Rep John McCoy - "Cindy listens to the people and is a person of action."

Rep John McCoy Gives Cindy Ryu Strong Endorsement for King County Council


John McCoy represents the 38th Legislative District, which includes Marysville, Everett and the Tulalip Tribal Lands and other unincorporated areas. He is Chair of the House Committees on Technology Energy & Communications, Education, and State Government and Tribal Affairs.

He submitted the following letter of endorsement of Cindy Ryu for the King County Council appointment for the 1st Council District (to replace Bob Ferguson), to the King County Executive and King County Councilmembers:

_____________________________

To whom it may concern: 

Please accept this letter of endorsement on behalf of Cindy Ryu for the King County Council District 1 position. 

Cindy is hard working; she listens to the people and is a person of action. In the years I have known Cindy, I am continually impressed with her leadership and her can do attitude. She has positively served the citizens of this State and the constituents of her district. I commend her for her ability to work across diverse communities and bring people together for the common good. Cindy’s extensive experience in State and local politics will continue to prove beneficial for the people of King County. 

Although she will be missed, I have great confidence Cindy will continue to tackle the serious issues our State and local communities face with the same determination and tenacity as she did in Olympia. Without hesitation, I recommend Cindy Ryu for the King County Council District 1 position.

Sincerely, 

John McCoy 

State Representative 

38th Legislative District 

King County Council Appointment Process Ramps Up - 32nd Dist Rep Cindy Ryu Steps Forward

Who will replace Bob Ferguson on King County Council?

UPDATE: Please note a correction below on location and time of the 46th LD meeting and candidate forum. December 13th at Olympic View Elementary School.

After Bob Ferguson won the Attorney General race decisively, the next question is who will replace him in his King County Council District #1seat. 

Thus far at least seven people have stepped forward expressing interest in the seat.  The position is non-partisan.

Rep Cindy Ryu currently represents the 32nd Legislative District as legislator and has now thrown her hat into the ring. Cindy also served as Mayor of Shoreline and City Councilmember and President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. Her district includes Shoreline, and parts of North Seattle, Edmonds and Lynnwood. She submitted a statement and applied for the position. 



Also stepping forward are:

• Seattle lawyer, Rod Dembowski
• Shoreline Councilmember Will Hall
• Shoreline Planning Commissioner Keith Scully
• Kenmore Mayor Dave Baker
• Assistant King County Ombudsman Chuck Sloan
• Democratic State Committeewoman and Legislative Activist Sarajane Siegfriedt

King County Executive Dow Constantine has established a process to select the next King County Councilmember. His office will appoint an "advisory committee" to review the applicants and send three names to the King County Council. All applications must be submitted by Dec 3rd, 5pm. Questions about the process should be submitted to kcexec@kingcounty.gov.

The 32nd District Democrats voted to endorse three candidates at their last meeting; Cindy Ryu, Rod Dembowski, and Keith Scully and forwarded those names to the King County Executive. The 46th LD will hold a forum for the candidates on Dec 13th at their special meeting, which will be held at the Olympic View Elementary School at 7pm.

Doe a Dear!

A deer was spotted near NE part of Shoreline, in Lake Forest Park
yesterday (Monday), according to Shoreline/LFP PATCH!
Shoreline resident Sonja Groset.

This is pretty remarkable! And a sharp eye and camera for Ms Groset!

Doe spotted in Shoreline
ph credit/ Sonja Groset

Last year a deer was also sighted in Lake Forest Park. Deer have also been spotted in Kenmore, and Kirkland in the last year.

We always appreciate reports of wildlife sightings, and efforts to improve wildlife habitat in the Shoreline area.

It's About Pride!

Yesterday the Pride Came Out Big Time in Seattle!

Governor Chris Gregoire was Grand Marshall
of the Seattle Gay Pride Parade.
She became a champion this year when
she came out for Gay Marriage and
signed it into law

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters of Gay Pride lined Fourth Avenue and cheered the many participants in the annual parade. Many elected officials and candidates joined them.

Excellent weather! Great participation and a banner year for Gay Rights.

