WeatherWatcher: Winter Storm Warning in effect until 11 AM Wednesday morning

 

Seattle City Light Outage Map at 10:40 PM PST

About 3778 City Light customers in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park are without power as of 10:40 PM PST. Shoreline Area News headquarters is now without internet because of the storm. Regular Shoreline Area News will resume once utilities are restored. The Echo Lake / North Ridge weather station is also offline as a result of a power outage.

The National Weather Service in Seattle at 10:24 PM PST has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect for Seattle and vicinity which includes Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. An additional 3 inches of snow is possible overnight into Wednesday morning. The Winter Storm Warning expires at 11 AM Wednesday.

The Wind Advisory also continues to remain in effect until 7 AM Wednesday morning, gusty winds up to 45 mph are possible. More power outages are likely through the overnight hours into Wednesday morning.

As of 10:40 PM PST the cold front is moving south through Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Heavy wet snow at times is expected as the cold front moves through. In the wake of the cold front a Puget Sound Convergence zone is expected to develop probably starting around Everett at first and then drifting south through Shoreline. 

The Convergence zone will produce mostly snow at these temperatures, locally heavy snow in spots. A warmup to rain or above freezing is still expected tomorrow afternoon but the warmup will be short lived. 

Another round of snow showers is possible into Wednesday evening with another inch or so of accumulation expected. Snow accumulations can locally total up to 6 inches by the end of the night Wednesday, even with the warmup in the afternoon.

It's going to be a rough week for winter weather, stay safe out there.

For current weather conditions and real time updates visit www.shorelineweather.com

Power is going out

I seem to be close to major power outages. Going to check it out, but in case this is the only post of the day...

--Diane Hettrick 

Scene on the Sound: USS Nimitz leaving on a new deployment

Photo by Jan Hansen

The USS Nimitz departed Monday morning from Bremerton for its next global deployment. Its last deployment lasted nearly an entire year.

USS Nimitz photo by Jan Hansen

From Military.com 

The 10 nuclear powered Nimitz class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, each designed for an approximately 50 year service life with one mid-life refueling. 

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) have all completed their Refueling Complex Overhauls (RCOH) at Newport News, Va., with USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) having commenced RCOH in 2013.

Home decor and gift store now open in Lake Forest Park Town Center just in time for the holidays

Sylvia is delighted to have a brick and mortar store
Photo by Mike Remarcke

The Shop by DBD recently opened in Town Center, next door to the Red Sky Gallery in Lake Forest Park.

Owner Sylvia Larson is a local interior designer who makes naturally dyed home linens - dish towels, napkins, table runners, pillows, blankets -- a whole lot of house plants, plus watercolor and photography prints.

Along with her products, she team up with other makers in the area to have their beautiful products in the shop as well. 

We have ceramics, blown glass, skin care, jewelry, plant products, furniture, small art, candles and more. THE SHOP by DBD will become your one stop shop for all things home decor and gift giving. 

Open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm, Sundays noon to 4pm

Stay current with her products on her Instagram: @theshopbydbd

While you are there, check out Red Sky Gallery and drop into Vulpine Taproom for a glass of wine or beer. Two Trading Tigers is still there. Town Center is doing a good job of bringing in unique local businesses and restaurants.

Town Center is at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE. These businesses are on the upper wing near the Ballinger entrance to Town Center.

--All photos by Mike Remarcke

Police swarm Ridgecrest after distraught resident pulls gun on tow truck driver

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Ridgecrest neighborhood was swarming with police, some in full tactical gear, Wednesday afternoon, November 23, 2022 after an elderly male resident stopped a tow truck driver from taking his work truck by pulling a gun.

The driver called the police, which prompted a full multi-agency police response. The situation became more tense when the resident confronted the first deputy to make contact with a shotgun.

Shoreline police, Kenmore police, fire and aid units, all responded to the scene.

A staging area, supervised by Shoreline Police Captain Kelly Park, was set up at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in the 16500 block of 8th NE, and police converged on the home on 9th NE.

911 dispatch alerted Sound Transit and Metro police, who offered their services, as well as the crisis management team.

