A Special Supplement to North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
Holiday festivities come to Arlington Arlington celebrates its Hometown Country Holiday on Dec. 5
Arlington will welcome Santa Claus into town on Dec. 5 as part of the city’s annual Arlington Hometown Country Holiday. Santa, along with numerous local organizations, will march and ride down Olympic Avenue in downtown Arlington as part of the Santa Parade, which will be held at noon. “People like welcoming Santa and seeing him come into town for the first time,”
said Arlington recreation manager Sarah Lopez. “Everyone likes to come to town to be part of the community,” she said. The city is still looking for participants for the parade and anyone can register for the parade up until the day of. Those wanting to enter can go to Division Street on the day of the parade. Entrance is free but a donation is recommended. “We want as many people involved as we can for the parade,” said Lopez. After the parade there will be caroling at Legion Park and a tree lighting.
Following the lighting of the tree, local groups will provide crafts, hot cocoa and the annual “Festive Sweater Contest,” which recognizes the person wearing the most spirited holiday sweater. Santa Claus will also be at the gazebo at Legion Park for pictures from 1 to 3 p.m. and free wagon rides around the downtown area will be given from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Those wagon rides will also be available on the two following Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. as well. Two free movies will be shown at the Olympic Theatre,
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Movies are free and begin at 3 p.m. In the downtown area there will also be a “country holiday” area with a free concert playing, said Lopez. The area will be decorated with hay bales and a fire pit, and refreshments will be provided, she said. Lopez hopes added activities will offer more for people to do this year in the downtown area. “A lot of people are just waiting in line for Santa or something else and we want a little more for them to do,”
FILE PHOTO
Santa will be at the gazebo in Legion Park for pictures from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 she said. “We’re trying to keep the downtown active for the whole day,” she said.
More information about the Arlington Hometown Country Holiday is available at arlingtonwa.gov.
2015 Holiday Guide Production Team
Content/Photography. . Scott Frank, Christopher Andersson, Sarah Lane Advertising Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Stevenson, Terrie McClay, Barry Davis, Leslie Buell Graphics, Cover Design ���������������������������������������������������Christina Poisal Billing/Administrative. . . . . . . .Leah Hughes-Anderson, Sharon Graafstra Published November 25, 2015 by FILE PHOTO
Free wagon rides around the downtown area will be given from 12:30-4:40 p.m. on Dec. 5.
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Downtown filled with festive cheer during Merrysville for the Holidays on Dec. 5 The Electric Lights Parade, water tower lighting & other events will be held Dec. 5
Marysville officials will start off the holiday season by lighting up Comeford Park’s water tower and State Avenue with the Electric Lights Parade on Dec. 5. The annual Merrysville for the Holidays event begins at 5 p.m.
inflatable figures like a giant duck. Some of those will return along with some new inflatable figures like a dinosaur or some new scenes with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be available at the event. Refreshments such as coffee from the Living Room Coffee House and the local Salvation Army will be provided, along with food from Ivar’s with their annual clam chowder fundraiser.
at downtown Comeford Park. “Merrysville for the holidays is a tradition for a lot of families. They like coming down to the park and getting into the spirit of the holidays here,” said Marysville recreation coordinator Andrea Kingsford. There will be a number of activities provided for free to families at the park during the event. There are inflatable holiday scenes to take pictures with. Last year included scenes with Santa Claus and sillier
FILE PHOTO
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be participating in the Electric Lights Parade on Dec. 5.
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The Marysville Kiwanis Club is also selling food and refreshments as part of their fundraiser. “This is a local event, run by local support and lots of local organizations who are at the event doing fundraising or helping, and the funds they raise go right back into the community,” said Kingsford. The Marysville Lions will organize a bonfire and local vendors will have holiday items for sell as well. “This is a really great way to come out to be part of the community and meet other people in the community as well,” said Kingsford. The event is run rain or shine, “and people love to come out regardless of what the weather ends up being,” she said. The Electric Lights Parade begins at 6:30 p.m., bringing various vehicles down State Avenue that will be heavily decorated. The parade is filled with “people who put twinkling lights and decorations on their cars,”
said Kingsford. “It’s a truly hometown parade. People like to come down and see their friends and neighbors in the parade,” she said. After the parade Soulevard will hold a free concert at the park and the water tower will
be lit. Kingsford wanted to thank the volunteers and sponsors like Grandview Village and 911 Driving School that make this event possible. “We’re grateful to organizations and people who help this event,” she said.
