News, Information and Announcements

The City of Lynnwood will host a 50th birthday celebration to dedicate the new water spray features at Daleway Park.

A dedication and community picnic will be held at Daleway Park from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, July 18. Crafts, music and entertainment will begin at 10:00 am. The dedication will be at 11:00 am, followed by a picnic lunch with free hot dogs and beverages.

Community sponsors include the Center for Families, Creation Station, Verizon Fios and Trader Joe’s. Entertainment will be provided by the Lynnwood Community Band and Community Transit's Oxygene!

We hope you will join us as we turn on the water and have some fun!

View Neighborhood Picnic and New Spray Park Dedication flyer

The park renovation was made possible by a grant from the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program. Since 1989, the WWRP grant program has provided over $1.6 million for Lynnwood park projects.

For more information contact Laurie Cowan, City of Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department at 425-670-5502, or e-mail lcowan@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts mission is to create a healthy community through people, parks, programs and partnerships. 

Oral History Project

To commemorate Lynnwood’s 50th Birthday, the City is organizing an Oral History Project. The goal of this project is to capture interviews, photos and stories about Lynnwood since it’s incorporation in 1959. The project will be presented in audio, visual and digital forms. A special project video will be shown at the 50th Birthday Closing Ceremony in April 2010.

This project is headed up by a partnership between Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, Alderwood Manor Heritage Association, the Historical Commission, Sno-Isle Libraries, Sno-Isle Genealogical Society, and the Office of Neighborhoods.

The City of Lynnwood is looking for community members who would like to volunteer to work on the Oral History Project.

To apply to be on the Oral History Project team, please download and fill out an application on the 50th Birthday page or contact Marcie Wirtz at (425) 670-5750. Application deadline is June 30th.

Lynnwood Summer Performances Begin June 24th!

The Lynnwood Arts Commission presents Brothers From Different Mothers at noon on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave W, Lynnwood. This free, 50 minute performance is part of the Wonderstage Performance Series for Kids and is suitable for 5-11 year olds and their families.

In case of rain, the performance is moved indoors to Lynndale Elementary School Gym, 7200 191st ST SW, Lynnwood.  For more information please contact the Lynnwood Recreation Center at 425-670-5732 or visit www.LynnwoodArts.org.

WonderStage is sponsored by the Lynnwood Arts Commission, City of Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, Trader Joes, PCC Natural Markets and by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission.

2009 Annual Juried Themed Exhibit - Celebrate 50

The City of Lynnwood is turning 50 this year, and to help celebrate the Lynnwood Arts Commission has a special theme for this year’s annual juried art exhibit.

The show is titled “Celebrate 50” and we are looking for artists of all ages and abilities to create work that uses the ideas of celebration or 50, or both!  Artwork selected will be on exhibit at the Lynnwood Library Gallery – 19200 44th Ave W, from September 25 – November 12.  Prize winners will be selected by a judge and a public reception will be held on November 3.

For an application or more information call Marianne Johnson at (425) 670-5518 or visit the Arts Commission website link at www.LynnwoodArts.org to download application. Deadline to apply is July 31.

Fiber Artist Ann Maki on Exhibit at Lynnwood Library Gallery

The Lynnwood Arts Commission presents artwork by fiber artist Ann Maki at the Lynnwood Library Gallery from Thursday, May 28th – Monday, July 6th. The Lynnwood Library Gallery, 19200 44th Avenue West, is Free to the public, and showcases local and regional artists, both amateurs and professionals.

Seattle fiber artist Ann Maki will be exhibiting a series of works titled “In the Garden” at the Lynnwood Library Gallery. Inspired by the brilliant colors of spring and summer gardens her torn fiber assemblages capture the essence of plants, flowers and vines in color and line.

After attaining her degree in fashion merchandising and design, Ann worked modifying clothing for the physically disabled. Her work as an artist began in the 1990s first with traditional quilting then later evolving into wearable art. Her current work uses hand-dyed fabrics, torn and layered to reveal the depth and richness of embellishments beneath using threads, yarns and stitching. Ann has exhibited her work throughout Washington and Oregon and is a member of Gallery 110 in Pioneer Square.

Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Library is closed on national holidays. For more information, please call 425-670-5518.

Hall Lake Watershed to be Studied

Lynnwood has partnered with the cities of Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Snohomish County to study the Hall Lake / Lake Ballinger / McAleer Creek watershed. With a $200,000 grant from the State Legislature, these entities have formed a representative forum to guide the development of a watershed strategic action plan.

