Tag: lynnwood

Lynnwood Police Expands FREE Car Seat Installation Program

Carl Setzer
City of Lynnwood Logo

Starting July 6, 2016, the Lynnwood Police Department will expand its FREE car seat installation program to every Wednesday from 12-6:00 pm (by appointment).

In the past they have conducted car seat inspections two days per month. However, more volunteers have stepped up to contribute their time and talents to this valuable program.

The Lynnwood Police have offered car seat inspection/installation education to the public either by officers or volunteers since 2002. They now conduct over 250 installations each year. The program is overseen by Crime Prevention Specialists in the Community Health and Safety Section of the LPD and is staffed and run by dedicated and caring volunteers. All five volunteer technicians are nationally certified to help parents and caregivers learn how to safely install the car seats in their own vehicles.

Car Seat

Lynnwood Police Department Volunteer Car Seat Installation Technicians 

How to get started:

  • You may schedule an appointment by calling 425-670-5710. Leave a message and a volunteer will call you back.
  • It is best to have the child present, and to bring your vehicle owner’s manual and child seat instructions (if you have them).
  • Location: Lynnwood Police station located at 19321 44th Avenue W, Lynnwood. It’s right across the street from the Lynnwood library
  • Allow 30-45 minutes for your appointment. Parent education and involvement is a primary goal.
  • This program is FREE to the public. However, the volunteer run program will accept donations to help support training, recruitment and special events.

Motor vehicle crashes are the single largest cause of child fatalities in the country. Proper child seat safety can reduce the risk of injury or death by 70%. Typically, parents make sure their children are in child car seats. However, 8 of 10 seats are installed incorrectly.

At a minimum, children MUST be age 1 and 20 pounds before facing forward. Toddlers between 20 and 40 pounds, one to four years old, must be in a forward-facing child seat restraint system.

The latest state law went into effect on July 1, 2002 requiring children between four and six years old or 40 to 60 pounds to ride in seat-belt adjusting booster seats. Many tragic experiences have proven that children between 40 and 60 lbs. sitting in regular seats with adult shoulder and lap belts can be seriously injured or killed because the adult restraints do not work adequately for children.

Remember: citations are issued when children are not restrained in age and size appropriate car seats. The fine is $124.

To make an appointment contact call the volunteer car seat installation experts in the Crime Prevention Unit at 425-670-5710.

This July, Lynnwood Discovers the Super Powers of Parks & Recreation 

Carl Setzer
City of Lynnwood Logo

This July, Lynnwood residents don’t need to be bitten by a radioactive spider to discover that they have super powers. They just need to visit their nearest park or the Lynnwood Recreation Center to find super powers they didn’t know they had.

Lynnwood Parks and Recreation is celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and all the ways parks and recreation has the power to transform our daily lives. From providing us places to get fit and stay healthy to fostering new relationships and forging a connection with nature, our close-to-home community park and recreation facilities provide essential services and improve quality of life.

“I invite all Lynnwood residents to get out and enjoy your beautiful parks systems. Super July is the best time to soak up the sun, splash around the spray parks, take to the slides, and get swinging,” says Director Lynn Sordel.

Lynnwood Parks and Recreation will celebrate Park and Recreation Month through an exciting new initiativeLynnwood Walks and our widely popular Shakespeare in the Park.

NRPA is celebrating the month by hosting a selfie photo contest. From July 4-31, NRPA will issue weekly challenges for people to get out in their parks and recreation facilities and discover their super powers. Weekly prizes will be awarded. The contest can be entered via Facebook or by uploading a photo to Twitter and Instagram using #SuperJuly and #SuperParkSelfie. Visit www.nrpa.org/July for official rules and details. NRPA also encourages all people that support parks and recreation to share their photos and love of parks using the hashtag #SuperJuly on social media.

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, and local initiatives visit: PlayLynnwood.com

Lynnwood Fire Department’s Disaster Preparedness Training June 11

Carl Setzer

I can’t think of a better way to be a great neighbor.

