Happy Halloween Shoreline!Share your photos!

Happy Halloween! If you care to share photos of your decorations, party, costumes, trick or treaters etc., we'd love to post some of them here. Share the fun with your neighbors! Send your photos to ronaldbogblog@gmail.com

Boo!

King County Voter Guide

Not sure what to think about everything on the ballot? Don't know exactly where your polling place is? Use the link below to locate your polling place, confirm your registration, and create and read a voter pamphlet to learn more about the issues on your ballot.

Link to King County Voter Guide

Track Low Gasoline Prices in Shoreline

I can't vouch for the reliability of the information on this webpage, but it might be a resource to consider if finding cheap gas is important to you.

Link to Shoreline Gas Prices webpage

Shoreline to get Fiber-Optic service

The Shoreline city council voted on Monday to authorize Verizon to offer its new FiOS service in Shoreline, giving residents the option to subscribe to this high-speed internet option, which Verizon claims is much faster than digital cable internet access.

FiOS, short for "Fiber Optic Service" is a form of high-speed broadband internet service which can also transmit telephone and television signals. Verizon has been launching the service in select markets throughout 2008.

For much more information on the service, see the Wikipedia page on Verizon FiOS.

For the more technically-minded, here is a detailed FiOS answer page from a non-commercial website, DSLreports.com.

Shout-out for Shoreline Artists

If you're an artist in Shoreline and would like to participate in the North Seattle / Shoreline Open Studio Tour, contact Nancy at the email below. There will be a meeting at ArtHouse Mosaic Studio (621 NW Richmond Beach Road) in Shoreline on Wed. Nov. 5th.

You're invited to sit in on a meeting, meet other artists, and help shape the studio tour. Here's a note from Nancy:

The N. Seattle / Shoreline Open Studio Tour is for visual artists and artisans. Work will be juried, all mediums. Artists who live or have a studio north of 80th street or within the limits of the city of Shoreline can participate. We will be happy to pair up or group artists from outside the limits, with other artists who have exhibition room to share in their home or studio.

Artists will open their studios and/or part of their homes, to visitors for 2 days - Saturday and Sunday. At this point we are considering tying into the Strawberry Festival in the Shoreline area, economy permitting. The tour would happen on Saturday the 9th and and Sunday the 10th of May. The estimated cost to participate will be $50 per artist, to cover advertising, printing & web costs. The tour will be free to the public.

Interested artists can send their contact information to Nancy Cubbage via email at nan808@speakeasy.net

Lovely Video of Richmond Beach at Sunset

Filmed on February 19th, 2006 by YouTube user 'vaporized'

Link to 'vaporized' at YouTube

Carl's Shoreline Weather Station

This represents just a tiny bit of the information you'll find at Carl's webpage. Click the picture or the link below to see much much more.

This is pretty neat. A guy named Carl has set up a weather station in Shoreline. Take a look at his webpage to see all kinds of weather data. The page updates every 5 minutes.

Link to Carl's Shoreline Weather Station

More Shoreline pet adoption events!

On Halloween, this Friday, the Seattle Humane Society will be bringing their "MaxMobile" to the Pets Energy store near Central Market. The MaxMobile is a bright yellow, 33-foot, custom-built mobile adoption and education center, and it will be filled with pets that need new homes!

The pet-filled bus will be there from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and might have not just dogs and cats for adoption, but also smaller critters like rabbits and guinea pigs.

If you've been thinking about adding a furry family member, stop by Pets Energy and check out the bus. Or, you might want to check out the Humane Society website and see adoptable dogs, cats, and other critters. I just looked and nearly fell in love with Bernie, the laid-back beagle. Get him while he's still available!

And remember, on Thursday the 30th, the Whiskers on Wheels bus will be at Pets Energy, stuffed with kitties that need homes too.

Link to Pets Energy.
Link to Seattle Humane Society.
Link to Whisker City (sponsor of the Whiskers on Wheels bus).

Shoreline's Hopelink foodbank needs help

Thanks to the current financial crisis, food banks are having a tough time. At the same time that more people are using food banks, food banks are receiving fewer donations. Shoreline's local food bank is no exception.

We can all help turn that around. Shoreline folks are kind, caring, generous people. The Shoreline branch of Hopelink needs help from those of us who can afford to do something.

Non-perishable food items can be taken to Hopelink at Aurora Square (15809 Westminster Way N). And of course, monetary donations are especially appreciated. In fact, you can donate a few bucks online, right now, without leaving the comfort of your home.

