Julie Muhlstein

Children in a kindergarten class at Everett’s Madison Elementary School practice counting — at least one did so without using her fingers. The district is launching a new Transitional Kindergarten program this month. (Samuel Wilson / The Herald)

Transitional Kindergarten to give Everett kids a jump start

District’s new program aimed at children, age 5 by Aug. 31, who aren’t now enrolled in early learning.

Children in a kindergarten class at Everett’s Madison Elementary School practice counting — at least one did so without using her fingers. The district is launching a new Transitional Kindergarten program this month. (Samuel Wilson / The Herald)
Everett’s Rob Schwertley, 40, performs all The King’s hits as Elvis tribute artist Robbie Dee, but his favorites are Presley songs from the 1970s. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Inspired by The King to sing, they’re Elvis tribute artists

Still beloved by many, Presley, born Jan. 8, 1935, would be celebrating 85th birthday had he lived.

Everett’s Rob Schwertley, 40, performs all The King’s hits as Elvis tribute artist Robbie Dee, but his favorites are Presley songs from the 1970s. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
At the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Everett, Inga Paige shows a wide range of merchandise, bargain furniture to clothing and holiday decor. The store sees an increase in donations of used goods after the holidays. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Too much stuff? Yours can help others through thrift shops

After the December holidays, nonprofits that operate retail outlets see big increases in donations.

At the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Everett, Inga Paige shows a wide range of merchandise, bargain furniture to clothing and holiday decor. The store sees an increase in donations of used goods after the holidays. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Teresa Schmierer, a 100-year-old Navy nursing veteran, aboard a plane during her trip last September with Puget Sound Honor Flight. The nonprofit group provides free trips to Washington, D.C., to see the nation’s memorials. (Puget Sound Honor Flight)

At 100, Navy nursing veteran honored with trip of a lifetime

A friend who goes to water aerobics with the centenarian was along for the Honor Flight.

Teresa Schmierer, a 100-year-old Navy nursing veteran, aboard a plane during her trip last September with Puget Sound Honor Flight. The nonprofit group provides free trips to Washington, D.C., to see the nation’s memorials. (Puget Sound Honor Flight)
20 years ago, we were all set for a Y2K disaster that wasn’t

20 years ago, we were all set for a Y2K disaster that wasn’t

Some stockpiled food as Herald readers learned about efforts to avoid being bitten by a computer bug.

20 years ago, we were all set for a Y2K disaster that wasn’t
In 2012, Everett’s Debbie Schmitz visited a local park with LuLu, a Central Asian shepard that her daughter, an Army officer, sent home from Afghanistan. Since then, an Arlington couple who read about the dog has reconnected with a nephew, who is married to Schmitz’s daughter. (Dan Bates / The Herald 2012)

Dog of war helps connect Arlington couple with their nephew

After reading 2012 column in The Herald, they were able to find a sister’s son who serves in the Army.

In 2012, Everett’s Debbie Schmitz visited a local park with LuLu, a Central Asian shepard that her daughter, an Army officer, sent home from Afghanistan. Since then, an Arlington couple who read about the dog has reconnected with a nephew, who is married to Schmitz’s daughter. (Dan Bates / The Herald 2012)
Odin Frye, 2, plays near his sister Emma, 4, and his mom, Saeko Frye, in the recreation pool at the new Everett Family YMCA. Odin found a colorful octopus in the shallows of the children’s pool, which has a zero-entry “beach.” (Dan Bates / The Herald)

With new Y open, Everett swimmers have two options for a dip

No YMCA membership required for city residents to use pools on Colby, but Forest Park remains open.

Odin Frye, 2, plays near his sister Emma, 4, and his mom, Saeko Frye, in the recreation pool at the new Everett Family YMCA. Odin found a colorful octopus in the shallows of the children’s pool, which has a zero-entry “beach.” (Dan Bates / The Herald)
The Rucker Renewal project, which is nearing completion after months of work, means southbound drivers on Rucker Avenue will no longer be able to enter the Everett Public Library parking garage on the north-south street because of a median strip. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Change in habit: Rucker Avenue project alters library access

With new median strip included in streetscape work, some drivers need a different route to parking.

