Summer 2024
LET’S PICNIC
Businesses are ready to help nosh up your summer
INSIDE BIG BUBBLES
Nothing tiny here. Just big, glorious bubbles
TAKING A DIVE Snohomish County is seriously fun for divers
Come On In
A tale of two ports
TheportsofEverettandEdmondshaveplentyincommon. Boats,ofcourse,aswellasrestaurantsandsightseeing opportunities.Butonewantstodrasticallyenlargeits footprintwhiletheotherremainsrelativelysmall.
Artist’s Corner
Recent high-school graduate Brittany Brigham has a cellphone camera. But it just won’t do when her photo shoots take her favorite spots – the beach and Pike Place Market – and she has a real camera and a bevy of lenses to choose from.
Under the sea
Snohomish County is heaven for scuba divers. Both Edmonds and Mukilteo are prime spots for those who like to see the world from the bottom up. And there is plenty to look at, from the natural world to manmade objects.
These aren’t your kids’ bubbles
On many a warm day on the beach in Edmonds, you’ll find Gary Larson – aka the Bubble Man – as he lets loose hundreds of oversized bubbles as bystanders point and smile. But he doesn’t do it for them. It’s for himself.
Who’s
up for a summer picnic?
Summer in the Pacific Northwest means getting outside. Luckily, we have plenty of options in Snohomish County, and we’ll let you know where they are. Plus, learn about the history of picnics. Yes. There is a history.
Season to Taste
Executive Chef | Culinarian Loren Larsen from Table for 12 shares his recipe for cardamom carrot bars.
A Day in the Life
Aiden Lone says he’s found his niche as a park ranger. And, contrary to what many may think, he does not do the one thing you might expect – talk to people all day.
Online | In Print | Social Media
ForEdmondslongtime,themaximwasthis:
Formorethan40years,Edmonds’Olympic BalletSchool,theofficialschoolofOlympic BalletTheatre,hasbuiltareputationasthe leadingschoolofclassicalballetinnorth PugetSound. Under the direction of artistic director Mara VinsonandOlegGorboulev,theschoolreceived anOutstandingTeacherAwardin2022and 2024.Lastyear,itwashonoredastheOutstand ingSchoolattheSeattleRegionalYouthAmerica GrandPrixcompetition. Studentsbringhomethehonorsaswell. MultipleOlympicBalletSchoolstudentsparticipated intheYouthAmericanGrandPrix(YAGP)Seattle regionalcompetitionJan.5-8andtheAmericanDance Competition(ADC)DenversemifinalsFeb.2-4. summerTheyreceivedtopplacementsandscholarshipsfor intensivetraining.
of theworld’slargestballetcompetitionsfordancers ages9-21.Studentsfirstenterregionalcompetitions, rehearsingtheirclassicalandcontemporarysolosfor months in advance. ensembleGroupsoftwoormorestudentscancompeteinthe division.Topplacementsinthesemifinals offerstudentsopportunitiestowininvitationsand scholarshipsfortrainingatballetschoolsaroundthe
Aftersuccessfullycompetinginthesemifinals,select
Contributors
up.Don’tBallardizeus,citizenssaid.We’ve seenKirkland,andwelikeEdmondsjust Buttheharshrealityforanti-growthpropo-agementAct,SnohomishCountyguidance, andrecentlegislationfromOlympia,over thenext20yearstheCitysaiditneedsto accommodateanadditional13,000residents 9,000 indicatedWhiletheCity’spreviousplanningasurpluscapacityforpopulation andemploymentuntil2035,thecurrent planningforeseesadeficitofapproximately4,000residentsand500jobsby2044 SowhatmusttheCityofEdmondsdo? growthInadditiontoplanningforthisadditional asapartofitsrequiredcomprehensiveplanupdate–whichincludes importantland-usedecisions–itmust meettheaffordability,income,anddensity requirementsofHouseBills1220,1110, and1337,whichthestateLegislature adoptedin2021and2023. identifyTheCityisdevelopingalternativesto areassuitableforaccommodating growthtocomplywiththeStateEnviron mentalPolicyAct(SEPA)requirementsfor theComprehensivePlan’senvironmental impactstatement(EIS).ThesealternativesshowwaystheCity couldmeetitsforecastedpopulationand employmentgrowth.OnTuesday,councilmembersreviewed theproposeddraftgrowthalternatives, includingchangesrecommendedby thePlanningBoardandguidedbySeat tle-based
Perimeterfencenothappeningforpolice
MayorMikeRosenhasdecidedthatbecauseof theperilousnatureofEdmonds’finances,which includesa$20milliongeneralfunddeficit,hemust shelve the fence. “Asoneofthecost-savingmeasures amtaking,” hesaidthisweek,“Idirectedthatthecontractbe terminated.”AthisinauguralStateoftheCity,Rosensaid hewasimmediatelyreducingmorethan$3.2in expenses.Althoughnotspecificallymentioningthe fenceorexactlywhathe’scutting,themayormen tionedahiringfreeze,eliminatingprograms,stop pingsomepurchases,exploringoutsourcing(includ ingfortheMunicipalCourt),andothermeasures.
