Author: Carl Setzer

What’s New With Me

Carl Setzer

Back in June Eagle Country Construction let me go (with 6 weeks of notice!). So, after digging around the internet, I’ve accepted a new position with Matt Steel, a Bellevue-based broker with EXP realty, with a decade or two of real estate experience.  I’ll manage their digital marketing. This excites me greatly. I did this for C&K real estate team a few years ago. I loved this part of my job, though I”m a bit rusty. My interest in digital marketing goes many years back and it aligns with my interests in web design, writing and social media.

Also, I’ll be managing this team’s transactions, which is another thing I’ve done (both for C&K, and also with Eagle Country construction). I’m excited to be continuing in the real estate and housing sector. I discovered how much I know and understand, and how much I bring to the table. As I’ll be renewing/rebooting my real estate license, I’ll dive deeper into this sector. I’m not entirely sure what I will do with this part of my career, but there are so many options, so many good ways to earn a living. I’m not sure which path is the right one. But as I’ve been listening to Gary Vee the past few days (updating my digital marketing knowledge), I see a need to experiment, take some risks, try some ideas out and see where they lead. I won’t get anywhere I want to go by seeking the easiest path, the easy way forward.

I’m excited to get back into the fray. And very excited to add the official title of “digital marketer” to my resume. And I’m really pumped to put all I’ve learned, and am learning, to work. Time to hit it hard!

Early Morning Rolling Slowdowns On I-5 Through Lynnwood & Mountlake Terrace Tuesday and Wednesday

Carl Setzer

This will annoy those of you late night/early riser types. If you’re tucked into bed from midnight to 4:00 am, fret not!

From the good folks at the WSDOT.

Overnight rolling slowdowns on I-5 in Seattle, Aug. 27 and 28

Overhead power line work for Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Extension will cause overnight delays on I-5 between Seattle and Lynnwood

SEATTLE – Seattle City Light crews plan to relocate existing overhead power lines over Interstate 5 near Northeast 180th Street to support Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension project. This work will result in traffic impacts on Aug. 27-29.

To complete this work safely, Washington State Patrol troopers and contracted crews must intermittently conduct rolling slowdowns of traffic in both directions of I-5 to ensure safe work operations and passage for motorists. Traffic will be intercepted and escorted at slow speeds for up to 15 minutes between Lynnwood and north Seattle as crews pull overhead feeder cables across the highway. Traffic will return to normal speeds once past the work area.

Rolling slowdowns will occur on the following dates:

  • Tuesday night (11:59 p.m.), Aug. 27 to Wednesday morning (4 a.m.), Aug. 28
  • Wednesday night (11:59 p.m.), Aug. 28 to Thursday morning (4 a.m.), Aug. 29

Additional Details:

  • Traffic using the following on-ramps to I-5 will be affected:
    • On southbound I-5: 44th Avenue West (Lynnwood), 220th Street Southwest (Mountlake Terrace), State Route 104 (Shoreline)
    • On northbound I-5: Northeast 175th Street, 5th Avenue Northeast (Shoreline), Northeast Northgate Way (Seattle)

Drivers should expect delays and consider using alternate routes during construction. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT mobile app and the WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed.

For more information on Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension project, which will extend light rail into south Snohomish County and serve stations in Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood, please visit https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/lynnwood-link-extension and http://www.seattle.gov/light/atwork/ 

I-5 rolling slowdowns

A Weekend Hike: Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Yesterday we on a hike went with some friends at Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch. We were looking for a a little less intense hike than the ones we’ve done this summer so far with a shorter drive. Just a few minutes from my place, with smooth trails, it fit the bill. 

Gaining its name from the workers who lived there in the early 1900s, Japanese Gulch’s 147 acres of land features a dog park, access to the Sound, and a community garden. After an attempt to develop the land as an industrial park in 2007, the community rose up and encouraged the City to acquire the land to preserve it. With many trails for all kinds of users (mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers and families), it’s a fantastic asset to the community. 

