In Skagit Magazine Issue-4

Hadrian Stone Design: A New Art Gallery In Bow Hadrian's Stone Design Studio and Gallery puts a special focus on local and regional artists. The gallery opened in November 2017 featuring mosaic artist Katie Walton and contemporary artist Deirdre Czoberek. Their latest featured artists are Linde Husk, an acrylic painter from Conway, & Whitney Buckingham, an abstract artist with a unique process using indigo dyes.

An artist himself, Houston uses a proprietary material to replicate the look of granite, marble, or natural wood. Any color, any texture, in a fraction of the time. His custom-designed vessel sinks, water fountains, benches and dining room tables are on display at the gallery.

Houston invites you to visit the gallery to experience a new show every month with the featured artists providing demonstrations. The art shows often have a charity aspect with a portion of the proceeds going to a local nonprofit.

Hadrian Stone Design Studio & Gallery (360) 722-9438 5717 Gilkey Avenue in Bow InSkagit.com/HadrianArtGallery PAGE 1 | IN Skagit

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Inside this issue...

ADVENTURES IN SKAGIT Outdoor Adventures 4 Museum Tour 4

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Arts & Craft Store Tour 7 Book Store Tour 8 Live Local Music 9 Spa & Salon Guide 13 Skagit Murals 22 H

FOODIE ADVENTURES Fresh Seafood Adventure 5 Meat Lovers Tour 5

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9

Skagit Cheese Makers Guide 6 Must-Try Caffeinated Drinks 15 Dessert & Drinks Pairings 17 H

SKAGIT SPOTLIGHTS Music: New Uniform 10 Photos: Blanca Braun 12

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Chef: Paul Maccario Valley Shine Distillery 18 Non-Profit: Growing Veterans 21 Art: Peggy Woods 20

InSkagit.com Visit our website to learn more about local businesses, art, music & nonprofits.

SkagitYummyAlert.com Hungry? Go to Yummy Alert to learn more about local eateries!

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IN Skagit | PAGE 2

Letter From The

FIND US ONLINE

EDITOR

Facebook.com/InSkagit Instagram.com/InSkagit Twitter.com/InSkagit

ADVERTISE WITH US InSkagit.com/GetFeatured

SPONSOREDADVERTORIALS Articles denoted with the icon have been paid for by a business to be published in this magazine.

CREDITS Publisher - Synergy Creatives Editor - Janet DeField Managing Editor - Amelia Nichole Art Director - Rebecca DeField Special thanks to all our interns and freelancers. We could not have created this publication without all of you!

Š 2017 SYNERGY CREATIVES PAGE 3 | IN Skagit

W

elcome to the fourth issue of the In Skagit Magazine.

We are excited to celebrate a whole year of magazines with this issue.

In this issue, our Charity Spotlight is Growing Veterans. We first shared about this amazing charity on InSkagit.com a few years ago, so I am glad we have a chance to tell their story in print and provide an update to their continuing story in Skagit County.

I remember when we first interviewed Growing Veterans. They had just expanded into Skagit County with Starbird farm. They invited us out to the farm and when we showed up, they were all just sitting down for lunch and insisted that we join them before getting down to business. Each of the volunteers and board members had a story to share about how they had become involved in Growing Veterans and why it meant so much to them. There were a few tears shed on both sides.

Christina Wolf led us on a guided tour of the farm, showing us the vegetable patches, modest bee hives, chicken coops, and the small cabin they were in the process of remodeling. Growing Veterans is featured on page 21.

Putting together this issue has been quite the adventure and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

We Give Back

Janet DeField Editor & CEO

We donate 50% of our profit to the local nonprofits we feature in this magazine, our website, and our social networks.

Letter From The Editor

© RAKAN ALDUAIJ

Adventures In Skagit

MUSEUM TOUR

3 Outdoor Adventures That Are Perfect For Families

Planning a family trip? You will be sure to find something for all ages and interests on this list!

F

rom hikes to amazing views to kids playgrounds, we have found three fun activities for your #SkagitBucketList you can enjoy with your family!