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
Cedarcrest hosts annual Tour of Lights Popular event returns with an additional train for added trips through the lighted display at the golf course
For the fifth year in a row Marysville’s Cedarcrest Golf Course will be filled with hundreds of lights this December and the city will provide train rides through the course. At the Cedarcrest Golf Course Holiday Tour of Lights participants can get on the Marysville Noon Rotary Train and take an approximately 20-minute ride to see the many lighted displays at the course. “It’s a wonderful event for every family,” said Marysville recreation coordinator Andrea Kingsford. She said it’s a good way for families to do something together during the holidays. “I haven’t met a person who doesn’t love riding on the train,” she said. The displays of light are also popular, especially among young children. “Everyone likes spending time riding the trains with the
little ones who stop and gasp at all the scenes of lights,” said Kingsford. This year will include 12 new light displays not seen before, and there’s more than just lights on the ride as well. “Santa will meet you halfway through the ride and hand out candy canes,” said Marysville recreation coordinator Lauren Woodmansee. After the train ride is over you can go over to the golf course’s restaurant, Bleachers, sit on the dick and enjoy some of the hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows they provide. Previous years had two trains for the Tour of Lights, but this year the city will bring in three trains. “Every year it’s just a popular event and we want to make it accessible to as many people as possible,” said Kingsford, who said they have seen increasing numbers of people, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, in years past. For those waiting in line there will be activities for kids provided as well. “So, while kids are waiting in line there is time for them to get to do crafts,” said Woodmansee.
FILE PHOTO
Cedarcrest Golf Course will once again host the Tour of Lights. The Cedarcrest Golf Course Holiday Tour of Lights is free, but there are suggested donations of $5 for adults, $3 for children or $20 for an entire family. The event is being held Thursday to Saturday on Dec. 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, Mon-
day to Wednesday on Dec. 21 to 23 and on Saturday Dec. 26 as the grand finale. The golf course is open for trains rides during the night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cedarcrest Golf Course is at 6810 84th St. NE, Marysville. Woodmansee wanted to
thank all the help that makes the event possible. “We can’t do this without our sponsors and our volunteers who make everything possible and put everything together,” she said. More information is available at marysvillewa.gov.
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Did you know?
Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees is Dec. 5.
FILE PHOTO
Festival of Trees helps raise funds for CVH Foundation
The Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation will hold its annual Festival of Trees on Dec. 5, bringing extravagantly decorated trees to Arlington to raise funds for their programs. Trees and wreaths decorated by various local groups will be on display at a new location this year, at Dwayne Lane’s Arlington Chevrolet’s new location at 20410 Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington. The trees will be auctioned off on Dec. 5 at the Festival of Trees gala, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to the event are $10. “This is just a fun event for the community,” said Jennifer Egger, community relations coordinator for the hospital and a member of the foundation. Money raised by the event goes the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, which is an independent organization that raises funds to support the local Arlington hospital. “It’s for a great cause. Funding goes toward providing better access to healthcare at Cascade Valley Hospital,” said Egger.
What would Christmas gift-giving be without a tree under which to place the presents? Tree shoppers have plenty of variety to choose from when selecting that ideal tree. Approximately 21,000 Christmas tree farms exist in the United States, and these farms sell between 30 and 35 million real trees each year. Those who prefer artificial trees can shop for everything from trees that appear to be natural to pastelhued boughs. The first printed reference to a Christmas tree was made in 1531 in Germany. Since then, Christmas trees have grown in popularity through the centuries.
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Trees and wreaths decorated by various local groups will be on display at a the Festival of Trees. Funds help provide better healthcare and better equipment for the hospital, she said. Last year the event raised more than $12,000 for the foundation. The gala will include food catered by the Cascade Café and local vendors will be selling crafts, including hand blown glass ornaments
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
Did you know?
