair prices and good work.

The sudden closure came as a surprise to the many customers and neighbors.

The section of Lyon Creek that runs through the culvert at the edge of the company’s property will be replaced next summer and is part of a much larger statewide program potentially costing upwards of nearly $8 billion.

The culvert renovation at Ballinger Automotive will have a substantial impact on traffic when it gets underway next summer.

The state will take bids on the project this fall.

According to a project overview from the state, crews will replace the existing 6 by 4 foot box culvert with a 24 foot structure, with the potential to open more than 7.5 miles of habitat and migration for a variety of salmon and trout —although upgrades and improvements to other culverts will be necessary to achieve that goal.

The project is expected to start next summer and extend into winter.

According to the overview, there will be a four week closure of Ballinger Way at 35th Avenue NE for the removal of the existing culvert, during which time traffic will be detoured around the construction.

The state also expects a full closure of NE 185th for soil remediation and a partial closure of 35th Avenue E for the relocation of a sewer pipe. The overview says the timing of these closures has not yet been decided.

The closure of Ballinger Automotive and the statewide recovery program were the subject of a recent article in the Seattle Times. (the full article can be accessed here)

More information on the state project can be found on the program overview here.


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CRISTA welcomes the community to Summer Fest to celebrate its 75th anniversary

In the midst of celebrating its milestone 75th anniversary throughout 2024, CRISTA Ministries is preparing to welcome the community to its 60-acre Shoreline campus on Saturday, August 24, 2024 for “Summer Fest,” a free all-day family-friendly festival. 

The CRISTA Ministries campus, home to King’s Schools and the Cristwood senior community, is located at 19303 Fremont Ave N, blocks southwest of where 205th and Aurora connect.

CRISTA’s 75th Anniversary Summer Fest schedule includes:
  • 10am-5pm Kids Zone & Rock Climbing Wall hosted by CRISTA Camps & King’s Schools
  • 10am-2pm Classic Car Show hosted by CRISTA Senior Living
  • 11am-1pm Free Hot Dogs & Ice Cream (while supplies last) hosted by CRISTA Senior Living
  • 5-7pm Summer Night of Prayer & Worship hosted by SPIRIT 105.3 & PRAISE 106.5

Kicking off with a 75-car classic car show from 10am-2pm and concluding with a live concert from 5-7pm, Summer Fest activities are completely free to attendees throughout the day. 

CRISTA Senior Living will be offering complimentary hot dogs and ice cream to car show guests beginning at 11am. In the afternoon, several beloved local food trucks will be onsite with meals and beverages available for purchase.

CRISTA's main building
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Founded in 1949 at the site of the former Firlands Tuberculosis Sanitorium, CRISTA Ministries (originally known as King’s Garden) has grown into one of the largest non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most diverse not-for-profit service organizations in the world. 

CRISTA’s five ministries serve the world in areas ranging from Christian education (King’s Schools, CRISTA Camps) to media (CRISTA Media) to poverty alleviation (World Concern) to senior care (CRISTA Senior Living). 

Collectively, the ministries of CRISTA reach millions of individuals each year in over 200 countries around the world. The shared mission of CRISTA’s ministries is to fearlessly declare the Gospel with Biblical truth and love, leading generations to follow Jesus.

Stated CRISTA Ministries CEO, Jacinta Tegman: “At CRISTA, we call ourselves a family of ministries. And an extended part of our family has been the city of Shoreline and surrounding cities that we have been proud to call our home for 75 years and counting. 
"We are thrilled at the opportunity to welcome families to our historic campus for a full day of fun on August 24.”

CRISTA’s 75th anniversary celebration will reach its peak on Saturday, November 16, with a Gala event at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. For more information about Summer Fest or the Gala, please visit crista.org. For media inquiries, please contact Ben Wilson at 206.546.7487 or bwilson@crista.net.


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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 13, 2024 for the Kruckeberg ADA-approved boardwalk through the Garden's forest

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden celebrates the completion of their ADA-approved boardwalk at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 5:30 - 6:30pm.

Gather for light refreshments with representatives from the City of Shoreline, our design and construction partners FORMA and Mithun, and the Kruckeberg and Shoreline community that helped to make this happen!

No registration required -- all we need is you and your feet (or wheels!)

ADA accessible pathway above the forest
Photo courtesy KBG

The boardwalk opened last week. There are trails throughout Kruckeberg but this is an elevated boardwalk down a steep hillside, suitable for wheelchair users as well as more able-bodied visitors.

"It's like floating through the treetops," said garden director JP Sauerlander.

Floating above the trees
Photo courtesy KBG

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden at 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177.
  • Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • March - October: 10am-5pm
  • November - February: 10am-3pm
  • Admission is free, but a donation is appreciated!

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is a living collection of native and rare plants that serves as a gathering place for the community to learn, be inspired, and feel connected to the natural world.


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