Link to: more info about Hopelink and what you can do to help

Holiday Bazaar on Oct. 31st & Nov. 1st in Shoreline

It's the 2008 Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Holiday Bazaar

What: Crafts, quilt raffle, rummage sale, food, silent auction, bake sale

When: Friday Oct. 31 and Saturday Nov. 1 from 10am-4pm

Where: 18560 1st Ave NE (south end of Shoreline Conference Center)

Please: bring non-perishable food for local food bank

More info: 206-365-1536

Link to: map of location

Shoreline man among survivors of sunken Alaskan fishing boat

23 year old Adam Foster of Shoreline is one of four survivors of Katmai - a fishing boat that sank off of Alaska's Aleutian Islands earlier this week. Seattle's KOMO news reports that Foster said the time he spent in the water hoping to be rescued was "the hardest 17 hours of his life."

Link to: the full story at KOMO's website

Body of 17-year-old found in Lake Ballinger

On Tuesday, October 21, police pulled the body of 17-year-old Britney R. Galindez from the waters of Lake Ballinger. The Seattle P.I. reports that Britney, also known by the nickname "Hyper," had last been seen on October 13 at the Northgate Transit Station to Everett. Her family had already filed a missing person report, but had not heard from her since then.

Other reports linked her to local gangs. Britney had called police earlier this year, saying she was being recruited to join the street gang Mara Salvatrucha by member Sarah Black, who had been convicted as the driver in a south Everett shooting in June of this year. That shooting, in turn, was believed to be retaliation for a shooting at the Northgate Mall in Seattle last February.

Link to Seattle P.I. article here.

Help create a vision for Shoreline's future

The City of Shoreline has been hosting 'Community Conversations' lately to get input on creating a coherent vision for Shoreline's future. There are still a few meetings scheduled through next week, but if you are unable to attend one of them, you can give you input through the City's website. The deadline is October 31st. (That's right: the "dead"line is Halloween!)

The link below takes you to a page where you can watch a video that gives a brief overview of Shoreline's past, present, and future, and the Vision process itself. After watching the video you can submit your answers to three important questions about the future of Shoreline.

Link to: Shoreline's Visioning Community Conversation Online

Pacific Northwest Conifer Arboretum at Ronald Bog park

I've been wondering for nearly four months if the 'wooden sign thingy' at Ronald Bog was erected for a particular purpose. Well, the answer has been revealed. 

On Monday October 13, 2008 a dedication ceremony was held for the freshly groomed  Pacific Northwest Conifer Arboretum near the parking lot. And it turns out that the 'wooden sign thingy' (as I've called it in the past) is actually a "kiosk." And that kiosk is now dedicated to providing information about the trees in the arboretum. 

This side of the kiosk faces the parking lot.
Click the link below to see the other side.

A map of the arboretum

Link to: more photos of the kiosk and arboretum at Ronald Bog park (including details of the reverse side of the kiosk)

Link to: other posts labeled "Ronald Bog"

Signs of Fall in Shoreline

Hope you had a good summer. 

Presidential election polling via 7-11 coffee cups

Who will be our next president? Only 7-11's totally unscientific coffee cup poll knows for sure! Here's the deal - when you buy a cup of coffee in a certain size to-go cup (can people who use refillable cups vote? I don't know), you can choose between Obama, McCain or Undecided. For some reason they don't seem to be keeping track of how many people choose 'undecided.' I wonder why? Anyway, here are recent photos (and current results) from three 7-11s in Shoreline. Photos were taken this past week.

On 5th Ave, across from the Crest Theater:
Obama 49, McCain 24

On 185th, near the Police Station:
Obama 65%, McCain 35%

On 15th, a block or so south of Safeway:
Obama 99, McCain 31

The official website for this campaign claims that, in 2004, the 7-11 coffee cup poll tracked identically with published national election results! Will that happen again? Only time (and your vote) will tell.

Link to: 7-Election 2008

Halloween Carnival for kids on Saturday October 25th

Shoreline Cooperative Preschool presents its 21st Annual Halloween Carnival

Pony rides, bouncy castle, food and fun for kids (recommended age 1-8 years old). 

There will also be a raffle and a silent auction.

Please bring a non-perishable item for the food drive.

When: Saturday October 25th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fee: Free entry!  Small charge for activities.  Where:  816 NE 190th St. (the OLD North City Elementary School)

More info: 206-362-3257 or Shoreline Cooperative website.

