Easter decor in the neighborhood

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Lawn decorations have expanded to Easter. These look yummy but I don't think they are edible.

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Next we expect to find six foot inflatable bunnies. (Let us know where!)

Read more...

Shorewood Varsity baseball - 3/26/26 vs. Lynnwood

Shorewood starting pitcher
Photo by Chris Stuvek

Shorewood High School varsity baseball beat Lynnwood 13-1 on Thursday night, March 26, 2026.

Home Baseball Field: Meridian Park (16765 Wallingford Avenue N Shoreline, WA 98133),

Coaches: 

Head Varsity Coach: Ben Andrews

Head Junior Varsity Coach:  Frank Marier

Assistant Coach: Jack Hutt

Assistant Coach:  Alex De Caro

Volunteer Coach: David Snell

Read more...

Shorecrest girls tennis vs Edmonds Woodway 3/30/2026

Mia Halset
Shannon Garbaccio Photography

Shorecrest 3 v Edmonds-Woodway 4

At Kellogg MS

3/30/2026

Zuma Vining (S) v Maddy Ashe
6-2, 2-6, 4-10 (L)

Lauren Kajimura (S) v Abby Peterson
2-6, 2-6 (L)

Sophie Schmitz (S) v Hannah Heong
6-1, 6-0 (W)

Mia Halset (S) v Jenna Hodson
6-0, 6-3 (W)

Walker Temme/Thayer Katahara-Stewart (S)
Darcy Brennan/Sydney Bates
4-6, 6-0, 5-10 (L)

Sabina Schoeld/Calla Rihnsmith (S)
Izzy Beltran/Poppy Swenson
6-4, 6-3 (W)

Gigi Garbaccio/Neena Mercado (S)
Amelia Miller/Ava Oliver
2-6, 2-6 (L)

--Rob Mann

Read more...

Green Fair at Third Place Commons April 4, 2026

 

LFP Green Fair will be held on Saturday April 4, 2026 at Third Place Commons, upper level Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park

A variety of vendors will be supplied with giveaways and be able to answer your questions!

Read more...

Einstein Wrestling goes undefeated in regular season

By Tricia Norton

When the last whistle blew on Thursday to conclude the Einstein regular wrestling season, the Tigers completed an undefeated season. The final match concluded with a score of 78 to 36 over the Kellogg Knights, increasing the margin of victory from the first time they defeated the Knights on March 10, 2026 at 71 to 42.

1st row: Paul Carson, CJ Fletcher, 2nd row: Daniel Call, Andrew Brueck, 3rd row: Axel Harsila, Owen Sands. Photos by Tricia Norton

During the season, the Tigers outscored the other school in each of their 6 team duals, averaging 73 team points to an average of 34 points put up by their opponents. 

The statistic is even more startling when you consider that Einstein lacked wrestlers to fill the three lowest weight classes this year, thus giving up 18 points to most of the opposing schools. Einstein averaged 10 pins per dual. Against one school the Tigers pinned their opponents in the first round in 13 of the 16 matches wrestled.

Six Tigers went undefeated this year: 

• Paul Carson at 98 pounds, 
• CJ Fletcher at 118 pounds, 
• Daniel Call at 128 pounds, 
• Andrew Brueck at 133 pounds, 
• Axel Harsila at 140 pounds, and 
• Owen Sands at 157 pounds. 

L-R Conor Chung, Judah Botch. Not pictured: Tim Gibbs, Felix Schaber
Photo by Tricia Norton

Several other wrestlers finished the season with just one loss, including 

• Conor Chung, 
• Judah Botch, 
• Tim Gibbs, 
• Felix Schaber.

Coach Norton, who is finishing his 24th year as the Tiger Head Coach said, 

We have a really fun group of wrestlers this year and the wins have come from up and down the lineup. I love seeing them grow and learn. The wins are a reflection of their progress and tenacity. I’m excited to add the eighth grade athletes to the Shorewood roster next year.”

Read more...

Attempted murder charges filed against defendant who tried to push victim into path of light rail train

Photo courtesy King County Prosecutor

King County Prosecutors have filed an Attempted Murder In The Second Degree charge against the defendant in a Northgate case.

According to police investigators, the victim was waiting for a light rail train at the Northgate station when the defendant approached the victim from behind and attempted to push him in front of a light rail train coming into the station.

Surveillance footage shows the defendant carefully timed his assault, waiting to shove the victim until the train entered the station, making it clear that his goal was to inflict maximum harm.

