Feb. 3, 2021 North County Outlook

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Vol. 14 No. 21 n February 3, 2021 - February 9, 2021

MARYSVILLE • ARLINGTON • SMOKEY POINT • LAKEWOOD • TULALIP • QUIL CEDA VILLAGE

Snohomish County moves into Phase 2 of reopening The loosening of restrictions will allow a small amount of indoor capacity for restaurants, gyms

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Olympic Place Executive Director Nancy Tisdel, right, gives a donation check over to Stilly Valley Center Executive Director Danette Klemens on Jan. 26.

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Marysville and Arlington are a part of one of the two regions moving to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s "Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery" reopening plan.

Snohomish County is grouped with King and Pierce counties in the "Puget Sound Region," which has received approval to move to the next step of reopening which will allow for some minor relaxing of current restrictions.

The restrictions were slated to officially relax on See PHASE 2 on page 9

Olympic Place donates to Stilly Valley Center

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Ryan Breeland, meat cutter for Jeff ’s Texas Style BBQ in Marysville, prepares a to-go lunch on Jan. 29.

The Stilly Valley Center has received $7,500 from their ‘top sponsor’ to help them at the beginning of a year filled with uncertainty.

The center, formerly known as the Stillaguamish Senior Center, has been impacted by loss of revenue and the closure of many

of its programs since last March.

“We made it through last year with a PPP loan and a lot of outreach and fundraising,” said Danette Klemens, executive director of the center.

The center currently has a budget shortfall because of the lack of incoming funds.

See DONATION on page 7

Tulalip Tribes provide COVID vaccines to MSD teachers, staff

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

The Tulalip Tribes began to vaccinate Marysville School District teachers and staff with the COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 27 in an effort to help make local schools safer.

“This is awesome being able to help out the local community and the school district in partnership with other organizations,” said Tulalip Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin. “This will mean our students will be able to get back to school and the teachers will remain safe."

Because the Tulalip Tribes have tribal sovereignty, they have more independence in how to distribute their supply of the vaccine than government agencies do.

With that independence, the Tulalip Tribal Council wanted to support teachers

as their next phase of vaccination.

“For the next group in line we thought it was very appropriate to take care of our teachers because they take care of our kids,” said Gobin.

While the vaccine supply is free, the Tribes still had to pay for staff members to administer it.

“We have had to pull some of our health services from our health clinic to have an operation this big,” said Rochelle Lubbers, chief administrative officer with the Tulalip Tribes.

The school district has 1,200 staff members and all were invited to receive the vaccine, including bus drivers, custodians and food service workers. The decision to get the vaccinate or not was up to the staff members themselves.

See TRIBES on page 2

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Pinewood Elementary Principal Mica Harasek, right, receives the COVID-19 vaccine from Veronica Walters, a family nurse practitioner at the Tulalip Health Clinic on Jan. 27.

2

February 3, 2021 -February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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The Tulalip Tribes had about 300 Marysville School District staff members scheduled for the first day of vaccination on Jan. 27.

“It’s overwhelming to see our teachers and our staff here,” said Jason Thompson, superintendent for the Marysville School District. “All of us are much safer thanks to the Tulalip Tribes."

The offer from the Tulalip Tribes did come as a bit of a surprise for the school district.

“The deputy superintendent walked into my office and said ‘I just got a call from the Tulalip Tribes and they want to vaccinate all our employees,’ and I thought it was a joke,” said Thompson.

Thompson said he had not yet gotten the vaccine but plans to.

“I want to be one of the last one of our staff to get the shot,” he said.

The sudden availability of vaccines for Marysville staff and teachers makes returning to school a safer option, said Thompson.

“It’s very tough to know that kids are expected to be at home learning. There has been some amazing work

done by teachers, but everyone knows the kids are depressed,” he said. “They need interaction from other kids and they need to be in school."

Karin Weissert, a special education teacher at Marysville-Pilchuck High School who received the vaccine, said the process was simple and easy. She hopes school can return to in-person soon.

“I want everyone vaccinated because that gives us confidence and the kids confidence. They’re scared too,” she said. “Kids are suffering at home. They do better in class."

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on students in special education, she said.

“If we go back to school it’s going to be another adjustment, especially for special education kids because the transition is a lot harder,” she said.

Many staff members and officials were glad about the opportunity.

“I’m very appreciative.

Especially for my staff because we have some teachers that are older and nervous,” said Mica Harasek, Pinewood Elementary’s principal.

“I’ve got a lot of teachers who have older folks who live with them and I

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PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Tulalip Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin talks about the Tulalip Tribes’ vaccination efforts during the first day of vaccines provided to Marysville School District staff on Jan. 27. was getting messages all day today that they are very excited,” she said.

Gobin said the Tulalip Tribes’ vaccination effort will continue beyond this, as well. Tulalip officials had already begun vaccinating local elders and first responders before contacting local teachers.

Their current operation can vaccinate about 500 people per day.

“We’re still witnessing about 60 percent of [tribal members] who want the vaccine,” said Lubbers. The goal for Tulalip officials is to vaccinate all tribal members

and, although some still remain cautious, word of mouth is helping get more people to come in.

