Andrea Brown

Alligator Soul logo. (Submitted photo)

Golly gumbo! Everett’s Alligator Soul is having a reunion party

The July 30 event is for workers and patrons of the Cajun eatery that closed in 2010. Tickets are $10.

Alligator Soul logo. (Submitted photo)
Lee Oskar and his dog Tex inside his art studio in his home on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Harmonica whiz Lee Oskar is also a pro with a paintbrush

Oskar’s music and art studios are in his Everett home. The former member of the 1970s band War is now 74, and still rocks “Low Rider.”

Lee Oskar and his dog Tex inside his art studio in his home on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get off the couch, or bring it, for a night at Blue Fox Drive-In

Kids get in for $1 at the Whidbey Island outdoor theater, one of few still standing in the state.

People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Peoples Bank is hiding 500 green plastic pigs with $20 for people to find and keep. (Submitted photo)

Pig out! 500 piggy banks stuffed with $20 are on the loose

Find it and spend it. The treasure hunt promotion by Peoples Bank wants people to use it locally.

Peoples Bank is hiding 500 green plastic pigs with $20 for people to find and keep. (Submitted photo)
Washington's Lottery 40th anniversary “Scratch from the Past” ticket. (Submitted photo)

40 years later: Lottery pays off for state. Has it for you?

Games generated $17.7 billion in sales, $2.4 billion for education and $10.5 billion in prizes.

Washington's Lottery 40th anniversary “Scratch from the Past” ticket. (Submitted photo)
Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island

The 72-acre nature preserve has sculptures and sacred spaces. “It is contemplative, peaceful and magical.”

Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A quilt titled “Wheel of Fortune” hangs on the fence at one of the Mukilteo garden-quilt tour homes on Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Garden tours are blooming in Mukilteo, Edmonds and Mill Creek

The July tours feature quilts, artists and musicians in addition to pretty plants galore.

A quilt titled “Wheel of Fortune” hangs on the fence at one of the Mukilteo garden-quilt tour homes on Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
"Shoes are like jeans," says Dominic Ahn, 53, who took over ownership from his parents, who started the store 40 years ago. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on June 30, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

EEEEEE! Edmonds shoe shop sells wide shoes only

The store has over 600 styles of work and play shoes for men and women with feet from D to 8E widths.

"Shoes are like jeans," says Dominic Ahn, 53, who took over ownership from his parents, who started the store 40 years ago. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on June 30, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.

‘End of an era’ with death of Whidbey celebrity Jim Freeman

Freeman, 74, lived in a train caboose and was the Conductor of Fun. “His sneakers will never be filled.”

Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.
Everett

Abortion rights supporters will ‘wave signs and yell loud’ in Everett

In light of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, a “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally is planned at 5 p.m.

Everett
Burger King states “No Burgers” since a fire on May 1 in Everett, Washington on June 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Customers ask ‘Where’s the beef?’ after whopper of a fire

Burgers have been off the menu at the Burger King on Evergreen Way since May 1. Nearby McDonald’s closed due to a different fire.

Burger King states “No Burgers” since a fire on May 1 in Everett, Washington on June 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

$1 billion to fund 5 new hybrid ferries, but who wants to build them?

The state is seeking bids for a shipbuilder. The first ferry will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton route. It already has a name.

A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)

To honor Conan O’Brien’s visit, Langley names a trash can after him

The famous talk show host was on Whidbey Island for his playwright wife’s show at WICA.

Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Siblings Penelope White, 4, and Edward White, 1, play tag on one of the large painted circles in the Parklet along the Mukilteo waterfront on Sunday, June 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$500K makeover: Parkleteo in Mukilteo is now a place to go-a-teo

The 60-foot-wide paved parcel at the waterfront is a place to sit and drink in the waterfront view.

Siblings Penelope White, 4, and Edward White, 1, play tag on one of the large painted circles in the Parklet along the Mukilteo waterfront on Sunday, June 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Flint Ferguson, Bernadette “Bernie” Johnson’s partner, stands next to the dart boards inside the Clubhouse Bar and Grill in Everett where Bernie would play darts regularly. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A toast to ‘Dart Mom’ Bernie, 78, a fireball in tavern darts

An Everett dart tourney raised cash for hospice patients as a celebration of the life of Bernadette Johnson.

Flint Ferguson, Bernadette “Bernie” Johnson’s partner, stands next to the dart boards inside the Clubhouse Bar and Grill in Everett where Bernie would play darts regularly. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A puzzle is back on a ferry table on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Community jigsaw puzzles, a passenger pastime on most routes, were removed during COVID. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

Your chance to quiz those who are running the ferry system

Washington State Ferries is holding another round of virtual meetings for updates and questions.

A puzzle is back on a ferry table on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Community jigsaw puzzles, a passenger pastime on most routes, were removed during COVID. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Phaedra Dunko, of Courting Frogs Nursery in Stanwood, brings out tray after tray of pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants as vendors prepare for Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival Thursday, June 9, 2022, on Colby Avenue in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Sorticulture, Everett’s garden arts fest, returns to downtown

The three-day event runs Friday through Sunday on Colby Avenue.

Phaedra Dunko, of Courting Frogs Nursery in Stanwood, brings out tray after tray of pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants as vendors prepare for Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival Thursday, June 9, 2022, on Colby Avenue in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Transportation Security Officer Jerry Drews speaks with a person in the security line Friday, May 27, 2022, at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Transportation Security Officer Jerry Drews speaks with a person in the security line Friday, May 27, 2022, at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
On summer afternoons, the sun warms the shallow water off Jetty Island’s west shore. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

5 things to do this summer in Snohomish County

Hop a ferry. Play in the sand. Look for Bigfoot. Tour the past. Toast the sunset.

On summer afternoons, the sun warms the shallow water off Jetty Island’s west shore. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Melissa Simons, right, holds Jet Juliann, 3, while Ashley Allege, center, watches Lincoln Ballard, 3, swim in the water off of Jetty Island on Thursday, July 5, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

5 things to do this summer in Snohomish County

Hop a ferry. Play in the sand. Jump out of a plane. Look for Bigfoot. Tour the past. Toast the sunset. And no $100 gas fill-up needed.

Melissa Simons, right, holds Jet Juliann, 3, while Ashley Allege, center, watches Lincoln Ballard, 3, swim in the water off of Jetty Island on Thursday, July 5, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)