Kathleen Drew is an enthusiastic supporter of civil rights
for all people. She is running for Secretary of State and
is the only Democratic woman running for statewide office.

KC Councilmember Bob Ferguson is running
for Attorney General and is a supporter of
Marriage for All.

Democrats were out in force!
Sen Maria Cantwell joined forces with the 2012
Obama Campaign. President Obama
recently declared his support for
Gay Marriage.

The Parade showcased the many faces of "Pride" including:

• US Military celebrating the end of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell).

All Branches of the Military represented including
Veterans for Peace

• "Washington Bus", which is a Coaliton representing all aspects of the voting populace

   and which seeks to elect progressive candidates 

• PFLAG supports Lesbian and Gays Family members

Major Corporations! Even Microsoft and Boeing were there in force!

Microsoft had a big contingent!

There were so many groups represented, including  Labor, Non-profits, City, County, School District and so many corporate sponsors for this major event. The organizers of Seattle Gay Pride are to be congratulated for an extremely well planned effort.

Humour and creativity all day long

Chief Diaz and Seattle Police marched and kept the
parade moving along efficiently.  The Chief recently
recorded a public service announcement for the
"It Gets Better Campaign."

Rat City Rollers!

Seattle City Council and many city departments participated

An amazing array of people and sights
showing pride

It was a day for Seattle to be Proud!

Shoreline's Trees: A Triumph of Hope Over Fear

Trees Represent Hope and Hope Is Alive in Shoreline

Old Madrones Frame and ARE the "View"
Above Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Last night, June 18th was a turning point for Shoreline's Trees. At the City Council meeting, four coucilmembers (Will Hall, Chris Roberts, Jesse Salamon and Chris Eggen) voted to protect trees.

They voted for some amendments in the Development Code crafted by the Shoreline Planning Commission. 

It is a significant victory for Shoreline's trees.

The major changes will be to require a permit for cutting a tree 30" in diameter or larger, AND for a 

provision which will be the cornerstone of a new policy. That is, no longer will any property owner be able to cut 6 trees in 3 years. Only those with lots of 1 acre in size. Smaller lots will be allowed to cut significant trees in smaller increments.

The Council agenda item is here and the public can watch the meeting online here. 

http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=71

There were over a dozen speakers and most spoke in favor of the Planning Commission amendments. Over 30 members of the public had sent comments to the council in favor of those amendments as well.

These new amendments to the Development Code cap a 10 year struggle to put in place protections for Shoreline's tree canopy. The Shoreline Preservation Society and others, including Thornton Creek Alliance, Interurban Trail Tree Preservation Society, and members of Sustainable Shoreline, and people from all over Shoreline advocated to better protect trees.

Councilmember Will Hall made the motion to move the Planning Commission amendments forward. There were some attempts to amend and some of the provisions were altered or removed, such as one that would have prevented pre-emptive cutting of trees for possible development before any proposal was submitted. According to one councilmember, this happened probably because the item was confusing.

But the heart of the ordinance, the provision to reduce the number of trees cut and protect 30" trees stands!

Southwoods Park, saved by the
passage of the 2006 Parks Bond

Longtime Briarcrest Neighborhood Association member, Bettelinn Brown testified that the community had voted by over 70% to protect trees such as Southwoods and the Kruckeberg Garden in 2006, in the 

Parks Bond measure and therefore it is clear that Shoreline residents want to protect trees.

Boni Biery, who is a Sustainable Shoreline boardmember testified about how many trees have been lost over the years surrounding her home.

There were implied threats made by some view neighborhoods that legal action could follow, and that remains to be seen.  But, other legal experts have asserted that under the Growth Management Act, cities and city councils are clearly permitted to take these actions. In related case law:

Upon review of a city’s planning decision, the Board “shall find compliance unless it determines that a [city] action is clearly erroneous in view of the entire record before the board and in light of the goals and requirements of the GMA.”  To find an action “clearly erroneous,” the Board must have a “firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been committed.”

So for now, Shoreline's trees have a shot at survival. Trees are a triumph of hope over fear for Shoreline.

May in Paramount Park - Peaceful Now, but What Will the Future Bring?

Of Paramount Importance - Back Again!

