Neighborhood News
Metro Van Pools Available
Through the King County Council’s Van Donation Program, retired Metro Van Pool vans are made available to nonprofit organizations or local governments to address the mobility needs of low-income, elderly or young people or people with disabilities.
Every Council member’s office has their own process for administering van donations, and members traditionally donate the vans to organizations in their district. If you know of an organization in District 1 that would put a van to good use for the community, please contact King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson’s office for more information or to receive an application.
Applications need to be completed and received by August 11; please pass this on to agencies that may be interested.
Completed applications will be reviewed by Council and Transit Division staff to ensure that all applicable requirements are met. If you have questions or would like to receive application materials, please call (206) 296-1001.
Prevent Mail Theft
Mail theft is a growing problem throughout the city and county. Many times victims of mail theft or identity theft don’t understand how it could have happened. A common factor is that they put their outgoing mail into their non-locking mailbox. Thieves also target these mailboxes for your delivered mail.
Shoreline Police Detectives and Storefront Crime Prevention officers have researched ways to reduce this crime. One of the best solutions is the locked cluster box units or a single residential locking mailbox. The Post Office does not supply the boxes. They must be purchased through a private company and the Post Office must approve the Lock Box Unit as well as the installation site.
For cluster unit boxes, the Post Office can refer contractors to install the unit once it is purchased. Additionally you must have a city right of way permit for installation. Contact City of Shoreline, Planning and Development Services Department, 206-801-2500, and ask to speak to a permit technician for more information.
For locked cluster box units:
Units often come in 8, 12, 13 and 16 doors and are approximately $1000-$1200, plus $50-$100 for the pedestal. *Some of the companies that sell the units are:
• Postal Products Unlimited: www.postalproducts.com
• American Locker Security Systems: www.americanlocker.com
• Salsbury Industries: www.mailboxes.com
* Police cannot recommend a particular company. It is the consumer’s responsibility to thoroughly research companies and their products.
The initial cost may seem astronomical but since they are neighborhood boxes, it breaks down to about $100/customer.
For single residential locking mailboxes:
Contact your local post office, a company above, or a local hardware store. Remember, the Post Office does not supply the boxes. Boxes must be purchased through a private company and the Post Office must approve the Lock Box as well as the installation site.
• Bitterlake Station 929 N 145th Street 206-364-0663
• North City Station 17233 15 Ave NE 206-364-0656
Again, for cluster box units you must have a city right of way permit for installation. Contact City of Shoreline, Planning and Development Services Department, 206-801-2500, and ask to speak to a permit technician for more information.
Shoreline Rated as One of America’s Best Small Cities
After regularly being featured in local magazines over the years, the City of Shoreline is now recognized nationally as a great place to live. In CNN Money’s America’s Best Places to Live 2010 of small American cities, Shoreline is number 64 of 100.
“It is a great honor to make the list of top 100 small American cities, especially in Shoreline’s short history as a city. Our involved and active community has wisely guide the city of Shoreline in improving our area’s quality of life,” says Shoreline Mayor Keith McGlashan. “Shoreline residents deserve credit for their hard work at building a great community that is being recognized nationally.”
“It is a great honor to make the list of top 100 small American cities, especially in Shoreline’s short history as a city. Our involved and active community has wisely guided the City of Shoreline in improving our area’s quality of life,” says Shoreline Mayor Keith McGlashan. “Shoreline residents deserve credit for their hard work at building a great community that is being recognized nationally.”
The list debuted on CNN Money’s website on July 12 and included a short write-up on each of the 100 cities, with longer features on the top 10. These top 10 – including Bellevue – will be featured in the August issue of Money magazine. Only two cities in Washington State made it onto the top 100 list –Shoreline and Bellevue.
From Shoreline’s entry:
“This relatively new town outside Seattle offers gorgeous views from sandy beaches of the Puget Sound and countless parks for its residents to roam through.”
Cities were placed on the list and ranked on a long list of quantitative data that helps gauge quality of city living such as housing prices, median incomes, crime rates, schools and the fiscal responsibility of the city government.
The data is available at Money.CNN.com and visitors can compare cities under categories such as Financial, Quality of Life and Housing. Under Quality of Life, for example, there are statistics on crime, air quality and commute times.
