Travels with Charlie: Stormy Weather Along Lake Washington

Between storms at Lake Washington
Photo by Gordon Snyder

Stormy weather along Lake Washington always looks better when you’re outside in it.

Nice afternoon walk with Charlie along Lake Washington. Perfect timing between storms.

Try to get outside. You can feel storms in your face…

Cheers,
Gordon Snyder

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Op-Ed: Support the Shoreline Historical Museum as we take the next steps into our future

In Gratitude Event at the Museum featuring a special ukulele performance by Ken Doutt!

To all of our friends of the Museum,

The footsteps of history start here in a rustic little red house hidden in plain sight at 185th and Linden Avenue N. Within these walls, gems of the past reside, and growth continues. The recently unveiled artifacts whisper the mastery of crafts from generations gone by. The Miyawaki Forest is alive with the sounds of life. From the gentle hum of a bee to the lively song of a bird, the forest has become their home.

The Shoreline Historical Museum, sustained by an energetic and visionary community, lives and thrives in collecting the stories and wisdom of the past as well as preserving the footsteps of today for future generations.

This year, with your support, we took many steps into that future.

We reached three crucial milestones for our King Conservation District funded Miyawaki Forest Project:

• The ADA pathway completed
• Weatherproof interpretative panels
• Informational Kiosk

Now we are only one year out for a self-sustaining Miyawaki Forest to give back to the Earth and reduce our carbon footprint!

A substantial portion of our collection has been successfully rehoused in order to promote research access and future exhibit development.

With the departure of Kenneth Doutt, our former Director and Robby Grillo, our Collections Manager, assuming the role of Director, our staff is now reduced to one. With your support, we will continue to expand our team in order to achieve the goals of a holistic and inclusive history for the communities we serve.

Join and support us with your donations as we take the next steps into our future together.

Join the museum

With gratitude,

Armand Micheline
President, Board of Trustees

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Protests continue at N 205th; Alphabet Resistance on NE 50th overpass

Protesters continue to gather on Aurora at N 205th every Sunday from 1 - 2 pm. The weather has cooperated and participants are gaining energy from the hundreds of supportive motorists driving by. 

They are scheduled to continue through the end of December 2025.

Meanwhile, the Alphabet Resistance is gathering steam with more people and more signs than ever. They stage their Saturday protests on the NE 50th Street freeway overpass. 

Their large signs are visible to thousand of approaching motorists. Individuals hold smaller signs for the motorists crossing on the overpass.

Their theme this week was the behavior of ICE agents. 'In this holiday season our thoughts turn to the most vulnerable. Today our thoughts went to those persecuted by ICE."

Photos courtesy Alphabet Resistance.

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Bike crashes hit record highs in Shoreline

Pedestrian and bicycle crashes account for 40% of fatal and serious injuries

By Oliver J Moffat

Bike crashes hit an all-time high in Shoreline last year. Total car crashes increased too, but the number of Fatal and Serious Injury declined.

The city of Shoreline released its Annual Traffic Report covering data for 2024 and the city council will talk about it on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) collisions 2024

According to the report, the total number of car crashes increased in 2024 compared to 2023 but Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) Crashes dropped in 2024 to 8 crashes from a record high 17 crashes in 2023.

Drivers hit three fewer pedestrians last year, down slightly from a record-high of 23 pedestrian collisions to 20 in 2024.

Drivers hitting bicyclists reached an all time record in 2024. There were 15 car crashes involving a bike rider in 2024. In comparison, there were 4 bike riders hit by drivers in 2008.

For obvious reasons, when a driver hits a pedestrian or bicyclist, the non-drivers is more likely to be killed or seriously injured. 

Although pedestrians and bicyclists were involved in only 5% of total crashes, they accounted for 40% of all fatal and serious injury crashes over the past ten years, according to the traffic report.

The Traffic Report also includes data on which roads have the worst speeding and which intersections had the worst crashes. Speeding is a particular problem on 175th street.

Streets with persistent speeding violations

Earlier this year, the city said over 1,000 drivers per day violate the speed limit in front of Meridian Park Elementary while children are present and the 20 mph school zone lights are flashing.

Twenty five years ago, the state adopted a “Target Zero” goal to achieve zero fatal and serious injury crashes by the year 2030. Shoreline has yet to adopt a Target Zero goal.

The city council approved $395,000 in the current budget for the city’s Traffic Safety Improvement Program. In comparison, the city council recently spent $234,048 for the ShoreLights winter light display along Aurora Ave near city hall.

You can read the Shoreline 2024 Annual Traffic Report and provide public comment to the city council on the city’s website.

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King County Housing Repair program for low and moderate income homeowners

The King County Housing Repair program provides assistance to low and moderate-income homeowners, as well as renters with disabilities, in most parts of King County. 

