PTA Clothing Room gets big donation from local business owners

Therasa Alston, center, with PTA volunteers at The Works

The volunteers who run the Shoreline PTA Clothing Room were thrilled to receive a generous donation from Gary and Therasa Alston, owners of Windermere Real Estate/Shoreline.

We appreciate your support so much, and so do all of the children in Shoreline this will help! We couldn't do what we do without our amazing supporters.

Windermere Shoreline is located at 900 N 185th St, Shoreline WA 98133.

The Works is a free clothing store for Shoreline School District students. 

Lake Forest Park Water District 2023 Water Protector award to Brian Saunders

L-R General Manager Alan Kerley, Commissioner Bill Donahue, Water Protector 2023 Brian Saunders, Commissioner Eli Zehner, and Commissioner David Hammond. Lake Forest Park Water District.

Customers of Lake Forest Park Water District enjoy untreated well water because they pump from an aquifer that has consistently produced an adequate supply of quality water. 

They value this resource and in an effort to encourage the protection of it, each year the district recognizes someone that has made a prominent effort to protect it.

The 2023 award was presented to Brian Saunders “In Recognition of your Efforts to Protect the Environment through Education and Action”

Brian Saunders is a Biology instructor at Shoreline and North Seattle College, and brings his expertise in this field to the community that he grew up in. 

He is a member of the LFP Stewardship Foundation, active with Stream Keepers and until recently was a member of the LFPWD Advisory Committee. 

His interest in conservation and understanding of sciences made his contributions to the outreach of LFPWD invaluable. Brian’s talents as an instructor were appreciated with the 4th grade science unit on water that LFPWD is privileged to teach at the local elementary school. 

His efforts have gone a long way toward improving the community’s appreciation for, and protection of the wonderful natural resources that we enjoy in LFP, especially our water.

Congratulations Brian! Your continuing engagement, leadership and advocacy for protection of our community’s resources are important, exemplary and inspirational.

LFPWD Commissioners Dave Hammond, Eli Zehner, Bill Donahue, General Manager Alan Kerley, our District staff and community thank Brian for his service.

Meet the conductor at Philharmonia Northwest's concert February 4, 2024 at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center

Meet the Conductor: Stephen Rogers Radcliffe

As part of our ongoing Music Director Search, Philharmonia Northwest's 2023-24 Season will feature each of our Music Director Finalists in concert with the orchestra, conducting a program and guest soloists of the Finalist's choosing. 

Our February 4 concert, Symphonic Dances, features the third of these outstanding conductors: Stephen Rogers Radcliffe.

CONCERT INFO

Sunday, February 4 at 2pm

Shorecrest Performing Arts Center

15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

PROGRAM

• Engelbert Humperdinck: Overture to Hansel and Gretel
• Frederick Delius: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello
• Jessie Montgomery: Hymn for Everyone
• Edvard Grieg: Symphonic Dances, Op. 64

Join us for a FREE pre-concert chat at 1:15pm with Music Director Finalist Stephen Rodgers Radcliffe and soloists Hal Grossman and Walter Gray!

A familiar face to Puget Sound audiences and music students, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe served as Staff Conductor for the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, and for over a decade as Music Director of both the Marrowstone Music Festival and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras. 

He has also acted as Principal Guest Conductor of the Hungarian Virtuosi, and from 1987 to 1997 was the Music Director of the New York Chamber Ensemble. 

Maestro Radcliffe has worked with a long and varied roster of internationally acclaimed artists, including pianists Van Cliburn and Andre Watts; opera stars Frederica von Stade and Dawn Upshaw; pop acts The Moody Blues and Blood, Sweat, and Tears; and composers John Corigliano, Aaron Jay Kernis, and P.D.Q. Bach. 

A prize winner of the 1988 Arturo Toscanini International Conductors' Competition, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe was a student of Leonard Bernstein, Franco Ferrara, and Gustav Meier.

Maestro Radcliffe shares these notes about Sunday’s program:

"Few aspects of concert planning give conductors as much joy as the 'discovery' of an unjustly neglected work written by a well-respected composer. Edvard Grieg's Symphonic Dances is one such work. 

"While Grieg's Peer Gynt and Holberg Suites are crown jewels in the symphonic repertoire, the composer's Symphonic Dances has received far less attention in concert halls. 

"Nominally a set of four 'dances' written originally for piano and later transcribed for orchestra, the rhythmic, dance aspects of the four movements all surround sections of lyrical folksong melodies.

