Reminder: Free Bicycle Rodeo Saturday 2-4pm at Sunset Park

Free Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, June 1, 2019, from 2 to 4pm, at Sunset School Park, 17840 10th NW. 

The bicycle rodeo is designed to teach safe bicycle riding skills for children ages five to 12 and their parents. 

Participants will be taught safe riding techniques through an obstacle course that re-creates real-life situations. 

The course will help participants practice scanning for automobiles, develop correct riding techniques, and teach children how to avoid road hazards such as tree limbs, potholes, and rocks.

Volunteers will be on duty to assist in helmet and bicycle fitting and to help in preparing bicycles to be road ready.

Children need to bring their own bikes and helmets to the event. A limited number of helmets will be available for children who do not have them.

Parents or legal guardians will be required to sign a waiver for their children to participate.

Rotary Club of LFP scholarship awards

Scholarship winners and Rotarians
Photo courtesy LFP Rotary

From left to right: Karen Edwardsen (Rotary), Sophronia Corbin, Ed Pearson (Rotary), Nazma Noray, Lauren Payne, Denna Milaninia, Rosa Sittig-Bell, Ling Lee, Andrew Thompson, Stella Beemer, Elliot Liu, Kim Tran, Emory Hoelscher-Hull, Curtis Campbell (Rotary), Kae Peterson (Rotary)

At their May 22, 2019 meeting, the Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park honored Shorecrest students selected for Rotary scholarships.

The awards were presented by Curtis Campbell, Karen Edwardsen, and Ed Pearson to 11 Shorecrest High School students.

Once again, Rotarians were amazed by the accomplishments of the young people in our community. The multitude of hours they've served, not only in pursuing top grades, but also in volunteering to help others is impressive. We wish each student great success and satisfaction as they strive toward future goals and dreams.

Pavement repairs on Ballinger Way will cause delays Monday - Friday

People traveling through Lake Forest Park on Ballinger Way should prepare for potential traffic delays starting Monday June 3, lasting through Friday June 7, 2019. 

WSDOT maintenance crews will perform pavement repair to both the North and Southbound lanes for traffic on SR-104 (Ballinger Way) between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm.

Ridgecrest garage sales Saturday

Saturday, June 1, 2019 is the day to dust off your "I brake for garage sales!" bumper sticker, get some cash in small bills, and head out for the Ridgecrest garage sales.

People all over the neighborhood are having their sales on Saturday.

Most all have registered and their addresses are online and in a handout available at all the sales.

Treasure awaits!

Ridgecrest is NE 145th to NE 175th and I-5 to 15th NE

Photo: Excuuuuse me! I'm bathing

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

Interrupted by a photographer with a camera lens - right in the middle of a bath. 

I mean, really!

City of Lake Forest Park moves toward completing the draft subarea plan

From the City of Lake Forest Park

The City has come a long way since it began the planning process for the Town Center in October of 2017. 

After significant community engagement, consultants prepared a draft vision document; this document will eventually become incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan as the subarea plan for the Town Center.

The policies identified in the Town Center subarea plan and the City’s Comprehensive Plan will form the basis for code amendments and design standards currently being developed.

The Planning Commission and the City Council have been working together to finalize both the subarea plan and the code amendments (with attached design standards), with the City Council taking the lead on the subarea plan and the Planning Commission taking the lead on recommending the code amendments.

With the assistance of the Planning Commission at a joint meeting on May 21, 2019, the City Council identified the parameters of the Preferred Alternative (PA) to be studied in the Town Center Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). It is anticipated the FEIS will be published in June 2019.

As the City moves toward completing the draft subarea plan, a public meeting will be held this summer to gather comments on the proposed plan. Similarly, the City will hold a public meeting upon completion of the draft code amendments and design standards. These meetings will be facilitated by the Planning Commission and the City Council.

Specific dates for the meetings have not yet been set.

Calling all kids, ages 4 - 8, to attend a free children's performance

Charles the Clown

Lake Forest Park's own Charles The Clown (Charles Kraus), nationally known entertainer and author, is shooting a new video, and he's inviting kids (and their parents) to be in the audience. 

Not only do they get to see a free comedy/ magic/ clown show, each family receives a complimentary copy of a Charles The Clown story audio. 

Charles is definitely not one of those scary, creepy clowns. Billboard Magazine calls him "A true children's comedian." Well-versed in child development, the show features his signature, 'become-a-clown 'routine.'

The kids are able to watch the transformation from regular man to clown. They see that the person under the make-up and rainbow wig is a regular guy. Charles was the star at the grand re-opening of the Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Bothell libraries after reconstruction. He opened Animal Acres Park and the first Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

Teachers and librarians have often commented about Charles' comedy rhyming, word-play and silly verbal antics. The act encourages a love of language and the joy of being verbally creative.

Award winning filmmaker Dan McComb on the set with Charles
Photo courtesy Charles the Clown

This video project is a celebration of Charles' career -- over 50 years, and the 12,000+ comedy/magic shows given at schools, libraries, hospitals, and private parties from coast to coast as well as in Europe and Asia. Always on the move, this summer, Charles will be performing in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Northern CA, and Eastern WA.

