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.

Update: Sequoias Removal at Shorecrest Was Permitted by City

A preliminary inquiry to the City of Shoreline has revealed that the cutting of four huge Sequoia trees last Thursday, was a permitted action by the Shoreline School District. 

Charlie Brown reviews the damage.
He measured this tree stump which was
44" in diameter at the cut.

The SSD, Shorecrest site plan had been revised from the original version shown to the public. Originally, ALL of the Sequoias were scheduled to be preserved. But the District's final site plan which was approved and permitted called for the four removals, because an expanded space for access, parking and tennis courts was requested. The plans apparently meets the 20% tree retention requirement. However and inspection of the site plan shows that the landscape designer mis-labelled the trees as "Cedars".

This points up the very inadequate tree ordinance in existence in the code. 

Also, the Shoreline/LFP PATCH Blog carried our original story AND yesterday a response from SSD public information officer Craig Degginger's response. There was also a vigorous series of comments following it. Folks can still add their comments as the discussion moves forward. 

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/sequoias-cut-at-shorecrest-school-district-responds

Many Shoreline area citizens are watching this situation closely and looking at options for responding and improving our tree codes. 


Stay tuned! 

Bags: Darn, Forgot to Bring Mine!

So, the conundrum is: 

Single use bags?
Ban them?
Bag Fee?
Paper bags?

Reuseable bags?
 • Remember to bring?
 • Forgot mine?
 • Always have one?

Answer - the Chico Bag 

Holiday promotion page from Chico Bag site
(no - I do not work for Chico Bag)

As many readers may know, banning "single-use bags" is the latest trend.  Seattle City Council just voted to ban them UNANIMOUSLY. Edmonds, Mukilteo and Bellingham have also banned them.


We've all seen photos or heard the stories about innocent wildlife dying or seriously threatened by the "single use plastic bags" which are so numerous they are almost uncountable. 


People for Puget Sound and many other groups have championed the ban passed in Seattle and other local cities. 


Well, many of us face the problem of getting to the store check out or hopping out of our vehicle and 
"Doh! Forgot my bag, DARN!" 


I have many, many (dozens)  of beautiful reusable bags, in my broom closet and all over my office and full of books and papers.  It seems like you pick one up every time you attend a public meeting! For FREE!

My broom closet FULL of beautiful, reusable bags!

But fortunately, at one of these wonderful meetings, I was given a freehttp://www.chicobag.com/ Chico-Bag! And now I'm "hooked" (literally). I even bought one when I saw it for sale. I always have it hooked to my purse. 

So, I always have it with me, and virtually never have to resort to a single use plastic bag. (I know I'm not that virtuous, but this really works!!!)  Try one! They are cheap, handy, durable, hold a lot of groceries, and small when curled up in their little pouch. And they are CUTE! 

So now Shoreline - How about it? A few years ago, several of us on the City Council suggested trying it. We were told by staff, we should wait till Seattle does it so as not to penalize our small businesses. So NOW Seattle, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Bellingham have done it. 

Yesterday, Shoreline/LFP PATCH Blog did an informal poll. Banning the bags is now at 57%. Granted it's not a scientific poll, but there does seem to be support for the idea. 

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/should-shoreline-ban-plastic-bags

Here is the recent press release on the "Bag Ban" passed by Seattle City Council from 

People for Puget Sound

Environmental Groups Applaud Seattle City Council for their Leadership on Bags

Bag ordinance passes:  plastic bag ban, 5 cents on paper bags. goes into effect 7/1/12

Seattle. The Seattle City Council today unanimously passed the Seattle Bag Ordinance (Council Bill 11734).  This vote was applauded by the coalition of environmental groups – Environment Washington, Surfrider Foundation, People For Puget Sound, Sierra Club, Zero Waste Seattle, and others – who have been working to develop grassroots support for the ordinance.

Special praise goes to Council Member Mike O’Brien for his leadership on the bag ordinance and the phone book opt-out ordinance last year.