The 2014 holiday shopping season was the best for retail sales since 2011. According to the National Retail Federation, total holiday retail sales in November and December of 2014 reached $616.1 billion, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Non-store holiday sales, which indicate e-commerce and online sales, increased by nearly 7 percent to just below $102 billion. The increase in spending did not appear to be limited to any particular area, as technology company First Data reported all 50 states experienced positive sales growth during the 2014 holiday shopping period. While spending trends benefited retailers in the United States, such was not the case in Canada, where Statistics Canada reported a 2 percent drop in sales in December, despite a small increase of 0.4 percent just a month prior. Spending on clothing and accessories, two sectors that often benefit come the holiday season, showed a nearly 6 percent drop for the holiday season.
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Local businesses will be participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.
Local businesses participate in Small Business Saturday
Multiple businesses in Arlington and Marysville will be offering discounts on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 to get ready for the shopping of the holiday season. Small Business Saturday is a day for shopping that follows Black Friday, but meant for small and local stores instead of larger corporate stores. A few of the downtown Arlington stores participated last year, said Downtown Arlington Business Association president Mike Britt, however this year will be more of a push to make Saturday “their day.” “We decided this year we would focus our energy into Shop Small Saturday,” he said. “The emphasis for us this year is to try and make Shop Small Saturday our big day.” Multiple businesses in the downtown area will be offering “huge discounts” on that day including Britt Sports Cards, New Beginnings, Vintage Restoration, Action Sports and more,
according to Britt. “It’s an ideal time to come in to see the great discounts we can offer,” he said. Britt also hopes it will expose more people to the downtown and spend money locally where it will “keep the money in the community, generally.” Last year DABA focused on Black Friday, but Britt said it’s tough to compete with national corporations on that day. “We didn’t really see the results we wanted.
The volumes [of customers] were up, but it wasn’t like in the big chain stores,” he said. “We can’t pretend to compete with the big chain stores, because Black Friday is good for us, but it’s nothing like what they see,” he said. Instead Britt hopes that Small Business Saturday can be a big day for downtown Arlington businesses. “We want to draw attention to Saturday and say, ‘this is our day,’” he said.
See BUSINESS on page 19
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
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Downtown Marysville celebrates the holidays with carolers, more
Downtown Marysville businesses will welcome customers with carolers and treats again this year on Dec. 5. The Downtown Marysville Merchants Association will be hiring the Strolling Minstrels to return to the downtown area and sing their carols from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during that day. Cookies, treats and cider will also be avail-
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How to select the perfect Christmas tree November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
An evergreen tree decked out in lights and ornaments is one of the universal symbols of the holiday season. The Christmas tree tradition is believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th or 16th centuries, when trees were decorated with edibles, such as nuts and fruits. They were later decorated with candles and eventually lights. Through the centuries, people have trekked to forests, Christmas tree farms and commercial lots to pick the perfect trees for their holiday displays. The National Christmas Tree Association says more than 33 million real trees are purchased each year, making the tree business a billion-dollar industry. While there are scores of evergreen varieties, certain tree types are more popular than others and thus more available for purchase. The following are some of the more popular trees come
Christmastime. n Eastern Redcedar: Branches of the tree are compact and form a pyramidshaped crown. The trees should be a dark, shiny green color. The eastern redcedar is not a true cedar tree, but a member of the juniper family. This tree can make a great cut tree with a homespun look and a pungent fragrance. n Leyland Cypress: This cypress is one of the more popular Christmas trees in the southeastern United States. The tree will be very dark green to almost gray in color. It has little aroma. Some people choose the Leyland because it does not produce sap, which is great for those with sap allergies. n Colorado Blue Spruce: An attractive bluegreen foliage and a good symmetrical form is what attracts many people to the blue spruce. The Colorado Blue Spruce has an excellent natural shape and requires
FILE PHOTO
Finding the perfect Christmas tree is often a task done by the entire family. little pruning to look like the perfect Christmas tree. It’s not very fragrant, but the tree needles may give off an unpleasant odor when
crushed. n Scotch Pine: A classic conical shape and very good needle retention help make the Scotch pine a popular
tree to cut for the holidays. Scotch pines also are quite prevalent thanks to the tree’s
See TREES on page 19
North County
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Santa visits Arlington neighborhoods to collect for food bank
Arlington Fire Department’s Santa Run will be held Dec. 4-13
Santa will be visiting numerous Arlington neighborhoods this year as part of the Arlington Fire Department’s annual Santa Run. The fire department
has organized a Santa Run for more than 20 years and collects food for the Arlington Food Bank each year from it. This year’s Santa Run is from Dec. 4 to Dec. 13. Each year Santa Claus and a decorated fire engine from the fire department take time each night to drive through local neighborhoods, play holiday music and gather donations from community
members. In addition, Santa will greet kids and talk to them about the upcoming Christmas. It is one of the Arlington Food Bank’s largest food drives each year. Last year 7,418 pounds of food and $1,759.24 were collected for the local food bank. This year’s run is sponsored in part by UW Medicine.
