Around Town
Published 6:01 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Politicians lobby Congress
Lynnwood City Council members Ruth Ross, Lisa Utter, and Stephanie Wright recently attended the National League of Cities conference and lobbied Congress on city concerns.
The conference highlighted learning how to access the resources and funding made available to cities through the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Conference sessions and workshops also focused on issues such as transportation financing, alternative energy and climate change, housing and neighborhood stabilization, telecommunications, education reform, public safety and federal funding for local activities.
Conference speakers included Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan.
Council members visited the offices of Senators Maria Cantwell and Patti Murray, and Representative Jay Inslee to follow-up on a request for funding for the Poplar Way access project recommended by the federally funded Corridor Study.
They also discussed parks issues, health care initiatives and public safety needs in Lynnwood and the Puget Sound region.
Brighton students win 2 awards
Students at Brighton School in Lynnwood earned a third-place award at the Destination ImagiNation state finals March 28 at Eastmont Junior High in Wenatchee, The students also won a Renaissance Award in engineering and design.
“Thinkernators,” a team of seven fifth graders, participated in the state finals challenge where they created a play titled, “Instinct Messaging.”
With a budget of $125 for costumes and sets, the team performed a play in front of several judges. The team built the set using natural materials, researched the theme of the play and created their costumes.
Only 10 Destination ImagiNation teams made it to this year’s state finals competition. Earlier this month, the team won first place in the regional finals and received a Da Vinci Award for outstanding creativity.
Brighton team members Kaitlyn Bushfield, Alicia Kristjanson, Brady Larimer, Claire Mao, Cedar Pardee- Lewis, Isabelle Quinn, and Isaac Whitaker made the trip. Team coaches include Brighton teacher Sue Elvrum and college student Kate Haller.
Destination ImagiNation is a community-based, non-profit, volunteer-driven education organization that teaches children, from kindergarten through college, the critical and creative thinking skills needed for success in the 21st Century.
The challenges help children develop thinking skills by emphasizing creativity, teamwork, problem solving, presentation, and time management. More than 250,000 children and young adults across 40 countries participate each year.
Bicycle safety subject of event
Kids can learn about bicycle safety, meet firefighters and tour fire engines at Snohomish County Fire District 1’s Ready to Roll Bike Safety Open House from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 18 at Mariner Fire Station 12310 Meridian Ave., Everett.
Children are encouraged to bring their bicycles and helmets to ride through the Ready to Roll safety skills course. Low-cost bicycle helmets ($7) and multi-sport helmets ($10) custom-fit by firefighters will be available. Children who sign the Ready to Roll bicycle safety pledge and promise to wear a helmet every time they ride will receive a prize.
Firefighters will lead tours of the fire engine and medic unit, talking about the tools and gear they use. Refreshments and information about a variety of safety topics will also be available during the open house.
At 11:30 a.m., families can join firefighters for a short bike ride on the Interurban Trail (weather permitting). Children must be accompanied by an adult and all participants must wear helmets.
Studies have shown that wearing a helmet can prevent about 85 percent of head injuries from bicycle crashes.
Nicer yards focus of MLT program
The city of Mountlake Terrace is introducing a new program called “The Evergreen Awards” to recognize the efforts of residents and businesses who take pride in maintaining their properties.
Funded by the Snohomish County – Camano Association of Realtors, the program also provides incentives to promote conservation and enhance the city’s image as it implements its sustainability strategy.
The Evergreen Awards have five categories including best maintained residence, business and multifamily property, plus awards for sustainability and best transformation.
Neighborhood Awards recognize up to six residences, three businesses and one multifamily property that consistently look their best.
Nominees in all categories should be properties that shine with the efforts of the owners or occupants who take great pride in their property and whose high standards for building and yard maintenance contribute to the character of the neighborhoods and city.
Properties may not be the biggest or most expensive, but they should reflect the kind of loving attention and care that make them the jewels of their neighborhoods. Properties being marketed for sale are not eligible for an Evergreen Award.
For more information, call 425-776-1161 or log on to www.cityofmlt.com.
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