Call Housing Repair at 206-263-9095 or visit the Program online at Housing Repair Program - King County, Washington to learn more about the process, how to access services, and eligibility criteria.

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North Helpline awarded $650,000 from King County to renovate Bitter Lake Food Bank

The blueprint for our updated Bitter Lake floor plan

From North Helpline

We are thrilled to announce that North Helpline has been awarded $650,000 from King County to renovate our Bitter Lake food bank. 

This transformative investment, championed by Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Jorge L. Barón, will be included in the County’s 2026 budget, allowing us to update our Bitter Lake floor plan and expand storage capacity. 

Visits to Bitter Lake have doubled over the last two years, and with this added space we anticipate serving twice as many neighbors each week while offering a wider variety of food options.

These renovations will make service expansion at Bitter Lake possible. 

Increasing on-site storage will reduce the amount of food we have to move between sites and reduce time spent restocking supplies during each Bitter Lake distribution. 

By reinvesting this capacity back into our operations, we anticipate being able to add a second weekly distribution with minimal added cost. 

This is particularly urgent during a time when we are serving more neighbors than ever due to increased living costs and recent SNAP cuts. Altogether, our goal is to host over 10,000 additional food bank visits each year, doubling our capacity at Bitter Lake and significantly expanding North Helpline’s reach.

North Helpline has operated our Bitter Lake food bank since 2017, when we took over the site from Volunteers of America Western Washington. As part of our 3-year strategic plan launched in 2023, we decided to focus on increasing capacity and dignity of choice at our food banks, with Bitter Lake as pilot site for future upgrades at Lake City. 

In 2024, we worked with architects at Perkins Will and DPR Construction to draw up renovation plans and obtain cost-estimates. Renovations to Bitter Lake will likely be completed within a month of breaking ground, and we anticipate that county funding will cover 100% of the cost.

This is a major milestone for our organization and the North Seattle community; we are deeply grateful to King County for making this growth possible at such a critical moment.

You can donate to the Bitter Lake Food Bank here.

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Boeing 737 off into the sunset

Photo by Barbara Twaddell

This was a flight from Paine Field to Phoenix. I wonder what the sky looked like from their view

--Barbara Twaddell

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The Perfect Shoreline Holiday Weekend: A Local Guide to Festive Fun

By Kate Ledbetter, www.DestinationShoreline.com

The Perfect Shoreline Holiday Weekend: A Local Guide to Festive Fun

The holiday season in Shoreline is officially in full swing, and there’s no better time to enjoy the lights, flavors, and small-business charm that make our community shine. 

Destination Shoreline has curated a weekend itinerary celebrating local favorites, family-friendly events, and the unmistakable warmth of the season.

Whether you’re looking for festive outings, unique shopping stops, or cozy food and drink recommendations, this three-day guide highlights some of the best ways to experience Shoreline during the holidays.

Saturday: Local Shopping, Cozy Stops & ShoreLights Porch Parade

Spend your Saturday supporting local artists and makers at the Salvation Artist Collective, where you’ll find handcrafted gifts, original artwork, and plenty of creative holiday spirit. After shopping, stop into Café Aroma for a relaxing afternoon coffee or tea.

Book lovers can head to Ridgecrest Books to browse used and new titles — a perfect spot to pick up a gift or discover your next read. 

In the evening, continue the festivities with a self-guided tour of the ShoreLights Porch Parade, where neighborhoods across Shoreline showcase whimsical, colorful, and beautifully decorated holiday displays.

Sunday: Brunch, Browsing & Live Jazz

Start your Sunday with brunch at Blackbird Café & Bar, a local staple known for its comforting menu and welcoming atmosphere. Then, enjoy a leisurely holiday shopping trip through Sky Nursery, where decorated trees, seasonal plants, and festive displays make for a memorable outing.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, stop by Mustache Milk Tea, before heading to Thai Bistro for an early dinner filled with local favorites. Wrap up the weekend at Darrell’s Tavern, where live jazz brings a classic Shoreline touch to a cozy winter night.

Celebrate Local, Support Community

This weekend itinerary highlights just a snapshot of the holiday magic happening across Shoreline. As you explore, you’ll find countless opportunities to support local businesses, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the unique charm that defines our community.

For even more holiday events, activities, and small-business spotlights, visit: www.DestinationShoreline.com

Destination Shoreline is brought to you by Kate Ledbetter, Real Estate Broker with Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline, Front Door Creative, Success Minded Leader, Bri Crow Creative

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Shoreline receives $4.4 million EPA grant to establish Shoreline Reuse Center

The goal is to reduce what is thrown away.
Tipping floor at Shoreline Transfer Station. Mural by Carol dePelecyn.
Terra Firma 2008 (Photo courtesy King County)

On December 11, 2025, the EPA announced that the City of Shoreline would receive a Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant. The grant, in the amount of $4.4 million, will allow the City to establish the Shoreline Reuse Center.