The cost: $270,000.That’snotgoingtohappen.Atleastnotsoon.
TheEdmondsPoliceDepartmentforyearshas requestedthatfundsbesetasideintheCity’s budgetforaperimeterfencetosurroundthePublic SafetyComplex,whichincludesthepolicestation andisthesiteofCityCouncilandmunicipalcourt hearings.Thefencewasfinallyapprovedinthe2022budget,whichwouldrequirerequestsforproposalsand other
Kassandra Alcala created Petunia’s Picnics during the COVID lockdowns. Because people were getting restless, unable to dine-in in restaurants, and indoor activities were limited, Alcala figured creating picnics was something she could do to help the community while simultaneously enjoying her creativeness. The public responded and happily took to the idea of a luxury picnic. Petunia’s provided an experience where people could remain safe outside and spend time with loved ones. Alcala would like to think Petunia’s brought first-year clients a bit of light during those dark times. Pictured: a private backyard picnic.
2 options for growth in Edmonds
Brian Soergel Managing Editor
Chris Trujillo Freelance Writer
David Pan Editor
Debbie Magill Design & Layout
Maria A. Montalvo Freelance Writer
Jenn Barker Publisher
Tina Novak Advertising Sales
Cover photo provided by Kassandra Alcala
Two ports,
Everett looks to expand, while Edmonds is in redevelopment
By Brian Soergel
It’s the tale of two ports. The Port of Everett, the largest in Snohomish County, wants to grow even larger. Voters will soon have their say.
The Port of Edmonds, meanwhile – the only public port between Shilshole Bay and Everett – is OK with its relatively small imprint.
For now, it seems.
On March 12, the Snohomish County Council unanimously approved a motion to place the Port of Everett’s
petition for boundary enlargement on the August primary ballot. How large? If voters approve and the port follows through on the plan, Everett’s port boundary could include most of Snohomish County, excluding the Port of Edmonds, Woodway, Edmonds, Esperance, and Point Wells.
The Beacon Magazine spoke with both port directors to get an overview of their operations and for a look into the near future.
Port of Everett
Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett CEO, acknowledges the burning question: If the port’s boundary expansion annexes most of Snohomish County, will all its residents pay taxes?
Yes.
Mooring docks and visitor docks at the Everett Marina, and moored boats at the Edmonds Marina (opposite page).
Port of Everett photo
two visions
two visions
By law, Lefeber cannot promote the expansion. But she can give facts. Foremost is that ports are the lowest taxing entities in the county at about 0.3% of the distribution. Port District property owners pay about $100 annually in port taxes, based on a $500,000 home, a number that is surely higher now.
The port – formed in 1918 – collects about 18.8 cents per $1,000, which is about $5.9 million, or 6.5%, of the Port’s 2024 budget. Taxes only fund capital projects, public access, and environmental cleanups.
The port now serves Everett, portions of Mukilteo, Marysville, and unincorporated Snohomish County. An example of the port’s development:
Two years ago, the port and the Mukilteo City Council adopted a vision and a set of guiding principles for the redevelopment of the Mukilteo waterfront. The 26 acres under study stretch from Lighthouse Park to Edgewater Park. The effort came after the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration decided not to proceed with a new research station at the Mukilteo waterfront. The property returned to the Port of Everett.
So why should all county residents pay into a port they may not ever have visited – or plan to visit?
A larger district would make port resources like matching port funds and state and federal funding sources available to more communities.
