Tag: Edmonds

Follow Up: Taste Of Edmonds

Carl Setzer

So, just two days ago I was complaining (whining?) about the Taste of Edmonds. And, then, today, well, there I was, walking the stalls. I did find a few food vendors with smaller servings so was able to try a few different items without feeling like a boa that ate a goat.

Ok, ok…it was fine. I actually enjoyed myself and spent several hours there. Of course, part of the fun was running into an old friend who plays in the Michelle Taylor Band. While my wife and son explored the stalls and got henna tattoos, I was able to watch Taylor and Co perform. For me, that was the best part. They have a driving, bluesy rock sound that charged up a wide variety of covers: Tracy Chapman, Adele to Pharrell Williams. It was pretty early in the day, and they still got people out dancing. Got a kick out of watching my chum Jim walk around with his keytar. So, I recommend catching one of their shows. Or, at least, check out their Soundcloud page. Here’s a video to whet your appetite.


Food was ok, vendors were nice. Didn’t like the massive crowd, dust and heat, but all in all, a decent afternoon. So, yes, I enjoyed my time. And feel it was worth the admission. (Our stop at Revelations Frozen Yogurt, though, was glorious). Fine. I still stand by my recommendations/complaints, though. I believe they’d make the event better and more productive to the community. And there you have it!

Thoughts on Taste of Edmonds and Bite of Seattle

Carl Setzer1 Comment

At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, I’m not a fan of these community events: the Taste of Edmonds, and it’s older cousin, the Bite of Seattle. Perhaps it’s a case of “back in the day” sentimentality, or just that grumpy “get off my lawn you damn kids”, but these events just grate on me. I’m charged an admission fee to wander through booths and buy one dinner (I suppose I could buy several dinners, but I’m really trying to make less of me in the world).

What I’ve seen the past few times I’ve gone are loads of booths, where you buy full meals. That’s not a “Taste”. The value of an event like these is to sample the wares of many (all?) the vendors. In the recesses of my memory, there’s notes about buying a punch-card that entitled you to one sample from each vendor. Perhaps another sign of aging, but if it’s not my memory, it should be.

To be more specific to the Edmonds event, I have another issue: most of the vendors I remember seeing don’t have restaurants in Edmonds. They seem to be, predominantly the same vendors who attend the Edmonds Arts Festival, amongst other area events. Blah!

Add into that the closing of my beloved Farmer’s Market for a day, the masses of traffic that descend into the Bowl, and that the Edmonds Boys and Girls club is displaced for several days, and my aggravation meter pegs high. Maybe that’s the larger issue. Maybe. Still, I’ll be sitting this one out, and back in the area after the madness has passed. But before the streets are swept, I expect.

A weekend of rocket fun

Carl Setzer

Last weekend, my son and I decided to build a model rocket, an Estes Taser. To fly the thing, we went to Edmonds Elementary’s play-field. I flew many, many rockets over the course of my youth. One challenge with rockets in this region, though: trees. Well, tress and wind. I estimate I lost a few hundred dollars worth of rockets over the years, making this a particularly spendy hobby. But, the boy wanted to and I really do have fond memories, so, what the heck!

Anyway, after the first launch cooked the parachute a little bit, preventing it from deploying properly, we did manage to get two more launches in. The last launch, though, ended with the thing crashing, cone first, into the earth, bending the tube significantly. And that pretty much ended the excursion.

So, the boy really wanted me to create a video, so here we go. I thought, afterwards, it would’ve been nice to add some music. Maybe at sometime in the future.

Below is the creation. Enjoy!

 

 

Father’s Day Weekend Fun Around Seattle, Edmonds

Carl Setzer

Well, it looks like a lovely, rainy Father’s Day weekend in Greater Seattle land. Which may be a bit of a bummer, but we Northwesterners know how to cope.

So, looking for some reason to brave the rain and depart the abode? I have a few suggestions. Oh, and let me clear, this isn’t even close to all inclusive.

  1. The Edmonds Arts Festival: this is currently in process (started this morning) and runs the entire weekend. Many events and performances on top of a ton of booths. Tomorrow you can leverage the Edmonds Farmers Market and build a full day of it.
  2. Looking for a unique gift for Dad? Just need to find something for the house? In Lynnwood, Trinity Lutheran Church has their Junktique on the 13th and 14th.
  3. Want to stay indoors? Well, you can head to the Seattle Center. Tons of stuff going on. And there’s a wide array of food choices in the Armory to make things interesting.
  4. Another indoor opportunity without heading into the City: the Hibulb Cultural Center is free for dads on Sunday.
  5. Here’s a fun and unique idea from the Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field: “In honor of all fathers, Historical Flight will offer member rides to fathers at one-half price with the purchase of a regular membership by an appreciative relative.”
  6. Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum has free admission for dads
  7. Don’t forget Puget Sound area staples:
    1. Take a walk-on ferry trip
    2. Hit the Everett or Fremont Farmer’s markets

There isn’t any reason to stay home (well, unless you want to). Don your rain garb and get out!

A few New Facebook Properties for #Edmonds and #Lynnwood

Carl Setzer

Noticing a lack of community forums for these towns I’m fond of, I went ahead and whipped out these new pages:

Edmonds Living

Lynnwood Living

Come on by and give them a “like”.

Thoughts on Vision Quest’s Sale

Carl Setzer2 Comments

I just received a note from my almost-former fitness club, Vision Quest (read it here, if you wish). They have been acquired by Fitness International, LLC. If my brief bit of research holds true, they’re the parent for LA Fitness.

