Author: Carl Setzer

The Tulips Of Skagit Are In Full Glory Now – Plan Ahead

Carl Setzer
Skagit tulips are in full bloom

Tulip traffic was pretty brutal last weekend. I saw back ups starting in Lynnwood. I don’t know how far the congestion went, often it opens up some north of Marysville/Arlington.

Anyway, I was hoping that the Easter holiday was a large contributor, but the good folks at WA DOT aren’t so sure. They’re predicting even heavier traffic volumes the next few weekends, as the flowers are now in solid bloom. Not sure how lovely the weather will be, but this is western Washington and you can’t let a little rain hinder your fun.

Below are some notes from the WS DOT. I particularly recommend the SR 20 option. If you’re not heading for the tulips, you might even head over to 9, though if that’s backed up, you’re kinda stuck.

A Skagit pro-tip: check out Calico Cupboard, one of my favorite restaurants up there. Besides the Mt. Vernon one, there’s one in La Conner, too (a nice little junket away from the fields, still quite close, though). And if you need some caffeination, let me recommend Woods Coffee. They’re a chain out of Whatcom county, and I’ve been to several of their Bellingham stores and am fond of them. The Mt. Vernon store’s parking lot is a little quirky, so be forewarned.

If you’re not heading to the tulips, here are some other opportunities in the north Puget Sound region.

I hope your weekend is refreshing and wonderful.

Traffic was rough in and out of Skagit County this weekend and I’d expect it to be worse the next couple of weekends as tulip fields are in full bloom.

Here’s what to know:

  • Consider getting to the fields and gardens before the gates officially swing open to beat I-5 traffic in and out of the area.
    • Both Tulip Festival gardens open at 9 a.m.
  • SR 20 is a good alternate into the tulip fields but consider going backroads to get out.
    • Know that once you hit county roads around the fields, there will be congestion and even deputies directing traffic at some intersections. It doesn’t matter the time.
  • There aren’t many restrooms available out on the county roads if you’re doing a driving tour. Consider stopping at one of the WSDOT Safety Rest Areas along I-5 before checking out the flowers.

In my opinion, visiting Skagit Valley this time of year is totally worth it. Just know that even if you plan ahead and have alternate routes – you are going to experience some congestion. Plan ahead by having snacks and activities in the car to keep everyone relaxed before and after your visit.

Everett CC’s 2017 Anime & Manga Arts Festival in May

Carl Setzer
Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017

The good folks at Everett Community College, along with the City of Everett’s Cultural Arts Commission are delighted to bring you their 2017 Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival.

Next month, May 19th & 20th…and this event is FREE! And open to everyone.

Their website has all the details.

Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017
Everett Community College’s Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017

Cinerama’s Anime Festival

Carl Setzer
Cinerama Logo

I’m pretty excited that the good folks at Cinerama are hosting their first Anime Movie Festival. They’ll be featuring twenty-three genre favorites including Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Paprika and Cowboy Bebop.

If you like Studio Ghibli, they’ll be heavily featured including ten masterpieces from famed anime grand master Hayao Miyazaki. These titles include Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro.

Also included in the festival is 2017 Oscar-nominated The Red Turtle.

All movies will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles (the choice for discerning anime geeks). One exception: Ponyo, which will be dubbed in English, and The Red Turtle, which is dialogue free.

It’s hard for me to choose one, and the time/commute to Seattle factor makes things painful. Dream world: I’d take next week off, stay in a nearby hotel and binge. However, that’s not to me.

Which is your favorite? Are you going? Which films are you going to see?

Anyway, all the details are here, with the schedule and reservations here.

 

 

Slowing Moving Day In Everett

Carl Setzer

It was a weird day to be at the Snohomish County administrative offices.

One: for some strange reason, tons of people were submitting plans/requests for permits. Not sure the causality of that. But the line was LOONNGGG.

Two: there was plenty of media presence, most likely due to this story: “Cascade Mall shooter dies in apparent jail suicide“. Mr. Cetin was being held in the Snohomish County jail, part of the admin complex.

Three: I heard that they were interviewing jurors for a major case. Not sure the whos or whats of that rumor, but there you go.

Four: I’m sure related to all the above, there was no parking in the county’s garage.

Last but not least, there was a gnarly accident on the corner of Oakes and Pacific, so Oakes wasn’t getting through, and people were being routed around Pacific.

Made for a slow moving day, but got some key stuff done. Not going to complain too loudly.

What a lovely day!

Carl Setzer

Today was pretty delightful. First, got to sleep in…always a boon.

My wife and I hit the Brook’s Tent Sale. Though I’m no longer a runner, my wife and son are. And I’m something of an avid walker, so good shoes are valuable to me.

Next stop, a friend of ours, who makes killer cinnamon rolls, made some killer cinnamon rolls and shared some with us.

We then went and walked around the Edmonds waterfront. One of our favorite places. Calm, peaceful, and people who will actually politely greet each other.

On our way home, we stopped at Mel & Mias, a gem of a bakery/coffee shop in the Perrinville neighborhood of Edmonds/Lynnwood. Charming, delightful place. Light and inviting aura, and excellent treats. Oh, and coffee that’s quite unique. Today got to try a monsoon coffee from India. I’ve never had Indian coffee, so that was a delight in-and-of-itself. The processing for this is unique. They basically cage the coffee beans and let the rains clean away the husk and pulp of the cherry. It had mild citrus and berry notes which paired well with our cherry tart.

For dinner we went to help celebrate our favorite Mexican place’s (La Raza) 8th anniversary. Though we had to leave before the mariachi band arrived, it was great seeing the good folks there having a deserved good time.

Nothing monumental or life changing. Mostly, just life affirming and charming. The sun shone brightly, which was a pleasant change. All in all, no complaints.

Here’s wishing every one of you a blessed Easter, no matter which faith your practice. May we all find peace and joy…in the small things.

Oh How Technology Delights Me

Carl Setzer

Starting at the first of the year, I’ve been working for a construction company. A lot of what I offer is technological competence. Now my team needs someone with AutoCAD knowledge. Well, back in the early/mid-90s, I studied CAD, back when I was thinking about becoming an engineer.

So, to say my skills are rusty is a bit of an understatement. We studied AutoCAD for DOS! Now, DOS was awesome and all, but that really was an unfathomably long time ago.

My local education institution, Edmonds Community College, offers a AutoCAD class as part of their Construction Management program. And as I need to ramp up my skills quickly, here I find myself, taking another evening class.

I’m having a ton of fun, though. I mean, I’m sitting in front of a computer making it do cool things. Speaks highly to my tech geek side.

It is a quirky thing, that’s for sure. Many operating elements are counter-intuitive if you’re solely used to the Microsoft-land. A bit less so if you’ve used Photoshop and Adobe products, or Quark (remember that one?). As Master Yoda would say, I need to unlearn what I’ve learned.

Anyway, I’m having a lot of fun learning new stuff. A key element of the geek heart, as I describe it.

Some considerations on the “Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act”

Carl Setzer

So, I read this article “Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act” over at KNKX and have a few concerns.

Mainly, we do so much more with our phones than just call/text. Will this bill make using GPS illegal? What about radios? I often use my phone to play music. Where does that fall?

Now I haven’t had a chance to look into this deeper, and it might be simply too late to really impact the legislation. However, I still see value in bringing up the concerns.

I do see the value in what they’re trying to do. Just need to make sure it’s thought through enough so that it doesn’t cause too much “unintended consequences”.

I guess we’ll see what comes of it.

 

The 2017 Skagit Tulip Festival Is In Full Bloom

Carl Setzer

For those of us who deal with life north of Puget Sound, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is on. That means extra volumes of traffic around Mt. Vernon and the surrounding south Skagit County Communities (La Conner and Conway, I feel your pain…).

Here’s some guidance, straight from the experts at WA Department of Transportation, to help minimize the aggravations increased traffic causes.

 

Tulip Watch 2017 & we’ve got blooms!

We’re about halfway through this year’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and the tulips are finally here. According to the Festival, more tulips are blooming each day! With the weather on tap to be decent this weekend, this might be as good a time as any to head up to Skagit County.

Now that color is popping, expect the roads to be busy:

  • Come early, before 10 a.m. on the weekends (especially sunny ones) to avoid backup.
  • Consider SR 20 instead of the exit direction into Mount Vernon city streets.
  • SR 9 is another northbound alternate into Skagit County.
  • Remember these tulip fields are along 2 lane county highways and when you’re out there:
    • keep moving
    • don’t stop in the road (including parking over the white line)
    • obey no parking signs
    • don’t block driveways
    • be cautious if walking/taking pictures along the road
  • Consider stopping at a WSDOT safety rest area to use the restroom before you hit the fields.

Some changes in Everett

Carl Setzer

A few months ago (well, maybe a bit longer) Everett’s Trinity Lutheran College folded up shop. We have a new tenant moving into their old space: Funko, formerly of Lynnwood. 

 Looks like they’re taking the whole building, which, if true, will be great both for Funko and Everett.  That’ll be a boon for the local businesses, restaurants and such. 

I’m excited to see this change, though Lynnwood will certainly miss a great company that’s up and coming. Such is the way of things, I guess.