We opted to walk the full length of the park, from the 76th Street trail-head all the way down to the Sound. Along the water I was able to check out the progress on the new ferry terminal. Coming along nicely, I look forward to seeing the final product in the fall of next year. 

Back in 2016, the City approved the Japanese Gulch Master Plan, to update and preserve the park. I just discovered the MukMaps Interactive Trail Map, which I want to experiment with soon. If you used this, let me know in the comments. I want to hear your thoughts. 

A few additional thoughts on the trails: there a wide range of trails and types. They vary in steepness and width. So most folks will find something of interest. Also, right now the trail is dry. However, come the fall rains, the trail gets wet, muddy and slick. Be prepared!

Lastly, some resources:

 

 

  • Welcome to Japanese Gulch
  • Views of the community garden
  • Views of the community garden
  • Views of the community garden
  • The new waterfront is under construction
  • Existing the park and walking towards the construction area
  • The construction zone
  • Train crossing
  • Waterfront walk
  • The Beach
Carl Setzer

I just got this alert from the WS DOT. Folks driving around Skagit/Snohomish county line will want to be prepared. I’ve pasted the press release directly into here.

Washington State Department of Transportation
Northwest Region – 15700 Dayton Avenue N. – Shoreline, WA  98133-9710 – 206-440-4000

TRAFFIC ADVISORY                                                                                                               

Aug. 21, 2019

Contacts:    Andrea E. Petrich, communications, 360-757-5963

Shane Spahr, project engineer, 360-848-7103

Bridge work to close lanes of southbound I-5 in Snohomish County starting Saturday, Aug. 24

STANWOOD – Drivers traveling between Skagit and Snohomish counties need to prepare for weekend delays and backups as crews work to rehabilitate two southbound Interstate 5 bridge decks.

Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews from Graham Construction will repair the bridge deck on two separate sections of southbound I-5 over the weekend. One section is near the Skagit/Snohomish county line and the other is south of State Route 532. This work is part of a two-year interstate improvement project between Conway and Arlington.

Lane closure details

  • 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, to 8 a.m. the morning of Sunday, Aug. 25: the two left lanes of southbound I-5 over the Pilchuck Creek Bridge, south of exit 212/Stanwood/Camano Island will close for restriping. The right lane will remain open.
  • 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26: the right lane of southbound I-5 at milepost 211 will close. The left two lanes will remain open but will be shifted away from the work.
  • 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26: the southbound I-5 off-ramp to 236th Street Northeast will close. Crews will have a signed detour in place.
  • 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26: the two left lanes of southbound I-5 at milepost 217, just south of the Skagit/Snohomish county line, will close. The right lane will remain open.

Drivers using this stretch of I-5 Sunday night into Monday morning should be aware of two separate work zones and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph south of SR 532.

During the closures, crews will add a new waterproofing barrier and fresh asphalt on the bridges. While the forecast looks favorable, this work is weather-dependent.

The longest delays are expected Sunday afternoon, Aug. 25, and could last into the evening hours. Travelers can help reduce backups and delays by adjusting travel plans around this closure. If you must travel, consider:

  • Leaving before or after peak travel periods.
  • Using a carpool or vanpool.
  • Riding transit.

Drivers between Skagit and Snohomish counties should continue to plan for single lane closures during the day and double lane closures overnight, until this project wraps up in fall 2019.

Get real-time traffic information on the WSDOT North Twitter account and WSDOT traffic app.

 

Hyperlinks within the release:

Hey Lynnwood, the City is hosting “Sandlot Cinema” at Lynndale park on Thursdays

Carl Setzer

The city of Lynnwood is hosting these free, family friendly movies at Lynndale Park. The movies start at dusk.

Sandlot Cinema 2019
Sandlot Cinema at Lynndale park August, 2019

  • This Thursday (August 22) is “Mary Poppins Returns”.
  • Next Thursday (August 29) is Dumbo.

Bring your own blankets and chairs. Oh, and the “Snack Shack” will be open for dinner and snacks.