An award winning A/M Records recording artist, Charles' performance video was filmed "live" on the Charlie Chaplin Sound Stage in Hollywood. He has filmed others for his video channel right here in the northwest.

This current project will take place at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center on Sunday, June 30th. Two shows will be taped that afternoon.

“Though Charles performs for children of all ages, these shows are formatted for K-3rd grade," says producer Linda Kirschner Kraus. Parents are asked to reserve seats.

To rsvp click here or call 206-361-7171

Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Catherine Cella, national reviewer of children's media, called Charles "a Master children's entertainer." She said, "His expert blend of stories, poems and jokes offers kids a feast of language play as well as creative problem solving."

Charles is a recipient of a King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award for Community Service, and a William Vicary Community Service Award from the Hollywood-Sunset Free Clinic. He was a member of the WA Task Force on Child Safety and is featured in the US Department of Education/WA State video, Television and Video - Children At Risk.

Choir concert at RBCC on Sunday

The choir at RBCC will close the 2018-19 "choir season" with an afternoon performance of some of our favorite anthems, and special guests will join us to create a wonderful celebratory afternoon! Reception to follow.

Sunday, June 2, 2019, 3:00pm
Church Sanctuary

Repertoire includes...

• Press On by Dan Burgess, arr. Robert Sterling
• Shelter in the Storm by Joel Raney
• Song of Kabir by Elizabeth Alexander
• He, Watching Over Israel by Felix Mendelssohn
• Earth Song by Frank Ticheli
• Hope for Resolution by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory
• Come to the Water by John Foley, arr. Jack Schrader
• ...and more!

Free will donation accepted; all proceeds will support the music programs at RBCC!

Richmond Beach Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
1512 NW 195th St.
at the corner of 15th Ave NW and NW Richmond Beach Rd.
206-542-7477

Mystery writer Leslie Budewitz presents her latest book in the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries Thursday at Third Place Books

Leslie Budewitz
Photo by Nicole Tavenner

Leslie Budewitz blends her passion for food, great mysteries, and the Northwest in two light-hearted mystery series: Food Lovers Village Mysteries, set in Jewel Bay, Montana and the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries, set in Seattle.

Suspense Magazine calls Assault and Pepper, first in the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries, “the perfect recipe for a few hours of pure enjoyment” and “a first-rate story.”

New York Times bestseller Laura Childs says of Leslie’s Food Lovers Village Mysteries, set in Jewel Bay, Montana, “Small town charm and big time chills.” Death al Dente, the first Food Lovers’ Village mystery, won the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First Novel.

Leslie is also a lawyer. Her guide for writers, Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure, won the 2011 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction, making her the first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction.

Leslie’s short stories have been published in Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and elsewhere, and recognized in Best American Mystery Stories of 2009. She served as 2015-16 president of Sisters in Crime, and is currently the Montana representative to the board of the Rocky Mountain chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

A native Montanan, she lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their gray tuxedo cat, an avid birdwatcher.

Chai Another Day is the 4th book in the Spice Shop Mysteries, following Assault and Pepper, Guilty as Cinnamon, and Killing in Thyme.

The Spice Shop Mysteries are set in Seattle, where Pepper Reece and the crew at Seattle Spice in the venerable Pike Place Market explore secrets of the past and the present.

Seattle Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece probes murder while juggling a troubled employee, her mother’s house hunt, and a fisherman who’s set his hook for her.

As owner of the Spice Shop in Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market, Pepper Reece is always on the go. Between conjuring up new spice blends and serving iced spice tea to customers looking to beat the summer heat, she finally takes a break for a massage. But the Zen moment is shattered when she overhears an argument in her friend Aimee’s vintage home decor shop that ends in murder.

Wracked by guilt over her failure to intervene, Pepper investigates, only to discover a web of deadly connections that could ensnare a friend – and Pepper herself.

On Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 7pm, Leslie will appear at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park to chat about Chai and autograph the copies of her book that were purchased from Third Place.

Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, upper level Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park, 206-366-3333.

New Huntington Learning Center to open in Shoreline

Huntington Learning Center announced today that it will open a brand new center in Shoreline, on May 31, 2019.

The Shoreline center will be located at 18336 Aurora Avenue N, Gateway Plaza Suite 115, Shoreline 98133.

A Grand Opening ceremony will be held at the center, on Friday May 31, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm with the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.

Families are welcome to attend the Open House at the center, on Saturday June 1, 2019 from 1 to 4pm where they can learn all the details about the services Huntington can provide.

Huntington of Shoreline will offer personalized instruction to students from kindergarten through 12th grade to help them improve their grades, test scores and confidence in math, reading, phonics, writing, science and study skills. The center will also offer preparation for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.

As the newest member of the Huntington family, Murli Koushik, owner of the Shoreline Huntington, says he is eager to help students succeed in school.

“I’m honored to become a part of this amazing organization with a longstanding commitment to helping students do better in school,” says Koushik. 