Over the years Shoreline has regularly been featured in the top 10 of Seattle magazine’s Best Neighborhoods list, ranking number one in 2005 and 2008. Earlier this year Seattle Met magazine also recognized Shoreline and one of its neighborhoods, Richmond Beach, as two of its list of 15 “must-live” neighborhoods.
Summer Meal Sites in Your Community
In these economic hard times, families often struggle to provide enough food for their kids to eat. During the summer, it can be especially hard as kids don’t have school meals to provide their breakfast and lunch. The Summer Food Service Program (summer meals) is a federal nutrition program that provides free meals and snacks during the summer in select locations to ALL kids (ages 1 to 18 years old – regardless of income). Here are a few sites you could utilize if you need assistance:
http://withinreachwa.org/
http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/children_families
http://www.resourcehouse.info
http://www.parenthelp123.org
Other searchable resources include:
• Local services (i.e. food banks, low-cost clinics, WIC clinics)
• Statewide programs (i.e. Head Start/ECEAP, Prescription Assistance)
• Web-based resources (i.e. Maternity Support Services Search Tool, WA Law Help)
How to Create a Great Block Party
A summer block party carries rewards throughout the rest of the year. Neighbors know each other, stop to talk and share ideas and resources, and generally feel more connected. Are you thinking that planning a block party would be fun, but daunting? It is a fairly easy task if you just following these suggestions:
1. Secure three or four neighbors to help with the event.
2. Talk to your neighbors and choose a date and time. It may be virtually impossible to choose a date that works for everybody on your block. If it works for the planning committee, that’s good enough.
3. The location can be your street or cul-de-sac or someone’s front yard or driveway. Make an alternative plan in the event of adverse weather. Will you move it to someone’s carport? Will you erect canopies? Will you postpone the party?
4. Decide if there will be theme or creative direction to your block party. A summer fiesta? A play on the name of your street? A color or symbol can be used on the invitations and throughout the party.
5. Plan the party around a meal, either lunch or dinner. Decide on a menu. Have each neighbor who attends bring a contribution–for example, if their name starts to A-I, it’s appetizers and salads; J-R, main dishes; and S-Z, desserts and drinks. Have each neighbor also bring their own plates, eating utensils and napkins. Have extra on hand in case someone forgets.
6. Have each volunteer bring some equipment: tables, chairs, barbecue grills, garbage and recycling bins or games for the kids (sidewalk chalk, bubbles and beach balls are always popular).
7. Ask if anyone plays and instrument or has a portable sound system. Music creates ambience!
Shoreline Fire Department is Now on FaceBook and TWITTER
Become a FaceBook fan by visiting Shoreline Fire page and hitting the “like” button and for TWITTER, Search for ShorelineFire.
We will be using these forms of communication in the months to come and we plan on using them extensively in the event of a disaster in our area. Find out about what we’re doing around town, important safety information and be the first to see our news releases!
For more information: Melanie Granfors, (206) 533-6500 or mgranfors@shorelinefire.com.
Police Report Shows Drop in Car Theft, Increase in Robbery
• Shoreline Police prepared a 2009 crime report for City Council, showing a drop in auto theft, larceny, and serious injury traffic accidents compared to the past few years. The average response time to life-threatening calls increased slightly to 4.21 minutes, however, Shoreline Police say it’s still below the national average of five minutes. Robbery, rape, attempted rape, and residential burglary all rose in 2009. Police report they have stepped up public education and crime prevention efforts in response.
• Annual Police Report Available: Shoreline Police reviews crime statistics for the previous year and analyzes trends in the 2009 report.
http://shorlinewa.gov
Shoreline Police reviews crime statistics for the previous year and analyzes trends in the 2009 Annual Police Report
Trees in Shoreline
Here is some breaking news in the Ridgecrest Neighborhood if you did not already know. I am not even sure how many local residents have noticed and it might be too late.
Here is the low down. I noticed a few days ago that many deciduous trees along 5th Ave NE from NE 145th to NE 165th (could be farther north but I haven’t gone north of NE 165th recently) have official metal reflective signs that state these very old trees (at least as old as the ones in your article about the trees cut down on 15th Ave NE just north of NE 145th) and replace them with young saplings.