“This ordinance to ban plastic bags is part of a larger Zero Waste initiative that also includes a ban on styrofoam, citywide residential organics composting, and providing our residents and businesses with a chance to stop unwanted yellow pages deliveries. These are all concrete steps towards reducing unnecessary waste in Seattle,” said O’Brien.  “We are saving the city money and we are reducing impacts on the environment.  Building towards our waste reduction goals are also a key part of our overall efforts to be a carbon neutral city by 2050.”

The Bag Ordinance passed by Seattle City Council bans thin single-use plastic bags at checkout stands.  The ordinance includes a pass through fee of 5 cents for paper bags.  .

The Seattle bag ordinance has the same requirements as the Bellingham ordinance passed in July.  Edmonds and Mukilteo have banned plastic bags and did not include a 4 cent carry-through fee.

The Interurban Trees! A Remarkable Result of People Power

Westminster Triangle is a neighborhood that cares a great deal about its trees. 

High Tension lines and lower capacity lines
below on City Light right of way.
City Light claims the trees may cause
electrical outages or accidents,
but neighbors point out discrepencies in
City Light policies and the differences
between the High and Lower capacity lines.
The neighbors point to the values the trees provide
including screening, water retention, air quality and
carbon capture.

But Seattle City Light didn't realize they needed to work with the immediate neighbors and how much they care, before they proposed a plan to cut at least 40 significant trees (originally proposed 100) along the Interurban Trail. 

Last week a remarkable thing happened at a public meeting Seattle City Light had hosted at the behest of the City of Shoreline. The meeting was held at the Westminster Assembly church with at least 60 neighbors and concerned citizens attending.

The public simply refused to accept the answers and assertions of City Light, that cutting the 40 trees was just going to happen!

Community Activist Lance Young, and neighbor
on the trail confronts City Light staff and
paid mediator Cathy Allen.

A community activist was born when neighbor, Lance Young realized that his new property would be drastically impacted by City Light's plans. He and others formed a new group called "Interurban Trail Tree Preservation Society", and did amazing outreach, research and advocacy. they came to the meeting well prepared with facts and passion. They've collected over 500 signatures in a petition. They measured the right-of-way, and GPS points for all of the trees that are targetted. They lobbied city staff, city council and Seattle officials. They contacted certified arborists and other experts. They did their homework and were prepared.

At the meeting, paid mediator (normally a political consultant) Cathy Allen, tried to control the meeting and limit discussion to 2 minutes each. But, Lance Young was able to confront her and other City Light presenters with a barrage of facts and City Light's own policies, and show that they were completely unprepared. For instance, City Light did not even have any real replacement tree plan available and their own arborist was not present. City Light's staff were at once stating the were "tree lovers" and next stating that the trees had to be cut down. And they were sometimes combative towards the members of the public. The citizens were to a person, extremely articulate and passionate and were not willing to accept the time limits to questions or discussion.

One point raised repeatedly by neighbors was why couldn't City Light continue to prune or trim the trees as has been done for decades and which preserved the "screening" the coniferous canopy provides.
City Light did not have an adequate response.

Rep Cindy Ryu, who is also a property owner next to the trail stated that one of the problems with this plan is that we in Shoreline pay 6% higher rates than Seattle ratepayers and yet we have no democratic representation on the decision-making process. Shoreline/LFP PATCH did extensive coverage of this meeting last week and can be read here.

Rep Cindy Ryu (32nd dist)
speaks to the attendees while
Cathy Allen looks on.
ph cred- PATCH

The outcome of this meeting was amazing when a City Light manager, took over the meeting and announced that they were now going to come up with a new plan to "work with the community".

Lance Young lives with his wife right next to
the Interurban Trail and has an amazing
specimen of a Big Leaf Maple in front of his home.

Lance Young is a trail and white water rafting tour guide and cares deeply about the trees.

Meanwhile  he has formed a group called -
Interurban Trail Tree Preservation Society
They can be reached at -
363-0859
or
Lance Young lance_young@earthlink.net;

They will be outreaching to neighbors, City Light and City of Shoreline to work for solutions to save as many trees as possible and to work towards a comprehensive tree ordinance and Urban Forest Canopy goal for Shoreline.