“When tribal members talk to people who have the vaccine and didn’t have an adverse experience, they’re coming in to get the vaccine after,” said Lubbers.

Gobin said the Tribes look forward to when they will begin to gather again safely.

“We’ve had too many family members pass and we don’t want any more,” she said. “We want to celebrate life together again instead of apart."

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FILE PHOTO

Blood donor Chris Boser, right, prepares to get his blood drawn by American Red Cross phlebotomist Lianna Patoc on June 4, 2020, at an event organized by the Marysville Rotary Club.

Rotary plans blood drive

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com The Arlington Rotary is partnering with the American Red Cross for a blood drive on Feb. 8 in Arlington.

The drive will be located at the Stillaguamish Conference Room at the Arlington Public Works Administration Building, which is near Haller Park at 154 W Cox Ave., Arlington.

Donors are still needed to give blood at the event.

For those who wish to donate blood, go to redcrossblood.org and enter your zip code in the ‘Find a Blood Drive’ search box.

The local Rotary Club has made an effort since the pandemic began to support blood collection.

“This is Arlington Rotary’s third blood drive that we’ve held since July 2020,” said Jim Kelly, a member of the club.

The organization has worked with the American Red Cross of Puget Sound to hold the events, and other Rotary clubs in the area have also held their own events during that time, as well.

Kelly said the local Rotary district was issued a challenge last year to support more efforts to collect blood because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the barriers it was putting up toward getting blood to hospitals.

“The Red Cross has expressed to us the need for more blood, especially during this time,” said Kelly.

“The blood drives have slowed down with everyone being quarantined."

With the two drives held so far, the club has collected 80 units of blood, which is the equivalent of saving about 227 people, said Kelly.

“And that’s why we do this,” he said. “Rotary is a community-based organization and one commodity that every community needs is blood."

The club members have been a part of the organizing, as well as giving blood themselves.

“We first open the donation to area Rotarians and then we open it to the general public,” said Kelly. “Arlington Rotarians sponsor the event not only by donating blood but also by setting up the room, operating the welcome table and cleaning up the room when we are done."

Arlington Rotary’s first two blood drives filled up with participants and they have three more drives scheduled to be held during 2021.

“Go to redcross.org and just type in ‘Arlington’ where it says location and you will be directed to our blood drive,” said Kelly.

“Blood drives are always important, even more so as we were going into the pandemic."

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February 3, 2021 -February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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COURTESY IMAGE

Snohomish County’s two-week average for their daily case rate from March 14, 2020, to Jan. 26, 2021.

County's COVID cases trending downward

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Snohomish County saw declining COVID-19 numbers and a bump in their vaccine supply as officials continue to respond to the pandemic.

The county’s case rate dropped to a two-week average daily case rate of 253 per 100,000 people “That shows a decrease from last week of 376 to 253, a substantial decline,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, Health Officer with the Snohomish Health District, during a Jan. 26 press briefing. “That is a welcome reprieve from the last few months."

The case rate numbers are the lowest they have been since mid-November, although still higher than they were in spring and summer, where the two-week average for the case rate never got above 129 per 100,000 people.

“We’re far from being out of the woods and are still in a precarious position,” said Spitters. “We can’t celebrate too soon or let our guard down or this is going to come right back, as it has before."

New admissions and hospitalizations have also dropped. Currently there are 54 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalization cases in local hospitals.

“We were almost double that two weeks ago,” said Spitters. “Although substantial deaths are still occurring, those are declining as well."

The vaccination effort continues locally with about 20,000 vaccines administered Jan. 18 to Jan. 24.

There are 42,000 people who have received at least one dose and 70,000 in the county who are fully vaccinated.

The Health District now has four public vaccination sites up, including their newest one at Arlington Municipal Airport.

“We are hoping to get enough sites up to do 50,000 vaccinations per week,” said

County Executive Dave Somers.

As of Jan. 26 he said they could vaccinate 30,000 per week.

“The bottleneck really still is supply,” said Somers.

“We’ve have been steadily getting more vaccine and this week we expect to see about 17,000 doses, which is a major improvement."

The county ranked 28th in the state in terms of percent of population vaccinated on Jan. 26, which is due to the amount of vaccine the county was receiving, said Somers.

“When we saw the numbers compared to other counties, we definitely raised a concern. I had an old friend that suggested we needed to be a squeaky wheel,” Somers said.

The state is expected to see increasing supply soon.

“The Department of Health has been told that distribution of the Moderna vaccine to the state is expected to increase in early February,” said Spitters.

A couple of other vaccines may enter the market soon as well, which could help improve supply further.

The two currently available vaccines are both taken in two doses, administered either a minimum of 21 or 28 days apart depending on which vaccine is received.

Spitters said individuals do not need to be worried if they don’t get the second dose immediately at 21 or 28 days apart.

“People should not be concerned about the second dose efficacy if the second dose is delayed. We’re working to get people in as close to the 28 days apart as possible,” but sometimes flexibility is needed, he said.

The county and Health District are still working on improving buy-in to the vaccine.

“We don’t want anyone to avoid vaccination out of fear. We want to help people transparently understand what the benefits, risks and

side effects are,” said Spitters.