“Huntington aligns with my own personal values and I’m so happy to pursue this fulfilling and important work in my community. We’re excited to open our doors to the public and get started on our mission to give every student the best education possible.”

For more information about the Shoreline Huntington or to schedule an appointment, call: 206-708-7800 or visit the webpage.

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Since 1977 Huntington has helped students in any grade at any level develop skills, confidence and motivation. Our programs for success includes thorough academic evaluations, proven programs tailored to fit your student’s needs, and individualized instruction from highly qualified teachers. We teach skills that last a lifetime, preparing students to succeed in exams, in college and beyond.

Site prep underway for 185th light rail station

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The site prep has begun for the Shoreline North (185th St) Lynnwood Link transit station.

The area north of 185th between the I-5 sound wall on 7th NE and 8th NE, where the houses were removed, is now an active site.

The trees have been removed and the ground leveled in some areas. The corner property at 185th and 8th is now a large hole in the ground.

Destinations: Kitsap Forest Theater presents Newsies - with cast members from Lake Forest Park

Newsies is a hit musical about the 1899 New York newsboys strike
Photo by Alfonso Barrera

By Diane Hettrick

Not only does the current production of Newsies at the Kitsap Forest Theater include four members of the Pettiross family from Lake Forest Park, the producer is a long-time Shoreline resident!

The Forest Theater, just outside of Bremerton on the Kitsap peninsula. is a beautiful place.

A quarter-mile trail transports visitors to another time and place where stories for all ages have come to life since 1923. The presentation of our spring show coincides with the blooming of the wild rhododendrons that grow along the hillsides and down the trail to the theater. 

Generations of theatergoers have enjoyed the scenic drive or ferry ride to the theater, and often come early to picnic under the firs before the trail to the theater opens at 1:00 pm. Enjoy the treehouse play structure or hike to Big Tree before or after the show.

I haven't been there since it was called the Mountaineers Theater but I still remember the deep forest and the 8 foot tall rhododendrons. The theater is in a deep, natural amphitheatre surrounded with rows of natural seating built into the hillside. The "footlights" are ferns. The whole thing is in the middle of a 460 acre rhododendron preserve.

The Pettiross family in costume for Newsies
Clara Pettiross is in front
Back, from left, Kuran, Vicki, Jeff
Photo courtesy Mountaineers Players

The Pettiross Family of Lake Forest Park is hooked on the Forest Theater.

Last year the dad and daughter, Jeff and Clara, 12, appeared in their first shows at Kitsap. For Peter Pan Jeff was a pirate and Clara was a lost boy. For the summer show, they both appeared in the ensemble of Tuck Everlasting. During their time at the theater, the Mom, Vicki, and son Kuran, 16, volunteered as ushers and Kuran even began learning about running the sound board.

The entire family had so much fun being part of the theater in the woods that they decided they should all audition for the 2019 season. For the spring show Jeff is appearing as Mr. Pulitzer, Vicki is the Mayor, and both kids are Newsies in the ensemble. It has been a great bonding experience to do theater together and more special by being out in nature.

The producer for the Mountaineers is Gala Lindvall of Shoreline. She has been producing shows at the Forest Theater since 1999 but has been going to the shows since 1987. She says that living in Richmond Beach makes it easy to get to the Edmonds ferry - but be sure to go early during the summer months.

It's a family affair for the Lindvalls too. Gala's husband Brian Lindvall is also in the show, playing Bunson, who works in Pulitzer's office.

Newsies at the Kitsap Forest Theater

June 1-2, 8-9m, 15-16 at 2pm

Doors open at 1pm

3000 Seabeck Hwy. Bremerton, WA 98312 

Directions to the theater

Tickets - $18 adult; $16 adults of 60+, military; $10 youth 6-12

Festival seating. They recommend arriving at 1pm for best choice.

The summer production of the Mountaineers will be Mamma Mia!

Aurora in Seattle down to one lane in each direction for repaving, June 1-2 - more closures to come

Work zones on SR99
WSDOT

After nearly a year of painting and steel repairs under the State Route 99 Aurora Avenue bridge, work will shift to the topside this weekend when crews begin repaving the historic bridge.

Space is limited on the bridge deck. To protect travelers and provide a safe work zone for contractor crews, both directions of SR 99 will reduce to a single lane from 7pm Friday, May 31, until 5am Monday, June 3. 

During this time, people traveling in the area should expect backups and delays between the SR 99 tunnel and Green Lake.

During the lane reduction, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will scrape off old asphalt, make any needed repairs to the bridge deck, then pave a new layer of asphalt on the southern end of the northbound lanes. The work is extremely weather-dependent, said WSDOT Project Engineer Ed Kane.

“Before we pave new asphalt on the bridge we need to install a waterproof layer, but we need the bridgedeck to be completely dry for 24 hours before we can do that,” he explained. 

“We’ll watch the weather forecast carefully leading up to the weekend. We hope to complete this work as soon as possible this summer.”