But, there have already been breakdowns in communication, despite the supposed agreement to work cooperatively. Last Friday a City Light crew from their Real Estate division came out, after the meeting and began hacking away at lower limbs of some of the trees for some kind of survey. There has since then been contacts that "mistakes were made" and more promises to work with the neighbors on a better plan.

There is also apparently a meeting planned with city staff and City Light at which possibly some councilmembers may attend. This meeting is to discuss communication issues on this and other matters.
It is unclear whether this is a public meeting.

It is obvious that much more work needs to be done before trust is fully restored between all parties.

Metro Service Saved!

Big News on Metro Service

KC Exec Dow Constantine announced a deal in which King County Council to approve the $20 Car Tab increase to save bus service in the County.

Constantine announced that Metro would eliminate the "ride-free" area in Downtown Seattle and this move brings KC Councilmembers Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert along to support a "councilmanic" vote for the rate increase.

While this may be an inconvenience to riders in downtown, it will certainly be a relief to the thousands of riders who depend on their Metro Bus service in Shoreline and all over the county, to get to work and for other needs.

Shoreline/LFP PATCH has the story: 

Metro Bus Stop
PATCH ph cred

King County Council Ready to OK Car Tab Fee

The measure now has the support of Republicans Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert.

• By Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Patch staff

• Email the author

The King County Council is now poised to approve a $20 increase in car tab fees following the decision by Eastside representatives Jane Hague (R-District 6) and Kathly Lambert (R-District 3) to throw their support behind the measure in exchange for a set of conditions.

The added fees are intended to make up for a decline in sales tax revenue that funds Metro bus service in the county.

Lambert and Hague, who had previously opposed the fees, announced their changed position Friday morning. Their support gives the council the authority to enact the fees without voter approval.

“This bipartisan agreement addresses my primary concerns and offers real reform for Metro,” Hague said in a council news release. “It’s critical that we keep people and businesses moving on the Eastside – especially during these tough economic times. This new package creates jobs and provides equity for the Eastside.

Lambert and Hague agreed to support the fees in exchange for a set of requirements calling for Metro to operate more efficiently. These conditions, as listed in a council news release, include:

• Developing a Transit Incentive Program to provide eight bus tickets worth up to $24 for each car tab renewal

• Phasing out the downtown Seattle Ride Free Area in October 2012

• Increasing the pool of funds that provides sharply discounted bus tickets to human service and homeless programs

• Implementing right-sizing of service consistent with the Transit Strategic Plan

• Considering routes that carry more riders due to the effects of highway tolling as candidates for added services

“We’re working together in a bipartisan fashion, unlike those in Washington, D.C.,” Lambert said in the news release. “People in these uncertain economic times need certainty that they have an alternative method such as buses to get to work. There are many systemic changes in the new package that will help meet the needs of efficiency, transparency, and providing transportation.”

Metro had said it would need to cut bus service by 17 percent if the fees were not enacted. A council vote on the measure is scheduled to take place Monday.

Councilmembers Larry Phillips, Bob Ferguson, Larry Gossett, Joe McDermott, and Julia Patterson had previously stated their support. Ferguson, who rides bus No. 41 to work, represents Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

“As a regular bus commuter, I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement that will protect the transit service that workers and their families rely on every day. This agreement will keep our economy moving at the time we need it most,” Ferguson said. “I thank Executive Constantine and my colleagues for working to find common ground. On my way home tonight, I look forward to sharing the good news with my fellow riders on the No. 41 bus.”

Related Topics: Bob Ferguson, Jane Hague, Kathy Lambert King County Council, King County Council, Metro Bus Service, and car tab fee

Our Town Center - A Place That Matters in Shoreline!

We've talked a lot about Places That Matter in this blog. And today, I'm responding to a statement made in Shoreline LFP PATCH.

Shoreline's Ronald Place
preserved! 

Columnist Larry Lewis has an interesting column about the Town Center proposal which recently passed at City Council. He made a lot of correct statements, but I believe he's not correct in his final statement where he stated that there are,

"very few historical artifacts and places here." 

