Progress at Shoreline's new City Hall

You can really start to see some progress in the construction of Shoreline's new City Hall. This photo was taken today from the parking lot of TOP Food and Drug (across 175th)

Link to earlier articles and photos of the new City Hall (including photos of some cool murals along the back fence)

Red Dog performing at Hotwire Coffee in North City

Performing tonight at Hotwire Coffee: Red Dog.
They perform again at Hotwire (Laughing Ladies) on Friday February 27.

This video is dark but gives you a little bit of an idea of what they sound like:



Link to Red Dog

Link to Red Dog at MySpace (to hear their music)

Two Shoreline off-leash dog parks have been approved

Great news from Shoredog.org - the city council has approved two pilot sites for off-leash dog parks in Shoreline! One is at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (the south side of the beach) and one is at Shoreview Park (also known as "the pit" parking lot at Shoreline Community College). Here's further information from Shoredog:

In the next few weeks we'll begin working with the Parks Dept. in the implementation of Shoreview opening in the spring, and Saltwater opening in the fall (this will be a timed use site open from approx. Nov. through April). Remember, these are "pilot" sites for the first year so we need to show the Parks Dept., City Council, and Shoreline residents that we can succeed so that we can reach our long term goal of creating a balanced system of neighborhood off-leash sites throughout Shoreline.

We'd love to see you at our next Shoredog meeting:
Saturday, Jan 31st, 11am-12:30pm at the Lake Forest Park Third Place Commons Meeting Room, 17171 Bothell Way NE.

Regarding the vote, the Shoreview site passed unanimously. Councilmembers Cindy Ryu and Janet Way were most adamantly against passing the Saltwater Park site and voted against it. On the other hand, our biggest advocates were from Councilmembers Doris McConnell, Keith McGlashan, and Ron Hansen. In the end, Terry Scott and Chris Eggen also voted in favor of Saltwater Park. Here is a link with their bios/email addresses if you'd like to send them comments or thanks.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported this process through the last few years. It's been a long road, but we are finally getting somewhere! I can't stress enough how much we will need people to become involved in Shoredog now that our dream has become a reality. Please join us and spread the word!

You can read more about Shoredog, or join them, at their site here.

Here's a link to agendas and video from recent Shoreline City Council meetings.

Photo by Michael "Mike" L. Baird - bairdphotos.com
Used under a Creative Commons license

Free comedy at Hotwire in North City on Thursday night

Comedian Lizzy Pilcher

Hotwire Coffee (soon to be Laughing Ladies Café ) is currently hosting free stand-up comedy on Thursday nights. I went last week to check it out and I'm happy to report that it was good! The comedians were truly funny. Sadly, the audience was miniscule. I haven't seen the comedians who are performing this week, but I'd still suggest stopping by and checking it out if you can (and if you like stand-up comedy).

The show is hosted by Barbara Sehr. Here's some info she sent me about this week's show:

Dan Moore, Spokane's greatest gift to Seattle comedy, headlines the Thursday evening comedy at the Laughing Ladies Café this week. Moore, a short teller of tall tales, will head a lineup that also features some of Seattle's finest women comedians. Lizzy Pilcher, one of the fastest rising comedians in Seattle features, along with Jen Seamen and some surprise guests.

Link to Lizzy Pilcher at MySpace Comedy

Link to Barbara Sehr's website

Link to Laughing Ladies Cafe

Opera Preview at Shoreline Library, Thursday Jan 29

Bluebeard's Castle and Erwartung

The 20th Century has provided many challenging musical experiences including this double-bill, one-act masterpieces, containing some of the most dramatic operatic music written in the last 100 years.

Veteran opera lecturer, Norm Hollinghead will explain how both operas are troubled love stories—Bela Bartok’s Bluebeard's Castle and Arnold Schoenberg’s Erwartung. In recent years, it has become common to mount these two works together, creating an immensely powerful evening of theater.