"Indeed, the juxtaposition of 'song' and 'dance' lies at the heart of this program. Engelbert Humperdinck's Prelude to Hansel and Gretel contains lyrical sections from the famous children's opera such as the Evening Prayer, along with sections of the witch’s dance pantomime or 'Hexenritt.'

"Similarly, Frederick Delius's Double Concerto (another unjustly neglected work!) combines endless strands of lyrical writing with passages of intense virtuosity for the violin and cello soloists. 

"Even Jessie Montgomery's Hymn for Everyone spreads layers of soaring melodies in the winds and brass over rhythmically punctuated pulsations in strings. 

Learn more about Maestro Radcliffe at his website

Tickets: $30 Adult, $20 Senior/Student; Children under 18 free

GET TICKETS HERE

City to help struggling apartment developers

Vacant lots awaiting construction crews like the future site of the ION 149th are a common sight in Shoreline - photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

It’s tough times for the real estate investor. High interest rates, inflation and worker shortages are making it hard to secure financing. And with a recent surge of big apartments in the region, vacancy rates are rising.

At the City Council Meeting on January 29, 2024 the council held a public hearing on proposed ordinance 1003 which, if enacted by the city, would help developers by extending permit expiration dates. No one from the public spoke at the hearing and the council is set to approve the measure at the February 12 meeting without debate.

A graph from the UW WASHINGTON STATE APARTMENT MARKET REPORT shows increasing vacancy rates for rental apartments

According to the City, the last two years set a record for new apartments entering the market and the vacancy rate has hit a 15-year high. Apartment developers spend years and millions of dollars buying land, planning buildings and securing permits before they start digging. 

Once issued, permits normally expire after six months. Because of high interest rates, developers are contacting the city pleading for more time because although their projects are approved they haven’t secured the financing to get started.

Once expired developers must reapply for new permits and conform to any new zoning rules the city has recently put into place. The city granted extensions in 2020 and again in 2021 because of the global pandemic and stay-at-home orders. In August 2023, the city extended the permit expiration dates by six months and now is considering doing it again.

A graph from the King County Housing Needs Dashboard shows Shoreline needs 13,330 new homes by 2044; two-thirds of which must be affordable to people making less than 80% of the area’s median income.

The city needs more homes; a lot more homes. According to data from the King County Housing Needs Dashboard, Shoreline needs to build 13,330 new homes before 2044 to accommodate our rising population and more than two-thirds of those homes need to be affordable to people making less than 80% of the area’s median income.

Shoreline has seen a surge in large apartment developments thanks to zoning rules to allow greater density and tax breaks for investors who make some of their units affordable to people earning 70% or 80% of the area median income.

But, according to the city, there’s a problem: “despite the volume of residential units, Shoreline has not seen a correlating volume of commercial space in these areas that could provide retail services to the residents of those developments and would also contribute to the creation of a vibrant, walkable community. 

Currently commercial development is not as lucrative as residential, due to the competition for developable land. Without development regulations mandating commercial space, the City is losing a valuable opportunity to provide the services to residents of a growing city.”

And so, in December, the city passed the ground floor retail rule that requires big apartments to also have commercial space. Because the ground-floor retail rule is new, developers who get an extension under the proposed ordinance won’t be required to go back to the drawing board to add commercial space.

Tough times indeed.

Leroy McVay - 11-3-1932 – 12-25-2023 - retired Shoreline Firefighter

Leroy McVay 1932-2023

11/3/1932 – 12/25/2023

Captain McVay was one of the first full time employees hired by King County Fire District #4 (now Shoreline Fire) on January 1, 1957.

Leroy loved aviation and worked for Boeing in Seattle and was proud to be a flightline inspector for the first 707. Then, while visiting his wife’s parents one evening, the fire department arrived a couple of houses away and he watched as they extinguished a house fire. 

Leroy was so impressed with this, he signed up to become a volunteer firefighter just days later. He worked his way up the ladder to full time firefighter, training officer and retired as Captain of Shoreline Fire District 4 in 1982 after 28 years.

His full obituary is here

Jobs: WSDOT Construction Compliance Inspector (TE2)

WSDOT

Construction Compliance Inspector (TE2)
Bothell, WA- Northwest Region
$69,035 - $92,836 Annually

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) I-405/SR 167 Program is seeking two professional Transportation Engineers to serve as Construction Compliance Inspectors in Bothell, WA. As a Construction Compliance Inspector, this position will have oversight of Design-Builder activities in the field and compliance documentation activities, project inspection, materials testing and project administration. 