Travelers need to plan for delays
While the Aurora bridge will remain open for vehicles, people who usually travel across the bridge need to allow extra time and consider alternatives:

• Take the bus.
• Carpool.
• Walk or bicycle – the walkway on the west (southbound) side of the bridge remains open.
• People who drive should plan for heavy traffic on alternative routes like I-5 and city streets.

Before heading out the door, travelers can check get real-time traffic information with the WSDOT mobile app and the WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed.

Preserving the bridge and highway
The work is part of a major project to rehabilitate the 88-year-old structure, officially known as the George Washington Bridge. Since last summer, crews have been painting the supporting structure and repairing worn steel portions of the span. To pave the bridge, crews will reduce it to one lane in each direction for up to 10 weekends. Weekend work will be from 7pm Friday to 5am Monday, the weekends of:

• June 14-17
• June 28-July 1
• July 12-15
• August 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26

In addition to preserving the bridge, the paving is part of a larger effort to resurface SR 99 from Roy Street near downtown Seattle to N 145th St and the Seattle/Shoreline city limits.

Even with lane closures, access to businesses will remain open along the corridor.

Opening on Ronald Wastewater Board of Commissioners

Ronald Wastewater has extended the time to apply for the opening on their Board of Commissioners to June 18, 2019.

There is a vacancy due to the resignation of Commissioner Donna Thomas. Current commissioners are Robert L. (Bob) Ransom, Gretchen Atkinson, Laura Mork, and Wes Brandon.

The Ronald Board of Commissioners is the District’s governing body. The five-elected, part-time Commissioners establish District policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, oversee agreements and contracts for services, and review the performance of Ronald’s independent contractors.

The Ronald Board is responsible for the assets of the District which includes 190 miles of pipe. Ronald wastewater district serves a population of about 55,000 people.

Complete information about the board and the qualifications for candidates as well as the application form HERE.

The commissioners will appoint a candidate from those who apply. That person would serve through 2019 but would need to stand for election to the position in November, as a write-in.

Sounder trains to run for Sunday Mariners game

Sports fans can skip traffic coming into Seattle on Sunday by riding Sound Transit's Sounder event trains to the Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels 1:10pm game.

Sounder trains

The stadium-bound train from the north will depart Edmonds at 11:11am. Return trains depart King Street Station 35 minutes after the game.

A complete schedule of Sounder service to select Mariners games this season is available here.

Link Light Rail

Special Sounder service is in addition to regular Link light rail service to and from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields. Link runs every 10 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. The closest northend station is at the University of Washington. Link's Stadium and International District stations are a short walk from CenturyLink and T-Mobile fields.

Metro

Many King County Metro buses drop off passengers near the stadiums. King County Metro bus schedules can be found here.

Paying for transportation

Riders can avoid the lines for the ticket vending machines going home by paying for the return trip with the purchase of a Day Pass. One-way tickets and Day Passes can also be purchased with the Transit GO Ticket app. 

Another way to skip lines at ticket vending machines is by getting an ORCA card. Cards only cost $5 for adults, plus whatever amount a rider chooses to load in the card's E-purse or the cost of a pass that is good for unlimited transit trips. ORCA works on trains, buses and ferries throughout the region. More information is available here.

Photo: Bunny in the Grass

Photo by Mary Igl

Shhhh. Be very very still and no one will know that you are here.

Planning underway for Back to School event Aug 24 at Ridgecrest Elementary

The Shoreline Back to School Consortium will hold its annual Back To School Event at Ridgecrest Elementary, 16516 10th Ave. NE, on Saturday, August 24 from 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm. For the past 18 years, the Shoreline/Lake Forest Park community has come together to support students and their success by donating backpacks, school supplies, clothes and hygiene products. 

This year, the group plans to serve 1,000 students.

There are many ways to participate in this event. To make a financial donation, visit the webpage and look for the “Donate Now” button.

Donations of backpacks, school supplies, socks, underwear, shampoo and conditioner can be made at the The WORKS, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline and the Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave. NE, Shoreline.

Other drop box locations beginning in July include: The Dale Turner Family YMCA, Spartan Gym, Third Place Books and all the Shoreline and LFP Starbucks. Look for the boxes with the yellow school bus logo. A list of needed items can be found here.

This year’s most needed school supplies are: large backpacks, composition notebooks, ear buds, pointed and blunt tip scissors, fine line color markers, and scientific calculators.

To register for the August 24 event to receive supplies, visit the webpage, or call The WORKS information line at 206-393-4916 and leave a message. Opportunities to volunteer prior to or on the day of the event will be posted on the webpage or feel free to leave a message on The WORKS information line.

Back to School Consortium Members include the Center for Human Services; City of Shoreline; Dale Turner Family YMCA; Hopelink; Ronald United Methodist Church; The Salvation Army; Shoreline Community Care; Shoreline School District; Rotary of Lake Forest Park; Turning Point; and The WORKS of Shoreline PTA Council. The Shoreline Breakfast Rotary has also generously participated for many years.