“We want people to have access to the information and if they elect not get it, well that’s the best we can do."

The Health District hopes to achieve 75 to 85 percent vaccination at least, as that is the amount estimated to achieve some amount of herd immunity.

“We are planning quite a number of outreach efforts, pop-up clinics, for people who either have access difficulties or are skeptical about the vaccines,” said Somers.

Spitters also discussed the new B117 variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in the London metropolitan area.

Current data suggests that infected individuals will spread it to 15 percent of their contacts, as opposed to 11 percent with other strains, said Spitters.

“It may be the predominant strain in the U.S. in the next few months,” he said.

“There’s no need for us to get alarmed. It was only a matter of time before a variant emerged in Washington state."

The data about whether the variant is also more dangerous to infected individuals is still being worked out, said Spitters.

Two Snohomish County residents and a Pierce County resident have been identified with the variant.

“It is highly likely other cases exist and will be found through ongoing surveillance,” said Spitters. “There was no travel involved with these cases so we know they acquired the infection in Snohomish County,."

Spitters said social distancing measures, working from home and wearing masks become more crucial if a more-easily spread variant does become widespread.

“Don’t host gatherings and don’t attend gatherings,” he said. “These measures are particularly important with the emergence of the B117 variant.”

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Free drive-in movie in Marysville

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

The city of Marysville will provide a free drive-in movie to the community on Feb. 5.

They are showing the 1987 classic film "The Princess Bride" on their inflatable screen with sound available through car radios.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the film is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Marysville Municipal Court parking lot at 1015 State Ave., Marysville.

“We are really pleased to present free drive-in movies for the community,” said Andrea Kingsford, recreation coordinator with the city of Marysville. “This is a wonderful opportunity for families to have an outside activity."

While the city has run its "Popcorn in the Park" summer film series in the

past, this is the first time that they are planning a drive-in film.

“We were looking for something the community could do that would follow the health and safety guidelines,” because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kingsford.

“We are bringing our inflatable screen and could put it up at the courthouse parking lot,” which has a lot of room for people to drive in and stay, she said.

Unlike the summer film series, popcorn will not be provided by the city at the movie showing.

“Just to keep things safe we won’t be able to provide concessions,” said Kingsford.

Families can still bring their own food or takeout from local downtown restaurants though.

“We encourage people to support local businesses by buying food there or

bringing popcorn from their home,” said Kingsford.

Those attending the event should still maintain social distancing if they leave their car while at the event.

“We do request that people wear masks when they are outside of their car during the event,” said Kingsford.

The Marysville courthouse lot can only hold a

limited number of cars as well, so those interested are encouraged to reserve their space.

“Space is limited so it’s highly recommended you register in advance,” said Kingsford.

Registrations can be made by emailing Andrea Kingsford at akingsford@ marysvillewa.gov or by calling 360-363-8400.

If the drive-in movie is popular with local resi-

dents the Marysville Parks, Culture and Recreation Department may plan for additional movie showings soon, said Kingsford.

“We do hope to do more in the future,” she said.

The parks department is planning the drive-in movie among other safe, social-distanced events this February to help people get outside more, said Kingsford.

“We’re pleased to be able

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to offer something to do,” she said.

Kingsford wanted to thank Gamut 360 who is helping to sponsor the event.

More information about this and other parks events is available at marysvillewa. gov.

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Scavenger hunt open to M'ville families

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

Local families can explore Marysville’s parks in a city-wide scavenger hunt for a number of hidden hearts as part of "Hearts in the Parks."

The scavenger hunt event will be available from Feb. 5 to 16 with a $5 entry fee for an entire family.

Participants can register online.

“After you pay you will be sent clues to locations around the city’s parks,” and families can go search for the hearts throughout those various locations, said Andrea Kingsford,

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recreation coordinator with the city of Marysville.

Families can register after Feb. 5 up until the end of the event as well.

When locals find the hearts, they can take a photo with themselves at each location and send it to parks officials with the city.

“They’ll be put into a prize drawing if they find all of the hearts,” said Andrea Kingsford, recreation coordinator with the city of Marysville.

Prizes are gift baskets valued at $50.

The information on how to submit pictures will be provided with the clues.

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This is a new event for the city and we're really excited to offer this to the community.

____

Andrea Kingsford

This is the first time Marysville has put on a scavenger hunt-type event for locals.

“This is a new event for the city and we’re really excited to offer this to the community,” said Kingsford.

The city’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Department is trying to find events where people can stay socially distanced and safe at this time but still allows people to get out into the community, she said.

As part of that effort they put together "Hearts in the Parks."

Parks staff put together the clues and set up the lo-

”

cations to find as well.

“I have had a lot of fun putting them all together, revisiting all of our parks and looking for the right locations for the hearts,” said Kingsford.

She hopes the event will help people get outdoors with their family and allow them to explore the city’s parks.

“I think families will really enjoy having something to do,” said Kingsford. “They’ll have fun seeing parks or park features they might not have known about" Scavenger hunts can also provide a lot of family fun.

COURTESY IMAGE

The flyer for the ‘Hearts in the Parks’ scavenger hunt event in Marysville this February.