More details are available on the city’s Facebook page.

Local Theater Group, Bigfoot Players Putting On Midsummer’s Night’s Dream This Weekend

Carl Setzer

Hey Lynnwood & Edmonds area friends, a new local youth theater group, Bigfoot Players, is putting on Midsummer’s Night’s Dream this weekend. I have been helping them form the organization and been privy to all their hard work to bring this to life. I’m proud of all their hard work and passion bringing this together. 

This link is for their performance schedule. It’s free in Lynndale park’s amphitheater. Check them out!

The IRS and 21st Century Annoyances

Carl Setzer

So, one of my current projects is helping a non-profit get up and running. One of the things we need is an EIN (Employer Identification Number…the organizational equivalent to a Social Security Number). So, I go to the IRS page to request this, and keep getting the old “Can’t connect to the website. Please try again later” error. I don’t think too much of this, but after a couple of hours, it’s getting to me. So, I explore a bit and find this.

image.png

Really? A website that’s only useful during “business hours”? It’s a WEBSITE! Why on earth is this not available 24-7? I guess that there’s some manual approval that happens during the process. Even so, I should be able to apply and be dropped into a queue that’ll be checked Monday morning, or whatever. A website with office hours just boggles my mind.

Ok, this clearly is a 21st Century problem. But it’s just so antithetical to the zeitgeist.

Have you been to Mel & Mia’s in Edmonds? Best baked cakes and such in South Snohomish County!

Carl Setzer

My good friends at Mel & Mias in Edmonds (located at 7530 Olympic View Drive (Google Map Link), right in Perrinville) have great baked goods and coffee…really, really good coffee. Here’s their latest Instagram announcement, I expect it’ll be a fun time.

If you don’t know them, the owners are Bill and Rebecca. Bill is a Culinary Institute of America (the real CIA) trained chef with 30+ years of fine dining experience, and Rebecca has 20 years experience that combines with a passion of cakes, party planning and design. My family are regulars, and we rely on them for perfect cakes for those super-special occasions.

Besides heading down there as soon as you can, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Just a reminder, that on July 26 we are having live music and Mel&Mias! #live #music #livemusic #melandmias

A post shared by Cute Pastries & Coffees (@melandmias) on

Oh Yum! Check out the Northwest Chocolate Festival!

Carl Setzer

Apparently this is the Top Chocolate festival in North America (is there a more impressive one in Europe? Or South America? But I digress…). More importantly (to me at least) it’s the largest gathering of chocolatiers in the world. As someone who adores chocolate, I find this compelling and more than a little bit interesting.

  • Live chef demos
  • 160 exhibitors from across the globe
  • a 21+ lounge

The event will be November 9 & 10 on Pier 91 in Seattle. Tickets for the full weekend are currently $50, with single day options at $25. There’s also a VIP pass that looks like a blast at $95. These prices are for right now, and will go up closer to the event.

Check out their website for full details and to reserve your tickets.

Update: corrected the dates to November 9 & 10

The Fourth, Parades, Fireworks and the Law

Carl Setzer
fireworks

First, a reminder that for most of the region fireworks have been banished. Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Brier, Edmonds, Gold Bar, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway all have ordinances prohibiting them. For more details Snohomish County has created this guide for fireworks.

So, legal fireworks. You know, the professional shows! Well, there are many options around the region. The Washington State Patrol has this great list of options throughout the state. And, of course, there are parades and other events. I’ll highlight just few around here.

First, Mountlake Terrace has a fireworks show tonight, July 3, on Lake Ballinger. 

As for tomorrow, the actual Fourth, I’ll be in Edmonds, so I’ll start with their festivities. This is the main thing for South Snohomish County around Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.

Here are some other local options:

Interested in daring Seattle traffic? Seattle Eater has a great list of stuff in Seattle.

Anything I’ve missed, or you’d like to suggest? Please let us know in a comment below. I’ll happily update this post with your ideas.