Protesters respond to Trump's invasion of Venezuela at Sunday protests

 

Pop-up protest near Sculpture Park on Aurora Sunday

In response to President Trump's blatantly illegal military invasion of Venezuela, the killing of Venezuelan civilians, the oil blockade, and capture of Venezuelan ships, the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife with the intent to take over the Venezuelan oil industry, 30 people responded with a pop-up demonstration near Sculpture Park north of 175th on Aurora, on Sunday afternoon January 4, 2025.

No one voted for war

They said, "We believe in the rule of law and a core principle behind all our events is a commitment to nonviolent action. 

"We the people need to stand up to this disgraceful display of power, greed, corruption and disregard for innocent lives, domestic and international laws and our own Constitution."

Trump ran for President claiming to be anti-war. 

In a cold wind, some sun, then rain, 50 additional protesters stood up at N 205th and Aurora during their every Sunday, 1-2pm demonstration.

The signs read "No Oil Wars" and

"I am old. I am tired. I still care. I show up"

Demonstrations will  continue every Sunday from 1 - 2pm at N 205th and Aurora.

Read more...

Woman injured by gunfire near N 128th St and Aurora on January 3, 2026

N 128th and Aurora Ave N

At about 5:15am on January 3, 2026 Seattle patrol officers responded to reports of gunfire near North 128th Street and Aurora Avenue North in north Seattle.

A short time later, a victim arrived at Northwest Hospital (NWH) with a gunshot wound to her leg. Police responded to NWH to interview her. 

The 29 year old told officers that while working on Aurora and speaking to a potential customer, she heard an argument followed by nearby gunshots. While running away from the gunfire, she got shot in the leg.

The victim, who was with her friend at the time of the shooting, flagged down a passing motorist and got a ride to NWH.

Officers found the shooting scene, including multiple shell casings and a small blood trail belonging to the victim. They processed the scene and notified detectives in the Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU). The Real Time Crime Center found relevant video evidence.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. Police have not made any arrests at this time. This continues to be an open and active investigation assigned to GVRU.

Incident Number: 2026-2062

Read more...

Sky before the rain

 

Photo by Barbara Twaddell

It was a lovely sunny day after the morning fog cleared and before the rain came in. You take the good stuff when you get it!

Read more...

Sunshine for the LFP Rotary Polar Bear Polio Dip

It may have been warmer than usual but the cold water is still a shock

By Diane Hettrick

Photos by David Carlos

Sunglasses are not the usual attire for polar bear dips but they were common at the LFP Rotary event on Saturday January 3, 2026 at the Sheridan Beach Club on Lake Washington.

Rotary members gather for a portrait before the Dip

The sun was bright and it's even possible that the water was warmer than Puget Sound. 

One dipper balances on a row of blocks under the water, while just a few feet farther in a group is socializing. 

Many of the participants lingered in the water and did not run out grabbing large towels as in previous years.

Robin Roat laughs with some of the girls from Interact

The annual event, organized by Robin Roat, is for fun but is also a fundraiser for Rotary International's End Polio Now campaign. Admission price was $5 and a jar of peanut butter.

The club does events throughout the year to support the campaign.

Donations of peanut butter for the North Helpline Food Bank

This year, attendees also brought jars of peanut butter to donate to the North Helpline Food Bank.

KCSO Marine Rescue boat

As in previous years, the Marine Rescue Unit of the King County Sheriff's Office stood by.

Interact volunteers checking people in

Members of Interact, the Rotary affiliate for high school students, were both participants and volunteers.

LFP Police were on scene to support Chief Mike Harden, who is an active member of the Rotary club. 

Police Chief Mike Harden emerges triumphant from the water

This year he participated in full uniform!

Not everyone was as enthusiastic - one girl looks like it wasn't as much fun as she thought it would be - but she did it and now she has a story to tell.

Support crew standing by with towels

The support crew stood by with towels for the dippers.

There's always one ready to lighten the mood. This black hat Santa brought his own music.

Before the run into the water, Robin welcomed the participants and supporters.

Read more...

Wild Waves to close after nearly 50 years in the Pacific Northwest

By Kristen Russell

Published in ParentMap

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park will close for good after its 2026 season, ending a decades-long run as a reliable summer standby for Puget Sound families. The park, a longtime go-to for waterslides, rides and seasonal events, has struggled with rising operational costs and ongoing losses since the pandemic, according to park officials. 

Wild Waves will open as scheduled on May 23, 2026, and close permanently on November 1, 2026.

