Contribute to city’s visioning process

Shoreline citizens have been invited to write essays, called “Community Concepts,” describing the future they desire for the city.

After multiple meetings and a Town Hall discussion, citizens and city staff have generated hundreds of ideas and themes. Now it is time to create a Vision.

In the past, the staff and Planning Commission have prepared such materials for the City Council, but this year the Shoreline Citizens’ Coalition has proposed that residents be invited to submit their own interpretations.

The coalition hopes that placing diverse perspectives side by side may enable the best ideas to rise to the top.

Individuals or groups who would like to write essays will work from the materials which have been collated so far. Essays should include the words “Community Concepts” as part of the title.

First drafts, due Dec. 22, will be published on the city Web site, so that writers and readers can compare ideas. Final drafts are due Jan. 8, 2009, will go to the planning commission and city council for evaluation.

Writers can pick up materials and information from David Levitan, 206-801-2554, dlevitan@ci.shoreline.wa.us at the city, or from Dwight Gibb, 206-546-1864, dgibb@earthlink.net.

Choirs present carols church service

The Saint Dunstan’s Parish and Youth Choirs will present an Advent Lessons and Carols service at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, at the Florence Henry Memorial Chapel in Shoreline.

Choral music will include “Up, Good Christian folk and listen” and “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming” among other selections. The congregation will sing seasonal hymns through the service.

The Henry Chapel is in the Highlands. Enter the Highlands from North 145th Street and Third Avenue Northwest onto Boundary Lane Northwest. Do not try to enter the Highlands from 155th Street. Complete directions are on the Saint Dunstan’s Parish Web site, http://st-dunstans-episcopal.us.

This worship service is for all ages. A voluntary offering will be taken. The Henry Chapel is handicapped accessible.

See annual CRISTA nativity exhibit

One of the largest nativity exhibits in the Pacific Northwest is available for viewing at the Cristwood Nursing Center in Shoreline.

The collection features over 758 nativity displays, highlighting the craftsmanship of artisans from 81 countries. Last year, over 2,000 people viewed the collection.

The tradition was started by Lila Argo who gathered together a collection of 40 nativity scenes to bring Christmas joy to the residents at the nursing center. Seventeen years later, her family and the CRISTA staff continue this Christmas tradition.

The exhibit is located at 19303 Fremont Ave. N and is wheelchair accessible.

Shorecrest alumni plan 40th reunion

Have you lost contact with an old classmate or teammate? The 1969 class of Shorecrest is in the planning stages for their 40th reunion and want this reunion to be the most attended and best yet.

If you are lost, just misplaced or in contact with a 1969 graduate please contact Cathi Roper/Hatch Hoffman at 360-897-9223 or e-mail shorecrest1969@aol.com.

Anyone who is aware of a classmate who has passed away, is asked to include information so classmates can honor their memory.

CHS seeks Board members

The Center for Human Services (CHS) is looking to add a few hard-working, team-oriented, board members who can infuse their leadership capability, strategic thinking, diversity and impact in the community.

The non-profit agency and its board have been focusing on strengthening the communities of North King and South Snohomish counties through counseling, education and support to children, youth, adults and families for 38 years. In order to accomplish its mission, the Center provides family counseling, substance abuse treatment and prevention, and family support services.

Anyone who is interested in applying for board membership can learn more at www.chs-nw.org.

Please call CHS at 206-362-7282 for an application and contact information.

Calling all skiers to Stevens Pass

Want to go skiing mid-week? Don’t want to drive? How about putting on those chains?

Again this year, the Patty Wagon ski bus will head to Stevens Pass for eight weeks of Thursday skiing beginning Jan. 8 and ending Feb. 26. The price is $191 for the eight weeks or $29 for a single week. Bus starts from 185th &Aurora, to Lake Forest Park, on to Bothell and last stop in Monroe.

Coffee and snacks are served on trip up and also trip down.

Those who do ski touring or snowshoeing can ride the Patty Wagon and then transfer to a shuttle bus that services the Nordic Center, further down the highway to the east. Same offer applies. For full information and a brochure, call Patty Price 206-546-6717

A trip to Tahoe is also scheduled for March 2-6, 2009. For information on this trip, call Grete Dixson, 425-486-8809.