Close to 30 units were in the neighborhood. The school district was notified and one of the Sound Transit police went to Meridian Park Elementary to make sure that traffic stayed well away from the scene as students were getting out of school for the day.

The resident refused to leave his house, but was eventually talked out with no further incident and no one hurt. He was arrested on a felony brandishing charge and booked into King county jail.

Police obtained a search warrant for his home and removed his weapons. The resident was released from jail and returned home. Police are continuing their investigation and will be referring information to the prosecutor so charges can be filed.

Shoreline Police will be working with the RADAR unit to discuss outreach plans for the resident.

Capt. Park said that she is very pleased at the police response and inter-agency cooperation and is even more pleased at the outcome, with no one injured.

--Diane Hettrick

North City Business Association’s 23rd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival Saturday, December 3, 2022

We at North City Water District look forward to this special moment every year—when hundreds of colorful lights in the shape of a giant Christmas tree suddenly light up the night sky, way up on top of our 3.7 million gallon reservoir.

This year’s festival will once again feature fun for the entire family, including live music, sing-along carols, warm beverages, tasty Christmas cookies, and photos with Santa Claus. We hope to see you all there!

Location: Les Schwab at NE 180th Street and 15th Avenue NE in North City

Timing: Saturday December 3, 2022 starting at 6:30pm

Thank you to this year’s generous Sponsors:

• North City Water District will ensure Santa Claus is on hand for photo opportunities
• Les Schwab will provide a gathering place for everyone in their parking lot
• Around the Sound Community Band will be playing all sorts of festive, sing-along holiday tunes
• Shoreline / Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center will serve up plenty of hot coffee
• North City Neighborhood Association will hand out delicious holiday cookies
• Gabbert Architects and Planners helps make everything possible
• North City Business Association supports our area’s small businesses throughout the year

Green Spaces: Darnell Park

 

Photo by Katie McGowan

Snowberry and a pine, beautiful late fall at Darnell Park.

Shoreline Sports Foundation Bingo Night Fundraiser December 11, 2022 - registration open now

You're invited to Bingo Night! Great people, prizes, and sure to be a fun party. Invite your friends and register today!

December 11, 2022 from 6-8pm, Bingo starts at 6:30pm

Event Address: Back9Parlor 3105 Alderwood Mall Blvd, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Cost: $20/person **SPACE IS LIMITED TO 60 PARTICIPANTS, DON'T WAIT TO REGISTER**

• Click Here for Registration

Bingo boards available for purchase at the door- $10 each

Food and Drinks will be available for purchase at the venue

Must be 18 years or older to participate

Prizes include cozy airbnb stays, Storm tickets, SSF swag, and more! Proceeds go towards connecting local students to positive mentors and peers.

Email Karlie@shorelinesportsfoundation.org for questions or if your business would be interested in sponsoring the event!

Click Here to Donate if you are unable to attend and want to support SSF's youth services

Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts January 1, 2023

Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology

OLYMPIA – On Jan. 1, 2023, Washington’s new Clean Fuel Standard will begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation – the state’s largest source of carbon pollution.

Over the next 12 years, the new standard will reduce annual transportation emissions statewide by 20 percent, or about 4.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

That’s comparable to taking more than 900,000 cars permanently off the road.

The Washington Legislature passed the Clean Fuel Standard in 2021 and directed the Department of Ecology to implement the program beginning in 2023. Today, Ecology adopted the final rules for the Clean Fuels Program to meet that deadline.

“We have to make it easier for people and businesses to use cleaner transportation options,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. 

“The Clean Fuel Standard will jumpstart investments in low-carbon fuels, help expand our state’s infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles, and give consumers better choices as we grow our clean energy economy.”

The new Clean Fuels Program uses a market approach to incentivize fuel producers to reduce the “carbon intensity” of their products by 20 percent by 2034 – four years faster than first proposed. The accelerated timeline comes in response to strong public feedback and an independent economic analysis and fuel supply forecast that show 2034 is an achievable target.

California, Oregon, and British Columbia have adopted similar programs for transitioning to low-carbon fuels. Even before Washington’s program formally begins, fuel producers and energy suppliers have moved to increase clean fuels production. Most notably, BP America committed last year to invest $269 million to double the production capacity of renewable diesel at its Cherry Point refinery, near Ferndale.

