‘Operation Safe Transit’ initiative focused on transit and transit locations

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

To deter and respond to security challenges, Metro more than doubled the number of Transit Security Officers, expanded their areas and routes, and moved to 24/7 coverage. They are adding more Metro Transit Police officers, too. Photo courtesy Metro Transit

King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) announced four arrests as part of a larger public safety initiative to make transit safer, combat crime, and provide behavioral health supports and resources, particularly along the transit corridor in downtown Seattle.

The larger initiative, known as “Operation Safe Transit,” was launched by KCSO on May 1 as a pilot program focused on targeted work on transit and at transit locations such as bus stops and station platforms.

The enforcement completed on Wednesday is an example of the type of efforts Operation Safe Transit includes and resulted in arrests of four individuals, three of whom are known drug dealers. The fourth suspect had a warrant for assault. Deputies also recovered drugs and two handguns, one of which was stolen.

Operation Safe Transit leverages years of experience and knowledge from security officers, co-response teams, and law enforcement to effectively increase public safety and combat crime. 

The Seattle Police Department, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other partners are collaborating with KCSO on this initiative. At the request of KCSO, the King County jail has made exceptions to bookings for misdemeanor crimes committed in the transit system since the operation began in May.

“Public safety requires a multi-faceted approach, with agencies, branches of government, and jurisdictions working in concert, and that is the approach we are taking to challenges at or near transit facilities in downtown Seattle,” said Executive Constantine.
“Seattle streets host Metro bus stops and Sound Transit rail stations, and we are building seamless collaboration across local governments, departments, and agencies to ensure those stations, stops, and streets are clean and safe.”

“We recognize how the situation in this part of downtown is affecting the public, as well as employees and we are taking every step possible to help improve safety in this area,” said Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindal. 

“The ultimate goal here is to abate crime and fear of crime on our transit system. We are doing whatever we can to remove potentially threatening and harmful situations and take the most dangerous people off the streets, the trains, and the buses. We want our message to be clear – if people don’t behave lawfully, there will be consequences.”

Transit riders will see increased police and security presence around Third Avenue, the King County Courthouse, Metro bus stops, and the downtown transit tunnel. Bike teams from Metro Transit and Sound Transit will also play a significant role, as their visibility often serves as a crime deterrent.

Over the past year, Metro has successfully implemented several key strategies to improve safety on transit. The agency engaged with thousands of people through the Safety, Security and Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative, and heard a clear desire for an increased safety presence and appropriate support for community members in need.

Metro’s “Care and Presence” approach includes more than doubling the number of transit security officers to 170, establishing a group of 17 Metro Safety Ambassadors to assist riders, and coordinating with King County’s Department of Community & Human Services to deploy a team of 14 behavioral health specialists. Since its launch, the behavioral health team has made over 7,621 contacts and responded to 396 crisis or de-escalation events.

“Communities have made it clear to us that there is a need for both security and compassionate support for those who need it,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison.
“Based on what we heard from you, we developed an approach to keep riders safe that focuses on ‘Care and Presence.’ We have more than doubled the number of Transit Security Officers and added Metro Safety Ambassadors to engage with riders. We also deployed Behavioral Health Specialists, who provide de-escalation, resources, and support.”

Aside from Wednesday’s work, Operation Safe Transit has resulted in 82 arrests. Half of those came from deputies who viewed criminal activity directly and made arrests in real-time. This operational work will continue to ensure those who live, work, and visit downtown see and feel the enhanced public safety impacts.


Read more...

WeatherWatcher: Thunderstorms leave behind a trail of scattered power outages and small tree limbs

Sunday's storm
Photo by Jan Hansen

This was probably one of the best forecasted thunderstorm outbreaks for this region. Overall Western Washington received around 3,300 lightning strikes. Rainfall in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park was a little variable by a tenth of an inch or two at various personal weather stations. Winds were also gusty as expected, leading to some power outages, whereas lightning caused some power outages as well.

At the Echo Lake/North Ridge station we recorded 0.92 inches of rain over Saturday and Sunday. No need to water the lawns for about a week now. Saturday was the bulk of the rain at 0.78 inches.

It was windy as well, with gusts Saturday night peaking around 30mph, and Sunday’s isolated storm at about 5pm had wind gusts recorded at 35mph but could have easily been stronger near the treetops. The isolated storm on Sunday also brought another round of scattered power outages.

We are not done with the potentially stormy weather. Monday brought us a little break with just a few light showers in the evening. The possibility of thunderstorms returns Tuesday afternoon and evening. This time around, the chance is down from 30% to only a slight chance.

The threat of some showers remains with us Wednesday, with another slight chance of a thunderstorm Wednesday evening. Chances of showers, but without thunderstorms, continues Thursday and into Saturday night. We start to dry out Sunday afternoon and evening with a return to normal sunny weather come next Monday.
 

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


Read more...