The Diablo Lake At North Cascades National Park makes for an epic hiking adventure. The hikes are more about the experience than they are challenging paths. All in all, Diablo Lake has lasting visuals you'll remember forever.

The Children’s Museum of Skagit County is targeted towards younger children.

With exhibits from “fishing” to moving cargo with a kid-sized crane, they are sure to have fun while learning!

The North Cascade Vintage Aircraft Museum is perfect for airplane lovers.

Marvel at six hangars of beautifully restored planes from the 1930s to the 1950s on a guided tour or explore at your own leisure.

The Skagit Historical Museum makes for a great field trip into the past! From parlors to plows, Native American baskets to Shirley Temple dolls, the museum's galleries are overflowing with interesting and often unusual treasures of Skagit County’s vibrant past.

Little Mountain Park is the largest park in Mount Vernon, comprised of 522 acres. The covered viewpoint provides a spectacular look at the Skagit Valley, San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains, and the tulip fields. The park has many trails perfect for hiking and lots of picnic spots.

Washington Park sits on a peninsula at the west end of Anacortes. This 220-acres park features camping sites, a boat launch, day use picnic sites, and a large playground.

The Museum of Northwest Art has a vast assortment of painting, glass, print and installation art on display. They feature three rotating exhibits a quarter showcasing the talented artists who have been inspired by the Pacific Northwest.

Post a picture of your museum adventure with the hashtag #SkagitBucketList!

Find even more Family Adventures on InSkagit.com!

Family Adventures In Skagit

IN Skagit | PAGE 4

Go On A Seafood Adventure

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Meat Lover's Tour

arm-fresh crab, delicious oysters, tasty shrimp... Is your tummy growling yet? Set the sails for deliciousness with our farm-fresh seafood guide!

Skagit’s Own Fish Market Offers fresh fish such as Dungeness crab, king crab, oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, prawns, smoked fish and more.

18042 State Route 20 in Burlington

Double-O Ranch

Blau Oyster Company

46276 Concrete Sauk Valley Road in Concrete

For more than sixty years, Blau Oyster Company has offered Pacific oysters, clams, mussels, crab and more.

Hoehn Bend Farm

11321 Blue Heron Road in Bow

26923 Hoehn Road in Sedro-Woolley

Black Rock Seafood

Northwest Homegrown Ranch Meat

Black Rock Seafood offers Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut, clams,

13400 D'Arcy Road in Bow

prawns, Puget Sound Oysters and other delicious seafood.

Skagit River Ranch

8991 Stevenson Road in Anacortes

28778 Utopia Road in Sedro-Woolley

SeaBear Smokehouse and Store

Andal's Meat

SeaBear is known nationwide for its delicious wild Alaskan smoked

20235 E Hickox Road in Mount Vernon

salmon, shellfish, chowder, soup, artisan foods, desserts and more.

605 30th Street in Anacortes

PAGE 5 | IN Skagit

Foodie Adventures

FLYERS RESTAURANT Flyers' award-winning burgers pull out all the stops. The Havoc Burger combines Angus beef, housemade BBQ sauce, crispy onion rings, melted cheddar cheese, & smoked bacon!

15426 Airport Drive, Suite B in Burlington

Say Cheese!

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ne of the best things about Skagit is our county’s agricultural roots. With so many great and unique farms to visit, we have selected four of the amazing dairy farms that sell delicious cheese and other tasty delights.

Golden Glen Creamery They offer all-natural, handcrafted cheese, butter, and dairy.

15014 Field Road in Bow Samish Bay Cheese Samish Bay Cheese offers a wide variety of cheeses, yogurt, and kefir.

15115 Bow Hill Road in Bow Gothberg Farms Serves tasty small-batch farmstead goat cheese with incredible variety and quality.

15203 Sunset Road in Bow

GET THE MAGAZINE

Skagit Maid Creamery

You can purchase the In Skagit magazine at local independent stores and on our website.