(this info is from the King County Library System website)

Photos - Michael Cooper, Canadian Opera Company and Mutarzynski, National Opera House in Warsaw

Link to information at KCLS website

Link to Shoreline Library: An Appreciation

The Everest Kitchen: Food from the top of the world

Interior of the Everest Kitchen restaurant

Not too long ago I (Bernard) posted to Twitter asking if anyone had any recommendations for vegetarian food in Shoreline. Among the replies was a recommendation for The Everest Kitchen, which serves Nepali, Tibetan and Indian food. That very night I decided to check it out. The lovely Julia and I ordered the food you see in the photos below. I can report that it was all delicious! Julia even reviewed our dessert over on her blog.

We also spoke with the owner, Mohan, about the business and to ask him about the food. He's a very friendly person who answered all of our many questions with pleasure. He's had the restaurant for several years, and he says he has a lot of regular customers (always a good sign!). I really enjoyed my experience at The Everest Kitchen and all of the food was fantastic. Whether you're carnivore or vegetarian, you should find something there to suit your fancy.

Oh, and The Everest Kitchen's website is well worth checking out. On the website Mohan lays out his philosophy of running a restaurant. It's a refreshing perspective. Here's a quote from the main page:

We see the food not only as dishes for you to enjoy but a form of medicine to soothe your mind, body and soul.

Here are some photos we took

Palungo Saag, Basmati Rice, and Vegetable Momo

Kulfee (Homemade cardamom, pistachio and cashew ice cream)

Mohan Gurung, owner

Link to The Everest Kitchen

Link to Julia's kulfi review at the Sweet Travel blog

Link to Jay Ferris at Twitter (thanks Jay, for the recommendation!)

Juggletunes circus arts and music at Shoreline Library Sat. Jan 24

Linda Severt's Juggletunes is a fast-paced, uniquely original show featuring music, circus arts, puppetry, and physical comedy. Linda weaves tricks, music, and puppets into hilarious routines. (from the Juggletunes website)

What: Juggletunes
Where: Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th, Shoreline, 98155
When: Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 11am
Who: All ages welcome!

Link to Juggletunes webpage

Link to Shoreline Library Calendar of Events

Possible mail theft in Shoreline?

We had a report yesterday that someone saw a black Jeep Cherokee driving up a residential street in the Meridian Park neighborhood, stopping at mailboxes and opening and closing them. The person who witnessed this checked their mailbox shortly thereafter, and found it empty. It's not certain that any mail was stolen, but it is disturbing to think that someone is poking around in mailboxes at all.

If you have seen any similar incidents, or have been missing mail, please report it to the Shoreline police department. Also, remember to keep an eye on your credit card statements, as mail theft is often the first step in identity theft.

Contact info for the Shoreline police department:

Shoreline Police Station
1206 N. 185th St.
Shoreline, WA 98133
(206) 801-2710

After Hours: Call 911 or non-emergency (206) 296-3311

Anonymous TIP Line - To help solve crimes, not report crimes
(206) 801-2755

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

UPDATE: This information was passed on to us by the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association, who recived it from the Shoreline police department, regarding burglaries in the area:

Blockwatch Captains,

Shoreline Police would like your help in being more vigilant and aware of suspicious cars and or people in your neighborhoods, due to a slight increase in Burglaries within the last couple weeks.

The burglaries are occurring both daytime or nighttime. The MO is to either kick in the door or use a pry type tool to gain entry. Possible suspect vehicles include a white or tan "work" type van as well as a car(s) described as similar to a Camry.

We value our Blockwatch members and the extra eyes and ears they can add to assist in apprehending criminals!

Do NOT investigate or approach suspicious people; DO call 911 immediately. Remember, be the best witness possible!

Officer L.D. Obstler
Shoreline Police
West Neighborhood Storefront
624 NW Richmond Beach Rd.
Shoreline, WA 98177

Tips on preventing mail theft and identity theft.


Photo: Mailboxes, by dvs

Bus routes that serve Shoreline WA

Just discovered a webpage at Metro Transit that has information about (and links to) all the bus routes that serve Shoreline. I've never found Metro's 'trip planner' particularly helpful. This page looks like it could come in pretty handy.