“There’s just something fun in trying to solve a mystery,” she said.

Participants do not have to find all the hearts at once.

“They could do it all in one day or they could spread it out over multiple days,” said Kingsford.

Kingsford wanted to thank the Marysville Rotary, which is sponsoring the event, as well as the all of the families who will come out and support the eent throughout February.

“We look forward to seeing all of the participants in our parks,” she said.

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Sun, Moon and Tides in Snohomish County Wednesday, February 3, through Tuesday, February 9

Wednesday, February 3 Sunrise 7:33 am • Sunset 5:14 pm 2:46 am 9:05 am 4:04 pm 9:43 pm

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

2.19 ft 11.9 ft 2.16 ft 8.48 ft

Thursday, February 4 Sunrise 7:31 am • Sunset 5:16 pm 3:36 am 9:43 am 5:03 pm 11:18 pm

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

3.88 ft 11.65 ft 1.25 ft 8.41 ft

Friday, February 5 Sunrise 7:30 am • Sunset 5:17 pm 4:37 am 10:27am 6:04pm

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

5.52 ft 12.3 ft 0.42 ft

Saturday, February 6 Sunrise 7:28 am • Sunset 5:19 pm 1:16 am 6:01 am 11:39 am 7:08 pm

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

8.92 ft 6.79 ft 10.9 ft 0.31 ft

Sunday, February 7 Sunrise 7:27 am • Sunset 5:21 pm 2:53 am 7:43 am 12:18 pm 8:05 pm

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

SPRING SPECIAL

9.88 ft 7.37 ft 10.56 ft -0.91 ft

Honda Walk Behind

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Monday, February 8

Sunrise 7:25 am • Sunset 5:22 pm 3:54 am 9:09 am 1:21 pm 8:59 pm

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

10.76 ft 7.28 ft 10.35 ft -1.34 ft

Your Participating Honda Power Equipment Dealer

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

11.33 ft 6.86 ft 10.25 ft -1.55 ft

Source: NOAA for their Marysville/Quil Ceda Creek station NOT FOR NAVIGATION North County Outlook assumes no liability for damages arising from the use of these predictions. They are not certified to be correct, and they do not incorporate the effects of tropical storms, El Nino, seismic events, continental drift or changes in global sea level.

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Februay 3, 2021 February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

AHS students help Kids' Kloset

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com In January the Arlington High School National Honor Society supported the Arlington Kids’ Kloset with volunteer assistance.

The local club often goes out into the community to help local organizations.

This time they helped the Arlington Kids’ Kloset, a nonprofit organization that provides clothes to families in need.

“On Saturday we had two groups of NHS groups come and volunteer for group hours. There was a total of 21 people which totaled 42 hours,” said National Honor Society student Laura Meno.

The students there did a variety of activities to help.

“We were mainly split into partners and then groups separated to go do their tasks. For example, we had a partnership vacuuming and dusting, a group sorting clothes into their necessary categories, and a group sorting through clothes that needed to be laundered,” said National Honor Society student Macie Butchart.

The organization is currently located in the old Arlington High School, a building the school district doesn’t currently use.

They had to shut down when schools shut down for

DONATION Continued from page 1

“We’re facing a $50,000plus deficit for this year. We don’t know how much that could increase with unanticipated expenses,” said Klemens. “This will go a long way to make a difference for that deficit."

The donation comes from Olympic Place, a retirement and assisted living community near downtown Arlington.

“The Stilly Valley Senior Center has been a huge part of the community for seniors. Our seniors came over when it was pre-COVID to do the chicken dinner and for all sorts of activities,” said Nancy Tisdel, executive director of Olympic Place.

The center provides a wide variety of programs meant to encourage community during most years, however it has had to scale back activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They’ve been a huge part in supporting our seniors and we want to give back to our community. We think this is a great way to do that, to give back to the Stilly Valley Center, because

the pandemic as well because of that.

“Therefore, they missed their whole spring season of serving kids, so they wanted to be prepared for more kids this fall who didn’t get served in the spring,” said Meno.

This also caused a large backlog of donations for the organization and Arlington students helped to sort through them.

“We got through the very large sorting pile that consisted of at least 100 bags. Sorting through the bags led to laundry, so a lot of kids also brought laundry home to wash, dry and then bring back to the site clean,” said Meno.

Meno said the organization is always looking for people to pick up laundry and help wash it for those looking to volunteer.

Students said they enjoyed getting out into the community.

“I’ve always loved volunteering there because it’s a really positive environment and even volunteering for a couple of hours makes a big difference,” said Butchart.

She said she is glad to be able to help the community.

“Whether it’s writing holiday letters for people who might need a smile, to picking up the environment, there’s always someit touches people even we don’t know,” said Tisdel. “So we hope that this helps, especially in such a difficult year with COVID." The connection and social support the center usually facilitates has been lacking for many local seniors over the past year, said Klemens.

“Our seniors are so lonely right now, so isolated.

This is their source for their daily activity and many are here three, four or five times a week,” she said.

With vaccinations supposed to come to the community, she hopes the center will be able to reopen sometime this year, although a lot of planning is still up in the air.

