Beacon Magazine – Fall 2023

BEAN COUNTERS There’s no shortage of coffeehouses in caffeine-crazed Snohomish County

The

Beacon

M A G A Z I N E Fall/Winter 2023

INSIDE WEATHER WARRIORS SnoPUD workers keep the power running during winter weather

HOLIDAY GRUBBIN’ Go beyond the traditional this season – how about a kringle pastry?

HOMELESS HELP Several groups are working to ease the growing problem

Locally known and internationally recognized for professionalism and integrity in real estate.

Heather Burke (425) 275-6562

Tawnia Coulter (206) 718-1507

Heathera.Burke@cbrealty.com

Tawnia.Coulter@cbrealty.com

Connor Desy (206) 214-5609

Chuck Easter (206) 396-9070

Connor.Desy@cbrealty.com

Jim Hills (425) 876-0927

Chuck.Easter@cbrealty.com

Team Echelbarger

Eugene.Hills@cbrealty.com

Team Greene

Stacie Echelbarger Tyler Echelbarger (206) 719-6212 (206) 799-3877 TeamEch.com TeamEch.com

Michaela Greene (425) 879-6899

Nolan Greene (425) 501-2226

Patti Greene (206) 369-5429

Michaela.Greene@CBRealty.com Nolan.Greene@CBRealty.com Patti.Greene@CBRealty.com

Haines Huff Properties

John Haines (206) 854-4403

Missi Huff (206) 948-2565

John.Haines@cbrealty.com Missi.Huff@cbrealty.com

Gvara Kirschner (206) 353-1944

Gvara.Kirschner@cbrealty.com

Forrest Reda (425) 470-3672

Forrest.Reda@CBRealty.com

Makenna Pellerin (206) 327-2648

Makenna.Pellerin@cbrealty.com

Principal Managing Broker

Rachel Rowland (206) 910-2723

Rachel.Rowland@cbrealty.com

Jean Sittauer (425) 478-7712

Jean.Sittauer@cbrealty.com

Paul Sundberg (425) 275-6359

Paul.Sundberg@cbrealty.com

Emma Nolan (425) 624-7233

Emma.Nolan@cbrealty.com

Coldwell Banker Bain | Edmonds

Coldwell Banker Bain | Mill Creek

108 5 Ave. S. Edmonds, WA 98020 (425) 771-1000

15506 Main St. #101 Mill Creek, WA 98012 (425) 771-6444

th

coldwellbankerhomes.com/wa/edmonds/agents

coldwellbankerhomes.com/wa/mill-creek/agents

Welcome to Our Contributors The Beacon Magazine David Pan

David has written for Beacon Publishing since 2015. For the summer issue, he wrote about the day-to-day activities of a wildlife veterinary technician. Now he turns his attention to find just what exactly a PUD lineworker does, and how he keeps Snohomish County powered up.

Maria A. Montalvo

T

he fall and winter edition of The Beacon Magazine is here, and we have a variety of stories for you from around south Snohomish County.

Three times a year, we try to find a range of topics that go beyond what we typically offer in our weekly newspaper and on our website.

We like to dig around a little, immerse ourselves in our words and photos, and give readers well-written stories that can be interesting and informative at the same time.

We think we’ve accomplished that with this issue.

For example, the beginning of another holiday season brings triedand-true comfort food. We have a few suggestions that you might want to consider. But reporter Chris Trujillo also searched around to gather a few ideas that go beyond the traditional. Have you tried deep frying your turkey? Dishing up Asian-sautéed green beans with shrimp?

Baking a kringle pastry?

For your drinking pleasure, Beacon restaurant critic Maria A. Montalvo – a coffee connoisseur – visited several coffeehouses in the area and offers several recommendations for your next hot or cold drink.

Elsewhere in the magazine, you will learn about Support 7, a nonprofit group of dedicated volunteers who assist first responders, as well as victims of crisis who could be going through the worst days of their lives.

And with the arrival of inclement weather, we take a look at a day in the life of a Snohomish County Public Utility District (you know it as “SnoPUD”) lineworker.

Finally, we explore how a few public and private partnerships are working to reduce homelessness in the area.

We hope you enjoy our latest issue. As always, we welcome your ideas for future topics.

– Brian Soergel, Managing Editor edmondseditor@yourbeacon.net

Maria has served as a columnist for the Beacon Newspapers since 2016. Previously dishing on teriyaki and pizza, she now zeros in on a Northwest must-have: coffee. She also discovered some interesting facts about java while researching the bean’s history.

Chris Trujillo Chris has been a freelance contributor for Beacon Publishing since September 2022. For this issue of The Beacon Magazine, he takes a nontraditional look at a few holiday dishes that veer from the ordinary. The results are tasty.

Brenda Kohlmyer Brenda has been a freelancer for The Edmonds Beacon since 2017. After writing about fresh farm food for our summer issue, she turns to something we read a lot about: homelessness. She discovered a few organizations that are working to ease individuals and families back into their lives.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 3

15

6

Come On In 12 About the Cover

Beacon

M A G A Z I N E Fall/Winter 2023

INSIDE WEATHER WARRIORS SnoPUD workers keep the power running during winter weather

Support 7 is a volunteer group that for decades has answered the call for those who need compassion and support during what for many could be the worst days of their lives.

Getting a fix on coffee ....................................................... 12 Food writer Maria A. Montalvo shares her thoughts on a few of her favorite places to grab a coffee in Snohomish County. Plus, she shares some history of the popular drink we just can’t live without.

Artist’s Corner ................................................................................. 15

BEAN COUNTERS There’s no shortage of coffeehouses in caffeine-crazed Snohomish County

The

There when they are needed ....................................... 6

HOLIDAY GRUBBIN’ Go beyond the traditional this season – how about a kringle pastry?

HOMELESS HELP Several groups are working to ease the growing problem

Jackie Sweeten offers up a latte at Waterfront Coffee in Edmonds. It’s one of numerous coffee shops in south Snohomish County and the oldest in Edmonds.

– Brian Soergel photo

Fall / Winter 2023 4 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

For Jennifer Dean of Edmonds, working with her hands brings her peace, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. She believes art can help heal trauma and anxiety in ways other experiences can’t.

PUBLISHING

Beacon Staff Publisher Managing Editor Editorial Advertising Sales Administration Design/Production

Jenn Barker Brian Soergel David Pan Tina Novak Martine Grube Debbie Magill

A Day in the Life ......................................................................... 16

Beacon Publishing, Inc.

Helping the unhoused ......................................................... 22

www.mukilteobeacon.com www.edmondsbeacon.com www.millcreekbeacon.com

The Pacific Northwest gets its share of inclement weather during the fall and winter months. So who is there to help when stormy weather shuts down the power? We spoke to a PUD lineworker for insight.

Homelessness is certainly on the rise in Snohomish County and elsewhere. Beyond help from government services, there are several nonprofits that are making a difference in helping people through tough times.

Food for the holidays ........................................................... 29 Turkey is king for the holidays, but have you considered a dish from south of the border? How about a Scandinavian pastry? Sometimes, cooking up something just a little different can make a holiday party even better.

Season to Taste ........................................................................... 36 Savor some delicious recipes from a south Snohomish County favorite: Café Louvre in Edmonds.

728 3rd St., Ste. D, Mukilteo, WA 98275 (425) 347-5634

The Beacon Magazine is a supplement to the Beacon newspapers

22

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 5

Responding to crisis

Photo courtesy of Support 7

Support 7 is there when families need them the most

By Brian Soergel

S

hannon Sessions has accomplished much in her career, from serving as a firefighter in the Air Force, owning a safety consulting business, dishing news as an editor and reporter at the former Enterprise Newspapers, crafting legislation as a Lynnwood councilmember, and acting as spokesperson for the Lynnwood Police Department.

But the Meadowdale High School graduate is now in what she says is the most important phase of her career as executive director of Support 7. The nonprofit’s goal is to assist first responders and victims of crises 24/7 in south Snohomish County.

She spoke recently from the inside of Support 7’s aging, early 1990s-era Champion Ultra Sport emergency vehicle, a camper. Personable and engaging, she talks with her hands, and occasionally touches the arm of those she’s speaking with.

“I just want you to look around,” she said. “I want you to imagine all the people who sat in here. And why, if somebody’s sitting in here, it’s their darkest day. Can you imagine it?”

You can.

The bed in the back was removed to provide more seating.

A stained rug gets scrubbed, but it doesn’t do much to mask

6 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

its appearance. An upgrade is in order. More on that later.

“Imagine,” said Sessions, “big firefighters climbing in here with all their gear on to go back there to use the bathroom.

Climbing over families in their skivvies, covered in donated quilts, while volunteers change kids’ diapers, trying to distract them from their family and the trauma at hand.”

It’s quite a picture.

