Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Day event

Evergreen-Washelli held its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11111 Aurora Ave N in north Seattle.

An honor guard composed of members of different branches of service walked to the podium where a hundred people waited to hear the speakers.

The Northwest Junior Pipe band played bagpipes.

Before the ceremony, dozens of volunteers, including several scout troops, veterans, and relatives placed a small flag on every veteran's grave - hundreds of them.

Boy, girl, and cub scouts help with the flag placement every year.

Volunteers are spread out through the cemetery to be sure there is a flag on every grave.

It's an amazing sight to see the neat rows of headstones with a flag on each one.

Photos by David Carlos

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Shorewood grad earns two college degrees in three years

I was told about a Shorewood graduate who earned two college degrees and a medical assistant certification in three years. I asked her to tell me how she did it - and if she has Hermione's time turner.

Hayley Berkman

My name is Hayley Berkman, and I am a 20-year old senior graduating from the University of Washington Seattle with two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Theater: Performance and a Bachelor of Science in General Biology this June 14th.

The simplest answer to “did she borrow Hermione’s time-turner?” is: unfortunately, no. I would have used it if I had one. The more honest answer is that I built my own version out of Running Start credits, too many Google Calendar blocks, asynchronous lectures, stubbornness, and a deeply unrealistic belief that if I could just make it through the week, eventually the weeks would turn into a degree.

Through the Running Start program at Shoreline Community College, I earned a general studies associate degree during the same quarter I graduated from Shorewood High School. 

That meant I came into UW with 75 credits from Shoreline and 15 credits from AP classes. Across UW and Shoreline Community College, I earned 267 college credits, even though my two degrees only required 225. 

In spring 2025, while still completing my UW degrees, I also earned a medical assistant certificate through a one-year, 57-credit program at Seattle Central College. With my medical assistant certificate program included, I have earned 324 college credits total.

My most intense quarter was spring 2025. During that quarter, I was taking 12 credits of physics and organic chemistry at Shoreline Community College, 18 credits at UW, and 14 credits of practicum classes for my medical assistant certificate at Seattle Central College, all at the same time. 

That was 44 credits in one quarter, spread across three different schools. Most of my UW classes that quarter were theater classes, which gave me more flexibility and lenience than a full schedule of lab sciences would have. Ten of my credits were also fully asynchronous online, which made it possible to keep moving pieces around when I needed to.

Hayley Berkman at home in Shoreline

I do not want to romanticize the amount of work it took. It was not glamorous. There were many days where “how I did it” was less about brilliance and more about momentum. 

I learned how to work in small windows of time, how to switch my brain from organic chemistry mechanisms to rehearsal notes to patient care skills. 

The main thing I learned was how to prioritize what had to be perfect over done, and I’m still not sure if that was the best use of my time.

Because of all of this, I am graduating in only three traditional college years. I always knew I would graduate at least one year early with my biology degree. At the time, I was planning on medical school, so graduating early felt strategic. I thought if I could finish undergrad faster, I could give myself a head start before the long road of graduate or professional school.

But though I came in focused on biology and medicine, I kept being pulled back toward theater even though it was only going to be my minor. 

Eventually, I decided to pursue the full BA in Theater: Performance alongside my BS in General Biology. And I immediately worried I had somehow “wasted” time by changing the plan. And I rushed to a finish line.

I do think there is something very theatrical about the whole thing. Theater teaches you how to hold contradictions. You can be exhausted and still walk onstage. You can be terrified and still say the line. You can have no idea how the scene is going to resolve and still commit to the action in front of you. 

That is a lot of what this experience felt like, I just kept entering the next scene. 

Now, I am considering either medical malpractice law or pursuing theater professionally. Those may sound like completely different paths, but to me they both come from the same place: a desire to understand people, advocate for them, and tell the truth about what happens to bodies, systems, and lives under pressure.

By the end of all this, I think I did it because I wanted to prove to myself that none of my interests had to cancel each other out. But mostly, I did it because I am terrified of aging and the passing of time. Severe FOMO about literally everything. During all of this I have earned department honors, acted in 3 shows, directed 2, and done so much more.

Do I regret it? I don’t know. Parts of it. I wish I had another year, I think. I wish I had more time for the non-academic. It’s funny, out of everything, I just wish I never thought I was premed.

Note: Hayley is currently one of the lead actors in “Everybody” at UW (see previous article)

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King County Housing Authority launches Youth Safety & Belonging initiative

Ballinger Homes

King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative, a strategic partnership to strengthen opportunities for young people ages 14-19 growing up in KCHA communities in Auburn, Kent, and Shoreline.

 
The $800,000 investment for the first year will implement proven programs that build belonging and community stability for all young people, including those impacted by trauma or other life challenges. 

Programs and interventions will focus on positive youth development approaches that prevent violence, foster connection and opportunity, and create safer, more supportive environments where young people can thrive.

The Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative builds on the strong youth programming already in place across multiple KCHA communities. 

The initiative is designed to add to existing out-of-school time programs, bringing in additional resources and staff who will build trusting relationships with young people, strengthening the overall support system so more of our youth can thrive.