Sno-Isle Genealogy to hear about Genealogy Sites on Facebook

Sno-Isle Genealogy Society meets on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 6:30pm, at the LDS Family History Library, 22015 48th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace.

The short business meeting at 6:30 is followed by a 7pm program on "Evernote and the many Genealogy Sites on Facebook" given by Ron Sailer. His presentation will highlight many free sites to aid family research.

Guests are welcome. For more information call 425-775-6267 on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, 11-3pm.The Society does not meet in July or Aug but the library is open year round.

Shoreline basketball camps in June - July at Shorecrest

Summer basketball camps being offered 

Registration is open for Shorecrest varsity girls coach Carlos Humphrey's annual Summer basketball camps.

Four of the five Summer camps are geared toward 4th-12th grade area boys and girls, but for the week of July 8-12, Coach Humphrey and Shorewood Coach Mark Haner will host their first joint all-girls camp. All camps will be at Shorecrest High School except the July 8-12 all-girls camp.

SUMMER CAMPS:
Mon, June 24 - Fri, June 28: 9am-4pm
Mon, July 1 - Fri, July 5: 9am-4pm (2pm release on July 4th)
Mon, July 8 - Fri, July 12: 9am-4pm (ALL GIRLS CAMP at Shorewood High School)
Mon, July 15 - Fri, July 19: 9am-4pm
Mon, July 29 - Wed, July 31: 4pm-8pm (Night camp)

COSTS:
Full week - $260
3 day night camp - $120

Camps will focus on the core fundamentals: shooting, passing, ball-handling, rebounding, defense, footwork, and spacing. They also focus on teaching kids responsibility, hard work, focus, earning what you achieve, and being a good teammate.

Scholarships are available, if needed.

$500 from each Shorecrest camp will be donated to the Shorecrest girl's program.

Shorecrest is located at 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155

Shorewood is located at 17300 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Pocket park clean up in North City

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Neighbors organized on Saturday, May 25, 2019 to clean up a pocket park in North City at the corner of NE 180th and 8th NE.

Donuts were served!

Agenda for June 3, 2019 Shoreline City Council meeting includes Recology contract

Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The agenda for the June 3, 2019 Shoreline City Council meeting includes:

Action Item 8(a) Approval of Amendment #1 to the City’s 2017 – 2027 Comprehensive Garbage, Recyclables, and Compostables Collection Contract with Recology CleanScapes Inc.

This Amendment provides a rate increase with a requirement to reduce contamination at the source, and a principal goal to maintain an inbound contamination level from City customers of no greater than five percent (5%) by volume for collected Recyclables and no greater than three percent (3%) by volume for collected Compostables.

It includes an enhanced education and outreach program. Ecology will administer visual inspections of aggregate truck contents from residential City routes to monitor progress. Commercial and multi-family are addressed separately.

Action Item 8(b) Adoption of Ordinance No. 858 - Amending SMC 3.01.500 Solid Waste Rate Schedule to Reflect Amendment # 1 to the City’s 2017–2027 Comprehensive Garbage, Recyclables, and Compostables Collection Contract with Recology CleanScapes Inc. 
To fully implement the amendment 8(a),  Ordinance No. 858  amends SMC 3.01.500 to reflect the updated rate schedule

Action Item 8(c) Reconsideration of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket

Council will consider removing Amendment #3 on the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Docket  until the State completes a plan for the Fircrest campus.

Study Item 9(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 861 - 2019-2020 Biennial Budget Amendment Amending Ordinance No. 855 for Phase 1 Improvements of the City Maintenance Facility

Discussion of proposed Ordinance No. 861 providing the budget authority to cover the cost of the Phase 1 improvements for the City Maintenance Facility project within the proposed schedule and without impacting other projects in the General Capital Fund by using interfund transfers totaling.

Study Item 9(b) Discussion of Ordinance No. 862 - Authorizing the Refunding of Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds (City Hall) and Ordinance No. 864 - Amending No. 829 (CAC) to Extend the Delegation Period for Bond Anticipation Notes

Refunding bonds are issued to achieve interest cost savings among other things. The refunding of the 2009 Bonds (City Hall) is estimated to provide net interest savings of approximately $2,600,000

Because the acquisition of property for the CAC (Community Aquatics Center) was delayed while alternative sites were evaluated, Council will discuss extending the delegation period. Proposed Ordinance No. 864 amends Ordinance No. 829 to extend the delegation period to February 1, 2020.

Study Item 9(c) Discussing Resolution No. 438 - Approving the Sale of Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds Supported by the Shoreline Transportation District 0.2% Sales Tax as Authorized by Ordinance No. 853 (Sidewalks)

Staff is developing a schedule for the delivery of the sidewalk implementation plan. The issue of the first series of bonds is expected to support the delivery of design for approximately five (5) sidewalk projects and construction of four (4) of those projects.

LOUD Neighbors Brass Band at The Local 104 on Sunday

The Local 104 is bringing some of Honkfest West to Lake Forest Park this Sunday June 2, 2019 at 4:30pm! 

