Author: Carl Setzer

The Greedy Need For Speed

Carl Setzer

Lately I’ve thought a lot about traffic. First there’s the ever increasing volumes on northbound I5 through Marysville to Arlington  My trips to Bellingham have stretched out from 60 minutes to an hour and a half…on good days. Then there’s taking this new position in Bellevue, which has thrown me into heavier traffic then I’ve dealt with for some time, if ever. 

I’ve jokingly told myself many times “welcome to LA”. 

I live in a place that’s attracting new people at an exponential rate. Can’t blame them. Jobs are cool. 

With this, though, I’ve noticed an uptick in aggressive driving. Whether tailgating, cutting people off; there are myriad examples of destructive behaviors. I believe the challenge here is simple: A sense of entitlement for speed. Anything that slows us down challenges us a  to our birthright. This explains why people get homicidal over the bicyclist, a pedestrian, or that car doing 50 in the fast lane. I should be able to go as fast as I want, statistics and public safety be damned!

This, combined with the aforementioned increase in the sheer volume of cars pushes us hard. No wonder people are snapping. 

Our culture needs to calm down, to slow down. This rage kills, but not just on the road. Increased stress causes all kinds of horrible things to our bodies and minds. We need to walk more, get on our bikes and ride, getting out of our cars. And we need to remember that the other drivers out there are people. Doing the best that they can. 

Just like us. 

[Editted because I hit “post” too soon and, thus needed to clean up a bunch of grammar] 

Hey South Seattle Geek Fans, Check Out “Pop Culture Pop-Up: Winter in Wonderland”

Carl Setzer

These folks reached out to me letting me know of this fun event down in Puyallup. On the perfect day, “Small Business Saturday”, check out all kinds of great geek-centric crafts for your holiday shopping.

My calendar’s event has more details, as does their Facebook page. And register at Eventbrite.

To see more geektastic fun, check out my ever evolving list of regional events.

Lynnwood Has A Con! Welcoming Nerd Faire To The Neighborhood

Carl Setzer

I just discovered Nerd Faire, a new Northwest Con. Located at the Lynnwood Convention Center, this will be very convenient to me. Their first con ever was this past March. Next year (2020) will be on February 1st. You can get tickets at Eventbrite.

Looks like they’re still pulling things together. Looks like there are opportunities for exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Check out their website and Facebook page to stay up-to-date.

For other cons in the region, check out our calendar of events, and the Geek Event section (just updated them both).

Please like, share and follow! Thanks so very much!

Driving Around Here Nowadays

Carl Setzer

Saturday i had a meeting in south Everett, on 128th to be more specific. Well,traffic on that road was wretched,  but I improvised, taking side streets back to Lynnwood. I ended up driving past the door where the z over Park drive in used to be. Now it’s a medical center and apartment complex. I

Along this street are now many multifamily/higher density housing projects.Several duplexes, apartment and condos, within this area that was semi rural single family homes a generation back. 

This got me thinking about density. That we’re gong to see the greater Seattle area become increasingly densified. I expect in the next dozen to two dozen years this whole region will become mostly multifamily. The economic forces will drive that hard. I’ve long thought that the Growth Management Act’s limits on development will combine with our region’s continued economic expansion to drive this. 

Many will see if as something to lament, and to resist. Me? I see it as a a mixed blessing, so to speak. And as something that good planning can make a great thing. Planning for a transit system that will accommodate this load will be crucial. A predominantly car-centric system will not work. When the majority of commuters take transit, things will be more manageable. 

So, what do you think? 

Green Mountain Lookout: An Article In Today’s Everett Herald

Carl Setzer

Just read “Summit stewards make the steep trek to Green Mountain Lookout“. Ah, visions of Kerouac on Desolation Peak! Well, this isn’t quite so literary, I guess.

If you don’t know Kerouac’s connection to the Pacific Northwest, below are few links for you (and if you don’t know Jack Kerouac, please fix that. I always start such things with Wikipedia).

Anyway, I enjoyed the article, probably in no small part due to my literary fascinations. This looks like a fun, if aggressive hike. And staying on top of a mountain (I doubt there’s wifi) would be a great way to decompress. For me, personally, after this season’s hikes, I realize I’m not quite in good enough shape for hikes like this one. I’m building back up, though.

Below is a video of the current occupants of the lookout (as of the article’s writing, at least) created by the good folks at the Everett Herald.

 

https://vimeo.com/358390009

If you’re inspired to make this hike, check out the WTA’s (Washington Trails Association) page for the Green Mountain trail. And if you’re interested in the Kerouac/Beat pilgrimage to Desolation Peak, the WTA has your covered, too.

Watch “Qui-gon Jinn Guides Darth Vader to Redemption” on YouTube

Carl Setzer

This great fan mash up video tells the story of Qui Gon Jin, as a Force ghost, bringing Anikin back to the Light. I love the idea.

https://youtu.be/mcz-4Sgp68k

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: