Julie Muhlstein

Kevin McKay, who for the past year has been playing Taps from his Everett deck every evening, marks the pandemic year by playing Taps on his horn from the Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge on Monday, March 22, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

365 nights of ‘Taps’: A bugler’s mournful tribute will continue

Kevin McKay, who’s in a rock band, marked the pandemic year by blowing his horn at Grand Avenue Park.

Kevin McKay, who for the past year has been playing Taps from his Everett deck every evening, marks the pandemic year by playing Taps on his horn from the Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge on Monday, March 22, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
The Japan Bazaar, an Everett shop at 1410 Hewitt Ave., is shown in this 1907 photo. Its proprietor was Charles Kan, who was Chinese.(Everett Public Library/Everett Community College Archives)

Anti-Asian acts and policies are an ugly part of our history

Leaders are speaking out against hate as the Georgia killings raise awareness of growing violence and bias.

The Japan Bazaar, an Everett shop at 1410 Hewitt Ave., is shown in this 1907 photo. Its proprietor was Charles Kan, who was Chinese.(Everett Public Library/Everett Community College Archives)
Douglas Roulstone pins a World War II Victory Medal on Bob Peterson, a 93-year-old Navy veteran, with his daughters Cheri Peterson (left) and Susie Schmidt Sunday afternoon at the VFW in Everett on March 14, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

‘We could be no prouder’ as veteran gets WWII Victory Medal

“Bob Peterson Day” was declared in Marysville as the 93-year-old Navy vet was honored.

Douglas Roulstone pins a World War II Victory Medal on Bob Peterson, a 93-year-old Navy veteran, with his daughters Cheri Peterson (left) and Susie Schmidt Sunday afternoon at the VFW in Everett on March 14, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
DeJohn Ward (in cellphone photo) died by suicide in 2015 at age 19. His parents, Steve and Sabrie Taylor, shown here in 2016, are starting a Love Don’t Judge scholarship in his memory for Marysville Pilchuck High School students. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

$2,000 MPHS scholarship memorializes a teen suicide victim

The parents of DeJohn Ward, who died in 2015, have been helping kids through their “Love Don’t Judge” effort.

DeJohn Ward (in cellphone photo) died by suicide in 2015 at age 19. His parents, Steve and Sabrie Taylor, shown here in 2016, are starting a Love Don’t Judge scholarship in his memory for Marysville Pilchuck High School students. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Berinda Wolitarsky gets her second vaccine shot Saturday morning at Snohomish High School on March 13, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

COVID survivor, teacher, walker, she’s grateful for each step

“I almost died, but people prayed for me,” says Berinda Wolitarsky, who’s back in Snohomish schools.

Berinda Wolitarsky gets her second vaccine shot Saturday morning at Snohomish High School on March 13, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Isaac Howard stands outside of oil refineries along March Point Road on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in Anacortes, Washington. Howard changed careers after losing an eye in a  training accident while working as a firefighter 20 years ago. He now works for Life Rescue, Inc., a Bellingham-based company, he became an industrial safety and emergency services consultant.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Blast took firefighter’s career and an eye, but didn’t stop him

It’s been 20 years since an explosion in a mobile fire training unit injured Gold Bar’s Isaac Howard.

Isaac Howard stands outside of oil refineries along March Point Road on Thursday, March 4, 2021 in Anacortes, Washington. Howard changed careers after losing an eye in a  training accident while working as a firefighter 20 years ago. He now works for Life Rescue, Inc., a Bellingham-based company, he became an industrial safety and emergency services consultant.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Frances McDormand in "Nomadland." (Searchlight Pictures) 20210304

Masked in a nearly empty theater, a movie outing at last

Just four of us were in the audience for a matinee showing of “Nomadland” at Stanwood Cinemas.

Frances McDormand in "Nomadland." (Searchlight Pictures) 20210304
Amy Perusse, who has worked as the Everett School District's Kids in Transition coordinator for seven years, has been recognized by Education Week as one of 11 "Leaders to Learn From." (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Quite an honor’ for district’s champion of homeless students

Once a teen mom, Everett’s Kids in Transition coordinator wins national recognition by Education Week.

Amy Perusse, who has worked as the Everett School District's Kids in Transition coordinator for seven years, has been recognized by Education Week as one of 11 "Leaders to Learn From." (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jeanette Ho Shin Weddell, 96, died of COVID-19 on Dec. 29, 2020. (Contributed photo)

Marysville grandmother, 96, was one in half a million lost

In a week when the president took time to mourn COVID deaths, local families were grieving, too.

Jeanette Ho Shin Weddell, 96, died of COVID-19 on Dec. 29, 2020. (Contributed photo)
A driver waits at the COVID-19 mass vaccination site Feb. 9 at the Arlington Municipal Airport. (Julie Muhlstein / The Herald)

Getting Dad, 98, the shot was more than he could do alone

Helped by technology, I managed to get a shot in Arlington. For many, online scheduling is a barrier.

