NW Solar Fest - Better Than Ever

Solar Hot Water Heating System

It's the Pride of Shoreline, the NW Solar Fest, the biggest grass roots, renewable energy event in the region. So many exciting features, booths, speakers, bands, food and hopefully THE SUN! 
You just can't go wrong with Solar Fest. And it's FREE! 

And its so HOT it's COOL!! 

8th Annual NW SolarFest: Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair

Saturday
July 16th, 2011
Shoreline Community College

New Hours:
10 am – 6 pm
Music, food and beer garden open until 8 pm
Headliner Band Yogoman Burning Band
Metro Routes #330, 331, 345 serve the college on Saturdays

Grants provided by City of Shoreline Environmental Mini-Grants.

Check out the fun slide show and song on the Shoreline Solar website.

http://www.shorelinesolar.org/page/30629

Features:

Solar Cooking by Chef Graham Kerr

* Demonstration of the revolutionary Evolucient Plastic to Oil Systems (see orgs press release)

* Mini solar cars (free for the first 300 kids) giveaway and races in the KIDZone, supported by Snohomish PUD

*Electric car display by Plug In America and Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA)

* Shoreline Farmer's Market Association "mini farmer's market" (see orgs press release)

* Shoreline Backyard Wildlife Certification Celebration

* Zero Energy House interactive tours

* "Cooking With the Sun" by Jack Lavin and Larry Owens. Song written for Shoreline Solar Project

* Shoreline Auxiliary Communications Service van solar powered by Shoreline Solar Project

* Viking 45, Western Washington University Vehicle Research InstituteProgressive Automotive X PRIZE team vehicle

* Beer Garden featuring Sierra Nevada Brewing

* After Party with Yogoman Burning Band

Wildlife Habitat Tour - Where Our Wild Things Are in Shoreline

Wildlife will rule in Shoreline on Saturday, 7/9! 

Red-Breasted Sapsucker seen in Shoreline
2007
ph credit - Steve Schneider

The WOWTA Backyard Wildlife Tour will be featuring habitats in Briarcrest and Ridgecrest Neighborhoods.  And, neighbors are looking forward to a fun filled day with inspiring gardens to see.

The tour will feature yards that are "Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats", by the National Wildlife Federation and also the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

The project is sponsored by Shoreline's Community Backyard Wildlife Project, created originally by Sustainable Shoreline Education Association. Shoreline has been officially "Certified" as a Community Habitat after succeeding in registering a large number of residences, schools, parks and businesses.

The WOWTA Tour is also supported by a Shoreline Environmental Mini-Grant.

Black-capped Warbler
ph credit - Chris Southwick

Find out how to take the tour by visiting their WOWTA Website or their WOWTA Facebook Page. 

Free admission - Mini learning experiences at each location!

Starting location to pick up maps on day of tour: Briarcrest Elementary, 2715 Northeast 158th Street, Shoreline, WA, 98155

All Participating Habitats are: National Wildlife Federation Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats

Watching wildlife is fun, and creating a wildlife habitat sanctuary is a healthy way to give back to the Earth. It’s easy!

Please join us at WOWTA's second annual Wildlife Habitat Tour in the city of Shoreline!

WOWTA is a wildlife backyard tour organized by volunteer habitat stewards in the City of Shoreline. We will show you a variety of wildlife habitats and how easy it is to create a wildlife habitat of your own in your backyard, school, and place of worship, business or public building.

• Increase the ease and comfort for you to create or enhance wildlife habitat
• Increase your participation in the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certification Program
• Celebrate your wildlife accomplishments!

To be involved with the WOWTA Habitat Tour visit our Facebook Page.

WOWTA is a Shoreline Community Wildlife Habitat Tour sponsored by the City of Shoreline 

in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and organized by volunteer 

Shoreline Habitat Stewards

Here are the four items you need

:Food | Water | Shelter | Place to raise young

Bear Reserve - A Place That Matters

The "Tuning Fork Tree" stands proudly in the
Bear Reserve
ph credit - Janet Way

Huge Doug Fir Tree at Risk in Bear Reserve
ph credit - Janet Way

A Grove of Significant Trees in Shoreline that many neighbors care about is at risk from a proposal by Innis Arden Board's plans.