The Rucker Renewal project, which is nearing completion after months of work, means southbound drivers on Rucker Avenue will no longer be able to enter the Everett Public Library parking garage on the north-south street because of a median strip. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Art students at Cavelero Mid High School, Ivonne Salazar, 15 (left) and Maryam Hasan, 14 (center) join teachers Karen Towey (back right) and Kylen Fountain to talk about creating ornaments for the National Christmas Tree project. An image of the tree, located near the White House, is displayed on a screen in the classroom. (Dan Bates) / The Herald)

Lake Stevens students add to National Christmas Tree display

“It’s a happy story about Washington,” says Cavelero Mid High School art teacher who headed project.

Art students at Cavelero Mid High School, Ivonne Salazar, 15 (left) and Maryam Hasan, 14 (center) join teachers Karen Towey (back right) and Kylen Fountain to talk about creating ornaments for the National Christmas Tree project. An image of the tree, located near the White House, is displayed on a screen in the classroom. (Dan Bates) / The Herald)
With the warm atmosphere, freshly made food and a big sign, customers should find their way to Kindred Kitchen, part of HopeWorks Station on Broadway in Everett. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Kindred Kitchen: A welcome and welcoming change on Broadway

The new cafe in HopeWorks Station, site of 65 apartments, will provide job training for young people.

With the warm atmosphere, freshly made food and a big sign, customers should find their way to Kindred Kitchen, part of HopeWorks Station on Broadway in Everett. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Like Santa with his sack of toys, Mary Butler brings a bag of gifts and a joyful smile to a family being served by Toys for Tots on Thursday. Volunteer Sharon Argle, who helped with toy selection, is behind her.

Baby gifts to Buzz Lightyear, Toys for Tots brings kids joy

Mary Butler, who has helped for 13 years, says the local chapter serves some 52,000 children a year.

Like Santa with his sack of toys, Mary Butler brings a bag of gifts and a joyful smile to a family being served by Toys for Tots on Thursday. Volunteer Sharon Argle, who helped with toy selection, is behind her.
The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

It’s a launch for Everett library’s renovated Evergreen Branch

With a rocket ship out front and new spaces to meet, read and learn, the updated facility is now open.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Robert Jared Dickson was a sailor aboard the USS Curtiss at Pearl Harbor during the 1941 attack. Here, he shared that experience during a 2016 interview at his Arlington home. He died Oct. 22 at age 98. (Photo Kevin Clark / The Herald)

He survived Pearl Harbor’s hell, and lived to raise a family

Robert Jared Dickson of Arlington, who picked up the dead in open boat, returned on 75th anniversary.

Robert Jared Dickson was a sailor aboard the USS Curtiss at Pearl Harbor during the 1941 attack. Here, he shared that experience during a 2016 interview at his Arlington home. He died Oct. 22 at age 98. (Photo Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Sixth-grader Jacob Chanthavong sorts canned food and places it in boxes Wednesday at North Middle School in Lake Stevens. His Social Skills class helped with delivery to the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Special teacher’s class making changes, helping the hungry

At North Lake Middle School, kids learn social skills while serving others with food bank project.

Sixth-grader Jacob Chanthavong sorts canned food and places it in boxes Wednesday at North Middle School in Lake Stevens. His Social Skills class helped with delivery to the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Hilton Pharmacy & Gifts owner Mary Kirkland takes a call at the front counter of her drugstore Monday. Her great-grandfather bought the store 100 years ago this month. Kirkland, a pharmacist, has owned the business since 1984. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

At 100, Hilton Pharmacy is festive and still in the family

Marysville drugstore was purchased in December 1919 by a farmer, former coal miner and father of 11.