FILE PHOTO
Alina and Liana Nalivayko get candy canes from Arlington firefighter Bob Bean, currently dressed as Santa Claus, during the Arlington Fire Department’s 2014 Santa Run.
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Santa Run Schedule Dec. 4 – kickoff at Cascade Valley Hospital and going to east downtown Dec. 5 – Smokey Point Dec. 6 – Kent Prairie Dec. 7 – West downtown Dec. 8 – Heartland and High Clover
Dec. 9 – Crown Ridge, Magnolia and High Clover Dec. 10 – Ronning Road and River Crest Dec. 11 – West Gleneagle Dec. 12 – East Gleneagle Dec. 13 – The Crossing and Highland View
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Visit Downtown Arlington for All Your Holiday Shopping
ARLINGTON’S HOMETOWN HOLIDAY EVENTS
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Protect your purchases during the holidays November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
Shoppers need to remain diligent to safeguard against theft
Holiday shoppers spend billions of dollars during the holiday rush. Although the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day make up a season marked by giving and sharing joy with others, criminals are well aware that the holiday season can be a prime time to rip off consumers. Shoppers need to remain extra diligent to safeguard against theft and other not-so-jolly crimes. “There’s more opportunity with the holiday season — there are more people out and also more people looking for opportunity to steal whether it’s your identity or purse,” Officer Thomas of the Arlington Police Department said. At the store Be aware of your surroundings at all times while at the mall or other stores. Packages, wallets or purses should never be left unattended. Take notice
if anyone is standing too close to you, asking them to respect your personal space if necessary. Officer Thomas suggests not putting receipts in bags because “if somebody does take your property, you have a record of what you had purchased and from where.” Try to reduce distractions while you do your holiday shopping. This may mean leaving the kids at home so you can focus better on the task at hand or letting incoming calls go to voicemail while you shop. Make frequent trips to the car so that you can free yourself of cumbersome packages. Being laden down with bags or boxes can make you an easy target for a thief. In the parking lot Parking lots are notoriously crowded during the holiday season, so you may not be able to get an ideal spot. However, make every attempt to park near the entrance of the store or at least in a well-lit area of the lot. It gets dark early during the holiday season, and you want to feel safe bringing pack-
ages to your car. Store all items out of view, such as in the trunk. If you have an SUV, invest in a cargo bed cover that covers packages. Officer Thomas also suggests “not leaving things exposed or unattended, that way there is no opportunity. Especially with vehicles, don’t leave any bags of any kind, whether it’s a backpack or a purse or a shopping bag exposed. If anything, put it in the trunk.” If ever you do not feel comfortable walking to your vehicle alone, shop with a friend or ask a security guard to accompany you to your vehicle. Purchasing power Paying cash for purchases can alleviate debt come the new year, but credit cards also have their advantages. Credit card companies do not hold cardholders accountable for unauthorized purchases made with a stolen card. This peace of mind can make it safer for shoppers to use credit cards over cash or debit cards when making their holiday purchases.