With nearly 830,000 residents and growing, only about 15% of Snohomish County has access to
certain port tools and investments. The port says this significantly restricts how it can help advance economic and community priorities across one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
“This is the first time in 106 years that Snohomish County residents will get to vote on the scale and scope of their port,” Lefeber said. “Snohomish County has changed dramatically in this time, so it will be good to give the new generation a voice in the matter.
“Ports were created for economic development, and economic development looks different in every community. Economic development could be, in some cases, building recreational assets such as a marina with shops and restaurants. Or it could be building a road, utilities, and fiber to an industrial park to be able to attract a large customer base that’s going to provide family-wage jobs.
“Infrastructure – whether it’s maritime, recreation, transportation, environmental, public access – is the common denominator of all of those investments.”
In the port industry, she adds, any kind of public investment the port receives in taxes returns to the community for infrastructure investment.
To do that, an important port function is to leverage federal investments – there are federal grants that only Washington ports are eligible for, as the state operates its ports differently from the rest of the nation.
It has the largest locally controlled public port system in the world. There are 75 port districts statewide, all governed by an elected commission and operated independently of local governing agencies. Port districts vary greatly across Washington state, but share a common goal: to provide economic stimulation for their communities.
Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber: “Ports were created for economic development, and economic development looks different in every community.”
Photo courtesy Port of Everett
Port of Edmonds photo
How do other countries and states operate? Canada has a federal port, so the federal government dumps hundreds of millions of dollars into its port infrastructure.
Lefeber gave two examples of states in the U.S. – Georgia and Maryland (Port of Baltimore) specifically.
“They’re part of the overall general fund of the general purpose government but have their own economic development arm. Washington and state courts are special use districts so we’re our own independent entity.”
So, locally, the Port of Everett is not that large.
“But if you add us all together,” said Lefeber, “and you look at the industry, ports are important. But on a federal level, when a court weighs in on a project, specifically, or is involved, or a named partner in a project, and it involves the efficient movement of freight and supply chain, it ranks higher on grant applications. So just having us at the table makes a difference in competitiveness.”
Lefeber gives inland Monroe as an example.
“They’re looking at a lot of grade-crossing removal. Right now, all we can do is give a letter of support. If the (boundary expansion)
was approved, grade crossing removal – similar to what we’ve done in Everett – would be something that would be an opportunity.”
Lefeber said only about 15% of the county’s population has access to port economic development tools and resources.
“The Port of Everett is one of the largest ports in the state that doesn’t serve a county-wide district. (The expansion), if passed, would allow the port to make sure of economic
Port of Everett photo
Enjoying the sunset in Port Gardner Bay at the Port of Everett.
and community priorities across the county – from transportation and supply-chain improvements to public access, environmental enhancements, and more.”
If passed by a simple 50% plus one vote, the port would be required to address governance by submitting to voters on whether to increase the number of port commissioners from three to five.
Port of Edmonds
Like the Port of Everett, the Port of Edmonds has a limited footprint. So small that only a small percentage of the city’s residents have a say in its election of commissioners. The port’s district boundaries were established when created in 1948 – the marina was built in 1962 – and the city of Edmonds was much smaller.
Part of the reason the Edmonds port was created was because, in the late 1940s, the Port of Everett was in discussion to include all of Snohomish County as part of its district, as the Port of Seattle had done. “Taxpayers approved the formation of the district, in part, to retain local control and preservation of the waterfront,” according to “A Brief History of the Port of Edmonds,” a booklet on the port’s website. “Considering that the citizens of this area were being asked to tax themselves, it is noteworthy that the issue passed by a remarkable 985–58 margin, a 94% majority,” the booklet noted.
“After the election, proponents of the port district had wished that the boundaries were double in size. A wish that is still talked about today.”
Since then, the city has grown through annexations while the port district has not. Simply, the port and city are not contiguous. Residents must live inside the port district to vote for port commissioners.
Port of Everett photo
Port of Edmonds photo
Above, docked for a visit for the many amenities at the Port of Everett. Below, sitting pretty at the Port of Edmonds Marina.
That district includes the city of Edmonds west of 92nd Avenue West, roughly from Olympic View Drive in the north to the county line in the south, and the town of Woodway.
To expand the port district boundaries would mean asking citizens and voters to be annexed into a taxing district. “It’s counterintuitive to expect non-port residents to vote themselves into the port district and pay more taxes,” former Port of Edmonds Executive Director Bob McChesney told the Beacon in 2017. “It has never been done.”