The watershed primarily consists of Hall Lake, Lake Ballinger, and McAleer Creek. Hall Lake drains into Lake Ballinger via Hall Creek. Lake Ballinger drains into Lake Washington via McAleer Creek.

The plan will primarily address surface water flow issues throughout the watershed. The secondary objectives include water quality, aquatic habitat and lake and streamside enhancement opportunities.

Otak, an engineering firm based in Kirkland, has been selected by the forum to prepare the plan. Over the next 12 months, this plan will be developed and then presented for consideration and implementation by the member jurisdictions. The plan is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2009.

For more information on this effort, please see the official web site http://www.cityoflfp.com/city/engineering/stormwater/LBal-McACreek.html or call 425-670-5207.

Washington State Department of Health Swine Flu Facts - April 2009

Washington State Department of Health Communications Office - The Washington state Department of Health is in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding swine influenza in parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The department is working closely with local health agencies around the state to monitor cases of pneumonia and influenza to see if they’re due to this new infection. Health care providers and laboratories in Washington have been asked to watch for influenza, especially in people who traveled to Mexico or other affected areas. 

Current status of outbreak

• See CDC website for current information - www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

What is swine flu?

• Influenza A viruses causes illness in humans and many animals.
• Some influenza A viruses are adapted to pigs and cause respiratory illness in them, and so have been called “swine flu.” 
• Viruses that cause swine flu do not normally infect humans, although rare human infections with swine flu have occurred.
• The swine influenza virus that is being investigated now is different than the virus that causes illness in pigs and is not being transmitted from pigs to humans. This new swine flu influenza virus appears to be more able to be transmitted person-to-person. 
• Human symptoms for this new type of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human influenza that happens every year. Those include fever, cough and sore throat. In addition, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that the swine flu virus causing mild illness in some states is the same strain as the virus causing an outbreak of respiratory illness among humans in some areas of Mexico.

Are there cases of this new swine influenza in Washington state?

• There are no known cases of swine influenza in people in Washington so far.
• Local health departments, health care providers and labs have been asked to be on the look out for influenza A cases, especially in people who recently traveled to Mexico or states with cases of human swine flu.
• The Department of Health has not seen an increase in the number of flu cases in Washington.

Can people catch this new swine flu from eating pork?

• No. This new swine influenza virus is not transmitted by food. It is transmitted from person-to-person like human influenza viruses.
• You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and a pork product is safe.

What can people do to avoid getting sick?

• There are no known cases in Washington state but precautions to avoid transmitting respiratory illnesses should be taken. 
• This new swine flu virus is spread person-to-person. Infection occurs when the virus gets into the airways and lungs. However, it isn’t known how easily the virus spreads. As with any infectious disease that is spread through the human respiratory system, health officials recommended the following precautions:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective;
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people;
• If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 
• These are the same precautions that should be taken to stop transmitting all influenza viruses and other viruses that are transmitted from the respiratory tract. 

How do people get it?

• Although this new virus has been called “swine flu virus,” it is not transmitted from pigs to humans. It is transmitted person-to-person.
• Flu and other respiratory infections are transmitted when people cough and sneeze, spreading germs through the air, or on to surfaces that others can come in contact with.

Will government be issuing a travel advisory?

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travelers’ health notice for Mexico and states where there have been swine influenza cases. This is to inform travelers that an outbreak of respiratory illness is occurring and that precautions should be taken. Health officials are not recommending people avoid travel at this time.
• Travelers should follow the same precautionary measures that are recommended to protect against seasonal influenza – frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. For more information about the CDC health notice and travel precautions go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#travel

What do I do if I’ve been to Mexico or the U.S. and I have symptoms of a respiratory illness?

• If you have recently been to Mexico or affected areas in the U.S. and have symptoms of influenza such as fever, cough, and sore throat, you should contact your health care provider to discuss your symptoms. Make sure to tell your health care professional about your travel history.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

• Yes, there are effective medicines to treat all human influenza viruses and this new swine influenza virus.
• Whether a person with influenza needs to take one of these medicines is a decision that must be made by the patient and their health care provider.
• These medicines are generally used to prevent serious flu complications such as pneumonia and work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). 
• In addition, in special situations, these medicines may be used to prevent a person from getting ill or infected from this new swine flu.
• A vaccine to prevent people from getting this new type of flu has not yet been developed.