“You realize the people who’ve sat here, the broken hearts. But there’s also hope. This is also where we have interviews with police and fire personnel. We can call the Red Cross, and this is where they sit, or stand, because there’s not usually a lot of room.”

Founded in 1981, Support 7 volunteers have responded to countless house fires, unexpected natural deaths, deaths by suicide, homicides, drownings, and other fatalities or large incidents, altruistically serving south Snohomish County without regard to social class, ethnic heritage, or religious persuasion.

It’s on-scene emergency crews who put in the call for volunteers, who are then dispatched through 911.

“This is where people can find their next steps, just their absolute next steps,” said Sessions. “Or it might even just be bolstering them to stand or sit up in the moment. So this is a very special place for us.”

Among other things, Support 7 offers: • a private place to escape the weather, away from onlookers and, often, the media.

• a respite for first responders and a transition place for necessary interviews and refreshments.

• a smooth connection to resources, such as funerals, the Medical Examiner’s Office, grief and counseling resources, local assistance for housing and clothing, Red Cross assistance, and more.

Help after a tragic loss The worst day in Richard and Joy Abiador’s life came Sept. 4, 2020, when they opened the door to their Bothell home that Friday night and found their 18-yearold daughter, Syra Eden, had died by suicide.

Syra had been a star Photo by Brian Soergel volleyball player at Richard and Joy Abiador, Lynnwood High School. whose daughter died Lovely and kind. Super by suicide, are grateful smart, the kind of kid for the support in the who aced any tests aftermath of the tragedy – and for the support thrown their way. they still receive.

How can parents cope with something so tragic? There’s no easy answer to something that will stay with you every day, forever. Today, Richard still has bouts of post-traumatic stress disorder. He attends support groups and often helps facilitate them. This is now. But what about the immediate aftermath of what happened Sept 4 and the days, weeks, and months to follow?

Support 7 was there to help.

“I can’t thank Support 7 for all they do,” said Richard.

South County Fire medic units arrived, as well as an on-call chaplain. That night was a blur. Traumatic doesn’t come close to describing the emotions. First responders arrived at the Abiadors’ house. The next day, the Abiadors received a call from Support 7’s Debbie Rosenfelt, who would have arrived that night, but COVID restrictions prevented a visit.

“It was all so raw,” said Richard. “Everything was so fresh.

We agreed to see Debbie because we were in disarray, in shock, all the things you can imagine. She came in with

such tenderness. With courtesy, patience, and love. She was just perfect for us; we later found out she lost her son to suicide. Debbie is now a good friend, three years later.”

Rosenfelt provided a person Richard and Joy could talk to about what they were going through, and made follow-up visits a big part of Support 7’s service.

“We felt a genuine feeling of connection,” said Richard.

“It didn’t seem fake. And in those times, you kind of need that, you know? First and foremost, nothing was rushed.

She just took her time and listened to us.”

After a while, the next steps needed to be addressed.

“My wife and I had no experience with how to handle something like this,” said Richard. “We had no experience with how to handle it; you’re not even capable of thinking very well at that time. So definitely, I think of Support 7 as not only the first responders but kind of like complementary to the first responders after they leave.

“She offered up what could happen next,” said Richard.

“What church do you go to, if you go to church? We could set up a service for Syra. She would help set up a funeral, even though you could only have 20 people or so there due to COVID.” Richard is now retired as a volleyball coach – he was on the national team of Guam, where he was born, and a coach at North Creek High School – but continues to work at Boeing. “There is still a lot of healing,” said Richard. He and Joy have two other daughters and a son. “My family needs me more than ever.”

Ken Gaydos Edmonds resident Ken Gaydos was the benevolent force behind Support 7’s birth and good work throughout the years. Gaydos began his career in media as a reporter for NBC – he covered many events and was on the sidelines at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.

After spending 25 years as a reporter, he moved to Washington state.

Photo courtesy of Support 7

Support 7 volunteers are always on call to help those who may need resources after a tragic incident such as a house or apartment fire.

They are also there to listen. Support 7 was founded in 1981 after a drowning at Brackett’s Landing North in Edmonds.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 7

In 1971, the Edmonds Fire Department recruited him to serve as a volunteer chaplain. Few agencies had chaplains at the time. Gaydos quickly recruited other chaplains in training and helped grow volunteer local response teams throughout the county.

In 1981 Gaydos, a deeply religious man, said he felt God calling him to start a mission and named it ICM, International Chaplain Ministry, with a chaplain branch called Support 7.

Support 7’s creation came after a search-and-recovery effort for an underwater diver who drowned off Edmonds’ Brackett’s Landing in 1985. In the beginning, Gaydos and volunteers comforted the afflicted in various weather con-

ditions, including rain and snow.

It was at the scene at Brackett’s that Gaydos decided he needed a special, customized vehicle that could privately support grieving families on scene, as well as provide snacks and beverages to emergency service personnel.

Support 7 renovated a small fire medic unit, which was welcome but quickly outgrew Gaydos’ needs. He then acquired the camper for $1,200 with individual donations and those from the Edmonds Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.

It was a luxury at the time, with more space, a bathroom, and a refrigerator (which later broke down and was replaced with a smaller, dorm room-like one).

It’s a luxury no more.

Shannon Sessions takes over When Ken Gaydos died of throat cancer in 2018, Support 7 needed a new executive director, and Sessions seemed to be the logical choice. But Sessions, although the organization was a passion for her, decided she didn’t want the position.

She and her husband had five kids – four were teenagers at the time – and had plenty on her plate with her Safety Sessions safety classes and media relations

Photo by Brian Soergel

Enjoy our stunning view of the Edmond’s waterfront over fresh, delectable Northwest seafood!

Make a reservation today at www.anthonys.com @anthonysrestsnw 456 Admiral Way • Edmonds, WA 98020 • (425) 771-4400 8 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Support 7 Executive Director Shannon Sessions said she was called to take her position after a tragic incident on Interstate 5. She now holds the only paid position for Support 7. All others are volunteers.

But that’s not who I was led to help. All I wanted to do was go back there and be with those truck drivers, and all the other drivers who just witnessed what happened and who had stopped, as well as the first responders dispatched to the scene.”

At that moment, Sessions made her decision.

“It was the Lord telling me to take over Support 7. OK, Lord, I hear you. I get it.”

Sessions is now the only paid member of Support 7. Her work as an on-duty chaplain is on a volunteer basis.

Two functions Support 7 serves two functions.

The first involves the volunteer incident support team, which rolls out for house and apartment or commercial fires where people are displaced, SWAT calls, vehicle accidents, and other traumatic incidents.

The second involves the chaplains.

Richard and Joy Abiador had an inscription carved into a memorial rock in honor of their late daughter, who died three years.

Photo by Brian Soergel

consulting, as well as a sitting Lynnwood City Council member (her tenure concludes at the end of the year after two terms – she decided not to run for a third.)

Tim Gaydos, one of Ken’s sons and heavily involved in Support 7, tried in vain to have Sessions reconsider. ​​Shannon, he told her, you know all the fire chiefs. You know the first responders, the church leaders, community leaders. Support 7 cannot die with Ken Gaydos’ death.

He tried three times, but Sessions would not budge.

“After the third time, I told Tim no, but by then I was pretty annoyed, actually.”

The next day, Sessions headed south on I-5 for a Safety Sessions class for a school in the SeaTac area. It was rush hour, but traffic was moving pretty well, she recalls. “I’m moving, I’m grooving, and in the distance, I see something on the overpass, but I can’t tell what it is. As I get closer, I see a person and think, ‘What is that person doing up there?’”

As she gets closer, Sessions spots one of the person’s legs dangling over the side. It happened so quickly. When Sessions passed under the overpass and looked in her rearview mirror, she watched the person – she thought it was a woman – falling, with two semis behind her while heading for the overpass.

Sessions called 911.

“This person made a decision to end their life that day.

Looking for Home Care Services?

• Short-shift to live-in care by licensed CNAs or HCAs. • Nursing care by LPNs and RNs. • Same day/next day assessments by phone or in person.

• Same day/next day start of care.

• No contracts and 8-hour notice for shift cancellation.

• Locally owned and operated since 2004.

• Pacific Northwest’s leading Home Care provider.

Contact us at (206) 362-2366 | FedeltaHomeCare.com Private Pay, Long Term Care Insurance, and Medicaid accepted THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 9

Photo courtesy of Support 7

OF EDMONDS

EMBR ACING NE W OPPORTUNITIES

VIBRANT LIVING There’s no need to settle for less in retirement when you can indulge in a future filled with exquisite living spaces, firstclass amenities and gourmet cuisine. You’ll feel like you’re residing in a hotel. Call today to learn about the VIP benefits of joining our Charter Club and saving up to $10,000.* *Terms and conditions may apply. Contact us for details.