Miraculously, the victim was able to catch his balance and avoid falling in front of the train.

As of this writing, the defendant remains in custody. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty

Read more...

Hopelink 2026 Can Madness Finalists - Ballinger Thriftway and Lake Washington Physical Therapy

Week 4 is officially in the books and we have our 2026 Can Madness Finalists!

Congratulations to the team at Ballinger Thriftway for their week 4 win, bringing in 938 lbs. of food to support our community, and to our second chance shootout winner, First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach, for keeping their head in the game and raising the most food/funds of our eliminated teams.

And thank you to all of our teams for their hustle to support Hopelink, bringing in over 7,600 lbs of food and more than $2,700 over the last several weeks!

Follow along as Ballinger Thriftway takes on our other finalist Lake Washington Physical Therapy for the title of 2026 Can Madness Champion and support your favorite here

Read more...

Will Chen Announces Kickoff Event for 32nd Legislative District Race

Will Chen
Running for 32nd LD rep

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, WA — Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen will officially launch his campaign for State House in Washington’s 32nd Legislative District with a public kickoff event on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Lake Ballinger Community Center.

The event will bring together community members, local leaders, and supporters for an opportunity to meet Chen, hear his vision for the district, and learn how to get involved in the campaign.

“I’m running because I believe we can build a stronger, more connected community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” said Chen.

“That means tackling affordability, supporting working families, strengthening public safety, and ensuring government is responsible and accountable to the people it serves.”

Chen’s campaign is focused on addressing the rising cost of living, expanding opportunity, strengthening public safety and community health, supporting education and workforce development, and advancing practical, balanced solutions that reflect the priorities of the 32nd District.

The kickoff event is open to the public and will include light refreshments, brief remarks, and opportunities for attendees to engage directly with the campaign. Additional guest speakers will be announced in the coming days.

Event Details:

• What: Campaign Kickoff for Will Chen, Candidate for State House (LD 32)
• When: Saturday, April 11 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Where: Lake Ballinger Community Center
• 23000 Lakeview Drive, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Chen currently serves on the Edmonds City Council and brings a background in fiscal management and community-focused leadership. His approach emphasizes practical, solutions-oriented policymaking grounded in fiscal responsibility, accountability, and community engagement.

The event is open to all and family-friendly. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Read more...

CONSUMER ALERT: Scams target licensed drivers in Washington

CONSUMER ALERT: Scams target licensed drivers in Washington

Attorney General Nick Brown is warning consumers about a rising wave of text and email “phishing” or “imposter” scams targeting licensed drivers in Washington state. 

Scammers posing as local and state government agencies, such as the Washington State Department of Licensing and the Department of Transportation, are sending consumers fraudulent text and email messages that demand payment for unpaid traffic tickets or toll fees.

Consumers who receive such electronic messages should not click on any links within the message, should avoid replying to the message, and should delete the message from their device.

More information here

Read more...

Free medical services April 23--26. 2026 at Seattle Center

Dental care at 2023 clinic
Photo courtesy Public Health

Seattle/King County Clinic- Thursday, April 23 - Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Seattle Center 305 Harrison St. Seattle, WA 98109

Seattle/King County Clinic is a volunteer-driven, free health clinic that occurs for four days each year at Seattle Center.

FREE Dental, Vision, and Medical Care for people in need

April 23-26, 2026 Seattle/King County Clinic will be providing FREE dental, vision, medical, and social services to anyone who struggles to afford or access healthcare at Seattle Center. No ID or proof of income, insurance, or immigration status is required to receive services. Interpreters will be available, and you do not need to be a resident of Seattle or King County to receive services.

A limited number of admission tickets will be handed out each day starting at 5:30am at Fisher Pavilion on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please visit: seattlecenter.org/patients

Read more...

Candy-Free Easter Basket Stuffers that are fun and practical

Fill their Easter basket with treats they’ll love even more than candy. Photo: iStock

By Emily Westbrooks

ParentMap

As a kid, Easter mornings were pure magic. My siblings and I would wake up to pastel-colored baskets brimming with foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, M&Ms, jelly beans and sometimes even a few packets of wildflower seeds to plant in the garden. As we grew older, our baskets evolved — lip gloss and hair bows made their way in — but the excitement never faded.