“We are honored that Shoreline’s proposal was selected in such a competitive national grant process. The Shoreline Reuse Center will empower our community to reduce waste, extend the life of everyday goods, and build on our culture of reuse and repair,” said Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts.

“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating innovative solutions that benefit both our environment and our residents. We are grateful for Representative Jayapal’s help in making this grant a reality for Shoreline.”

The Shoreline Reuse Center will be a one-stop community resource for residents and businesses to responsibly buy, donate, repair, and repurpose goods. The City is designing the project to inspire innovative waste-reduction solutions and expand community access to reuse services.

The Shoreline Reuse Center will co-locate several key functions, including:

• a salvaged building-materials collection and resale space
• a tool library
• community bike shop offering used bicycle sales and repair services
• space for local reuse and repair organizations to provide additional waste-reduction programs

This project directly advances implementation of the Shoreline Climate Action Plan, supporting the City’s goals to reduce emissions, increase access to recycling and reuse services, and decrease per-capita waste generation.

The selection of Shoreline for this grant is especially notable given how competitive it was nationally. 

Three hundred and seven local governments across the United States submitted applications requesting approximately $1.072 billion in total funding. The EPA selected only 17 applicants, awarding approximately $58 million overall, which represents about 5% of the total funding requested.

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Are you Connected? FCC-Licensed Radio Operators still needed for Shoreline neighborhoods

Congratulations!!! After just one request, (see previous article) primary BE THE CONNECTION positions have been filled for Ballinger, Briarcrest, Hillwood, Highland Terrace, North City, Parkwood, Richmond Beach, Richmond Highlands, and Ridgecrest neighborhoods. All backup, secondary BE THE CONNECTION positions remain open for these neighborhoods.

Primary AND secondary BE THE CONNECTION positions still unfilled in Echo Lake, Highlands, Innis Arden, Crista, Meridian Park leaving these neighborhoods unconnected. 

Which leaves the following question unanswered: ”Who do you call when 911 does not answer?”

We Shoreliners have it all! Paradise AND: Ice storms! Snowstorms! Windstorms! Earthquakes! Tsunamis! Volcanos. And they all mean the same……

• No power. No heat. No gas. No water. No cell. No 911.
• No cash machines. No groceries. No Internet. No fun.

Stay connected! Stay informed! Stay safe!

Be the CONNECTION in your neighborhood.

How to get CONNECTED? 

Check in periodically on your schedule on Mondays, 7:30pm (1930), 442.825 (103.5), to make sure you and your radio are still working & ready!

If you are overly busy but have a little room on your schedule like many of us, put the ‘check in’ on your calendar right now. Make it a healthy habit. It is like brushing your teeth.

Each of Shoreline’s Neighborhoods needs several FCC-licensed radio operators to report conditions during storms, outages, and loss of cell service or in the wake of the Big One! 

Put that hard earned license and radio to work on your terms for you, your family, and your community.

Requirements:

• FCC amateur radio license
• Operate from home
• Report neighborhood conditions (fires, injuries, flooding, wind or ice damage, loss of power, water, gas, cell service, Internet, etc)
• Receive and provide relief information; where is the water, food, and shelter.
• Monitor 442.825 MHz, T 103.5 during incidents for the latest information
• Check in periodically on Mondays, 442.825 (103.5), 7:30pm, to make sure you and your radio are still working & are ready! If you are serious, put it on your calendar right now.

Successful applicants will:

• Get prepared.
• Report neighborhood conditions during & after emergencies
• Keep neighborhood fully informed of relief supplies (water, food, shelter) distribution times & locations
• Strengthen community resilience
• Be the trusted voice when systems fail
• BE THE CONNECTION!

Email for more information: shorelineacs@gmail.com

Check this webpage

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Grief Share: Surviving the Holidays After a Loved One’s Death

Starburst in the Evening Sky
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Experiencing the loss of a loved one can be one of the most challenging times in life. Grief is a deeply personal and often isolating experience, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Regardless of whether you lost a loved one recently or some time ago, there is a continuing feeling of loneliness, especially during the Christmas season.

If you're navigating through grief after losing someone dear, consider attending this special, one-time seminar in Shoreline on Sunday, December 14, 2025. 

All are welcome. This seminar will be held from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

The informal seminar includes experiences from other people who have experienced the holidays after their loved one’s death and who offer practical suggestions and reassurance.