A driver waits at the COVID-19 mass vaccination site Feb. 9 at the Arlington Municipal Airport. (Julie Muhlstein / The Herald)
"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" is the selection for the One Everett One Book initiative, which will include an online program with the authors on Monday. (Everett Public Library)

One Everett One Book: ‘Stamped’ a historical look at racism

A discussion will draw hundreds as Everett’s library, EvCC, WSU and the school district join in reading.

"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" is the selection for the One Everett One Book initiative, which will include an online program with the authors on Monday. (Everett Public Library)
Aaron Perkins, who was trained in the HopeWorks program, is now a maintenance technician for Housing Hope. Here, he waves at one of the children in the Tomorrow's Hope day care while replacing outdoor light fixtures on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As HopeWorks turns 10, a worker shares his success story

Once homeless, Aaron Perkins found housing, skills and a way out of poverty through the agency’s training.

Aaron Perkins, who was trained in the HopeWorks program, is now a maintenance technician for Housing Hope. Here, he waves at one of the children in the Tomorrow's Hope day care while replacing outdoor light fixtures on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Principal Blythe Young, whose school will start a dual-language program this fall, at Emerson Elementary on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Emerson kindergartners will start on path to being bilingual

An optional dual-language Spanish immersion program will be a first in the Everett School District.

Principal Blythe Young, whose school will start a dual-language program this fall, at Emerson Elementary on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett's Marisol and Hector Flores were blessed with twin daughters, Hadassah (left) and Tabitha, during the pandemic year. (Courtesy Marisol Flores)

Faith overcame fear for these grateful new parents of twins

After 12 years of marriage, pregnancy was a surprise. Friends and family have helped in the midst of the pandemic.

Everett's Marisol and Hector Flores were blessed with twin daughters, Hadassah (left) and Tabitha, during the pandemic year. (Courtesy Marisol Flores)
Carol Rochnowski, of Lake Stevens, enjoyed a socially distanced dinner with her neighbors, Andy and April Taylor, before the weather changed their weekly meals. The neighbors, along with Rochnowski's housemate Bernie Terry, have supported 24 restaurants during the pandemic. (Courtesy Carol Rochnowski)

With weekly take-out, neighbors feeding their friendships

These Lake Stevens families have made it a point to order takeout from an array of restaurants weathering the pandemic.

Carol Rochnowski, of Lake Stevens, enjoyed a socially distanced dinner with her neighbors, Andy and April Taylor, before the weather changed their weekly meals. The neighbors, along with Rochnowski's housemate Bernie Terry, have supported 24 restaurants during the pandemic. (Courtesy Carol Rochnowski)
Idamae Schack died Jan. 7 at age 102. She and her husband John Schack gave millions of dollars to support local arts and cultural organizations. The Schack Art Center is named in their honor. (Michael O'Leary/Herald file photo)

Idamae Schack, an angel of the arts in Everett, dies at 102

She and her husband John Schack donated millions of dollars to support cultural causes in Everett.

Idamae Schack died Jan. 7 at age 102. She and her husband John Schack gave millions of dollars to support local arts and cultural organizations. The Schack Art Center is named in their honor. (Michael O'Leary/Herald file photo)
A Mob City jammer, "CMonster," skates in a holiday scrimmage at the Everett Skate Deck on Dec. 9, 2018. An online fundraising effort has been started to help support the skating venue during the pandemic. (Anthony Floyd photo)

Skate Deck hopes to open for customers, not take donations

A roller skating coach has launched an online fundraiser, wants to help the place he fears may close.

A Mob City jammer, "CMonster," skates in a holiday scrimmage at the Everett Skate Deck on Dec. 9, 2018. An online fundraising effort has been started to help support the skating venue during the pandemic. (Anthony Floyd photo)
The Everett Music Initiative team, (from left) Ryan Crowther, Nate Feaster and Michael Hannon. (Everett Music Initiative)

A step toward keeping music alive in the pandemic, beyond

With Snohomish County Music Project as fiscal sponsor, Fisherman’s festival group can get donations.

The Everett Music Initiative team, (from left) Ryan Crowther, Nate Feaster and Michael Hannon. (Everett Music Initiative)
Julie Muhlstein and her dog, Oscar, out for a walk last week at the Everett waterfront. (Contributed photo)

If the pandemic profoundly changed your life, tell us how

With the COVID-19 toll still rising, the day-to-day world of last January seems a distant memory.

Julie Muhlstein and her dog, Oscar, out for a walk last week at the Everett waterfront. (Contributed photo)
Patrick Crosby next to his tree with photographs of fallen military members, dedicated to Gold Star Mothers and Families, on his property Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tree is a tribute to those who served and gave their lives

Lynnwood’s Patrick Crosby wasn’t in the military, but he felt it was time to “give something back.”

Patrick Crosby next to his tree with photographs of fallen military members, dedicated to Gold Star Mothers and Families, on his property Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)