The one day conference is February 4, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm at Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1^st Ave NE Shoreline. Registration ($60) includes a Keynote Speaker, 2 workshops, lunch and for those of you who are licensed providers, you can receive STARS credit. Feel free to pass this information on to anyone who would be interested in learning how they can support the growth and development of young children and help prepare them for success in school and life. Sponsored by Families and Children Early Support (FACES). Contact: Laura Brosas 206-329-1101x231

A community garden (including p-patch style plots to rent) is coming this spring to the SE corner of Twin Ponds Park (1^st Ave N & N 149^th). Join your neighbors and the City of Shoreline to brainstorm design ideas for a community garden. Whether you are an avid gardener, have thoughts about growing your own vegetables or just want to contribute ideas to the garden, this meeting is for you! All ideas are welcome and everyone is invited.

Information: Maureen Colaizzi, Parks Project Coordinator, mcolaizzi@shorelinewa.gov or 206-801-2603. Check out the Community Garden page for more project information.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 6:30–8 p.m.
“Organizing a Community Project” Workshop for Neighborhood and Environmental Mini-Grants

Shoreline City Hall, Council Chambers
17500 Midvale Avenue North
During the past year, Echo Lake residents installed a walking path, Sunset Elementary neighbors organized a community art party, and over 150 participants toured backyard wildlife habitats in Shoreline with the intention of creating their own wildlife habitat. These projects were organized by Shoreline residents who applied for Mini-Grant funding – which fortunately is available again in 2012. Is there a neighborhood or environmental project that you would like to make happen this year?

A how-to workshop on February 29 will give you the information you need to apply for either a Neighborhood or Environmental Mini-Grant. Grants of several hundred dollars up to $5,000 are available on a first-come first-served basis for both types of grants.

For more information contact Neighborhood Coordinator Nora Smith at 206-801-2253, or nsmith@shorelinewa.gov or Environmental Programs Coordinator Rika Cecil at 206-801-2452, or rcecil@shorelinewa.gov

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 7:00 – 9 p.m.
Non-profits and the Law Workshop
For Neighborhood Associations, and Non-profits Serving Shoreline Residents

Shoreline City Hall, Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Avenue North
Have you wondered about liability, duties of board members, or political activities in operating your neighborhood association as a nonprofit in the state of Washington? Come to this seminar to learn the basics of how to operate legally and responsibly as a non-profit. Partial list of topics include: the nature of your [community or neighborhood] nonprofit; duties of board members; protection from liability; maintaining corporate status; state and local tax matters; record keeping and political activities. RSVP to nsmith@shorelinewa.gov by 2/29/2012.

Training will be provided by Bill Williams, Executive Director, Washington State PTA which is known for its comprehensive training on operating a non-profit.

Thursday, March 15, 7 pm
Public Hearing for the amendment of the Development Code for Tree Removal and Retention Regulations

Council Chamber, City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N

http://shorelinewa.gov/index.aspx?page=501

For more information contact Paul Cohen, Planning & Community Development at 801-2251.
More information on the issue:
OVERVIEW: Proposed Tree Ordinance #617 includes several changes in the tree code that the City Council Members have been led to believe are minor, but will probably be major changes in reality.

The City Council should order a full SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review of the proposed changes to the city's tree code, to
determine the long term cumulative impacts of the proposed changes, instead of just hastily approving the new code.

Initial concerns about the Tree Ordinance #617 include: Trees in the Right of Way (along streets and at the ends of streets) would be regulated by a "use" permit, instead of a "site" permit.
Currently, utilities may receive "site" permits to prune or cut trees that interfere with utility lines. A "use" permit, however, would allow
any nearby property owner to destroy publicly owned trees for whatever whim they wished.

The official Street Tree List associated with the ordinance does not include ANY conifers, and only a few native trees. Half of the current trees in our Rights of Way are conifers. It's unclear whether trees currently growing in the Right of Way, but not on the approved list, would then be open to easy cutting. It is clear, however, that any future planting the city might do would be limited to deciduous, mostly non-native trees.

An August 2008 ruling by the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board requires that the municipalities surrounding Puget Sound must take more aggressive steps to reduce storm water runoff. Eliminating conifers along the Right of Way, and "replacing" them with deciduous trees does not accomplish this goal, putting Shoreline at risk for violating Washington State law.

Using the "i-Tree Benefit Calculator" (www.itreetools.org/design.php) we see that the water services provided by an average sized Douglas fir is 2,846 gallons per year, while an average "replacement" deciduous tree is 151 gallons per year. The difference of 2, 695 gallons of water per year in run off will need man-made mitigation at taxpayer expense.

Reduction of air quality, habitat for native species, and changes in microclimate due to decreased shade and wind breaks are difficult, if not impossible to mitigate, regardless of cost, if our large conifers are felled.

The City of Shoreline is considering official designation as a "Tree City USA". While this sounds great, the designation doesn't really
require cities to actually protect their trees. It does, however, require each participating city to establish an official Tree Board. The
current proposal would designate the Shoreline Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department as the Tree Board, although a better choice would probably be the Shoreline Planning Commission, or a newly created Tree Board.

Please go to the City of Shoreline website for email addresses of the City Council and Planning Department members.

Thank you - Suzanne Pardee
suzannepardee@w-link.net
542-1356

Spring 2012, Date TBD
Facebook Workshop for Neighborhood Assoc.

Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Avenue N
In this hands-on workshop we’ll have laptops available to create or improve your Neighborhood Association Facebook page. Knowledgeable helpers will be available to answer questions and give you tips. Space will be limited so please discuss ahead of time who from your neighborhood will be in charge of setting up and maintaining your page.


Other News:

Seeking Youth Jam Contestants

Get ready for the 4th Annual SHORELINE YOUTH JAM!

The youth of Shoreline, 18 or younger, with musical aspirations are invited to compete in the fourth annual “Shoreline Youth Jam”. This year’s event, organized and sponsored by multiple neighborhood groups in Shoreline, will take place Friday, April 6th, at the Shoreline Community College PUB.

The contest will feature a live audience, professional sound, and constructive feedback by judges from the music industry. Performers will be arranged into showcase segments (2-3 songs) and prizes will be awarded in several categories.

MUSICIANS - TUNE UP AND STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!