Skagit Maid Creamery sells their delicious cheeses in the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Slough Food, Salt and Vine, and Blossom Grocery.

Buy it now at InSkagit.com/GetTheMagazine

http://www.skagitmaid.com/

Local Cheese Guide

IN Skagit | PAGE 6

CUSTOM FRAMES Custom framing can be an expensive endeavor for upcoming artists. But fear not, Wilson Picture Framing offers a 20% discount off national prices. Within two weeks, you can have over 30 different pieces of art framed and preserved!

Let Your Creativity Go Wild Arts & Crafts Guide

W

hether you are a serious professional or a happy hobbyist, you can find the right supplies for your next project in Skagit County. From painting to jewelry making to sewing – here is a selection of the many amazing arts and crafts stores in Skagit.

These local art shops will get your creative juices flowing with their vast arrays of pastels, premium art lines and classes taught by pros. Mount Vernon is home to Dakota Art Pastels, Tri-Dee Arts, and Karl’s Paints & Art Supplies. In Anacortes, don’t miss The Good Stuff!

"I love it when new artists come into our shop and I love their excitement once they see the possibilities we have to offer. This is where we get to help artists to display their art professionally." Julie Wilson explained.

Wilson Picture Framing can bring your vision to life with a broad range of metal and wooden frames. They have everything from invisible frames to custom color matching matte to add that extra something.

If you are a local artist seeking to get any pieces of art framed, visit Wilson Picture Framing!

Wilson Picture Framing

(360) 336-2139 822 N 4th Street in Mount Vernon

You don’t have to go far to get inspiration and beautiful supplies for scrapbooking, seasonal projects, and jewelry making. In Anacortes, visit The Bead Store at Elisabeth's Cottage. Head to Mount Vernon for Hobby Lobby, and you’ll find Michaels in Burlington.

If you use fabric for home décor, fashion, sewing or quilting, you’ll find high-quality textiles, trims, notions, and patterns at JOANN Fabrics & Crafts in Mount Vernon, Calico Creations in Mount Vernon, Cascade Fabrics in Sedro-Woolley, and Fabric Plus in Anacortes.

Whether you knit, felt, weave or crochet, you can find creative inspiration at WildFibers in Mount Vernon, In Stitches Quilt Shoppe & Fidalgo Artisan Yarn Company in Anacortes, and at Jennings Yarn & Needle Craft in La Conner!

Take advantage of the abundance of shopping options to feed your imagination and creativity this month.

WilsonPictureFraming.com PAGE 7 | IN Skagit

Arts & Craft Store Tour

Find Your Next Favorite Book Skagit Book Store Tour

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here’s nothing like escaping into a great book. You’ll see why Skagit County is a book lover’s dream when you go on our Bookstore Adventure!

HOLIDAY SPORTS Holiday Sports has everything you need to help protect you and your family in the event of a natural disaster or accident.

895 Nevitt Road in Burlington

A lovely seaside shop on the Swinomish Channel, Seaport Books, features books for any age, books by local authors, and is your go-to spot for books related to the Pacific Northwest. Stop in and create a custom gift basket for the bookworm in your life from their wide array of titles and reading accessories.

If you like a good hunt, Easton’s Books specializes in used, outof-print and collectible books. You can find the volume you want from their inventory on their website. They have subjects ranging from Agriculture to Travel. You can order on the spot or contact the shop directly.

On the 2nd floor of the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op, you’ll find a treasure trove of books, including cookbooks, self-help, nature and local authors. The Mercantile also carries unique gifts from over 100 fair trade companies.

Need a good laugh? Check out Tri-Dee Art’s silly humor and “useless information” trivia section. They also carry all of your favorite stories from childhood.

If you need ideas for your next read, check out Watermark Book Company. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store, Watermark does special orders and offers free gift wrapping!

Grab your bookmark and check out the warmth & charm of the many bookstores in our area! Find more local bookstores on our website: InSkagit.com/BookstoreAdventure

Book Store Tour

GBROS INC. Looking to get new chairs? Gbro's Inc is your one stop furniture shop! Stop in today and check out their great selection.