LET’S CONNECT OVER A TOUR : 425-490-5141 CONTINUE YOUR LIFE STORY WITH US ANTHOLOGY OF EDMONDS 21200 72nd Ave. W. / Edmonds, WA Resort-Style Independent Living AnthologyEdmonds.com

10 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Support 7 Executive Director Shannon Sessions talks with a resident affected by a fire. “This is where people can find their next steps, just their absolute next steps,” said Sessions. “Or it might even just be bolstering them to stand or sit up in the moment.”

“We have 30 volunteers total, including our first-responder chaplains,” Sessions said. “Our first responder chaplains and incident response team are both on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We’re ready to be dispatched out to help walk alongside first responders on the scene in the moment that something happens, and care for the victims’ families left behind when bad things happen.

“First responder chaplains respond in their personally-owned vehicles on scene. Say there’s a 911 call and a woman wakes up to find that her husband stopped breathing, and she needs to start CPR. She calls and medics respond. We can see the chaos going on. The battalion chief or the sergeant on scene will get on the radio and say they need a chaplain.”

Shannon and other chaplains – who share 24-hour on-call shifts – stay plugged with apps on their phones that allows them to follow possible incidents Support 7 might be called to. Sessions uses the term “compassionate liaisons” to describe Support 7’s work.

“People can be in complete shock. They’re in a fog. They don’t know who to call. There’s no plan when tragedies happen. We can help them in what to do next.”

churches, and organizations.

Support 7 does apply for grants, and in August received $47,962 from the Verdant Health Commission. In April, it held its second annual reception and auction to raise funds.

And last fall, Support 7 received emergency ARPA funding.

“We were so grateful for that because COVID was really hard for us,” said Sessions. “We didn’t stop doing what we were doing.” n

Support for Support 7

People aren’t the only ones who can be displaced during a crisis.

Animals have to be cared for, something that Support 7 volunteers have seen time and again.

​The nonprofit Support 7 does not charge for its services. It doesn’t take taxpayer funding from the agencies it serves.

Instead, it relies on gifts from individuals, businesses,

SAFE. SECURE. STUNNING. Join more than 200,000 homeowners in trusting America’s #1, outdoor lighting specialist to transform your home with added beauty, safety and security, all with the best warranties in the industry.

425-658-2050

OutdoorLights.com/North-Sound

Photo courtesy of Support 7

$395 OFF

SYSTEMS OF $3995+ Offer expires 1/31/24

Lic#: OUTDOLP774K5

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 11

The whole beans about

our P NW love of coffee Coffee is a thing in the Pacific Northwest

By Maria Montalvo

C

offee is one of the first things people from anywhere else mention when you say you are from the Pacific Northwest. “Do you drink coffee all day?” they ask.

Seattle was named the most caffeinated city in the country by Roasty Coffee.

The history of coffee in the Seattle area is pretty interesting, but it does not start with Starbucks, or Tully’s, or even Seattle’s Best.

Coffee became popular in America in the 1700s when it became a badge of patriotism to drink coffee instead of tea (remember that little disturbance called the Boston Tea Party?), and that original revolutionary spirit is pretty close to what got coffee culture to Seattle more than 100 years ago.

Let’s start at the beginning. Coffee has been an international phenomenon for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The word “coffee” itself shows its roots around the world – in Yemen it was “qahwah,” originally a romantic term for wine.

It later became the Turkish “kahveh,” then in Dutch “koffie” and finally “coffee” in English.

Legend says an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee by the ninth century after he found his goats frolicking after eating the fruit of the coffee shrub. Once a local monk saw the goat herders enjoying the effects of the coffee plant, he took some to his fellow monks.

Grounds Coffee is a favorite for Mukilteo locals. In addition to any hot drink you can think of, baristas also serve up plenty of iced coffee and fruity beverages.

12 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Photo courtesy of Grounds Coffee

And so it began.

A coffee-like drink appeared about 100 years later, but it was made from the whole coffee fruit. It was not until the 13th century in Arabia that the roasted version was developed and became a stable, exportable crop.

Africa and the Arabian peninsula controlled the market for more than 300 years until an Indian pilgrim visiting Mecca took fertile coffee beans back to India and created a competitive international coffee trade.

The Dutch founded the first European coffee estate in Sri Lanka in 1616, and soon after the French, Spanish, and Portuguese began growing the beans in the Caribbean, Central America, and Brazil.

Coffee remained popular in the United States after the Revolution, and by the late 1800s American entrepreneurs were looking for new ways to profit from the popular beverage in the American West.

In 1864, John and Charles Arbuckle began selling pre-roasted coffee in paper bags by the pound to cowboys. James Folger followed, and sold coffee to the gold miners of California, eventually inspiring both the Maxwell House and Hills Brothers brands.

The first coffee roasting business in Seattle? That was D. Davies & Co., which opened in 1887. Even then, Seattle did it a bit differently.

The coffee scene in Seattle truly began in 1895 when Oscar Delaloyes opened Seattle Tea and Coffee in what would soon become Pike Place Market.

There, customers could pick up roasted coffee beans by the bag, but also enjoy by the cup, mimicking the coffeeshops created in Boston and Philadelphia in the late 1700s frequented by artists, poets, philosophers, and revolutionaries such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.

But even these companies did not fulfill an obsession, so much as provide access to what was seen as a necessary beverage. In the 1950s and 1960s, Americans began to learn more about the coffee culture in France and Italy, inspiring an interest in specialty coffee and the coffeehouse culture.

A few Bohemian coffeehouses had opened in New York City in the mid-’50s, and a New Yorker – Rusty Thomas – moved to Seattle and opened Café Encore in 1958, followed closely by The Place Next Door in 1959, El Matador in 1960, and The Last Exit in 1967 in the U. District.

By 1970, there were coffeehouses all around Seattle.

Then came Starbucks.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea in California had already opened in 1966, and five years later, three now infamous Seattle coffee connoisseurs began buying whole beans in bulk from Peet’s to sell in their small nautically-themed shop named after the first mate in “Moby-Dick.”

Starbucks did not start to sell actual beverages until 1976, when it moved to what is known as its original location in Pike Place Market.

(Don’t tell the people in line this, but the real first location for Starbucks was at the corner of Virginia and Western in Seattle. That location then moved to the current one at the Market. So it’s still the original, but just in its second location.)

Even though Starbucks changed the entire coffee game and began to take over the world, residents across Puget Sound have held to Seattle’s core value of supporting independent roasters and coffee shops – the smaller and more local, the better. Across south Snohomish County you can find a number of marvelous coffee shops, and if you are lucky, they are combined with a fantastic bakery or café.

Photo courtesy of Bequest Coffee

From left: Matcha latte from Bequest Coffee; Jaiiya Cafe’s brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg latte topped with a dehydrated blood orange; linzer pastries from Cottage Bakery; a unique peach pastry from Katya’s Bakery.

Photo courtesy of Jaiiya Cafe

Photo courtesy of Cottage Bakery

Photo courtesy of Maria A. Montalvo THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL– /SUMMER WINTER 2023 13 THE BEACON MAGAZINE

Mukilteo Mukilteo, like Edmonds, is filled with coffee shops and cafes that locals claim as the best spot in town.

Red Door Coffee Roasters, right on the Mukilteo-Everett border, is super-cute and a fun place to stop for a very good latte.

Red Cup Coffee is a local institution. Eating breakfast or lunch while overlooking the ferry and Puget Sound is extra nice in this welcoming spot.

Nearby Everett also gets raves for its coffee, including The Loft Coffee Bar and Narrative Coffee, and are stunning spots to have a cup of coffee.

Cafe Makario and Paesano’s Coffee Café never disappoint, and have impeccable reputations for some of the best coffee in this growing foodie city.

For coffee on the go, stop at Grounds Coffee Co. or any one of a number of great and dependable good cups of coffee along the Speedway, like Whidbey Coffee, Diedrich Espresso, and Gourmet Latte.

Photo by Brian Soergel

Edmonds

to the Waterfront Center and order yumminess from the window at Shore Pine Coffee.

Walnut Street Coffee, and Café Louvre provide for the most comfortable meeting spots, and also a great cup of joe. In a hurry? A Brewed Awakening has a drive-thru at Five Corners, as does Grounded Espresso in Firdale.

Mill Creek Mill Creek is home to one of my new favorite spots in south Snohomish County, a café so good that I actually said I would never bake again after visiting. Katya’s Bakery, on the Everett/ Mill Creek border, is nothing short of perfection.

Give yourself enough time to not only eat but look at their beautiful pastries and breads. The coffee is also great, but the macarons and the stunning peaches made from cake remind you that true bakers are artists.

For a drive-thru, Buffalo Espresso is a favorite of most folks in the area, and they have two locations (one in Mill Creek and one in Everett). On Main Street, Mill Creekers know to try Bequest Coffee and Visible Coffee Roasters. Their menus mean that you can make your local coffeehouse a favorite spot for any meal of the day, and the cafes are so comfortable and inviting.