“We don’t really know what the rest of the year will look like or when we’ll be opening. We hope it will be this summer as more and more people get vaccinated,” said Klemens.

Klemens said she wanted to thank Olympic Place for the support in this time of need.

“We’ve had a long-standing relationship. It’s just been an integral partnership through the years,” she said.

thing you can do,” she said.

They also said they liked to support Arlington Kids’ Kloset.

“This is so important because it gives families the opportunity to save money for things like food and bills,” said Butchart. “I really think it makes a world of a difference when you don’t have to choose between clothes for your children and putting food on the table."

Meno said the organization provides a valuable service to kids in Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington.

“Kids that are on free or reduced price lunch are able to come to Kids’ Kloset and they receive a shopping list of items they can pick out. The lists consists

COURTESY PHOTO

Arlington High School National Honor Society students band some socks together as part of a volunteer effort at Arlington Kids’ Kloset.

of a week’s worth of pants, shirts, socks, underwear, a new pair of shoes, and a variety of extras, as well as

a new book and hygiene pack,” she said.

Those interesting in volunteering for or donating

to Arlington Kids’ Kloset can call 360-435-4875 or email kidskloset@frontier. com.

8

February 3, 2021 -February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Communities

www.northcountyoutlook.com

Number of small farms expands in county

By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com Kari Parks started Flourish Organic Farms in 2017 as a jump into agriculture on her five-acre property located west of Interstate 5 near Arlington.

“We had this land. Why not try to utilize this for farming,” said Parks, who is growing and selling flowers from her home where she grew up.

Parks is one of a growing number of people in the area who are jumping into agriculture. During the summer, Parks sold her flowers at the Arlington Farmers Market, which featured several new farms as vendors last year.

Last year the market featured nine new and upcoming farms in addition to a couple of well-established, multi-generational farms, said Michael Deitering, owner of Chubby Bunny Farm in Arlington. He also helped organize the Arlington Farmers Market. The market last year had nine new and upcoming farms; the prior year had five.

“It seems like farming in the area is going through a

bit of revitalization,” Deitering said. He added it appears the majority of new farms are under 10 acres in size. Chubby Bunny Farms has less than 10 acres and grows veggies and raises pigs, rabbits, ducks and eggs.

The farmers market had a successful season last year, which was extended and special event markets took place during Halloween and holiday seasons.

He added that people are going into farming as a second career. One local farmer is also a firefighter.

The number of farms county-wide has increased in recent years. In 2017, there were 1,558 farms in Snohomish County, which is an 8 percent increase from 2012, according to a 2017 Census of Agriculture produced by the United States Department of Agriculture. Of that number, 46 percent of farms are less than 10 acres in size and 40 percent are between 10 acres and 49 acres.

“We’ve had a kind of resurgence in the homestead movement,” said Bobbi Lindemulder, agriculture

program director for the Snohomish Conservation District, which works with farmers to develop farm plans and protect natural resources.

Snohomish County WSU Extension offers an agriculture entrepreneurship program that helps potential farmers develop a business plan to further improve their farms. Around 30 farms participate in the class and around 400 to 600 people over the years have benefited from the classes, said Kate Ryan, agriculture program coordinator for WSU Snohomish County Extension. The most recent class, which started earlier in January, is full. Extension also provides a sustainable small acreage and farming class in the fall that gives participants an overview of the operations of a small farm.

She also said there are more options for people to explore farming, such as an incubator farm where people lease a small piece of land and share equipment.

“There are a number of people doing okay with less than 5 acres,” Ryan said.

COURTESY PHOTO

Flourish Organic Farms owner Kari Parks grows flowers she sells throughout the area. Flourish Organic Farms is one of a number of farms that has sprouted in recent years. With Parks is her family, husband, David, and children, Kaison and Haven.

Such farms sell directly to the consumer using such programs as community supported agriculture where consumers buy a subscription for a weekly share of food.

“We see a lot of young farmers who want to make an impact,” Lindemulder said.

She also urged caution for anyone considering a

jump into agriculture. She encouraged people to keep their day job, start small if they don’t have the skills and develop a customer base.

“People need to go into it realizing the amount of work involved,” Lindemulder said.

Parks continues to develop her farm. Thanks

to grant funding, she is installing a high tunnel greehshouse. She is also attending workshops and working with other farmers to find venues to sell her flowers.

“It takes me back to wanting to cultivate our land,” Parks said of wanting to farm. “Flowers bring so much joy.”

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PHASE 2 Continued from page 1

Feb. 1.

Indoor social gatherings of no more than five people from outside the household and outdoor gatherings of no more than 15 people are now allowed, although face mask and physical distancing rules still apply.

Restaurants can now open indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, with a maximum of six people per table.

Fitness, recreation and training businesses can now also open at 25 percent capacity.

In those businesses, lowand moderate-risk sports competitions are permitted with high-risk sports permitted outside only.

Since Inslee announced the plan in early January, he has changed the requirements so that regions only have to meet three of four requirements to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

Regions are meant to have decreasing COVID-19 case rates. From late December to early January the Puget Sound region saw a 4 percent increase in cases.

