Football: The Year of The Scot?

2019 Scots

By Rob Oxford

With the end of summer comes another school year and for the many who enjoy it, another season of football. Whether you still have a player in high school as do I, prefer the college game over the pros or join a fantasy league each year to compete against friends and fellow employees, another season is finally upon us.

This year, in his tenth as Shorecrest High School, Head Coach Brandon Christensen and the supporters of Highlander Football appear to have a team they can truly be excited about.

With many schools in their league having graduated standout players, the Scots, who are returning 7 Offensive and 8 Defensive starters, are no longer a “young team”. Led by 4-year starting QB Eladio Fountain, if nothing else, the Scots have experience.

In his junior year at Left Tackle Jordan Glesener will be opening holes for Markus Selzler, Marcus Tidwell and Gabe Nelson while pass protection will fall on the shoulders of interior lineman Jacob Halvorson, D’Marius Kellogg-Duncan, Abi Sidhu and James Huffman.

Huffman, who has been working hard during the off-season and is much faster and stronger than he was a year ago, will also be bringing the pressure on defense at Middle Linebacker. Other offensive weapons include talented receivers Gannon Dow, Derrick Williams and Carlos Torres.

On Defense, the Scots look forward to the healthy return of Senior Jacob Cruz at Defensive Back and Des Fox who is an equally effective pass-catcher on offense. Also looking to make an impact defensively again this year is Senior linebacker Mathew Potter and juniors Robbie Oxford and Jaxon Taylor.

Should it come down to extra points or a field goal win in overtime, the Highlanders have one of the best kickers around in Gavin Dalziel. Gavin has spent much of the last year under the tutelage of Husky Hall of Famer Jeff Jaeger.

The first game on their schedule is this coming Friday September 6, 2019 when they travel north to take on Marysville-Getchell. 

To this writer, equally exciting as those returning for what will be their final year on a high school football team, are the seniors who have decided to strap on the pads for the very first time. Some have been standout baseball players and track athletes; others may just want to experience the brotherhood of being a “Gridiron” Highlander. Regardless, they have been welcomed with open arms and each in their own way have something to contribute to what could be a very successful year for Shorecrest.

There are no new clichés when it comes to this game. “Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win,” “Football is Family,” “You have to leave it all out on the field,” - fortunately all of these are true. Whether it has been your life or it is your first time experiencing the game, football done right will bring out the best in all who participate.

I make no excuses for being a football fanatic. Yes, there are issues in professional sports that need to be addressed. Yes, college athletes should probably be paid for generating millions of dollars in revenue for their prospective schools, but we’re not there yet. These are student athletes. These are young men and in the case of one young player at Shorewood High School, women, who are learning about accountability. They are learning about commitment, dedication, responsibility and a whole host of other positive attributes to be gained from being involved in a team sport.

So, whether you are a Thunderbird or a Scot for the next few months, the place to be on a Friday Night at 7pm is Shoreline Stadium.

Photo: Baffled squirrel

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

People are always trying to outsmart squirrels - this idea might work!

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks head back to school by honoring two Parkwood Elementary teachers

Carla Salmon (left), Parkwood Elementary School Principal Ann Torres (center),
and Renee Iverson (right).

Symetra and the Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 14th season of Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® yesterday with a first for the teacher-recognition program, simultaneously honoring not one but two teachers from the same school in Shoreline.

Parkwood Elementary School kindergarten teacher Carla Salmon and third grade teacher Renee Iverson thought they were attending the regular district staff meeting that precedes a new school year for Shoreline Public Schools.

Carla Salmon (left) and Renee Iverson (right) learn more about
what their Symetra Heroes in the Classroom honors entail.

Both were curious when Superintendent Rebecca Miner deviated from the agenda to invite Parkwood Elementary School Principal Ann Torres to help her introduce two surprise guests — and stunned when Symetra Public Affairs AVP Sharmila Swenson and Seattle Seahawks Partnership Activation Manager Emily Sikma announced their names.

Iverson and Salmon are two of the 16 K–12 teachers that will be honored for educational excellence by the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program during the 2019 NFL season.

“The difference Renee Iverson has made in our daughter’s life and in those of the students who have been fortunate to have her as a teacher simply cannot be overstated,” wrote district colleague Curtis Campbell in his nomination. 

“My wife and I will often refer to Mrs. Iverson as the ‘child whisperer’ because she has an innate ability to connect with each student she works with to develop a trusting relationship and understand each child’s needs and strengths. She leverages those relationships, along with her exceptional teaching knowledge, to support students reaching their true potential.”

Superintendent Rebecca Miner (red jacket) reacts

Parent Annie Culliton applauded the dedication and imagination Carla Salmon brings to the classroom in her nomination. 