The incumbent is responsible for making independent application of standard engineering procedures and techniques to accomplish a wide variety of work, for completing work assigned in a timely, accurate and professional manner; communicating workload, progress, and achievements; attendance and participation in meetings. This position is critical in fostering a respectful and healthy work environment with focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Job description and application

Books: The Short Bible: A Chronological Summary of the Old and New Testaments

Many struggle to read the Bible to its entirety as they find it long, complicated, hard to read and not organized in chronological order. 

Puget Sound resident Peter J. Bylsma has spent years summarizing complex issues and putting them into lay terms. His debut book, “The Short Bible: A Chronological Summary of the Old and New Testaments,” offers an innovative and easy-to-understand guide to understanding the Bible.

In the book, Dr. Bylsma summarizes the books of the Old and New Testaments in 25 easy-to-read chapters, capturing the epic stories, characters and main ideas. 

Dr. Bylsma provides a clear explanation of the Bible’s most important themes as many of them relate to current world events and personal struggles. 

Social, economic and political issues as well as other topics such as discrimination, power, justice, truth, freedom and money are all part of current conversations around the world and are discussed throughout the Bible.

Peter J. Bylsma earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wheaton College, and a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in education leadership and policy from the University of Washington. 

Dr. Bylsma served 10 years in Christian agencies before working 30 years in public sector positions at international, federal, state and local levels. He has researched many topics in an objective and nonpartisan manner and summarized the issues for busy leaders. Dr. Bylsma currently resides in the Puget Sound region of Washington state where he has lived for the past 24 years. 

“The Short Bible: A Chronological Summary of the Old and New Testaments”
By Peter J. Bylsma
ISBN: 9781664239142 (softcover); 9781664239159 (hardcover); 9781664239166 (electronic)
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and WestBow Press

Attend the dress rehearsal free for The Lady Demands Satisfaction at The Phoenix Theatre

Katie Wallace as Trothe and Josiah Miller as Osric

Join us for a FREE / Pay What You Can dress rehearsal of The Lady Demands Satisfaction by Arthur M Jolly, directed by Eric Lewis this Thursday February 1, 2024 at 7:30pm. 

The Phoenix Theatre 9673 Firdale Avenue, Edmonds WA 98020

The theatre is located in the middle of the second floor in the back building at Firdale Village. 

Lots of free parking! Doors open at 7pm, no reservations are required.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into getting a show up on its feet and give the actors some reactions to work with for the first time

Tickets for the run of this hilarious farce playing February 2nd - February 25th are available now at tptedmonds.org

Shorecrest Band students qualify for All-State

Shorecrest band students qualify for All-State

Shorecrest Band students who qualified for All-State:

• Peyton Caskey, Senior, Clarinet, All-State Concert Band
• Jameson Gibbs, Senior, Trumpet, All-State Concert Band
• Soleil Rogliano-Cavalerie, Senior, Bassoon, All-State Concert Band
• Alex Senn, Junior, Clarinet, All-State Wind Ensemble
• Keegan Sass, Junior, Euphonium, All-State Wind Ensemble

Led by Vince Caruso, Band Teacher, Shorecrest High School

Shorecrest High School Choir students qualify for All-State

Shorecrest students qualify for All-State choirs
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorecrest High School Choir students who qualified for All-State:

• Maya Jamil, Sophomore, All-State Symphonic Choir
• Raine McLaughlin, Junior, All-State Treble Choir
• Abigail Poor, Freshman, All-State Treble Choir

Led by Nathaniel Hendrix, Choir Teacher, Shorecrest High School

Cotton candy sunrise

Photo by Lee Wolfe

With a view to the west, we benefit from the sunrise colors reflecting off of the clouds. They look like cotton candy.

--Lee Wolfe

In the Garden Now: Hardy Cyclamen Coum

Photo by Victoria Gilleland

By Victoria Gilleland

Hardy Cyclamen Coum is heading towards full bloom after sailing through our deep freeze weather! The hot pink flowers and silver green foliage are a standout in the winter garden.  

These 4" high perennials are drought tolerant and flourish in shade. They're seldom bothered by pests and come in an array of vibrant flower colors with equally interesting leaf colors and patterns.   

When many plants are dormant these cyclamen are putting on an amazing display. What's not to like?  