Exchanging gifts with loved ones is one of the joys of the holiday season. But it can be challenging to reign in holiday spending when your shopping list is especially lengthy. Fortunately, there are many ways for holiday shoppers to cut costs this season. Create a limited gift exchange. Speak with other family members who also may be feeling the pinch of holiday
spending to establish a gift exchange system. Rather than purchasing a gift for everyone in the family, split the list accordingly. Maybe everyone will only be expected to purchase gifts for the children, instead of buying for kids and adults. Propose that you only exchange gifts with immediate family members and not your extended family, such as your cousins, aunts and uncles. Develop a
system that works for everyone so no one feels like they need to break the bank this holiday season. Host a holiday grab bag. Grab bags are great ways to exchange gifts without going broke. In a traditional grab bag, everyone brings a gift that does not exceed a predetermined value and puts it in the bag. Each family member then pulls a gift out of the bag. Allow
FILE PHOTO
The are a variety of steps people can take to protect themselves and their purchases during the holiday season. If shopping takes you online, restrict buying to well-established businesses whose reputations can be verified. Make sure that purchases are made through a secure website or server to reduce your risk of falling victim to hackers. Officer Thomas also suggests shoppers refrain from saving personal information online and on computers, which criminals can
access if they break into the computer systems of companies. “When you go online and you make a purchase, and your computer offers to save your information for the next purchase, or save your passwords in your own computer, make sure you don’t do that because that’s personal information criminals can find.” Buddy system Packages left outside
of empty homes can be ripe for the picking by thieves. Establish an agreement with neighbors that you will take in each other’s packages so they aren’t left unattended on front porches or in doorways. The holiday season should be a joyous time, but shoppers should still exercise a certain level of caution when buying gifts for their loved ones.
Cost-saving measures when gifting a large family everyone the option to swap with one another if one gift is more fitting for a particular person. Set a price limit. Decide in advance that gifts should not exceed a certain price. This way if you are budgeting for the holidays you will have a better understanding of what you can expect to spend if every gift should be around $30. Pool your resources. Rather than giving many little gifts, pool your resources with some relatives and give a single big-ticket gift. Each person can contribute the same amount, or family members can contribute as much as they can afford. Give an experience. Sometimes the gift of an experience, such as tickets to a sporting event or a night at the theater, can make a thoughtful and impressive gift. Again, other family members can contribute, and collectively you can enjoy a
night on the town or another adventure. Having a large family can be expensive come the holiday season.
However, there are ways to curtail your spending without taking any joy out of the holidays.
Seasonal song is a holiday favorite
‘Winter Wonderland’ has become a staple of holiday radio
The song “Winter Wonderland” has become a staple of holiday radio. Much like “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” was not intentionally written to become a Christmas carol, but evolved into one over time. The song was published in 1934 by composer Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard B. Smith. Smith resided in the town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and was inspired to write the lyrics of the song after seeing Honesdale Central Park and his own childhood home blanketed in snow. Smith actually wrote the lyrics while being treated in the West Mountain Sanitarium in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for tuberculosis. Many singers have performed the song throughout the years, so much so that it is often a standard song on artists’ holiday compilations. Some of the better-known and earlier versions were made by The Andrews Sisters and Perry Como. “Winter Wonderland” has evolved into one of those songs that inspires visions of snowy splendor. Original lyrics feature a portion
of the song mentioning young lovers being married spontaneously by a traveling “parson,” a Protestant minister. Some thought those lyrics sent the wrong message to children, and another version was written with a circus clown, instead. The song has been sung with either bridge in place and even both in lengthier versions of the tune. For those who want to enjoy their own winter wonderland and sing along with this classic winter carol, here are the lyrics. “Winter Wonderland”
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, We’re happy tonight, Walking in a winter wonderland.
The 5 Annual
While you’re in town. Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire, To face unafraid, The plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland. In the meadow we can build a snowman, And pretend that he’s a circus clown We’ll have lots of fun with mister snowman, Until the other kiddies knock him down.
FILE PHOTO
The song “Winter Wonderland” has become a holiday favorite.
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When it snows, ain’t it thrilling, Though your nose gets a-chilling. We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way, Walking in a winter wonderland.
Gone away is the bluebird, Here to stay is a new bird. He sings a love song, As we go along, Walking in a winter wonderland. In the meadow we can build a snowman, Then pretend that he is Parson Brown He’ll say, “Are you married?” We’ll say, “No man,” But you can do the job
Arlington Farmers Market Presents th
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Handmade Holiday
Enjoy Handmade Gifts and Crafts Food and Drinks, Music and Fun! Saturday, December 5th • 11am - 5pm Pioneer Hall • 20722 67th Ave NE, Arlington
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service December 24th at 5:00p.m. & 7:00p.m. with Carols & Candles. Our Saviors Lutheran 615 E. Highland Dr. Arlington 360-435-8921 Church
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Join Us for Our Christmas Eve Services Family Service • 6:00 pm • Childcare Provided Traditional Candlelight Service • 9:00 pm • No Childcare Provided
Marysville Free Methodist Church 6715 Grove St. • Marysville • 360-659-7117 visit our website at www.marysvillefmc.org
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
HOLIDAY FUN AND GAMES
North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
SHADES OF JOY Win tickets to the Lights of Christmas!