Crime in Shoreline

Last night, a car was broken into on N. 180th Street and a few personal items were stolen. The car's owner also mentioned having seen damaged mailboxes in the area, and wondered whether they might be related. I've seen some mailboxes which had broken-off doors; have any readers had that problem? Any car break-ins?

The city of Shoreline's police department will no doubt be interested in any evidence or reports of crimes; to reach them you can call (206) 546-6730 between 8 am and 5 pm or (206) 296-3311 after hours; send email to pd@ci.shoreline.wa.us; or of course call 911 in case of an emergency. The department also has an anonymous tip line: (206) 546-7861. They ask that you use one of the above numbers to report a crime, and only call the tip line if you have clues which might help the police solve a crime.

You can download PDF crime maps showing crimes committed by the month in Shoreline on the city website, here, though they are a few months behind (the most recent is from July of this year).

Link to: City of Shoreline police department
Link to: Shoreline Crime Maps page

Free classes offered by Shoreline Goodwill

The Shoreline Goodwill Job Training and Education Center offers free classes in things like ESL, customer service, and a variety of computer programs, and more. If you need (or someone you know needs) some new skills to get or keep a job, this might be something to consider. More details at the link below.

Link to: Seattle Goodwill Job Training program information

Link to: Goodwill's Shoreline location

Giant Pumpkin sets new state record in Shoreline!

1467 pounds. That's a new Washington state record. For what, you ask? For giant pumpkins, of course! This past weekend (on October 11, 2008) the "Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers" held a giant pumpkin weigh-off at Central Market in Shoreline. Here are a few photos.

1467 lbs. A new record!

Link to: Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers

Dedication ceremony at Ronald Bog park today at 5pm

The arboretum and new kiosk at Ronald Bog park will be dedicated this afternoon at 5pm.

Here's the text of an email from Amy Bryant of the Meridian Park Neighborhood Association:

Nestled in the northeast corner of Ronald Bog Park on N 175^th Street in Shoreline is an Arboretum boasting 25 species of native conifers. Since 1992, the Rotary Club of Shoreline has been planting and nurturing these trees not only to provide a special place for the community to enjoy, but to add a valuable environmental resource for local educators to share with their students

The Shoreline Rotary didn’t just stop with trees. Since the Club had adopted Ronald Bog Park, over the years it also enhanced the park with plantings and, most recently, a new kiosk.

On Monday, Oct. 13, the City of Shoreline is hosting a dedication to recognize the hard work Shoreline Breakfast Rotary has invested in Ronald Bog Park. The ceremony will be at 5:00 p.m. near the parking lot off N 175^th Street. Additional parking is available at Meridian Park Elementary School on the corner of Meridian Avenue N and N 175^th Street.

“Organizations such as Rotary with members who are dedicated to sharing their talents, time and resources with the community are a major reason Shoreline is a great place to live,” says Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu. “We are grateful they have adopted Ronald Bog Park as an ongoing project and are fortunate to have them in the Shoreline community.”

The Arboretum project began in 1992 to celebrate International Rotary’s theme of environmental projects. Shoreline Rotary originally planted 10 each of 16 species of conifers with the help of Shorewood High School students.

The project followed Shoreline Rotary President Mike Rancich when he helped form the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary in 1994. Over the years, the Club maintained the Arboretum, adding trees to cover attrition and enhancing the park with other plantings including adding 2,500 bulbs around the picnic shelter and other areas.

Rancich and Dick Nicholson led the most recently completed project that added nine more species of Pacific Northwest conifers, an interpretative kiosk and a permanent trail with financing from Shoreline Breakfast Rotary, Rotary District 5030 and the City of Shoreline.

Link to: all posts about Ronald Bog park

Photos from Shoreline Fire Dept's "Watch Us Work" event

Photos taken on October 11, 2008 at Shoreline (WA) Fire Department's Watch Us Work event. There were demonstrations and fun events for the kids. Kids got to spray a fire hose, get inside a fire engine, go inside the firehouse and more. It was a nice sunny day and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.











Link to: Shoreline Fire Department (more photos from this event)

Shorewood High's T-Bird Crew sponsors storytime at TOP food

A flyer I picked up at Shoreline's TOP food the other day says this:

TOP foods of Shoreline and the Shorewood T-Bird Crew, a program for students with severe disabilities, invites you and your young child to Storytime in the TOP foods cafe. (The program is on Mondays from 10:15 to 11:00. The storytime is presented by a non-verbal student using technology.)

Here's some more information about the T-Bird Crew from the T-Bird Crew webpage: 

The T-Bird Crew is a program at Shorewood High School for students with severe disabilities.  It is a community-based program where we teach our students (and the community) how we all can be productive members of our community.