“We’ve seen encouraging interest from businesses that want the opportunities clean transportation fuels will bring,” said Laura Watson, Ecology’s director. 

“We’re excited to work with businesses and communities across the state on this new program, and to integrate it with our other climate policies, especially our zero-emission vehicles and cap-and-invest programs.”

 

More information here

Friends of the LFP Library Pop Up Book Sale – Saturday, December 10, 2022

Friends of the LFP Library Pop Up Book Sale – Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 10am to 4pm in the Lake Forest Park Library Meeting Room and the lobby (for trades and the book cart).

This book sale will provide an opportunity for us to:

• Interact with community members and each other
• Raise funds to support library activities
• Get donated books out of our storage area and into the community where they can be read and enjoyed
• Attract new members to the Friends
• Have fun while doing all of this – as we share our love for books – and are happy to see other folks delighting in them as well.

Schedule: The library meeting room is reserved for us from 10am, Friday, December 9 to 1pm on Monday, December 12

• Friday December 9: Set –up beginning at 10am. For the set-up we welcome members with strong arms and backs to help with hauling tables and books beginning at 10 am and the rest of us to help with sorting and arranging books on the tables and carts after that.

• Saturday December 10: Book Sale from 10am to 4pm, with clean up beginning at 4pm and continuing on Monday morning. One to two hour shifts.

Books and media for sale will include: Fiction, Non-fiction (including Pacific Northwest, gardening, crafts, cookbooks, religion, and world languages), “Venerable” books in Collectors Section, Young Adults/Teens and Children’s, media including CD’s, DVD’s and books on tape.

Prices: Same as on book cart: hardcover and large softbound books $1, media $1 per disc, books on tape $1 per book, paperbacks including trades 50 cents, unless otherwise priced. 

• Some of the specialty books will be marked up. 
• Prices will be reduced during the last hour of the sale – from 3 to 4pm. May use discretion—e.g. giving a break to teachers buying books for students out of their own pockets.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit or debit card (with chip). Treasurer John Brew will coordinate this aspect of the sale.

Unsold books and media: Depending on how many and what they are we may choose to keep some, share some with our partners Kenmore and Shoreline, send some to Goodwill or otherwise try to keep them circulating in the community.

The library is located off the lobby in the lower level of Town Center Lake Forest Park (behind the escalator). Town Center is at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

Shoreline Fire Toy Drive Saturday December 3, 2022 at Fred Meyer

Your opportunity to contribute to our local kiddos joy this holiday season!

Firefighters will be at Fred Meyer at 185th and Aurora from 8am to 6pm Saturday to collect your donations of new, unwrapped toys.  

You can also drop off your donations at any Shoreline fire station through December 9th.

WeatherWatcher: Winter Weather Advisory issued 1pm Tuesday to 10am Wednesday

 

The kind of snow to expect in Shoreline Tuesday evening.
Photo by Carl Dinse

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Greater Seattle area, which includes Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The advisory is in effect from 1pm Tuesday afternoon until 10am Wednesday morning.

Snow should start flying sometime between 11am and 1pm Tuesday. 1 to 3 inches of snow is possible Tuesday evening into the late night hours.  Current forecasts for Shoreline call for the snow to change over to rain at around 11pm Tuesday night. However, there is a lot of uncertainty in the models, and snow could continue longer or change over to rain sooner. 

There is a winter storm watch in effect for our neighbors in the north for all of Snohomish County. 4 to 8 inches of snow is possible there before a change over to rain, especially on the higher hills.

As I mentioned in my last article, we are sitting on the margin of rain or snow all week. The type of storm coming in Tuesday afternoon is not a typical snow producer but due to all the cold air that is moving in overnight into Tuesday morning, it will start everything as snow. 

Strong south winds are expected with Tuesday's storm bringing ocean air into the area which in turn is expected to warm up temperatures for a while Wednesday morning and afternoon. Winds are expected to be gusting to around 35mph. 

Up to one inch of rain is expected during the warm period of the day. More cold air filters into the area Wednesday evening for a change back to a wintery mix as this storm leaves the area.