Now that I’m the one playing the Easter Bunny, I’ve noticed how Easter baskets (like Christmas stockings) have been taken to a whole new level. The pressure to fill them with bigger and better goodies can be hard to resist, not to mention expensive. And let’s be real, kids these days seem to get a sugar rush from just about every holiday gathering. While I love seeing their faces light up at a fun surprise, I also know that Easter morning doesn’t have to mean a mountain of candy and a hefty price tag.

So, instead of defaulting to another bag of chocolate eggs or a pack of Peeps, I look for fun, affordable and creative non-candy treats. If you’re looking to do the same, this list of budget-friendly Easter basket fillers will delight your little ones, without breaking the bank (or their teeth).

Wooden bunny toy

Encourage imaginative play and motor skills with this sweet wooden toy. Not a flashing light or beeping button in sight.

Purchase on Amazon  

Bookmark and reading light

Have a night owl? Give them this cute bookmark and reading light to help encourage screen-free entertainment (comes in many different animal options).

Purchase on Amazon

Felt hand puppet making kit

Kids will have fun making puppets and putting on a show for the whole family. This kit comes with enough supplies for making 32 puppets, so you can easily break it up between multiple Easter baskets, or save some for next year!

Purchase on Amazon

Hummingbird feeding ring

Spring is here, and it’s time to get up close and personal with nature! If you are looking for an activity that will encourage patience and persistence, toss this into your child’s Easter basket. It might take a little while for a hummingbird to land, but with time and practice, your child might make a new feathered friend.

Purchase on Amazon

Easter bubbles

Kids will have a blast running around blowing bubbles with these cute bunny bubble blowers.

Purchase on Amazon

Easter maze books

When you have a quiet moment on Easter (or in the days or weeks to come) these little maze books are great to have on hand. Kids will love solving puzzles and mazes, all with an Easter theme.

Purchase on Amazon

Easter temporary tattoos

Grab some plastic Easter eggs and stuff them with these temporary tattoos for some extra Easter-morning fun.

Purchase on Amazon

Hair chalk

Color your hair with these fun, bright colors! Kids will love deciding which colors to use, and the fun can continue long after the holiday is over.

Purchase on Amazon

An Easter bunny tale

“It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny” is a classic for a reason. It’s a cute and funny story for little ones and also a great learning tool for beginner readers.

Purchase on Amazon

Flowerpot craft kit

I love adding little gifts that kids can make and create — and then use! This flowerpot craft kit would be a lovely addition to an Easter basket and might even keep your little one occupied while you get the rest of the family dressed for Easter dinner.

Purchase on Amazon

Easter bunny construction kit

This cute Easter Bunny Plus-Plus kit will keep the kids busy and help them work on their fine motor skills. As with your Lego stash, you can add to your Plus-Plus collection and continue building different things all year long.

Purchase on Amazon

Seed packets

Easter is the perfect time to plant sunflower seeds, and growing flowers is a fun STEM project for the kids. It’s also the kind of activity that keeps on giving, as you can appreciate the flowers in the summer, and then harvest and roast your own sunflower seeds in the fall.

Purchase on Amazon

Sunglasses

Unbreakable polarized sunglasses are going to come in handy this spring and summer. Add a cute pair to your kid’s Easter basket and you’ll be one step ahead of things.

Purchase on Amazon

Sidewalk chalk

We all know sidewalk chalk is awesome, but this cute egg-shaped version takes it up a notch and will come in handy when the spring sunshine makes an appearance.

Purchase on Amazon

DIY birdhouse

This sweet wooden birdhouse craft kit would make a great addition to your kid’s Easter basket. The kit will keep them busy for hours, and you’ll get a cute hand-painted birdhouse for your yard.

Purchase on Amazon

Scratch art doodle pad

Art supplies are always an inexpensive crowd-pleaser for holiday baskets. This scratch art doodle pad would be perfect for a kid who has a car ride on Easter Sunday. It’s not too messy but they’ll be entertained scratching off little scenes to reveal the colors.

Purchase on Amazon

Quirky pens

Adding a few items with a little height to an Easter basket makes them look full and even more enticing to kids. The kindergarten set will be thrilled to see these quirky gel pens poking up from their baskets.

Purchase on Amazon

Teether

Easter baskets for babies are a bit ridiculous but a lot of fun to put together. This carrot teether would be so cute in a photo of your baby in their first Easter outfit.

Purchase on Amazon

Bath bombs

These 12 egg-shaped bath bombs will not only bring some fizzy fun to bath time, they also each contain a surprise! Parents will love that they are infused with premium organic coconut oil, shea butter and jojoba oil, and the stain-free dye will not leave residue behind on the tub.