Shorewood wrestling defeats Shorecrest to take back the Spartan Cup

The Stormrays Take the Cup
Photo by Kristi Lin

By Tricia Norton

The Stormrays entered Scot territory on Friday night, January 26, 2024 in an attempt to claim back the Spartan Cup. While Shorewood has won the cup 11 times in the past 14 years, the 2022 and 2023 matches both went to the Scots. 

It was the third match in five days for the Stormrays boys who had added two makeup matches due to the ice and freezing temperatures the week before. But they came out looking ready to wrestle.

The match started with an emotional 3-2 victory for Masa Taura of Shorewood, who was immediately leaving the school to fly to the funeral of a family friend. 

Taura’s victory set the tone for the evening. It was full of close, intense matches. Kenneth Adams of Shorecrest couldn’t pin senior Rock Harris, but finished with a minor decision. 

Stormray Sky Klein then pinned freshman Jakob Grimm in the second period. 

Stormray Mascot on Scot Turf
Photo by Kristi Lin

At 150 lbs, James Nottingham refused to give up a pin to Owen Watson of Shorecrest who won in a 10-6 decision. 

Shorewood then dropped two in a row to the Scots, a pin by senior Peter Grimm and a decision by Fletcher Musgrove. 

In the heavier weights, the Stormrays picked up 3 wins, pins by Mak Kanzler and Zo Ayers and a forfeit for Ben Jenkins. Carter Nichols of Shorecrest defeated Isaac Liljegren, but couldn’t get a pin.

As the match moved back to the light weights, the Stormrays picked up four successive wins to clinch the match. Freshman Finn Greenleaf won by forfeit, Eli Jeppsen by decision, and freshmen Emi Olivera and Matbeal Dinka picked up pins to add to their records.

“We’re bringing this back home,” said Coach Derek Norton to his gathered team as they celebrated together.

State Champion Hunter Tibodeau (left) came back to cheer on the Stormrays
Photo by Kristi Lin

Shorewood 49 - Shorecrest 18 @ SW
*Match began at 132 pounds

106: Finn Greenleaf (SW) win by forfeit
113: Emi Olivera (SW) pinned Graham Grabow 1:03
120: Eli Jeppsen dec. over Neta Navot 5-2
126: Matbeal Dinka pinned Laith Salem 5:36
*132: Masa Taura (SW) dec. over Avi Wylen 3-2
138: Kenneth Adams (SC) dec. Rock Harris 9-4
144: Sky Klein (SW) pinned Jakob Grimm 2:21
150: Owen Watson (SC) decision over James Nottingham 10-6
157: Peter Grimm (SC) pinned Oli Dalan 1:58
165: Fletcher Musgrove (SC) decision over Brennan Carl 11-3
175: Mak Kanzler (SW) pinned Devin Montague 1:22
190: Carter Nichols (SC) decision over Isaac Liljegren 5-0
215: Zo Ayers (SW) pinned Gabe King 1:44
285: Ben Jenkins (SW) win by forfeit

Shorewood orchestra students qualify for All-State

Shorewood orchestra students qualify for All-State
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

Shorewood High School Orchestra students who qualified for All-State:

• Adenson Astillero, Freshman, Viola, All-State Symphony Orchestra
• Yena Shin, Freshman, Viola, All-State Philharmonic Strings
• Keiyu Mamiya, Senior, Violin, All-State Chamber Orchestra
• Kasey Cheung, Sophomore, Violin, All-State Philharmonic Strings
• Ivy Ren, Freshman, Violin, All-State Chamber Orchestra

Led by Karen Helseth, Orchestra Teacher, Shorewood High School

Shorewood Band students qualify for All-State, Western International Band Clinic, and Pacific Honor Ensemble in Australia

Shorewood Band members who qualified for All-State 

Shorewood Band students who qualified for All-State:

• Leah Degenhardt, Junior, Clarinet, All-State Chamber Orchestra
• Josephina LaBore, Senior, Bassoon, All-State Concert Band
• Brandon Tsai, Senior, Oboe, All-State Concert Band
• Monaka Kakuta, Junior, Percussion, All-State Concert Band
• Marcus Torzillo, Sophomore, Bass, All-State Jazz Band
• Gianni Milano, Junior, Trombone, All-State Philharmonic Winds
• Jonah Loschky, Senior, French Horn, All-State Symphony Orchestra

Shorewood Band students also selected for the Western International Band Clinic:

• Leah Degenhardt
• Brandon Tsai
• Gianni Milano

Shorewood student selected for the Pacific Honor Ensemble in Brisbane, Australia:

• Leah Degenhardt

Led by Dan Baker, Band Teacher, Shorewood High School

Alta North City (aka Leena's building)

Alta North City apartment building (aka Leena's building) construction, taken Monday, January 30, 2024 by David Carlos.