“Kindergarten is a tricky age. I've never seen a more equipped teacher than Carla, who fosters and nurtures individuality, creativity, diversity, teamwork and confidence in young minds. Society will be much better served having more teachers like Carla mold these minds at an early age, setting them on the path of loving school as a goal above all else,” wrote Culliton. 

“I'm excited to see a brighter future because of the foundation and passion Carla is building in our future leaders because she sees the big picture and is coloring it in one day and child at a time.”

“High 5” for Renee Iverson on her way down to the floor
to accept her Symetra Heroes in the Classroom honors.

Both teachers will receive $2,000 from Symetra for classroom supplies and two tickets to the Seattle Seahawks season-opening game with the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8.

Since 2006, Symetra Heroes in the Classroom® has celebrated 264 K–12 teachers across the Puget Sound and contributed $640,000 for schoolbooks, classroom supplies and equipment, and in support of innovative student programming.

Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors.

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Hotdog! It's Labor Day weekend

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter can be found under Features 

in the first column of the front page of the Shoreline Area News

Special events for Labor Day weekend

Bumbershoot takes crowd surfing to a whole new level
Photo courtesy Bumbershoot 

Not surprisingly, the last weekend of summer, the last weekend before school starts, is packed full of activities.

Here's the list prepared by WSDOT. I'll let you Google the details.

Thursday, Aug. 29

• Seahawks vs. Raiders - 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field
• Evergreen State Fair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe

Friday, Aug. 30

• Evergreen State Fair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe
• Bumbershoot - 3-11 p.m. at Seattle Center
• Pax West - All day at the Washington State Convention Center

Saturday, Aug. 31

• Evergreen State Fair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe
• Pax West - All day at the Washington State Convention Center
• Bumbershoot - 2-11 p.m. at Seattle Center
• Huskies vs. Eastern Washington - noon at Husky Stadium

Sunday, Sept. 1

• Evergreen State Fair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe
• Pax West - All day at the Washington State Convention Center
• Sounders vs. LA Galaxy - 3:30 p.m. at CenturyLink Field
• Bumbershoot - 2-11 p.m. at Seattle Center

Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day)

• Evergreen State Fair - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe
• Pax West - All day at the Washington State Convention Center

Rob Oxford: Radio Dazed

Rob's favorite radio personality
Steve Slaton

By Rob Oxford

For as long as I can remember radio has been a friend and constant companion. Before starting my own career, radio kept me entertained on long drives, kept me company on lonely nights and most importantly kept me informed. 

Radio introduced me to most of my favorite music. Radio informed those alive at the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, that man had landed on the moon and that the King had died.

Radio has always been there. Well at least since August 30, 1920.

Unfortunately, when your favorite radio personality is taken off the air or chooses to seek employment elsewhere, they rarely if ever get the opportunity to say goodbye.

They seldom get to thank the listener for their years of loyalty. They don’t get to tell them how much they have appreciated their support or how much THEIR listening to THEM has meant and believe me, to them it has meant a lot. You hope like hell that they show up somewhere else on the dial a few months later, but that may or may not always be the case.

A great radio personality knows that every day, to whom you choose to listen and spend your time with is indeed a choice. A great radio personality knows that without you, the radio listener, they have absolutely no reason to ever turn on their microphone.

Sadly, like many businesses we now patronize, radio stations are no longer locally owned. The cash-out came some time ago and although most of us still in the industry had secretly hoped for the best, it has steadily become clear that radio IS just a business.

Yes, it has always been a business, but for many years it was a business with a heart. At one time radio cared about local bands struggling to put out quality music. At one time, radio cared about local events - not all of which would put dollars into the pockets of their owners, but instead provide a valuable public service to those who made that important choice to listen.

My first Program Director, Steve Young, imparted to me that “If it was of interest to the listener, it was worth sharing.” He never once told me “if we’re not getting paid for it, don’t mention it.” 

Steve Slaton with Beach Boy Dennis Wilson

To the executive sitting in a corner office thousands of miles away, the connection between a broadcaster or disc jockey and the audience they hope to attract (and keep) is no longer relevant. 

However, to those in the Pacific Northwest who for the past 50 years have listened to veteran radio announcer Steve Slaton…I can tell you, it is!

Upon moving to Seattle in 1986, the first thing I did was find my favorite radio station. At that time, it was FM100 KISW. These were my first Seattle friends. Dan Wilke, Mike Jones, Cathy Faulkner, Jon Ballard, Jim Kampman and “Mr. Seattle Radio” Steve Slaton. 

They would eventually become my family, but first during what was a most turbulent time in my life, they were my daily companions.

Periodically, all the jocks would gather together on a Sunday morning and take phone calls. I still have the recording of what was called “KISW’s Rock-N-Roll Roundtable” in which my call was aired. I told those assembled that I was interested in radio and that I did funny voices and impersonations.

I remember “The Late” Cathy Faulkner, who is still very much alive, telling me that I should first perfect my own voice and work on the funny voices later. Sound advice that I later used to my advantage.