These people share honestly about:

• Being prepared for the surprising emotions that may hit over the holidays.
• What to do about traditions and other coming changes.
• How to handle holiday parties and invitations.
• How to survive potentially awkward moments with other people.
• Where to find comfort, strength, and hope in a seemingly hopeless time.

It is offered by a local Grief Share chapter, which is part of an international organization whose primary focus is helping those who may be grieving during the Holidays. Grief Share also has a series of get-togethers to help throughout the year.

“We have found that, besides even the materials used to help us in our grief journey, just being with others who have also experienced what we each have is helpful as we support each other in our grief journey”, stated Sherwood Sage, one of the group leaders.“

For more information, contact Sherwood Sage at 206-920-8933. There is no cost unless one wants to buy the book dealing with grief at this time of year, which goes with the seminar for only $12.00. Books will be available at the seminar. 

Registration is also recommended. Reserve a place here  Registration is not required, but it helps plan seating arrangements.

This seminar and other Grief Share meetings are hosted at the Berean Bible Church located at 2345 North 185th Street, Shoreline WA 98133, at the corner of 1st Avenue NE and North 185th Street.

Anyone in the community is welcome to attend this seminar and any of the other meetings throughout the year.

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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: High Tech Santa

 

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

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Shorewood Boys Wrestling goes up 3-0 on the season

Story and photos by Trish Norton

An exciting 41-39 finish at Jackson High School put Shorewood up 3-0 on their dual meet season in 2025. 

They kicked off their season on Thursday December 5, 2025 hosting Cascade High School. Shorewood put up 62 points against the Bruins, including nine wins by pin.

An Tran pins Kamiak’s Ridha Alnaiema 

Shorewood traveled to Jackson on Tuesday December 9 to take on Jackson and Kamiak in a double dual. 

“We didn’t get as many quick pins against Kamiak [as we did against Cascade], but we wrestled patiently, waited for opportunities, and then capitalized on them,” said coach Derek Norton. 

Four of Shorewood’s seven pins came in late in the match as the Stormrays showed patience and stamina. Overall Shorewood finished the match with two technical falls, seven pins and a decision to end the match on top of Kamiak 55-24.

Eli Jeppsen prepares for a restart with Jackson’s Isaiah Van Diest

In the Jackson match things were much closer. “Jackson was scrappy,” said Norton. 

Shorewood fell behind with four straight losses as things kicked off. Despite two forfeits awarding Shorewood 12 points, the Stormrays still needed a perfect second half of the match to overcome the deficit created by the early losses and upcoming forfeits. 

Shorewood answered the call with four straight pins and a tech fall to finish the match, final score 41-39.

Next the Stormrays take on Marysville-Getchell @ Marysville-Getchell. The next home meet for Shorewood is the Shorewood Invitational on Saturday December 20th, starting at 9:30am.

Stormray Kai Graham sets up a pin on Jackson’s Tony Guizar

Box Score Shorewood v. Cascade 62-18

106 FF (SW) Saeed Raman
113 Emi Olivera (SW) pin Preston Chao (1:27)
120 Alex Boe-Flores (Cas) pin Derek Norton (1:15)
126 Easten Edens (SW) pin Matthew Osbjornsen (1:16)
132 Matbeal Dinka (SW) pin Ryan Nhim (:18)
138 Yaphet Habtom (SW) FF
144 Jamie Le (Cas) pin Max Eaglehead (3:52)
150 John Pernia (SW) pin Adam McPherson (1:11)
157 Eli Jeppsen (SW) pin Nour Quandeel (:57)
165 Maximus Uchkum (SW) decision Matthew Barclay (7-1)
175 Kai Graham tech fall Jaden Phan (20-3)
190 Lukas Probizanski (SW) pin Eli Higginson (1:51)
215 Babou Cham (SW) pin Johnny Coxcahua (1:20)
285 Noah Eaglehead (SW) pin Vincent Cho (1:16)

Max Uchkun pins Kamiak’s Jaiden Yoon

Box Score Shorewood v. Kamiak 55-24

106 FF (SW) Monte Bessin
113 Ben Norton (SW) pin Tony Ordonez (:39)
120 Easten Edens (SW) tech fall Andrew Do (16-0)
126 Nelson Topher (KAM) pin Justin Widyana (1:16)
132 Matbeal Dinka (SW) pin Micah Arceo (5:15)
138 An Tran (SW) pin Ridha Alnaiema (4:42)
144 Nicky Huff (KAM) pin Max Eaglehead (1:20)
150 Eoin Ritter (SW) pin Nicholas Nunez (4:02)
157 Eli Jeppsen (SW) pin Max Debolt (1:59)
165 Max Uchkum (SW) pin Jaiden Yoon (3:40)
175 Kai Graham tech fall Ian Park (17-2)
190 Lukas Probizanski (SW) pin Kibeom Kwon (1:57)
215 Babou Cham (SW) decision Ethan Pablo (7-1)
285 Daniel Titarchuk (KAM) medical default Noah Eaglehead