The previous building on this site on 15th NE in North City housed the popular Leena's Cafe and was owned by the family. They sold the property to a developer with the understanding that a section of the ground floor would be designated for a new Leena's Cafe.

Ground floor space in buildings in commercial zones have to be set up for businesses, but owners have not been compelled to recruit businesses. 

--Diane Hettrick

You can run but you can't hide - Shoreline Police catch a burglar in the act

Photo courtesy Shoreline Police

Early Saturday morning, January 27, 2024, Shoreline Police officers responded to a burglary in progress at a business on the 18000 block of Aurora Ave N. 

Upon arrival, an officer discovered a shattered window and spotted a suspect inside. Startled by the officer, the suspect attempted to flee through the same entry point, only to find another officer waiting. 

Cornered, the suspect retreated into the business, trying desperately to escape through a side door, but to no avail as officers had already secured the area.

Refusing to surrender, the suspect remained inside the building, prompting Shoreline Fire to lend a helping hand in prying open the front doors. Finally, after a tense standoff, the subject was successfully apprehended.

 

Great work by our officers and the assistance of the Shoreline Fire Department for their service and commitment to safeguarding our community.

The suspect was taken into custody for Burglary in the 2nd degree.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms need to be replaced every 7 years

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas. 

CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. 

CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it. Exposure to CO can cause serious injury and even death.

Every year, the Seattle Fire Department receives 9-1-1 calls from concerned residents because of chirping carbon monoxide alarms. 

While it’s important to call 9-1-1 if your CO alarm is sounding continuously without stopping, a CO alarm that chirps every 30 seconds is not an emergency. Most likely, it’s an indication that your CO alarm has reached its end of life and should be replaced.

CO alarm life span and end-of-life signal

CO alarms have a life expectancy of around 7 years. All CO alarms produced after August 1, 2009 have an end-of-life warning notification that alerts the resident that the alarm should be replaced. The CO alarm will beep every 30 seconds or display ERR or END.

If a CO alarm is at its end-of-life, replacing the battery will not stop the beep. Some CO alarms have a feature that will silence the signal for 30 days but this will not solve the issue as the CO alarm will continue to beep after the 30 day period ends.

What should renters and property managers know

In 2013, it became required to install CO alarms in all rental housing units in Washington. Washington State law (RCW 19.27.530) requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in new residences and in existing rental properties. Renters are responsible for maintaining the carbon monoxide alarm and replacing batteries as needed. We recommend once a year.

CO alarms should be installed in the area outside of each bedroom, with at least one alarm for each floor of the dwelling. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines on proper installation

Property owners and managers should consider replacing all CO alarms that were installed in or before 2013. A CO alarm that signals that it is at the end of its life should be replaced as well.

Renters should notify their property manager or landlord immediately if their CO alarm is beeping every 30 seconds indicating its end-of-life. All residents should be informed that intermittent beeping CO alarm is not reason to call 9-1-1.

A CO alarm that beeps continuously without stopping could indicate that carbon monoxide is present. If your CO alarm is sounding continuously and you have signs of CO poisoning such as dizziness, headache, vomiting or flu like symptoms, find fresh air and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Learn more

• Seattle Fire Department’s CAM 5121 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements in Seattle Residential Occupancies
• Carbon Monoxide safety video
• Washington State Department of Health CO information

-- By William Mace

Fire Line, Seattle Fire Department

Gov. Inslee in Shoreline to meet with firefighters and civic leaders

Gov. Inslee talks to Shoreline Firefighters
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On Friday, January 26, 2024, Gov. Jay Inslee came to Shoreline to talk to our firefighters.

In a casual gathering in the headquarters building on N 175th and Aurora, Inslee, the firefighters, Fire Chief Matt Cowan, Mayor Chris Roberts, Police Chief Kelly Park, Fire administrators, Shoreline councilmembers, and City Manager, and talked about the opioid pandemic.

Inslee with Shoreline councilmembers, City Manager, Mayor, police chief, fire chief, fire commissioner, and other leaders in the fire department. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Inslee gave a short speech about plans to fight fentanyl and explained that he has put forth a supplemental budget proposal to help address the issue.

