What's Up With That?

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop in Langley, has spent the pandemic making neon art. He, along with his daughter Sage Leonard, is setting up for an upcoming exhibit in April featuring about 50 pieces. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

A neon blast of bubbles, stars and diamonds light up Whidbey

The new exhibit at the Langley arcade is a selfie museum of electric art. Stick around and play pinball.

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop in Langley, has spent the pandemic making neon art. He, along with his daughter Sage Leonard, is setting up for an upcoming exhibit in April featuring about 50 pieces. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
David Stowell, 10, runs through his daily local weather report from his home on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Lake Stevens, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

10-year-old weather kid report: ‘Raining, like really raining’

The Lake Stevens fourth-grader on the autism spectrum does forecasts and a YouTube cartoon series.

David Stowell, 10, runs through his daily local weather report from his home on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Lake Stevens, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Standing on a new ramp to his home, Doug Waddell shakes hands with Dennis Taylor and Dan Barmon on April 15 in Sultan. Taylor and Barmon built the ramp for Waddell in exchange for two apple pies. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

What does two apple pies buy? A $3,500 wheelchair ramp

The kindness of two strangers, and a pie baker, helps Sultan amputee come home.

Standing on a new ramp to his home, Doug Waddell shakes hands with Dennis Taylor and Dan Barmon on April 15 in Sultan. Taylor and Barmon built the ramp for Waddell in exchange for two apple pies. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
THE CIRCLE Lisa in season 2 of THE CIRCLE. Cr. Netflix ©2021

Everett gal catfishes as Lance Bass on Netflix’s ‘The Circle’

Lisa Delcampo, longtime assistant to the NSYNC pop star, poses as her boss on the hit reality show.

THE CIRCLE Lisa in season 2 of THE CIRCLE. Cr. Netflix ©2021
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Club president Zachary Nelson explains to a pair of students how the currency works while handing out free cryptocurrency at the University of Washington Bothell on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Crypto’s wild ride: It’s winning fans from here to Wall Street

Digital currency is worth trillions to traders betting on Dogecoin, Bitcoin and other blockchains.

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Club president Zachary Nelson explains to a pair of students how the currency works while handing out free cryptocurrency at the University of Washington Bothell on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Eric Adler, the mystery man who is on Twitter as @EdmondsScanner (E. Wong)

Revealed: The mystery man behind the @EdmondsScanner tweets

He’s a 50-year-old mail carrier who dusted off his English degree to curate 6,000 tales on Twitter.

Eric Adler, the mystery man who is on Twitter as @EdmondsScanner (E. Wong)
Stanwood singer Savanna Woods, 26, is a contestant on "The Voice." (Alexandria Lane Photography)

Stanwood singer, 26, is living her dream on ‘The Voice’

Savanna Woods advances to the next round after Monday’s battle duet on the hit NBC show.

Stanwood singer Savanna Woods, 26, is a contestant on "The Voice." (Alexandria Lane Photography)
Leslie Davis (left) and her twin sister, Lyndsay Lamb, pose in the den of a house they remodeled in Snohomish, as seen on Unsellable Houses. (HGTV)
Leslie Davis (left) and her twin sister, Lyndsay Lamb, pose in the den of a house they remodeled in Snohomish, as seen on Unsellable Houses. (HGTV)
This longtime mural on a garage door in Mukilteo can be seen mainly from the Mukilteo Speedway overpass sidewalk. (David Welton/This is Whidbey)

This Yellow Brick Road leads to Ivar’s and the ‘Ferry of Oz’

The garage door mural hides in plain sight along Mukilteo Speedway. It’s been there a dozen years.

This longtime mural on a garage door in Mukilteo can be seen mainly from the Mukilteo Speedway overpass sidewalk. (David Welton/This is Whidbey)
About a dozen metal dinosaurs sit in the front yard of a home owned by Burt Mason and Mary Saltwick on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Freeland, Washington. The couple are used to finding strangers in their yard and taking photos. Every year on their trip to Tucson, Burt and Mary bring home another figure  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Dinos on Whidbey? This Freeland yard is a Jurassic Park

These creatures from long ago won’t chomp or chase you, and you’re welcome to visit.