Link to Shoreline bus routes

Photo credit: "Bus passengers, 2001" by Seattle Municipal Archives

Burn ban goes from stage 1 to stage 2 today at noon

Message from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:

Due to stagnant weather conditions and elevated air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 2 burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 12:00 p.m. January 19, 2009.

Stagnant conditions in the lowlands of the Puget Sound area continue with no relief expected during the next 48 to 72 hours. Air pollution levels have risen sharply in some areas. Offshore winds are expected to weaken today, enhancing the impact of pollution being emitted into the air. This Stage 2 ban is expected to remain in place until Thursday.

During a Stage 2 burn ban: NO burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

This ban is in effect until further notice.

Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

Link to more information: pscleanair.org

Dance open house and classes: evening of Jan 19th at Shoreline Center

From the City's website:

Interested in taking a dance class but not sure what's your favorite style? Stop by Spartan Recreation Center the evening of January 19th and join one of our popular dance instructors, Mary Lee Lykes, as she takes you through a brief introduction of Cajun 2-step, Waltz and Zydeco. This is just a sampling of the various dance classes available through the City's recreation program.

The dance open house & demonstration will be followed immediately by the Cajun 2-step & Waltz class that can be registered for at the Spartan Recreation Center front desk.

What: Dance Open House (Demonstrations)
When: Jan 19,2009 6:15 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Spartan Recreation Center, 18560 1st Avenue NE, Shoreline
Cost: Demonstrations are free; classes for a fee

More information: (206) 801-2600

Link to information at City of Shoreline website

Photo above is "Waltzing" by Joe Focus, via Flickr

Stage 1 burn ban goes into effect today at noon

Due to stagnant weather conditions and increasing air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is expanding a Stage 1 burn ban to include King, Kitsap and Snohomish counties, effective 12:00 p.m. January 18, 2009. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

Stagnant weather conditions are entrenched over the Puget Sound area and expected to persist through Wednesday night. These conditions greatly increase the potential for air pollution to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive population groups.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home's other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.;

• Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.

• No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

• All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas. Burning of storm and flood damage debris is also prohibited. The Clean Air Agency encourages people to take advantage of free flood-debris disposal coordinated by their county.

• Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

(information above is from the Puget Sound Clean Air website)

Link to Puget Sound Clean Air

Today in Shoreline: Blue Sky!

Man, was that fantastic or what? Hope you were able to enjoy the sun!

Help pick up litter on the Interurban Trail - Monday, Jan 19, 2009

On Monday, in honor of the 2009 Martin Luther King Day of Service some Shoreline residents are going to pick up litter along the Interurban Trail . You're welcome to join them!

Here's the information from the sign-up page at the USA Service website:

Interurban Litter Walk

The litter walk will start where the Interurban trail crosses 175th Ave, just off Aurora. Meet at the greenbelt, just north of 175th behind the Walgreens. The litter walk will head south, hopefully making it to the opening of the trail at 145th.

This event is meant to be child and dog friendly (please only bring your dog if s/he is okay around new people, especially children). Bring 1-2 plastic bags to fill with litter, gloves, water, sack lunch. Rain or shine. Dress accordingly, and come with a smile!

What: Help clean up the Shoreline section of the Interurban Trail

When: Monday, Jan 19 from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Interurban Trail, just north of 175th, in Shoreline.

Directions: From 175th, head north on Midvale. There is parking for the trail in the northend of the Walgreen's parking lot. There is also street parking available.

Link to sign up for this event and for more information

Link to all posts about the Interurban Trail (photos, videos, history, etc)

Community Meeting to help plan a new Shorecrest High School, Jan 22

Planning is under way for a major modernization of Shorecrest High School, and the SC design team would welcome your participation in the process. Join your neighbors in sharing your priorities for a new Shorecrest.

When: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Shorecrest High School Library, 15343 25th Ave. N.E., Shoreline
More info: 206 361-4286.

Information from Shoreline Schools - sent to us by Jay Ferris. Thanks Jay!

Link to Shorecrest High School

Link to Jay's website - GeniusPending.com

Image above is Shorecrest's official coat of arms

What are you doing to mark Obama's inauguration?