MYN

Join us this Saturday, June 11 from 10am-noon at Fire Station 14 to build and strengthen your disaster readiness skills with the Lynnwood Fire Department. Learn the basics of first aid, ladder climbing and rescue cribbing, how to turn off your gas and water, how to use a fire extinguisher, and learn how to implement Map Your Neighborhood with your neighbors.

Fire Station 14 is located at 18800 68th Ave W, Lynnwood.

To register, contact Misty Burke at mburke@LynnwoodWA.gov or 425-670-5302.

Additional workshops will be held on the following dates:

  • Sunday, June 26, 2pm-4pm (en espanol)
  • Wednesday, July 13, 6pm-8pm
  • Tuesday, September 27, 6pm-8pm

Follow us on Twitter @LynnwoodFire

Lynnwood’s Azteca Is Gone

Carl Setzer

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It closed over a month ago (according to my chums at Lynnwood Today). Well, I haven’t been by the site in a couple of weeks and, boom, I see a vacant store front. It’s been ages since I’ve set foot in there, so, well, there you go. Per the article, the signs were still up, hence why I don’t think I noticed it being vacant. Now, though, the windows are out as the storefront is being renovated. I didn’t see any signage pointing to a new store (no “coming soon” or whatnot, but I doubt the building’s owners would invest in that major of a renovation unless they had a tenant lined up. However, I’ll ask around and keep my eyes peeled.

Update: OK, went riding along the Interurban and got a closer look. There is a “Coming Soon” sign up where they’re working. Couldn’t are it closely, though. I’m sure I’ll get to see more details soon.

Reflections On The Week

Carl Setzer

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Another piece: Lynnwood’s highest price point seems to be east of 99. Many of those are newly constructed, especially the parts that abut Bothell. Of course, there are the view homes in Blue Ridge, but even they have been hovering in the high 500s, and I haven’t seen one break 600k recently. Just observations.

I also noted the number of condos sold in Lynnwood. Less that half the total sales, but a solid contributor to Lynnwood’s overall sales numbers. The lower price point really helps with affordability. Remember, though, that condo association dues play a part in financing. If your acceptable monthly mortgage payment is $2,000 and dues are $300, it’ll more like you’re financing $1,700. (This is not exact. Lender’s computations are more complex, so I always recommend developing a relationship with a good one. I know several I trust deeply, fyi)  I’ll take a deeper dive into condos soon. They are cool and provide some really affordable options.

Life’s getting easier for buyers. More inventory means less competition. But the summer buyers are coming soon. It’s going to be a zany few months. It’ll be fun!relationship

An Open House for some serious work in Lynnwood

Carl Setzer
City of Lynnwood Logo

Next Wednesday there will be an open house for this project. On 196th from the east side of Fred Meyer to just before I-5. Come and be informed, and give your thoughts and input. If you want to take the deep dive, here’s the project’s website.

 

PROJECT OPEN HOUSE NOTICE

196th Street SW Improvements:

48th Avenue W to 37th Avenue W Project

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

6:00 to 8:00 PM

Lynnwood City Hall, Council Chambers

19100 44th Ave W Lynnwood, WA 98046-5008

The City of Lynnwood is in the process of designing a widening of 196th St SW from 48th Ave W to 37th Ave W and invites the public and all other interested parties to an Open House. The purpose of the Open House will be to provide information regarding the project and seek public comment.

Project Information

The 196th St SW Improvements: 48th Ave W to 37th Ave W project will add two additional lanes (one lane in each direction), median barriers, wider sidewalks, and landscape features. The improvements are needed to accommodate future growth envisioned for City Center and to create an enhanced pedestrian environment with a boulevard appearance.

Changes in Lynnwood: Bye Safeway?

Carl Setzer

A couple of years ago I noted that Albertsons acquired Safeway. And here in Lynnwood we have an intersection with one of each kitty-corner to the other. I had a hunch that one of them was doomed, most likely Safeway. To me, the store always seemed to be struggling, always rather empty.