  Lukas Probizanski (SW) pins Jackson's Carson Gilbert

Box Score Shorewood v. Jackson 41-39

113 Jaden Nguyen (JACK) tech fall Ben Norton (18-3)
120 Easten Edens (SW) FF
126 Talon Pyle (JACK) FF
132 MatBeal Dinka (SW) FF
138 Casey Peterson (JACK) major decision An Tran (10-0)
144 Ryan Lee (JACK) pin Max Eaglehead (2:56)
150 Westen Moore (JACK) pin Eoin Ritter (5:27)
157 Eli Jeppsen (SW) pin Isaiah Van Diest (1:49)
165 Max Uchkum (SW) pin Connor Carrillo (:49)
175 Kai Graham pin Tony Guizar (5:22)
190 Lukas Probizanski (SW) pin Carson Gilbert (1:14)
215 Babou Cham (SW) tech fall Elias Griffin (15-0)
285 Connor Woods (JACK) FF
106 Caden Nakajima (JACK) FF

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Canopy Cat Rescue gets Sabrina out of a tree in Lake Forest Park

Sabrina was rescued from a tree in her yard in Lake Forest Park
Photo courtesy Canopy Cat Rescue

Canopy Cat Rescue climbs trees to rescue cats. They retrieve hundreds every year, from all over the state. Call them at 1-877-721-MEOW when in need.

CCR does night rescues, with the one caveat being that it is a super-friendly cat. Otherwise, they say it’s best to wait till daylight.

They just published a compilation of seven cats that they "had the opportunity to meet in a tree at night over the last few months."

One was a local.

Sabrina, a calico kitten from Lake Forest Park, climbed a big cypress next to her house. The lighting for her photo was perfect!

CCR goes all over the state to rescue kitties, who notoriously can climb up - but not down.

They are arborists by trade, so they do spend a lot of time in trees. They do not charge for their rescue services but do accept tax-deductible donations.

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Shoreline Fire standing by for flood emergency response

A sampling of flood events from Snohomish county, south King county, and east.

King, Snohomish & Skagit counties are experiencing record flooding. Evacuation orders are still in effect and more may follow. State and local responders, including Shoreline Fire, are fully activated to protect lives and property.

Some rivers are starting to recede but more weather may be on the way as more storms are expected starting on Sunday through Tuesday.

Central Puget Sound, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, is still in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, but areas north, east, and south of us are experiencing extreme water-related problems.

The mountain passes keep closing as landslides wash across the road - and take out sections of the road.

The Cedar River in Renton was so high it was hitting bridges. It is carrying logs and debris.

Ebey floodplain in Everett is being evacuated.

Towns on the Skagit flood plain are advised to evacuate. Mount Vernon, Burlington, La Conner, Edison, Conway and Stanwood were evacuated for fear of dam failure.

Leavenworth has no power.

16 rivers are expected to overflow their banks.

The town of Duvall is cut off with water over the road both north and south.

Helicopters and marine rescue are saving people who are stranded on submerged cars and isolated by flood waters.

And that's just a sampling.

Flood Risk Map:

• Find official FEMA flood maps & risk zones here
  

Does someone you know need help or shelter due to flooding?

• American Red Cross Northwest Region (disaster relief & shelter info): 1-800-733-2767 or visit https://www.redcross.org/local/washington/get-help.html

Safety Reminder: Do NOT drive through floodwaters—Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Stay safe and tuned to local emergency channels for updates.

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Bushtits Alert

Bushtits captured on camera

Story and photo by Colleen Weum

About the same time each day a flock of about 2-3 dozen teeny tiny Bushtits make their way to one of the backyard feeders. 

They are barely bigger than a cotton ball, weighing about a quarter of an ounce! But, what they lack in size they make up for in cuteness. 

How can you not smile when you see them darting on and off the feeders. But, if you blink, you could miss them. Off they go to their next yard and feeders. 

Hard to get anything but a blurry picture when you grab your cell phone and aim at quick moving itty bittys. They are a cheerful sight brightening the dreary day.

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Theater Review: Chaos, Comedy, and Capitalism - A joyfully unruly “They Don’t Pay! We Won’t Pay!”

They Won’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! (New adaptation)

By Dario Fo

Adapted by Deborah McAndrew

Directed by Brad Wrenn

Venue: Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse

4045 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Performances: Friday and Saturday December 12-13, 2025 at 7:30pm

Purchase tickets here

Theatre Review by Kindle Carpp

Dario Fo’s classic Italian political comedy may be more than forty years old, but in Deborah McAndrew’s lively adaptation, They Don’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! feels utterly—and hilariously—of the moment. 