170 North Burlington Blvd. in Burlington

IN Skagit | PAGE 8

LOCALLY GROWN IN SKAGIT From "Born & Raised in Skagit" to "Locally Grown In Skagit", we have t-shirts for everyone! Sizes available for the whole family.

Buy it now at InSkagit.com/GearShop

Local Live Music In Skagit

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ooking for somewhere to enjoy some live music and drinks with your friends? Use our Live Music In Skagit guide to find places to enjoy local tunes!

The Brown Lantern has live music every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They have been proudly serving Anacortes since 1933, providing their guests with a relaxing atmosphere and satisfying meals.

The Conway Muse has live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday every week. Their diverse menu, great selection of beers, wines, and spirits will leave you coming back for more.

The Longhorn Saloon is a lively Edison pub with live music on Friday & Saturday nights. They have scenic outside seating and serve great beer, burgers, oysters and more!

Enjoy live music on Saturday night every week at H2O! They feature a selection of craft cocktails using house-infused liquors, twenty-four micro handles, comedians, DJ's, and a dance floor.

Enjoy live music at Bastion Brewery every Saturday night! They serve tasty pub fare and a large variety of craft beers brewed onsite and local ciders.

ARE YOU A FOODIE? Introducing the Skagit Yummy Alert t-shirts!

Declare your #SkagitFoodie status with one of our modern and cozy designs.

Buy it now at YummyAlert.com/GearShop

PAGE 9 | IN Skagit

Big Lake Bar & Grill is a family-owned restaurant where you will always find great food, drinks, and live music every Friday and Saturday night!

Anelia's Kitchen & Stage has live music on their stage every weekend. Anelia's is a family-friendly restaurant in La Conner specializing in Polish family recipes and American dishes with a Northwest flair.

See the full guide here: InSkagit.com/LiveMusicInSkagit Live Local Music

Music Spotlight New Uniform Anacortes Band is Born & Raised to Rock!

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burgeoning local band, New Uniform would describe their style as "80s grunge and new wave rock meets psychedelic pop." New Uniform's sound isn't as angstridden as other rock bands; they like to keep it light and upbeat.

They cite other Washington-based bands as musical influences like Lonely Forest (Taylor Dunton's cousin is the drummer) and Modest Mouse as well as iconic rockers like Led Zeppelin and The Police.

Members Dylan and Alex starting playing music together at age 12. They started a band with two other friends called Sleepy Lagoon. At the end of their junior year of high school, the boys met drum player, Taylor, at a concert in downtown Anacortes.

The trio banded together and have played their blend of Surf Rock and New Wave around Washington and Oregon ever since.

Alex explains the evolution of the band is closely tied to their equipment,

"In the beginning, we had a makeshift band room with two guitars and a drum set. We were singing out of a bass amp and used an old microphone Taylor found.

We just slowly built up from there and are proud of the sound we can produce with nice equipment."

You can purchase New Uniform's new album through their BandCamp link below.

Meet the Band

All of the band members in New Uniform were born and raised in Anacortes, WA. Alex Heubel is the lead vocalist and plays the guitar.

Dylan Geer keeps it funky on the bass guitar.

Taylor Dunton pulls it all together with the drums.

On a few of their songs, Alex and Dylan will switch lead guitar for bass guitar, keeping things interesting.

They previously played under the name Pulsar, and the band feels like the new moniker is a fresh start to their professional career. You can catch New Uniform at Kennelly Keys, which is also where they purchased most of their instruments and Heart of Anacortes, where they had their stage debut. The band just released their first self-titled album, New Uniform.

https://NewUniform.Bandcamp.com

Music Spotlight

IN Skagit | PAGE 10

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Photography Spotlight

PHOTO SPOTLIGHT BLANCA BRAUN Blanca Braun’s passion for photography started when she moved to Skagit from Virginia. “I never really thought I was a creative person, but there is just an abundance of beauty in Skagit county and I love to share that with people. I’m not a very talkative person, but photography allows me to share my perspective with people. I can reach out to people with these beautiful moments.”