The attention to detail at He Brews Coffee is so remarkable that you should stop there if you are shopping at H-Mart or just if you want a great coffee and pastry with a smile. n

the HOLIDAYS at …

Haley Goldie and her father, Greg Goss, own Waterfront Coffee on Main Street in Edmonds, just a few steps from the ferry terminal.

There is no shortage of amazing coffee spots in Edmonds, and most of the local spots offer far more than a great cappuccino or iced latte. From Jaiiya Cafe to Cottage Bakery, many of our local cafes have filled holes in my eating and drinking life that I did not realize was so large.

The acai bowls at Jaiiya are a favorite of our family, and Cottage Bakery, well, it produces works of art more than baked goods. Both also make a perfect cappuccino, not too milky, not too dry, so they get a thumb’s up from me.

If I am in the Edmonds Bowl, the fantastic coffeehouse choice depends on where you are. Watching the surf along Brackett’s Landing, take the short stroll to Waterfront Coffee for a cup of coffee or ice cream cone, or stroll a bit further

COME FIND YOUR

HAPPY PLACE!

101 Main St. Edmonds, WA 425-670-1400

Mon - Fri 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat & Sun 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

14 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

- Jennifer Dean, Edmonds

From the artist

A

s an artist in the Pacific Northwest, I find myself immersed in a world of enchanting landscapes, each brushstroke evoking the harmonious interplay between nature’s elements.

Towering evergreens, mist-laden mountains, dramatic seascapes, and rugged coastal cliffs are my muse, guiding my hand across the paper.

Through delicate, ethereal watercolor interpretations, I blend pigments and harness the fluidity of water. Each painting is an ode to the natural world, awakening a sense of wonder and reminding us of our responsibility to protect and cherish the fragile ecosystems that surround us.

In a time when screens and distractions dominate our lives, creating something tangible with my hands brings me peace, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. I believe art can help heal trauma and anxiety in ways other experiences can’t, and I feel pulled to capture calming scenes that bring others that same feeling of respite.

Each of my pieces inspires a renewed appreciation for the interwoven tapestry of nature and humanity, reminding us how deeply we’re connected to the landscapes that surround us. Through my art, I invite you to pause, breathe, and embark on a voyage to rediscover your personal connection to the natural world.

To see more of Jennifer’s work, visit jenniferelizabeth studios.com. n Photo courtesy of Jennifer Dean

Artist's Corner

In addition to sharing her artwork on her website, Jennifer Dean shares some of her go-tos for books and podcasts, as well as recommending art supplies.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 15

Power to the people No day is the same for PUD line crews

By David Pan

T

A Day in the Life

Photo by David Pan

16 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

hey are the unsung heroes in the eyes of many.

They often work under extreme conditions – when it’s cold or hot, windy or rainy, even when it snows.

They spend days away from their families during the holidays because of their dedication.

Without them, it is almost impossible for people to go about their daily lives – because when the power goes out in the Pacific Northwest, life comes to a standstill.

The men and women of Snohomish County PUD’s line crews are a rare breed.

The numbers confirm that.

In the United States, there are about 120,000 lineworkers who install, service, and repair residential, commercial, and industrial electrical lines. As of 2023, an estimated 6,100 women are employed in the field. PUD has two women among its 90 lineworkers. In contrast, the country has about a million career and volunteer firefighters.

Line foreman Nic Belisle is coming up on his 20th year with Snohomish County PUD. The Arlington resident previously worked as a commercial electrician before he was hired as a line apprentice. He was promoted to lineman, and two years ago he accepted a line foreman position.

Asked what a typical day is like for a

Line foreman Nic Belisle has worked for Snohomish County PUD for 20 years. He was initially hired as a line apprentice, was promoted to lineman, and two years ago was named a line foreman.

lineworker, Belisle said there really isn’t one.

“Every one is unique. I don’t know that I’ve ever worked two storms that were the same.”

In August 2015, Snohomish County was struck by a rare summer windstorm. As Belisle drove around, he noticed how the storm upended cottonwood trees throughout the county.

“Every one of them was bent and tipped over to the north. Every single one. It didn’t matter where you went.

They were always tipped over to the north."

Line crews might run into a single tree across a road during a typical windstorm. The unusual summer storm resulted in multiple trees blocking roads.

“It was every day. We cut so much wood out of the road.”

Photo courtesy of Snohomish County PUD

Preparation No one, especially Snohomish County PUD, likes to be caught off guard when a major wind or snowstorm hits.

PUD leadership monitors the weather reports and, if a storm is expected to hit, Belisle and others will arrive to work a couple of hours early to make sure vehicles are stocked with the necessary equipment and supplies.

Snohomish County is located in the Puget Sound Convergence Zone – where strong westerly winds can flow around the Olympic Peninsula and converge over Puget Sound – which often leads to extreme

Here’s what to do during a power outage

R

esidents should report power outages to Snohomish County PUD by calling 425-783-1001 or by going to the PUD’s outage map at outagemap.snopud.com.

• Text updates: Customers can sign up for outage text alerts through the PUD’s outage map (outagemap.snopud. com) and self-service phone system (425-783-1001). Report your outage on the PUD’s outage map and click the box to opt-in to outage text alerts. On the phone, opt-in to text alerts when you report your outage.

• Storm updates on the map: During large storms or significant outage events, PUD will provide regular updates on the outage map to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and can make informed decisions.

• Crew updates: During storms, once a PUD crew is assigned to your outage, you’ll be updated via text message if you’ve signed up, and an estimated time of restoration will be updated on the PUD’s outage map.

Photo courtesy of Snohomish County PUD

Snohomish PUD crews work to set a new utility pole (top) in the aftermath of a storm in January 2020. Snohomish County PUD crews work on restoring power after a significant windstorm in November 2022 (bottom).

weather events.

“We’re in a very unique area,” said Belisle. “It seems like we’re in a direct line for a lot of these windstorms that come off the peninsula.”

Snohomish County PUD provides electric service to 875,000 residents and more than 373,000 homes and businesses in the county and Camano Island. Line crews are based out of different locations to serve their respective communities.

To get to locations with downed power lines, PUD crews have to be able to travel safely on roads.

The county or cities will close roads blocked by trees or branches. That’s one of the reasons for frustrating delays in restoring power.

“We’re not just out there putting the lines back up,” said Belisle. “We’re clearing the roads so we can get in there to work.”

He added that PUD crews try to ensure that the roads are passable for all vehicles, not just their trucks. “It’s not really power-related, except for the fact that it allows us

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 17

to get to the site to fix power issues.”

Given the choice between wind or snowstorms, Belisle would choose the former. He hates snowstorms.

“Windstorms come in and knock everything down. We can put it back up. Snowstorms, they just drag on and on and on. We’ll fix something and drive away, and the snow breaks another branch and brings the lines right back down.

“Access issues are brutal. You can chain up and unchain. It just drags on the crew.”

Long hours Lineworkers log long shifts under normal circumstances.

When winter storms hit, overtime is off the charts.

Belisle doesn’t work many 40-hour shifts anymore, but he has in the past. He might still pull one at the start of a significant storm.

“The most I’ve worked is five or six 40-hour shifts in a row.

So we’d work 40 hours and go home for eight.”

Belisle prefers 16-hour shifts, followed by eight hours of rest. Many lineworkers clock in at 6 a.m. and clock out at 10 p.m. But some still work 24-hour shifts.

Or even longer.

“If we’re in the middle of a job, and it’s going to take two more hours, we don’t leave the job,” he said.

Lineworkers previously were subject to strict 16-hour shift limits. The restriction didn’t last, he said.

Snohomish County PUD line workers demonstrate how they would rescue an injured worker on a pole during a safety and storm prep event at the PUD’s Arlington Microgrid site.

Photo by David Pan

18 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

“We were driving away before the job could even get done. It’s not fair to the customer. It’s not fair to the crew that are just there to try and do what we’re supposed to.”

The hardest part of the job for Belisle is finding a work-life balance, especially during the winter and holiday seasons. He and other lineworkers try to spend as much time as possible with their families during the summer and other less busy months.

When the days start getting shorter and the temperatures get colder, they know the winter storm season is approaching.

The job takes a toll on Belisle’s family life.

“You’re seeing your kids for a week because you’re working a storm, and then the week after the storm you’re grumpy all week because you’re tired and stressed out.”

He has been with PUD since his children were born, so they are used to his long hours.

Overtime isn’t likely to go down anytime soon.

“We have increased our overtime for crews because of the severity of storms,” said PUD spokesperson Aaron

Photo by David Pan

Swaney. “Storms are getting bigger. They’re taking longer to restore.”

The PUD continues to see significant growth throughout the county. The utility is keeping more work in-house instead of contracting it out.

“Come Friday night when there’s an outage,” said Belisle, “a lot of the guys have already worked 50 to 60 hours that week.”