This is a horrible situation to lose major trees that line the streets of 5th Ave NE that in the summer create a tree covered boulevard (the branches of the trees stretch across the entire road to make it a continuous crown of branches & leaves). How can the City of Shoreline remove such beautiful and old trees that have been there for YEARS? This should be brought to the attention of the Ridgecrest Neighborhood association (if one exists). What a pitiful choice the city is making. Does Shoreline want to be a brand new city with clearcuts and small saplings. What about the character of old trees along a major arterial in Shoreline??? Do you think other major cities that would cut down very old trees that bring distinction to the neighborhood just because the sidewalk is lifting up? There definitely needs to be neighborhood discussions and more before this kind of action of cutting down trees takes place! Sorry I got on a soapbox for a bit there. Anyways, that is the news I wanted to report. Thanks!
AJ (a concerned neighbor)
If you would like to voice your concerns/contact: editor@shorelineareanews.com
Also check out the letter below from another Ridgecrest resident:
It is important that folks who visit our website get both sides of the story. The city is not just randomly cutting down trees. The ones that need to be removed have been specifically marked. The sidewalk disruption caused by their huge surface roots is more than just a trip hazard. They are also breaking up the sidewalks, curbing, private fences, retaining walls, drive-ways, water and sewer lines. Back in the 1960’s, when King County planted the trees, they did not know that not all tree types were appropriate as street trees. The mature trees are gorgeous in the fall, and form a wonderful canopy. But, there are trees that have made our neighborhood sidewalks unpassable for the handicap, elderly, strollers and bikes. The city had previously repaired the sidewalks – now, in a few short years crews are having to go back and repair and replace whole sections again. Staff understands people’s love of trees, many of them are environmentalists themselves. They also understand the need for fiscal responcibility. The plan is to keep all the existing trees they can – and replant when trees are removed with appropriate tree species that have similar fall folliage color and roots that grow down instead of out. When the project is complete, we will have trees and a walkable Ridgecrest Neighborhood. Thanks, Patty Hale
And from another Ridgecrest Resident:
I live in Shoreline and have petioned the city to remove the large Maple tree in front of my house since 2000 and am glad to see it being removed. The replacement tree will be of a variety that will not cause the same problems that we have incurred since 2000 when we spent $2500.00 on a side sewer repair and are know faced with $4000.00 for a new driveway. All of the trees planted along the 5th Avenue corridor will need to be replaced in time to allow folks in wheelchairs to access the sidewalks just of those of us who are still able to walk single file on the existing sidewalks.
Roger
New Solutions Council Seeking New Volunteers
Dear Neighborhood Folks
Here is an interesting opportunity to take a more regional perspective, and help to represent North King County’s United Way.
We are currently seeking volunteers who either live or work in King County and since we already have several volunteers who work or live in Seattle, we would like to increase the geographic diversity of our volunteers and are specifically seeking volunteers who would represent South, East or North King County.
The New Solutions (NS) Council will help keep the impact of United Way’s actions relevant and present in local communities in the following ways:
• Recommend ways to increase the relevance of all impact investments to reflect the varying aspects of our community, including geography, unique demographic communities or populations
• Work with local communities to identify needs, priorities and proposed solutions reflective of that community and increase integration of these into the Community Building Committee’s (CBC) work
• Develop criteria and measurable targets to assess United Way’s relevance and presence in the local communities
For a detailed overview of what is expected from our volunteers, please visit us at our agency blog to find out more about New Solutions: www.uwkcblog.org
To find out more about our history, click on “Our Impact Councils” on the top row of the home page or to find out about what our council has been up to lately with our work search the words “New Solutions” in the blog’s search option.
In our everyday lives we sometimes receive inquiries from people about ways that they could volunteer for our agency. We hope that you will keep the New Solutions council in mind the next time you are asked about volunteer opportunities.
Please direct anyone that expresses interest to me and I will take it from there! Please feel free to forward this message to anyone else you think might work be interested in serving on our council.
NaKeesa M. Frazier
Community Impact Associate
United Way of King County
260-461-8544
Help Us Raise Funding for the Ridgecrest Elementary School
As we all know the schools have taken a big financial hit and I am told there is more to come. There are three companies that Ridgecrest Elementory School is involved with that cost nothing to join or to help— BUT all of them have a huge impact on the students of Ridgecrest. You can check each program out at their respective websites indicated below:
• eScripa; http://www.escrip.com
• Boxtops for Education: http://www.boxtops4education.com
• Labels for Education: http://www.labelsforeducation.com
As volunteers, we are involved with eScrip, a program where you register your grocery shopper cards and/or debit and credit cards. When you use these registered cards and shop at participating merchants, a percentage of the sales are automatically donated to our school.