Been out of touch for a little while - but lot's going on. Will try to catch up on some local stories.
For now, here's a tour from today of our jewel of a park.


So beautiful sunshine today got the shutter going. Here are the results from our beautiful Paramount Park.

.

Devil's Club is tall and quite spectacular. It likes wetlands

Many of the plantings we put in years ago are now getting quite mature. Like this one.

Exciting to see our native Rhodadendron blooming nicely in a secluded place.

NW Native Rhodadendrons

And Littles Creek, (the best creek in Shoreline, according to the city's own description some years back), sparkles and glitters its way down towards Seattle. 

But, what will the future hold for Littles Creek, Paramount Park and our neighborhood.  Changes may be coming.

Stay tuned .........

Easter Green at Paramount Park!

A Delightful Easter Sunday in Our Neck of the Woods.

Lower pond at Paramount Park with spring raiment

A spring walk in our wetland restoration always reveals new things and old things with a new view.

"Swamp Lanterns" (Skunk Cabbage) and Oxalis (Shamrock)
next to Littles Creek

Early spring displays delicate flowers.

Salmonberry now in bloom

And new growth - Fiddleheads!

Bracken fern fiddleheads next to Upper Pond

And releflections, always a revelation.

Upper Pond spring relections

And trillium, a rare treat!

Shy Trillium showing it's head

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring from Paramount Park!

 

SWEL Timebank - Making Your Volunteering Pay Off!

Q: What is S.W.E.L. Timebank? 
A: It stands for Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park"Timebank."

SWEL Timebank is a local group, that is helping people in the community connect their skills
in a way that is a mutual benefit. The group formed last year after an "Aging Your Way" workshop held at City Hall in Shoreline. 

Q: What are the benefits of joining?
A: Joining the SWEL Timebank gives you access to the talents, time, and skills of your neighbors, while giving you an opportunity to help others in meaningful ways. It's a great way to get connected with others in your community.

Forest Stewards volunteering in
restoration project

Q: What are the benefits of joining?
A: Joining the SWEL Timebank gives you access to the talents, time, and skills of your neighbors, while giving you an opportunity to help others in meaningful ways. It's a great way to get connected with others in your community.
Q: What kind of services are typically offered by Timebank members?
A: Timebank services encompass many forms of services, skills, and assistance: animal care, life coaching, tutoring, teaching crafts and hobbies (knitting, fishing, etc.), running errands, cooking, reading aloud, housecleaning, sewing, taxi service, hair cutting, computer help, gardening, yard work, and more...

Q: How can we get involved?
A: Next get-together -

Wednesday, April 11, 20127:00 - 8:30 pm Lake Forest Park Library17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 98155(inside Lake Forest Park Town Center, lower level, below

Third Place Books)http://www.sweltimebank.org/

Come meet SWEL Timebank members, meet other people interested in timebanking, and ask any questions you may have. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share!

SWEL Coordinator for more information on how to get involved and put your skills to good use!
sweltimebank@gmail.com

Here's more information about what SWEL has been up to and is about  from local SWEL founding member,  Jan Stewart. 
 

Local SWEL Timebank Showcased at Aging Your Way Summit
(Showcase was sponsored by AARP, United Way and others) 

Over 700 Baby Boomers attended workshops held all around King County in 2010 to envision what they want in their communities to support them as they age.  This Aging Your Way initiative from Senior Services produced citizen-driven efforts with a range of themes, including Arts, Entertainment, Housing, Transportation, and Local Economies.   Last week, the Aging Your Way Summit was held in Seattle to showcase twenty-one programs.  Our local SWEL Timebank was one of Local Economies Programs that gave presentations to many of the 250 key leaders who attended the summit from nonprofits, government, and business, as well as individual community members in the Puget Sound area.

SWEL Timebank launched in our area in late 2011 to serve Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds and Lake Forest Park, and now its membership is starting to grow.  

Timebanks offer an effective means for sustaining and the strengthening the communities they serve. That’s why they are found all over the world.  There are hundreds in the United States, with an increasing number in our region, including on Bainbridge and Lopez Islands, in Marysville and Renton, on the Eastside, and West Puget Sound in Kitsap County. 