KCHA received an overwhelming response to this Request for Proposal (RFP) and appreciates the many qualified organizations that applied, which shows just how committed this region is to supporting our youth.

Partnerships

Following a robust application review process, KCHA is announcing new awards and partnerships under the Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative to two community-based organizations: CHOOSE180 and Northwest Credible Messenger.

CHOOSE 180, a community-based organization with over a decade of experience serving system-impacted youth across King County, will partner with KCHA to serve youth living at Ballinger Homes in Shoreline. 

Their intervention-focused, credible-messenger model meets youth where they are, within housing communities, schools, and community spaces, through proactive outreach, structured group programming, and individualized mentorship. 

Grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based practices, this approach emphasizes relationship-building, accountability, and skill development to reduce conflict, strengthen connections to trusted adults, and support safer community environments.

Northwest Credible Messenger will partner with KCHA to serve youth living at targeted housing communities located in Kent and Auburn.

What People Are Saying

“When we invest in youth well-being, we strengthen the future of our entire community. Shoreline’s partnership with KCHA brings together government, nonprofits, and neighborhoods to meet people where they are, collaborate to create pathways to opportunity, and empower our youth and families to become leaders.” – Betsy Robertson, Mayor of Shoreline

About King County Housing Authority

The King County Housing Authority provides rental assistance and quality, affordable housing to more than 50,000 people across King County. Through innovative programs and partnerships, KCHA supports residents in achieving stability, opportunity, and long-term success.

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Hospice care and quality of life June 2, 2026

Laurel Cove is pleased to announce a special presentation by Jesse Lewandowski, who will engage in a discussion about when to start thinking about hospice care, as well as quality of life towards the end of our journey. 

This free event is open to residents, families, and community members. Free refreshments will be provided!

June 2, 2026 from 1 to 2pm

Laurel Cove
17201 15th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155

Please RSVP by contacting Michaël Francart:

• Phone: 206-900-6016
• Email: michael.francart@encorecommunities.com

We hope you can join us for this informative and meaningful presentation. We look forward to welcoming you.

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Firefighters visit burn victims at Harborview

Shoreline and Bothell firefighters hanging out with a burn victim at Harborview
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

By Diane Hettrick

I once interviewed a Shoreline firefighter who spent a week of her vacation every year volunteering in a burn camp for children.

I said - isn't that depressing? And she said  "No. We go to so many fires where people don't make it. It's wonderful to see the ones who did."

Which I suspect is the same sentiment motivating these local firefighters visiting Harborview Burn Center.

Shoreline Firefighters Local 1760 and Bothell Firefighters Local 2099 visited the Harborview Burn Center on May 24, 2026. 

They spent time with kids and adults who were recovering from burns. They gave out Stuffed animals to the kids and pizza to staff and patients. 

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Portraiture: Drawing & Painting in Oils class at Shoreline College - register by May 29, 2026

Portraiture: Drawing & Painting in Oils

Dates: 6/2 - 6/30 (5 Tuesday sessions)
Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 2905, #2900 Building

16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133  
Instructor: Renee Plevy
Fee: $139.00

Join this creative class and learn how to paint a portrait of your favorite person! Taught by renowned portrait artist Renee Plevy, whose portraits have been shown in museums well as in homes all over the world. 

You will learn the common mistakes of portraiture as well as many secrets from the Master Artists of the past. Students will learn to draw and paint in a supportive environment - explore values, color theory, anatomy, perspective and painting with oil paints and more! 

Supply list to be provided by the instructor upon registration. 

For beginner and intermediate levels, adults and creative high school students+. 

Please register by 5/29 at this link: Portraiture: Drawing & Painting in Oils

Renée Plevy is an internationally recognized portrait artist with over 40 years of experience capturing the essence of people and pets through museum-quality oil paintings. 

Her work has been featured in over 65 exhibitions and galleries, including a one-woman museum show at the Paterson Museum, and she has received numerous accolades — among them, “Artist of the Year” from The Bloomfield Art League and First Prize from the Boca Raton Museum Artist’s Guild. 

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Shorewood boys tennis team wins the State Championship

Shorewood boys tennis team with coach Arnie Moreno
The team won the first ever state tennis championship for Shorewood

The Shorewood Boys tennis team and Coach Arnie Moreno had a goal to win a team trophy and earn individual medals.

The Wesco South Champions and District 1 Champions, had qualified 6 players for the state tennis championship tournament in Vancouver, WA at the Vancouver Tennis Center May 22 and 23, 2026. 

After winning the league championship and qualifying and winning their third straight District 1 team championship last Fall, they had a long wait through the Winter. The state tournament is held on Memorial Day weekend while the boys play their season in September and October. 

(L-R) Xander Gordon, 4th Place Singles; Drew Johnson & Zack Binz; Riley Boyd & Eli Sheffield, 5th Place Doubles; Seb Sanchez, 7th Place Singles. Photo by Leslie Boyd

Xander Gordon was the District singles Champion, Seb Sanchez placed 2nd in singles, Riley Boyd and Eli Sheffield were District Doubles Champions and Drew Johnson and Zack Binz placed second in doubles.