Fentanyl death has quintupled since 2019. One pill can kill. It's a menace like we've never seen. 

Yesterday, we convened experts and people with lived experience to report on our efforts to fight fentanyl. (see article)

 We're getting the word out about its deadly risks. We're expanding medication treatment to defeat addiction. We're making naloxone more available to save lives from overdose. 

There’s more to do, and I appreciate that legislators are prioritizing the fight against fentanyl this session. We can make progress, together.

Gov. Inslee talking to the new recruits about the training they will start on Monday.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The governor initially talked with the new firefighter recruits about the fire academy and their training. 

Dr. McCoy, 2nd from right, asks the Governor a question.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

He spoke with the entire group about their work as first responders. He talked about the special challenges for responders going to drug and mental health calls. 

Governor Inslee explained his proposed legislation to address mental health, and other challenges faced by emergency responders when they go out on calls.

(L-R) Mayor Chris Roberts, Police Chief Kelly Park, Inslee, Fire Chief Matt Cowan, Shoreline City Manager Bristol Ellington. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

He talked about the issue of funding to hire more first responders (fire and police) as well as supplying the training and equipment they need to do their jobs..

He also wants to provide for services for individuals in need in a timely manner. 

Inslee, Fire spokesperson Michelle Pidduck, Police Chief Kelly Park, and Fire Chief Matt Cowan
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

He also spoke about global warming and its effects on wildfires, even in suburban settings.

A set of initiatives to reduce taxes is being sent to the legislature. If the challenges are approved the funding for first responders and mental health and addiction recovery efforts will be adversely impacted.

Gov. Inslee is updated on the opioid and overdose epidemic in Washington

Narcan can save someone who has overdosed

By Grace Deng

Washington State Standard

Gov. Jay Inslee, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 asked state health and social services officials to update him on the opioid and overdose epidemic in Washington.

Here are four takeaways from Inslee’s public performance review.

1. Overdose death rates have skyrocketed in recent years, driven primarily by the fentanyl wave.

There were 2,001 opioid overdose deaths in 2022 and 1,803 of those were fentanyl, according to Washington Department of Health data. 

Fentanyl deaths have surged since 2019 and far outpace other devastating chapters of the opioid epidemic, including waves of fatalities from prescription opioids in the early 2000s and from heroin around 2016.

Both prescription opioid and heroin overdose deaths are on the decline. (Washington State Department of Health)

2. Fentanyl is driving deaths and close calls of children involved in the state’s welfare system.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families has reported 49 “critical incidents” in 2023, 33 of which were driven by fentanyl. The agency defines a “critical incident” as a child fatality or near fatality that occurs within 12 months of involvement with the child welfare system. Among fentanyl-related critical incidents, 88% involved children under 2 years old.

DCYF also found the majority of critical incidents occurred in cases where there was no immediate safety threat at the time of a caseworker’s assessment, but the risk assessments identified the child’s home as having a moderate or high level of risk.

3. Indigenous people die at disproportionately high rates from fentanyl overdoses.

The overdose death rate for American Indian and Alaska Native people in Washington is 97 deaths per 100,000, more than twice the rate for the next most-impacted group, Black individuals, at 45.8 deaths per 100,000. The group least affected by deadly opioid overdoses is Asians, at 3.5 deaths per 100,000.

Tribal leaders are investing in efforts to combat the opioid epidemic but are also asking the state for help and calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to announce a state of emergency.

4. Most state prisoners have a substance use disorder, but few receive medication that can help.

The Department of Corrections estimates that 63% of their prison population has a substance use disorder. That’s 7,984 prisoners of the state’s 12,760 as of 2023. The state also acknowledges that its reported percentages are probably underestimations.

However, only 32% of eligible prisoners are getting medication for opioid use disorder — and very few prisoners with substance use disorders are even eligible. Medication-assisted treatment is considered the “gold standard” for opioid use disorder treatment.

Naloxone was used 103 times in Department of Corrections facilities from January to November 2023 and drug overdoses are a driving factor of unexpected prisoner deaths.

5. In other news: The state has now won opioid settlements totaling more than $1.2 billion.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that Johnson & Johnson will pay the state $149.5 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the healthcare industry giant of deceptive marketing practices that helped fuel the opioid epidemic in Washington.

The funds will be evenly split between the state and 125 cities and counties. Those dollars must be spent on treatment and recovery services, and halting the spread of opioids and fentanyl. The remainder will cover the state’s legal costs.