“We are thankful for our guests, team members and the community of Federal Way for supporting Wild Waves and creating so many thrills and great memories with families and friends,” says Kieran Burke, president and owner of Premier Parks. 

Burke says the company is committed to a full final season, and all 2026 passes, tickets and group events will be honored. The closure affects roughly 35 full-time employees and about 800 seasonal workers, many of them teens getting their first jobs.

For parents who grew up going to Wild Waves and later brought their own kids, the news marks the end of a favorite all-ages, all-weather summer crowd-pleaser. From water slides and wave pools to Fright Fest in the fall, the park has been woven into family routines since 1977.

Jeff Stock of EPI Realty Holdings says new plans for the property are in the early stages. “We recognize the deep history and emotional connection many residents have with the park, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful transition while planning a project that will bring meaningful, lasting benefits to the area.”

For now, families have one more summer — and one last fall Fright Fest — before Wild Waves becomes a Northwest memory.

Read more...

King County Sheriff's Office 2025 Year in Review

The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) has published a 5 minute video highlighting their most dramatic cases of 2025.

Watch it here: KCSO Year in Review video

With over 1200 employees, the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) serves the needs of over half million people in unincorporated areas and twelve contract cities, including Shoreline and Kenmore.  

KCSO also provides police departments for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Metro and Sound Transit and the King County International Airport. 

Read more...

Shoreline College Alumni Winter Gathering January 22, 2026

Calling all Alumni! Join us for the first ever Alumni Winter Gathering on January 22, 2026

Click this link to RSVP before January 12th!

Reconnect with fellow alumni, grow your network, and enjoy an evening of conversation and community. 

Hear a brief State of the College update from College President Jack Kahn and meet members of the Alumni Network Steering Committee who are helping shape Shoreline’s growing alumni community.

Read more...

Rick Steves Virtual 2026 Travel Festival

Europe is always changing. And, while the fundamentals of good travel are perennial, it's smart to prepare for what's new in 2026. That's where the Rick Steves' Europe 2026 Travel Festival comes in! 

This five-evening virtual series on January 12–16, 2026 is designed to help travelers brush up on European travel best practices and pick up timely tips for successful trips in the year ahead.

Rick kicks things off with his favorite foodie tips and edible experiences to help travelers plan the best sightseeing for their taste buds. 

From there, a host of Rick Steves' Europe travel experts explore how smart travelers can strategize around crowds, enjoy Europe across all seasons, and construct careful itineraries that deliver maximum travel thrills without running travelers ragged. 

Plus, we catch you up on emerging travel trends — from the impacts of AI to new visa waiver programs to beating heat waves.

It's all free, and you can sign up for any (or all) of these timely sessions using the links below. Join us to ensure you're packing along the best information available on your next European adventure!

January 12: A Grand European Food Tour with Rick Steves

6:00pm PT  REGISTER

Eating in Europe is sightseeing for your taste buds, and Rick has cooked up a mouthwatering hour of his favorite foodie tips and tastiest experiences. Together, we indulge in a food tour of London's East End, a cooking class in the Cinque Terre, fine dining in France, sizzling street food in Istanbul, and advice from guest experts (like Fred Plotkin, of Gourmet Italy fame) — plus some morsels from Rick's upcoming 2026 TV specials for dessert. Kick off our five-evening 2026 Travel Festival by joining Rick on this gastronomic thrill ride!

January 13: Managing Crowds & Back Door Discoveries with Robyn Stencil

6:00pm PT  REGISTER

Europe's marquee sights are busy, but travelers can meet this challenge by balancing major attractions with lesser-known (but equally amazing) sights and cities. Join tour program manager and guidebook researcher Robyn Stencil as she offers insights on dodging crowds, discovering hidden gems, and immersing in local cultures — all within the same city! 

Whether it's expanding your horizons to Europe's overlooked corners, picking the right times to sightsee, or tuning in to what moves you, Robyn shares her secrets for making every trip joyful and memorable.

January 14: State of European Travel 2026 — Tips, Trends & Updates with Cameron Hewitt

6:00pm PT  REGISTER

Europe is a moving target. And guidebook author Cameron Hewitt offers a candid snapshot of Europe in 2026 — with strategic advice, vivid photos, and instructive travel tales to ensure you're fully prepared for your next trip. Topics include thorny challenges (from soaring prices and extreme weather to "overtourism" woes and Trump-era politics), a rundown of newsy items for 2026 (from Italy's Winter Olympics to Barcelona's Sagrada Família anniversary), and tips on tricky new tech (trip-planning with AI, new border procedures, and more).