The team prepared themselves for the long wait through Winter and continued to sharpen their tennis skills. Their trip to the state tournament was going to be very challenging. 

Coach Arnie Moreno had been in this position before with a great team. They knew they were going to face the state's best 3A tennis teams, multiple state tennis team champions Mercer Island, Seattle Prep, Lakeside, Interlake and Bellevue.

Shorewood's lone entry for the girls' state tennis tournament was senior Micah Crose. She lost her first match but came back to win her second match before being eliminated in her third match of the day. 

Coach Moreno told her to be proud of her accomplishments this Spring girls' season. She was outstanding in her matches and proved to herself, what Coach Moreno told her, that she belonged at state as one of the state's best girls' singles players.

For the boys, the first day was a battle to stay in the tournament and win a match in the early brackets to qualify for the Saturday medal rounds. Gordon and Sanchez both won their first-round matches and lost in their quarterfinal match. They refocused themselves and came back to win in the consolation round to earn a shot at a medal. 

The only problem was that the two teammates were going to face each other. They had practiced together many times during the season but now the medals were on the line. 

Xander Gordon. Photo by Leslie Boyd

Gordon was able to prevail in a battle of long rallies and amazing shot-making by both. 

Senior Gordon won the 4th place award and junior Sanchez won the 7th place state award. They shook hands and congratulated each other, as they were Shorewood teammates and friends.

The doubles teams also had very tough competition. Junior Drew Johnson and partner senior Zack Binz were competing in their first state tournament. 

They played their usual aggressive style with Johnson being the closer at net with strong volleys and Binz with his precision and sharp shot making, but they lost a very close match. 

They faced a very good team from Shorecrest in an elimination match and lost. 

Coach Moreno reminded them to be proud of their season and their accomplishment to play at the state tournament. Moreno feels confident that junior Drew Johnson will be back to state next year.

Seniors Boyd and Sheffield were at their third straight state tournament and had placed 7th in state twice in past state tournaments.

Their experience prepared them for meeting the challenges from some of the best state doubles teams. They were prepared for the toughest matches and extreme pressure. They were upset in their first match by a good Walla Walla team that were able to get some momentum and won the first set. 

Boyd and Sheffield had a slow start but came back to win the second set to set up a very tough third set. Shorewood team just fell short and lost their first match, but they knew they were not out of the tournament yet.

Coach Moreno talked to them about refocusing themselves, supporting each other through tough matches, because know they knew they could not falter. Coach Moreno felt confident they would give it everything they had.

 
They came back to win a tough third set after splitting sets, losing the first set, with a very good University High School team from Spokane.

Boyd and Sheffield were down 1-4 in the third and deciding set as they talked to Coach Moreno. He reminded them that they had to fight for every point and find a way to make adjustments. Coach told them he had seen many teams come back from a 1-4 score. "Hold your serve and break their serve and it's a new match" Moreno told them. 

Their mental toughness kicked in. They came back to win 7-5. Parents and friends were on the edge of their seats! They won their next match in straight sets versus a good team from Thomas Jefferson. 

This win set up a medal's showdown versus familiar opponents from Shorecrest High School, Johnson and Weber, who had defeated Shorewood's Johnson and Binz in an earlier match. 

The match didn't start out very well for Shorewood as the Shorecrest team came out aggressively and won the first set 6-3. Coach Moreno knew he had to settle them down and get them to reset themselves mentally. He reminded them that it was only the first set and that it took two sets to win. "Fight for every point, look for weakness and stay positive." Coach talked to them about strategic adjustments and to trust their experience and skills. 

Riley Boyd. Photo by Leslie Boyd

They regrouped and came back to with the second set 7-5. The third set was extremely close again. Both teams battled to a 5-5 score before Boyd and Sheffield gained some momentum with amazing shot making and gritty determination. 

They won 7-5 and placed 5th in state. Their third straight state tennis award! 

The Shorewood teammates, parents and friends erupted in loud cheering!

Coach Moreno knew the team was close to winning a team trophy. Coaches started coming up to him and shaking his hand to congratulate him. 

No one had told him, during the Boyd and Sheffield match, that if the Shorewood doubles team won, they had a shot at winning the state championship. Coach Moreno's wife, Rebecca, told him she overheard coaches from other teams talking during the match about a Shorewood doubles victory that would win the team championship. 

Shorewood players with their parents
Photo by Arnie Moreno

Shorewood's Athletic Director Joann Fukuma, confirmed to Coach Moreno that unofficially Shorewood had the lead after the Boyd and Sheffield win. 

The WIAA State Team Championship trophy was presented to Coach Arnie Moreno and his team! The parents, friends and team were jubilant. 

Shorewood had won its first ever WIAA 3A State Tennis Championship!

 
Coach Moreno told his team how proud he was of them. "It is still sinking in that we had accomplished the biggest goal there is in state tennis " said Coach Moreno. A great moment for Shorewood High School, the Shoreline Community and for Shorewood Tennis history.