Hilton Pharmacy & Gifts owner Mary Kirkland takes a call at the front counter of her drugstore Monday. Her great-grandfather bought the store 100 years ago this month. Kirkland, a pharmacist, has owned the business since 1984. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
A crowd of about 50 people attended the dedication ceremony for the AIDS Memorial of Snohomish County in December 2005. A World AIDS Day event is scheduled for 2 p.m Sunday at the memorial, located west of the Mission Building on the Snohomish County Campus. (Herald file photo by Michael O’Leary 12/01/05)

World AIDS Day event: sad memories and a prevention message

Marysville woman has lived with HIV since 1993. She shares her story of survival through medications.

A crowd of about 50 people attended the dedication ceremony for the AIDS Memorial of Snohomish County in December 2005. A World AIDS Day event is scheduled for 2 p.m Sunday at the memorial, located west of the Mission Building on the Snohomish County Campus. (Herald file photo by Michael O’Leary 12/01/05)
Arlington’s Avellaneda family join Judge David Kurtz at his bench as Mayah, 6, strikes his gavel Friday, National Adoption Day. Mayah and her two younger sisters, Alayna, 2, and Malaya, 1, were adopted by Jen (right) and Cid Avellaneda (next to Jen). Other family members are (from left) the Avellanedas’ son-in-law, Blake King, their daughter, Mariah King, their other adopted daughter, Nicole, 13, and their son, Jeriah Avellaneda, 26, holding Alayna. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

‘Immense joy’ for parents, children on National Adoption Day

The annual event is meant to draw attention to thousands of foster kids awaiting forever families.

Arlington’s Avellaneda family join Judge David Kurtz at his bench as Mayah, 6, strikes his gavel Friday, National Adoption Day. Mayah and her two younger sisters, Alayna, 2, and Malaya, 1, were adopted by Jen (right) and Cid Avellaneda (next to Jen). Other family members are (from left) the Avellanedas’ son-in-law, Blake King, their daughter, Mariah King, their other adopted daughter, Nicole, 13, and their son, Jeriah Avellaneda, 26, holding Alayna. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Northshore Christian Academy Superintendent Holly Leach was among school staff who went to Washington, D.C., last week to accept a National Blue Ribbon School award. The middle school choir, on stage with Leach, performed during a celebration Wednesday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Blue Ribbon award for Northshore Christian ‘a really big deal’

Everett academy is only West Coast private school to receive prestigious national recognition in ’19.

Northshore Christian Academy Superintendent Holly Leach was among school staff who went to Washington, D.C., last week to accept a National Blue Ribbon School award. The middle school choir, on stage with Leach, performed during a celebration Wednesday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Teresa Rugg is founder of the Snohomish County chapter of RESULTS, an organization that works to end poverty. The group will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an event in Snohomish on Saturday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

While targeting poverty, group honors former Snohomish mayor

Local chapter of RESULTS will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a concert and kudos to Karen Guzak.

Teresa Rugg is founder of the Snohomish County chapter of RESULTS, an organization that works to end poverty. The group will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an event in Snohomish on Saturday. (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Doreen Ricci shares memories of her late father, Jake Boersema, who worked 48 years for Sears in Everett, many of these years at the Everett Mall store. Among his memorabilia is an engraved clock, a trophy awarded in 1977 for Boersema having the No.1 Sears hardware department in the nation. (Dan Bates / The Herald)

As Sears closure looms, daughter of star salesman looks back

A “retail baby,” she’s still in the business as the store where her dad spent decades nears its final days.

Doreen Ricci shares memories of her late father, Jake Boersema, who worked 48 years for Sears in Everett, many of these years at the Everett Mall store. Among his memorabilia is an engraved clock, a trophy awarded in 1977 for Boersema having the No.1 Sears hardware department in the nation. (Dan Bates / The Herald)