January 15: European Travel Season by Season with Lisa Friend

6:00pm PT  REGISTER

Travelers often ask, "When's the best time to travel in Europe?" With seasoned tour guide Lisa Friend at our side, we explore European travel season by season — from the high culture and low crowds of winter to the heat and easy living of summer and from the flowers and festivals of spring to the hues and harvests of fall. 

Along the way, Lisa shares season-specific travel tips, including great destinations and packing best practices. By the end, one answer will be clear: There's never a bad time to travel in Europe!

January 16: Itinerary Planning with Emily Burks & Gabe Gunnink

6:00pm PT  REGISTER

Transforming a wish list into a day-by-day itinerary for your European vacation isn't just smart, it's fun. From picking your destinations, to choosing transportation to connect the dots, to fine-tuning your plan to fit your timeline and budget — this is armchair travel that becomes reality! 

Join Monday Night Travel hosts Emily and Gabe as they dive into the details, share their process for savvy travel planning, and create a workable European trip itinerary in real time! Pack your travel dreams and a notepad to start sketching out your next adventure.

Rick Steves' Europe, Inc.

130 4th Ave N, Edmonds WA 98020

425-771-8303

Travel Center

Read more...

Mt. Baker

Mt. Baker on December 30, 2025
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Mt. Baker is visible from many places locally - most locations along the Salish Sea and higher elevations. The buildings at South Echo Lake complex have excellent views.

Mt. Rainier, which is still the hometown favorite, is only visible from the freeway.

The Olympics are always available for viewing if there are no clouds.

Read more...

Travels with Charlie: Happy Olfactory New Year

Photo by Gordon Snyder

By Gordon Snyder

Our buddy Charlie wishes everyone a Happy Olfactory New Year.

Hope all your sniffs and odors are the best ever in 2026.

Cheers,
Gordon Snyder

Read more...

RAINBOW BINGO at the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center January 9, 2026

RAINBOW BINGO at the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center

Friday, January 9, 2026 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
18560 1st Ave NE, Bldg G, Shoreline WA 98155

Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center is hosting its monthly RAINBOW BINGO fundraiser with the fabulous Sylvia O’Stayformore on Friday, January 9, 2026—doors open at 6:00pm and games begin at 7:00pm!

Come dressed for the Crazy Holiday Sweater Contest and get ready for ten lively rounds of bingo, prizes, and a few musical numbers.

The event takes place at the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus 18560 1st Ave NE #1, Shoreline, WA 98155.

Admission is $20 and includes reserved seating, entertainment, and loaded nachos; bingo cards are $10 at the door (cash or check only, per Washington State Gambling Commission).

This is a 21+ event, and the cash bar will be open—get your tickets today!

Read more...

Resolve to Give Blood in 2026

From Bloodworks NW

You know what we love about January? It’s a fresh start. A chance to do something that really matters. And here’s one simple, powerful way: donate blood.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The winter months are tough with holiday distractions, cold weather, and flu season mean fewer donations and a greater risk of shortages. But you can change that.

Since 1970, January has been designated as a month to honor and celebrate the incredible generosity of America’s volunteer blood donors and encourage more people to donate when the need is greatest.

Volunteer blood donors are the only source of lifesaving blood. One in 7 people entering a hospital will need blood and local hospitals are at capacity. In fact, blood is being transfused in local hospitals faster than it is being donated. 

Your donation this month is critical to health of our community. Please make a blood donation appointment today.

This January, the City of Shoreline Mayor, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, proclaimed the month of January 2026 as Blood Donor Month in the City of Shoreline!

"WHEREAS, to help strengthen our community's resilience, the City of Shoreline encourages all residents to give back by donating blood, volunteering, or supporting local drives, and;

"WHEREAS, Shoreline community partners have joined Bloodworks Northwest in hosting pop-up donation centers to support local patients;

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christopher Roberts, Mayor of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, do hereby proclaim the month as January 2026 as BLOOD DONOR MONTH in the City of Shoreline and call upon all residents to participate in this life-saving effort by giving blood and supporting local donation events."

Make your appointment at www.bloodworksnw.org, or call 1-800-398-7888.

• Wednesday, January 7, 9am - 3pm Fircrest School, Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
• Saturday, January 10, 9am - 3pm, Shoreline Fire Department Safety Center, Richmond Beach (November Richmond Beach donors are eligible again!)
• Saturday, January 17, 10am - 4pm, Uplift Climbing Gym on 15th NE
• Wednesday, January 21, 9am - 3pm Shoreline City Hall
• Wednesday, January 28, 8am - 2pm Dale Turner YMCA Family Center

Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Choice

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

Read more...