I responded that in fact we DO have many historical elements left, though some are not obvious. Here's my statement to him in a comment. http://shoreline.patch.com/blog_posts/we-do-have-many-worthwhile-places-that-matter-here-in-shoreline-that-are-historic-you-can-see-them-if-you-just-use-a-sharp-eye-and-imagine-what-we-might-be-with-a-little-creativity

Good column on the Town Center. However, I beg to differ with your last statement that we have "very few historical artifacts and places here".

In point of fact, the Red Brick Road (Ronald Place or North Trunk Road) is VERY historical and though it may be a bit below the radar of many, it is right there guiding us to a possible future that honors our heritage and especially points the way to a town center that can be a vibrant commercial area, where people can live, work and recreate. It is eligible for the National Historic Register.

The Red Brick Road can be highlighted and continued up through Firlands Way, which can be a "walkable street" potentially. The Town Center Park, could be a place that highlights the "RBR" and compliments it with places of interest to visit, such as a "interpretive center" about our history of development along Aurora Ave, maybe gardens, art, and how about an "arcade" to use as a shelter for events?
Also, as you mention we do still have other remaining historical elements and gems that can be highlighted. They are there if you care to look like the Richmond Masonic Lodge, Highland Ice Arena, Ronald Methodist Church, Auto Cabins and yes, the "outside" of the Ronald School. We also have many other historical elements in Shoreline, such as in Richmond Beach, The Crest Cinema, the Fircrest Chapel, and the old Firlands buildings, amazing parks, huge trees and many more.
The trick is we need to allow beneficial development that does not inadvertently destroy what's left and which can enhance our remaining heritage. Look at what some other cities have done to take advantage of their "main streets", like Bothell, Snohomish and Anacortes. We can still do a lot to make this a great place to live and also to visit.

Shoreline's Red Brick Road (Ronald Place or North Trunk Road), was built in 1912. That's right, next year will be the Centennial of this wonderful artifact. It is the last remaining piece of the original Aurora Ave, Hwy 99.  Shoreline became a place, because Judge J.T. Ronald advocated, cajoled and invested in having it built (he was a former Mayor of Seattle who built a summer home here). He dug the curving section that remains (Ronald Place) himself to ensure that it went around his house and well. He then donated the property for the Ronald School, because he believed in education. He's previously demanded a trolley station on the Interuban Rail, which ended up being named for him, though he had wanted it named for his daughters.

Let's make the Town Center Park a "Centennial Walk" to celebrate 100 years of our community's development, that extends up Firlands Way and provides an informative trail all around out Town Center.

Red Brick Road

Of course we also have many, many other historical elements here, which could be highlighted as we develop our Town Center and Town Center Park, if we plan carefully, and creatively. Let's get this right Shoreline! So many worthwhile things in Shoreline, if you just know where to look!

Carter Subaru Featured in PATCH for Green Business Profile

A well deserved feature in Shoreline/LFP Patch for Carter Subaru, a local auto dealership in Shoreline on Aurora Ave N
that cares about our community! 


They are a certified "Green Business" company by the Shoreline Green Business Program. 


They also support many local organizations  such as the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce,  Shoreline Solar Fest, Shoreline Historical Museum, Schools and many other organizations.


Fun Fact: Did you know that the symbol/logo and name Subaru represents the constellation
Pleiades and mean "unity" in Japanese?


Carter Subaru – Carbon Neutral Mountain to Sound Greenway Tree Planting project. For every car that is test driven, they plant a tree. For every car sold they plant an additional three trees.See them in action.

Carter Shows The Way

Another local business doing some great things

by Larry Lewis
http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/carter-shows-the-way#c

In my last “Where We Live” piece, “A Sort of Diet”, I talked about big picture ideas of what we need to do. There are companies which have stepped up and are doing wonderful, innovative things.

Carter Subaru is one of them. Now, how could that be? They sell cars, and driving is something we have to reduce, dramatically, right? Yes. And Subarus may be well made, but they’re not known for huge MPG numbers, right? True, though they’re a lot better now than decades ago. So how can they be ‘green’? Is this all “greenwash”?