As you know, next week Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. We're curious to know how the people of Shoreline are planning to mark the historic occassion (if at all). Taking the day off from work? Throwing (or attending) a party? Are you heading to Washington DC for the inauguration? Whatever you're doing, we'd love to know.

Please post your thoughts to the comments section!

Inauguration Viewing Party at Shoreline Center Jan 20

Come together with your community to witness the historic Inauguration and swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President to the United States of America. Coffee and snacks will be available. The event is open to the public and everyone is welcome.

What: Watch Barack Obama's inauguration on a big screen
When: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 8-11am
Where: Shoreline Room, Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE Shoreline
How much: $10 donation appreciated but not required

(above info is from SnohomishDemocrats.org)

Link to SnohomishDemocrats.org

Free Family Day at the new YMCA in Shoreline Sun. Jan 18

The (new) Dale Turner Branch of the YMCA, in cooperation with the City of Shoreline, is offering a free family day this Sunday, January 18, 2009, from noon until 5 pm.

The YMCA invites you to swim in the pool, shoot hoops in the gym, check out a class, or experience the latest in cardio and fitness equipment. Shoreline residents must present a valid ID to gain access into the facility.

What: Free Family Day at Dale Turner YMCA in Shoreline
Where: 19290 Aurora Ave. N, Shoreline, WA 98133
When: Sunday Jan 18, noon - 5pm

Link to Dale Turner YMCA in Shoreline

More info: 206.363.0446.

Thanks to Stacy Segal, Strategic Development Director of Dale Turner Family YMCA for this information!

Jazz It Up! features Shorecrest, Shorewood singers in Jan. 17 concert

Jazz It Up! concert features Shorecrest, Shorewood singers in Jan. 17 concert

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council Presents: Jazz It Up! with special guest trombonist Dennis Wilson and guest vocalist Greta Matassa

When: Saturday January 17, 2009 7:30pm
Where: Shorecrest Performing Arts Center (15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA)
Tickets: $18/15

Info from Shoreline Arts website:

Grammy-nominated trombonist, producer and arranger Dennis Wilson will be bringing a little something extra to the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council’s Jazz It Up! program this year. Not only will be he be joining the Shoreline School District’s Friends and Faculty All Star Big Band in this special benefit concert for the Arts Council’s Scholarship Fund, he’s invited local jazz vocal diva Greta Matassa to join him in a special tribute to Ray Charles. This tribute will also feature the newly formed Jazz It Up! Choir, featuring singers from Shorecrest and Shoreline High Schools. Jazz it Up is the Arts Council’s annual Arts Scholarship fundraiser.

Mr. Wilson began his professional career as a trombonist, arranger, and musical director for Lionel Hampton. He has been a lead/solo trombonist for the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, The New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and for ten years with Mr. William James "Count" Basie and his Orchestra. He received a Grammy Award nomination for arrangements created for Manhattan Transfer. He has performed on over six Grammy Winning Albums with the Count Basie Orchestra. His experience includes work with many jazz greats including Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, and Joe Williams.

Greta Matassa has been nominated “best jazz vocalist” by Earshot Jazz four times. She’s one of the most talented singers working in jazz today. In demand for concert and nightclub appearances, her one-woman show, “Ella and Billie,” a musical tribute, won her critical acclaim. Her collaborations and guest appearances with Spectrum Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Teatro ZinZanni, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and the Seattle Men’s Chorus have been innovative and successful. Matassa has become one of the hottest tickets on the northwest jazz scene. She receives regular national airplay.

Link to more info at Shoreline Schools website

Link to more info at Shoreline Arts website (includes link to purchase tickets)

Link to Greta Matassa

Link to Dennis Wilson

Ronald Bog planting party on Saturday Jan 17th

Dick Decker says:

The extreme cold/snow/rain doesn't appear to have caused much damage at Ronald Bog but we won't know until later this spring what might have been killed from the freeze.

The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) will continue planting at Ronald Bog along Meridian Ave. North south of North 175th this Saturday (January 17, 2009) from 9am to noon. MPNA will have a wide selection of native trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and groundcovers. You're invited to join the 'Planting Party'! Bring a friend, spouse, son, daughter, Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. Bring shovels, pitchforks, rakes and gloves. Dress for the weather. They’ll have some treats and water.