The high temperature on Tuesday is expected to be 35°F, late in the evening just before midnight. We will spend most of Tuesday below the freezing mark. The high temperature on Wednesday is expected to be 41°F, but only for about 2-3 hours.

Another potential snow maker is possible Friday morning, but I'm still watching how that forecast develops over the next couple of days.

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com

Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter will be open Tuesday night, November 29, 2022

The Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter will be open Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 8:30pm.

The shelter is housed at St. Dunstan’s Church at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133.

Boats at Edmonds Marina

 

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

A beautiful photo from Lee Lageschulte of the small marina on the Edmonds waterfront, backlit by the setting sun.

Who Lives Here? Peeking Under the Earth Art mural workshop at Richmond Beach Library

Help turn the mural at the Richmond Beach Library into an underground wonderland! 

Working with professional artist, Ann Blanch, use your imagination to create mysterious creatures.

Ages 5 and older, tweens, teens and adults.

Please register everyone in your group, including adults, and attend only one session, 10:30am or 11:15am.

Saturday, December 10

• 10:30-11:15am: https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/636d1b56024ca62800d1927c
• 11:15am-12pm: https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/636d1b56024ca62800d1927d

All materials provided. After the display period, art will be returned to the participants.

Richmond Beach Library
19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline, WA, 98177. (206) 546-3522

Sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Beach Library.

 

Drop-in technical help at Richmond Beach and Kenmore libraries

Have computer or software questions? 

Library staff can provide help on tasks such as filling out applications, connecting through Zoom, email, social networks, navigating a tablet and learning to download free eBooks.

You may bring your own device, but library staff cannot provide hands-on or hardware assistance.

Registration not required. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed.

Richmond Beach Library
19601 21st Ave NW, Shoreline, WA, 98177. (206) 546-3522

• Friday, December 2, 2-3:30pm
• Friday, December 9, 2-3:30pm
• Friday, December 16, 2-3:30pm

Kenmore Library

6531 NE 181st Street, Kenmore, WA, 98028. (425) 486-8747

• Sunday, December 4, 2-3:30pm

Bellevue Police Officer Jordan Jackson dies in the line of duty

Officers and friends standing vigil for Jordan Jackson
Harborview Hospital about 6pm, 11-21-22
Photo by Craig Hanaumi

Police departments around the state are mourning the death of 34-year-old Bellevue police motorcycle officer Jordan Jackson.

Officer Jordan Jackson

He was seriously injured during a collision Monday morning, November 21, 2022 on Bellevue Way SE. Investigators say the officer was traveling northbound near SE Wolverine Way when a white car struck his motorcycle. 

He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and died that evening. He leaves behind a wife and two children under the age of five.

The Bellevue Police Foundation is collecting donations for his family.

Last free session Wednesday for National Novel Writing Month

Rethinking Revision

Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 6 – 6:45pm

Shoreline Community College

16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133

Park anywhere (it's free after 4:00pm)

Room 4202 in the library

Come to this session that caters to those doing the National Novel Writing Month challenge where you try to write an entire novel in a month! As we approach the end of National Novel Writing Month, many will start revision or editing their novel. The cursed word "editing" doesn't have to be a chore as we can approach it with a creative and fun set of strategies.

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo is a writing challenge that started in 1999 and is intended to support a nonprofit called the Young Writers Program, an outreach program that gets teens and younger students interested in creative writing. 

Over 20,000 people in the Seattle area typically sign up to participate each year. During the month long challenge, writers not only get a taste of producing work under a deadline, but explore their writing community and have a chance to experience what it is like to be supported and encouraged by others who are striving for similar creative goals. 

 

The library at Shoreline Community College has been hosting free weekly writing classes, taught by professors. The community is welcome.

Gallery North Annual Holiday Show December 2022

Thriving land, artist Silena Wei Chen

Every year Gallery North presents as its Featured Artist for December . . . us! A special holiday show featuring themed work by all member artists.