We’re also involved with Box Tops for Education. All General Mills products have “boxtops” which can be clipped from products and sent in for reimbursement. Please send them to Ridgecrest, mark it to my attention and I will send them in for 10 cents each…more involvement, more money!
Lastly, we are involved in Labels for Education, which is a Campbell Soups program. As a coordinator, we coordinate the submission of proofs of purchase for redemption (you submit labels of your purchase inclusive of the UPC code) and this allows us to redeem these points for FREE merchandise for our school like classroom supplies, art supplies, physical education, etc. Plus, they have many different products to help the teachers of Ridgecrest educate our students.
Ridgecrest Elementary is a huge part of the Ridgecrest community and is serving just over 500 kids at present time. I humbly ask the community of Ridgecrest to contribute to their local elementary school in any of the above venues. We thank you for your consideration,
Joanna McMahon
Volunteer Coordinator, PTA Member, Parent
Ridgecrest Elementary School
16516 10th Avenue Northeast
Shoreline, WA 98155-5904
(206) 417-1881
What To Do If You Have Experienced Mail Theft
Dear Neighborhood folks –
With recent reports of mail theft, it seemed timely to share information about prevention…
Please pass on this reminder to your neighbors that holiday time presents many attractions for mail theft. Here are some tips to protect your mail.
- Notify the postmaster* immediately of theft of mail or its contents; alert local law enforcement agencies about vandalism involving your box. In Shoreline, call Police non-emergency number at (206) 296-3311.
- Remove mail from the box as soon as possible after delivery;
- If you discover someone tampering with your or your neighbor’s mailbox, get a description of the person(s), a description and license plate number of any vehicle, then immediately report this information to the police and to your postmaster;
- Arrange with a neighbor to keep an eye on each other’s boxes, so that if someone is away for a few days, a neighbor can pick up the mail and hold it to prevent it from piling up in the box.
*To file a mail theft complaint, visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov <https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/> . On the top menu bar click on “Investigations,” in the drop down menu click on “mail theft” and then “File a Mail Theft Complaint.” You may also contact your local post office for information. Shoreline post offices:
Bitterlake Station 929 N 145th Street 206-364-0663
North City Station 17233 15 Ave NE 206-364-0656
How to Protect Against Thieves
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Every day, the U.S. Postal Service safely and efficiently delivers millions of checks, money orders, credit cards and other valuable items. Unfortunately, such items of value are also attractive to thieves. That’s why Postal Inspectors across the country are at work to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can’t do the job alone.
Here’s what you can do to protect your mail from thieves:
- Always deposit your mail in a mail slot at your local post office, or hand it to your letter carrier. Do not put outgoing mail in an unsecured mail box.
- Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders.
- Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery, especially if you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items. If you won’t be home when the items are expected, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
- Have your local post office hold your mail while you’re on vacation, or absent from your home for a long period of time.
- If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
- If you change your address, immediately notify your post office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
- Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other’s mailboxes (as well as homes). If you observe a mail thief at work, call the local police immediately, and then call the U.S.Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
If you believe your mail was stolen, report it immediately to your local postmaster or nearest Postal Inspector. You’ll be asked to file a formal complaint using PS Form 2016, Mail Theft and Vandalism Complaint <https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx>. By analyzing information collected from the form, Postal Inspectors may determine whether your problem is isolated or part of a larger mail theft problem in your neighborhood—and it may help Postal Inspectors locate and apprehend the thieves.
Consult with your local postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes. In the City of Shoreline you must have a city right of way permit for installation for cluster box units. Contact City of Shoreline, Planning and Development Services Department, 206-801-2500, and ask to speak to a permit technician for more information.
Reduce Waste and Win with CleanScapes
Community Waste Reduction Awards
Team up with your neighbors to reduce waste and win a variety of community improvement projects installed and maintained by CleanScapes, such as:
* Public bench and lighting
* Neighborhood entrance landscaping, sign and lighting
* Neighborhood service day
Why is it Important to Reduce Waste?