Fast forward three years and I was an intern at KISW. I probably spent far too much time at the studio, but there was no place else I wanted to be. At the time, Steve Slaton was doing the 2pm – 6pm shift. He was the “Boss with The Hot Sauce” and I just wanted to be around him. Secretly, I was hoping that some of his greatness would rub off. 

A bit apprehensive at first, I would find different reasons to be in the studio while he was on air. 

I would then offer to refile the stacks of LP’s (records) he had previously played. I would run errands. I would listen as he answered each call or as many as his time in between songs would allow. I was in awe as he baffled listener after listener with episodes of “Stump Slaton.”

 I was also told time and time again by others in the programing department that I “shouldn’t bother the jocks while they were on the air.” I didn’t listened and thankfully, Steve didn’t mind.

Steve Slaton with the author and the KISW Fly’s

One of my fondest radio memories is finally being asked to join the KISW Fly’s softball team where Steve was pitcher and coach. This was my chance, if I couldn’t squeeze my way on to the airwaves just yet, I would prove myself invaluable by hitting home runs, which I often did.

Radio listeners would submit their team requests and Sundays we would gather at Lower Woodland to deliver the damage. I looked forward to the opportunity for the Fly’s to continue their win streak of 388 wins and hearing that news shared on the air the following Monday. Especially considering the team was only a few years old and we played maybe 4 or 5 games a season. While you do the math, remember this was “our radio station.”

Ask anyone and they will tell you Steve Slaton is a radio icon in Seattle. There are many in the same category, names like Pat O’Day, Lan Roberts and Larry Nelson, but Steve is the only jock I’ve ever met who is precisely the same behind the microphone as he is on the street or in front of an audience. Steve Slaton is who I, perhaps unsuccessfully, have aspired to be. Comfortable with his fame, unpretentious, honest and sincere.

To chronicle a career as impressive as Steve’s would take more pages than I am afforded in this column and respectively, some of what he has experienced should probably be left to the imagination. More specifically inviting the likes of Van Halen to join him live in the studio. But rest assured there will be a chapter, a rather long chapter in my book, dedicated to Mr. Slaton.

Most recently, Mr. Slaton had been the midday host at 102.5 KZOK and delivered his world-famous two hour specialty program entitled “Breakfast With The Beatles” every Sunday morning from 8am – 10am.

This November, Steve would have completed 50 years on the radio. At that time, he may or may not have decided to call it a career. Regardless, we thank you Steve, for helping to destroy disco and for not telling me the band's name, but only that “their initials are AC/DC”.

Nine Live Gala will benefit Shoreline's Feline Rescue organization

The Night of SuPURR Heroes will take place at Shoreline Community College on September 21, 2019 and will feature silent and live auctions, dinner, dessert dash, beer and wine bar, games, entertainment from celebrity host Pat Cashman, and more… 

It’s sure to be a night to remember, and it’s all to help homeless cats!

This event is a chance to celebrate the community heroes who make it possible to rescue animals in need. 

It’s also an opportunity to save more lives: 100% of proceeds go to fund the care of the cats and kittens at Shoreline's SAFe Rescue and to help them find homes.

Reserve your seat today and be a hero for homeless animals!

Jennifer Rotermund: The history of the lawn

Photo by Jennifer Rotermund

By Jennifer Rotermund

When we think about the long term effects of war, we don’t often think about our lawns, but America’s obsession for a home surrounded by perfectly manicured golf-course greens is a wound we received in WWII.

Prior to the war, lawn seed mixtures more closely matched the agrarian practicality of farm pasture or wildflower meadows. It included not only grass seed, but nitrogen-fixing plant seed like clover and violets. 

This made sense. These mixtures of plants ensured that the lawn was low maintenance, green throughout the year, and supported a wide variety of pollinators and beneficial soil life (thus keeping everything else around the lawn in balance and healthy).

But WWII gave us Agent Orange and a variety of other chemical defoliants that needed a use when the fighting concluded. The active ingredient in Agent Orange, 2,4-D, easily found a new home in lawn herbicide products (think Weed N Feed today). 

New, affordable suburbs, catering to G.I.s returning home looking to resume some kind of “normal” life, expanded across the eastern seaboard. To those GIs, trained in discipline and order, the advertised promise of a perfect lawn in front of their new family home felt good and right.

It was a kind of perfect storm of events, a war wound masked in comfort and beauty... and something that felt controllable after too many years of out-of-control destruction.

Almost three generations later, we’ve mostly forgotten.

But we do know this: lawns without a diversity of plants are high maintenance, water needy and susceptible to a range of diseases. 

The chemicals we use to maintain this high maintenance lawn only add to the lawn’s dependence on them, and these chemicals are killing us... like an old, festering wound.

That war is over. It’s time to heal.

Tête à tête, honeybee-style...