Christmas Eve. Photography by Sam Spencer

Come enjoy a smorgasbord of warm and colorful wintery art including Kuria Jorissen’s spectacular astrophotography, Lynnea Matson’s lovely and masterful watercolors, bronze medallions by Anne-Lise Deering, Silena Wei Chen’s evocative abstract swirls, Hannah Mason’s powerful, popular linocut prints, Sam Spencer’s haunting photography, plus paintings by Leanna Leitzke, Theresa Williams, Tatyana Brown, Irina Milton, Lonni Flowers, Jurate Harrison, and more.

It's a Holiday Season. Painting by Tatyana Brown

The public is invited to come to Gallery North to meet the artists and enjoy refreshments on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 1pm to 4pm, and during the Edmonds Art Walk on Third Thursday, December 15, from 5pm to 8pm.

Old Anderson's Place. Artist Lynnea Mattson.

Gallery North has been in operation for more than 60 years, continuing its mission to promote and sell local art in the heart of beautiful downtown Edmonds. 

It is located at 401 Main Street in Edmonds, open 7 days a week from 11-5. For further information please visit the Gallery North website at www.gallerynorthedmonds.com or call the gallery at 425-774-0946.

WeatherWatcher: Snow level flirting with the lowlands all week

Clouds and precipitation over Puget Sound
Photo by Frank Kleyn

The photo is an impressive capture by Frank Kleyn of some convergence zone action over Puget Sound. At the north end of that cloud is a nice column of precipitation reaching the ground.

Cold and Snow potential:

Forecast models have been painting a picture since last Wednesday of the potential for several arctic waves to move through this coming week. There is still a lot of uncertainty, especially for mid- and late-week but expect the snow level to fluctuate between sea level and 1,000 feet all week. 

Plenty of showers are expected, as well as a cold front moving in through Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

There is a winter weather advisory issued for western Snohomish county, including Woodway, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Everett. Shoreline might be snagged into a little of that fun as well. 

The winter advisory is in effect from 10pm Sunday evening until 10am Monday morning. Some snow showers are possible, and there could be some spotty accumulation of a dusting to an inch or so in some neighborhoods.

An active convergence zone is hanging out in Snohomish and north King counties overnight into Monday morning. Heavier showers could temporarily bring the snow level down to the surface and produce a small wet accumulation. Things should warm above freezing Monday as the sun rises and takes care of any frozen stuff left over.

Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning is expected to be mostly sunny and clear. Look for it to be breezy with winds gusting to 30mph and temperatures near 40°F for a high, and lows in the 20's. The next event arrives Tuesday afternoon into the evening, with winds increasing as the storm approaches.

Tuesday-Wednesday potential for snow:

Tuesday evening south winds are expected to increase, gusting to 30mph initially and increasing to 40mph late into Tuesday night. Rain or snow is likely with a snow level starting around 400 feet (most of the higher parts of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park). 

A few inches of snow accumulation are possible, but it's not certain with this event. Current high-resolution forecasts from the UW WRF GFS model show snowfall of around 4-6 inches in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park area, but this is not accumulated on-the-ground snow. A lot of that snowfall will likely melt.

Wednesday it is expected that we warm up and transition to all rain for the day, but rain will taper off to showers, with winds still breezy through the day. Snow levels will still be hovering near 500 feet so it's marginal whether we will actually see snow on the ground.

Remainder of the week and into the weekend:

For Wednesday night through the weekend, the chance of rain or snow showers continues in the forecast. There are hints of another storm on Friday but for now they're backing off and calling it just showers likely. Thursday night into Friday could be our coldest window, with snow showers forecasted for Friday morning and a snow level at sea level.

Bottom line:

This is a week of uncertainty, and things could change rapidly. My best advice is to be prepared to deal with winter weather this week, especially before Tuesday evening. We could be dealing with the wintry mix weather for more than a week. A slight change in a storm track or strength could make all the difference in a big snow event or a mild rain event. 

Be sure to keep checking back on our webpage for updates in the forecast. I will try to keep my twitter feed updated as well on my weather station webpage if things change with short notice.

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com

Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter will be open Monday night, November 28, 2022

The Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter will be open Monday, November 28, 2022 at 8:30pm.

The shelter is housed at St. Dunstan’s Church at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133.