August recipe from Town & Country Market: Mason Jar Ice Cream

Monday, August 19, 2024

Mason Jar Ice Cream
Town & Country Market
Mason Jar Ice Cream

Shake your way to homemade ice cream with this easy-peasy recipe! Simply shake your ingredients in a jar and freeze. Such a fun summer treat! Great for the kids and summer parties. *Requires 2-3 hours to freeze.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Prep Time: 5 Minutes (2-3 hours to freeze)
Yield: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS
8 ounce mason jar (or similar)
½ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt

Mason jars, a few ingredients, and optional toppings
for a do-it-yourself ice cream delight!
From Town & Country Markets

PREPARATION


STEP 1
Add cream, sugar, vanilla and salt to a jar. Add any mix-ins if using.

STEP 2
Shake jar for 3-5 minutes until mixture doubles in volume and resembles thick batter.

STEP 3
Freeze jar for 2-3 hours until ice cream resembles soft serve. Shake jar every 30 minutes while freezing if possible.

Options

Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Sprinkles
  • Crushed cookies
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Chocolate fudge
  • Caramel
  • Fruit jam
  • Peanut butter
  • Nutella
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Chopped peanut butter cups (or other candy bar)
  • Chopped fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, raspberries)

Shoreline Town & Country Market is located on the upper level of Shoreline Place, at 15505 Westminster Way N, Shoreline, WA 98133. All ingredients are available there plus a lot more!



Read more...

Wayne Pridemore: Lights in the sky but not in the house

Photo by Wayne Pridemore in Richmond Beach

Lots of lightning and thunder over our bedroom deck. This is my favorite kind of photo shoot, the action came to me.

View from Richmond Beach Saturday, August 17, 2024
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The only problem was that a nearby transformer was hit and we lost power overnight.

City Light workers replacing transformer
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Sunday morning Seattle City Light came to the rescue and changed out the transformer and we had electricity with a flip of the switch. 

City Light to the rescue
Photo by Wayne Pridemore
Life is good.

--Wayne Pridemore


Read more...

144,000+ WA Seniors to see their prescription drug costs drop as Feds flex negotiating power granted by Inflation Reduction Act

Biden administration announces price cuts of 38%-79% on 10 key drugs
that will save U.S. seniors $1.5 billion next year

EDMONDS, WA – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) celebrated the Biden Administration’s announcement of lower prices for the first 10 prescription drugs selected for negotiation with drug companies under provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“Prescription drug costs continue to be one of the biggest expenses for American families. This historic law allowed the federal government and Medicare to go toe-to-toe with Big Pharma to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs for the first time,” said Sen. Cantwell.
“As a result, 10 common prescriptions that more than 144,000 Washington seniors rely on will be significantly more affordable, meaning $1.5 billion in savings for Americans on out-of-pocket costs, in addition to savings from other IRA prescription drug provisions, while saving taxpayers billions more.
"And we’re just getting started – the next round of drugs to be negotiated will be announced soon."

By giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies on the prices they charge for prescription drugs, the IRA saves money for seniors, while saving money for taxpayers and reducing the federal budget deficit. 

In 2026, once the new, lower prices take effect, Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D who take these medications are estimated to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs. Moreover, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the drug pricing provisions in the IRA will reduce the federal deficit by $237 billion over 10 years.

Data released by the Department of Health and Human Services shows in 2022 more than 144,000 Medicare enrollees in the State of Washington needed the 10 drugs announced for price negotiation. 

Together, those Washingtonians spent about $67.6 million out of pocket to access those important medications in 2022.

The 10 drugs included in this round of negotiations are among the most popular – and expensive – medications taken by people on Medicare. Prices for many of these drugs have soared in recent years, far exceeding the rate of inflation – doubling, tripling, or even more in some cases. For many of the patients taking these drugs, they will need them for the rest of their lives. The savings will only grow over time.

Prices will be negotiated for even more prescription drugs in the future, with the next 15 drugs to be selected for negotiation to be announced by February 2025.

Seniors in Washington state are also saving money on their health care in other ways thanks to money-saving improvements to Medicare in the IRA.

For example, in 2024, approximately 288,000 Washington state seniors are saving an average of $240 each year thanks to the IRA’s $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs and broader coverage of important vaccinations.

More details about cost savings associated with the IRA’s health care improvements are available HERE.

Sen. Cantwell is a leading voice for reducing prescription drug costs. In addition to her support for the drug negotiation provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, Sen. Cantwell has pushed for passage of her bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have the power to dictate how much people pay for their prescriptions, how they can access their prescriptions, and even what type of treatments people can receive. Just three PBMs control nearly 80% of the prescription drug market.

Sen. Cantwell’s legislation would increase drug pricing transparency and hold PBMs accountable for unfair and deceptive practices that drive up prescription drug costs at the expense of consumers.


Read more...

Highland Terrace Elementary teacher awarded Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for Finland

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.


Read more...

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”.


Read more...

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


Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.

Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.


Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Spoiled



Read more...

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.


Read more...

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/


Read more...

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

 

Read more...

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.


Read more...

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



Read more...

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.


Read more...

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


Read more...

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. 


Read more...

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.


Read more...

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.


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