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Shorewood track & field athletes qualify for State championship - Shorewood boys win District 1 title

Shorewood track & field coaches and athletes

Shorewood Boys & Girls Track & Field athletes qualify for the State Track & Field Championships to be held in Tacoma on May 28-30th, 2026. The girls team will send three individuals and the 4x400m relay and the boys team will send 10 individuals and the 4x400m relay. 

The boys team captured the NW District 1 Title

Congrats to:

• Olivia Decker, 3200m (set new personal best time - PB)
• Lucy Eichelberger, 100m Hurdles (PB)
• Mila Fotinatos, 400m (breaking her own school record that's she has broken in each of the last two years - PB)
• 4x400m Relay (Taylor Duquette, McKenzie Clark, Lucy Eichelberger, Mila Fotinatos, Lizzy Tajkowski Rolfe, Violet Koslowsky, Olivia Decker)
• Max Billett, 1600m (District Champ!), 3200m
• Tristan Crittenden, 1600m (PB)
• Eli Graves, 1600m (PB), 3200m (District Champ!)
• Adrian Kamau, Long Jump
• Jaden Marlow, 110m Hurdles (District Champ! - PB), Pole Vault (District Champ!), Long Jump (District Champ! - PB), Discus
• Tyler Marlow, Javelin (District Champ! - PB), Long Jump (PB)
• Kellan Roberts, 800m (PB), 1600m (PB - now #1 All-Time Shorewood freshman 1600m time)
• John Tan, Unified 100m
• Jason Villanueva, Unified 100m
• Thomas Zyskowski, 100m (District Champ! - PB), 200m
• 4x400m Relay (Aiden Witt, Kellan Roberts, Eli Graves, Max Billett, Tyler Marlow, Thomas Zyskowski, Isaiah Schuelke, Matbeal Dinka)

Other highlights include:

Season's bests in all girls relays: 4x100m (Senaya Ovuru, Juniper Zyskowski, Kaylee Park, Juliet Moser) , 4x200m (Taylor Duquette, McKenzie Clark, Lizzy Tajkowski Rolfe, Juliet Moser), & 4x400m.  Season's best in the boys 4x400m relay.

1600m Shorewood took the first four places

Our District, comprised of 3 leagues/15 schools, is allocated 4 spots to the State meet.  In the boys 1600m, Shorewood placed 1st through 4th!

1st - Max Billett, 2nd - Eli Graves, 3rd - Tristan Crittenden, 4th - Kellan Roberts

3200m Shorewood boys take 6 of the 8 placements

At Championships meets like Districts and State, 8 place on the podium.  In the boys 3200m, Shorewood placed 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th!

1st - Eli Graves, 2nd - Max Billett, 5th - Isaiah Schuelke, 6th (PB) - Tristan Crittenden, 7th - Brayden Yee, 8th - Noah Raupp, (3rd - Mount Vernon, 4th - Mountlake Terrace)

Results from NW District 1 Championships: Results 5/20, 5/22. 

Other season's best or personal best include:

• Cleo Dalasta, 3200m (SB)
• McKenzie Clark, 800m (PB)
• Matbeal Dinka, 110m Hurdles (PB), 300m Hurdles (PB)
• Cooper Martinez, Discus (PB), Javelin (PB)

Shorewood boys and girls teams and coaches

Next weekend (May 28-30), Shorewood & Shorecrest will head to the WIAA State Track & Field Championships in Tacoma. 

--Shorewood Head Coaches Paul Villanueva and Joel Reese

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Art by Whitney Potter: Remember

Memorial Day 2026 - Monday, May 25, 2026

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Road safety, tree canopy, city budget: Lake Forest Park residents address concerns to City Council at first town hall

About 100 people attend the LFP Town Hall on May 20, 2026
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

By Nick Ng

About 100 people attended Lake Forest Park’s first town hall event Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Third Place Commons. After Mayor Tom French and councilmembers introduced themselves, some residents lined up on either side of the stage to ask them a question. Councilmembers Ellyn Saunders and Matt Muilenburg were not in attendance.

Third Place Commons Board of Directors Vice Chair Erika Olson moderated the event. “[A] town hall is an enduring tradition that has been with us since the very beginning, earliest days of our American democracy, and that’s pretty cool to continue to uphold that tradition,” she said.

Road safety, e-motos

Lake Forest Park resident Catherine said road and pedestrian safety near her home in Horizon View is a concern. She described walking in front of her house as “death-defying” because she has two grandchildren who are deaf, and she said they won’t hear approaching cars from her driveway.

Catherine also talked about motorized bikes and scooters “zooming around Horizon View Park.”

“Do people need to have helmets or not?” she asked. “I remember when my granddaughter was about 10 months old, and she walked on the park walkways. I’d be terrified to have her up there right now.”

French acknowledged that e-bikes and e-motorcycles are a problem. “I can tell you right now that when I talk to the 37 mayors around this Puget Sound region, every one of them has had really serious issues around the country,” he said. “Sadly, there are fatalities, and the fatalities are largely in teens, and that’s just unacceptable.”