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

(remarkable how unterritorial sister bees are - in the garden this week)

Shoreline Music School is now offering Music Together™ classes

Music Together class

Elizabeth Chayer, co-owner of Shoreline Music School and American Dance Institute, and Dakota Crist, Shoreline office manager, are now licensed to teach Music Together classes in Shoreline.

Music Together is an early childhood enrichment music program, very popular in greater Shoreline. The program that Shoreline Music School will be offering is Music Together’s Mixed Ages 0-5 for parents and caregivers.

Three 10-week classes will be offered and will run from September 23 – December 13, 2019.

• Fridays, 10:00-10:45am (1st Class 9/27)
• Saturdays, 9:00-9:45am (1st Class 9/28)
• Sundays, 9:00-9:45am (1st Class 9/29)

We’ve scheduled two free demo classes for curious parents. Those class dates are:

• Friday, September 13, 10:00 - 10:45am
• Saturday September 14, 10 - 10:45am

Elizabeth brings 40 years of experience teaching children and adults at American Dance Institute and Dakota has been teaching children and adults since 2009.

The classes are open to greater Shoreline families. There is plenty of free parking.

Learn more and register here

Shoreline Music School is located at 1240 NE 175th St, Shoreline 98155, in North City / Ridgecrest neighborhoods. Phone 206-402-6701 or email

World Concern responds to worsening drought in Kenya

Water holes in Kenya are drying up

World Concern staff in the Samburu region of Northern Kenya are growing increasingly concerned as they witness the effects of ongoing drought on families in villages where World Concern works. 

Lack of water and food are causing families to leave their homes in search of water and pasture for surviving livestock. 

Many children are severely malnourished and need immediate intervention. 

“The little water that was in the water pans dried up two weeks ago and livestock have nothing to feed on,” said Rose Ogolla, Project Manager for World Concern. 

“This has led to an immediate mass migration. People are walking for up to 90 miles in search of water and pasture, usually leaving women, children, the disabled, and the elderly behind. 

"If the situation worsens in the next two months, there will be high cases of severe acute malnutrition, extreme water scarcity, increased respiratory tract infections, and water borne diseases.”

World Concern is providing emergency cash grants to families in Samburu, as well as ready-to-eat therapeutic nutrition to malnourished children, in partnership with the Ministry of Health. World Concern has also installed rainwater catchment systems and plans to build sand dams in the area, but the April/May long rains failed, and rain is not expected until the end of October.

World Concern is headquartered in Shoreline. For more information or to donate, visit their website 

Let’s Taco ‘bout Food Trucks

Family dinner at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
Photo courtesy RBCA

The second and final installment of Food Truck Wednesdays Shoreline took place on August 28, 2019 from 5 – 8pm at the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.

The sun was shining and it was a warm night to enjoy the acoustic sounds of local musical group “The Wiretappers”. 

Three food trucks to choose from
Photo courtesy RBCA

Three food trucks filled the evening air with sweet smells of dinner. La Taqueria Original offered Mexican dishes, Zaytoona served up Mediterranean eats, while Don Lucho’s Sandwiches brought Peru to the beach. 

The Wiretappers provided entertainment
Photo courtesy RBCA

Food Truck Wednesdays is sponsored the City of Shoreline, Richmond Beach Community Association and Tradewinds Capital Management.

If you missed out on this amazing event mark you calendar for the last two Wednesdays in August and we will see you next year.

WSP ceases pursuit but driver still manages crash and burn on I-5

Vehicle involved in WSP pursuit
Photo courtesy WSP

On Wednesday, August 28, 2019 just after 9am, on I-5 near 185th in Shoreline, a Washington State Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic infraction.

Photo courtesy WSP

The driver did not cooperate and sped away. The trooper attempted pursuit, but quickly terminated it for public safety reasons.

At about 92nd, the vehicle was involved in a collision severe enough to total the vehicle and catch it on fire. The driver was able to get out and fled the scene.

At last reporting, police were still searching for the suspect.

Just south on Aurora...

Vicinity of the incident
Google maps

Driver Beaten With Hammer After Yelling Racial Slurs, Trying to Hit Man With Car, Throwing Hammer in Aurora Parking Lot

By Jonah Spangenthal-Lee 
SPD Blotter

Police are investigating after a motorist pulled into an Aurora Avenue parking lot Thursday morning,  shouted racial slurs, attempted to hit a man with his car, and then threw a hammer at him, which the other man then retrieved and used to beat the driver, breaking his arm.

Just after 9:30am, police were dispatched to a parking lot in the 8900 block of Aurora Ave N and found the motorist holding his arm. The 52-year-old suspect, who is white, admitted to shouting racial slurs at a man, who is black, during the incident.

A witness at the scene told officers the 52-year-old man pulled into the parking lot and began yelling at the victim, who was sitting with a group of people in the parking lot.