Trees in a Steep Slope Critical Area Proposed to be Cut
ph credit - Janet Way

The Reserve contains a bonafide Critical Area, according to the City of Shoreline. The IA Board proposes to cut 45 trees in this unusually forested area in Innis Arden. They claim since they are the owners that they can cut whatever they want to enhance views of nearby property owners.

Critical Areas or ECA's are places that are protected by cities and counties by their Critical Area Ordinances. Steep Slopes, Streams, Wetlands and other types of resources like flood plains are protected by City Ordinance and State Law.

However, other neighbors want to keep the trees because of the exceptional benefits they find in this grove of big trees. 

Bear Reserve is a popular walking path
for Innis Arden and nearby residents, just below
the site of the old Sunset Elementary School.
Children used to walk to school along this path.
ph credit - Janet Way

Some trees were already cut in the last few years there.  The Innis Arden Board is arguing that it is not a Critical Area. An appeal hearing is scheduled with the Hearing Examiner  in August. 

Curving Trunks indicate trees protecting a steep slope

There is also a small creek that was flowing there last week (in July). It seems to be hardly an "ephemeral stream" as claimed by the IA Board if it is flowing in July. 

Small stream flowing in Bear Reserve surfaces in the upper section of the ravine.

The trees proposed to be cut are "significant" by the current city rules because they are much larger than the 12" measurement. 

Alan Kohn is a retired UW Professor of Biology
who lives next to the reserve and is a member of
the Friends of Bear Reserve group.
ph credit - Janet Way

The trees offer a respite and valuable wildlife habitat to many species. While there we witnessed hummingbirds and insects flitting about.

Red Elderberry Grove in the Reserve
ph credit - Janet Way

What will be the fate of the trees in Innis Arden, and the City of Shoreline? That will be up to the City, the Hearing Examiner and the citizens who care.

Rep Cindy Ryu Appointed to Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy

Trade and economic policies are things that 32nd Dist Rep Cindy Ryu cares a lot about as a legislator. 

Rep Cindy Ryu

She served as President of the Shoreline Chamber as well as Mayor of Shoreline. Now she has been appointed to the Joint  Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy. 


Here is the press release the Legislative Offices:

Ryu nets appointment to key trade policy committee

July 5, 2011

OLYMPIA—State Rep. Cindy Ryu has won an appointment to the special joint House and Senate committee that oversees trade policy for the Washington StateLegislature.

Ryu, who represents the 32^nd District in the House of Representatives, is a former mayor of Shoreline and past President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.

“Rep. Ryu is opening people’s eyes to new global economic opportunities that allow even the smallest businesses to create jobs tied to international trade,” Speaker of the House Frank Chopp said after announcing the appointment. “Her leadership for small business will be a valuable addition to the trade policy committee.”

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy was created in 2003 amid concern that international trade agreements could significantly impactWashington jobs and businesses—for better or worse. The bipartisan committee includes an equal number of Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate.

“I’m happy to be given a role on the committee that oversees trade policies,” said Ryu. “Export opportunities equal job opportunities, so it is very important that we have good trade policies to help our businesses compete in national and global markets.”

Ryu sponsored the new law (House Bill 1916) that directs the state Department of Commerce to improve its services to small businesses. The law, which takes effectJuly 22, includes provisions that require the state to improve export assistance to businesses.

Washington is the fifth-largest exporter in the nation, according to the Department of Commerce.

Celebrate Independence! In Shoreline Too?

Betsy Ross Flag

Why can't Shoreline Celebrate the 4th of July? 

Just asking the question. What could we do in Shoreline to celebrate our independence other than just banning fireworks?