The trend for hospitalizations is also supposed to go down, which the Puget Sound Region saw a decrease of 16 percent.

The third requirement is less than 90 percent occupancy of ICU beds. From Jan. 17 to Jan. 23 the Puget Sound Region had 84 percent occupancy.

The final requirement was a less than 10 percent positive COVID test rate, which the region barely hit with a 9 percent positive test rate.

The Puget Sound Region will have to continue hitting at least three of those four benchmarks if it is to remain in Phase 2 or advance

____

Communities

Februay 3, 2021 February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

9

“

I'm torn on this issue I want my customers and employees to be as safe as possible.

____

Jeff Knoch

”

further in the reopening.

Local business owners said the new 25 percent capacity doesn’t provide that much of an impact.

“I don’t think that’s really going to affect my business much,” said Jeff Knoch, owner of Jeff ’s Texas Style BBQ in Marysville.

Knoch said it will mainly help people who travel from further away be able to stop in his restaurant.

Carlton Doup, owner of Kung Fu 4 Kids in Marysville, also said his business needs more than 25 percent to meet their financial obligations.

“Now, with 25 percent capacity on Monday [Feb. 1], even if we were to fill every classroom that wouldn’t even be enough to cover our expenses,” he said.

Local business owners have differing opinions on the restrictions.

“I’m torn on this issue personally,” said Knoch.

“I want my customers and employees to be as safe as possible."

Knoch said he does want his customers to be able to eat at his restaurant again, but understands that’s not safe right now.

“It does pain me to see customers get the takeout and leave,” he said.

The fitness industry and gyms have been one of the hardest hit industries, said Doup.

“I think the restrictions

in general, especially how it has affected the fitness industry, have been mismanaged from the beginning,” he said.

He pointed to studies, such as one from the University of Oregon’s Oregon Consulting Group, that looked at COVID-19’s spread in gyms versus other industries in Colorado and concluded that fitness centers had lower transmissions than other industries.

That study did not conclude that gyms were safe, but it did say that the data they looked at showed lower transmission of COVID-19 in gyms.

“The cleaning procedures we already had in place we’re above the recommendations from the CDC,” and they have increased those standards since last March, said Doup.

“Like most gyms, we have a more advanced air filtration system already in place. We have to, otherwise the place will stink,” he said.

Doup said he didn’t want to speculate whether other industry’s restrictions were necessary as he didn’t know them as well.

“I think there was a lot done [against gyms] for appearances sake. There’s a perception that because

you get in one of these places and everyone’s breathing heavy that it is unsafe,” he said.

Because of those restrictions, Doup said he has had to make layoffs and their income has been down 70 to 80 percent during some months.

“We’ve survived, largely because of grants and the payroll protection loans,” he said. “I believe we will get

through it,” however he believes the business will have a large debt to the federal government in the end.

Knoch’s restaurant has also had to reduce hours and is now open only during its three busiest days of the week.

“Unfortunately that has meant we have had to reduce our labor force,” he said.

The local restaurant is

still making a slim profit though with the changes, he said.

“I’m very much a proponent of everyone staying bunkered down and following the CDC guidelines so we can get back to normal,” he said. “I hope everyone stays safe. I hope they take care of themselves. We can protect our loved ones by doing the best we can to keep safe,” he said.

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Opinion

February 3, 2021 -February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Our Favorite Quotes

n GUEST OPINION

In a challenging year, the city delivers

At this time last year, the first diagnosed U.S. COVID patient was recovering at home after being released from treatment at Providence Hospital in Everett. 2020 was marked by a worldwide pandemic that harmed not only public health, but also our economy, personal lives, social networks and more.

I’m proud of the way your City of Marysville leaders and employees stepped up, pivoted as needed, and met the many challenges we faced to continue to deliver high-quality public service and move forward on important projects.

My annual State of the City presentation details many of the city’s accomplishments in 2020 and previews some of what’s ahead this year. Some highlights: Public safety: Our Police department’s targeted policing strategy continues to make a real dent in crime in our community. Overall crime levels are 21% below the 2019 rate and as much as 48% below what we saw six years ago in 2014.

Last year Marysville Police handled nearly 69,000 calls for service. In 2020, we also welcomed new Police Chief Erik Scairpon along with 12 new officers and a records unit specialist, continuing the city’s long-term investment in law enforcement.

Marysville’s state-re-

Jon Nehring

nowned Embedded Social Worker team continues to change the lives of some of our residents with addiction or mental health issues by building trusting relationships and offering them treatment or other social services. The team started here in 2018 and pairs a Police officer and a social worker who meet with clients on the streets, in jail, in homeless camps and through referrals.

Since the program started, 93 people have successfully graduated from inpatient treatment; many have jobs, housing and renewed family relationships. In 2021 we look to expand this program, in part by adding dedicated mental health professionals to our team.

Infrastructure: Tying together public safety and infrastructure is the new Public Safety Center and Civic Campus. That project has been under construction on Delta Avenue west of Comeford Park for about a year now and is

on track for completion in spring 2022.

The First Street Bypass project was completed in October, on time and within budget. It will support new traffic flows coming when the state builds a new I-5 interchange connecting with SR 529; that construction is scheduled to begin next year. Together, these projects will bring a new south entryway to the city that avoids traffic delays from train tracks and the congested 4th Street interchange.