Today, though, current Executive Director Angela Harris said the Port of Edmonds will see what happens in Everett’s ballot measure. “We are eager and curious to see how the Everett expansion effort goes this year.”
Like McChesney, she said expansion into other parts of the city would be up to voters.
Harris, who succeeded McChesney May 1, 2023, said she would be interested in community conversations about ex-
pansion.
“When I was a commissioner, I heard that,” she said. “People saying they want to be able to vote for commissioners.
I’m in Edmonds; this is my waterfront too.”
Although the port may not be expanding anytime soon, there is certainly expansion happening at the port itself. It recently debuted a two-story administration and maintenance building. It’s phase one of a three-phase project that will bring major infrastructure repairs and public access improvements to the port’s waterfront.
Along with electrification upgrades, phase two involves bulldozing the old port administration building to make room for a waterfront public plaza. Phase three includes the reconstruction of the north marina seawall, as well as walking surface, lighting, landscaping, and seating upgrades to the waterfront boardwalk, known as the Portwalk. The port is currently seeking permits and funding for phase two and three. Construction on the Portwalk is expected to begin in 2026 or 2027.
The Port of Edmonds marina, built in 1962, has more than 800 boat slips and spaces.
Economic development
Both the Port of Everett and Port of Edmonds say they work as economic engines that provide jobs for their communities. Everett, an international port supporting nearly $21 billion worth of U.S. exports annually with eight shipping ports, manages and develops 3,400 acres of property, including new mixed-use at Waterfront Place and habitat sites like the 353-acre Blue Heron Slough salmon restoration.
An example of the mixed use is the 264-apartment Waterfront Place Apartments (one bedroom starts at $1,842) and 142-room Hotel Indigo.
Through the operation of international shipping terminals, real estate development ventures, and its stature as the largest public marina on the West Coast (2,300 slips), the Port of Everett supports more than 40,000 jobs in the region and contributes $433 million to state and local taxes.
Port properties provide numerous public access and recreational opportunities for area residents and visitors to enjoy, supporting a vibrant, livable, and balanced waterfront.
The Port of Edmonds includes marina operations (public boat launch, over 800 boat slips/spaces, and a work yard). More than 80 businesses operate on the port property – some of which the port has ground lease for and others where it owns the buildings as well as the land.
These businesses employ over 600 people. The port sees thousands of weekly visitors as it connects the community to restaurants, shops, the fishing pier, parks, and events. There are several fishing charters that operate out of the Edmonds port, as well as Freedom Boat Club, and the Yacht Club is located in the port as well. Puget Sound Express also operates out of the port – attracting more than 30,000 visitors annually.
Edmonds’ revenues are about 67% marina fuel sales, boat launcher, moorage – in water and dry storage – parking, lift operations, work yard operations, and 23% rental properties. n
Aerial views of a portion of the Everett Marina at sunset (above) and Edmonds Marina (below) on a sunny summer afternoon.
Port of Everett photo
Port of Edmonds photo
Artist's Corner
Artist bio: A stylistic chameleon
Brittany Brigham loves cameras. Real cameras. Sure, the 24-year-old has a cellphone. But while today’s cellphones can take amazing pictures, they can’t compare to Brigham’s new Canon EOS R, a high-performance, real camera enabling her to capture amazing day and night pictures of her go-to spot: the ferry dock and Brackett’s Landing in Edmonds.
The Edmonds-Woodway High School graduate also posts pictures from another favorite locale: the world-famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. You can see her work on Instagram at @bcubedphotography, a name in honor of her full name: Brittany Brianne Brigham.
Brittany Brigham, Edmonds
UNDER THE SEA
Divers wade into the waters of Edmonds and Mukilteo to explore the depths
By Chris Trujillo
Living near Puget Sound offers access to great seafood and stunning sunsets. But there’s more – the Mukilteo and Edmonds shorelines share a vibrant ecosystem beneath the water. Every weekend, classes and recreational divers visit the cities’ underwater parks. In Mukilteo, a fascinating world waits below the dark, greenish water. Divers can follow a 15-foot training line to a 20-foot-tall geodesic dome constructed from PVC pipe. Thanks to dedicated divers, a rock formation leads to the dome, which rests more than 50 feet below the surface. West and east ropes direct divers to a 100-foot
line. Beyond 100 feet, qualified divers can explore sunken boats home to several ecosystems.