John McMaster names the Village of Kenmore on January 10, 1901

North Lake Washington near Kenmore, May 26, 1901
Photo by H. Ambrose Kiehl, Courtesy UW Special Collections (KHL206)

By Alan J. Stein

HistoryLink.org Essay 2927

On January 10, 1901, mill owner John McMaster (1849-1930) names the village of Kenmore in honor of his previous home of Kenmore, Ontario. McMaster also serves as the community's first postmaster. Kenmore is located in King County 12 miles north of Seattle and 2.5 miles west of Bothell at the north end of Lake Washington.

John McMaster moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1889, and was a prominent shingle mill operator in Snohomish and Kitsap counties before establishing the McMaster Shingle Mill in Kenmore in 1901. In 1903, he became Kenmore's first postmaster, with the opening of the first post office, which delivered mail from the company store of his sawmill.

McMaster chose the name Kenmore in honor of his earlier home in Kenmore, Ontario. Kenmore, Ontario, was in turn named for the town of Kenmore, Scotland, and a century later the village still honors its Scottish roots with an annual Founders' Day celebration, held on January 10.

Sources:

Guy Reed Ramsey, "Postmarked Washington, 1850-1960," Microfilm (Olympia: Washington State Library, February, 1966), 672-673; Additional information provided by the Kenmore Heritage Society.

Read more...

Wonders of Willow: Where craft, conservation and community take root February 14-15, 2026

Wonders of Willow: Where craft, conservation and community take root

February 14 and 15, 2026
Sky Nursery - 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

Join us for a first-of-its-kind community event celebrating willow— a remarkable plant that restores streams, weaves baskets, increases biodiversity, and creates habitat across the Pacific Northwest. 

Discover species that can enrich home gardens, wild spaces, and farms.

Whether you are interested in weaving a willow basket, growing willow as a crop, leveraging willow for a restoration project, or adding winter color to your home garden - W.O.W. will have something for you.

• Free community presentations from local willow experts
• Small group beginner willow weaving workshops - 2 hours or less
• Willow-focused vendors
• Live willow-centered demonstrations with Q&A
• Woven willow and basket exhibit

This event is being organized by Field and Forest Crafts founder Erin Cox, in partnership with many wonderful willow growers, weavers, and willow friends.

More information here: Wonders of Willow website

Presenters

• Steve Lospalluto, Dunbar Gardens – Farm to Basket: Growing willows in the Skagit Valley
• Carrie Brausieck, AgroforestryNW – Maximize Marginal Lands with Willow Production
• Alana and Michael Karam, Willamette Willows – Building with Living Willow – Grow Your Dreams
• Erin Cox, Field and Forest Crafts – So You Want to Weave a Willow Basket
• Zak Smith, Salix Solutions & Daniel Collins, Nicoterra – Restoration with Native Willows

Workshops

• Willow bark bracelets
• Willow decorative flower
• Willow tray/trivet
• Willow harlequin topiary
• Willow garden hurdle
• Willow star wands
• Willow spiral hanging basket
• Willow bird basket

About the Organizer: Erin Cox of Field and Forest Crafts

Erin found her life's passion in basketry and wild crafting. Although she has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years, it wasn’t until she discovered the joy of farming and foraging basketry materials that she truly formed deep ties to this place and a meaningful connection to the land. 

Through weaving, Erin has found a new way to explore and appreciate the biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest. She began casually teaching basketry and wild crafting in 2024. 

The same year she established a small basketry willow farm in Carnation, Washington, where she invites students to learn, harvest, and engage directly with the materials they weave. In 2025, she opened Field and Forest Crafts and her own private teaching studio in NE Seattle.

Read more...

Email subscribers - make sure you are seeing the entire edition

Photo by fotodawg

Gmail and some other email providers do not like the length of the SAN editions and frequently lop off the end.

To make sure you are seeing everything, check the end of your email.

[Message clipped]  View entire message

If you see this, click the "View entire message" link. 

The whole edition will open in a webpage. You can scroll to the last article (or portion of article) that you saw and read the rest.

The January 1 edition, for example, had three more stories.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to try it, here is the link

--Diane Hettrick, Editor

Read more...