California’s own LOUD Neighbors Brass Band will be playing on the patio - come and enjoy beer, music, food and sunshine.

The Local 104 is located at 18498 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park

Shoreline Schools retirement celebration moved to Shoreline Room

You are invited to the Shoreline Schools Retirement Celebration on Thursday, May 30 at 6:00pm in the Shoreline Room at the north end of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE. 

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating and thanking the retirees attending this year's celebration!

Photos: Orcas are repaired and installed

Photo courtesy RBCA

From RBCA

The Richmond Beach Community Association's missing orcas have been repaired and are now re-installed at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church.

It is good to have them home.

In The Garden Now…..Enkianthus

‘Red Bells’ Enkianthus

 Text and photos by Victoria Gilleland

I can't help but think my Enkianthus is showing off this year! 

It's produced way more flowers than usual. 

There are hundreds and hundreds of these creamy bell shaped flowers with intense red veins. So beautiful!

This gorgeous spring blooming shrub is native to Japan. 

It likes our acidic soils and essentially the same growing conditions as rhododendrons and azaleas. 

A slow grower, it can be trained into an upright small tree.

The red striped flowers are spectacular in spring while fall color is impressive even in a fair amount of shade. Autumn leaves turn an intense red, deep orange and/or a rich yellow depending on temperatures and sun exposure.

Enkianthus foliage

If you’re looking for a good container plant Enkianthus could be the one. Mine flourished in a midsize pot for several years while I developed the area in which it would eventually take up residence.

Enkianthus is one of those old fashioned garden plants I wouldn’t be without. You might enjoy one in your garden!

(Botanical Name: Enkianthus campanulatus ‘Red Bells’)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. 

She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 25 years. (vjgilleland@yahoo.com)

Parkwood honored as a State Recognized School

Parkwood staff pose for a group photo after their award was announced
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Parkwood Elementary has been selected as a State Recognized School by the State Board of Education (SBE), the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC). Parkwood is being recognized for high achievement in Math and School Quality Student Success (SQSS) measures.

Parkwood is one of only 137 elementary schools in the state to be honored by the new achievement recognition program for schools that have demonstrated exemplary performance or have made significant progress in closing opportunity and achievement gaps in the Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF) measures. The new system replaces the former Washington Achievement Awards.

“We are incredibly proud to have Parkwood Elementary honored as a State Recognized School,” said Superintendent Rebecca Miner. “The focus on equitably supporting the learning needs of all students and the efforts of staff, families and students is reflected in this prestigious state-level recognition.”

Parkwood Principal Ann Torres echoed that sentiment. “Fundamentally, this award represents true teamwork at its finest. Parkwood isn’t a collection of independent individuals, we are a family that supports everyone as they grow to achieve their absolute best,” said Torres.

All State Recognized Schools will be honored on June 6 at awards ceremonies happening concurrently in Olympia and Spokane.

Recognition Criteria

Measures for the first year include both growth and achievement on academic indicators (proficiency, growth, graduation rate, English language progress) as well as school quality and student success measures (dual credit participation, regular attendance, and ninth grade on track rates).

Review the list of schools or to learn more about the new school recognition system.

Mobile DSHS office at Shoreline Farmers Market opening on June 8

When it opens on Saturday, June 8, the Shoreline Farmers Market will be hosting the DSHS Mobile Community Service Office (CSO) truck.

This event, on June 8th only, is an opportunity for people to sign up for services as the 40 foot truck is a mobile office.

"Each Mobile CSO unit is staffed by experienced program specialists who are able to determine financial eligibility for the cash and food assistance programs. 

"They process new applications, reviews and changes for active cases; they issue EBT cards and receive documents. 

"The Mobile CSO specialists also determine eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs and Aged, Blind, or Disabled Medicaid."

The Shoreline Farmers Market will again be held at Shoreline Place on the upper level by Central Market, 15500 Westminster Way N.

Free Beginning Genealogy class Saturday

Sno-Isle Genealogy Heritage Library

Free Beginning Genealogy class this Saturday June 1, 2019 from 10-11am, offered by the Sno-Isle Genealogy Society at its Research Library, 19827 Poplar Way, Heritage Park, Lynnwood. 

Helpful research tips can make a vacation trip more meaningful if you are better organized. 

This drop-in class can get you started. For more information call 425-775-6267 on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. 11-3pm.

Donations for dahlia tubers raise $780 for the Senior Center

John Hibbs and a happy 'customer'
Photo by Gina 

By John Hibbs, Shoreline resident

The Dahlias For Seniors season opener tuber event was a great success! We had 47 visitors and sold out; people took home about 450 tubers of 70 different dahlia varieties. We generated $780 for the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, tripling the sum raised at last year’s May tuber event! (See previous article). Thank you so much, friends and people of Shoreline!

With cold drizzle falling the morning of the event, it moved indoors to the Conference Room of the Senior Center. Some people came for a variety or two, some came for 20-40 varieties, jumping into dahlia gardening whole hog. It was exciting to hear that some folks have found their inspiration from purchasing our fundraiser dahlia bouquets at the Ridgecrest Pub or the Senior Center last summer.