Nice Flag photo on the city's website, but that's about it.

http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=1

Sure, lot's of folks have BBQ's and head off for weekend getaways. And that's just fine, but in comparison to other cities, the 4th of July in Shoreline looks like any other day, except maybe less traffic. 


Other nearby cities have events, like Edmonds which holds a wonderful parade for grown-ups and kids.
Kenmore and Edmonds have their own fireworks shows.  Seattle of course has a big fireworks show paid for by the community. On July 4th in 1776, in Philadelphia, at Independence Hall,  the 13 Colonies declared Independence from Great Britain.  Here is a quote from the site www.OurDocuments.gov

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it.

Shoreline could do something to celebrate, even in a small way.  We declared our own independence in
1996. That was the 220th Anniversary Year of our Nation's Independence.  We do Celebrate Shoreline, which is great, but can't we also do something to Celebrate America?


Think about the courage it took for the Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence! 
Could we do something to honor it?


So, it wouldn't have to be paid for by the City, or not much. I bet we have lots of businesses who are patriotic.


Some ideas: 


• An Independence Day Concert?
• A Service Day? Park or beach clean-up? 
• A Reading of the Declaration of Independence? Post it?
• A Veterans Event?
• Decorations and Flags?
• Bike rally or Walking Race on Interurban Trail?
• Cook off, community BBQ?
• Baseball game?

How about a history contest? Or a pie contest? Something?  


Come on Shoreline - let's celebrate the 4th of July and Democracy! 

The Declaration of Independence
"Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people."
It is of course, on display at the National Archives.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

Just Sayin! Why not?

Recent Burglaries in North End

Received This Notice from Seattle North District Council. 

Since Shoreline is right next door, seems wise to pay attention.  
Though the crime rate is generally down, the residential burglary rate seems to be a concern still.

National Crime Prevention Council

Be safe!

A note from Terrie Johnston (Crime Prevention Coordinator)

Dear Block Watch Captains/Contacts:  A review of the residential burglaries showed that there have been approx. 85  reported burglaries in the North Precinct neighborhoods since June 1, 2011.  45 of the burglaries were non-forced entry, which means that the thief was able to enter the home either through an open or unlocked door or window, or had a key.  As burglaries tend to increase during warm summer months, I wanted to send out this quick reminder.  Let’s take away some lessons which come from June’s burglaries:  Opened windows on the upper floors may be just the opportunity the would-be thief is seeking.   Crooks used plastic lawn chairs, patio furniture, ice chest, garden pots and in one case a ladder to climb up onto the 2^nd floor and came in through open windows.  Pet doors were the method of entry in several of the burglaries, so be aware.   Back doors were popular this month, so reconsider how easy it is for your watchful neighbors to see onto your back yards.  The victims’ tools which were left out were used to pry open a rear basement door, and again on the door leading into the upstairs.  Decorative rocks and bricks were thrown through back windows in a few of these crimes.  Please schedule a security survey with me if you would like a free assessment of your home’s security.  

www.seattle.gov\police

Washington Toxics Coalition Celebrating BPA Ban Victory

Congratulations to Washington Toxics Coalition for the amazing victory on the Statewide ban of BPA (Bysphenol-A) in children's baby bottles and dishware.

They are reminding everyone of how this law has now gone into effect.  They are thanking all of the supporters of the bill that helped make it law with a letter. BPA was shown to be a major concern to parents about how this chemical leaches from baby bottles and can harm the health of innocent children. 

It’s time to raise a BPA-free bottle and and toast Washington’s independence from the toxic, hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA).

Phase one of the Safe Baby Bottle Act goes into effect today. From this day forth all baby bottle, sippy cups and children’s dishware sold in Washington will be BPA-free.  Back in 2010, Washington state became the 5th state in the nation to ban BPA in baby bottles and children’s dishware.  One year later, all those products are required, as of July 1st, 2011, to be BPA-free!

We can all be glad that our children and grandchildren will have safer food and milk.  Hooray for healthy kids!