A second family PUD’s line crews are a tight-knit group.

During certain parts of the year, lineworkers spend more time with each other than they do with their spouses or children.

“We’re a big family,” said Belisle.

“I know the kids of the guys on my crew. I know their wives. We all care for each other. We’re a pretty small group. But we’re dedicated to each other.”

Belisle is responsible for the safety of his crew, a job he takes seriously.

PUD has one of the country’s most comprehensive safety programs, said Belisle, who added that line-

Photo courtesy of Snohomish County PUD

PUD line foreman Nic Belisle (top) supervises a crew that is installing underground electrical wiring in Arlington. Line foreman Nic Belisle (left) said that Snohomish County PUD has one of the country’s most comprehensive safety programs.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 19

Photo courtesy of Snohomish County PUD

Snohomish County PUD crews respond to a snowstorm in January 2020.

workers undergo extensive training, unlike many other trade jobs in such industries as logging or fishing.

The utility company has cut its recordable injury rates in half in the last six years, and posted its best safety numbers ever last year, Swaney noted.

“Safety is always our No. 1 priority,” said Belisle. “And it’s not just the old saying of ‘everybody goes home at the end of the day.’ It’s ‘everybody goes home healthy at the end of the day.’ That’s a big part of my job – to be the person who can look at the big picture of the job and be like ‘watch out for that.’”

Despite the demands of the profession and the extended time away from family, Belisle still has a passion for his job.

Just like no two storms are the same, a lineworker’s day is rarely the same.

When he was an electrician, Belisle would install lights in ceilings for three weeks, followed by wiring them. “Our job is so variable that you could be doing something one day, and you might not do the same thing for another

20 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

month. All of us that do the trade The best part about the and enjoy the job is giving back to the trade are geared community – feeling like the same way where we like that you’re a part of something – the newness of a bigger. You’re helping variety of work.” keep people’s power Belisle also and lights on and just knows he and his crew are making progressing with jobs a difference in so people can build that people’s lives. “The new house or that new best part about the job is giving commercial building. back to the community – feeling like you’re a part of something bigger.

You’re helping keep people’s power and lights on and just progressing with jobs so people can build that new house or that new commercial building.” n

Local News YOUR Way

Support your local newspaper. Subscribe Today!

* Weekly newspaper * 24/7 online access

n ONLINE

n MAIL

n PHONE

mukilteobeacon.com edmondsbeacon.com millcreekbeacon.com

Complete the form below, include payment and mail to Beacon Publishing 728 3rd St, Suite D, Mukilteo, WA 98275

425-347-5634

Subscriber Information:

Call

Select One: n Mukilteo -Print/Online n Edmonds -Print/Online n Mill Creek -Online

Name: ________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City / State / Zip: ______________________ Email: ________________________________ Phone: ___________________________ Req’d For Online Access:

Username: _____________________________ Password: ________________________ Username & Password must consist of 7-15 letters and/or numbers only

n 1-Year $69.00 n Check # _______

Credit Card # (Visa, Mastercard, Discover)

n 6-Months $45.00 n Credit / Debit Card

Enter “temp1234” if you’d like to login to the website to update your password

n Auto-Renew every term w/ cc# below ____(initial) Exp Date

Sec Code

n n n n n n n n n nnn nnnn nn nn nnn Mukilteo Beacon & Edmonds Beacon subscriptions include a weekly newspaper mailed directly to you, and unlimited 24/7 access to the online newspaper.

Mill Creek Beacon subscriptions include unlimited 24/7 access to the online newspaper THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 21

Finding shelter Partnerships provide progress toward reducing homelessness

By Brian Soergel and Brenda Kohlmyer

N

Nataly Spencer’s tiny home on Whidbey Island has given her a new sense of purpose. It’s where she raises her two children and bonds with community while also working as a teacher, caregiver, and language interpreter.

22 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Photo Nataly Spencer

ataly Spencer finally feels at home.

The 33-year-old single mom, who previously lived in a homeless shelter, feels her life has turned around for herself and her two children after finding a “tiny home” in the city of Langley on Whidbey Island.

After showing proof of income, explaining her background, passing a background check, and providing references, she was accepted into the cottage homes offering low-income housing.

“It was such a blessing since life was full of challenges and difficulties,” said Spencer, a teacher, caregiver, and language interpreter. “I finally found a place I can call home. This little community is so helpful and respectful. I feel safe. I feel privacy.”

The homes came to fruition by South Whidbey residents Coyla Shepard and Maralie Johnson, who wanted to address the rental housing shortage by creating Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ (THiNC) to offer affordable housing for South Whidbey residents.

The community is part of a growing trend of public and private partnerships in Puget Sound providing small but meaningful progress in giving individuals and families hope for brighter futures.

In Everett, on a blockand-a-half off a stretch of Highway 99 lined with car dealerships, a 24-hour Walgreens, and frequent bus service, a new tiny home neighborhood has come together after several years of planning and roughly six weeks of construction.

Faith Family Village now provides hope for unsheltered people who need help transitioning to a better and more fulfilling life.

In Edmonds, meanwhile, Madrona Highlands broke ground May 23 and, when completed, the three-story development on 236th Street SW will provide much-needed housing for 52 families with children.

Half of the units will be dedicated to families coming directly from homelessness. The remaining half will be for families with low incomes who earn less than 50% of the area median income, which equates to $68,500 for a family of four.

In Edmonds, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, and other cities in Snohomish County and Puget Sound, there are certainly services available for those who find themselves on the streets due to circumstances beyond their control.

Photo courtesy of Nataly Spencer

Nataly Spencer, with her two children: “I am in love with this place. It’s a great opportunity to start over and move forward."

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 23

Photo courtesy of F.A.

To live in one of the tiny homes on Whidbey Island, residents must pass a background check and have steady work. Residents pay rent of up to 35% of their gross income.

“This tiny home is a blessing to me and my family,” said F.A., who didn’t want her full name revealed.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services provides social services, while local municipalities and county human services departments provide resources and aid.

Last year, in fact, Snohomish County, using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, purchased America’s Best Value Inn in Edmonds and Days Inn in Everett to provide temporary housing for those in need.

All together the program, called New Start Centers, provides 126 units.

Local school districts do what they can, too. The McKinney-Vento Act is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in U.S. public schools.

For example, the Mukilteo, Edmonds, and Everett school districts work with homeless students and their families to provide stability in school attendance and other services.

Eligible homeless students may be provided district services, including the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), the federally funded Title I, special education, bilingual education, vocational and technical education programs, gifted and talented programs, and school nutrition programs.

It all helps, because contrary to some public perception, many individuals and families seeking help are

24 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

otherwise functional members of the community.

But many are hampered by the region’s spiraling real estate and rent costs, gas prices, and inflationary hikes on essentials whose costs have not abated with the lessening of the pandemic.

Tiny houses in Langley Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ, which opened in June, is privately funded and built with volunteer labor. There’s an onsite caretaker.

The project came to fruition with help from individuals, businesses, organizations, churches, and more than 60 volunteers.

Before starting Tiny Homes, Coyla Shepard was a board member on the Whidbey Homeless Coalition, a three-month transitional program.

“But we were short of homes to move tenants to after their stay,” she said. “It was the great need that provoked me to get involved. Before starting with the Homeless Coalition, I found out that three of our teens and their widowed mother were going to be homeless Jan 1.

“Imagine, the County planned to give them a tent as there were no apartments available. Fortunately, on Dec. 30, my church took them in until an apartment opened in March.”

Tenants have to live and work or volunteer in South Whidbey. There’s an income threshold, and no drugs are allowed. Rent is paid on a sliding scale based on income. After THiNC pays all utilities, rent can be up to 35% of a monthly income.

Shepard said there is a mix of residents; the oldest is 84 and the two youngest are 19.

“We have those in their middle years and those Photo courtesy of Nataly Spencer over 65. We have three men and six women, two of whom have children.”

Nataly Spencer's 264-square-foot home is indeed a tiny home. She said she has learned to The 25,200-square-foot lot includes a communal live simply while sharing a living room and taking breaks on her front porch. house, nine tiny houses, walking paths, outdoor recreation areas, and a vegetable garden in a park-like for the future. setting.

“We are all friendly and supportive people,” said SpenSpencer’s 264-square-foot home has a small kitchen, cer.

“I am in love with this place. It’s a great opportunity bedroom, living room, and bathroom with a shower, as to start over and move forward.” well as room for storage. A porch features two AdironAnother resident, who wanted to go by her initials, dack chairs. Residents share a laundry room.

F.M, has two children, ages 4 and 14. She is a teacher in “To save things, I have learned to live simply,” she said. a day care that’s walking distance from her new home.

“The community is very organized. We all have schedShe makes $20 an hour. ules, and we pay for using the laundry machine. We “This tiny home is a blessing to me and my family,” she have a garden, and we all have chores to keep this place said.