The suspect got out of his car and continued shouting at the man, who got up and began walking away. The 52-year-old man the returned to his vehicle and attempted to run over the victim, who changed course in the parking lot. The driver then put his car in reverse and tried to run the man over once again.

At this point, according to the witness, the victim reached through the driver’s door and began punching him before again attempting to leave.

The suspect then threw a hammer at the man, missing him, but striking a nearby vehicle.

The victim then picked up the hammer and began hitting the driver in the arm before running southbound on Nesbit Ave N.

Police were not able to locate the victim near the scene and, as of this morning, he had not called 911 to report the incident.

Medics transported to Northwest Hospital for treatment. Detectives are investigating the incident.


Jonah started the Aurora North blog about the same time we started the Shoreline Area News. He now has a paying job for the Seattle Police. 

Jobs: WSDOT Design Team Leader

WSDOT in Shoreline

Design Team Leader - Transportation Engineer 3

The Design Team Leader is responsible for delivering assigned projects within scope, schedule, and budget while developing direct reports to become future leaders of the Department. As a project manager, this role actively makes an impact to WSDOT's mission by providing and supporting safe, reliable and cost effective transportation options to improve livable communities and economic vitality for people and businesses in the state.

The second resume review will take place on September 6, 2019. 

View the entire posting and apply: TE3 Design Team Leader - Shoreline

8th annual Outdoor Movie Night and Raffle to benefit Children's Hospital Uncompensated Care

2019 Little Lemon Drops Outdoor Movie Night

Saturday September 7, 2019

The Little Lemon Drops are a junior guild of girls ages 10-18 who work together to fundraise for uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital and we have raised over $100,000 to date!

Roses of Summer: Violet's Pride

Rose and photo by Marla Tullio

Marla Tullio sent this photo of her Violet's Pride rose and said "I just planted this floribunda last Spring. The blooms just keep coming!!!

"Although I have noticed each bloom seems to last just a bit shorter time than other roses. But great fragrance from these bursts of lavender!"

Sen. David Frockt named as Washington Conservation Voters 2019 Legislator of the Year

WCV has named Senator David Frockt as their 2019 Legislator of the Year. He has been a key leader on reforming the landmark "polluter pay" law to reduce toxic pollution, supporting the 100% clean electricity standard, and protecting working forests.

Join us in thanking Senator Frockt for his leadership and congratulate him!

Senator Frockt represents the 46th Legislative District, covering parts of North Seattle, Kenmore, and Lake Forest Park.

Read more about Senator Frockt's accomplishments here.

Lynnwood K-9 team helps apprehend Shoreline man who ran from police

K9 Ofc. Zacharia and K9 Rico captured
a suspect who ran from officers

Reporting from Lynnwood Today

A Lynnwood K-9 team helped apprehend a Shoreline man suspected of identity theft after he ran from police.

Lynnwood police officers responded to a store in Alderwood Mall August 23, 2019 after the suspect — a Shoreline man in his early 20s — was reported to have used stolen credit cards to make multiple fraudulent transactions.

As reported via Twitter, Lynnwood police K-9 Officer Sam Zacharia and his dog Rico captured the suspect near the 19300 block of Alderwood Mall Parkway after he attempted to evade police custody.

Deputy Chief Jim Nelson said the suspect has been charged with one count of identity theft, but additional charges are pending and/or expected following investigation by detectives.

“Detectives are working on this case and any links to other area frauds by this suspect,” he said.

The suspect was also reported to have an outstanding misdemeanor-warrant for making false statements to a police officer.

The suspect was not named.

NE 174th and 1st NE

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Photo by Seattle Poppy

The last time we saw this street, the crews had just moved in to prepare the houses for demolition.

Now you would never know there had been houses there.

This street is in the neighborhood behind the Shoreline Library and next to the sound wall.

Jobs: WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation

Title Agent – Property and Acquisition Specialist 3 (In-Training)

Closing Date/Time Thursday 09/12/19 11:59pm

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has a great opportunity for an experienced real estate professional. The Real Estate Services office in Shoreline is seeking a Property and Acquisition Specialist to join their dynamic team to assist the title department and acquisition team by obtaining all necessary title reports and recorded documents, performing complex title examination including extensive title clearing, preparation of documents to clear encumbrances, and preparation of closing documents necessary to close complex real estate transactions in accordance with industry standards and in compliance with State law. Additionally, you will perform property research and serve as a resource for the project engineers and other support groups.

View the entire announcement and apply: Title Agent

Jobs: City of Mountlake Terrace

City of Mountlake Terrace

Recreation Clerk I (three-quarter time) 

Open: Aug 28, 2019, 10:30am

This ¾ time position performs a variety of customer service functions in support of the Recreation and Parks Department at the Recreation Pavilion. These functions include: answering customer inquiries by telephone and/or person, registering participants for classes/programs, collecting admissions fees, financial deposits, filing, copying, maintaining program information, scheduling facilities for private and public use, and providing food and beverage service at the espresso cart.