John's dahlias are growing
Photo by John Hibbs

We are getting a strong start to this dahlia season. I planted the first weekend in May, and with plenty of sun, some light drizzle, and nights between 50 and 60 degrees all but one of my tubers are up; most of them already 6”-12” tall. With some further good fortune we’re on course to see bouquets in mid-July.

If you are just getting your tubers into the ground, that’s fine; you’ll see lots of flowers in about 10 weeks, and they’ll produce heavily through October. Plant your tubers about 4” deep in fertile, well-draining soil into which you’ve worked a few tablespoons of bone meal, with their little growing “eye” or tip pointed upwards. Until the green shoot breaks ground in a week or two, don’t let the soil dry out, and don’t overwater. At this point they are like little sponges and soak up water like crazy, can waterlog. Once they’re growing vertically, they can handle and need lots of water, because they’ll then be growing bigger quickly.

I’ll keep you posted about the Dahlias For Seniors bouquets. Once again they will be available for a donation at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center (18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155) and at the Ridgecrest Public House (520 NE 165th St, Shoreline 98155), beginning mid-to-late July.

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John Hibbs, ND, supervises the Bastyr University naturopathic medicine clinic held at the Senior Center on Mondays. Clinicians see children and adults for a fee of $15 to the Senior Center. For appointments, call the Center at 206-365-1536.

Join the work party at Midvale Gardens on Saturday

A volunteer tackles the overgrowth at the previous work party
Photo by David Chen

Saturday June 1, 2019 from noon to 4pm, volunteers are encouraged to help clear brush from overgrown Seattle City Light property at N 192nd St and the InterUrban Trail.

Free the evergreens from ivy vines, cut back blackberry brambles.

Come prepared. Wear boots, leather gloves, heavy jeans. Bring clippers, rakes, assorted tools.

Ultimate aim is to create a Community Garden and extension of Shoreline Parks.

Endorsed by Echo Lake Neighborhood Association, Diggin' Shoreline, Shoreline Parks Dept.

For further info contact: Midvalegardens@gmail.com

Keeping a balance: military man takes and teaches classes at the Senior Center

Roger Horner, in uniform, stands next to class instructor Toshiko.
Class photo courtesy Toshiko Aramaki

During the Memorial Day luncheon at the Senior Center on Friday, May 24, 2019, Roger Horner, Colonel, United States Infantry Retired was part of the ceremonies.

One of his classmates from Toshiko Aramaki's Falls Prevention class saw him in his uniform and asked him to come into the classroom to get this photo with all of them!

The popular Falls Prevention class is offered year-round. It concentrates on helping people build and maintain balance. Participants can start the class at any time or drop in at will. It's the follow-up class for the Keeping Your Balance class.

Roger also teaches Sterling Silver Jewelry classes at the center. His next session runs June 5, 12, and 19)

Call the Senior Center for class information 206-365-1536. Classes are discounted for members. The Center is located at the south end of the Shoreline Center 18560 1st Ave NE.

RBCA: The missing orcas are home

Sonar Armor is damaged, but back home

The Richmond Beach Community Association (RBCA) is happy to announce the return of our two missing Orcas, “Who’s for Dinner?” and “Sonar Armor”.

Both Orcas went missing in September of last year from Kayu Kayu Ac park. A special thanks goes out to a community member who saw them and said something.

“We are happy to have them home.” said Teresa Pape, Executive Director of the Richmond Beach Community Association (RBCA). 

“These beloved art pieces mean so much to the community.”

Who's for Dinner?

In September 2016, the RBCA Board launched a Richmond Beach Public Art project called Beach Orcas on Parade.

Twenty-two artist-embellished Beach Orcas are displayed during the summer in prominent outdoor locations throughout the community. It was from one of these locations that the orcas were stolen.

“We would also like to thank the Shoreline Police Department for their quick handling of the recovery of the art.” expressed Tom Petersen, RBCA’s Vice- President. 

“This is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for.”

Although both orcas were returned, Sonar Armor needs repair. The recovered orcas will be back on public display soon. The Richmond Beach Community Association is asking for those wanting to contribute to the care and rehabilitation of all of the orcas to make a donation via their website, noting it is "for the orcas".

Live and Local: music Saturday June 1, 2019

Platinum Spandex plays 80s music
at the Aurora Borealis on Saturday

There's a lot of live and local music to choose from each weekend. Most venues have food, some have dancing. Most have a cover charge and require reservations. All have great local bands!

This Saturday, June 1, 2019 here's what's happening!

King Cumulus and Friends are playing at the Lake Trail Taproom in Kenmore at 7324 NE 175th St Ste F, 7pm to 10pm. Band Members Sean McArdle: Lead vocals, Guitar; Peter Smith: Bass, Vox; Colin May: Drums, Percussion, Vox; and Bert Martin: Guitars, Vox play Alternative rock (+ ska, reggae, funk, jazz, pop, latin, whatever). 425-424-2337.