You have likely seen construction underway on State Avenue north of 100th Street NE. The segment of State between 100th and 116th Street NE is the last remaining portion of this busy arterial corridor to be improved.

The most difficult and expensive section, building a new bridge where the road crosses Quilceda Creek, is about halfway complete.

We expect to complete this phase from 100th to 104th Street NE in early 2022. We intend to complete final design and property acquisition of the last section between 104th and 116th St NE this year, with construction in 2022.

This year we also have several pavement preservation, traffic safety and stormwater treatment improvements planned See NEHRING on page 11

www.northcountyoutlook.com

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart.

It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."

Author ­— Judy Garland Submitted by North County Outlook editor Scott Frank.

&

RAVE RAVE: A big thank you to the Tulalip Tribes for providing COVID-19 vaccines to Marysville School District teachers and staff. Getting our children back into the classrooms for in-person learning is critical and the Tulalip Tribes are helping the students, teachers and staff all do it more safely.

by them. So, please go out and support our local businesses but don't forget to wear a mask, wash your hands and practice social distancing. We could always go back to Phase 1 if we don't continue to meet the requirements for Phase 2.

RAVE: It's good to hear that the Snohomish County Vaccine Taskforce has opened a drive-thru vaccination site at the Arlington Municipal Airport. Hopefully they will have enough does of the vaccine to keep the site open and operating. To see who is eligible to receive a vaccine and to register for an appointment, go to bit.ly/ SnoCoHub.

RAVE: It's a little bit of good news that Snohomish County is moving to Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee's "Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery" reopening plan. Any loosening of restrictions is welcomed and will help the businesses, and their employees, that have been so negatively impacted

North County Outlook is published every other Wednesday and mailed direct to households and businesses in Marysville, Arlington, Smokey Point, Tulalip and Quil Ceda Village. Letters to the editor, community news and story ideas may be e-mailed to editor@northcountyoutlook.com, or sent to the mailing address below. The Publisher reserves the right to edit material for content, grammar, taste, style or length, and all submitted items are published at the sole discretion of the Publisher.

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Weekly Puzzles Fun by the Numbers Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box.

Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.

You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

See answers on page 11

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Continued from page 10

food to struggling families.

“Despite our first responders being challenged with pandemic-related emergencies and protocols, Local 3219 firefighters still found a way to help out the community even more by raising $5,000 for the Food Bank!” Deierling said. “These funds will continue to help us serve the many families in need of food assistance during these trying times.”

MFD selected for community risk reduction program Marysville Fire District is one of 250 fire agencies nationwide selected to participate in the second phase of a National Fire Protection Association community risk reduction pilot program. The program will build a digital community risk assessment tool that enables community leaders to gain insights and make data-informed decisions around fire prevention and other risk-reduction activities.

As a program participant, Marysville Fire District will receive free access to a dashboard that includes customized visualizations (maps, charts,

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PAUL M. EDWARDS, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00076-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARK T. HIGGINS, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00016-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: February 3, 2021.

Personal Representative: Jessica E. Edwards Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven J. Peiffle, WSBA #14704 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: January 20, 2021.

Personal Representative: Nadya A. Smith Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven J. Peiffle, WSBA #14704 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00076-31.

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00016-31.

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During the cold months of winter, many people stare longingly out of the window dreaming of spring and time spent outdoors. For those with green thumbs, images of tending to the garden and other aspects of their landscapes no doubt dominate such daydreams.

Draw inspiration from those budding crocuses and daffodils pushing through the last remnants of snow and employ these tips to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.

• One of the first steps is to apply a preemergent weed killer to get a head start knocking out weeds that can plague the lawn during the growing season. Killing weeds at the roots early on can mean far fewer hassles in spring and summer, and may prevent new generations of weeds from cropping up each year.

• While it may be tempting to take a prematurely warm day as a sign that spring is in full force and purchase a bunch of annuals, it’s better to know the last of the possible frost dates (check “The Farmer’s Almanac”); otherwise, you may waste time and money planting flowers or vegetables only to have them zapped by another frosty day.

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Jon Nehring has been Mayor of Marysville since 2010. You can reach him at 360-363-8000 or jnehring@ marysvillewa.gov.

Snowbirds, Give Us a Call

Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm

Intermediate

public use this fall.

City-owned Cedarcrest Golf Course has emerged as one of the real success stories during the pandemic. Even with a state-mandated 40-day closure in the spring, the course hosted 47,704 rounds of golf last year, a 22% increase over 2019.

Of course, we all look forward to returning to some degree of normalcy in the months ahead. In the meantime, your city continues to work hard on your behalf.

To watch the full State of the City presentation, visit www.marysvillewa.gov, the City of Marysville channel on YouTube, or our local public access TV channels, Comcast channel 21 and Ziply channel 25.

Talk to the people who build your mattress!

Ca rd s

LEGAL NOTICE

LOCAL SERVICES

ts

LEGAL NOTICE

Beginner

throughout the city.