Sunset over the Olympics

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Looking south over Puget Sound, these are the southernmost peaks visible from Edmonds / Richmond Beach.

Conflict De-escalation training Monday at St. Dunstan's - hybrid format

On Monday November 28, 2022 at 7pm St. Dunstan’s will host Conflict De-escalation training.

It is designed for volunteers with our local housing insecure population or anyone who might encounter a situation where these skills would be useful.

Join this training to learn basic de-escalation strategies for approaching an agitated or unstable person and find out how to reduce the likelihood of further crisis escalation. 

This training will also teach you to spot some behaviors and triggers to be aware of.

Presented by North Sound Radar Navigator Sventlana Kirilova, MA, LMHC, MHP, and hosted by St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) and the City of Shoreline.

Join in person at St. Dunstan's church, 722 N 145th St, Shoreline, WA 98133 or email staff@nuhsa.org for the Zoom link.

Questions? Email staff@nuhsa.org

HomeTechHacker: Precautions You Should Take When Using Public Wi-Fi

By Marlon Buchanan

Most businesses that directly serve consumers, like hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and retail shops, provide Wi-Fi for their customers. 

This means that even if you are using a device that doesn’t have a cellular connection, like many tablets and laptops, you’re almost always close to a place that can give you access to the Internet via public Wi-Fi. 

While this is a great convenience, it's not without risk. The convenience and number of people using public Wi-Fi also make it an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Although most public Wi-Fi hotspots are safe to use you should still protect yourself by taking the follow precautions:

Use a VPN

I recommended using a virtual private network (VPN) to limit how much your activity is tracked on the Internet. A VPN can also protect you on public Wi-Fi by providing an extra layer of encryption on all of your activities. When using a VPN, hackers trying to employ a man-in-the-middle attack will have to decrypt the information they’ve stolen in order to use it, which takes more time, resources, and know-how than most hackers are able to spend.

Turn off file sharing services

It’s unlikely that you want to share files with anyone else connected to the same public Wi-Fi as you, so you should turn off sharing. Leaving sharing on enables hackers to exploit your system with malware. You can turn off sharing in the control panel of both MacOS and Windows, and you can even set sharing to automatically turn off when connecting to specific networks.

Stick to HTTPS sites

HTTPS is the secure and encrypted version of HTTP. It can protect you from man-in-the-middle attacks. However, make sure to pay attention to any warning your browser may give, even about HTTPS sites. Some hackers will attempt to give you a fake/invalid SSL certificate in order to make an HTTPS site look trusted. Your browser should detect this, but you have to pay attention to the warning.

Turn your Wi-Fi off

If you aren’t actively using your Wi-Fi to connect to a network, go ahead and turn it off. Wi-Fi devices still transmit and receive some information even when they are not connected to a network. Although the chances are small, it’s possible for a cybercriminal to exploit your Wi-Fi even when you aren’t connected to a network. As a bonus, you’ll have better battery life!

If your mobile device has antivirus software, turn it on

This is good general advice, but it’s especially important if you connect to public Wi-Fi. Antivirus software can detect common pieces of malware on your system.

Double-check that you are connecting to the right Wi-Fi network

Hackers will sometimes use an access point with a legitimate-sounding Wi-Fi network name to trick users into connecting to it. Then they can proceed to monitor everything you do over the connection and place malware on your device. Double-check the Wi-Fi name and credentials with the business providing the public Wi-Fi.

Using public Wi-Fi is convenient, but not without risks. If you take the precautions above you’ll significantly reduce the chances of anything nefarious occurring.

Marlon Buchanan

Marlon Buchanan is a best-selling author, IT Director, and founder of HomeTechHacker.com, a website with free resources to help you make the most of your home technology. 

You can find these and additional tips about cybersecurity best practices in his book The Personal Cybersecurity Manual: How Anyone Can Protect Themselves from Fraud, Identity Theft, and Other Cybercrimes.

Previous columns can be found HERE

Third Place Books booksellers' Top Ten Books of 2022

Out of all the books we read this year (and we read a lot), we asked our booksellers to choose their favorite books published in 2022.

Announcing: our Top 10 books of the year!