Guiding Principles:  Communities of support, strength and trust are formed by people helping each other.   The contributions of all individuals are valued equally, including those overlooked by the monetary economy.  The unique gifts, talents and resources that each person has to share are honored, regardless of age, employment or ethnicity.   The exchanges of talents and skills within a Timebank create connections throughout the community, expanding networks of family, friends and neighbors.   The result is a natural mutual support system, and a kind of local gifting economy that matches community residents’ needs with local resources.

Aging in place becomes easier when seniors can get help with the things they may no longer be physically able to do, while staying connected and engaged by offering any number of skills acquired over a lifetime.  But Timebanks aren’t just for seniors.  For people new to the area, or for those whose family has relocated elsewhere, the Timebank can be a ready-made community network.  Members ease the pressure within their budgets of having to pay for all the services they need. 

How it works:   SWEL Timebank facilitates exchanges of volunteer time between individuals through a web-based system connecting members, allowing them to list, exchange and track services, while having the comfort of knowing all members have passed a basic screening process.  Unlike bartering (a two-way taxable exchange of goods and services based upon monetary value), exchanges of time within the Timebank are all valued equally.  Time hours have no monetary equivalent, are non-taxable, and exchanges are for services only.  (Any expenses are paid by the recipient.)  The Timebank is more of a Pay-It-Forward system:  When you volunteer to help someone through the Timebank, you receive credit for that time into your account.  Then, your time hours are spent by having any member do something for you. 

Volunteering with benefits!   Members are able to volunteer their time doing for others the things they enjoy doing, and receive help with the things they would rather not do, or are unable to do for themselves.  For example, you might help your neighbor by doing errands or shopping while she is recuperating from surgery.  She may have earned some of the time spent on your help by giving music lessons to someone else, who earned time credits by training another person’s dog.  The dog owner may have earned his credits by painting your living room, or by preparing Thai food for another member’s birthday party.  The possibilities for the types of exchanges in this self-organizing system are virtually unlimited.

SWEL Timebank holds monthly potlucks, where members can meet in a social setting, get to know each other, or arrange exchanges.  The potlucks also serve as venues for potential new members to learn about SWEL, go through an orientation process and join.  The next potluck will be held April 11^th at the Lake Forest Park Town Center Library.  For more:  See SWEL’s Facebook page or the website at sweltimebank.org .

Links for more about Timebanking:  http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/a-community-time-bank/?emc=eta1http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-02-2012/time-banking.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-030912-F5-25&USEG_ID=13798274682http://www.nlc.org/news-center/nations-cities-weekly/articles/2011/december/time-banks-service-is-in-season-all-year-long?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NCW%2012/12/2011http://www.pbs.org/now/fixing-the-future/get-involved.html

Dr Art Kruckeberg 92nd Birthday Celebration

Happy Birthday Art Kruckeberg! 

Dr Art Kruckeberg and assistant Roland (adopted son)
and friends celebrated his 92nd Birthday at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Friends, Family and Kruckeberg Garden Foundation celebrated Dr Kruckeberg's 92nd Birthday 
yesterday at the garden. 


Dr Art, spent the afternoon reminiscing and "holding forth" on his career and topics of interest.
Art talked about lots of subjects, including the future of the garden that he and his wife Mareen created at their home in Richmond Beach. He said they bought the property in 1958, and started gardening "the very next week." He also pointed out the building the party was held in, a small house that serves as an office and home for Roland (above), was originally a run down garage. His father-in-law remodeled it and resided there until his death.

Dr Kruckeberg is a professor emiritus of Botany at the University of Washington and author of many important botanical and gardening texts.

Art's favorite plants featured at the party

One tree that the Kruckebergs planted long ago at the garden is now huge. It is a Sequoia tree that was measured yesterday at 3ft level to be 19ft in circumference!

California Sequoia tree
sequoia semperviron

Lovely fountain sculpture was created in
dedication to Mareen Schultz Kruckeberg.
It is located right next to her greenhouse.

He and his wife Mareen Kruckeberg developed their property into a magnificent botanical garden over the decades. Almost all of the plantings, both native and exotic were grown from seed. Mareen started the MsK Nursery there and began selling some of the plants propagated on site.