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Blanca worked for Draper Valley Farms for many years which led to her spending quite a few hours every day driving through the farm fields and back roads.

“Whenever I was driving and I saw a moment that I wanted to capture, I would park on the side of the road and actually take the picture. The sky is so dramatic in Skagit county, everywhere you look, it is so picturesque. So even when I was working on one of the farms, I’d enjoy the sights of the fields, barns and clouds.”

The photo pictured left was taken off of I5 in Burlington. One day on her way to work, the sunrise suddenly broke through the clouds, and the whole landscape just lit up. So Blanca immediately hopped out of her car, jumped in the middle of the road and shot it. It turned out very beautiful if you ask us! You can see the sun rays coming through the clouds, touching on the farmland below!

InSkagit.com/BlancaBraun IN Skagit | PAGE 12

3 REASONS TO DO YOGA

Need a Little "Me" Time?

Learning basic yoga techniques is great for your overall health. Here are a few reasons why you should sign up for a yoga class today:

A Special Feature From StyleNW.com

1. Increase Your Range of Motion What does a star athlete do before he or she plays the big game? They stretch to prepare their body for the work ahead. Regular yoga practice, even just once a week, can help improve your range of motion. It can help you to be less clumsy by enhancing your stability, and even increase your mobility.

2. Improve Your Memory You wouldn't think it, but you can work up quite a sweat during your daily or weekly yoga class. Yoga utilizes a combination of techniques that increases your blood flow. This in turn improves attention spans, concentration, and focus which leads to a better memory.

3. Perfect Your Rest Who doesn't want better sleep? Yoga is known to resolve several factors causing one's inability to sleep properly. Getting rid of chronic pain, participating in physical activity before bed, and relaxing cool-down sessions can all lead to more sleep at night!

Get started today by signing up for Quantum Health & Yoga Lounge's beginner yoga class at 10:30am on Saturdays!

Quantum Health & Yoga Lounge

(360) 230-1349 121 South Spruce Street in Burlington InSkagit.com/QuantumYoga PAGE 13 | IN Skagit

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rom massages to whole body exfoliation to eyelash extensions to waxing & sugaring treatments, we selected six of the many salons & spas in Skagit that offer the full range of services for your perfect spa day!

From body scrubs to nail design to hair styling, Spero Skin Spa Salon in Mount Vernon will beautify you from head to toe. They even offer infrared sauna for the ultimate relaxation experience.

If you are going to The Apothecary Spa in Anacortes, you should book one of their signature body wraps which includes whole body exfoliation and a dream-inducing head massage.

Adara Salon & Spa in Mount Vernon is proud to carry Aveda haircare products for their clients. They offer nail & makeup services and specialize in eyelash extensions and tinting.

Genesis Salon & Spa in Mount Vernon is your go-to spot for microblading, waxing & sugaring treatments, and special occasion up-dos.

Pure Salon & Spa in Mount Vernon uses the latest non-invasive techniques for radiant skin including LED, Dermaplaning, and Microcurrent.

Bella Soul Spa in Burlington has been providing quality and professional service to all of their guests since 1995. They provide massages, facials, waxing, spa treatments, PCA peels, lash & brow tinting, and wellness treatments!

For more beauty recommendations, visit our new Facebook page Facebook.com/StyleInTheNW

Skagit Spa Guide

Country Clinic Getting Ready For The Race

by Dr. A. Nicholas Martin, CP

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ave you ever wondered why a runner stretches before they run in a race? The reason for stretching is to loosen up to minimize or prevent the chance of injury. It is essential that a runner do this before every time they start their run. If they don’t stretch, then there is a much higher chance of injury. This is not a favorable outcome for a runner.

An injury may mean that they can’t continue running either that day, that week, or maybe even longer.