NAME: ______________________________________
Color it merry, Color it bright
AGE: _______________ GRADE: ________________
CONTEST RULES
ADDRESS: __________________________________ CITY: _______________________________________ PHONE: ____________________________________ SCHOOL: ____________________________________
1. Contest open to children ages 5-11 2. Categories of competition are ages 5 to 7, 8 to 9, and 10 to 11. 3. Winners will be notified by phone and announced in the Dec. 2 issue of North County Outlook. 4. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by noon on Nov. 30. 5. All entries become property of North County Outlook. 6. Entries will be judged on neatness, use of color, creativity and overall appearance. 7. Employees of this newspaper, contest sponsors and their families are not eligible to enter. Entries must be received by Friday, November 30.
Send to P.O. Box 39, Marysville, WA 98270 • Or Deliver to NCO at 1331 State Ave. #A, Marysville
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
The history of the man behind the beard Every Christmas Eve, children go to bed eagerly anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. This merry gentleman is purported to visit the home of every good girl and boy, delivering gifts and cheer along the way. Before the modern evolution of Santa Claus lived a very real and generous individual named Nicholas. In the third century, Nicholas served as the Bishop of
Myrna in present-day Turkey. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, believing that giving should be done secretly and sacrificially in Jesus Christ’s name rather than one’s own. Stories tell of Nicholas paying the dowry for poor daughters to enable them to get married. He reportedly put coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.
It is believed Nicholas helped to restore the hope of hundreds of people in his community, making him a beloved and revered Bishop. Throughout his ministry, Nicholas fervently shared his life and fortune with others. Nicholas continued to be revered and commemorated by many Christians even after his death. His charity and unselfish works helped inspire generations of the faithful, and he eventually was named the patron saint of everyone from merchants to sailors to pawnbrokers. No one really knows what St. Nicholas looked like. But in 2005, a forensic laboratory in England reviewed historical data and photographs of the remains taken from St. Nicholas’ grave in the 1950s. Researchers concluded that he was a small man, perhaps no more than five feet in height, with a broken nose. This image certainly does not fit with the robust frame and other imagery awarded St.
Nicholas in more modern years. St. Nicholas is believed to be the inspiration for Santa Claus, which was a name taken from the Dutch Sinterklaas, a contracted form of Sint Nicolass, or St. Nicholas. Tales of the real St. Nicholas’ giving spirit were blended with a fictional personification by New York-based newspaper writers who
blended the St. Nicholas name with the appearance of a Dutch town citizen. The goal was to reach out to the primarily Dutch immigrants living in New York at the time. This jolly elf image was given a boost by the publication of “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” which was published around the same time. Eventually, the merry Santa Claus portrayal began to outshine
the more accurate St. Nicholas version as a religious man, fostered by political drawings and caricatures that depicted Santa as a chubby sort in a red suit. That image prevails to this day. Beneath the Christmas symbolism, the beard and the presents associated with Santa Claus lies a tale of generosity that originated with St. Nicholas.
How to approach your holiday shopping
The holiday season can be both exciting and expensive. The excitement stems from chances to see family and friends, while the expenses often stem from holiday shopping for those very same loved ones. Many shoppers run into financial trouble come the holiday season, when the temptation to overspend on holiday gifts can be tough to resist. But the following are a handful of ways shoppers can stretch their budgets and avoid going broke this holiday season. Agree to spending limits. Come the holiday season, many people overspend on gifts for their immediate family members. Before shopping season begins, speak with members of your immediate family to discuss spending limits on gifts, agreeing that you each won’t spend more than an agreed upon amount of dollars on gifts for any one person. Come to a consensus on a reasonable limit and urge family members not to exceed that limit no matter what. Determine how much you can spend. Many people find themselves overextended
financially come the holiday season because they never bother to sit down before the season begins to determine how much they can afford to spend. Set some time aside before your first holiday shopping excursion to examine your finances. Such an examination should give you a ballpark figure of how much you can spend. Keep a tally of all of your purchases with you whenever you go shopping, updating the list with each new purchase you make. Tracking spending can help you stay within your budget. Go shopping with a plan. Visiting the mall or a town shopping center without any idea of what you’re looking for is a recipe for overspending. Put some thought and research into your holiday shopping so you aren’t spending time wandering around and buying on impulse, which can increase your chance of overspending. The more thought you put into your shopping, the more you can comparison shop and find the best price for each gift. Start early. If your holiday shopping list is long or if you know money will be tight
come the holiday season, begin your holiday shopping early. Doing so allows you to stretch your spending out over several months as opposed to several weeks. Shopping early also gives you more time to comparison shop and find the best price. Resist the temptation to put it all on plastic. Credit and debit cards are more convenient than cash, especially now that you can buy everything from cups of coffee to big-ticket items with the swipe of a card. But cash can be your friend when holiday shopping, especially if you have a history of overspending during the holiday season. Leave cards at home when holiday shopping, spending only the cash you have in your pocket. While this may be a less convenient way to shop than you’ve grown accustomed to, it will save you the grief of large credit card bills come January. Holiday shopping can easily get out of hand. But shoppers who commit to spending only what they can afford before their first shopping trip can make it through the season with their finances intact.