Unlike the Edmonds Underwater Park at Brackett’s Landing North, the dive site in Mukilteo, next to the Silver Cloud Inn, is not yet an official dive park. However, a group of divers has urged Mukilteo councilmembers to designate the area an official one.
“In doing so, we can place regulatory buoys to separate the power boats from divers,” said master scuba diver trainer George Barron. “Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we would hate to see our divers injured because of boat propellers.” Barron said nearly 5,000 divers visit the Mukilteo park every year. He believes
Chris Trujillo
photo
Brian Soergel
photo
Everett residents Tony Johns and his 19-year-old son, Kellen, prepare to dive in Mukilteo. They were certified six years ago at Underwater Sports in Edmonds (opposite page). Above, divers check their equipment before heading out to explore the Edmonds Underwater Park.
it’s only a matter of time before someone gets injured.
“We have done so much in Mukilteo. We have been diving there for the last 30-plus years. We aren’t asking the City to change how the park is run. We feel that we’ve got a pretty good idea about what needs to be done, and we communicate that with the City officials regularly.”
Cold-water diving can be a thrilling, otherworldly experience, and the mystery of the deep continues to attract those willing to slip under the waves.
“It’s hard to say how many certified divers are in the Northwest,” said dive instructor James Walley, a longtime Mukilteo diver. “But the last time I saw an unofficial western Washington census, it pinpointed that around 10,000-25,000 divers were exploring our waters. I am thrilled many people have signed up to get certified or expressed interest over the past few years. Some people like climbing mountains or hiking, while others are curious about the underwater ecosystem. Who can blame them?”
An engineer by day, Walley has been an instructor in King County for 10 years. Fifteen years ago, while vacationing in Florida with his wife, he tried “snuba diving” for the first time. It combines scuba diving and snorkeling, allowing non-certified tourists to breathe freely using a regulator, an air hose reaching 20 feet, and a tank sitting on a raft.
Snuba has no age restrictions, unlike scuba diving, which mandates participants to be at least 10 years old, able to swim, and in good physical health.
“People on vacation don’t have to be certified; they can just jump in,” Walley said. “I don’t think I would
Two divers pose for a picture after diving the Edmonds Underwater Park. For safety reasons, most divers only enter the water with a partner. Right, A Northwest octopus..
Brian Soergel photo
Jim Pappin photo
have ever discovered a love for scuba diving if not for that day we went snuba diving. When we got home, we found our local dive shop and got certified. It has changed my life. It’s an activity my wife and my two boys look forward to when we travel. Our vacations are usually based around areas where we can dive, mostly in warm water, the Caribbean, and the Sea of Cortez on the West Coast.”
The time it takes to obtain a scuba diving certification varies depending on the level of certification divers want to achieve. For example, the primary certification is the open water certification, which typically takes three to five days to complete. It combines written tests, pool training, and open-water dives. Those interested can take courses at their local dive shop. There are 10 Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) centers in western Washington.
Cold-water diving
WThe recreational diver typically wears a 7-millimeter wetsuit. For enthusiasts, a waterproof dry suit might be more suitable. A typical 7-millimeter wetsuit can cost anywhere from $200 to $700. In contrast, a quality dry suit starts at $1,200 and can go up to $2,500.
hile warm-water diving is the most popular, once you get the itch for diving, cold-water diving can be exhilarating, despite the addition of needed outerwear.
“When I started diving in Edmonds, I purchased a run-of-the-mill wet suit,” said North Seattle resident Hellen Rosen. “But that changed after I caught the bug, so I splurged and bought a fantastic DUI dry suit. It wasn’t cheap, but I recommend it to all divers who love our waters.”
Local divers Mac Poole, 21, and Bryce Christianson, 21, use sturdy dry suits and have never missed an opportunity to explore the mysterious underwater secrets. Poole started diving as a teenager and is now an instructor.
“I went through a Seattle dive shop,” he said, “and then I got my open water and advanced training here in Washington, but I finished the rest of my training in Key Largo, Florida. I can say it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made. But I do love diving in warm water wearing just cargo shorts.”
On a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon in Mukilteo recently, people in shorts and tank tops strolled the Mukilteo boardwalk. Some flew kites, while others enjoyed ice
George Barron photo
A Salt Creek pink sea anemone.
cream. But not Poole and Christianson, who appeared from the chilly 45-degree, diamond-sparkling Mukilteo dive site, smiling from ear to ear.