About a dozen metal dinosaurs sit in the front yard of a home owned by Burt Mason and Mary Saltwick on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Freeland, Washington. The couple are used to finding strangers in their yard and taking photos. Every year on their trip to Tucson, Burt and Mary bring home another figure  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Joe Hempel swims off of the shore of Seawall Park on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 in Langley, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Scantily clad is the dress code for these cold rush swimmers

Immersed for 30 minutes in frigid water would kill most of us. It energizes these swimmers.

Joe Hempel swims off of the shore of Seawall Park on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 in Langley, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Javier Del Valle and Haley Del Valle with their guinea pigs Luna and Molly on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

You’ve never seen anything like this couple’s guinea pig room

Bigfoot’s Guinea Pig Rescue in Everett is dedicated to finding homes for castoff cavy.

Javier Del Valle and Haley Del Valle with their guinea pigs Luna and Molly on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Benson Boone of Monroe will be on "American Idol" on Feb. 14. (ABC/Christopher Willard)

Monroe singer Benson Boone wins ‘American Idol’ golden ticket

The 18-year-old charmed Katy Perry and the others on Sunday. Lionel Ritchie called him “Benson Ka-boom.”

Benson Boone of Monroe will be on "American Idol" on Feb. 14. (ABC/Christopher Willard)
Benson Boone of Monroe will be on "American Idol" on Feb. 14. (ABC/Christopher Willard)

Is Benson Boone, 18, of Monroe the next ‘American Idol’ star?

The new singer faces judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on Sunday’s premiere on ABC.

Benson Boone of Monroe will be on "American Idol" on Feb. 14. (ABC/Christopher Willard)
Chug's Root Beer Store in Lynnwood.  (Kevin Clark/The Herald)

Chug down a few beers that won’t get you soused

Hundreds of bottles of soda line the walls at Chug’s Root Beer & More in Lynnwood. Now you can dine in.

Chug's Root Beer Store in Lynnwood.  (Kevin Clark/The Herald)
Bernie Sanders meme using an app with Google Maps.

Bernie’s mittens: Feel the Bern? Or are you Berned out?

That photo of the senator looking frumpy and bored at the inauguration is everywhere, including Everett.

Bernie Sanders meme using an app with Google Maps.
Jill Biden poses with Major Biden (left) and Champ Biden. (Jill Biden)

Moving on up, to the White House: the First Shelter Dog

Major, Joe Biden’s German shepherd, was a rescue. Past presidents had lots of pets, including alligators.

Jill Biden poses with Major Biden (left) and Champ Biden. (Jill Biden)
Cece Stafford arranges stock Wednesday afternoon at Alchemy Health in Alderwood Mall on December 16, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Score some flower at the mall? New CBD store is buzzing

CBD lotions and potions are touted to treat pain, insomnia and anxiety. Owner: “We’re not a pot shop.”

Cece Stafford arranges stock Wednesday afternoon at Alchemy Health in Alderwood Mall on December 16, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Wearing a mask and face shield, Honeycomb Salon owner Julia Barbee, styles Gail Linnick's hair in her studio at Sola Studios, on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 in Mill Creek, Wa.(Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘No more pretty hair or feet’: Your top 2020 What’s Up? stories

Hoarding, Grouchy Chef, HGTV, TP and Starbucks cups also are among our readers’ favorites.

Wearing a mask and face shield, Honeycomb Salon owner Julia Barbee, styles Gail Linnick's hair in her studio at Sola Studios, on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 in Mill Creek, Wa.(Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Simone Tarver, 30, whose mother sparked her collecting of Black Santas, at her home with two of her Santas on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Yes, Virginia, not all Santas are pale old white dudes

Representation matters as stores offer Saint Nick likenesses in a range of skin tones.

Simone Tarver, 30, whose mother sparked her collecting of Black Santas, at her home with two of her Santas on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)