Many shoppers run into financial trouble during the holiday season.
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
Holiday shoppers need to resist the temptation to put all of their holiday purchases on their credit cards. FILE PHOTO
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Naughty or Nice?
Now’s your chance to let your child or loved one know how they rank on Santa’s Naughty or Nice List!
In our December 23rd issue, North County Outlook will feature Santa’s Naughty or Nice List to see if they will be waking up to a stocking full of gifts or that dreaded piece of coal – all in good fun of course!
Kids from 1 to 93 can have their names printed on Santa’s List and used as a keepsake for years to come. Only $3.00 per name – or 4 for $10.00 (Must be prepaid)
I want to place the following names on Santa’s List: Naughty Nice
Name: ________________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Name: ________________________________________________
Mail check and order form to “Santa’s List”
North County Outlook • P.O. Box 39, Marysville, WA, 98270
Or bring in to: 1331 State Ave., Ste. B, Marysville FILE PHOTO
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook
The benefits to buying local this holiday season Holiday shopping dominates many people’s free time between the day after Thanksgiving and the final
days before Christmas. While many people may shop ‘til they drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, those days still
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Buy crafts, homemade gifts and baked goods! Also, a Silent Auction will be held.
Shoppers now have a bevy of options at their disposal as they embark on holiday shopping season. Traditional in-store retailers are still around, and online shopping continues to grow in popularity with each holiday season. But many holiday shoppers are looking to buy local this holiday season, and such a decision can pay a host of dividends for both shoppers and the communities they call home. Buying local benefits your local economy. Studies from Civic Economics, an economics and strategics planning firm, found that independent, locally-owned retailers return a far greater percentage of their revenue into their local economies than national chain stores. One such study examined the disparity between revenue recirculation among independent, locally-owned businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, versus four major national chains in the city. The former recirculated 51.1 percent of revenue into the local economy, while the latter recirculated less than 14 percent. Similar results were discovered in many cities, indicating that buying local not only benefits local business owners, but also the communities those owners and their customers call home. Buying local creates jobs in your community. One of the biggest ways local business owners in Raleigh recirculated
FILE PHOTO
Shopping local this holiday season can benefit the local community in various ways. their revenue in the local economy was job creation. While national chains also create jobs, such jobs only benefit your community if the chains are located within your community. If your local mall is a considerable drive away, chances are the chains within that mall are not employing many of your fellow community members. Local businesses in your community are more likely to employ residents of your town. Shopping local may provide access to more unique gifts. In addition to the economic benefits of buying local,
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shoppers may find merchandise made by local craftsmen is more unique than mass-produced items found on the shelves of national retailers. Recipients may cherish more unique items that they cannot find on their own, and that appreciation may even spur them to visit more local retailers after the holiday season has come and gone, benefiting their own communities in so doing. Local business may provide a more personal touch. Buying from national chains has its advantages, but customer service is not always one of them. Should your loved ones encounter problems with their gift that requires assistance, they might be forced to wait on the phone for extended periods of time as they and thousands of others wait for customer service representatives to answer their calls. Local businesses do not deal with nearly the volume of customers as national retailers and, therefore, are capable of addressing concerns more quickly and personally than large chains. Buying local not only benefits small business owners, but it also pays dividends for their customers and the communities they call home.