The production thrives on sharp wit, breakneck pacing, and a generous dose of fourth-wall mischief, creating an atmosphere where chaos is not only welcome but expected.

The full cast of the UW Drama production of 
They Don’t Pay! We Won’t Pay!

The first half is focused largely on fallout from a spontaneous supermarket uprising. Anthea (Eloise Maguire), unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, fills her bags full of food. Anthea wrangles her neighbor Maggie into the increasingly convoluted effort to hide the haul. 

With the police going door-to-door in search of the supermarket thieves, Maggie’s inventive attempts to hide the pilfered goods cause increasing levels of chaos.

The second half races ahead with equal energy—perhaps even more. From a fake “hidden pregnancy” to a 1974 Italian ambulance, the plot veers gleefully off the rails in ways that heighten the absurdity without ever losing its charm. 

McAndrew’s adaptation keeps Fo’s political backbone intact while infusing the story with contemporary rhythms, sharp dialogue, and a buoyant silliness that keeps the audience laughing throughout.

Cast chaos - planned and unplanned - adds to the hilarity

Even the unscripted moments add to the fun. A rogue crockpot leaps from a cabinet, a tote bag entangles itself in Anthea’s hair, and an audience-participation bit goes suddenly awry—yet the cast rolls with every surprise. 

Their quick recovery not only keeps the story moving but showcases the resilience and flexibility of this young ensemble.

Eloise Maguire brings a wonderfully unhinged imagination to Anthea while grounding her desperation in reality. She balances humor with hardship, giving the character depth beneath the absurdity. 

Osaze Asuen’s Maggie, meanwhile, is more than a foil; with impeccable “yes-and” instincts and a gentle bemused smile, she becomes the audience’s representative in a world rapidly spinning out of control.

Osaze Asuen and Eloise Maguire

Maurice Parker’s Jack mixes rigid moral conviction with impeccable comedic timing—so much so that every one of his jumps could cue the Super Mario “boing” sound effect in the audience’s mind. 

Katahdin Fasani’s Lewis' gentle encouragement allows Jack to relax his moral convictions to a more reasonable flexibility. Katahdin's delivery humanizes the real life compromises people have to make in difficult situations.

Katahdin Fasani and Maurice Parker

Ella Avital may have only two hats, two mustaches, and four outfits, but she turns them into five distinct characters. Her physicality, timing, and sheer versatility give the production some of its biggest laughs.

Across the board, the cast delivers with precision, warmth, and fearlessness. Their timing is sharp, their energy unwavering, and their commitment to the comedy absolute. Sitting close to the stage feels like being in the splash zone of a narrative that revels in its own mayhem—in the best possible way.

It’s joyful, chaotic, and wonderfully human—everything great theater should be.

--Photos by Christine Mitchell, permission granted to use by the University of Washington, School of Drama

--Side note: Hayley Berkman, Assistant Stage Manager is a Shoreline native.

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Music to soothe your soul - Sno-King Chorale winter concert Saturday, December 13, 2025

Sno-King Chorale Presents

Mysterium – Songs of Wonder and Awe

Saturday December 13, 2025 at 7pm

Edmonds Center for the Arts

410 Fourth Ave N, Edmonds WA 98020

Tickets: $15 – $30

Sno-King Community Chorale and director Dustin Willets invite you to join them for their Winter Concert: Mysterium – Songs of Wonder & Awe. 

This is a concert full of music to soothe your soul, featuring instrumentalists, soloists, and a Ukrainian carol which became Carol of the Bells.

Sno-King Chorale in concert at Benaroya Hall

The Chorale performs in Edmonds and Lynnwood this season. Singers are from Snohomish and King County, including Shoreline.

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Shoreline Elks Hoop Shoot Tournament December 27, 2025

Hoop Shoot is a free basketball shooting event where boys and girls who will be 8 but not have reached 14 by April 1, 2026, can compete against other children of the same age, boys against boys and girls against girls (8-9, 10-11, 12-13).

It will be held at Kellogg Middle School 16045 25th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155 on Saturday December 27, 2025. Registration begins at 8:30am.

Each student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and able to prove their age with government ID (birth certificate) to be certain they are competing in the correct division.

Winners of each division will advance to the district competition on January 10, 2026 at Kellogg Middle School. District winners will compete at state.

This is a free event sponsored by Shoreline Elks Lodge 1800. As the winners progress to state, regionals and possibly national competition, their costs are covered.

If you have questions or need more information contact Larry Phillips 206-300-7504.

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Mud Bay sets sights on record support for PNW Animal Shelters with Tons of Love campaign and Giving Tree donations

Olympia, WA — Independent pet retailer Mud Bay is working to generate its largest-ever holiday support for Pacific Northwest animal shelters, with a goal of donating more than 30 tons of pet food this season.