Ferguson said he thinks the Legislature can appropriate the state’s share of the Johnson & Johnson settlement, roughly $61.6 million, during the 2024 legislative session. With the latest settlement, Ferguson’s office said the state has now secured upwards of $1.2 billion from opioid-related litigation.

More information on the Johnson & Johnson settlement here

Final tally for the LFP Rotary Polar Bear Polio Dip

LFP Rotary members raised over a thousand dollars for the End Polio project
Photo courtesy Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park

Final tally on the Lake Forest Park Rotary Polar Bear POLIO DIP:  $1,108. 

"Woooohooooo!!! Way to go community of Lake Forest Park. A big thank you see you next year."

Shorecrest winter sports update: Gymnastics

Shorecrest's Olivia Powell #1; Birdy Vanichwattana #3; Shorewood's Bailey Smith #2
Photo courtesy Shorecrest Athletics

Shorecrest Athletic Director Alan Bruns says that Olivia Powell is the gymnastic team's top performer in all four events.

 Shorecrest's Olivia Powell
Photo courtesy Shorecrest Athletics

She has a good chance to qualify for State in three events: Vault, Bars, and Floor.

Sub-districts will be February 8, 2024 and Districts will be February 17, followed by the State competition.

Updated with dates of competitions.

 

18 members of Shorecrest's DECA Program qualify for State competition

50 Shorecrest High School DECA program students participated in competition.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools.

Fifty students in Shorecrest High School's DECA Program recently participated in the first round of DECA competition. The students had a great showing, with 18 qualifying to move on to the state competition.

State qualifiers:

• Ally Miner, Quick Service Restaurant Individual - 1st Place Winner
• Aidan Welsh, Restaurant and Food Service Individual - 1st Place Winner

• Gavin Leptich, Integrated Marketing Project - Product
• Brayden Reuling, Integrated Marketing Project - Product
• Abraham Denton, Integrated Marketing Project - Service
• Luca Stacey, Integrated Marketing Project - Service
• Lucia Shadduck, Financial Consulting
• Cadence Rotarius, Business Law & Ethics Team
• Golha Bozorgi, Business Law & Ethics Team
• Haneen Faraj, Financial Services Team
• Megan McMullen, Financial Services Team
• Zachary Oehler, Hospitality Services Team
• Vivian Zittle, Hospitality Services Team
• Kiernan Ledoux, Travel and Tourism Team
• Kylee Mitchell, Travel and Tourism Team
• Beatrice De Bakker, Automotive Services Individual
• Sam Newell, Business Finance Individual
• Nada Faraj, Quick Service Restaurant Individual
• Ella Lyons, Quick Service Restaurant Individual

Shorecrest DECA Advisor and Marketing and Business Education Teacher is Dianna Carlson Gonzalez.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe

Updated: Added description of the DECA program

WeatherWatcher: Cold Snap recap and almost spring-like rain ahead

 

Ducks walking on water, actually ice at Log Boom Park, January 15, 2024
Photo by Gordon Snyder

Cold Snap Recap: We experienced a very cold period in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The Northridge (Echo Lake) weather station recorded a low temperature of 11.5°F at the coldest point on Saturday morning January 13, 2024. 

Saturday was also our coldest daytime high temperature since December 29, 1990. Our high temperature on Saturday January 13th was 22.8°F, which basically tied with November 23, 2010, where we had a high temperature of 23.0°F.

The difference with this cold snap compared to November 2010, or December 1990, is it arrived without any measurable snowfall. 

Some spots got a dusting to a trace but the air that moved in afterwards was so dry that most of the accumulated snowfall evaporated, in a rare process called sublimation. 

Our dew points were in the single digits during the cold snap, which is also why there wasn't widespread frost forming.

Here are the daily high and low temperatures for January from the Northridge (Echo Lake) weather station.

Daily high and low temperatures January 2024 at Northridge

Much warmer air has arrived, in fact, unusually warm air. We are running into the mid to upper 50's now for high temperatures as a series of atmospheric rivers move through the state. 

We haven't really seen much of an El Niño pattern this winter, but this week is probably the closest we'll see as the El Niño is quickly fading out now.

Rainfall at Northridge weather station, January 2024.

We are far above normal for rainfall this month, and for the rain season in general. 

Higher than normal rainfall is not typical of an El Niño winter. With the forecast for this coming week we will likely break the 6-inch mark in total rainfall for January. Our average rainfall for January is about 4 and a half inches.

