What's Up With That?

Sydney Vo and Azul Rangel, juniors at Mariner High School, stand in the entrance hallway at Mariner on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The two have won the Congressional App Challenge in Washington’s Second District for the second year in a row, this time for the creation of HopeHorizon. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Mariner High teens crack congressional coding contest — again

This is the second year in a row that an app by Sydney Vo and Azul Rangel won in the state’s Second District.

 

A table setting inside the Grouchy Chef on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington.(Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mukilteo’s one-of-a-kind Grouchy Chef is hanging up his apron

Takayuki Masumoto, “who absolutely brooks no nonsense from his patrons,” is looking for a buyer. Name not included.

 

Cousins Penny Leslie and Sidney Baker work together on a mural inside a jail cell at the Mukilteo Police Department on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

No more staring at blank canvas in Mukilteo police holding cells

Bright murals now adorn the walls. The artwork is intended to calm and relax detainees.

 

Ryan Carlson’s goose Bubba honks at cars outside his home on Monday Feb. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

What’s honkin’ on this Everett thoroughfare? Have a gander

Henrietta and Betty, a goose duet, entertain passersby in the yard between Colby Avenue and Evergreen Way.

Ryan Carlson’s goose Bubba honks at cars outside his home on Monday Feb. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Banya, spa with 200-degree sauna in Everett, stress just melts away

A banya in Russian refers to a hot room or sauna. You can also plunge in the cold pool. Or play chess and eat piroshki.

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot sits among trees and along a stream on Lundeen Parkway in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Sasquatch of Lake Stevens is legendary as hometown hero Chris Pratt

Two mossy and mysterious figures in the woods of Lundeen Parkway turn heads and lighten up a gloomy day.

A figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot sits among trees and along a stream on Lundeen Parkway in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Cecilia Garcia, 26, poses with a portion of her water bottle collection at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Water cup fever: $250 for a Starbucks Stanley tumbler is a big gulp

Cecilia Garcia, a Lake Stevens collector of 200 tumblers, was among those who lined up for the shiny red Starbucks holiday cup.

Cecilia Garcia, 26, poses with a portion of her water bottle collection at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jake Hitchner, left, and Caitlin Hitchner, right, pose for a photo with their son Boston, eight-days-old, at their home in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Edmonds mom: ‘That’s the story of how I gave birth in the car at 12:56 am.’

The couple’s fourth son was born en route to the hospital, in the front seat. “You can’t stop a baby who wants to come out.”

Jake Hitchner, left, and Caitlin Hitchner, right, pose for a photo with their son Boston, eight-days-old, at their home in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Ivar’s Mystery Painting seen through porthole window on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What’s a fish tale worth? Ivar’s for a year

A mystery painting is on display at the Mukilteo Ivar’s. The deadline to solve it, or at least take a good guess, is Jan. 15.

Ivar’s Mystery Painting seen through porthole window on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
FOR WEB ONLY

A look back at ‘What’s Up’ in 2023: Robots, Costco, secret crushes

A romance on Rucker heated up without help from The Love Zone — and other tall tales from the past year.

FOR WEB ONLY
Matt Folmsbee, right, helps a customer at The Kushery on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ganja Claus: Gifts for the grandparents from the pot shop?

The use of cannabis by seniors is booming, but the benefits and dangers are not an exact science.

Matt Folmsbee, right, helps a customer at The Kushery on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Britana Uppinghouse, who owns Cole’s Tavern with her husband Cole, chats with a couple newcomers at the bar on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

At Cole’s Tavern in Mukilteo, grab a beer after midnight (or at noon)

The new Mukilteo Speedway pub with food, games and soon pull-tabs, is open 365 days, including holidays or snow days.

Britana Uppinghouse, who owns Cole’s Tavern with her husband Cole, chats with a couple newcomers at the bar on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Siblings Qingyun, left, and Ruoyun Li, 12 and 13, respectively, are together on campus at Everett Community College on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. The two are taking a full course load at the community college this semester. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Siblings, age 12 and 13, are youngest students at EvCC campus

Qingyun Li was 11 when he scored a perfect 36 on the ACT test. His sister, Ruoyun, was one point away.

Siblings Qingyun, left, and Ruoyun Li, 12 and 13, respectively, are together on campus at Everett Community College on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. The two are taking a full course load at the community college this semester. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cindy Buchan, owner of the Baskin-Robbins on Everett Mall Way, holds a turkey ice cream cake at her store on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Scoop up Thanksgiving-flavored ice cream at Baskin-Robbins

You can pile up the Turkey Cake, a platter-ready frozen bird, and Turkey Day Fixin’s, the side dish flavor of the month.

Cindy Buchan, owner of the Baskin-Robbins on Everett Mall Way, holds a turkey ice cream cake at her store on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sam Taylor pops air bubbles in paint while he works on one of his art pieces on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Retired trucker is resident artist at Everett over-55 mobile home park

Sam Taylor, 73, is a “Home Depot artist.” He uses drop cloths as canvas and house paint to create art.

Sam Taylor pops air bubbles in paint while he works on one of his art pieces on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kids, teens and adults try out a new pump track for bikes at Jennings Nature Park in Marysville, Washington, on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Campaign for pump track is big win for boy, 10, and Marysville kids

The track opened at Jennings Nature Park. It took three years for Landon Oliphant’s wish to come true.

Kids, teens and adults try out a new pump track for bikes at Jennings Nature Park in Marysville, Washington, on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bite into Everett’s Snackin Shack, a sweet tooth museum of offbeat treats

Jaxen McInnis, 26, said his limited edition snack obsession started two years ago with Lady Gaga Oreo cookies.

Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Daniel Weiss, 73, inside his “tin room” at his home that holds the majority of his expansive tin collection on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 in Mountlake, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

1,400 antique tins, with stories to tell, line wall of Terrace home

Daniel Weiss built a collection of tins with lard, tobacco, tennis balls, razors — you name it, it’s for sale in Mountlake Terrace.

Daniel Weiss, 73, inside his “tin room” at his home that holds the majority of his expansive tin collection on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 in Mountlake, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shannon Kringen poses for a photo with her jeweled car at 2411 164th St SW in Lynnwood, Washington, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

A gem on wheels: This rhinestone car dazzles from Seattle to Bellingham

Artist Shannon Kringen, known as “Goddess Kring,” decorated her car to express her colorful style.

Shannon Kringen poses for a photo with her jeweled car at 2411 164th St SW in Lynnwood, Washington, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mike Cramer in his home office filled with his sports memorabilia and card collections on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

It’s in the cards: Edmonds trading card magnate Mike Cramer tells all

Cramer, 70, founded Pacific Trading Cards in what started as a boyhood crush on a Babe Ruth card. His new book tells the story.

Mike Cramer in his home office filled with his sports memorabilia and card collections on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)