Polar Bear Polio Dip in Lake Forest Park Saturday

Photo by Mike Remarcke 2020

Lake Forest Park Rotary 7th Annual Polar Bear Polio Dip to support the Eradication of POLIO

Lake Washington

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2pm
Sheridan Beach Club 16500 Shore Dr NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

ENTRY FEE:

• $5 donation at the gate, $3 saves one child…!
• A jar of Peanut Butter to donate to North Helpline

***Ginger Shots by NEKTUR Juice Bar

Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Plunge

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

Read more...

Annual Edmonds Plunge draws 1000 people to Brackett's Landing

Edmonds Waterfront January 1, 2026

Photos by Lee Lageschulte

A very large crowd of Plungers gathered at the Edmonds waterfront for the annual run into the cold water of the Salish Sea.

The Plungers were subdued after their experience

So far as we know, the same number came out as ran in.

The event had a definite glam vibe, with divas playing it to the hilt!

This group had the air of a homecoming court.

Spectators were happy to watch. The crowd was estimated at over a thousand.

And just to jazz things up, The Bubbleman was there with extra-large bubbles floating on the water.

Revelers started with a pre-event at Daphne's Bar, followed by a parade, before gathering at Brackett's Landing for the Plunge

If you missed this one, LFP Rotary has the Polar Bear Polio Dip at the Sheridan Beach Club on Lake Washington Saturday at 2pm.

--Diane Hettrick

Read more...

Edible Book Festival coming to the Commons on January 24, 2026

From last year: The Communist Man 'O Pesto
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

Do you love baking, creativity and literature? 

Register now for the Edible Book Festival coming up in the Commons on January 24, 2026 from 11am to 1pm! 

Create edible works inspired by book titles, characters, and clever puns. Register here by January 22 

Fun for the whole family! Award Categories:

• Most PUNderful
• Most Book-Like
• Most Visually Appealing
• People’s Choice
• Judge’s Choice

Third Place Commons in partnership with ShoreLake Arts!

Read more...

Travels with Charlie: 2026 is leaving 2025 in a fog

Foggy fireworks

We stayed home with a few biscuits to distract Charlie from the booms.

Didn’t miss much.

Live a Happy New Year.

Cheers

Gordon Snyder

Read more...

Lake Forest Park Climate Conversation January 10, 2026

Join Us for Lake Forest Park Climate Conversations, a quarterly information and discussion series presented by the LFP Climate Hub.

For the first topic of our series, we focus on the specific climate risks we face in Lake Forest Park.

• What are these risks?
• How does our city’s Climate Action Plan protect us?
• What will be the roles of the City of LFP’s new Climate Coordinator (hiring in process, information here)?
• What can we learn from our neighboring city of Kenmore about implementing our Climate Action Plan?

Want to learn more? Come to the LFP Climate Hub in Third Place Commons on January 10, 2026 at 10:30am, where our panel of experts will discuss risks and planning in LFP, and answer your questions.

Also enjoy coffee, light refreshments, and ideas for hands-on local actions you can take to support trees, pollinators and student climate activities.

Third Place Commons is on the upper level of Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park.

Read more...

Providence Swedish Edmonds welcomes its First Baby of the New Year

First baby of 2026 at Swedish Edmonds
Katie and Tim Hawkins and Callahan Townes Hawkins
Photo courtesy Swedish Edmonds

EDMONDS, WA, Jan. 1, 2026 – Less than 11 hours into 2026, staff in the Birth Center at Providence Swedish Edmonds 21601 76th Ave. W helped deliver their first baby of the New Year.

At 10:19am, Marysville residents Katie and Tim Hawkins welcomed a baby boy. Their new son, named Callahan Townes Hawkins, weighed 9.8 pounds and measured 20.67 inches long. After a four-hour labor, Callahan was delivered by OB/GYN Randolf Bourne, M.D.

The couple are excited to introduce Callahan to his sister Berkeley, 2, their two dogs – Pre, a 9-year-old Vizsla and Chester, a 5-year-old French Bulldog – as well as extended family across the U.S. and Canada. Katie, who is from Canada, is a nurse and stay-at-home mom. Tim, who is a South Carolina native, is an engineer at Boeing.

In celebration of the momentous birth, Providence Swedish Edmonds gave the Hawkins a congratulatory newborn gift basket. There were 1,361 babies born at Providence Swedish Edmonds in 2025.

Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health-care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics throughout Western Washington – from Everett to Centralia.

Read more...

