On the Mayor’s Mind - 8.2.15

Mayor Shari Winstead

By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

We're off and running!

Yep, it’s August and that means pretty much nonstop good times in Shoreline! On Friday night, I attended the opening night of Shoreline’s Theater Under The Stars - Aurora Theater Company’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. What a fabulous production! Truly community theater at its best - the choreography, singing, dancing, live music and acting were all superb!

Scott Francis, the man behind the theater group and director, has done a fabulous job with this old favorite. It is truly a must-see! Besides being a top-notch professional production - it’s free! Yes, that’s right. Of course there’s a suggested donation,and we hope that once people see how great this production is they will generously support the Aurora Theater Company.

You and your family should come early - the show starts at 8, and bring a picnic, or grab a to-go dinner from Jerseys,  Taqueria Guaymas or Grinders. Whether you bring chairs or sit on a blanket, it’s sure to be a night that will leave you feeling great about Shoreline’s support of the arts, one of the things that makes our City such a special place (and humming “Matchmaker”!). As a side note, Scott Francis is also a Shoreline resident. There is talent oozing out of every corner of our City!

Fiddler performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings through August 22. Free tickets can be reserved through Brown Paper Tickets. We are expecting sell out crowds at each performance, so it’s recommended that you reserve your space.

On Tuesday, 8/4, there will be over 50 block parties in Shoreline neighborhoods, celebrating National Night Out. If you don’t have one planned in your neighborhood, consider taking a walk around your block and talking to some neighbors about getting together for a block party later this summer. Knowing your neighbors and looking out for one another is the best way to prevent crime.

As well as the block parties, neighborhood associations all over Shoreline are celebrating Summer with picnics, ice cream socials and other fun events. You can check the City’s website if you don’t know which neighborhood you live in, or want to find out about your neighborhood’s summer social!

You may already be noticing the fun, decorative pianos arriving around Shoreline, and new sculptures around City Hall and on the Interurban Trail -all part of Arts Al Fresco which kicks off on August 6.

This year the annual Jazz Walk takes place on Tuesday, August 11 in North City. If you love music, food and fun, you need to do the Jazz Walk, another community driven event that makes Shoreline special.

And of course, the biggest party of all happens on Saturday, August 15 when we Celebrate Shoreline!

This year marks our 20th birthday as a City! It’s a day long festival at Cromwell Park that goes from kid-friendly, family fun to great music and a beer/wine garden in the evening. You can check out the schedule of events here. On Sunday make your way to Richmond Beach for the annual Beach to Bluff fun run, followed by the always fun sandcastle contest.

You'll be able to find me at any of these events over the next couple of weeks. It’s not only part of my job, it’s my kind of fun. I love our community and the City, and I just simply wouldn't miss the great community building that happens when people are out and about enjoying summer. I have so much gratitude for the City staff that make these events happen, and of course to the many, many volunteers.

While Celebrate Shoreline is an official City event, the other events only happen because citizens dedicated to our community give their time, treasure and talent to make things great for the rest of us. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. (And if you are interested in volunteering, just contact the City for opportunities and information!)

See you in Shoreline!