Daytime, evening and/or weekend availability required.

For more information view the attached job description here

Auditor's report: students need recess before lunch and 20 minutes to eat

Chris Reykdal, SPI

The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Education (OSPI) will promote the recommendations of the State Auditor's Office (SAO) for better lunchtime practices in state schools.

Over the past two years, the state and federal governments have spent nearly $240 million on programs designed to provide students with healthier options at meal times and promote lifelong healthy living in order to combat rising obesity rates.

To ensure these investments have the most impact on our students, the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) performed an audit on lunchtime scheduling and practices in our K–12 schools. 

Research shows when students have more time to eat and our young learners go to recess before lunch, they are more likely to make healthier choices in the lunch line.

The SAO released their audit on Wednesday, and they found most of the Washington schools included in the study are not following these best practices. There are several logistical reasons for this – inadequate facilities, overcrowding, scheduling, and more – however, sometimes difficult tasks are what produce the best outcomes.

The OSPI will initiate a rulemaking process to require schools to provide at least 20 minutes of seated lunch time for all students, as well as recess before lunch for students in elementary school.

SPI Chris Reykdahl said, "We are not aiming to make sweeping changes overnight. We expect it will take several years to implement these changes in some schools. Throughout the rulemaking process, we will be engaging with all of our education partners. The purpose of this public process is to listen, and we will do so authentically."

"I am grateful for the SAO’s partnership in collecting more data and research on this important topic."

The bottom line is this: Students who have access to nutritious meals and the time to consume those meals are better equipped to meet educational milestones.

For more information

• Full text of performance audit
• Highlights of the audit

Mark Your Calendars for Animal Day at the LFP Farmers Market Sept 8

Mark your calendars now for Sunday, September 8, 2019 for Animal Day at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market.

It will be a day of family friendly fun with some very special four-legged friends including the Heart of Dreams alpacas, who are always a hit with young and old alike. Stop by their pen to visit and feed these sweeties a few carrots.

Heart of Dreams alpacas are waiting for carrots

Kids are invited to stop by the crafts tent where their grown-ups can help them create their very own animal masks to wear around the market and take home with them.

Plus, from 10am to noon, the Seattle Humane Society will be onsite for a kitty cat meet and greet with adoptable cats looking for their furrever homes. Whether you’re in search of a new feline family member or just want to visit, be sure to stop by and give these precious kitties some well-deserved love.

As always, you can also count on the LFP Farmers Market to have all your favorite fresh, seasonal produce, plus a tasty selection of meat, fish, hot eats, sweet treats, and locally produced specialty items. And don’t forget about the always gorgeous flowers!

SNAP benefits, Senior/WIC vouchers, and Market Bucks are always welcome, and the LFP Farmers Market is proud to participate in the Fresh Bucks matching program for SNAP recipients.

The LFP Farmers Market takes place every Sunday from 10am to 3pm through October 20th in the parking lot of the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, located at 17171 Bothell Way NE. It is presented by Third Place Commons, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering real community in real space.

Shoreline area dance students to audition for Moscow Ballet’s Seattle production of The Great Russian Nutcracker

Principal dancers and area dance students perform on stage at Seattle’s Paramount Theater with the internationally acclaimed Moscow Ballet. That’s Sasha Obama in the red circle. Sasha was a DANCE WITH US ballet student in Bethesda at the Strathmore Music Center in 2012 and 2013.

Audition Eligibility: Dancers must have at least one year of Ballet training and must be enrolled in Ballet classes for the Fall of 2019 at any local Seattle/Shoreline area dance school. Dancers 6-18 are eligible. AUDITIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE

Audition Date and Location: Tuesday, September 3, 2019. American Dance Institute's Shoreline studio, 1240 NE 175th Street, Shoreline WA 98155

Audition Check-In Time: Registration Check-in is 4:00 pm, Audition Starts at 4:30 pm

Audition Attire: Any solid colored-leotard and tights are acceptable and ballet slippers. Hair for girls should be pulled back into a secure ballet bun.

If You Are Cast In The Performance

• Cost: Cast dancers pay a $50 cast fee and $50 rehearsal fee. Fees are due immediately upon casting so bring your checkbook. Only cash or checks are accepted. Make checks payable to the American Dance Institute.
• Rehearsal Location: American Dance Institute's Greenwood studio 2, 8001 Greenwood Ave North, Seattle WA 98103.
• Rehearsal Schedule: If cast, dancers must be available for rehearsals in Greenwood on Wednesday and Thursday, September 4 & 5 and Saturdays and/or Sunday afternoons, starting September 14th.
• Note: They will not need to be there the whole time but for an hour (plus or minus) within that time frame for their particular group to learn the choreography from Moscow Ballet’s rehearsal director. The actual time is TBD.
• You will be assigned a 1-hour rehearsal time, approximately, on Saturday and/or Sunday, sometime between the hours of 3:00-9:00 pm. This will be your assigned rehearsal time each week from September 14th – November 3rd. 
• Schedule subject to change pending additional rehearsal requirements.