According to Senate Bill 6434 that Washington State Legislature passed in 2018, there are three classes of e-bikes or “electric-assisted bicycles”:

• Class 1: The e-bike’s motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops assisting when the e-bike reaches 20 miles per hour.
• Class 2: The e-bike has a throttle that can propel the e-bike and cannot provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 miles per hour.
• Class 3: Same as Class 1 except the motor stops assistance when the e-bike reaches 28 miles per hour.

State law also says “persons under sixteen years of age may not operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle.”

E-motorcycles or e-motos, however, can vary between 4 to more than 40 horsepower.

Mayor Tom French (far right) and members of the LFP City Council answered questions
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

Regarding helmets, French said Lake Forest Park has an ordinance on wearing helmets when riding a bike. “It’s a full stop,” he said.

French said that Interim Police Chief Diego Zanella is working on the ordinances and will bring them to the City Council for consideration. He added that the Lake Forest Police Police have a new motorcycle, which will be used for traffic law enforcement, including all cyclists.

“We see people going by 35 or 40 miles an hour,” French said, referring to e-motos on the Burke-Gilman Trail. “It’s a miracle that we haven’t had issues.”

Tree canopy

Lake Forest Park Tree Board member Ross Baarslag-Benson told the Council that the City’s existing tree canopy is one of the “most effective things we can do for climate change and air quality” and “one of the biggest qualities of our Lake Forest Park.” He said that planting small trees takes many years to grow and give an adequate canopy, and the invasive English ivy is already covering some trees.

“What I’d love for the Council to do is to be creative and think about ways that we can help that,” Baarslang-Benson said. “It would be wonderful if we could go to Sound Transit and say, look, instead of planting these community trees someplace that’s not going to help us, provide us money so that we can hire two full-time arborists. Is that something that the Council can get behind?”

Councilmember Larry Goldman, who is also the council liaison to the Tree Board, said the board has a strong tree ordinance that prevents trees from being cut down and requires new trees planted to replace the lost canopy.

He said some board members have already proposed strengthening protections by revising the City’s ordinance on increasing the protection of larger-diameter trees because they are the “keystone species that provide a lot of biodiversity.”

Regarding ivy removal, Goldman said the City pays into the King Conservation District, which in turn maintains a fund of about $100,000 that the City can spend on any conservation project. He said that money might be used to support more ivy-removal and tree-health work.

Sound Transit bus lane

A Lake Forest Park resident, who did not identify himself, talked about the proposed Sound Transit bus lane project along State Route 522/ Bothell Way through Lake Forest Park. He recalled a community meeting at Lake Forest Park Elementary School about two years ago that drew about 400 people, adding that “everyone there was in opposition to the bus lane.”

He said the scale and the cost of the project, which he alleged to be $600,000 to $900,000, would involve cutting down about 400 trees and constructing a 9,000-foot concrete wall.

“You know what big problem is this solving? It’s to move people two minutes faster on buses that are halfway filled,” he said, adding that the project be “scrapped.”

Councilmember Paula Good said while “it's hard to stop a train as big as Sound Transit,” she said many residents may not fully understand the project’s potential impacts because they do not live near the SR 522 corridor. She also said she had not seen heavy bus ridership — no more than eight people during rush hour — and did not believe the project was necessary.

“I think [Sound Transit] is probably going to have a big sticker shock when they do see that because…9,000 feet of dirt is a lot of dirt, a lot of diesel.”

French said the bus lane project is part of the regional network with costs at about $561 million, based on 2021 estimates. “We said, absolutely not. You do not own those properties. We’re not going to submit permits on behalf of somebody who’s not in agreement with you.”

“There’s a whole scoop of people on 150th Place, and they’re all in opposition right now,” Goode said. “None of them have signed permits, so the process with Sound Transit is they cannot submit any permits until every property that they need has a possession-and-use agreement.”

People lined up on both sides of the room to ask questions of their elected officials
Photo courtesy Third Place Commons

City budget prioritization

Lake Forest Park resident Maddie Larson asked the Council what evidence and decision-making process they use to prioritize projects, such as safer streets, environmental goals, housing, climate and financial resilience.

Deputy Mayor Tracy Furutani said the Council relies on Finance Director Lindsey Vaughn and her staff to give them proposals. “That gives us a handle, at least one significant number on what some of these things that we proposed [would] cost,” he said. “We take that into account when we set up priorities as a Council. When the budget comes out later this year, you’ll see those priorities reflected in that.”

However, Furutani said there are “unintended consequences” that are outside of the City’s control, such as the state’s reduction of public defender caseloads, which “immediately tripled our public defense costs.”

“We tried to build in the cushion when the mayor talks about the fiscal cliff,” Furutani said. “He’s talking about the City requiring a 16% reserve. That is to say 16% of our operating funds has to be held in reserve for these kinds of emergencies. We don’t want to dip into that as much as we can, and so we’re basically trying to anticipate some of these unintended costs that we weren’t aware of at the beginning of the year by basically being as prudent as we can with our priorities.”