I bear them no ill will, and truly wish them and they’re staff the best. I found them pleasant and helpful. I great weary, though, of worn gear. Yeah, I’m not a treadmill runner, preferring my stationary bikes. But being relegated to barely functioning, decades old equipment wore me out. Anyway, I hope the new owners are prepared to invest and bring the facilities up to date. Sadly, I expect they will simply close sites and push people to existing LA Fitness locations.

It’s sad to see truly local companies fail and vanish. I guess, at one level, it’s the way of things. It’s hard to compete with the extra-large in commodities.

Edmonds School District Superintendent Round Table : September 18

Carl Setzer

Join the Superintendent’s Roundtable – and a special request!!!!

On Wednesday of this week, we have our first Superintendent Roundtable.  After welcome and introductions, we will invite participants to share topics and areas of interest for this year’s programs.

In addition to this, Dr. Nick Brossoit has a special request for those who can attend the meeting.  There is a possibility of adding a Capital and Construction Bond measure to the February 2014 election, in addition to the Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy.  Dr. Brossoit would like to review this information with those who can attend and gather your thoughts and input in preparation for a series of public input session he will host on this same topic later this month.  If you can make space on your busy schedule; please attend.

“Our District , like most in the region, will be challenged with space needs within two years as we reduce class size in grades 1-3 and add full-day kindergarten,” Dr. Brossoit said. “We also need to address our highest priority facility needs that are currently backlogged, as well as safety improvements on all our campuses.”

 The Superintendent’s Roundtable is tomorrow, Sept. 18 from noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 20420 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood 98036.  Feel free to bring your lunch and we hope to see you there. We will also discuss topics for upcoming Roundtable conversations for the 2013-14 school year.

– from the Edmonds School District Website

Fabric of Life Featuring Local Photographer : Artwalk September 19

Carl Setzer
This just in from my friends at the Fabric of Life foundation in Edmonds.

Learn more about Julie’s work here; https://www.facebook.com/julievantoshphotography

 
An unusual exhibition of black and white film photography will be on display at Fabric of Life for the September 19, 2013 Artwalk.

Julie Van Tosh

…holds a BFA in Fine Art Photography from the University of Washington.  Her artistic influences include Alfred Stieglitz, Lee Friedlander, Michael Kenna, August Sander and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

 

        

 

“My inspirations are the landscapes I encounter: Urban, Wilderness, Human. One of my favorite activities is “Photo Safari” where I explore an area, sometimes just one downtown block and photograph what sparks my eye. ”

                       
This is a great opportunity to see Julie’s work,

and talk with her about the great variety of

work she does:

Lanterns

Professional Photography Services – Traditional & Digital photography

Corporate – event, annual report

Portrait – wedding, reception, family, infant, maternity, pet, headshots

Travel – vacation, city tours, sea and land

Social & Print Media – newspaper, online, magazine

Environment – architecture, garden, landscape

Documentary – art work, cataloging, scanning.

 

 

Please join us at Fabric of Life!
Fabric of Life
523 Main Street
Edmonds, WA  98020     425-563-3925

 

Fireworks and Living in the Neighborhood

Carl Setzer

Sitting up last night, appx 1:30 am, listening to the booms and watching the flashes of my neighbor’s festivities got me thinking. This area has several interesting conundrums regarding fireworks.

I live in unincorporated Snohomish County. Whatever ordinances might be in place are pathetically enforced. Lives would need to be at risk in order for the Sheriff to respond. (Not to disparage my local officers…community police work is pretty challenging as the Sheriff’s staff is run quite thin. One reason to vote for incorporation into Lynnwood…whenever that finally comes). Lynnwood isn’t much better. Technically, exploding and airborne fireworks are verbotten. However, I saw several exceptions to that which were purchased (apparently) at local stands. Anyway, locals know that little will be done to enforce those controls…at least on the Fourth.

Edmonds has had a ban for years. I loved the Fourth when I lived down there since it was quite calm. The war-zone ambiance was completely lacking (unlike my current neighborhood).

Marysville has the tough issue of immediate proximity to Boom City. Enforcement would be an exercise in futility, I’m sure.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. Don’t know if I’m fully for, or against, fireworks bans. I enjoy the things fine, but also like being able to sleep at night.

What do you think?

Local Fireworks Displays

Carl Setzer

If you’re not inclined to zip over to the local fireworks stand (or Boom City), or just like professional fireworks, I’ve zipped together a little list for you. Not meant to be all-encompassing, by any stretch. Nor, for that matter, worrying about Seattle. That’s all over the tv and such. So, here’s the quick & dirty:

I orbit Edmonds and enjoy all the Fourth Events pulled together by the local Chamber. Stuff from 10am until 10 pm (when the fireworks begin). Details here: http://www.edmondswa.com/events/fourth-of-july.html

Other local communities:

Mountlake Terrace (activities start at 8:00 pm)

Everett will have a host of events culminating with a evening fireworks show starting at 10:20 pm: http://www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1163

Plus, it looks like there will be Fireworks after the Aquasox game: http://myeverettnews.com/2013/04/12/everett-4th-of-july-fireworks-parade-and-freedom-festival-are-a-go-this-year/

Lovely Kenmore has a show starting at 10:00 pm: http://www.americantowns.com/wa/kenmore/events/fireworks-show-2013-07-04

And one of my favorite towns, Bellingham, hosts a really nice production: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/06/23/3061605/port-of-bellingham-to-open-g-p.html

 

So, there’s a quick snapshot of the local fireworks show scene. Let me know if I’ve missed anything critical in the comments.