For more info: Dick Decker 206-542-1552

The photo above is from work being done at the bog last September.

Link to see more photos of improvements at Ronald Bog park

Link to more articles about Ronald Bog park

The cats of Whisker City (and how you can help them)

We've written before about Shoreline's only animal rescue, Whisker City, before, but today I got a chance to visit the site myself. I'm a sucker for fuzzy faces, and it was really great to be able to meet the folks who do so much work to rescue so many of these needs kitties.

The stately lady shown above is Grey. She would make a great friend and couch ornament for the sad home that hasn't already met its cat quota.

Grey is one of the dozens of cats that Whisker City has saved; they're a no-kill shelter that provides abandoned and needy cats with homes for as long as they are needed. They're run on hours of hard work, the labor of dedicated volunteers, and an immense love for animals.

This little grey and white sweetie is ChiChi; she'd love to come home with you too. Many of the shelter's cats were given up by owners who had to move or whose family members developed allergies, and many were just found, lost, cold and hungry. Whisker City has a waiting list of cats that need shelter and re-homing; right now they are taking care of around 50 cats, but are always working on ways to help even more.






Bandit, a darling orange and white cat, has a view outside from where he sits. He's hoping to find a home where he can do some birdwatching in his free time between getting his ears scratched and napping.

Some of the cats at Whisker City are harder to place; some are so shy that they hide whenever someone comes near, some have minor health problems; a few have lived at the shelter for years. It would just take one kind-hearted person to decide that they have a little extra time in their lives to help out a kitty in need, and they could have a special home of their own.

In the mean time, all the cats at the shelter are loved and cared for. But Whisker City needs your help! These are tough times for a lot of people; more folks are having to give up their pets than ever before.


Of course, one of the best things you can do is to open your home to one of these sweet kitties, but maybe you're not ready to adopt right now, but still want to help. There are several ways you can! Naturally, the main thing any shelter needs is donations. If you visit the Whisker City website, you'll find ways to donate at the bottom of the front page. They take PayPal, cash, checks, and credit cards.






























But they would also be very thankful for volunteers of all kinds. For example, many of the cats need simple human company, in order to socialize them and make them less fearful (and therefore more adoptable). Markie, the black cat you see here, has been adopted by Brie the cat, behind him in the cage. He loves her like a momma, but he also needs people to come and visit, and give him a little bit of attention. What a great way to spend some time, and help these sweet cats! If you have a little extra time to visit, they'd love to meet you. Contact the shelter via their site to arrange to visit and pet the kitties.

The shelter can also use food donations. To keep the kitties from having stomach issues, they are fed Royal Canin for cats.

And they would love to find someone who can make carpeted scratching posts, to give the cats a place to sit and scratch.

Another way you could help: do you enjoy gardening? Come spring, the shelter will be planting a catnip garden on their grounds, and would love to have volunteers to maintain it.

But the greatest help you can provide will be to assist with, or attend, the Sacred Cat Ball in April. This is Whisker City's big annual fundraising event, and it helps them keep going from year to year. They need donations of all kinds; just about anything you're willing to give will be gratefully accepted! In the past they've auctioned off everything from household goods to pet items, from art to vacation trips. Are you an artist or crafter? Your donated work would be perfect to help the shelter raise money at this year's auction.


















And if you can't donate, you can certainly attend. The auction will be held at the Lynnwood Convention Center this year, and will be their biggest ever! There are always special guests (Ciscoe Morris attends many of the auctions), and incredible items and packages up for grabs. You can buy tickets online now - just click on RSVP at the Sacred Cat Ball website for a reservation form.



Little Butter Socks here will thank you!

And I'd like to send my personal thanks to these two ladies, Melissa and April, for showing me around Whisker City, and for taking the time to care about the kitties...

















And to April Brown, director of the shelter, for her years of tireless work to rescue animals. This is clearly a woman who will go to great lengths to help them - including wielding power tools!


