“The rent is 35% of my gross income. It includes all organized and attractive. We have regular meetings utilities, and there is no other house option in Langley with the people on the boards to speak about projects

DISASTER PREP & STORM RECOVERY

CATER WITH US FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SHOP A WIDE VARIETY OF GIFTS

FIND OUT MORE & ENROLL

By purchasing products and services through our enterprises, you help trainees in our job training program receive the vital work experience needed to achieve living wage employment.

hopewrks.org | 425.610.4931 | 3331 Broadway, Everett, 98201

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 25

Illustration courtesy of Housing Hope

that I could afford. I am very grateful for this project. I think it is truly an example of what as a community we can achieve when we put love first.”

Information: thincwhidbey.com.

Housing Hope in Edmonds Housing Hope’s first development located in south

When complete, Housing Hope’s apartments in Edmonds will be reserved for homeless families and low-income families who earn less than 50% of the area median income.

Snohomish County, in partnership with Edmonds Lutheran Church, will sit on 1.35 acres of vacant ground east of the church near Highway 99.

While half will be dedicated to homeless families, the remaining half will be for low-income families who earn less than 50% of the area median income, which is $68,500 for a family of four.

As the Beacon has reported, Edmonds Lutheran Church had been searching for a good fit to provide affordable housing in Edmonds for the past couple of years.

Housing Hope, founded in 1987, finalized the purchase of the land for $1.578 million. The project is expected to cost about $30 million, with funding from a variety of sources, including low-income housing tax credits, county and state funding designated for housing, low-interest construction loans, community development bank financing, and donations.

Oakland, California-based Beneficial State Bank, which has a history of supporting nonprofits in King and Snohomish counties, contributed $16.5 million to the construction financing that will be paid down to a $6.35 million loan at the end of construction.

The Edmonds-based Hazel Miller Foundation was among those providing funding for the housing with a $750,000 capital grant.

Information: housinghope.org.

Faith Family Village Faith Family Village has emerged behind the Faith Food Bank’s building, which is itself behind Faith Lutheran Church on Cady Road in south Everett.

Roxana Boroujerdi is the executive director of both

26 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

the new neighborhood and the food bank. She says she’s thrilled to see the project come to fruition and provide eight families in need of a warm, dry shelter with four beds and a locking door.

The village has eight sleeping shelters, a bathroom, and a community room, space enough for up to 32 adults and children to come in off the streets and get support to build a new life.

Based on the Snohomish County 2022 Point in Time count of unsheltered people, when it’s full Faith Family Village will be helping roughly 3% of the county’s 1,184 people experiencing homelessness.

Families can stay in this transitional housing for 90 days, and Boroujerdi said support staff will help residents get children registered in school, help adults obtain copies of lost IDs and paperwork necessary to apply for permanent housing, and begin to pull together the things they will need to move into an apartment.

Boroujerdi said one question she is often asked when explaining transitional housing is, “Why don’t you just move families directly into permanent housing?”

She tells them that “Most families coming from a car or a tent are not prepared to set up a new apartment. Temporary housing allows the families to get reestablished.”

The staff working to prepare the shelter brings in small but necessary items of apartment living, sheets and bedding, storage boxes, and pillows – some donated from an Amazon wish list.

Families add personal touches when they move in – bright curtains on the windows or children’s artwork on the walls.

The first families moved in before the Oct. 10 grand opening.

The fact that this tiny neighborhood could viably move from a groundbreaking at the end of August to sheltering eight families six to eight weeks later is thanks in part to a modern civilian version of the Quonset hut.

During World War II, the American military developed Quonset huts as a way to quickly build – and, when necessary, move – temporary barracks for troops and materials storage.

Constructed of sheet metal, the half-circle shells were often repurposed for rural outbuildings and the occasional house after the structures were surplused in the 1960s and ‘70s.

For half a century, the idea of easily transported and easily assembled shelters stagnated. However, during the 1990s, in the wake of increasingly more damaging hurricanes and multiple earthquakes in populated areas, manufacturers began to design palletized housing that could be transported to disaster areas in flat packs and quickly assembled in open fields with minimal tools or experience.

One of those manufacturers is Pallet, a public benefit company based in Everett. While their shelters can be used in rapid response to natural disasters, the company has

Photo by Brenda Kohlmyer

Everett’s Faith Family Village is transitional housing for families, where they can stay for three months. They will get support and resources to help them find permanent housing.

It’s Your Home.

Not Just Any Handyman Will Do.

425.403.4004

pugetsound@acehandymanservices.com • AceHandymanServices.com/Offices/SnoCo Licensed, bonded and insured. One year warranty.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 27

focused on providing shelters to cities and community organizations, such as Faith Family Village, working to address the homelessness crisis.

According to the company’s website, it regularly works with local governments in conjunction with charitable nonprofit organizations, and that’s the case with Faith Family Village as well.

The City of Everett purchased the Pallet shelters, in part with earmark funding secured by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington’s Second Congressional District.

Faith Lutheran Church is providing the site, and Interfaith Family Shelter will manage the community, providing staff with expertise in helping families find resources and other support.

This is the second Pallet community that Interfaith Family Shelter will manage in Snohomish County. It operates with a combination of small-dollar donations collected through its website and funding through the county’s Ending Homelessness Program.

Kelsey Nyland, communications director with the Snohomish County Executive’s Office of Recovery and Resilience, explained that Interfaith Family Shelter is one of nine organizations that receive funds from local document recording fees collected during real estate transactions.

Other organizations receiving funds through the county’s Ending Homelessness Program include Lutheran Community Services NW, Housing Hope, the YWCA, and Volunteers of America, which will provide Faith Family Village residents with money management skills and training to become “good renter certified.”

According to Nyland, people can either call 2-1-1 or use Washington state’s online 2-1-1 database of local resources for people who are in crisis or trying to stay out of crisis.

She stressed that the need is currently greater than the resources. “Housing is especially challenging, as there is a lack of housing available. Low-income housing has very low vacancy rates and there are often long waitlists.”

One of the ways organizations help people avoid these long waitlists is by providing rent support to people who reach out before they lose their current housing.

Most rental assistance programs are offered through charitable organizations, but some people, particularly college students, can apply for housing assistance through their schools.

People who are currently homeless can access the site online and search for programs that might offer temporary shelter or other housing support, including the Faith Family Village.

For more Information: wa211.org/ n

Let’s talk about the reality!

Home ownership and getting the next generation into a home and making their own wealth Do you wake up in the morning to hear your grandkids singing about sharks?

Does your daughter and son-in-law tell you that they need to save 20% for a down payment on a house?

Do your 30-something kids tell you that your couch just isn’t ‘working’ for them?

Greg Elwin Realtor

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then

IT’S TIME YOU CALLED ME!

360.789.5557 greg@gregelwin.com www.moveyourkidsout.com

28 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Scan Me

Holiday Favorites P

By Chris Trujillo

ut away the Halloween candy. The holidays are just around the corner. Yes, and with them come joyfulness, kindness, and warmth.

There’s more: Hallmark movies, Bing Crosby and Mariah Carey on the radio, and brilliant holiday lights illuminating the night skies of south Snohomish County.

But here comes another holiday delight: The anticipation of mouth-watering dishes, from traditional favorites to various cultural cuisines.

The cultural “We wait all year for this time of the year,” said Mukilteo resident Daniela Perez, who cooks with her Latin American heritage in mind. “Christmas is our favorite holiday. We go to midnight mass, and we wrap presents. But what we look forward to most is our family dinners. In our culture, food is at the center of the holidays.”

Perez said Christmas pork is her meat of choice;

Whether traditional or new, here are some options to consider this season her family especially looks forward to spicy meat. But when she hosts Thanksgiving every other year, she favors carne asada – beef – over turkey.

“When you have about 20 or more people over for dinner, it’s quite hectic, so we rotate. So far, it has worked out well. We get a break this year, and I can’t tell you what a relief that is. Don’t get me wrong, we love hosting, but the stress and the mess can get overwhelming, so relaxing and enjoying the holidays is nice.”

The last three times she has hosted Thanksgiving, Perez has dished up her favorite meal, carne asada clasica. “It’s a dish for those who love bold flavors. There’s a traditional way to prepare carne asada, but how I make it comes down from my mother and her mother.”

Perez said she didn’t want to share her full recipe.

“Otherwise, my sister will figure it out, and I can’t have that,” she said with a laugh.

You see, the siblings have had a long-lasting and loving rivalry. Fair enough.

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 29

Here’s a recipe for carne asada we can definitely share:

Carne Asada • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced • 4 cloves minced garlic • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro • 1/3 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 2 tsp chili powder • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp dried mexican oregano • 1 tsp ancho chili powder • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper • 2 pounds flank steak or skirt steak, excess fat removed

cess marinade. Pat steak dry with paper towels and drizzle with a touch of olive oil, enough to coat each side. Season lightly with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides.

