Message from Suzy Chandler, President of the Board

It’s a WRAP!

How to wrap up my last few years helping lead a team of mighty volunteers and employees? When I joined NNN in 2019 to meet up with Sandy and to help with some grant writing, we had 33 NNN members and COVID wasn’t a thing. Instead of retreating like some nonprofits did during the pandemic, we put on masks, got hand sanitizer for everyone, rolled down our windows during drives, and rolled up our sleeves to find a way to continue our mission - helping our community thrive in the place they call home. 

(Great news, we just received an additional three years of this funding to help even more Seniors!) I’ve met so many awesome people along the way, and appreciate being part of a thriving, working nonprofit Board bringing their energy and expertise. I’m amazed each year at the community we’ve all built together. And, by the way, we’ve increased in size by over 400 since I joined - we’re 436 strong now, and growing 25% each year. As we find new ways to add more volunteers to meet our increasing requests for services, watch for new programs to celebrate our volunteers (and discover new volunteers waiting in the wings).

This year, I get to announce our newest Board member (and volunteer since day ONE) Eileen Carter. She’s likely one of our top three transportation volunteers, and wears hats ranging from thank you letter writer to caroler and more. She’ll be a great addition to our 2025 Board of Directors! A big thank you to Lee Gresko, who hands off the Secretary role and continues to be a great advocate for NNN in the Mountlake Terrace community, and in her help with new Membership inquiries. 

The highlight of our December Board meeting - your 2025 Board Executive Committee was nominated and unanimously approved, and I have the privilege to announce:

Mahyar Rahbarrad - President

Sandy Moy - Vice President

Rick Canning - Treasurer

Rita Gunderson - Secretary

Remembering Danie

As shared in a separate message in late November to our volunteers and service members, we are all grieving the loss of Danie, our Director of Community Operations and Outreach. Her drive and energy helped build NNN into a strong, close knit group of community members helping each other stay connected.

The nonprofit Board members are looking at ways to pay tribute to the life that Danie led, the impact she made through the NNN community, and the compassion she brought every day. Her biggest cause was in outreach and programs to ensure that area Seniors and adults with disabilities could benefit from the services our volunteers give every day to help people age well and thrive in the place they call home. For the past three years, Danie has done just that. Speaking on behalf of one of the community members she’s impacted, we’re all going to miss her smile. [Her family shared that there will be memorial services in the new year, and they will post updates on her GoFundMe site hthttps://gofund.me/f555db7etps://gofund.me/f555db7e] 

January Events and Gatherings

Please join us! NNN members and volunteers host a variety of events, gatherings and online chat groups. Throughout the month check out the website calendar for new or changed events as well as the monthly event descriptions/links.

Click on this link to view our Events page. 

NNN members may request transportation to any NNN hosted event. 

Walk with Friends

Take a stroll and enjoy the company of others.

Mountlake Terrace, Every Tuesday 12 p.m. - Terrace Creek Park. Meet in the parking lot. 

Edmonds, Every Sunday  12:15 p.m. – Meet at the corner of Sunset & Edmonds. 

*Please check the calendar for the Sunday walks.  They will hopefully start up again early in January. 

Scheduled Fridays, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

1/10 –Aurora Borealis - Shoreline

1/24 –Olive Garden - Lynnwood

Our volunteer lunch hosts request that you register that you’re coming, so they can let the restaurant know how many to anticipate. To register online, click on the Events page, and then on the date, or instead call/text 253-237-2848, or email Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetworks.org.

Coffee with Neighbors

Every 1st Thursday, 10:00-11:00 a.m. – Jan 2

Richmond Beach Coffee House, 1442 NW Richmond Beach Rd, Shoreline, 98177

Join host Nona M. and take a mid-morning break to enjoy coffee and conversation with a few other NNN neighbors! 

Games at Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. –Jan 1 & Jan 15

Upper level, Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 98155

Join games enthusiasts and Host Sharon L. for an afternoon of games and conversation. Bring a snack and beverage if you like to nibble while you play games. Look for our NNN table sign. All are welcome. Just play for fun! Lots of choices and no cutthroat competition.

Mahjong!

Every Monday, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Meeting location varies.

We’ve added a second table! Additional players welcome! Contact Sandy@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org 

Games in Your Home?

Would you like to participate in games but prefer not to travel?  If you are interested in having one or more NNN members come to your place to play a specific game like Canasta, Cribbage, Mexican Train, etc., let us know and we will see if we can make that happen. Maybe even on a regular basis.  

Would you be interested in participating in games in a small home setting with just 2-4 people?  If so, we might be able to make some matches.  Please send email to services@northwestneighborsnetwork.org and we will see what we can do. 

Book Club - Online

4th Monday of each Month 1:00- 3:00 p.m.

Looking forward to a year of great reads in 2025.

Have a book you would like to suggest?  We would love to hear from you, even if book clubs aren’t your thing.  Please send your ideas to social@northwestneighborsnetwork.org  Past reads can be found on the NNN Book Club Web page 

Conversations and Camaraderie - Online

Looking to take a break in your afternoon for a few minutes of interesting conversation and laughter? Join via the links below or go to the NNN events page. Phoning in information is available via the NNN events page.

Every Tuesday, “Let’s Chat with Jerry,” 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Coffee klatch style casual conversations. Join online - click here or go to the NNN events page

 ~ News You Can Use by Rita G. ~

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” –William Arthur Ward

* Shoreline transfer station is accepting FREE wood debris and tree limb drop-off during the weekends of December 21 and 22 and January 11 and 12.  8:30am to 5:30pm.