According to the webpage, Veronica Cook heads up the T-Bird Crew. Veronica has devoted most of her adult life to Special Education. 

What: Storytime by a non-verbal student using technology

When: Mondays from 10:15 - 11:00

Where: Shoreline TOP foods cafe

And here's a personal message from Veronica Cook:

"Our students with significant disabilities want to be involved members of our Shoreline Community.  One way they are doing this is by providing story time at Top Foods.  I really hope you will give them the chance to read to your children.  Please join us every Monday that there is school."

Link to: more info about the T-Bird Crew and the teacher, Veronica Cook

Whisker City adoption events coming up

Whisker City, local cat rescue, will be parking the Whiskers on Wheels adoption bus, full of feline friends needing homes, at Pets Energy in Shoreline from 12 to 5 on Sunday, October 12 and 12 to 6 on Thursday, October 30.

We've written about Whisker City before; they are a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned, abused and neglected pets. They've saved hundreds of cats from neglect or abandonment, and they could always use your time and donations.

And if you've been feeling the need for some fuzzy companionship on these dreary, dark fall days, maybe a kitty at Whisker City could be your new best friend! Stop by Pets Energy on the 12th or the 20th to meet some candidates.

Link to Whisker City.
Link to Pets Energy pet food store.
Link to our previous posts about Whisker City.

See demonstrations by Shoreline Fire Dept. on Sat, Oct 11th

Shoreline Fire Department hosts special event on Saturday, Oct. 11th

UPDATE: Click here to see photos from this event

It's a special event for Fire Prevention week. 

The event will include fire suppression, auto extrication, emergency medical and rescue demonstrations. And there will be lots of hands-on activities for kids. It's an opportunity to get up close and personal with fire personnel and their gear. Plus, free hot dogs, ice cream and coffee!

What: Shoreline Fire Department's  "Watch Us at Work" event

Where: 17525 Aurora Avenue North (Parking available at Shorewood High School)

When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 10am-1pm

More info: (206) 533-6500 

Link to: Shoreline Fire Department

What's your vision for Shoreline?

The Shoreline city council wants to know! As part of a process to maintain the quality of life here in Shoreline, the council is scheduling a series of Community Conversation meetings. They'd like residents' input on ways that we can keep Shoreline one of the best neighborhoods in the state. The meetings will be held in various locations around the city, and you can find the listings for upcoming meetings on the City of Shoreline's events calendar.

The list of meetings is shown below, but you might want to check the events calendar for updates in case any information changes.

	Vision Conversation: hosted by Friends of Echo Lake & North City Echo Lake Elementary Cafeteria 19345 Wallingford Ave N	Tue, October 7, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by 32nd District Democrats Meridian Park Elementary Cafeteria 17077 Meridian Ave N	Wed, October 8, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Westminster and Highland Terrace Neighborhoods St. Dunstan's Church 722 N 145th Street	Wed, October 8, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Meridian Park and Echo Lake Neighborhoods Meridian Park Elementary Library 17077 Meridian Avenue N	Thu, October 9, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Ballinger and North City Neighborhoods Shoreline Library 345 NE 175th Street	Tue, October 14, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Vision Aurora Fire Station #61 17525 Aurora Avenue N	Wed, October 15, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Chamber of Commerce Fircrest School 15230 15th Avenue NE	Thu, October 16, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Hillwood and Richmond Beach Neighborhoods CRISTA Shirmer Auditorium 19303 Fremont Ave N	Mon, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by the Faith Community Calvin Presbyterian 18826 3rd Ave NW	Tue, October 21, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Pro Shoreline Fire Station #61 17525 Aurora Avenue N	Wed, October 22, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by PRCS Board, Trails Committee and Arts Council Shoreline Center 18560 1st Avenue NE	Thu, October 23, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Forward Shoreline Fire Station #61 17525 Aurora Avenue N	Tue, October 28, 7:00 p.m.
	Vision Conversation: hosted by Briarcrest and Ridgecrest Neighborhoods and Fircrest Staff Fircrest School 15230 15th Avenue NE	Wed, October 29, 7:00 p.m.

Vision Conversation: hosted by Shoreline Solar/Sustainable Shoreline Education Association Meridian Park Elementary Cafeteria 17077 Meridian Avenue N

Thu, October 30, 7:00 p.m.

Link to Shoreline Events Calendar
Link to PDF flyer about the series of meetings.