Many shelters in the region continue to operate at or above capacity and face ongoing challenges in funding their community pet pantries. This holiday season, Mud Bay is committed to helping provide the food and supplies needed for pets awaiting adoption and for households in need of additional support. 

As a longstanding Pacific Northwest company, Mud Bay has cultivated strong partnerships with 65 animal welfare organizations—each paired with a Mud Bay store in its local community.

Tons of love campaign matches manufacturers' donations to customer donations

To support its partners, Mud Bay is once again running its Tons of Love campaign. Tons of Love unites Mud Bay customers and pet food manufacturing partners, to deliver high-quality, nutritious pet food directly to shelters. When customers purchase food for their own pets, participating manufacturers contribute matching donations to Tons of Love, helping push toward this year’s goal of more than 30 tons of food delivered to animals in care.

Giving Tree allows donors to pick the shelter of their choice

At the same time, Giving Trees are available now through December 31 in all 64 Mud Bay locations in Washington and Oregon. Each tree includes donation tags from local shelters that list specific items needed for the animals they are caring for. Shoppers can select a tag, purchase the item at Mud Bay, and donate it directly to that partner organization.

To increase the impact, Mud Bay will match Giving Tree donations up to $30,000, part of the company’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare—which includes more than $1,000,000 donated annually to shelters and rescues across the region.

About Mud Bay

Founded in Olympia in 1988, family and employee-owned Mud Bay has grown to become PNW’s largest independent pet retailer, with 64 locations and over 500 employees in Washington and Oregon. 

Mud Bay locations are well-known for their welcoming environments, in-depth knowledge of pet food and supplies, and ongoing commitment to animal welfare—donating over $1 million annually to animal welfare organizations in the PNW.

Mud Bay Shoreline 1201 N 175th St, Shoreline, WA 98133

Mud Bay Lake Forest Park 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

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Celebrate Winter Solstice at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

We'll be celebrating Winter Solstice and the turning of the seasons around a beach fire and on Zoom, on Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 3:30-5:30pm, at the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park lower shelter campfire ring 2021 NW 190th St, Shoreline, WA 98177.

We’ll gather with community and the natural world, watching the sun set on the longest night of the year. 

We’ll reflect on the earth’s position and the cycles of our natural world and our lives. We’ll be led in gentle contemplative practice and share reflections and a few simple solstice songs (singing or listening are equal choices). One version of this program will take place at the beach, and another version will take place online at the same time.

This event is suitable for all ages and would be most engaging for ages 12 and up.

If attending in person, be prepared for PNW December weather and dress warmly! We may need to relocate indoors in case of heavy rain or snow, so please RSVP so you can get notified of any last minute changes.

This event is offered by Gathering Ground. Gathering Ground provides community for people of many beliefs to forge and share meaning, through observing earth holidays, deep sharing and listening, and growing together in relationship with the natural world.

For more information visit the event website or email GatherinGround.Seattle@gmail.com

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KCRHA is Activating Tier 2 Severe Weather Protocols through Saturday, December 13, 2025

Due to persistent rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding in the forecast and currently happening throughout King County, KCRHA is activating Tier 2 severe weather protocols effective immediately, through Saturday, December 13, winding down the morning of Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Please note: Due to the last minute nature of this activation, they are still working on updating their website. Check back throughout the day for updated information.

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Stewardship Foundation Community Service Award goes to creators of the LFP Climate Action Hub

The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Community Stewardship Award will go to this amazing trio:

• Dana Campbell
• Sarah Phillips
• Mimi Bertram

Their inspiring leadership in creating the new Climate Action Hub reflects years of heartfelt volunteerism and care for our community. Thanks to their dedication, LFP continues to grow as a vibrant, connected, and sustainable place to call home.

Climate Action Hub in Third Place Commons, LFP

We invite you to join us Thursday night December 11, 2026 from 6:30 - 9pm at our annual meeting at Third Place Commons stage to celebrate them! (See previous article)

 

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Holiday Sharing Tree at LFP Town Center

The Lake Forest Park Rotary continues its tradition of collecting donations of gifts, gift cards ($25 denominations preferred) and contributions from December 5 to 21, 2025 for children in need.

Find the Holiday Sharing Tree in the lower level lobby of Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE. 

Rotary volunteers will be on hand to receive your donations of cash, $25 gift cards and checks made out to the LFP Rotary Charitable Foundation.

Contributions go to Center for Human Services and North Helpline.

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Mindful Ageing - 8-week series at Senior Activity Center starting January 6, 2026

Christine Vervitsiotis, LMHC

Mind(Full) Ageing - Group support for aging-related anxiety and depression. 