Where I can find more information?

• People can call the Centers for Disease Control hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636). 
• The travel health notice for Mexico and areas of the United states issued by the CDC can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm#travel
• Additional information can be found at:
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
• World Health Organization www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
• Washington state Department of Health  www.doh.wa.gov

Lease Crutcher Lewis Selected as Contractor for Preconstruction Services for Lynnwood Recreation Center Renovation and Expansion Project

Lease Crutcher Lewis, a Seattle general contractor, has been awarded the contract for preconstruction services for the Lynnwood Recreation Center Renovation and Expansion Project. City Council approved the preconstruction agreement at the business meeting on Monday, April 13, 2009. Council previously approved total project funding for the $25.5 million in November 2008. NAC|Architecture from Spokane is the architect on the project. 

Lease Crutcher Lewis (Lewis) will actively participate as a member of the project team with the City and NAC|Architecture during the design and construction document phases of the project. Lewis will provide necessary consulting expertise to the City to ensure that the program scope, construction budget and project schedule are met. Some of the preconstruction services Lewis provides include: cost estimating; assessing constructability; value engineering; investigating existing conditions; HD scanning and Building Information Modeling; phasing and sequencing of work; and developing a subcontracting plan with long-lead procurement packages and prequalification of pool and mechanical/electrical/plumbing firms.

As GC/CM (general contractor/construction manager), Lewis will provide full general contracting services for construction of the project in accordance with the requirements of the contract documents and RCW 39.10. The Washington State statute provides for the negotiation of the Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC) with Lewis at 90% completion of construction documents. This is expected to be in late September or October 2009. At the time of the MACC, a Total Contract Cost will be established by the City as part of the GC/CM construction contract with Lewis.  Construction on the project is anticipated to begin at the end of 2009 or early 2010, and be completed in spring 2011.

The proposed floor plan for the expanded Recreation Center includes 44,740 square feet of building area. Of this total, 28,765 square feet is existing space that will be completely renovated, and 15,975 square feet of new construction will be added. Nearly 10,000 square feet of this space will be an aquatics expansion, including a new leisure pool with zero-depth entry, lazy river, water play features, a slide, plunge pool, adult and family whirlpools, and a warm water wellness pool. The building will also feature new, expanded cardio/fitness and group exercise spaces, new men’s and women’s locker rooms and family locker rooms, a new entry and customer service registration desk, new lobby area with comfortable seating and views of the pools, staff offices, and new finishes throughout the existing building.

For more information about the project, contact the City of Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department at (425) 670-5501 or check out the project updates on the City's website at www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/RecCenterProject.

Lynnwood Permit Center Now Offers Electronic Plan Review Option to Paper

It is not unusual to see someone coming through the front door of the City of Lynnwood Permit Center with a roll of paper three feet in length, 10-inches in diameter and weighing 60 pounds or more. The roll consists of five copies each of construction plans.

Plans can consist of a few drawings for residential kitchen remodel to the blue prints for a three story commercial building. The five copies will be separated and sent to different city departments responsible for reviewing everything from sewer connections to load bearing structures. The prime driver for reviews is the city’s responsibility to ensure the safety and health of residents, businesses and visitors through enforcement of building codes.

The first step to a building project is the application. Plans can be submitted with the application or at a later time. Regardless, up until recently, the only option was paper. Now, plans can be submitted electronically by way of the Internet. 

While the typical homeowner with a small project will likely continue to submit plans on paper, commercial project owners and managers, many of whom are already digitizing plans, will no longer need to convert to paper. They can now submit plans to the Permit Center as PDF documents routed through a website.

The website, functioning as an intermediary, makes the plans in electronic form available to plan reviewers. Plans will be reviewed and as necessary marked up with the use of computers and monitors. Plans that are approved or requiring changes are then made available to the applicant. Resubmissions responding to changes again go through the electronic review process.

Information and instructions on submitting plans electronically are available online (see links below or visit the Permit Center web page) or at the Lynnwood Permit Center located 19000 44th Ave. W, the building immediately north of City Hall. The telephone number is 425-670-5400.