Nutcracker Performance Dates: Thursday and Friday, November 7 and 8, Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle. The Performance starts at 7 pm.

Pending number of auditioning dancers, dancers may perform in one or both shows.

Questions? email us or call us at 206-783-0755. Find more information about the Moscow Ballet, auditions and the performance here.

State officials make it easier to access overdose reversal drug

Naloxone comes in injectables and nasal sprays

Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy has signed a statewide standing order for naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

The standing order works like a prescription and allows any person or organization in the state to get naloxone from a pharmacy.

“Making it easier to access and distribute this lifesaving medication to people who need it is an important step in addressing the opioid crisis and reducing overdose deaths in our state,” said Dr. Lofy. 

“In 2018, 710 Washington residents died of an opioid overdose.”

An overdose of opioid drugs like prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl can cause a person’s breathing to slow or stop. Naloxone can be given as an injection or a nasal spray to someone experiencing an overdose. It works by temporarily blocking the effects of opioid drugs.

Naloxone is very safe and does not have serious side effects if accidentally given to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose. If you think someone is experiencing an overdose, but aren’t sure what kind of drugs they may have taken, use naloxone.

The Department of Health encourages anyone who is at risk of experiencing or witnessing an opioid overdose to carry naloxone. People who want to get naloxone can use the standing order at any pharmacy in the state without a prescription from a health care provider.

It’s best to call ahead to make sure the pharmacy has naloxone available and check your insurance coverage. Most commercial health insurance plans cover at least one form of naloxone, but coverage and costs vary. Apple Health (Medicaid) clients can get naloxone at no cost.

The standing order will also make it easier for organizations working with people who may need naloxone to get and distribute the medication. Organizations interested in getting naloxone under the standing order need to notify the department. The department will keep a list of organizations and notify them if there are changes to the order.

Since February 2019, the department has also managed an Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program to distribute naloxone kits to programs statewide for distribution to their communities. 

Within the first year of the program, the department expects to deliver 11,000 naloxone kits. This work is funded in part by a federal opioid grant managed by the Washington State Health Care Authority.

All of these efforts are part of the state’s comprehensive opioid response, which is focused on preventing opioid misuse, identifying and treating opioid use disorder, preventing deaths from overdose and using data to monitor and support these efforts.

Make sure you know the signs of overdose and what to do, and carry naloxone if you or someone you know might need it.

Pancakes and bargains at Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center

Do you love pancakes and bargains? 

Come join us at the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center 23000 Lakeview Drive, Mountlake Terrace on Saturday, September 7th!

We have a delicious Pancake Breakfast starting at 8:30am for just $5 per person.

From 10:00am to 3:00pm we have not one, but TWO sales going on! Our free monthly Community Treasure Chest Vendor Market offers a great selection of arts, crafts, baby items, vintage curios, doll clothing, birdhouses, health and beauty products, kitchen items and much more.

In addition, many of our Senior Center members will have their own “yard sale” tables full of treasures and bargains.

Plan to join us for this three-in-one event on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at our beautiful Center located in Ballinger Park. We have oodles of free parking. See you there!

Local Lutherans participate in God’s Work Our Hands Sunday

On Sunday, September 8, 2019 thousands of Lutheran churches across the country are participating in God’s Work. Our Hands.

Participants, including First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach (FLRB), will be volunteering to serve in a variety of ways in their communities. 

All are welcome for worship with FLRB at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park at 10:30am followed by sack lunches and service projects. 2021 NW 190th St, Shoreline 98177

For more information: office@flrb.org or 206-546-4153.

2020 Community Project Grants Application

2017 Briarcrest Storytelling Workshop
SL LFP Arts Council

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is Pleased to Announce 

the 2020 Community Project Grants Application

Do you need help presenting an arts event that serves your community? The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is here to help. Consider applying for a Community Project Grant. We promote experiences in the arts to enhance the quality of life in our community. Non-profit organizations or community groups that provide arts / cultural programming for the general public are welcome to apply.

We fund special projects, artists’ residencies, and performances that extend the group’s usual scope. Awards range from $250-$1500. Projects take place from January to November. An organization may only apply for one Community Project Grant in any one year.

Please visit our website to apply for a Community Project Grant!

Deadline to apply is 5pm, Thursday, November 15, 2019.