Jumpin', Jivin' June Flash! The Daily Flash is at Grinders Italian Restaurant with a set starting at 8pm. 19811 Aurora Ave N. Call 206-542-0627 for reservations.

Adriana Giordano and EntreMundos Quarteto will be playing cool jazz at the North City Bistro and Wine Shop, 1520 NE 177th St from 7:30pm - 10:00pm. Reservations AND tickets required. This is a two step process: 1. Please call the bistro at 206-365-4447 or go to their website and request reservations for this show. 2. Buy your tickets for the show here. 

The Aurora Borealis 16708 Aurora Ave N, 206-629-5744, is rocking out with Platinum Spandex 80’s Experience 9:00 pm - 11:59 pm. Platinum Spandex has a full 80’s Rock experience that will bring you back in time from their attire to their live performance!

Darrell's Tavern has Deadbeat Blackout, Crüd Güns, Dirty Dirty, Jack and The Dull Boy, 9pm - midnight. 18041 Aurora Ave N. Heavy rock metal and punk bands at Shoreline's own Dive Bar. 206-542-6688.

The John Stephen Band plays original and traditional Blues, R/B, and Roots music at the family-friendly Easy Monkey Taphouse, 8-10pm. 17537 15th Ave NE B. 206-420-1326.

Third Place Commons has Honky Tonk Sweethearts playing honky-tonk, Rockabilly, and classic country. Lots of room and a dancing floor to swing out on. 7:30 - 9:30pm at the stage. Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park.

Photo: World War II vet Dwight Stevens

Photo by Jon Ann Cruver

World War II pilot Dwight Stevens of Shoreline waves to the crowd as he arrives at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center for the Memorial Day Luncheon on Friday, May 24.

He was driven by fellow vet Jerry Pickard (left).

Ceremonies at Evergreen Washelli on Memorial Day include 100 year old D-Day veteran

Individuals waiting to speak with Col. George Westlake US Army Cavalry veteran (center, seated) who turned 100 years old this year. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The highlight of the Memorial Day ceremonies at Evergreen Washelli on Aurora in north Seattle was not on the program.

It was attendee Col. George Westlake US Army Cavalry veteran who turned 100 years old this year.

He was part of the D-Day invasion of France and the Battle of the Bulge plus other action throughout France in World War II.

According to an interview with him in February after he attended ceremonies at Ft. Lewis, he was a company commander of 3rd Tank Destroyer Group's headquarters' element on Omaha Beach.

Current member of the US Army
1st Cavalry shaking hands with Col. Westlake.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By June 6, 1944, Westlake found himself on a ship off the coast of Normandy, France -- D-Day. Westlake would hit the beach two days later.

"There were boats as far as you could see," Westlake said. "But I didn't really have to dodge anything -- I'm a survivor." 

Even two days later, Flint was quick to point out, Omaha Beach was still taking fire from German forces. 

Westlake spent the next year "chasing the Germans" through France and Belgium until the Germans finally surrendered May 7, 1945. 

Westlake returned to the United States, but instead of getting out of the military, he joined the Army Reserve and retired as a colonel in 1975. 

He was a civil affairs commander at Fort Lawton - now Discovery Park - in Seattle. Today, he lives in the Wedgwood area of Seattle.

During the ceremonies Shorecrest graduate Maria Kesovija sang the National Anthem. A wreath was placed in honor of the servicemen and women who gave their lives in service to America.

The keynote address was given by Dr. Samantha Powers, Director of Student Veteran Life, University of Washington.

After the ceremonies, visitors to the Memorial Day Celebration joined a tour and visited the graves of Medal of Honor winners, such as William C. Horton, one of Seven Medal of Honor recipients interred at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.

One family's litter patrol

Photo by Cynthia Sheridan

By Cynthia Sheridan

Jaron, age seven and Kylin, age 8 joined their parents on a lovely North City morning stroll, which included a heartfelt effort to make the neighborhood more livable.

Armed with thick gloves, trash bags and a long handled "grabber" they scampered in and out of drainage ditches and collected a whole lot of trash, while receiving many favorable comments from passers-by.

Many thanks to Jaron, Kylin and  parents for their generous community action!

Shoreline Rotary meeting Wednesday with speaker from Children of the Nations

Shoreline Rotary will meet on Wednesday morning, May 29, 2019 at the Shoreline Community College PUB, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

The meeting starts at 7:00am with breakfast and camaraderie; the formal program starts at 7:30am.

Meeting basic human needs is a struggle in many parts of the world, and there are a variety of organizations, including Rotary, which continue to tackle these challenges.

Children of the Nations (COTN®) is one of these.

Their website tells us that “Children of the Nations emphasizes holistic care, addressing physical, spiritual, social, and mental growth in all our children. We seek to create an environment that meets the child’s basic needs, encourages their individual desires and passions, and promotes excellence in achievement.” 

While this mission seems simple enough, it entails a great deal of work and commitment. Children of the Nations operates in Malawi, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Advocate Jim Barker will tell us about all that they do. Bring a friend with you, and come hear how Children of the Nations works.