Candy Cane Dash returns to Shoreline

Kick off this holiday season with a “dash” of sweetness by registering for the 5K Candy Cane Dash at Shoreline Stadium.

The run/walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 13. Registration the day of the race begins at 8 a.m. and costs $25.

Participants of all ages can pre-register by picking up a registration form from Super Jock n’Jill, Road Runner Sports, or the main office of Shorecrest High School.Forms can be returned in person or mailed to: Shoreline Candy Cane Dash, 15466 10th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. Registration cost is $20 for participants who register before the day of the race. Participants will receive a Candy Cane Dash T-shirt.

For more information, e-mail thecandycanedash08@gmail.com.

Singers sought to brighten holidays

Anyone from classical quartets to a pair of friends willing to share their musical talents can brighten the holiday season of others while helping local food banks.

The annual Sing from the Heart event will be Dec. 12-14 at all TOP Food &Drug stores, including the Shoreline location at 1201 N 175th Street. The stores will make a donation of $50 to a local food bank for each hour a group presents holiday music. Participants may include organizations, bands, choirs, families or friends. Children’s groups can register for 30-minute performances.

Sing from the Heart will be presented at each TOP Food store from 2-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Groups must register in advance for a time at the guest services counter of each TOP Food store or by calling the Shoreline location at 206-533-2800.

State council sponsors contest

Washington high school students with a disability have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and win a $250 Visa Gift Card in the “SILC Logo Contest.”

The Washington State Independent Living Council (SILC) is sponsoring the contest in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which was in October.

Youth 13-20 years old who have a disability and attend high school or are home schooled in our state are eligible to enter. Logo design submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2009. The winning design will become the new logo for the Washington State Independent Living Council and featured on all official announcements and letterhead.

Entries can be sent to SILC c/o Barbara Hathaway, Executive Assistant, P.O. Box 45353, Olympia, WA 98504-5343 or e-mailed to hathab@dshs.wa.gov. PDF is the preferred format for electronic entries.

The Independent Living Council advocates for independent living services and issues that impact people who have a disability. Every state is required to have an independent living council as part of the 1986 amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Act.

Located in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices in Lacey, the council monitors, reviews, and evaluates the state Plan for Independent Living and works closely with the Centers for Independent Living and other partners.

Members of the Independent Living Council will judge entries.

Volunteer at Hopelink

Hopelink’s Adult Education and other programs are constantly looking for volunteers to give hope to people in need in Shoreline. Hopelink’s Shoreline center at 15809 Westminster Way N currently needs volunteers to:

•Help adults learn basic reading, writing or math skills or earn a General Education Development (GED) diploma;

•Drive to deliver food to home-bound clients;

•Sort gifts, stock gifts and help as “personal shoppers” for clients in the Shoreline Hopelink’s gift room during the holidays when they come to select gifts for their children or grandchildren (days and hours vary).

Training for all volunteer positions is provided. Volunteers must be comfortable communicating in English.For more information about volunteering, please call 206-440-7300.

City gets a new Web site

Shoreline’s first Web site was developed in 1998, with a major reorganization and addition of content in 2001. Each year information and new features were added until the content outgrew the design. After seven years it was past time to update the look, take advantage of new features and navigation tools now available and reorganize the content to make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.

Just a few of the new features include:

•Ability to add events and meetings to an Outlook Calendar with just a click

•Google Maps tied to event and meeting locations

•Enhanced navigation

•Improved search of site including documents

•Graphics that show off Shoreline

Besides the new look and content organization, the city has have a new address: shorelinewa.gov. The old address will continue to point to the new site to give visitors time to update the address in their Favorites file.

Soon after the “dotgov” was established it was reserved for use by only county and federal government. A few cities like Seattle and Redmond registered for a “dotgov” addresses before this limitation was in place. Now that it has been opened to other levels of government, it is becoming the standard. Shoreline felt it is more appropriate and better represents the city than “dotcom.”

For more information about Shoreline’s new Web site, contact communications specialist Susan Will at 206-801-2219 or swill@ci.shoreline.wa.us.