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North County Outlook • November 25, 2015
TREES Continued from page 8
adaptability to a wide range of climates. n Eastern White Pine: A delicate green color and long needles are found on this tree. Another popular pine, the rich fragrance of the white pine may make it preferable to those who like their homes to smell of evergreen. n Douglas Fir: The Douglas fir is one of the foremost Christmas tree species in the United States. It has soft needles that are dark green in color. Those needles radiate in all directions from the branches to give the tree a full look. The needles, when crushed, have a sweet fragrance. Douglas firs tend to live long when cut. n Fraser Fir: Another popular fir for Christmas is the Fraser fir. The needles are bicolored, with dark green on top and silver on the bottom. More fragrant than its cousin, the Douglas, the Fraser also boasts a slender profile, which makes it suitable for smaller rooms. Cheryl Hammer, owner of Cheryl’s Trees in Marysville described popular Christmas trees in the Pacific Northwest area. “The most popular
BUSINESS Continued from page 6
Britt said that although many of the stores are niche, there are a variety of different goods available in the downtown. “There’s people who are not aware that if you combine all the stores down here, the athletic supplies, the hardware, the furniture, the clothing, that we can supply anything the big stores have,” he said. He encourages people to explore as well, because some stores have more stuff than you would expect. “My store is niche, but I’m always amazed when people walk in and realize how much other stuff we have,” he said. Britt said that small businesses are also better able to accommodate individuals. “We can make adjustments to meet your needs. We’re not as uniform and we have way more flexibility as small businesses,” he said.
tree is the Noble Fir, it is also the longest lasting. The Nobles will be sheared or natural, the sheared being quite bushy and the naturals will be more layered. The Fraser Fir is another long lasting tree and the most symmetrical and do well in small areas. The Douglas Fir is still very popular, but keep in mind they dry out much faster even in water, so you need to purchase them later in the season.” Christmas tree maintenance Nothing can guarantee the health and appearance of a tree after it is brought into a home. But choosing a recently cut tree that has good needle retention can help. Here are other tips for a long-lasting tree. n Use a sharp saw to cut an inch off of the trunk base to remove the sappy covering that forms from cutting. This will improve water intake. n Fill a tree stand reservoir with warm water. Expect the tree to drink heavily in the beginning. n Keep the reservoir filled every day and check to see how much water the tree is using. n Place the tree far from heaters or other drying sources. In Marysville, the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce also hopes to promote small businesses during Small Business Saturday. “The big box stores spend all this money on advertising for Black Friday, but we think we’re able to help focus on small businesses on the next day,” said Jesica Stickles, president of the chamber. “It really should be a full weekend of shopping so that people can hit those local stores too,” she said. Buying from local businesses starts when your planning out your shopping, she said. “I highly encourage when people are making their lists to think of local businesses,” she said. Supporting small businesses is also a way to find more unique product and a way to “support your neighbor.” “This is money spent that will actually go toward supporting your schools and supporting your streets,” said Stickles.
Did you know?
HL15A575 Hammer added, “when looking for a fresh tree always check to make sure that the branches and the needles are flexible. When you get the tree home do a fresh cut on the bottom, at least an inch, and put the base in a bucket of water.” As far as preserving the tree, she suggests to “make sure the tree is watered every day, and it should continue to draw for at least two weeks.
Many people begin their holiday shopping around the end of summer, when retailers first begin to roll out new clothing lines and mark down existing items to make way for new inventory. Beginning holiday shopping near the end of summer or the beginning of fall may seem a little early, but early shoppers often find that starting earlier affords them more time to find the right gifts at the right prices. Early shoppers can comparison shop without the specter of the fastapproaching holiday hanging over their heads, and comparison shopping helps consumers feel more confident that they are getting the best deals possible. Starting early with regard to holiday shopping also allows shoppers avoid the financial crunch that shoppers who wait until the holiday season begins often feel. Spreading out spending over several months as opposed to the handful of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a great way for shoppers to avoid buying too many gifts on credit, which can make for a penny-pinching start to the new year when bills come due in early- to mid-January.
Our differences make us unique. Join Us in Celebrating Our Local Roots Marysville Arlington Tulalip Smokey Point
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Scott Frank, Editor
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November 25, 2015 • North County Outlook