Preheat grill for direct heat grilling at high heat (450500°F). Grill steak with the lid closed for 4-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. Skirt steak will be closer to 4 minutes per side and flank steak will be closer to 6-8 minutes per side.

Remove steak and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and serve.

Photo courtesy of FoodandWine.com

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients except the steak for the marinade.

Place the steak in a large baking dish or gallon-size ziplock bag and pour the marinade on top. Turn the steak a few times until it’s completely coated with the marinade and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Do not marinate longer than 8 hours because the meat will start to break down and get mushy.

Remove the steak from the marinade and discard any ex-

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree at Edmonds College • Advanced Manufacturing & Materials Engineering Technology (AMMET) • Child, Youth, & Family Studies (CYFS) • Information Technology - Application Development (ITAD) • Integrated Healthcare Management (IHCM) • Robotics & AI (ROBAI) — Coming 2024 FOR MORE INFO SCAN THIS QR CODE

30 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

The favorite: Turkey Of course, turkey remains the overwhelming favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Many have their own tried-and-true recipes for cooking their turkey. And, the stuffing: Most include herbs, spices, vegetables, fruit (maybe), gravy, and cranberry sauce. But Photo from ClipArt.com the adage “to each their own” rings true.

Whether you cook your turkey with tradition in mind or are daring enough to deep fry it, there are numerous ways to prepare your bird.

When cooking your turkey the conventional way, the rule depends on the weight of your turkey. Overall cooking times range from two to five hours. If you prefer to deep fry it, we consulted QFC’s turkey expert, Rick, who did not want to give his last name.

(In fact, “Rick” isn’t his real first name, either. It appears that many chefs are unwilling to divulge secrets.

Yes, chef!)

“I deep fry my turkey,” said Rick. “I cooked my turkey the traditional way for decades until, one day, my buddies and I were enjoying football and spirits and decided to try it. It’s the best turkey I have ever had. But I do recommend that anyone who tries it be super careful.”

Rick recommends frying your bird for three to four hours, depending on its weight. For white meat, cook it to an internal temperature of 165-175 degrees. The internal temperature for dark meat should range from 175 to 180 degrees.

Asian-sautéed green beans with shrimp • 2 lbs. green beans (trim both ends and cut into 1-1/2" pieces) • 1 tbsp crushed garlic • 3/4 cup chopped onions • 1/4 tsp chopped shallots • 1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/2 lb medium-sized, deveined shrimp • 1 tsp garlic for the shrimp • 1/2 cup chopped, cooked bacon (cut in half-inch pieces, cooked separately until crispy. Set aside. Get rid of oil/fat) • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper

It just seems wrong not to have a side dish with a main meal.

Orthodontist Jacqueline de Leon-Estes of Mukilteo’s Harbour Pointe Orthodontics agreed (yes!) to share her mom’s Filipino green bean recipe, ginisang sitaw (long beans). A gifted chef, de Leon-Estes morphed the side dish into her own version.

Jacqueline de Leon-Estes, who makes a holiday side dish of Asian-sautéed green beans with shrimp, at home in her Mukilteo kitchen. She received the recipe from her mother but made it her own.

Photo courtesy of Jacqueline de Leon-Estes

Those side dishes

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 31

Photo courtesy of 2SistersRecipes.com

Steam green beans for 5 minutes to tenderize.

Set beans aside.

In a small skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp crushed garlic, mix in shrimp, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for less than a minute. Do not overcook. Shrimp will finish cooking once mixed in with the green beans. Cooking the shrimp separately gives it that crisp seasoned taste on the outside. Set aside.

In a medium pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until light brown, add onions and cook until translucent.

Add bacon. “I add the chopped tomatoes, cook, and mash until it reaches sauce consistency for about 5 minutes,” said deLeon-Estes. “I’ll add the green beans and cook until the beans are tender but not overcooked, which usually takes three to four minutes.”

She’ll then season with salt and pepper and add shrimp and shallots. “I stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Then, I’ll reduce the heat to low until ready to serve. Presto!”

READY FOR A CHANGE? So are we...

Are you ready for a change? So are we at Harbour Pointe.

We’re under new management and excited to show you our fresh approach to serving seniors in Mukilteo. You and your family are in great hands with us.

We provide superior care in a supportive environment where love and respect abound, cultivating true relationships and positive experiences every day.

Schedule a Tour Today. Call (425) 541-7598 10200 Harbour Place, Mukilteo, WA 98275 | www.hpretire.com

32 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Discover Mukilteo’s Clothing Sample Store Women | Men | Accessories

OPEN: Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Martine Grube

Après-turkey For some, turkey or beef is just the warm-up. Desserts can rule the actual celebration. Rich and creamy treats are hard to resist, even if you’re watching your waistline.

“Remember that the holidays are only a few days per year,” said Megan Ellison. She knows what she’s talking about: She’s a dietitian at Sound Dietitians in Edmonds.

“So, please, don’t put too much emphasis on making holiday food super nutritious. What matters more for health is the overall dietary and activity patterns for the rest of the year. Hopefully, everyone will truly enjoy the celebrations with friends and family without the potential guilt associated with the occasional indulgences.”

You can guess what the iconic dessert for the holidays is. In fact, the Culinary Institute of America confirms it: pumpkin pie!

There are several ways to make the pie, of course.

Many have their recipes, so unless you already have a recipe or buy yours, try the internet for different ways to make enough pies for at least a week. You might discover the best pumpkin pie you’ve ever tasted.

May we suggest the “Perfect Pumpkin Pie” from Seattle-based allrecipes.com, which just happens to be co-founded by former Edmonds-Woodway High School teacher David Quinn.

www.MukilteoSampleStore.com

425-822-6600

3616 South Road Suite B2, Mukilteo, WA 98275

HOLIDAY TO DO LIST Find venue for holiday happ

Buy Thanksgiving, holiday

PICK UP WINE!!!

& NYE décor

GIFTS: friends, family, that relative who has evclierenytts, co-workers, hing

Traditional kringle pastry If you’re Scandinavian, the flaky kringle is the gem of all desserts you should experience at least once.

The delectable puff pastry has become incredibly popular, according to Everett’s master kringle maker, Lisa Rasmussen.

“The kringle dessert I make has been passed down from my mother-in-law’s grandmother’s recipe,” she said. “It’s also been passed down through generations on their Norwegian family side.”

Beware, though, mastering it requires a significant amount of time.

“I’ve been trying to perfect kringle for decades,” said Seattle’s Scandinavian Club member Sylvia Larsen.

y hour

Enjoy a glass of wine after clearing this list at Vie & Vin WINE TASTINGS

WINE BY THE GLASS & BOTTLE

172 SUNSET AVE.

GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

VIEANDVIN.COM THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 33

“I bake it every Christmas. My family loves it, but I have yet to perfect it. I remember begging my grandmother to give me her recipe when she was alive, but she said that if I made it as well as she did, she would no longer be the superstar at Christmas. She was so funny, but ornery.”

(Like we said, some hold onto their recipes!)

But here’s one you might try:

Pastry Dough: • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup bread flour • 3 tbsp granulated sugar • 2 tsp instant yeast • 1 tsp fine sea salt • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2” pieces • 1/3 cup whole milk, cold • 1 egg, large, cold • 1 egg white, for egg wash

Filling: Photo courtesy of PlatterTalk.com

• 1.5 cups pecans, finely chopped • 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature

Explore your neighborhood by bus

Community Transit gets you where you want to go — in your local neighborhood, throughout Snohomish County, and beyond.

Make the bus a part of your journey, save money on gas, and enjoy the ride.

113

Mukilteo to Lynnwood

116

Edmonds to Mill Creek & Silver Firs

PLAN A TRIP

communitytransit.org/localtrip

34 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Icing: • 1 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 pinch fine sea salt Combine the flours, sugar, salt and yeast in a mixing bowl and stir together. Cut in the butter until it looks like coarse crumbs.

Whisk together the egg and milk in a separate bowl.

Add to the dry ingredients and knead the dough until smooth. Gently pat the dough into a square or rectangle shape; seal and chill in the fridge for 6 to 48 hours.

On a lightly-dusted work surface, use a rolling pin and form the dough into a rectangle about 9 x 15 inches in size. Take the short ends of the dough and fold in toward the center (using about one-third of the dough on each end.) Turn the rolled and folded dough by 90 degrees and repeat this process using the same dimensions. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

For the kringle filling, combine the butter, brown sugar and nuts together in a bowl.

Spread the filling evenly on half of the 9 x 15 pastry dough lengthwise.

Fold the long side over the filling, pinch and tightly seal the seams on the side and on the ends.

Brush the egg wash over the top of the folded pastry.