Then I noticed “guys with signs” (a modern incarnation of the town crier?) recently. They were sharing the news the they were liquidating the whole store. So, I guess my projection was accurate. If you’re a Safeway fan, there’s the store in Edmonds off of 99 and 236th (pretty sure it’s 236th). And the one off of 148th. I don’t know about the Edmonds store, but the north Lynnwood one is a busy and vibrant place. With its relatively recent remodel, it’s a rather pleasant place to shop. Good since it helped keep it competitive when Fred Meyers opened their Alderwood Store.

I find the Lynnwood Safeway’s migration to be interesting. My first memory of the store, it was located a block east where Big Lots is now. In the 80s (I’m pretty sure) it moved to its current location. What’s interesting to me is that Office Depot went into the old Safeway building. Then a decade or so later, it moved west into the retail space right next to Safeway. So I expect Big Lots will move to the space vacated by Safeway. Well, not really, but it’s a fun conjecture.

Driving up 196th is always telling for me. I remember many old businesses. Like where Shakeys Pizza used to be. Or Pizza Hut. Then I look and try to remember what was “in that spot”. Then there’s the sadness of the now long vacant Alfy’s. A place with many memories for me, and a study in bad management. But that’s a post for another day.

Realizing I have decades of this region’s history tucked into my brain is both rather cool, and a bit alarming. I don’t feel that terribly old! But I can talk about how this city was thirty/forty years ago. I guess it’s clear this place is home for me. No complaints. Nope, not one.

Traffic Fun on 196th and 64th in Lynnwood

Carl Setzer1 Comment

I live really close by and am <sarcasm>delighted at the added fun. </sarcasm> Oh well….be advised and forewarned.

Water Main Break on 64th Ave W Causes Extended Road Closure
Lynnwood Utility Crews will begin repair work Friday morning

LYNNWOOD, WA (April 28, 2016) – Early This morning, a private contractor inadvertently hit a water main on 64th Ave W, just south of 196th St SW. The water main break caused several blocks of 64th Ave W to flood. Lynnwood Utility Crews responded and were able to successfully repair the pipe, however there was damage done to the road surface. 64th Ave W between 196th St SW to the 19800 block will remained closed until 7:30am on Friday, April 29th. Local and emergency access is available.

On Friday, April 29th beginning at 7:30am, Lynnwood crews will remove the damaged pavement and begin repair work. During this time one lane of southbound traffic on 64th Ave W will be open to accommodate business access. Please make plans to avoid 64th Ave W at this location if possible.

Some thoughts on Lynnwood’s future

Carl Setzer
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City of Lynnwood Logo

I watched a video about the rail link and it’s plan to make it up here. (Check out the site and video here)  It’s very promising. I love the idea of a 28 minute trip to downtown Seattle where I don’t have any concerns about parking. I love this future. Especially since I really don’t see leaving South Snohomish county. Ever. Well, vacations and such, but I live living here, my family is here, friends, etc. Hard to conceive of living anywhere else.

That really amuses me. When I joined the Navy all those decades ago, my goal was to get as far away as possible. And returning was not on my mind. The Navy brought me back, to Subbase Bangor, and I’ve remained in western Washington since.

Post Navy, I lived for about 10 years in downtown Seattle. Then in Bothell, then Edmonds and now Lynnwood. I’m a few hundred feet from my parents house. Now. I love it. My son goes to my old middle school, a few staffers are connected to my history. My connection to this place is pretty deep and pretty rich.

Back a decade or two ago, my fellow citizens failed as a progressive, proactive community and we didn’t pass a pretty aggressive transportation package. That one had aggressive rail deployment. We choked on the price tag and we fell behind our issues. I’m pleased to see the way they’re using light rail, getting the trolleys out of the traffic flow. To some degree.

I’m afraid heavy traffic is here to stay. These solutions can really make a dent in that. But only some. I wonder, hope that the next time we have the opportunity to proactively tackle these issues, we have enough foresight to mice forward. Being ahead is immensely preferable to behind.