Link to Whisker City website.
Link to Sacred Cat Ball auction site.
Link to more adoptable cats from Whisker City.

Christmas Tree recycling continues on Sunday Jan 11th

Voila!

I stopped by the Christmas tree recycling event today in Shoreline (in the parking lot next to the Shoreline Historical Museum) to see what was going on. There were no trees being shredded while I was there, but I took a few photos of the workers and their equipment. I told them I thought they should wear Grinch costumes while feeding people's Christmas trees into the shredder. :)

Check this out: by 2:30 this afternoon they had already shredded 1137 trees!

The event continues tomorrow. Shoreline residents only. "Real" Christmas trees only. No flocked trees. No other trees or plants. No wreaths, boughs, etc. Make sure your tree is free of ornamentation, tinsel, etc.


Link to City's webpage about tree recycling event (more info and other options)

Short video of Dungeness Crabs at Central Market in Shoreline

Just because

Link to Shoreline's Central Market

Link to learn about Dungeness Crab at Wikipedia

Hotwire is going through some changes, but not closing

Everybody settle down.
Here's a note I got from Hotwire's owner:

Hotwire is not closing. We will have a name change to Laughing Ladies Cafe on February 1, 2009. Our new website: laughingladiescafe.com will be up and running soon. As of Monday, January 12, 2009, we will be extending our hours until 10:00 pm to see if that help with sales. We have experienced a drop in sales due to the economy and the weather. As usual, we will continue to offer excellent coffee, pastries and food. We are working to improve our music offerings.

I presume this is good news for everyone who was worried that Hotwire was closing? And if you were one of those people, will you now be stopping by more often to help keep the business alive?

Link to all posts about Hotwire Coffee

Christmas Tree recycling this weekend in Shoreline

If you had a "real" Christmas tree this year and you're ready to get rid of it, this weekend is the perfect time to do so. This Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 3pm you can take your tree to the parking lot at Shorewood High School (on 175th, west of Aurora - right by the Shoreline Historical Museum) and turn it in to be recycled. The event is free, but is only open to Shoreline residents, so bring proof of residency. More details at the link below.

Also, if you go, I encourage you to pay a visit to the Shoreline Historical Museum. After all, you'll be right there! The SHM houses lots of interesting and informational displays about the history of Shoreline as well as a room full of old radios and TVs. The museum is free to visit, and Vicky Stiles, who runs the place is very knowledgeable and friendly. The Shoreline Historical Museum is well worth a visit!

Link to City's webpage about tree recycling event (more info and other options)

Link to posts about Shoreline Historical Museum (including photos of some of the displays)

Free comedy at Hotwire North Thursday Jan 8th

Got this information from Barbara Sehr:

On Thursday, January 8, at 7:30 pm we begin a regular Thursday night comedy show at the Hotwire (soon to be the Laughing Ladies) Coffee Shop. For our first free show we present the fabulously funny Hawaiian comedian Kermet Apio, who has headlined across the country. Rounding out the show will be Jeanne Anne O'Brien, producer of the Ha Ha Sisterhood (a network of femalecomedians from all over the Northwest), Mike Cummings, a regular feature at Giggles Comedy Club, Bryley Hull, and Danielle Radford. Yours truly (Barbara Sehr) is hosting the night's festivities. Comedy will be a regular Thursday night feature at the North City coffeehouse, except for the third Thursday (when a monthly music event takesover).

So it looks like the Hotwire will soon be renamed the Laughing Ladies and will offer free comedy most Thursday nights. Comedy! For free! What could be better than that?

Link to Barbara Sehr's website

Link to Kermet Apio's website

Link to Hotwire Coffee House

By the way, I'm aware of rumors that Hotwire is closing down. I've emailed the owner a couple of times to ask what's going on and have gotten no response (yet). And I don't see anything on their website. Perhaps it's a secret? If you know anything, please post to the comments section.

Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council annual meeting tonight

This evening, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is holding its annual meeting and awards party at the Third Place Commons (at Lake Forest Park Towne Centre).

The meeting starts at 7:00 pm, and will also be a celebration of the Arts Council's 20th anniversary.

