Front Porch
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 9, 2019
EVENTS
‘Smokestackers!’ talk
Writer and historian Richard Porter reads from “Smokestackers!” and talks Everett history at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave. His wife, musician Christa Porter, will sing banjolele-backed American jazz standards from the 1920s to 1950s.
More info: 425-257-7640
Astrophysics talk
Learn about “Hunting for Gravitational Waves” with Corey Gray, lead operator at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory at Hanford, 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st St. NW.
More info: 360-629-3132
Learn CPR
Snohomish County Fire District 5 in Sultan is offering a first aid and CPR class Feb. 23. The class is free for fire district residents. Groups and organizations also can contact the agency to arrange for team training events. Classes are held throughout the year.
More info: 360-793-1179, or go to “Snohomish County Fire District 5” on Facebook
Final wishes
A social worker and nurse will discuss options for advanced end-of-life directives from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 22, Edmonds Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave.
Learn how to select the best person to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself, pros and cons of treatment, and what forms you need for your doctor to document your choices.
More info: 425-954-2523
SUPPORT
Council of the Blind
The Snohomish County Council of the Blind meets from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, and every second Saturday, at Denny’s restaurant, 132 128th St. SW, Everett.
The nonprofit chapter of the Washington Council of the Blind serves the visually impaired, legally blind and totally blind with activities and advocacy.
More info: snococounciloftheblind.org, 425-293-9601
Vision loss support group
The VIPs (visually impaired persons), a group for the blind and visually impaired, meets 10 a.m. third Mondays at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave.
More info: 425-257-8780
HEADS UP
Avoid Seattle
The longest highway closure in the Puget Sound region’s history is looming.
At 10 p.m. Jan. 11, the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle will close for good. But it will be another three weeks before the new Highway 99 tunnel under downtown will open. More than 90,000 vehicles travel the viaduct each day.
Expect more than the usual traffic nightmares.
The last time the viaduct was closed, in spring 2016, backups started earlier and lasted longer. State planners urge drivers to carpool, work from home or cancel what trips they can.
More info: wsdot.wa.gov
Secondly, If you’re a commuter who is changing the way you get to work because of the upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, we want to know. Email streetsmarts@heraldnet.com or call 425-374-4165.