Every day, approximately 60 tons of garbage are collected in the City of Shoreline and buried in the King County landfill. Roughly 75% of that garbage could have been recycled, or better yet, not created in the first place. Yes, we need to recycle our waste, but there is a better way.
Here’s How You Can Stop Waste Before it Happens
* REDUCE purchases of wasteful or unneeded products
* REUSE the products you already have
* COMPOST at home
And Here’s How You can Compete and Win with CleanScapes!
To win, simply reduce the total tons of waste (garbage, recycling and food scraps and yard debris) you produce. The neighborhood collection area with the largest percent decrease in total tons during the competition period (Spring 2009 to Spring 2010) wins. For more details, visit www.cleanscapes.com/shoreline.html.
Plus, There’s a Scholarship Opportunity
If you are a student, apply for “Waste Reduction Student of the Year” before October 26th, 2009 for a chance to win a $2000 scholorship. For details, contact EducationOutreach@CleanScapes.com.
How to Publicize an Event
So you’re organizing an event – be sure to tell people about it! Rule of thumb is, someone needs to hear a message three times, so use multiple messages.
The group you are targeting for your event will determine the extent of your advertising. Whether you are writing a press release or a flyer, be sure to include information regarding the event, date, time, place, address, how to find more information via a web site or contact person and phone number, and sponsor. Keep it simple and clear. Ask permission when appropriate.
Here are some ideas of ways to publicize your event:
• Write an article in your neighborhood newsletter and neighborhood web site
• Post flyers at local businesses, restaurants, libraries, schools, day care centers, senior centers and churches
• Post flyers on bulletin boards in grocery stores, coffee shops, post offices or any business that has one available for community notices
• Leave stack of flyers at local library or at checkout stands in local grocery store
• Pass out flyers at youth sporting events, club meetings, etc.
• Place a sign on neighborhood kiosk
• Utilize banners
• Put messages on reader boards (ask real estate agents, dental offices, etc.)
• Make an announcement at a community meetings
• Email to member list, neighbors, friends, family, etc.
• Ask to post on the City of Shoreline Web site by emailing the city’s Neighborhood Coordinator at nsmith@shorelinewa.gov
• And don’t forget word of mouth—talk it up wherever you go!
Nora Smith
Neighborhood Coordinator | Community Services Division | City of Shoreline
17500 Midvale Avenue North | Shoreline, WA 98133 voice: 206-801-2253 | new email and phone number!
www.shorelinewa.gov
Enterprise newspapers to drop Shoreline edition
By Mike Benbow <mailto:benbow@heraldnet.com>
Herald Writer
The poor economy and insufficient advertising support will mean some major changes for the Enterprise weekly newspapers in south Snohomish and north King counties.
The Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Enterprise will print its last edition Oct. 28, and the editions serving Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace will be combined into a single, larger paper Nov. 4, publisher Allen Funk announced Tuesday.
“In this economy we had to make the difficult decision to reallocate resources,” Funk said. “We decided we couldn’t continue to go into Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.”
The Lynnwood-based Enterprise is part of the family of publications operated by The Herald. It started the Shoreline weekly in April 1995 and bought the south county Enterprise publications 18 months later.
Funk said he hopes to help someone step in and produce a weekly paper to fill the gap. He said the Enterprise “couldn’t afford to continue to serve all the communities, and Shoreline was the one that didn’t fit well.”
Located in King County, Shoreline has a different county government, different school district and different shopping patterns, Funk said. The publication is delivered to about 20,000 people.
Funk said there are no plans at this point to reduce the number of employees at the Enterprise. “We already run a fairly slim operation,” he said.
He plans to refocus Enterprise resources to produce one expanded edition for the four south county communities. The paper, typically from 12 to 16 pages, will be expanded by two to six pages based on advertising, Funk said.
He hopes to distribute the paper to an additional 9,000 to 10,000 households in the coming months, shifting its readership from about 75 percent of the population closer to 100 percent.
The paper will continue to be distributed by adults paid by the newspaper and by youth carriers who will collect $2 a month from customers. Funk said the new weekly should be delivered to all communities on Wednesday. The previous editions were delivered each Wednesday and Thursday.
To view the Heraldnet.com story, click here: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090930/BIZ/709309941