Bella's Voice thrift store soft opening December 31, 2025

Bella's Voice is excited to announce the SOFT OPENING of our Shoreline store! 🤩

When we set out to open this second location, we had a goal to get it open by the end of the year...cutting it a bit close, don't you think?! 😅

Thank you for supporting our mission and growing with us! We are now open to the public:

18420 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
Store Hours: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Donation Hours: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
___
Please note that our Shoreline store hours currently differ from our Lynnwood store hours.

We are still hiring, and nearly all of our employees are still in training, so we kindly ask for your patience as you visit, donate, and shop with us! 🫶

See previous story

Read more...

Third Place Commons holds board game nights for Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Deaf & Hard of Hearing residents at The Commons
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

Our first Deaf & Hard of Hearing (DHH) Board Game Social in December was a big hit—and we’re excited to keep it going!

Join us for the next one on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 5–9pm in the Commons. These socials happen every first Friday of the month, so mark your calendar!

♟️ Board games will be available, or bring your own favorite
🍴 Food available in the Commons
🎶 Live music starts at 7pm

Board game night for Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

Come play, connect, and have fun in a welcoming space for the DHH community and friends.

Questions? Contact Brandon Cross at bcross@HSDC.org

The Commons is on the upper level of Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park.

Read more...

Roses are not delicate

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Despite the popular notion that roses are delicate, these guys are still in bloom in December. I suspect they would not be fazed by snow.

Photographer Lee Lageschulte captured these beauties last week.

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

The humble daisy is also doing well.

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

2025 was said to be one of the hottest years on record, so it seems we have climate change to thank.

Read more...

How King County got people out of harm’s way and better protected homes and infrastructure years before the current flooding

Major floodplain restoration projects completed in recent years by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks has reduced flood risks along the Green, Cedar, and Snoqualmie rivers, getting people out of harm’s way long before the current flooding began earlier this month.

Applying a multi-benefit approach to floodplain restoration has reduced flood risks for people, homes, and infrastructure while also improving habitat for fish and wildlife. 

The Department of Natural Resources and Parks has partnered with the independent King County Flood Control District to restore natural systems that absorb and slow the flow of rivers during floods in addition to offering home buyouts so residents in flood-prone areas can choose to relocate to safer ground, decreasing the need for emergency evacuations.

The flood-risk reduction strategy is in addition to King County’s emergency response that includes the Flood Patrol and the Flood Warning Center that have been operating nonstop since the rivers began rising December 8, 2025.

“A big reason our frontline responders have not had to perform more emergency evacuations is because we had already gotten a lot of families out of harm’s way years before the current storm hit our region,” said John Taylor, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

“By unifying our work to simultaneously reduce flood risks and improve habitat, our employees and partners have prevented flood damages and potentially saved lives.”

More information here

--King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Read more...

Bridge Lessons start January 5, 2026 at Seattle Bridge Center

“Ten Steps to Basic Bridge” starts Monday, January 5, 2026 and runs on Monday & Thursday evenings through February 5. 

In this lesson series, you’ll learn Bridge from the ground up using Standard American bidding with a couple of modern twists. This fast-paced series appeals to those with at least a little cardplaying experience, as well as players who want to get back into the game using modern methods.

When you complete this series, you will be ready to play Bridge in social games and in introductory Duplicate games. Seattle Bridge Center offers a Rookie Duplicate game on Tuesday evenings. The full syllabus for this lesson series is here: TSBB-Syllabus-202601.pdf

No partner needed -- you'll meet several new players along the way.

Lesson fees are collected on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can stop or return at any time. The cost is $15 per person per lesson, with discounts for players age 25 and under, and for returning students. Cash, cards, and tap payments accepted.

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 - look for "Seattle Bridge Center" on the awning. We have plenty of free parking.

The intersection of 15th Ave NE and NE 145th Street is served by Metro bus routes 65 & 348. Route 65 is our connection to the Shoreline South/148th Station on Link Light Rail.

This series begins Monday, January 5, 2026 and meets on 10 Monday & Thursday evenings through February 5. Each class begins at 7pm and runs until 9:30pm. We start right at 7pm to make the best use of your time. Our doors are usually open by 6:45pm or earlier. Light snacks are provided.

Please let us know if you’re planning to attend the lesson series, so we can be sure to prepare enough copies of the lesson materials. See below for contact information.

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. The game runs until 10pm, but spectators can leave earlier if they need to.

The complete and current schedule for Rookie Duplicate games and the beginner lessons can be found by visiting www.SeattleBridgeCenter.com— 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 January 5”, or leave a voice message for David at 206-336-3428.

Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Happy New Year

 

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

Read more...