Other issues brought up include:

• How neighbors will be involved and informed before any change making NE 180th Street/Perkins Way one-way;
• Whether the City’s emergency management plan is truly “shelf‑ready” and operational in a major disaster scenario;
• Concerns about reasonable use exceptions (RUEs), their cost and risk to neighbors and the environment, and whether a moratorium or shift in burden of proof is possible.

Listen to the entire town hall at the City of Lake Forest Park’s YouTube Channel.

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Kick off summer with the ultimate PNW day trip: oyster farm tour + beach picnic

Field & Feast: a quintessentially PNW day trip adventure on Washington's Olympic Peninsula! 

Long-time family-owned business partners Town & Country Markets and Johnson & Gunstone Shellfish are teaming up to bring Seattleites an authentic farm-to-shore experience unlike anything else on the summer calendar.

Event details: 

When: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11:00am - 3:00pm

Where: 

• Meeting location: Johnson & Gunstone Shellfish Farm at 3503 Old Gardiner Road, Sequim, WA, 98382
• Beach picnic location: 1215 Linger Longer Road, Quilcene, WA 98376

Tickets: $199 per attendee, available HERE

More information is available on the event page HERE

Attendees will begin with an educational tour giving an exclusive look behind the scenes of a historic, sixth-generation family-owned and operated shellfish farm to learn the craft of oyster farming from the experts. 

J&G oyster grounds

Afterward, guests can relax and indulge in a charming beach picnic with freshly harvested oysters, seasonal salads, charcuterie boards, and refreshing beverages paired with live music and stunning views.

The event is made possible by two beloved local businesses bound by shared values and a love for the region.

When pandemic-era restaurant closures left J&G without buyers for their shellfish, a cold call to a beloved neighborhood market sparked a meaningful, lasting partnership. Today, T&C sources hundreds of pounds of J&G clams and oysters every week across all six of its markets — product that travels straight from the farm's own tanks to the store’s within the hour.

For locals who have enjoyed J&G oysters and clams at T&C's seafood counter for years, Field & Feast is a rare chance to meet the harvesters and experience their favorite meal at its very freshest. Learn more about the partnership HERE.

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Contrasting Yin & Yang In Back To Back State Tournament Soccer Victories for Shorewood

Shorewood fans were glued to the action in an exciting game against Eastside Catholic
Photo by Patrick Deagen

By TCA

Shorewood Stormrays

Last Friday evening, May 22, 2026 with the setting sun casting long shadows in Edmonds Stadium, #2 Shorewood faced their eighth-final opponent, #18 Mountain View, which seemed a mismatch based on RPI. 

And so it proved as the Rays struck within six minutes with #10 firing into the bottom left instead of his usual contralateral side, 1-0. With the majority of possession, it was only a matter of time, namely twenty minutes later, with the ball bouncing around in the box, #19 slams it home, 2-0. 

Rays seemed to ease off, as the Thunder had not laid a glove on their goal, and keeper #22 had a tranquil game so far. After the half, at the midway point, a corner kick from the right by Shorewood was aimed towards the far post, where it solidly met the stout head of #16, into the net, 3-0. 

Even though Rays were by then subbing liberally, the bench proved no less motivated to score, and in the final quarter, defender #3 broke loose on the left of the box, with his best imitation of a striker, fires a low shot into the bottom right, 4-0. Then a free kick from midfielder #11 was pushed away by the keeper only to reach the poacher #19, who coolly applies the coup de grace, 5-0. 

The Rays dispatched the first in (hopefully) a succession of matches – get the win and move on, to the quarterfinal on home turf.

Quick action in a fast moving game with Eastside Catholic
Photo by Patrick Deagen

Last Saturday afternoon, May 23, 2026 overcast and cloudy in the familiar confines of Shoreline Stadium, #2 Shorewood faced their quarter-final opponent, #7 Eastside Catholic, seemingly a step up in quality from Mountain View. 

Going in to the match, spirits were high after a thumping win the night before. At the half, and two penalty kicks later (against the Rays), Shorewood was down by 0-2. The quibbles regarding the merits of the referee decisions are immaterial, as the only immutable fact was the score - zero goals for, two goals against, with forty minutes to go. 

Rays were staring into the abyss, but Coach Warner’s halftime pep talk reminded them of a league match about a month ago, against Shorecrest, where they faced this same scenario. In that game they made a comeback in the second half, to win 4-2, i.e. not to panic and play on. It harkens back to that WW2 British motivational poster to Keep Calm And Carry On, which leads to Winston Churchill’s declaration that this would be “their finest hour”. 

Could the Rays seize the day against adversity with a comeback for the ages? Within the first minute we had our answer. Shorewood came flying out with their hair on fire, tricky winger #23 streaking down the right side, beating the fullback with sheer pace. A perfectly weighted cutback pass reaches the surging forward #9 who smashes it with venom into the goal, 1-2! 

The entire team erupts with a roar, and belief that all was not lost. The Crusaders were taken aback by this surge in speed and energy, as every Ray chased, tackled and snatched the ball with alacrity. Five minutes later, from a long throw-in, the ball pings around the box, inviting the blue appendage of #16 to deliver a dagger into goal, 2-2! 

