City briefs

City briefs for the cities of Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier can be sent to sessions@heraldnet.com or mailed to 4303 198th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA. 98036, attention Shannon Sessions. E-mail is preferred. Include contact number with area code for publication in the newspaper. Briefs are printed on a space-available basis.

Lynnwood will receive $1 million

The city of Lynnwood will receive $1 million in federal funding for a new off ramp from Interstate 5 southbound to the intersection of Alderwood Mall Parkway and Alderwood Mall Boulevard. It will allow for better access to the city center area, the new convention center, the Sound Transit Regional Transportation Center and Alderwood Mall.

The funding was included in a $236 million federal funding package previously secured by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray for Washington state transportation projects.

MLT council submits grants

The Mountlake Terrace City Council voted to submit grant applications for two projects to improve streets and sidewalks in Mountlake Terrace, in the amounts of $127,700 and $377,000.

The first project includes new sidewalk along both sides of 60th Avenue W., from 232nd Street SW to 233rd Place SW, as well as across Veterans Memorial Park from 60th Avenue W. to the access road at the police station. Near the 60th Avenue entrance to the park, the existing half-width street will be widened to complete the street improvements. The project also includes storm system improvements and curbing on the east side of 60th Avenue.

The second project will widen 223rd Street SW, extending from 44th to 48th Avenue, and will include curb, gutter and sidewalk on both sides of the street. Storm system improvements also are planned.

In September, the Snohomish County Office of Housing and Community Development announced it was receiving applications for Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities and Improvements funding. The grants are competitive and the funding must benefit projects directed at low and moderate-income households.

Night closures on I-5 in Lynnwood

Southbound Interstate 5 lanes in Lynnwood will be closed for two nights to install large steel girders for the Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Park &Ride Direct Access Project.

The first closure will be from 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24. The second instance will be 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Starting at 10 p.m., all traffic will be detoured off the freeway at 196 Street SW. The southbound I-5 on-ramp from 44 Avenue W. will be closed.

Brier renews

MLT contract

City officials in Brier have decided to reactivate Brier’s existing contract with the city of Mountlake Terrace for building plan review and inspection services, since Brier no longer has staff to do this work. The MLT Planning and Development Director is currently reviewing the contract to determine if they need to renegotiate the terms.

Light up a life promotion

MLT Recreation Department is selling red paper tree lights for $5 to raise money for the Recreation Scholarship Fund. The purchaser will be recognized with the light displayed on light-outlined trees on the windows at the Recreation Pavilion and City Hall. In 2003, the Recreation Scholarship Fund has provided 50 local children with dance classes, swimming classes and summer camp.

MLT food bank asks donations

The MLT food bank is collecting food for holiday baskets. Canned food donations are being accepted throughout the month of November at the Pavilion, with a $1 swim offered at designated times of donation. There are also receptacles located in the Mountlake Terrace Library and Post Office and donations will be encouraged at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Care-givers workshop set

The South Snohomish County Family Support Center is offering a free six week course titled Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Care giving to help family care givers care for themselves while caring for another adult, older relative or friend.

The classes are beneficial whether care givers are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or in another part of the country. Groups meet 2.5 hours once a week for six weeks. This class will provide tools to: Reduce stress, communicate effectively with other family members, the doctor, the health team and paid help practice self-care, reduce guilt, anger and depression, make tough decisions, set goals and problem-solve.

Classes don’t discuss how to provide physical care for a family member but rather how the care giver can thrive while managing their care giving responsibilities. The Powerful Tools for Care giving classes are research-based &proven to reduce care giver guilt, anger and depression. Specially trained class facilitators co-lead the classes. Each facilitator has also experienced being a participant in the class. For more information call Pam Graham at 425-670-8984.

Free and safe

fun for teens

The Neutral Zone, a non-profit organization which benefits at risk youth, continues its safe and supervised Friday and Saturday night programs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Scriber Lake High School, 20525 52nd Ave. W in Lynnwood. The always free program for youth 12 to 20 includes free food, games, basketball, movies and more. Volunteers are needed. For more information call 425-344-6445.