This service is exclusively for wood debris from the recent wind storms.  Stumps, logs and limbs are accepted, but can’t be over 6 ft. long.  Grass clippings, sod or soil will NOT be accepted.

* Enjoy a FREE hands-on class about planting and growing seeds indoors on Monday, December 30 from 10:15 to 11:15am.  Join Lisa Taylor @ Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175th St.

Registration required.  https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/672d011c28050a2f0033573d

*  Heart Art Studio located in Mountlake Terrace offers a FREE online monthly workshop called Circle of Love, geared toward community, creativity and connection.  A new surprise art activity is presented each month designed to provide a meaningful and personal approach to art-making. The class is usually the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10am-11am.  Register here to get the link and supply list: https://www.heartarthealing.com/circle-of-love?utm_campaign=0accf27d-cae3-4cea-a4e9-7c816049af30&utm_medium=lp&utm_source=so

* Northsound Church in Edmonds, 404 Bell St. offers Grief Share every Wednesday evening from 6-7pm.  Together, we can process our grief together as a community.

It’s FREE and you’re welcome to attend and navigate together through difficult times and begin to heal after losing a loved one.

* Washington Park Arboretum, FREE 1st Thursday Public Tour is Thursday, January 2, from 11:30am to 1pm.  These are casual walks through various areas of the 230-acres.  

The January walk will focus on amazing conifers and what makes them unique.

To join the walk, meet at the Graham Visitor Center, 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle.

* Destinations in Lynnwood, a senior living community, age 61+, is hosting a Sip Before Mix & Mingle to connect with current residents and discover what life is like at Destinations.  Enjoy refreshing drinks, light snacks, and friendly conversations. Whether you're curious about our amenities, local events, or simply have questions, our residents will be more than happy to share their experiences.  The FREE event begins Thursday, January 9 @ 3:30 and is located at 19501 40th Ave. W.   Please RSVP at 425-361-7557 or email lynnwood@greystar.com

* FREE Styrofoam Recycling is happening Saturday, January 11 from 10am to 2pm in Everett at McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE.  

Bring your CLEAN, DRY, TAPE and LABEL free Styrofoam to drop-off.  DO NOT bring spray-in-foam or any kind of insta-pak foam, or foil-lined foam.

* Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) is hosting Kidstock 2025, a FREE day of celebrating the arts.  The event is designed for families with children of all ages, and features a variety of live music performances, education workshops, art activities, carnival activities, games, face painting, balloon animals, a live DJ, bubbles, a root beer garden and fire truck.  The event will take place Saturday, January 18 from 9:30am to 3:30pm.  The event is free and open to all, but advance registration is requested. https://www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/events/kidstock-2025/

* Shoreline Senior Center has partnered with POCAAN's Senior Mobile Medical Outreach Programs (otherwise known as SAGE), to provide FREE wellness exams with a holistic approach. Services are available the 2nd Friday of every month, between 9am to 12:30pm.  Appointment required and offered for ages 55+.  Call 206-365-1536 to make an appointment.

* Third Place Commons (upper level) at Lake Forest Park 17171 Bothell Way NE offers FREE live music and an open dance floor.  Every Friday and Saturday night from 7 to 8:45pm,  you are invited to enjoy a variety of choices, always with a focus on danceability. The genre is anywhere from big band and swing to blues and soul to honkytonk and hot jazz.  Come grab a bite to eat while you enjoy terrific live music and great community.  Check out the calendar for the specific artist. https://www.thirdplacecommons.org/calendar/

Visit Our Events Calendar!

Want to see if something’s been added or changed before you lock in your plans? 

Birthdays inJanuary

Join us in wishing our NNN members and volunteers born in January a very happy birthday month! We hope each of you finds something that makes you smile, as we smile with you. 

Happy Birthday to:  

Inger A., Kelly B-Y, Mare B., Ernie B., Jennifer B., Julie Anne B., Ann B., R-J C., Rose, C., Jamie C., Sarah D., Trish E., Rita G., Kathe H., Michelle H., Julia H., Fekerte K., Tien L., Mary M., Shane M., Gamil M., Shirley M., Crystal N., Lindsey O., Helen P., Joann R., Kristine Sh., Shannon S., John S., Mollie W., Alda W., Alan Y.

Recipe of the Month

Easy Broiled Salmon

• 4 6-ounce salmon fillets 

• 2 tablespoons melted butter 

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1-2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced

• 1-2 teaspoons rosemary, minced

• 1 tablespoon mustard

• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
  salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, melt butter, then add oil, followed by garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Then add the minced thyme and rosemary, and cook for 30 seconds to a minute. Turn off the heat, add mustard and lemon juice. 

Preheat the broiler for about 5 minutes. Adjust your rack to the center position in your oven, about 6 inches from the broiling element.

Line a heavy-rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Use cooking spray to spray the baking sheet. Set aside.

Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Salt & pepper them, then place them in a single layer on the baking sheet.  If they have skin, broil skin side down for about 6 minutes, without flipping.

note:  Spoon, butter mustard sauce over the fillets. Broil for 3 minutes. Then, flip the fillets and baste them with butter sauce. Broil for another 3 minutes. Salmon is done when it is fork tender.

NNN Community Business Sponsors

We are grateful to our Sponsors for their support to help sustain and expand our organizational efforts to meet the community need.

Networking Sponsors

Interested in Becoming an NNN Community Business Sponsor? Learn more Here. Email: info@northwestneighborsnetwork.org or call 253-237-2848 to leave a message.