Forecast: A series of atmospheric rivers is expected to continue moving through our region over the next five days. 

For Monday and Tuesday, they will remain just offshore, bringing us very mild temperatures as southerly winds bring California air to our region. High temperatures could reach the mid 60s Monday, and low 60s on Tuesday.

We will get brushed by some rain overnight Monday into Tuesday. 

Then more steady rain moves in Tuesday evening and continues through Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures will remain warm but will likely drop into the mid to upper 50s for daytime highs.

Thursday evening the steady rain leaves the area, and we go to just showers here and there. 

Friday through the weekend we have a bit of a pattern change where we just have a chance of showers here and there, and temperatures returning to more seasonable levels. 

By Saturday and Sunday, we should be back into the mid 30s for lows and low 40s for high temperatures.

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com

Update on pedestrian hit by car on 145th Saturday

145th NE where pedestrian was hit by a car 
Photo by Bruce Miller

State Trooper Rick Johnson reports that the pedestrian who was hit crossing the street on 145th NE suffered a broken leg and was taken to Harborview.

The driver, who had no impairment, stayed on the scene. The accident happened around 10:30pm on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Original story here

School board meeting Tuesday includes report on 2024 Enrollment and Nov-Dec 2023 Financial Update

Shoreline Center 1st Ave NE Entrance

Tuesday January 30, 2024 School Board Regular Meeting, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Shoreline Center, Board Room (off the lobby, 1st Ave entrance)

18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

The Shoreline School Board will hold a Regular Board Meeting in person in the Board Room of the Shoreline Center (18560 1st Ave. NE) and streamed via Zoom.

Reports and Presentations

• First Reading: New Policy 6225, Use of Electronic Signature
• January 2024 Enrollment and November and December 2023 Financial Update
• 2024 Legislative Session Update

Meeting Agenda

https://app.eduportal.com/share/a7059532-bca2-11ee-a457-06c64aa3b8d4

Zoom Information

• Attend Meeting via Zoom
• Webinar ID: 834 3108 9848
• Passcode: 273000

Dial-In Phone Numbers: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-669-900-6833

Public Comment

If you would like to provide written public comment in advance of the regular board meeting, you can do so by 12:00pm on the day of the meeting, and it will be provided to the Board.

• Public comment form

The persistence of life

 

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

The persistence of life shown in leaves through a fence.

--Gloria Z. Nagler

Blake Snell celebrated at half-time ceremony Thursday at Shorewood

Shorewood Athletic Director Joann Fukuma introducing Blake Snell
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Thursday evening, January 25, 2024, during the Shorewood versus Monroe varsity boys basketball halftime, Shorewood HS Athletic Director Joann Fukuma unveiled a Cy Young recognition banner for 2011 Shorewood alum Blake Snell. 

The Cy Young banner recognizing Blake Snell now hangs on the wall at Shorewood
Photo by Kristi Lin

While at Shorewood, Snell played baseball for coach Wyatt Tonkin. In his senior year he recorded a 9-0 won loss season. He had a 1.00 ERA average with 128 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched.

Immediately after, he was a first round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Brothers Blake, David, and Tyler Snell
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

In April 2016 Blake Snell made his major league debut in a game against the New York Yankees. That season he had 24 starts with 119 strike outs and an ERA of 4.04

In 2018, playing for Tampa Bay, he was named the Cy Young winner as the best pitcher in the American League.

In Spring of 2023, playing for San Diego, he was awarded his second Cy Young, for the National League.

He is now one of only seven major league baseball pitchers to have earned this prestigious award in both leagues, joining Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay and Max Scherzer.

Student cheering section with their "Snell #4" t-shirts
Photo by Kristi Lin

Snell was greeted by over 400 Shorewood students, staff and administration wearing custom white t-shirts with his name and number, which was retired in a ceremony at Shorewood in 2016.

At Shorewood, Snell played baseball with coach Wyatt Tonkin
Photo by Kristi Lin

The sold out game crowd included many of Snell's family members and friends from the Shoreline community, his high school baseball coach Wyatt Tonkin and Superintendent Dr Susana Reyes. Snell was gracious in signing autographs for all, and posing for pictures with anyone who asked.

He is a free agent this year and it is unknown which team is going to sign him to a long term contract. Maybe the Mariners. That would make a lot of local fans happy.

--Diane Hettrick, with reporting from Wayne Pridemore and Joann Fukuma