“There’s nothing better than going underwater and embracing all the magnificent marine life,” said Poole. “We usually see something new every time we go out. Something always surprises us.”
Edmonds: A premier dive park
Although divers have been splashing into Puget Sound in Edmonds since the 1930s, it wasn’t until 1970 that City leaders established the Edmonds Underwater Park as a marine preserve and sanctuary.
“T here’s nothing better than going underwater and embracing all the magnificent marine life”
In 1972, they sunk the 94-foot tugboat Alitak northeast of a dry dock submerged in 1935 to act as a buffer between the ferry dock and the park.
And it was in 1977 that a string of fatal accidents there prompted Bruce Higgins to work with the City to make the park safer.
Higgins is the acknowledged guru of the 27-acre park, which extends north from the ferry dock. He is the leader of a group of about 30 fellow divers who meet on weekends and are the park’s volunteer stewards.
After meeting with the City in 1977, Higgins and volunteers placed the first of the numerous buoys to mark trails for safety in 1978. Today, the park has a number of manmade reefs and numerous sunken vessels – the
Bruce Higgins was largely responsible for creating the 27-acre Edmonds Underwater Park by the Edmonds ferry terminal.
Brian Soergel photo
Fossil in 1982, Mollow Brown in 1996, and the 70-foot Triumph in 1999.
In 2009, a 100-foot-long, 19-foot-high pontoon was sunk west of the Triumph. It originally was a “fender” designed to guard ship passages under one of the I-90 floating bridges.
No one has taken advantage of the park more than Higgins, who in 2007, in acknowledgment of his outstanding work as a volunteer dive coordinator and the main force behind the ever-expanding list of submerged features and trails, the City named the trail system the “Bruce Higgins Underwater Trails.”
“I started the diving group in 1991 and have probably dived about 3,000 times,” said Higgins, now in his 70s. “None of this would be possible without the great volunteer effort.”
The Edmonds Underwater Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Night divers need a special permit from the City. Parking in and around Edmonds, including the park, is limited to three to four hours. Park stewards meet on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. for anyone interested in helping to keep the dive site clean.
The best time to dive
There are good and not-so-good times to dive in the Pacific Northwest waters, whether you run into an intimidating cabezon or a school of ordinary fish. According to Jonathan Bench, an instructor at Underwater Sports Edmonds, September through May is the best time to dive.
Puget Sound’s average yearly water temperature fluctuates between 45 and 55 degrees. Bench said colder water is preferable, although it’s common for the water to be warmer than the surrounding air.
“I remember coming out of the water and snow was falling,” said Seattle resident Adam Hooloe, 33. “It was Christmastime, and my brother and I were training at Alki Beach. It was amazing. The visibility was perfect. I remember not wanting to get out. Our parents thought we were nuts. They don’t dive, so they didn’t get it.”
Resources
Underwater Sports: 264 Railroad Ave., Edmonds. Undewatersports.com, 425-771-6322.
Evergreen Dive Service: 4610 Evergreen Way, Suite 1, Everett. Evergreendive.com, 425-512-8811.
Lighthouse Diving Center: 13718 31st Ave. W, Lynnwood. Lighthousediving.com, 425-771-5959. n
George Barron photo
A Lions Mane jellyfish.
The Man in awe of the spectacle as anyone else’
By Brian Soergel
The Bubble Man makes one thing clear: He doesn’t want his backstory to be the focus, colorful as it is.
“Previous articles written about me were about me, my work, or my previous life in show business,” he said from the Edmonds Waterfront Center. It’s on the beach here where Larson’s Pied-Piper act draws wide-eyed kids, parents too.
“And they are fine articles,” he continued. “But, in my mind, the real story isn’t about me. It’s about the bubbles, or more specifically, what the bubbles do for the people who experience them.”
OK, so let’s dive into the bubbles. But, so sorry, Gary, we will eventually have to return to your storied past. It’s just too cool, and to downplay it would be a journalistic sin.
So, the bubbles …
Big, bodacious, billowy bubbles
First thing: These aren’t your father’s bubbles, the cute little type shot from a red plastic thing through a tiny blowhole.