Bake the kringle in a preheated 375 degree oven until it’s a golden-brown color, about 25 minutes. Place on a wire cooling rack.

In a small bowl, stir the powdered sugar, vanilla, sea salt and 3 to 4 tablespoons of water or milk. Spread the icing over the top of the pastry and allow it to dry.

The Scandinavian delight is well, a delight, so there’s a good amount of sugar and carbs. There are probably ways to make it less fattening, but when was the last time you ate a pie with a heavenly taste that was good for the waistline?

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WITH US!

Available around Mukilteo, Edmonds and Mill Creek

Don’t wait, schedule your ad for the Spring edition now! edmondssales@yourbeacon.net

The

At last look, the leaves are falling, the weather is cooling, and football enthusiasts have settled in front of their TVs. In no time, Thanksgiving decorations will be put up – then come the holiday lights – and kitchens across south Snohomish County will be filled with the delicious fragrances of festive meals. n

Beaco

M A G A Z I N

S

OUT OF TH E OR DINA Forget th e par Try a diffe ren day trip th t is su

INSIDE FAR M FR ES The benefi H ts of buy in from a S nohomish g County producer

UN

LOCKIN G TH E–PFALL / WINTER 2023 35 THEGBEACON MAGAZINE AS en h

etic genea

logy

T

TASTY G

IF

Season to Taste Baba Ghannouj Ingredients: • 1 eggplant (large) • ¼ cup Tahini paste • ½ to full squeezed lemon

• ½ tsp salt • 1 smashed clove of garlic

Directions: Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Rinse the eggplant, dry, and poke with fork in all sides then wrap with foil and put in the oven. Bake for 45-60 minutes. Must be tender enough to poke with a fork. Let cool before cutting off the end and splitting the eggplant.

Once cooked, peel the skin and blend eggplant flesh in a food processor with remaining ingredients.

Serve with Arabic pita bread.

Fattoush Salad Ingredients: • 1 heart of romaine lettuce • 3 large tomatoes • 1 English cucumber • 1 green pepper

• 5 radishes • 2 green onions • 1 cup chopped green mint • 1 cup chopped parsley

Dressing • ½ tsp salt • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp Sumac

• 1 smashed clove of garlic • 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses

Recipes provided by Directions: Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Dice the tomatoes, cucumber and green pepper in small, bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the radishes and green onions. Chop the mint and parsley. Add all vegetables to a bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the salad dressing ingredients until well combined.

Add the dressing to the salad and mix gently.

36 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Optional, cut pita bread in small squares and air fry or toast them, then top salad with them.

Note: Sumac and pomegranate molasses can be purchased online or at your local Mediterranean store. Adjust the dressing to your desired taste. If too thick add a teaspoon of water and/or squeeze of fresh lemon.

Haifa Fakih Alhussieni, owner of Café Louvre, Edmonds: "I am happy to share these two traditional vegan Lebanese recipes because they are requested often from friends & family."

Mukilteo is my home too!

Serving Mukilteo since 2000

TrusTed For GeneraTions

(425) 771-1234

TRUSTED. PATIENT. PRESSURE-FREE. Call me anytime for a no-obligation consultation.

Burial & Cremation Care Funerals & Celebrations of Life Pre-Planning Counseling Event Space Rental

Aranka Fruehauf | Managing Broker Certified Negotiation Expert, REALTOR® Call or text: 425-478-7270

405 5th Ave. S. Edmonds, WA www.HomesByAranka.com | aranka@windermere.com

Retirement Does Not Mean Retire From Life!

Contact us TODAY to learn about our move-in special!

4015 164th St SW, Lynnwood WA 98087

425.329.3294

of Lynnwood

QuailParkofLynnwood.com

THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023 37

Business Directory ADVERTISING / MARKETING / MEDIA

HEALTH CARE

REAL ESTATE cont.

SENIOR LIVING cont.

Beacon Publishing, Inc. Mukilteo Beacon Edmonds Beacon Mill Creek Beacon

Fedelta Home Care

Greg Elwin

Cogir Senior Living cont.

9725 3rd Avenue NE, Suite 301 Seattle, WA 98115 206-582-0339

Raintown Realty Mill Creek, WA 98012 360-789-5557

14905 Bothell-Everett Hwy Mill Creek, WA 98012 425-338-1580

HOME IMPROVEMENT

René Porubek, Broker/Realtor

Harbour Pointe Senior Living

728 3rd Street, Suite D Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-347-5634 mukilteobeacon.com edmondsbeacon.com millcreekbeacon.com

AIRPORT Paine Field Snohomish County Airport 3220 100th Street SW Everett, WA 98204 425-388-5125 painefield.com

ARTS / EDUCATION Schack Art Center 2921 Hoyt Avenue Everett, WA 98201 425-259-5050 schack.org

BARBERS Mickey’s Hometown Barbershop 405 Lincoln Avenue Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-347-2712

CEMETERY / FUNERAL HOME Beck’s Tribute Center 405 5th Avenue S Edmonds, WA 98020 425-771-1234 becksfuneralhome.com

EDUCATION Edmonds College 20000 68th Avenue W Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-640-1697

fedeltahomecare.com

Northlight Custom Builders, LLC 9800 Harbour Place, Suite 201 Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-977-9661

LANDSCAPING Edmonds Garden Rescue Edmonds, WA 98020 425-329-5934

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Everett, WA 98208 425-658-2050

456 Admiral Way Edmonds, WA 98020 425-771-4400

Waterfront Coffee

6127 139th Place SW Edmonds, WA 98026 425-218-6318 or 1-877-668-0866

waterfrontcoffee.com

Best Kept Secret 3616 South Road, Suite B-2 Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-822-6600 mukilteosamplestore.com

Duck Duck Books

Vie & Vin

20110 46th Avenue W Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-353-7433 communitytransit.org

REAL ESTATE Aranka Fruehauf

HomesByAranka.com

108 5th Avenue S Edmonds, WA 98020 coldwellbankerhomes.com/ wa/edmonds/agents wa/mill-creek/agents

WINDOW WASHING Clean & Clear Services

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Community Transit

quailparkoflynnwood.com

anthonys.com

713-505-5065

Coldwell Banker Bain

38 THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL / WINTER 2023

Anthony’s Homeport

outdoorlights.com/north-sound

HANDYMAN SERVICES

acehandymanservices.com/ offices/snoco

RESTAURANTS

RETAIL

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

hpretire.com

4015 164th Street SW Lynnwood, WA 98087 425-329-3294

3331 Broadway Everett, WA 98201 425-610-4931

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

10200 Harbour Place Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-541-7598

Quail Park of Lynnwood

HopeWorks

hopewrks.org

cogirseniorliving.com

realtyrene.com

101 Main Street, Suite 102 Edmonds, WA 98020 425-670-1400

edmonds.edu

425-403-4004

Windermere Real Estate M2, LLC 9502 19th Avenue SE, Suite A Everett, WA 98208 425-478-8864

northlightcustom.com

Windermere Real Estate North, Inc. Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-478-7270

Ace Handyman Services

raintownrealty.com

duckduckbooks.com

172 Sunset Avenue Edmonds, WA 98020 425-678-8280 vieandvin.com

SENIOR LIVING Anthology of Edmonds 21200 72nd Avenue W Edmonds, WA 98020 425-490-5141 anthologyedmonds.com

Cogir Senior Living 10605 NE 185th Street Bothell, WA 98011 425-487-3245 21500 72nd Avenue W Edmonds, WA 98026 425-776-3600

cleanandclearservices.com

s

EVENTS + EXHIBITI Schacktoberfest

September 7 - September 30

Connections: Celebrating Creative Collaborators October 12 - November 11

Holiday E hibition

Featuring the Korean American Artist Association of WA November 26 - January 6 ART CLASSES AVAILABLE!

Drawing - Fused Glass - Acrylics - Glassblowing Stained Glass - Ceramic - Fiber Arts - Jewelry - Basketry Mosaics - Printmaking - Watercolor - AND MORE! Scan the code for a full list of classes and workshops!

2921 Hoyt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 I 425.259.5050 I schack.org THE BEACON MAGAZINE – FALL/ WINTER 2023 39

Ask Us About Our Move-in Specials!

COGIR SENIOR LIVING, THE RIGHT KIND OF HOSPITALITY! From the freedom of independent living, the attentiveness of assisted living, to the reassurance of memory care, Cogir Senior Living is the right place for you or your loved one.

Our attention to resident care, combined with our premium amenities and well-curated activities, enrich our residents’ lifestyles and enhance their independence. Come and see what Cogir Senior Living can do for you!

Call or stop by one of our beautiful communities for a tour today!

10605 NE 185th Street Bothell, WA 98011

21500 72nd Avenue W Edmonds, WA 98026

14905 Bothell Everett Hwy. Mill Creek, WA 98012

(425) 487-3245

(425) 776-3600

(425) 338-1580 CogirSeniorLiving.com