MsK Nursery
Hrs -Open Friday-SundayMarch 1 to October 31: 10 am—5 pm 

The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is now a City of Shoreline Park as of 2008. It is a very unique garden, nestled within the Richmond Beach neighborhood. 

Sign at Park Entrance20312 15^th Ave NW
Shoreline WA, 98177
http://kruckeberg.org/

And the Kruckeberg Botanical Garden welcomes Spring!
The garden offers a great array of plantings to enjoy. Many are starting to bloom now. But the garden is fascinating any time of year.


Many spring plants are on view, blooming and for sale.

Rhodadendrons are already in bloom at
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Delicate Faun Lily grows near the
house amidst an array of Cyclamen

The garden has three distinct areas. The Upper Garden, in the front yard; the Green house area, which leads down the path to the lower "Meadow." The garden features many "Champion Trees" which are either the largest in the City or State.

An Oregon Ash is a City "Champion Tree"
designated in the Community Backyard Wildlife
program

Grove in lower meadow area

Dr Kruckeberg's work on the garden features his interest in promoting native plants. He has written several texts and books on NW Natives and was one of the founders of the NW Native Plant Society.

Tall Oregon Grape  featured in
lower meadow area

Many of the lovliest species to be seen at Kruckeberg Garden are very small and close to the ground, so remember to step carefully and look closely for treasures near your feet.

Cyclamens are found throughout the garden. They have many different
patterned leaves and colored flowers. According
to Mareen Kruckeberg, the seeds are carried by
ants and that's one way they spread!

Flowering Tree near Garden house

So Happy Birthday Art Kruckeberg! We are so proud to have you as a citizen of Shoreline and enjoy your legacy in the garden!

Nurse Logs and Dead Trees = New Life

Healthy Forests, Even in Urban Areas Need Dead Wood!

This "Nurse Log" is a tiny garden hosting a little hemlock
two different colored huckelberry bushes
and some ferns (also, unfortunately some English Ivy

Why? Because they actually nurture an incredible amount of plant and animal life.

Ancient Cedar Stump hosts new growth. Hemlock trees'
often get their starts by seeding in dead cedar.
The roots of the new trees frame the old stump.

KUOW, local NPR station featured the Nurse Log in it's series "More Than a Tree" this week, on interesting Northwest Trees.

"There's more life in this nurse log....than there ever was as a standing tree" says Larry Daloz, author and naturalist. "May our legacy, what we leave behind be richer than what we found when we came."


In Paramount Park there are many examples of "nurse logs" and stumps hosting new life.
It starts with a log or stump. With our restoration project in 2001 we added a great deal of LWD (Large Woody Debris) to add complexity and life giving dead wood to our wetland.

It starts with a dead stump and lichens and mosses
begin to break down the wood.

Then more life takes hold like ferns, small trees, and shrubs which continue to break down the dead wood. 

Sword Fern inhabits an old stump intentionally
placed in Paramount Park Natural Area
restoration


Also, many standing dead trees become habitat, providing food and nesting places for birds, insects and small mammals.

Old Tree Snag in Paramount Park with lots of holes created
by industrious woodpeckers

Red Breasted Sapsucker - ph credit, Steve Schneider

Paramount Park is the largest wetland in Shoreline at about 6 acres. The wetland restoration project originating in 1998 by Paramount Park Neighborhood Group, recreated wetland ponds and reconnected existing wetlands to the east to the stream system of Littles Creek, tributary of Thornton Creek. It is located in the SE section of Shoreline just north of NE145th, The wetlands and ponds are great places for stumps, logs and dead wood to host new life.

Stump in the lower pond hosts sword ferns, and a good sized
tree (Oregon Ash?)

Another stump in the upper pond hosts a healthy growth of salal bush and provides a lovely reflection.

Upper Pond with salal covered stump

To restore healthy forests, especially in urban areas, we must make a point to include "Large Woody Debris, logs, old stumps to bring diversity and "feed the forest" and provide opportunities for new life.

"Shamrocks" or the NW equivilant "Oxalis"
cover this old stump next to Littles Creek