There are books on this list for every reader in your life. See our favorite picks for literary fiction, tell-all memoirs, books that take you on a wild ride, books that will make you ugly cry, and more. At least one (we hope!) might change you forever.

Whether you're picking up a book for yourself or another reader in your life, here are 10 books that will entertain, educate, and inspire.

See our Top 10 of 2022

Third Place Books is located on the upper level of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park. Shop in the store, order in person, online, or on the phone 206-366-3333.

Gloria's Birds: Up, up, and away!

 

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(American Wigeon taking flight over Lake Washington the other day)

--Gloria Z. Nagler

Jobs: Kitchen position open at Drumlin in Shoreline

Cheesecake at Drumlin

Kitchen position open at Drumlin in Shoreline

We are hiring at Drumlin for temporary or permanent employment for a kitchen position. We serve beer, cider and wine from the bar, and a small kitchen in Drumlin supplements the nightly food trucks at the curb, hosted by sister bar Ridgecrest Public House. 

We have six full time staff and three part time staff, all knowledgeable, funny and kind. Behind the scenes is clean, organized and fun, and all the customers are having a good day, or at least trying to. We are locally owned.

• www.drumlin.pub
• www.ridgecrest.pub

We are looking to fill one full time or two part time positions to cover Wednesday – Sunday evenings 2 - 10pm at Drumlin. 

You assemble, prep and plate sandwiches, salads, desserts and snacks; occasionally serve and bus tables; wash dishes; organize and inventory; and do some relatively simple prep according to recipes (hummus, cheese sauce, Brussels sprouts, etc.)

We do not require prior commercial kitchen experience, but you need to have significant familiarity with and strong interest in cooking and kitchen organization to enjoy this position. You must also enjoy prioritizing, multitasking, moving quickly, communicating, problem solving, and working well with others.

This is a great job for people who like doing things with their hands and having people around them, but not necessarily engaging directly with people as the primary part of their job. This is also a great position for those looking to grow into a more complex cooking position as our kitchen evolves and gets more ambitious. 

Pay starts at $17/hour DOE plus pooled tips averaging $8/hour, and we pay for great health benefits for full time employees.

Please send a resume and an email about your career goals and what you'd bring to Drumlin to megan@drumlin.pub.

Bobcat by Grace Cole Nature Park

Bobcat staring from the trees

Alicia Cheshier frequently walks her dog by Grace Cole Nature Park on 30th NE in Lake Forest Park. 

She has seen deer and coyotes and this was actually the second time she has seen this bobcat.

And it's a big one. 

She took a video, so these are screenshots from the video. 

Still wary, the bobcat stopped to assess the danger

The cat stopped in the greenery and looked at her and her dog Rex before setting foot on the driveway. 

It then stopped again to stare at them before trotting into the greenery on the other side.

We do have resident bobcats but they usually stay away from people and dogs.

Note the long legs and short tail

This one was seen about the same time as the cougar.

One of my neighbors had a bobcat on her deck one snowy year, before any of us knew they were around.

She wasn't sure what she was seeing and described it as a really big cat. There's no way that anyone would even consider this cat was anything but wild.

Photos from video by Alicia Cheshier

--Diane Hettrick

Cormorants at the Bog

 

Photo by Martin De Grazia

Suddenly Ronald Bog seems to be full of birds. Maybe it's the rain and change of weather. These are cormorants. We have a lot in the area. Besides the Bog there is a cormorant nesting tree by Echo Lake. Cormorants are often seen at Lake Washington and Puget Sound.

Christine Southwick wrote an article about them in her For the Birds column which we previously published: Cormorants, the Fishing Birds.

--Diane Hettrick

Highland Ice Arena clearing storage and selling everything

For sale at Highland Ice

Highland Ice Arena has been regularly listing items for sale as they clear out the building. This is one of the more recent notices.

This popcorn machine and warmer are available. 

Who has a movie room or watch the game on the big screen at home? While we didn’t pop any popcorn, the stirring arm works and both pieces get hot. $150 OBO

No guarantee that this is still available. I recommend following their Facebook posts to see the other items for sale. 

You might find the perfect thing at an affordable price for your organization.