You may not be actually running each day, but you are engaging in the human “race”. A day full of unknown potential. A day where your body could find itself doing activities that it wasn’t anticipating. There is definitely the potential for stress and strain. After all, your body is meant to move. Why not prepare for the day like a runner prepares for a race. Stretch.

Start your day by introducing to your spine all the motions that it can anticipate that day. Wake up from the bed. Slide your feet over the side and get into a seated position. Now do each of The Morning Stretches to the right, holding each stretch for six seconds and doing each stretch six times.

Country Chiropractic Clinic

(360) 856-5562 22790 Buchanan Street in Mount Vernon InSkagit.com/CountryClinic

Sponsored Advertorial

Try The Morning Stretches 1. Keeping your arms to your side, bend forward arching your spine like your looking to your toes; flexion.

2. Keeping your arms to your side, bend backward like you are trying to look at the ceiling arching your spine; extension.

3. Arms on top of each other and twist to the left; left rotation.

4. Arms on top of each other and twist to the right; right rotation.

5. Arms on top of each other and tilt or bend to the left; left lateral flexion.

6. Arms on top of each other and tilt or bend to the right; right lateral flexion.

All in all, this should take you no longer than five minutes. Five minutes devoted to minimizing or preventing your chance of injury. Five minutes that has the potential to keep you in the race.

IN Skagit | PAGE 14

TRUE VANILLA LATTE NORTH COVE COFFEE

6 Must-Try Caffeinated Drinks In Skagit

Classic Mocha

Doppio

Espresso Macchiato

Pumpkin Spice Latte

CaramelMacchiato

Mocha Latte

RISTRETTO COFFEE LOUNGE

WHIDBEY COFFEE

PAGE 15 | IN Skagit

THE WOOLLEY MARKET

STOP 'N GO ESPRESSO

PELICAN BAY BOOKS & COFFEE

ORANGE RAINBOW ESPRESSO

Must-Try Drinks

CAFE MILIONARIO AT SANTO COYOTE Indulge in the Cafe Milionario at Santo Coyote, made with Bailey's Irish cream, Kahlua, butterscotch liquor, coffee and whipped cream!

201 E Morris Street in La Conner

Learn More At YummyAlert.com

Breakfast Foodie Adventure North Cove Coffee

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ith North Cove Coffee's latest Foodie Adventure, you don't have to pick between sweet or spicy - you get both! What could be better than eating a homemade pastry? How about drinking a decadent Honey Bun Iced Macchiato with it? North Cove Coffee has magically transferred the taste of their gluten-free Honey Buns into their Honey Bun Iced Macchiato! Pair these sweet treats with a tasty Sausage, Egg & Cheddar Croissant!

North Cove's Honey Bun Iced Macchiato is a refreshing iced coffee flavored with butter pecan syrup, a drizzle of honey and a touch of cinnamon.

North Cove gets freshly made gluten-free Honey Buns delivered directly to their cafe from 5b's Bakery! Start off your morning right with a sweet and sticky treat!

North Cove's newest and most popular breakfast sandwich; the Sausage, Egg & Cheddar Croissant features juicy sausage, a fluffy egg and melted cheese on a buttery croissant. We tried it and trust us - it's worth getting out of bed for!

Sponsored Advertorial

CAFFE NOCCIOLA AT THIRD STREET CAFE House-infused hazelnut liqueur & hazelnut sweet cream, aromatic bitters, and house-roasted Bolivian coffee, topped with whipped cream. Yum! 309 South 3rd Street in Mount Vernon

ANELIA'S IRISH COFFEE SPLASH Anelia's Irish coffee is made with Amaretto, Kahlua, Hellcat Maggie, and O'Mara's Irish Cream with a splash of coffee. Delish!

513 1st Street in La Conner

IN Skagit | PAGE 16

Skagit Mud Brownie

Nell Thorn Restaurant

COA MEXICAN EATERY COA Mexican Eatery's signature Flan dessert is a delicate baked caramel custard that melts in your mouth. It's perfect for sharing on a romantic date night!