These are big, bountiful bubbles, oozing to life from two long, skinny sticks tied together with rope, dipped into bubble brew, and raised high and freed into the air. They wobble with the current, bending,
Brian Soergel photos
Above, children play among Gary Larson’s bubbles at Olympic Beach in Edmonds.
Right, Larson can be frequently seen on a sunny day on one of Edmonds’ beaches.
Brian Soergel photo
often breaking into two or more creations, their short lives burst from gravity and heft.
Or more often, poked, or punched to oblivion by a finger or hand. Typically from a child. “Making these giant bubbles is like a guy building a bonfire,” said Larson, retired and loving life at 70. “It’s fun to build a bonfire, and there’s a certain pride in being the guy who built the fire, but the real point of a bonfire is the fire itself. And the wonder it evokes in people who see it.”
Larson is a magnet on the beach, tools and bucket in tow. But he says he’s never considered blowing bubbles a service to the community. “Or at least that’s never been my motivation. The truth is, I’m just some old guy with a bucket full of soap and too much spare time. All I do is wave a couple of sticks around. Nature does all the heavy lifting, giving the bubbles their amazing shapes, colors, and movement. I’m as much in awe of the spectacle as anyone else.”
OK, but as magical as the giant bubbles are to watch, what’s even more magical is how they affect those pausing their lives to
take them in. “One minute they are a bunch of individuals minding their own business, going about their day,” said Larson, “and the next minute they are this impromptu community, all sharing in this collective experience. Old people, young adults, little kids – all together experiencing this moment of innocent, childlike wonder.”
Like everybody else, Larson focuses on the bubbles. That means he’s not typically aware of those around him. But he hears their conversations. And what he hears can be pretty amazing.
“At first, a few comments with friends or family, oohing and aahing about the bubbles. Then this transformation happens, and people begin chatting back and forth, playfully conversing with strangers like they’ve known each other all their lives – like a community. It’s quite wonderful.”
The interesting backstory
Paraphrasing here, but a Seattle weekly once wrote the following: “There are two Gary Larsons in Seattle, and one is a budding cartoonist.”
That, of course, was a cheeky reference to the long-retired “Far Side” cartoonist – also named Gary Larson – born and raised in Pierce County. To be fair, the cartoonist is 73, so he claims the name first.
The backdrop of children reaching for bubbles created by Gary Larson, along with the sunset and a ferry, makes for many a memorable picture.
Brian Soergel photo
Janine Harles photo
Ensz photos
David Fenwick has taken many pictures of his friend Gary Larson letting bubbles loose on Edmonds beaches. Fenwick has captured the joy of children whose faces light up when pursuing, popping, or just watching Larson’s creations.
David Fenwick photos
But the Edmonds Larson has had his share of entertainment fame – he’s cracked jokes on cruise ships, appeared on KING-TV’s long-running “Almost Live!” (playing a guitar while telling jokes), and written crosswords for the New York Times, among other accomplishments.
Brief aside: Don’t bother searching for Gary Larson comedy videos on YouTube. Due to that other Larson, the younger Larson took the stage name “Elliott Maxx.”
Entering the world of entertainment came when Larson, who grew up in Algona, Pierce County, attended Western Washington University. “I went to Western to become a lawyer,” he said. “But I dropped out of pre-law when I realized that show business meant you could sleep in until, like, seven or eight o’clock at night if you wanted to.”
After switching his major to theater, Larson realized that was not his fast track. He packed his bags and moved to San Francisco, where he tried stand-up comedy. His first gig was during open-mic night at the influential Holy City Zoo.
Influential? Yes. For that first gig, he followed a budding comedian named Robin Williams, pre“Mork & Mindy” fame and sporting a cowboy hat and suspenders. Williams, of course, brought the house down.
Larson took hold of the mic and looked around.
“And there was one drunk lady left; almost everybody left after he got done. So there were maybe half a dozen people left. I got one laugh from the drunk lady out of context, because I hadn’t reached the punchline. I went home and cried for a while. Then I kept at it.” Larson took work at a convenience store gas station after the sun went down. It turned out to be his “regular” job. He only worked one day a week and said he only lasted about 10 days. Do the math. “One of my big desires was that I wanted to avoid work at all costs. I was like the Maynard G. Krebs of my generation. I just didn’t see any value in it.”