The 2019 List of Awards

• Dandylyon Drama, Musicals Season 2018-2019, $1,500
• Edwin T Pratt Mural at Edwin Pratt Early Learning Center, $1,500
• JHP Cultural & Diversity Legacy, Cultural Heritage Festival, $1,000
• Shoreline Arts For Justice at Shoreline Community College, Artist Honorarium, $600
• Shoreline Concert Band, Winter Concert with Special Guest Soloist $500

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts.

Photo: Lydia couldn't wait to finish her physical therapy (torn meniscus, they said);

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

these stretches were driving her crazy...

Jobs: City of Shoreline

Jobs at The City of Shoreline

Grounds Maintenance Worker II

To perform and assist in leading a variety of semi-skilled, light and heavy manual labor related to the maintenance and repair of grounds and landscaping infrastructure under the City's stewardship, including line trimming, mowing, planting, pruning, watering, weeding; irrigation system operation, maintenance and repair; graffiti and litter removal; and operating a variety of light vehicles, specialized construction equipment (backhoe, mini-excavator, tractor loader or mower, trencher, etcetera), and hand and power tools.

The effective start date for this position is November 1, 2019.

Full description and application 


Teen Program Leader Assistant - Extra Help

We are seeking three (3) Teen Program Leader Assistants. This position is "open until filled" with first application review date: September 13th

This position supports the Youth and Teen Development Program with focus on working with Middle School and Tween aged youth. In this position you will serve as a positive role model for youth by helping to plan, lead and participate in activities that reach and respond to the changing needs of youth in our community.

Provide leadership and assist in sports, music, arts and environmental programs for city sponsored Middle School and Tween program events.

Full description and application

The Curious Mystery of a Dead Mole

A life and death drama played out in John's back yard overnight

John is a reader from Lake Forest Park who sent in this mystery and the crime scene photos

We had an interesting event happen overnight in my backyard. We've been battling a mole problem for the entire summer and when I woke up this morning and looked outside I was shocked to see that a good portion of our backyard was torn up.

After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes to make sure I was seeing things clearly I went outside to investigate.

It appears that something entered the yard in the dead of night and tore up the sod looking for the mole. 

The body was abandoned at the scene

It wasn't until later in the afternoon when I got home from work that I noticed the dead mole laying on top of the grass with what appears to be two bite marks on its body. 

We heard nothing overnight and was wondering what animal may have helped us win the battle against the mole.

Live and Local for Saturday August 31, 2019

There's a lot of live and local music to choose from each weekend.

At Aurora Borealis

Most venues have food, some have dancing. Most have a cover charge and require reservations. 

All have great local bands and entertainment!

This Saturday, August 31, 2019 here's what's happening:


AURORA BOREALIS

$cratch Daddy

No cover - 8 - 11pm

The Aurora Borealis 

16708 Aurora Ave N, 206-629-5744. 21+

$cratch Daddy plays the Blues and Beyond with a little blend of R/B, Motown and Rock gives you an energetic dance band that is fun and easy to listen to.

DARRELL'S TAVERN

Bumberboot! Country Music Fest: Darci Carlson, Wildcat Rose, Double Country, Country Lips, Chris King and the Gutterballs, Caleb and Walter, Porch Wine

3pm Aug 31 – 2am Sept 1 - $12 cover - 21+

Darrell's Tavern 18041 Aurora Ave N. 206-542-6688.

Heavy rock metal and punk bands at Shoreline's own Dive Bar. Live music, vintage decor, pizza, tacos, hotdogs, and free pool.

EASY MONKEY TAPHOUSE

Brian Lee and the Blues Orbiters 

no cover - 8 - 10pm

No cover until September for any show as part of our customer appreciation!
Easy Monkey Taphouse, 17537 15th Ave NE B. 206-420-1326.

Get ready for a stellar ride through the traditional blues universe! Brian Lee and the Orbiters are among the premier bands on the Northwest blues circuit, and have earned an impressive reputation for being among the finest purveyors of traditional blues, while forging their own unique sound.

Route 66 Big Band swings at Third Place

THIRD PLACE COMMONS

Route 66 Big Band - FREE and family friendly. 7:30 - 9:30pm
Third Place Commons Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park.

The Route 66 Big Band takes a pitstop from the road just long enough to bring you all the hits of the Swing Years and bowl you over with their wall of sound! 

Midnight Muse at North City Bistro

NORTH CITY BISTRO and WINE SHOP

Midnight Muse - $10 Cover - 8pm - 10:30pm

North City Bistro and Wine Shop, 1520 NE 177th St, Shoreline 98155, 

Call 206-365-4447 or go to website and fill out the simple reservation request form in order to secure seats for the show. Then buy your tickets here.

The Midnight Muse Band plays rock, blues, soul, disco, and modern music with a splash of country and jazz. We play music in Seattle and the surrounding area with a lively, friendly vibe.

We are: Brie Groves - Vocals; Cosmo Damian - Bass; Todd Callender - Drums; Mick Watson - Keys, Sax, Vocals; Jeff White - Guitar, Vocals