102 South 10th Street in Mount Vernon

Dessert And Drink Pairings When You're Really Serious About Your Sweets

S

kip dinner and go straight to dessert and drinks! Here's our list of desserts that pair well with red wine, white wine, beer, and coffee!

Pie & Red Wine

Pair a glass of Syrah with a slice of tasty fruit pie for a truly fruit-licious experience.

Champagne & Tiramisu This pairing will make you feel regal! Savor a delicious piece of layered chocolate tiramisu while sipping on a glass of champagne.

The Blondie & The Tart Pair a pint of Blonde Ale with a delightful lemon tart. Perfection!

Donut & Americano Get a maple-glazed donut next time you order yourself an Americano. It has the strength of a drip coffee with a different flavor profile. Yum!

CASCADE PIZZA Cascade Pizza’s Baklava is a flaky melt-inyour-mouth pastry layered with a cinnamon and nut filling, drizzled with a decadent chocolate sauce. Hungry yet?

852 State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley

PAGE 17 | IN Skagit

Chocolate, Chocolate, & More Chocolate A Merlot never met a chocolate dessert it didn’t like! Pair this smooth red with chocolate soufflé, chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, and even chocolate ice cream!

POST A PIC OF YOUR DESSERT ON YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE WITH THE HASHTAG #YUMMYALERT!

Dessert & Drink Pairings

Chef Spotlight Paul Maccario Valley Shine Distillery

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aul Maccario grew up in Florida and started working in kitchens as a dishwasher when he was 14. At 19, he decided to make cooking his career and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. "They really opened my eyes to the history of cooking and the techniques adapted from French chefs. I wouldn't be where I am today without that education," he explained.

LA CONNER SEAFOOD La Conner Seafood's crème brulÊe is a creamy and rich custard topped with a sweet layer of hard caramel. Their waterfront location is perfect for a romantic date night!

614 South 1st Street in La Conner

Paul's History: He worked for award-winning chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas at his first restaurant, Dahlia Lounge.

Paul then found himself on the 76th floor at the Columbia Tower Club, a private club serving world-class cuisine to its members.

He helped open Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle, a unique venue that is both a long-term glass art exhibit and a restaurant.

He and his wife decided to leave the big city for the serenity of Camano Island. When Paul moved to Island County, he met Ben, the owner of Valley Shine Distillery.

"Valley Shine Distillery gives me a lot of creative freedom when it comes to creating the menu. I like to focus on premium fresh produce, so I change the menu with the seasons."

What Are His Favorite Menu Items at Valley Shine? When we asked this question, Chef Paul laughed and said, "It's so hard to pick because I love everything on the menu!"

Chef Paul Maccario At Valley Shine Distillery

320 South 1st Street in Mount Vernon ValleyShineDistillery.com Chef Spotlight

GET THE INSIDE SCOOP Skagit Yummy Alert is a foodie blog, online community, and magazine. We give you the inside scoop about the amazing and unique places to eat and drink in Skagit County.

Visit Skagit.YummyAlert.com today!

IN Skagit | PAGE 18

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Artist Spotlight

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT PEGGY WOODS With a paintbrush in one hand and admiration for life in the other, Peggy Woods is a local watercolor artist who longs to inspire viewers with the beauty of nature. Born and raised on the Monterey Bay oceanfront, Peggy has always been inspired and captivated by water.

Waking up each day to the sounds of crashing waves, she learned the ocean's moods and her art was greatly impacted by the ocean.

"I love water; I love looking at it. I love the texture and looking at the reflections. I love trying to capture the feeling and the temperature of that moment."

Early in her life, Peggy knew she wanted to be involved with art. Art has been her livelihood in the form of illustrations, graphic design and watercolor painting. You can find original and printed works in numerous local galleries including the Good Stuff Gallery, Scott Milo Gallery, and Rob Shouton Gallery.

What sets Peggy Wood apart from other watercolor painters is her ability to capture the comfort and calmness of each moment. "I really like the idea of putting more serenity and more calmness into the world. That's a major reason why I paint."

As an artist, Peggy particularly enjoys hearing viewers comments.