 How to Use Egov Electronic Plans

 Electronic Plan Directions

Paramedics recognized for 30 years of service

Paramedics Vince Schweitzer and Dan Schulz were recognized by Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough and the Lynnwood City Council on February 23, 2009 for 30 years of service to this area of the county.
In February 1979, Schulz and Schweitzer were part of the first group of paramedics to serve the residents of the City of Lynnwood. The very successful Medic Seven Paramedic Program, the first paramedic service in Snohomish County, began when the City of Lynnwood partnered with the cities of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Woodway and Snohomish County Fire District One. Eventually these medics became members of the Edmonds and Lynnwood Fire Departments.  Schweitzer and Schulz continue to serve Lynnwood to this day.
The supervisor of Lynnwood Fire Department paramedic services Assistant Chief Greg Macke said, “We are so lucky to have two such experienced paramedics, who are so willing to mentor others. Their contribution is immeasurable.”

Don’t Be Surprised When You See An Officer

Shopping and Police Officers; not always connected.
But, between the end of February thru September, they will be in Lynnwood.

The Lynnwood Police Department was recently the only agency in the state awarded a $60,000 grant for a speed emphasis from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. This money will pay for overtime for officers to work a speed emphasis on streets surrounding the retail district, especially Alderwood Mall Boulevard and Alderwood Mall Parkway, from the end of February thru September.
The emphasis, “Lynnwood Retail District Speed Project,” was awarded only to the City of Lynnwood as the state’s pilot project.

“Speeding vehicles are the highest contributor of serious injury collisions in the city of Lynnwood,” said Lynnwood Police Officer Stephen Showalter, writer of this grant and member of the department’s 11-member Traffic Section.
Alderwood Mall Boulevard and Alderwood Mall Parkway are major arterials which support the retail district. The speed limit on the roadways is 35 mph. However, the traffic section routinely monitors these areas where speeds of vehicles are consistently 45 to 55 mph.
In order to curb this problem, the traffic section will be heavily monitoring these roadways surrounding the retail core. “The officers’ goal is to reduce the number of collisions in this area and reduce speeds of the average drivers,” said Showalter.

Penny Nerup, Program Manager for the Speeding Program of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission said Lynnwood was chosen as it’s pilot project not only because of it’s well organized and comprehensive proposal, but also because it believes Lynnwood is in the top five percent of quality police departments in the state.
 “Lynnwood is one of the top law enforcement agencies in the state” Nerup said. “They have provided documentation that they have a problem in this retail core and we’re assisting them with keeping their citizens safe from speeding drivers.”

Come See Local Student Talent at Alderwood

Join us for an evening celebrating the talents of local student performers. On Thursday, February 19th, at 7:00pm, middle and high school singers, dancers and musicians will take the stage at the Terraces Food Court at Alderwood as part of Lynnwood’s Student Showcase.

Each performer has been chosen through audition to form an all-star line up with acts ranging from Hip Hop Dancing to Classical Violin. Since their audition, they’ve fine-tuned their skills and are ready to show them off to a jam-packed crowd. The evening is being emceed by DJ Vinnie The Pooh from Kube 93 and will end with scholarship checks being awarded to all the performers.

The Student Showcase is a partnership between the Lynnwood Arts Commission, the Lynnwood Rotary and Alderwood. The show starts at 7:00pm at the Terraces Food Court at Alderwood 3000 184th Street SW, Lynnwood. The showcase is FREE to the public, but donations are welcome and benefit the Lynnwood Rotary’s scholarship fund for students in the performing arts.

2009 Student Showcase Performers

Sara Alkhedairy – Vocalist, 10th grade, Meadowdale High School.

Haley Balin – Vocals and Guitar, 8th grade, Meadowdale Middle School

Shannon Bruno – Vocalist, 11th grade, Lynnwood High School

Eva Hartmann – Classical Guitar, 8th grade, Meadowdale Middle School

Tammy Mach – Vietnamese music on Zither, 7th Grade, Alderwood Middle School

Melissa Poole – Pianist, 11th grade, home schooled

Kerrianne Tripi – Ballet Dance, 12th grade, Meadowdale High School

Rachel Wong – Violinist, 12th grade, Lynnwood High School

Devon Yesberger Trio – Original Music, 12th grade, Edmonds Woodway High School

Kontagious Performing Company – Hip Hop Dance, varies grades and schools

For more information go to www.LynnwoodArts.org or contact Marianne Johnson, City of Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department at 425-670-5518, or e-mail mjohnson@ci.lynnwood.wa.us