Eastside Catholic was reeling but would not go quietly into the good night, as they resisted the rolling tide with ball control and precision passing. For the next half-hour, it seemed as if the Stormray rally had petered out, with Crusaders realizing that Rays’ forward push left gaps in the back for their strikers to exploit. 

Having survived the onslaught, it seemed strategic for Eastside Catholic to regroup, and play for OT, if not PKs. With the clock ticking down, the impending lottery of a penalty shootout was looming ever closer. 

With five minutes left, Shorewood refused to tie, and another corner kick reaches #4, who artfully glances the ball to the middle, where unmarked striker #17 unleashes a bolt through the throng, unerringly into the back of the net, 3-2! 

Stormrays sharing the joy of victory with fans
Photo by Patrick Deagen

The comeback complete, he is instantly mobbed, until attention must refocus on closing out the remaining time. Fatigue, cramp and injuries delay the game as the clock ticks down to the dreaded two minutes. The ball zips from one end to another as Crusaders desperately mount a few more incursions that Rays defense must boot away - left, right, forwards, anywhere, as they cling on. 

Stoppage time seemed more than two minutes, it felt more like twenty minutes, an excruciating eternity for the crowd to live and die with every twist and bounce. The final whistle eventually blows, and both teams collapse, having given it their all on the field. 

One is reminded of the wisdom of that old Roman, Seneca, who proclaimed that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, as the Rays zealously grasped their moment firmly with both hands (and feet). Upset averted, Shorewood avoided going home and instead move on to the semi-final in one week, at Sparks Stadium.

Shorecrest Scots

Back to last Friday evening, in the hinterlands of Tacoma’s outskirts, #6 Shorecrest faced their eighth-final opponent #11 Bishop Blanchet. Their records and RPI suggested a pretty even contest, with the Scots hoping to advance to the quarter-final against #3 Silas. 

The Bears scored the first two goals, and led 0-2 at the half. The valiant Scots rallied to pull one back, 1-2, but within eight minutes, Blanchet responded with a third goal, 1-3, to shut the door on Shorecrest’s State run. 

Shorecrest run ends with Round 2
Shorewood continues into the semifinal

Alas, the dance is over for the Scots, as they lick their wounds, and fold their tents, to prepare for another campaign next year. A potential Shoreline El Clasico derby in the semi-final has been averted. #19 Edmonds-Woodway bows out in the eighth-final to #3 Silas, 3-0. At the midway point of the State playoffs, #1 Mercer Island rolled #8 Lakeside, 4-0; #11 Bishop Blanchet upsets #3 Silas, 3-2 (OT); #4 Gig Harbor knocks out #12 Mount Vernon, 2-0.

EPILOGUE: For those of you die-hard fanatics still reading (all three of you), the State quarter-finals have concluded. 

These are the semi-final matchups: #1 Mercer Island vs #4 Gig Harbor, and #2 Shorewood vs #11 Bishop Blanchet, for the right to meet in the final, and be crowned State Champions. 

Tired of the mundane, humdrum, workaday dreary tedium, monotony and routine? Your heart may skip a beat (or three), you may become short of breath, you might become dizzy with delirium. Come one, come all, join the circus at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup 601 7th Ave - semi-finals will be on Friday 5/29, the finale on Saturday 5/30.

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Shorewood baseball finishes run in second round of state tournament

Relief pitcher Max Rojas gets handed the ball in the fourth inning.
Photo by Chris Stuvek

In the second round of the state baseball tournament at Auburn High School, the Shorewood Stormrays lost to #4 seed Decatur 8-6, ending their run.

Daniel Morgan lines an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning. 
Photo by Chris Stuvek

The Stormrays jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, then fell short in a seventh inning comeback with the tying runs on base.

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Man dies on train tracks in Shoreline

Scene of death on railroad tracks

According to the King County Sheriff's Office, on May 22, 2026 around 6pm an adult male was walking on the railroad track near the intersection of NW 205th St and Richmond Beach Dr NW when he was struck by a train.

The Train Operator attempted to get his attention by blowing the train horn but was unsuccessful.

KCSO Deputies arrived on scene along with Shoreline Fire but the man was declared dead at the scene. 

Train service returned to normal a little after 9pm. 

The case is under investigation.

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Social Justice Sunday - respect for troops killed in US - Iran War

At Shoreline-Edmonds line - a moving display at sign-waving before Memorial Day
  Photo by Pamela Mieth

By Pamela Mieth

Signs paying respect to American troops killed so far during the U.S.-Iran war lined Aurora Avenue North at the "Social Justice Sundays" sign-waving this weekend.

Coming the day before Memorial Day, one attendee had made and planted the signs bearing the name, rank, hometown, and date and location they were killed, and attached to each was a small American flag.

The display was simple and moving to the nearly 60 attendees and many folks driving by on a beautifully sunny afternoon, driving home how important it is our country's foreign policy and military decisions are carried out with care, and that Congress is involved when committing our troops to war.

