"All Things Edmonds" Blog

I got a flyer in the mail the other day, courtesy of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, with happenings in Edmonds, WA for December and January. 

Here they are:

• December 8, 2009 - Edmonds Christmas Ship Sing-Along.  7pm - 7:30pm on the Edmonds Fishing Pier (425-771-0230).
• December 17, 2009 - Thursday Art Walk. 5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website.
  
• January 21, 2010 - Thursday Art Walk.  5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website.

We've all heard the mantra about being thankful and giving of your time, talent and resources during the holiday season. And it's true; we should. And not just in November and December but at all times.

But if this is the first time you've done something, consider giving back by thinking locally.  Here are some ways to give during Thanksgiving in Edmonds, WA:

• Annie’s Community Kitchen provides free meals from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds WA 98027, and needs volunteers to help prepare, serve and organize food, wash dishes and collect donated food. More info: 425-744-8090.
• Edmonds Community College Foundation, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, supports access, success, and excellence for students, faculty, and staff at Edmonds Community College. Cash and vehicle donations are needed. More info: 425-640-1274 or www.foundation.edcc.edu.
• Edmonds Food Bank, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, WA 98020, is located at Edmonds United Methodist Church. Food and cash donations are needed. Donations are accepted through the north door of the church from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. More info: 425-778-5833.
• Need some help with dinner this year?  Thanksgiving at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds is open to anyone who would otherwise spend the holiday alone or not have enough money to feed their family. This will be the 15th year that Westgate has put on this dinner. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive one hour early for hors d’ouvres and family photos. Westgate Chapel is located at 22901 Edmonds Way.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Casey

EDMONDS, WA -- Edmonds lost a city community leader in Councilmember Peggy Pritchard Olson today. Until as late as last week, she was still at her job at the City Council working on behalf of the people of Edmonds.  A complete story of her passing was written up in the Seattle Times today.

- Casey

EDMONDS, WA -- Seattle Times writer Lynn Thompson wrote a nice article on Edmonds, WA in the November 5, 2009 edition of the paper.  It focuses mainly on how the town has evolved and yet kept true to its past, with the shops and stores that have clustered around the downtown area.

It's worth the read.  Perhaps over some coffee or breakfast at your favorite eatery.

EDMONDS, WA -- Here's an interesting website. If you've ever wanted a web-based view of where crimes happen and what type of crimes, this website might be for you. Unfortunately, it doesn't currently include the cities of Edmonds or Shoreline but perhaps you know someone who might find this interesting.Oddly enough, it does include those high crime areas like Medina and Yarrow Point. Go figure.

You can also check crime data for other states and cities here as well.

Don't freak though. Crime happens everywhere.

Edmonds, WA -- I've heard about her story and now it looks like she's gone viral and her story has been picked up by the Seattle times. Local fundraiser Carol Schillios has been on her business' rooftop since late July trying to raise money for a number of causes, including a health clinic in Nepal.  

If you want to see for yourself, give a donation or just to ask her a few questions of your own, you can visit her at downtown Edmonds.

EDMONDS, WA -- This week, new data came out reporting that home prices were up nationally, but down locally here in the greater Seattle region. That's not so much of a surprise since we know that the Puget Sound generally lags behind the nation as a whole.  Rather, it's good news. Because we get to see the light at the end of the tunnel far sooner than those who were at the front of the line.  So take heart, Puget Sounders!  We have likely seen the worst of the economy and its effects on our work and personal lives.

Follow this link for more details on the national housing report.

The Case-Schiller home price index shows that home prices in August were down 14.7% from a year ago. My analysis of the Edmonds real estate market indicates that locally, we have seen that prices are down 9.3% for single family houses and down 11.1% for condos.  

Check out my previous blogs to compare my own analysis of home pricing trends in Edmonds & Shoreline to that of the greater Seattle region or nationally.

Edmonds, WA -- As a city of barely 40,000 residents, it's a wonder that so many people spend so much money to run for office in Edmonds to win a seat on the city council here. The candidates raise more per citizen than all but three other cities in the state: Seattle, Olympia and Shoreline. They outspend the next highest city in Snohomish County by double (Everett).

I don't have a complete grasp as to why this is, but clearly people in this city go nuts over the political machine down there on 5th Ave N.

A more complete article on running for office in Edmonds, WA can be found at the Everett HeraldNet.

Here's a summary of the top spenders, per capita:

1. Seattle: $1.84 raised per resident
   
2. Olympia: $1.74
   
3. Shoreline: $1.70
   
4. Edmonds: $1.58
   
5. Bellevue: $1.24

EDMONDS, WA -- Let’s talk about rules of etiquette for riding a ferry. Here in Edmonds, we have many unique features that make us “special.” One of these features is that we are one of 19 ferry terminals used by the Washington State Ferry System. Each year, the Washington State Ferries haul 24 million passengers – about a quarter of all U.S. ferry traffic. Its 24 vessels range from a tiny boat that links Tacoma to Vashon Island, to a tourist-friendly international run that winds through the scenic San Juan Islands to Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

On any given day, you can see a long line of cars parked along Edmonds Way waiting to get onto either of our two jumbo ferries for Kingston. Average wait times can be as little as 10 minutes to several hours. The question donned on me recently: what do you do if you’re stuck in one of these long lines in your car and have to go to the bathroom?

The question begs a greater about rules of etiquette while waiting for a ferry? While I don’t know of any published or official rules, I think there are some that are generally agreed upon by those or regularly take the ferries across the Puget Sound.

Rule #1. Don’t block driveways or intersections. When you have ferry lines backing up for a couple miles, it can be frustrating to navigate local streets. It’s important that as ferry passengers, you are alert enough to know that you should not block driveways and intersections (most of which are clearly marked as such) so that non-ferry traffic and move through these areas without hindrance. You might be weary of leaving such a big gap in between you and the car ahead of you for fear of someone cutting in front of you. But fear not, Rule #2 at your rescue!

Rule #2. No cuts allowed! As tempting as it may be to drive up an extra block or mile before getting in the ferry line, know that it is not only highly disrespectful but also illegal to do so. While you probably won’t face jail time, you’ll have no less than several people report you to the terminal crew or State Trooper on duty. Just ask Ed Sutton, chair of the San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee, who was caught cutting in line.

Rule #3. Don’t argue with the crew or ticket agents. They are doing their jobs. If you don’t get on, it’s not their fault (usually).

Rule #4. Be a gentleman. And if you can’t, show some grace anyway. Sometimes, you just *have* to get out of line temporarily. This actually happened to me when I really had to go to the bathroom. I got out of my car and asked the drivers of the three cars immediately behind me whether they had a problem with me driving to a bathroom and returning to my spot. They did not, so I left. Of course, it’s always the fourth person back who has a problem. He reported me to the State Patrol at the terminal who was more than understanding and let me on. The point is, everyone takes cheating the system seriously, but in the end, it’s probably not going to affect your ability to get on the next ferry, so stay calm and enjoy the ride. 

Click here for more information about the Washington State Ferry system.

Visit my website for more information about the city of Edmonds, WA, or further musings at my “All Things Edmonds” blog.