Purchase on Amazon

Easter lip balm

These sweet-scented lip balms will be sure to bring a smile to their faces — and will also come in handy over the spring. Flavors include grape, cotton candy, vanilla and strawberry.

Purchase on Amazon

Egg maracas

Musical instruments that fit the Easter theme are a perfect addition to a baby or toddler’s basket. If you have a bunch of kids or cousins, this set of six egg maracas is an egg-cellent deal.

Purchase on Amazon

Bunny ears

For small kids, there’s nothing cuter than a pair of bunny ears tucked into their basket. This Easter Bunny headband is fuzzy and adorable. (And the pack of four will help you make sure everyone gets a pair!)

Purchase on Amazon

Original ParentMap article here. If you want to give credit to ParentMap, purchase the items from the links in their article.

Read more...

Magnolias are one of the oldest flowering plant lineages on Earth

Photo by Lee Wolfe

Spring has sprung in our front yard with this huge saucer magnolia in bloom. 

I recently learned that magnolias are considered one of the oldest flowering plant lineages on Earth, with fossils dating back over 95-100 million years to the Cretaceous period. 

They existed alongside dinosaurs and evolved before bees, developing strong, fragrant flowers designed for pollination by beetles. 

Our tree is a hybrid - a very distant relative of the original and is not fragrant, but beautiful to the eye.

--Lee Wolfe

Read more...

Ribbon-cutting for Crosslake Connection marks public transit to both sides of Lake Washington

Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray hold the scissors, surrounded by other electeds and Sound Transit leaders. Photo courtesy Sound Transit

This final 7-mile section of the 2 Line crosses the Homer M. Hadley floating bridge over Lake Washington to connect to the Eastside and Seattle. 

The Crosslake Connection includes new stations at Mercer Island and Judkins Park and will connect to the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station.

This opening completes the 2 Line between Lynnwood and Redmond and closes out the ST2 system expansion approved by voters in 2008.

Sen. Maria Cantwell said,

The completion of Sound Transit light rail across Lake Washington is a historic moment for the region. And just in time for the World Cup!

This expanded service will integrate Seattle with the Eastside. In 40 minutes, commuters will be able to get from downtown Seattle to a job in Redmond and it will provide an affordable traffic-free option for getting to the airport or future Sonics games.

The economy of the Puget Sound is bigger than the economies of 36 entire states – expanded light rail will help ensure it remains a place where people want to live, innovate, and work into the future.

The event included local, regional, state and Congressional elected representatives as well as Sound Transit executives.

Light rail service on the Crosslake Connection began immediately, following the ceremony.

Read more...

Cross-Lake Link 2 expansion opening day experience

 

Downtown Bellevue in the background, Lake Washington and the I-90 Floating Bridge as viewed from Sound Transit Link 2. Photo by Carl Dinse

By Carl Dinse

I didn't brave the early morning crowds and shuttles to the ribbon cutting event but instead drove to a friend's house in Lynnwood at about 10am Saturday morning. As a group we walked a few blocks from their residence to the Orange Swift line and took a short 15-minute ride from there to the Lynnwood Transit Center.

I haven't used public transit much for most of my life, certainly not for commuting as my commute situation doesn't have a good option outside of driving a vehicle. I have to say I am very excited for the region now that we finally have a good option for public transportation that bypasses traffic and gridlock. Seattle is growing up and becoming a real city.

Specifically for Shoreline, ever since we lost King County Metro route 342 a couple years ago we lost any efficient public transit option between Aurora Village and downtown Bellevue. The now completed cross-lake path on Sound Transit's link route 2 makes that path possible once again.

Back to Saturday morning, we got on a southbound Link 2 train at around 10:35am in Lynnwood and decided to ride it all the way to Marymoor Village station in Redmond so we could experience the entire route. In all, the entire stretch took us about 1 hour and 25 minutes and we encountered no traffic, just pauses as we stopped at each station along the way. 

On our way back we stopped at the Spring District Station, where they had a live DJ playing dance music, a photo booth, indoor market with a solo music artist performing, and a small petting zoo for the kids.

Spring District Station on Link 2 in Bellevue
Photo by Carl Dinse

After a coffee break at the Spring District, we got back on to Link 2 and headed to Mercer Island and caught the end of the party there which was hosted in the Mercer Island Park and Ride parking lot. There was a bunch of vendors, food trucks and a live band. There was also a very large crowd of people in attendance and waiting to get back on the Link heading towards Seattle.