The schedule includes:

• Artist in Residence and Community Project Awards
• Community Arts
• Partner Recognition
• Meet the Board of Directors and Staff

For more information on this, and other upcoming events, check the Arts Council website, listed below.

Link to Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council website.

Did you know there's a professional recording studio in Shoreline?

I was surprised to hear that Shoreline has not just a professional recording studio, but one that's hosted bands like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Queensryche. It's Londonbridge Studio, who I discovered after they placed an ad on Craigslist for their services.

It seems odd to imagine an 80s metal band hanging out around the Ballinger Thriftway, doesn't it?

Has anyone ever had any brushes with celebrity here in Shoreline? City council members don't count. Tell us in the comments about your close encounters with the rich and famous!

Local group is against the proposed jail site in Shoreline

We got an email from Christi Hanks. She is involved with a group that is strongly against a jail being built at the proposed site in Shoreline. Here is a slightly edited version of Christi's email.

Hi there;
I'm a Lake Forest Park resident - we live about 2 blocks from the Aldercrest School/proposed jail site. We're doing everything we can to get the word out about this and to organize a "unified front" against the possibility of this site being chosen. We've created a website (noshorelinejail.org) to give people links to the information about this, people they can send comments/complaints to, and a discussion board that might help people network and organize in working towards a common goal (of having our site removed from the list).

Thanks so much,
Christi Hanks

This map shows where the jail would be built.
More information by clicking the links below.













Link to NoShorelineJail.org

Link to all posts about the proposed jail site

Update: Construction at Richmond Beach Park, Jan 2009

Last November I posted some photos of the construction happening at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline. There's a lot going on. Improvements to the upper parking lots, remodeling of the walkway at the top near the entrance to the park, new (or repaired?) steps, etc. I took a few more photos today. You can definitely see progress since November.

The sign at the entrance to the park says the park is under construction through February 2009. Here are a few photos taken today. See more from today (and from November) by clicking the link below. By the way, the park is currently closed to cars, but you can still walk in.






Link to more photos of construction at Richmond Beach Park

Link to all posts tagged 'Richmond Beach'

A survey for residents of Shoreline's Meridian Park neighborhood

The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) will have its first meeting of 2009 on Thursday Jan. 8th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Mark Mayuga, Shoreline's Economic Development Program Developer will be there to discuss "What Economic Development Means To You - How it helps your neighborhood and saves you tax dollars."

MPNA has created a survey (link below) they hope you'll complete and email to gtatravel@comcast.net or bring with you to the meeting.

This information was sent to us by Gretchen Atkinson, of the Meridian Park Neighborhood Assoc. Gretchen asks that you please share this information with your Meridian Park neighbors. You can contact Gretchen at: gtatravel@comcast.net to be added to or removed from the MPNA email list.

Link to the Meridian Park Neighborhood Survey

Link to information about Shoreline's neighborhood associations

Happy New Year 2009 Shoreline!

Happy New Year from your friends at the Ronald Bog blog!

Please keep your Shoreline blog in mind as we enter the new year together. As always, we'll be aiming to keep you informed of big important things and small trivial things happening in Shoreline.

Among other things that are happening as we begin 2009, Shoreline's fancy new City Hall is under construction, the City is working on creating off-leash dog parks, and there is controversy over the possibility of a jail being built in Shoreline. We'll be keeping an eye on those issues and whatever else is going on. And we could use your help!

We always welcome your stories, tips, photos, comments, questions, ideas, corrections, clarifications, etc. We always want you to feel free to comment on anything you see here and contact us anytime at ronaldbogblog@gmail.com

We start the new year with a few of our favorite blog posts from the past year. These posts don't represent the most important news of 2008, they're just a few posts we particularly liked for one reason or another. Stuff we think deserves to be revisited, or that you might have missed the first time around. Enjoy!

Beer+Clam Juice+Tomato Juice appears at local 7-11s

Photos from the Celebrate Shoreline Parade

Why are there cannons at Hamlin Park?

Shoreline Neighbors for Peace

Skateboarding competition last summer in Shoreline

Public art in Shoreline

Ronald Bog blog sings at Top Foods