So much corruption
Photo courtesy Pam Cross

Also unusual this Sunday, a regular volunteer who picks up trash during the sign-waving called for assistance when she found a box of 3-inch-long screws had apparently fallen from a passing vehicle and spilled across a lane of the roadway. 

With two helpers to keep an eye out for oncoming traffic, the trio managed to scoop them out of the roadway before, it is hoped, any tires could be damaged.

Everyday Activists (@everydayshoreline.bsky.social) has one more sign-waving scheduled in May (next Sunday, 5/31), 1-2pm at the intersection of Aurora Avenue North and N 205th St, at the Shoreline-Edmonds line.

Non-perishable food and toiletry items will be accepted for donation to a local organization assisting those in need.

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Additional audition times for Newsies at Shoreline College Theater

 

Due to the holiday weekend and interest from the community, Woodland Park Players are opening more audition slots next weekend before callbacks.

2 to 4pm in the #1600 campus theater, followed by callbacks 5 to 10pm. 16101 Greenwood Ave N.
Also accepting video submissions through Friday May 29, 2026 at 10am.

Email WPPsummermusical@gmail.com for details and the audition links.

Shoreline College

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Norwegian Constitution Day parade May 17 - Syttende Mai

Norwegian flags and traditional dress were the order of the day at the Syttende Mai parade in Ballard.

By Diane Hettrick

The Leif Erickson Lodge was represented

My Norwegian relative always puts on her finest and goes early to get a good place for the Syttende Mai Constitution Day parade in Ballard.

Beautiful dresses

Considering that I have at least five local friends who were born in Norway, I'm always surprised that Shoreline doesn't have a May 17 parade. If I know that many, there must be a lot more.

The Ballard High School marching band

But Ballard wins the day.

The Interlake High School band

We've had many visits from the Norwegian royal family. The King of Norway's most recent visit was 2015. King Harald V and Queen Sonja visited Ballard, unveiled refurbished murals at Bergen Place, and participated in Pacific Lutheran University's commencement ceremonies in Tacoma.

And then they went to Washington D.C.

A brass band

They weren't here this year but that hardly dampened spirits.

And a Viking longboat

The first place I lived in Seattle was in Ballard. One day I went to the fishmonger and there were two young mothers with their babies in strollers, having an animated conversation in Norwegian. The block I lived on is gone now, replaced by enormous apartment buildings and the Nordic Heritage Museum.

I think that the Ballard Safeway still carries lutefisk.

--Photos by Lene Ellingsen Carpp

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Flowers along the garden path

 

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Gordon Snyder got up close and personal with a rhododendron blossom at Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park.

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Then he found a lovely iris. He was actually there to see the Demonstration Garden, but had to stop to admire the flowers.

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Explore the World with Shoreline Continuing Education’s Non-Credit Travel Program

Are you ready to start your next adventure? Join us on campus for a FREE informational meeting to learn about the incredible non-credit travel opportunities offered by Shoreline College Continuing Education and our partner Collette Travel. 

This is your chance to explore new destinations, meet fellow travel enthusiasts, and plan your next dream vacation.

DATE: 5/27/2026
TIME: 5:00 – 6:15 pm
PLACE: 4000 Building, Library Meeting Room #4214

Shoreline College 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133

Downloadable fliers with all the trip details will be available on our Continuing Education Travel page. 

We also have printed fliers available on campus, and can mail copies if you let us know. Check out our planned trips below by clicking on the titles or visit the CE Travel Webpage. 

RSVP for the next information meeting on May 27, 2026 in the Library or just drop in - we will see a presentation regarding the 2026 Fall trip itineraries. 

Email us at: continuing-ed@shoreline.edu if you need further assistance.

2026 trips planned

• Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park - Aug 25–31, 2026
• Greece Island Hopper - Sept 4-14, 2026
• Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside - Sept 12-22, 2026
• Best of Eastern Canadian Cities & Fall Colors - Toronto, Quebec City & Montreal - October 4 - 12, 2026
• Discover Scotland - Oct 3 – 12, 2026
• Explore Tuscany - Oct 17 – 25, 2026
• Iceland's Magical Northern Lights Discovery - Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2026
• Discover Southern Italy & Sicily - Nov 28 – Dec 11, 2026

2027 trips being planned

• Tour of Pennsylvania and Amish country May 3-9, 2027
• Switzerland: May 30-June 8, 2027 (Save your seat by 11/30)
• Pre-Release Europe: Shades of Ireland - TBA August 2027
• Fall Colors of New England - Sept 27-Oct 4 (Confirm by 3/27/27)
• Colors of Morocco- Oct 10-23, 2027 (Save your seat by 3/11/27)
• Pre-Release: Asia - Kingdoms of Southeast Asia - TBA Nov 2027
• Pre-Release Europe: Spotlight on London - TBA December 2027

Some trips are now "first-come, first-served" because seats were recently released. Air may change. Take advantage and sign up soon!

Shoreline College

16101 Greenwood Avenue N, Shoreline WA 98133

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