Mercer Island Link 2 Station
Photo by Carl Dinse

We traveled westbound from Mercer Island across Lake Washington back to Seattle and stopped at the International District to have a late lunch and do a little bit of shopping before heading back north to Lynnwood.

View walking out of the Link Light rail station in the International District, Seattle.
Photo by Carl Dinse

A fascinating fun fact about this cross-lake opening is this is the first train in the world to cross a body of water on a floating bridge. The engineering involved to make that work is a world first, making Seattle once again a pioneer in civil engineering. 

It'll be a big deal in the history books of tomorrow's generation. If you are as nerdy as I am about how things work, this YouTube video explains in detail the challenges of rail on a floating bridge, and the complicated expansion joint system they had to design and build to make this all happen.

If you haven't used the link rail yet, I recommend giving it a try at least once, and exploring some of the neighborhoods it now connects to, especially on the east side. I plan to do some more exploring, especially this summer.

For more photos from opening day for Link 2 cross-lake extension, you can view them in my gallery linked here.

Read more...

Shoreline survey on Lime bikes and scooters

Lime scooters parked at Aurora Village Transit Station
Photo by Claudia Meadows

As the Lime bike and scooter pilot period nears its end in Shoreline, the City wants to know how you feel about the program and what you think its future should look like in Shoreline.

Take the survey at: engage.shorelinewa.gov/lime

Read more...

Sno-King International Folk Dance April Fool's Day Party

Invartim playing at the Grange
Photo by Kathy Bruni

Sno-King International Folk Dance 

April Fool's Day Party

Don't miss the APRIL FOOLISHNESS PARTY on April 1, 2026 from 7:00-9:00pm, with live music from the terrific duo Invartim. 

All harmless folly is encouraged! We hope you are fool enough to bring snacks to share.

And come every Wednesday at that hour, when we do dances from as many countries as we can, in a number of formats; circle, couple, mixer, line, and set. 

You don't need to bring a partner. We usually teach something, except at parties. There is always room for your requests.

• Wednesday, April 8, 2026 is set teaching night, starting at 6:45pm. Harry Khamis will teach us a Scottish Strathspey. Latecomers may not be able to join a set.
• Saturday, April 11 is the SPRING FLING DANCE PARTY, 7:00-9:00pm. Snacks will be welcome at this party as well. Live it up and fling yourself around.
• Wednesday, April 15 and 22, at 6:30pm  the half hour beginners' classes will resume before the regular dance.

This month among the dances to be taught will be two Israeli dances, one individual and one couple dance.

If you have wondered what kind of folk dancing would be the most fun for you, it's a great idea to try us since we have a widely varied repertoire.

Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood. $8.00. 

Contact information

• Website 
• Email: dancesnoking@gmail.com 
• Phone: 425-610-9393

Read more...

LFP Community Safety meeting March 31, 2026

Meeting at LFP Library

Lake Forest Park Community Safety Meeting!

LFP King County Library meeting room, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 5:00-7:30pm.

Please join members of the LFP Community to discuss how we can work together to keep our community safe.

You're welcome to join us for the entire timeframe or swing by and share your thoughts.

We plan to discuss issues ranging from emergency and earthquake preparedness to the impact of ICE deployments.

The library is on the lower level lobby of LFP Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way.

Read more...

Jobs: WSDOT Acquisition & Relocation Agent (PAS4)

WSDOT

Acquisition & Relocation Agent (PAS4)
Shoreline, WA – Northwest Region
$75,045 – $100,951 Annually

Closing Date 4/14/2026 11:59 PM

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently seeking a right of way professional to serve as an Acquisition and Relocation Agent serving the Northwest Region on the Mount Baker Area (MBA) team, based in Shoreline, WA. The MBA team serves the geographic area of northernmost Snohomish County, Skagit County, Whatcom County and Island County. The purpose of Real Estate Services Office (RES) is to support successful delivery of transportation projects and coordinate real estate transactions. RES stewards the agency’s property assets and supports program delivery through guidance and policy development related to property valuations, acquisitions, relocation, and property management. 

The purpose of this position is to support the mission by completing simple and complex property rights acquisitions and/or facilitate any relocations associated with an acquisition, in compliance with the 1970 Uniform Relocation Act. This position directly supports the fish passage program and WSDOT's mission to provide an integrated, multimodal transportation system.

See link for more information, including details on how to apply: LINK

Read more...