In this 8-week series, we will talk about how the brain works, experiment with new coping skills, practice techniques that strengthen emotional wellness, build connections, and share tips and strategies with people who understand. 

The group will be led by Christine Vervitsiotis, LMHC

NOTE: This group is funded by the City of Shoreline; Participants must be Shoreline residents and meet income guidelines. For more information/registration, call 425-382-3015

• WHEN: Tuesdays January 6 – February 24, 2026
• COST: Free
• LOCATION: Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center 18560 1st Ave NE Bldg. G
• REGISTRATION: 425-382-3015

Correction: The Senior Center does not handle registration for this event. Call 425-382-3015

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Lake Forest Park Rotary invites you to the 7th Annual Polar Bear Polio Dip January 3, 2026

LFP Rotary members plunge into Lake Washington 2023

Lake Forest Park Rotary invites you to the 

7th Annual Polar Bear Polio Dip to support the Eradication of POLIO

WHEN: Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2 pm
WHERE: 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

The Marine Police & LFP Police will be there.

Police Chief Harden will be dipping…

***Ginger Shots by NEKTUR Juice Bar

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Longest Night Service at Edmonds United Methodist Church December 21, 2025

Although the Christmas season can be filled with joy and happiness, there are those who find themselves struggling this time of year. Often people are dealing with grief, illness, depression, loneliness, or a major life change. 

Others are seeking a more contemplative season, away from the commercialism all around us. 

Each year, Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St, Edmonds WA 98020 welcomes congregants, friends, and guests from the community to our Longest Night Service.

During the service, one can reflect and listen to beautiful, healing music. You may also choose to pray with our pastoral staff, light a candle, and find comfort in being anointed. 

We hope you will join us on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 3pm in our main sanctuary. All are welcome to experience the comfort and peace this service can give.

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Shoreline & LFP to mark 50 Years of Hanukkah in the public sphere

This Hanukkah, the Chabad Jewish Center of Shoreline will light a public 9ft tall menorah erected at the LFP Town Center and at Shoreline City Hall, followed by community celebrations on December 18 and December 21, 2025 respectively.

The ceremony will feature a menorah lighting and an array of entertainment for all ages including a live Klezmer band, kids’ activities, a giant chocolate “Gelt Drop” from the Shoreline Fire Dept ladder truck, raffles, holiday swag, as well as hot drinks and a selection of traditional Hanukkah foods.

Shoreline's and Lake Forest Park’s menorahs are just two out of over 15,000 large public menorahs throughout the world, including notable menorahs in front of the White House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Great Wall of China, and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

“Celebrating Hanukkah is a potent point of light, Jewish pride and confidence for American Jews in the fight against darkness and antisemitism,” added Rabbi Sadya Davidoff.

Lake Forest Park - December 18

• What: Annual Lake Forest Park Hannukah celebration 
• Where: The Town Center at Lake Forest Park (Bothell Way NE entrance)
• When: Thursday, December 18th, 2025 5:30pm
• Cost: Open to the public free of charge. Donations welcome.

Shoreline City Hall - December 21

• What: Hannukkah Celebration at City Hall 
• Where: City of Shoreline City Hall 
• When: Sunday, December 21st, 2025 4:30pm
• Cost: Open to the public free of charge. Donations welcome.

ABOUT HANUKKAH

Hanukkah, the 8-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, December 14 and concludes on Monday December 22 at nightfall. It commemorates the liberation of the fewer, weaker, but spiritually strong Jewish people, from oppression under the Syrian-Greeks who had sought to impose restrictions on Jewish tradition and practice, desecrating the Holy Temple and the oil prepared for the daily lighting of the menorah.

Upon reclaiming the Temple, only one jar of undefiled oil—enough to burn for one day—was found, but it lasted miraculously for eight days. In commemoration, Jews light an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah, adding another candle each night. 

The holiday carries a universal message of the triumph of freedom over oppression and light over darkness. Additional information about the Hanukkah holiday is available at Chabad.org/Hanukkah.

ABOUT CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF SHORELINE

Chabad Jewish Center of Shoreline offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information visit ShorelineJewishCenter.org

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Councilmember Dembowski sworn in for new term on the King County Council

Councilmember Rod Dembowski was sworn into office on Tuesday December 9, 2025 for a new term on the King County Council. He represents District 1 which includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, Kirkland, and North Seattle - more cities than any other councilmember.

County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis

He will be joined by Rhonda Lewis, who was appointed by Girmay Zahilay after he left the council two weeks ago to become the King County Executive. 

Lewis is the first black woman to serve on the council, plus her appointment establishes the first majority woman council in its history. She will serve one year, until the certification of the 2026 election.

Dembowski was elected to a four-year term.

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