In case you hadn’t heard of it before there’s a concept called ‘greenwashing’. It’s when a company, recognizing the public’s strong interest in environmental issues, will ‘rebrand’ themselves as eco-conscious even when they aren’t, just like the older term ‘whitewashing’.   

But Carter looks like the real thing. First, they are certified with the Shoreline Green Business Program, second, they have a program where for every test drive or purchase they plant trees in the Mountains To Sound Greenway to absorb carbon equivalent to a year’s normal driving.  

Carter Subaru’s website explains the great benefits this way:

Other benefits of the trees:

• In addition to neutralizing greenhouse gases, these trees will also provide critical wildlife habitat.

• These trees will also help in water storage. Forests act as sponges in times of heavy rain or snow, absorbing and then slowly releasing water, a critical function in decreasing flooding downstream.  

• This reduction in flooding helps protect fragile Northwest salmon habitat. Additionally, trees planted along streams and rivers help cool the water temperatures in these waterways to levels that keep salmon healthy.  

• Forested hillsides are a vital part of our Northwest identity. Through this partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway, we are ensuring that we will have permanently protected forests right on the edge of our cities for future generations. These forests are places where we will be able to hike and play forever.  
• 
  
• Third, they sponsored the North King County Green Business Conference in March and Jen Moran, their General Sales Manager, was the MC. They’re also part of the Seattle Storm’s Go Green program and other local initiatives.

Shoreline/LFP Noxious Weed Alert

Useful Article This Week fro Shoreline/LFP PATCH -

http://shoreline.patch.com/articles/shorelinelfp-weed-alert-remove-these-weeds-for-your-garden-and-the-environment

Of course there are many, many other weeds on the King County Noxious Weed list and others that should be. Such as English Holly, English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberry, Herb Robert, and Bindweed.

English Ivy -
KC Noxious Weed Board

Those listed in this alert are here perhaps because they are the most "noxious" and nasty for humans and
agriculture. But the others may be even more of a threat like English Ivy which is a silent killer of our urban forests.

Shoreline/LFP Weed Alert: Remove These Weeds 

For Your Garden and the Environment

King County property owners are responsible for removing non-native weeds on the county's hit list.

By Annie Archer | Email the author | April 20, 2011

2 Comments

View full size

    

PHOTOS (11)

Add your photos & videos

An old adage among gardeners (and botany professors) is that the definition of a weed is any plant you don’t want. That being said, there some weeds that are quite pretty and others that are just an annoyance because you didn't plant them and don't want them. Then there those that are blight to the environment.

Many King County property owners do not realize they have a legal obligation to remove certain weeds from their property. Noxious weeds are separated into classes A, B, and C based on distribution, abundance, and level of threat (how dangerous the plant is to humans, animals, private and public lands, and native habitats).

Noxious weeds are non‐native plants that, once established, are highly destructive, competitive and difficult to control. They have economic and ecological impacts and are very difficult to manage once they get established. So kill ‘em while they’re young is the message here. Non-native invasive weeds across the United States cost an estimated $26.4 billion per year in agricultural economic losses, according to the county.

All Class A weeds must be removed, according to King County Washington State Noxious Weed Law RCW 17.10.

It’s unlikely a property owner is going to be sited for non-compliance of weed removal, but with Earth Day being celebrated April 22, why not lend the local environment a hand by removing invasive exotics that are crowding out native plants? You can find a list of weeds to eradicate at King County’s Noxious Weeds Website. There are also photos and video to help identify the pernicious interlopers.

Here is a short list of the worst offenders on the Eastside:

Tansy ragwort is an invasive, toxic biennial weed from Europe most often found in pastures and along roads and trails. It is a host plant to the larvae of the cinnabar moth who like to munch on its leaves. Problem solved? No, not only will the moth larvae eat the weed, but any Dusty Miller plants you have in the garden also and you will still have the weeds. Tansy ragwort is a Class B Noxious Weed in Washington State and control is required in selected counties in the state, including King County.