"I really love when people look at my painting and say they know the spot, even if the location is different than the one they are thinking about. That means that I conveyed the feeling of the moment and that is the biggest compliment I can ask for."

Today, Peggy Woods resides in Anacortes with a beautiful art studio which reminds her of the rivers of Montana and Monterey Bay and serve as the inspiration for her art.

For more information, visit her website at: www.peggywoods.com.

Peggy Woods, Artist

InSkagit.com/PeggyWoods IN Skagit | PAGE 20

Non-Profit Spotlight: Growing Veterans

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ocal non-profit Growing Veterans has created an amazing outreach program that literally nourishes the soul.

Through their Agriculture Program, they teach veterans sustainable farming.

The team of volunteers and staff help vets to utilize their newfound farming skills while providing them with the camaraderie they so often miss once out of the military.

Starbird Farm: Their main farm in Mount Vernon is certified organic and grows pretty much anything you can put on your plate from carrots and kale to radishes and cabbage. They even have multiple bee hives. The crops and honey are sold or donated to regional veteran hospitals, farmer’s markets, and coops. Growing Veterans is even getting into the beer business by growing organic hops for two regional microbreweries!

Growing Veterans

360-445-2399 21025 Starbird Road in Mount Vernon

Peer Support

Growing Veterans has a dynamic Peer Support Program. Their 3-day training program prepares veterans and civilians to support veterans in their community.

There are many veterans who don’t have someone to talk to and are struggling in day-to-day life after leaving the military.

“Last year we trained 44 peer supporters from seven different states, and we expect to have the same amount this year,” cofounder Christina Wolf explains.

Once trained, participants go back to their communities to build a network of support for veterans.

"Dig in” and see what this special organization is all about on Tuesdays and Thursdays when volunteers are needed at the Skagit farm to harvest, weed, and plant.

DONATE: GrowingVeterans.org/Invest PAGE 21 | IN Skagit

Non-Profit Spotlight

Š RUTH HARTNUP

ANACORTES MURALS Anacortes has over 150 murals of locally famous citizens, movie stars, animals, fictional characters and more. They are even more impressive when you learn they were painted over a 30-year span by quadriplegic artist Bill Mitchell as part of the grassroots Anacortes Murals project.

Appreciate Art In Skagit

M

ost people have seen the latest mural in downtown Mount Vernon which focuses on the positive impact of immigrants in our wonderful community, but have you seen all of the other murals in Skagit County?

From alleyways to backdoors, the artists of Skagit County have left their mark and now it’s time for you to take a moment to appreciate the art in Skagit.

THE B-E TIGERS The Burlington - Edison tigers are a beloved mascot in Skagit County and you can find the tiger mural prominently displayed at the B-E high school. There are many more murals throughout Skagit to discover!

Post YOUR pics with the hashtag #ArtInSkagit!

Skagit Murals

Go to InSkagit.com/Murals to see more!

IN Skagit | PAGE 22

Photography Spotlight Blanca Braun Blanca Braun loves taking landscape photography and has a special affinity for the dramatic lighting of sunrises and sunsets. Driving through the farm fields and back roads afforded her many aesthetic photo opportunities.

The photo on the front cover captures the essence of the agricultural side of Skagit County. It was a stormy day and Blanca was driving back from work when it suddenly cleared up. Chuckanut Mountain dramatically fills the scene contrasting with the bright red barn and the yellow field.

“I was having a really a stressful day but photography is my relaxer, so I went out and I just started shooting away. It turned out to be a gorgeous day.”

This back cover photo was taken right off the boat launch at South Samish Lake. It was getting close to summertime and Blanca made a trip the South Samish lake in the hopes that the water was warm enough to swim in. It was just as cold as the Sound, but it was beautiful! After taking the photo, she concluded it was well worth the trip, and we are inclined to agree!

Blanca Braun, Photographer

BlancaBraun.com InSkagit.com/BlancaBraun

FRONT & BACK COVER PHOTOS © BLANCA BRAUN