Tag: community

Seattle Area Networking Events

Carl Setzer
Guys networking

Well, it’s been a bit, hasn’t it? It’s been nearly a year since my last post. Wow! My apologies. Attempting to reboot my career has taken a great deal of my time and energy. I deeply appreciate that you are here, now, reading this post. Thank you so very much!

As I’m now looking for a new role, I thought it apropos to create a list of networking events. Besides the need for ME to network, I’ve had a couple of folks ask me for places to go. So, here’s the quick list I came up with.

List of Seattle networking events

  • Seattle Chamber of Commerce:
  • Puget Sound Business Journal
  • IABC (International Association of Business Communicators)

Now, here’s where you come in. This list is minimal. Please give me ideas, add to this. I think this could be a nice addition and regularly updated element to my site.

The Edmonds Chamber is having a terrible year, and is looking for our help

Carl Setzer

The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is having a terrible year, which pretty much all of their fundraisers cancelled due to Covid 19. And now, predictably, their highly valued Taste of Edmonds needs to be cancelled (King 5 has a good article about this). This puts a huge challenge on the Chamber, which is now struggling to survive this virus.

They haven’t given up, though. Capturing the long-stranding “Edmonds Kind Of Day” catchphrase, they’ve launched “Be An Edmonds Kind Of Hero“, to raise their operating funds. They have a goal of $100,000, and are already almost half-way there (as of August 8)! I believe in supporting them as they put on so many events that I value. The Edmonds Kind Of Fourth, the Christmas Tree Lighting, The Arts Festival…we usually go to every one of their events!

Now it’s time to step up and help. “I just donated to make sure our favorite Edmonds events return in 2021. You should, too! Click here to show your support.”

If you can help, please give what you can.

Edmonds Named First Creative District – 425 Magazine

Carl Setzer

I love how Edmonds has engaged the local arts community over the years. This betters the quality of life for the area, which brings people into the City. We have a unique blend of artisan businesses in the urban core. And, actually, throughout the city.

So, congrats to all the businesses, government staff, and artists that help make all this possible.

Edmonds Named First Creative District – 425 Magazine

Lynnwood’s Trinity Lutheran Church’s Thanksgiving Feeding Project

Carl Setzer

Every year, Trinity Lutheran Church’s seeks to help the needy, beyond Thanksgiving, but this time of year is a critical time. Our goal this Thanksgiving: help 140 families. Though we’re solidly on-track to meet that goal, it is ambitious and we need your help.

Of the three below, the gift cards are the most preferred. After consulting with our neighboring schools, who we partner with for this ministry, it was determined that gift cards help people celebrate the holiday is culturally relevant ways.

The items below can be dropped at Trinity during office hours, or brought on Sunday.

Trinity Thanksgiving 2018 Drive.jpg

So, a friend of my son told me his father is dying…

Carl Setzer

One of my son’s friends hit with a curve ball earlier this week. He dropped that his dad in in the hospital dying. Pretty heavy stuff from an 8th grader. But it gets more brutal. He’s struggling with whether to go see him. You see, the father in question is the proverbial absentee parent. As the boy put it, “why should I care? He wasn’t there for me when I needed him.” Which makes sense to me, and breaks my heart. Though my father and I don’t have a perfect relationship, he’s been there when I needed him. I can’t begin to relate to this situation.

Makes me think of my relationship with my son. I’ve been very deliberate in being present. Showing up at school events, choir concerts, we do taekwondo together…I didn’t want to be like a friend of mine who, as his kids were nearing high-school graduation realized he didn’t know them. With that, years ago, when doing some Franklin-Covey exercises, one that stuck was the question “what do you want people to say about you at your funeral?” I want them to say “he was there”, and that I cared. All else is secondary.

So, the boy’s father and I have very different world-views. Or, at least, I made certain that my actions aligned with my values. Hard to really say anything about this father, since I don’t know any other details about him. But my response gives insight into me, my values and aspirations. And imperfect though my relationships are, I’m good with things, with my life, my community. I feel blessed.

Walks, Hikes, Life, Community

Carl Setzer

Earlier today I talked with an acquaintance about walking. He, like me, loves to walk. Lately, it’s been my main form of exercise. I’m a bit wimpier than my chum, not really willing to walk when it’s pouring. Perhaps I need to invest in some rain gear. But, being outside… that’s beauty.

Hiking brings joy to do many. There was this chap, Paul, who loved the AT (Appalachian Trail). After he died, far too young, his wife had the idea for his boots to take to the trail. A call went out, the great community that resides on the trails stepped up. Facilitated by the folks at REI, the collective took the journey and have shared it with us. Watch and listen with your heart. It’s worth it.

Now it’s Safeway, or Everything Changes 

Carl Setzer2 Comments

A few weeks ago, one of my local grocery stores rebranded.  After Safeway and Albertsons merged a few years back, the writing was on the proverbial wall. The Safeway branded store across the street was shuttered. A few months back, I noticed the start of a remodel. While talking with friends there, I was told the store would become a Safeway soon. That’s now done. 

A few days ago I noticed I felt somewhat sad looking at the sign. Well, the store has been an Albertsons as long as I can remember. Went there with my mom, watched the changes of the area, yet it was there. No longer, though. 

Lynnwood, this little suburb north of Seattle, hasn’t been as radically transforming as Seattle or the Eastside. Well, until recently. Stalwarts of my childhood have closed, buildings getting torn down, land redeveloped, vacant lots becoming neighborhoods. Housing prices sprinting upwards. 

Change. Pretty rapid change, too. 

Communities consist of these institutions, and their interactions with our citizens. The uniqueness of Lynnwood morphs, so what will become of the charms we value? I value?. 

Defining their value, though, is hard. I see the value to government, and our local business community. I’m a real estate agent and currently work in construction. I get that. Yet I worry that the influx of national chains and steep housing price inflation erode that which makes this community unique. Lynnwood has always been about commerce. But it’s also had a place for very one-of-a-kind businesses. Those are the ones vanishing. 

So many long-time residents I know feel concerned. Those things that build attachment vanish. What holds us here? At what place do we surrender to inflation and move to someplace more affordable? I guess that’s the question at the end of all this. 

I don’t know, my friends. Just don’t know. 

Fight Like A Girl

Carl Setzer

At my taekwondo school, many of us have adopted this slogan: “fight like a girl”. A couple of the women I train with are thinking the next iteration of this is pink t-shirts with this phrase. 

Overhearing this I stated I would proudly wear one myself. And I want to be clear:  truly, deeply, definitely I would. 
I adore the fierce and talented women and girls in my life. The amazing and wonderful things they’re doing to make our world better…I’m privileged to be a part, to witness and, sometimes, even help out. 

So, get the shirts and let me buy one. A humble little thing I can do. 

Enjoying the cherry blossoms at UW 

Carl Setzer

We wandered around campus last weekend. Stunned by the masses of tourists…I heard that there were tour buses. Very cool l guess. But out wasn’t the most lovely thing. Still, the blossoms were a lovely site. I always enjoy walking campus while they bloom. 

Another thing I enjoy about the U district: food. An interesting blend out food types, styles, ethnicities. No matter what you like, some one the ave,  most likely,  serves it there. 

I experienced so much life there, learned so much. A let part of development centred there. And I didn’t study there much. Yet I still love it, and expect I says will. 

Some Edmonds Centric Stuff This Weekend

Carl Setzer

There are a few fun events around my neighborhood this weekend. There’s a high likelihood you’ll find me at one of the things below. 

    Get out and do something fun!