Author: Carl Setzer

Lynnwood’s Development and Business Services Office

Carl Setzer

I’m pleased that the City of Lynnwood is reinvigorating (?) the word of the Permit Center (FYI, this office is not by the city offices on 44th by the library. Rather, it’s just south of 196th, kitty-corner to Goodwill). Hopefully, they can smooth out/simplify the permitting process and keep the dynamic business environment that is Lynnwood vibrant. Our little city is growing, and I’m confident details like this help.

 

 

Lynnwood Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over the Counter Reviews Return to Lynnwood’s Development and Business Services in February

LYNNWOOD, WA (January 13, 2016) – The City of Lynnwood is pleased to announce that Lynnwood Development and Business Services, formerly known as the Lynnwood Permit Center, now offers Over the Counter (OTC) plan review to expedite and simplify your projects. The OTC review is intended for smaller, less complicated projects that can be reviewed quickly.

Beginning February 2, the OTC reviews will be held every Tuesday from 9:00am – 11:00am at the Development and Business Services Center located at 4114 198th ST SW, STE 7, Lynnwood, WA.

Projects that may qualify for Over the Counter review include:

  • Small residential additions and remodels
  • Most decks, carports, porch covers and sheds
  • Plumbing and mechanical for residential
  • Commercial mechanical roof top unit (RTU) replacements
  • Simple tenant improvements (to be determined by plan reviewer)
  • Plumbing and mechanical for tenant improvements

For more information on Over the Counter plan review and the types of required documents, visit our Business & Development Services webpage.

About Lynnwood Development & Business Services:

Lynnwood Development & Business Services is home to four departments working together to help homeowners, businesses, and developers succeed with their development projects.

The Folklife Folks Reveal Their 2016 Poster Artwork

Carl Setzer

I just got this email from the good folks at Folklife. Their posters are always lovely. Looking forward to seeing these in the wild.

Folklife is always a fantastic time and definitely worth making your way into Seattle for. Pro-tip: parking around the Seattle Center is always, shall we say, challenging around major events like this. Either plan to PAY for parking, or, my personal recommendation, plan on using Metro.

 

Give to Northwest Folklife
Give to Northwest Folklife BLOG PROGRAMS

Introducing the 2016 Northwest Folklife Festival

Presented by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Take a peek at the all-new 2016 Northwest Folklife Festival poster artwork and website now! The beautiful artwork was created by the talented Dan Stiles and our Festival website now boasts some early Festival news and information.

It is with great excitement that we announce that the 2016 Northwest Folklife Festival will be presented by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a first-time partnership that aims to educate and collaborate through arts and culture.

We will be updating the website with programming highlights and the Festival schedule as we get closer to the Festival, so make sure to check back!
TAKE A PEEK

2015 Year In Review via WordPress

Carl Setzer

I’ve been using the Jetpack WordPress toolbox (my name for it) for a couple of years now. I like their tools and customization options. And then I got this email a week or so ago, and found it fun.

 

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,100 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 52 trips to carry that many people.

The busiest day of the year was September 10th with 57 views. The most popular post that day was About Me.

 

These came from the 2015 year in blogging report that Jetpack produces. Check it out for more details.

And 2016 is in full swing, so more to write about soon.

Some great photos of Edmonds

Carl Setzer

I just discovered  the Pacific Northwest Photography Forum today. It’s kinda funny, as the design suggests it’s been around a while.

Bill Anderson is an Edmonds resident and I’ve seen his photos online often. Lovely stuff! Anyway, he posted some great shots here a few days ago.  Below are a few of my favorites:

 

Katy the Kingfisther
Katy the Kingfisther

 

Hitting the Slopes Soon?

Carl Setzer

The WSDOT has some great resources for those heading up to the slopes. Check out the Mountain Pass website before you leave home. You’ll see current conditions and key details like whether you need chains or all-wheel drive. They also have a whole Winter Driving section, making your life easier and less dramatic. With that, I’d recommend you pack and keep a winter kit in your car. Well, at least until March.

Insights into the Three German students surprise a homeless guy video

Carl Setzer

About a year and a half ago, this video hit YouTube. It’s very inspiring and has a lovely sentiment. To date, it has well over 21 million views.

Apparently the guys at Be Japy caught some flak since the video featured an actor as the homeless guy. It’s important to note that their choice came from the best of intentions. They did perform acts like this one, and were very inspired and wanted to share the idea. And they wanted to do so in such a way that respected those being filmed. Watch their statement below (it’s in German with English subtitles).

For me, this speaks highly to the Be Japy folks. They meant no duplicity, simply seeking the best way to tell their story while maintaining the dignity of the people they’re serving. For that, they have my respect and admiration.

To the Jeep that passed the school bus on 68th a few minutes ago

Carl Setzer

Brown Jeep Cherokee, newer model. Blasted through the center turn lane, past by all the cars waiting for the school bus. You know, the one with the red blinking lights. They’re on for a reason. Punk!

I tried to get his license, but was too slow. My deepest hope is for karma to body slam him.

The anger I feel is quite intense. People, like this young man, who callously risk lives, especially the lives of children, both raise my ire and disgust. Yeah, at moments like this I want this traffic offense to be raised to felony status.

And, with that, I will leave you, dearest readers.

 

Is Nationstar about to completely rebrand itself?

Carl Setzer

As an agent who’s part of the Xome network and has worked with Nationstar with several REO listings, I read “Is Nationstar about to completely rebrand itself?” with interest. Will Xome be able to offer this unique service environment in such a way as to catch fire? I wonder. It’s a novel idea, this end-to-end, full service idea. Novel enough that it’s no sure bet, either way. I give Nationstar/Xome points for innovation and risk.

With players like Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin changing things up, it’ll be interesting if Xome can get enough traction to grab enough mindshare. My team and I thinks that there’s a place at the new real estate table for them. They are a big player and have plenty of resources to put against this. I certainly wouldn’t write them off.

Meandering Alderwood Mall And Other Delights

Carl Setzer

I’ve spent the last several hours wandering Alderwood Mall. Today, I won the nail in my tire lottery, and the nearest tire shop I could find: Sears (an open one, at least). The past three times this happened were Sundays. I wonder about this, for no really good reason. Perhaps the universe rages against me. Or my memory’s subjective nature took hold. Whatever…

I remember when this thing was built (the Mall, not my van). During construction we drove over, monitoring progress. Decades passed by, changes take hold: stores move, or go extinct, the food-court relocation and redesign (well done, I might add. Well, if you enjoy light). This entity’s changed with the times. Lynnwood, and the north-end of Puget Sound has changed dramatically. I don’t see old Camaros any more. And the number of BMWs grows exponentially.

With that, I noticed many stores that I’ve known for years, awareness-wise, but really know nothing about. Claim Jumper, Urban Outfitters, just to name a few. And there are a few I know well, but have lost focus on. Eddie Bauer comes to mind. After the sale to Spiegel, I stopped paying attention as quality plummeted, and, well, any sense of it as a Seattle company vanished. Lastly, I look at the Anthony’s restaurants here and think of the local chain, and how little I know about it.

Well, with so much to learn, there will be no shortage of opportunity to write in the near-term at least. If there’s anything you’d like me to add, send me a note or add a comment.

Thanks so very much for reading!

Let’s make 2016 a year of courage and hope

Carl Setzer

I loved this line from French President Francois Hollande’s New Year’s speech:

“Let’s make 2016 a year of courage and hope.”

Loved it so much I whipped this little jpg together.

So, in the words of Captain Picard, let’s “make it so”.

New-Years-2016