The Zamboni has not yet been listed.

--Diane Hettrick

Ramp closures overnight Monday and Tuesday at SR 104

Sound Transit will close several ramps overnight next week as part of the ongoing Lynnwood Link extension project.

• The eastbound SR 104 on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close nightly from 8pm to 4am Monday, Nov. 28, through the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30.
• The southbound I-5 off-ramp and on-ramp at 220th St SW in Mountlake Terrace will close nightly from 11:59pm to 5am the following morning, Monday, Nov. 28, through the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 30.
• The SR 104 HOV ramps to I-5 will close from 12:01am to 5am on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 1.
• The southbound I-5 off-ramp to 236th St SW in Mountlake Terrace and the intersection at the Mountlake Terrace transit station will close from 11pm to 5am nightly from Wednesday, Nov. 30, through the morning of Friday, Dec. 2.

SR 104 is a state highway that runs from Lake Forest Park to Edmonds. I-5 goes over SR 104 at the border of King and Snohomish counties. On the Snohomish county side west of the freeway the street is also called 244th SW. On the King county side west of the freeway the street is called NE 205th.

East of the freeway the road is called Ballinger Way NE.

The Sound Transit rail is being built east of the freeway and the Mountlake Terrace Station is half a mile north.

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Pete's Thanksgiving

 

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter HERE

Girls try hockey for free - Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Kraken Community Iceplex

 

Girls ages 4 -17 are invited to the Kraken Community Iceplex at Northgate to try ice hockey. No gear or experience required - but bring a bicycle helmet if you have one.

The fun starts at 1:10pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022. But you are invited to come early to watch a game at 11:45am between the 12AA Wild vs U13 Tri-Cities Predators.

REGISTER HERE

AG Ferguson pursues funding for organized retail crime unit

Break in at Shoreline business.
Photo courtesy KCSO

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that he is pursuing funding from the Legislature to establish an Organized Retail Crime Unit in his office.

Organized Retail Crime involves a group of individuals that steal products not for their own personal use, but to resell them for a profit. 

This does not include general retail crimes like petty theft, shoplifting or poverty-driven crimes.

Ferguson convened an Organized Retail Crime Task Force this year to improve coordination and collaboration among law enforcement agencies to address these multi-jurisdictional crimes that endanger employees and cause significant economic harm to our state. 

The Task Force is focused on sophisticated, organized crime rings that account for almost $70 billion in retail losses across the country. More than 100 individuals attended the first Task Force meeting, including retailers, workers, small business owners and state, local and federal law enforcement. 

A consistent message at the meeting was the need for additional resources to address these sophisticated crimes.

Kenmore break in.
Photo courtesy KCSO

The Organized Retail Crimes Unit will be able to assist with investigations — including coordinating them across multiple jurisdictions — and deploy resources where they are most needed. 

The unit will also be able to prosecute cases referred the office by county prosecutors. Without such a referral, the Attorney General’s Office has no jurisdiction over criminal matters.

“Washington law enforcement agencies have limited resources to tackle these sophisticated crimes,” Ferguson said. 

“A modest investment in a centralized statewide organized retail crimes unit will hold criminals accountable and deter crimes which cause significant economic harm to our state.”

“As the retail industry continues to recover from the pandemic, there has never been a more critical time in Washington state to address the growing impacts of organized retail crime on public safety and the safety of our customers and retail employees,” said Renée Sunde, president and CEO of the Washington Retail Association. 

“Funding the unit is an important part of a multi-pronged approach to coordinate the efforts of state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, retailers and policymakers at multiple agencies and levels of government.”

“Organized retail crime harms workers in communities across our state,” said Faye Guenther, president of UFCW 3000. “A centralized unit in the Attorney General’s Office focused on combating this problem will improve the lives of Washingtonians.”

UFCW 3000 is the largest UFCW local union in the country with over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis and other industries across Washington state, northeast Oregon and northern Idaho.

To fund the 10 full-time positions, the Attorney General’s Office is asking for approximately $1.5 million per year.

Nine other states have a task force dedicated to organized retail crime. Multiple states recently established similar units in their state attorney general’s office, including Arizona and Michigan.