Hey folks, welcome to the second issue of The Osprey Update. I’m David Mendez, your friendly neighborhood newsman and reporting resident of Shoreline, Wash.

Last week, during a walk in Greenwood, I popped in on the Couth Buzzard bookshop. I had just started chatting with the shop’s owner, Tallis Moore, when a woman politely cut in. She dropped off two huge bags of groceries and an envelope of cash for their food drive, thanked him for doing what he’s doing and started away.

My reporter senses tingled, and I dashed after her.

Going on a walk, finding a story and talking to people about what they care about is one of the joys of journalism. It’s like finding treasure that I’m able to share with anyone who’ll listen, and we’re all richer for it.

(Metaphorically, of course. No one gets into this business for any sort of real payday.)

I’m eager to keep up this work on behalf of our community, and I deeply appreciate your support and your readership.

The focus this week is food insecurity: The Osprey visited St. Dunstan’s food ministry as they prepared to feed hundreds of people during their weekly evening feast; and we also spoke with folks at The Couth Buzzard bookstore and cafe in Greenwood, which is running both a food drive and going “pay what you can” for cafe and drinks until federal SNAP benefits are restored. We’ve also got an update on the Shoreline City Council Position 1 election race.

Thanks for reading, folks.

Every week, the volunteers at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church offer more than 600 hot meals to folks within its halls and across nearly half a dozen camps across the North End. It’s a labor of love for the folks who spend hours cooking, cleaning, loading insulated hot boxes and preparing meal kits — some loaded with extra desserts, to make sure unhoused kids and their families have a little something to look forward to.

The Osprey spent a few hours at St. Dunstan’s last week to watch, chat and learn about the work these folks put into ensuring their neighbors have at least one hot meal — and a little extra — if they need it.

They’re not sure yet if folks who rely on federal food benefits are feeling the pinch of lost aid money, but they’re making sure that as much of the food and goods they clean from local grocery stores goes to the people who need help.

Check it out here

Tallis and Hilary Moore, the owners of the Couth Buzzard bookshop and cafe, are sharing some relief with their community by moving to a ‘pay what you can’ model for folks buying food and drink at the counter, while also running a food drive for local charities.

King County employee Valerie Snider was entrusted with a seat on the Shoreline City Council following the unofficial results of the Nov. 4 election; she plans on hitting the ground running. Meanwhile, in a concession note posted on social media, runner-up Jack Malek has pledged to ‘continue showing up’ for his hometown. He’s also expected to take another run at a city council position next election season.

Navi’s Catering Kitchen in Lynnwood is offering no-questions-asked free meals to anyone who visits their kitchen, 5903 196th Street SW, Lynnwood, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12 and Thursday, Nov. 13. “just bring a Tupperware, and we’ll take it from there! Please help us spread the word — it’s so important that our community comes together and no one goes hungry. Let’s make sure everyone who needs a meal knows they’re welcome!” Navi’s wrote on Instagram this week.

The City of Shoreline is partnering with Destination Shoreline for the Shoreline Food Drive. Donations will benefit Hopelink Food Markets. Donation sites include Shoreline City Hall, and the most-needed items can be found here. For more, visit Destination Shoreline.

A Shoreline Pool Design Open House will be held on Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Ave. N. The open house will not feature a formal presentation, but city staff and consultants will be on hand to help folks learn about the project, share preliminary designs and information and answer questions about the project. Materials will also be online starting Nov. 14. For more, see the City of Shoreline’s pool project landing page.

The ShoreLights Winter Light Display will be lit for the first time on Nov. 15, at the Park at Town Center, 17560 Aurora Ave. N, Shoreline, at 5:30 p.m. For more, visit the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks for reading The Osprey Update. Please reach out to me at [email protected] with any questions, event announcements, story ideas or news tips. Nothing is too small!

Also, please follow The Osprey on Instagram and Bluesky, with profiles to come on Facebook and Twitter/X. We’re just spinning things up there, so please pardon our dust.

See you soon, and take care.
- David