Quality of life: I’m proud that our city continues to invest in parks and trails that are so vital to our community. Last year we completed the renovation of Cedar Field with new synthetic turf and LED lighting that will greatly extend the playing season for our Little League youth just as soon as they can return to the field.

Construction is wrapping up on the new Olympic View Park in the Sunnyside area. It features amazing views of the Qwuloolt Estuary, Ebey Slough and Olympic Mountains and will open soon.

I’m excited that the city will build a new 1.5-mile trail segment connecting the city’s Bayview Trail to the regional Centennial Trail projected to open for

11

MATTRESSES

Legal Notices

Answers from page 10

graphs) that illustrate our community’s risks and hazards across a variety of categories such as demographics, geography, building stock, economics, infrastructure and event loss history.

The dashboard will also provide information on community service organizations that could serve as partners in risk reduction efforts.

“We are thrilled to be participating in this important project,” Fire Chief Martin McFalls said. “Access to this tool will give us invaluable information about our community’s needs and help us work toward serving you better.”

The first phase of the NFPA pilot project, which included participation from 50 fire departments across the country, helped identify features of the digital dashboard that will work effectively and those that need fine-tuning.

During the second phase of the program, Marysville Fire District and other agencies will provide insights around the use of dashboard through June of 2021 to help continue refining and enhancing its effectiveness. More information on the program can be found at www.nfpa.org/crr.

or

Answering a huge need to support local families in need, Marysville Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3219, recently donated $5,000 to the Marysville Community Food Bank.

After the pandemic sidelined their annual winter drive collecting money for the Food Bank outside Safeway, firefighters turned to online fundraising. Still a few thousand dollars short of reaching their $5,000 goal, firefighters decided to reach into their own pockets, using money from a union “house” fund to make up the difference.

“As most are very well aware, this past year has been a challenge on so many levels,” said Dean Shelton, Local 3219 President and Marysville Fire Battalion Chief/MSA. “Although we are unable to gather at store fronts and ask for assistance, your firefighters knew we needed to do something to help our community.”

Food Bank Director Dell Deierling and said the donation would help get

NEHRING

Sp

Marysville Firefighters donate $5,000 for families in need

Februay 3, 2021 February 9, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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n WHISTLING GARDENER

Winter hardy herbs for the Pacific Northwest which can only Outside my be grown sucpatio sliding door, cessfully in the in several pots on heat of the summy south-facing, mer along with full sun deck, is a lemon grass and selection of herbs lemon verbena including parsley,

By Steve Smith which also need sage, rosemary, and thyme. I know this prob- a bit more heat and are not ably sounds like a Simon winter hardy. In addition to and Garfunkel song, and for the above four herbs, I also most of us, we simply can’t have pots of chives, oregano, mention these four herbs and mint (although the mint without involuntarily break- is currently chopped to the ing out into song. I believe ground and dormant). Lavender, dill, and horseradish this is what is called a “Pavare also hardy for our garlovian response” if I rememdens and there are probably ber my Psych 101 lessons, several minor herbs as well but I am digressing. These that PNW gardeners grow. above four herbs, along with I should note that many several others also on my herbs can be brought into deck, are cold hardy and the house for the winter and easy to grow year-round in placed in a sunny window our maritime climate. for harvesting throughout Herbs are mostly hardy the dark days of winter. But perennials for us with a few let’s circle back to the “Simon exceptions, such as basil and Garfunkel herbs” and

learn a bit more about them.

Parsley, according to folklore, will remove bitterness in a relationship. As a culinary additive to a meal, it is also thought to have digestive qualities. I remember my mother telling me it would improve one’s breath and because rabbits were so fond of it, it surely must have some reproductive influences (needless to say, as a child that value was way off my radar screen). While mostly used as a garnish, when consumed parsley is rich in vitamins and minerals and can support the immune system.

The variety I am currently growing is the curly version but Italian works just as well.

Sage, perhaps best known as an herb to stick in the cavity of a turkey, is symbolically considered to promote strength and wisdom. It is reported to help manage dia-

betes, promote healthy skin, improve digestion, and reduce overall inflammation.

Combining it with parsley will help counteract its natural bitterness.

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs to grow because of its long-lasting fragrance. Also, mine has been blooming almost the entire winter with its delicate blue flowers that my resident hummingbirds simply can’t resist. Rosemary represents love and fidelity in ancient folklore. In the kitchen, it is reported to bring a slightly woodsy flavor to pork and lamb and will help digest these fatty meats. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed rosemary helped with memory and in warding off diseases.

Thyme, which comes in quite an array of ornamental varieties (all of which can be

COURTESY PHOTO

There are a variety of herbs that can be grown yearround. used for culinary purposes), has been a symbol of courage and happiness in folklore.

Historically, it was used to treat asthma and headaches.

In the kitchen, it combines well with fish and lemon and is essential in Italian dishes.

Try combining all four of these herbs together for a delightful flavor in many dishes, not to mention that they also have many health benefits. You can grow them

in the ground or close to your kitchen in containers, they can even all grow together in the same container.

All four herbs are equally happy as long as they have good drainage and lots of sun. Bon appétit and happy gardening!.

Steve Smith is the owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at sunnysidenursery@msn.com.