Luckily for Larson, his comedy and sketch skills found an audience in San Francisco and the West Coast and as far east as Minneapolis, scratching out an existence for his wife and three kids. He performed in a local comedy trio called Larson, Creighton, and Openshaw. “It’s a name I’m sure that caused many to mistake us for a legal firm,” he said “Peter Kelley and I were in a few theatrical
productions together as well, both in college and later.” (Kelley writes the Back in Edmonds column for the Edmonds Beacon.)
It turns out Larson, or Elliott Maxx, was pretty good at standup comedy. He’s written several best-selling joke books and would go on to win the Seattle International Comedy Competition twice – once as Gary Larson and again as Elliott Maxx.
But things changed when, as Larson said, live comedy suffered an “implosion,” in part due to the prevalence of comedy shows on TV. So he took his act out to the high seas. His cruise ship gigs, with free room and board, were constant. And it turns out the money was not at all bad.
While onboard, Larson honed another skill: crossword puzzles. “I started doing them because I was bored. I was doing this baseball-themed puzzle, reimagining baseball phrases. One of the clues was ‘plastered at a picnic.’ The baseball term was ‘high and outside.’ It just hit me; it was a little joke. I write jokes. I could do this. How hard could it be? It’s a piece of cake. So 50 puzzles later, I found out it was pretty damn hard.“
He’s sold about 400 now, including many for The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. The Sunday Times recently published one. “That’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s like the World Series for crossword puzzle guys.”
Retired, Larson now lives in Edmonds and previously many years in Ballard. He and his wife wanted to move and considered several areas in Snohomish County.
“I was very happy in Ballard, and she wanted to be in south Everett or locations nearby, so we compromised. It was the best thing ever. This is what Ballard felt like 20 years ago.” n
Brian Soergel photo
Aah, summer: Who wants to eat outdoors?
It’stimetoreintroduceyourselftothepicnicbasket
By Maria A. Montalvo
South Snohomish County is likely the premier picnic spot in Washington. If you doubt it, you only need to look as far as the park names after the pastime: Picnic Point. As we are deep into the most beautiful season in the Pacific Northwest, where the summer days are long, the skies are clear and sunny, and the temperature rarely gets above 82, it is the perfect time to partake in this centuries-old tradition.
The word “picnic” was first used in the 18th century, but history shows that humans had been picnicking long before then. (Remember the picnic scene from Robin Hood? We have been eating outside for a long time.) The meaning of the French word “piquenique,” a meal where each person contributes food, is believed to be related to the concept of a potluck, because different households gathered to share a meal. But it soon became more elevated and exclusive. Victorians picnicked on a tablecloth or bedspread like we do today, and the more well-off you were the
Petunia’s Picnics created this sweet and savory, strawberry lemonade-infused setting at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park for a couple celebrating a recent engagement.
Kassandra Alcala photo
fancier the spread. People tried to outdo each other, and by the early 20th century those wicker baskets began to resemble trunks. Today, though, most of our summertime picnics are about sharing tasty food with friends and family. Picnics even made it to canvas, with artists from Manet to Seurat depicting folks lounging in parks.
In Seattle, the first groups to go all-out with picnics came from Norwegian communities. Norwegian immigrants enjoyed picnics as far back as the 1880s, as their numbers coming to the U.S. skyrocketed (more than 180,000 a year). A Norwegian picnic would sometimes include pjalt-style waffles, cured and smoked salmon, American elk sausage (to mirror reindeer sausage from the old country), smørrbrød – a sandwich with herring, shallots, and dill – and lingonberries, all washed down with a pilsner beer or Norwegian aquavit. Bløtkake, a Norwegian cream cake, or flotegrot, a Norwegian pudding, would be served as dessert.
Picnicking has become an important and cherished part of the Pacific Northwest summer traditions. Kassandra Alcala, owner of Petunia’s Picnics, knows why just about any public park is packed on a sunny day. It is more than “blankets laid out on the grass, picnic tables overflowing with food,” but rather the time we get to spend with each other without distractions from anything but nature.
“Everyone is enjoying each other’s company. There are feelings of joy and relaxation that accompany being with our loved ones while we share a meal under the sun that I think is very natural,” said Alcala. “In a way, it takes us all the way back to our roots. It’s a very safe, comforting feeling.”
Alcala said she started her business to stand out.
“Although I don’t see anything wrong with your average blanket-and-a-basket picnic set up, I knew I could elevate the whole experience and create a service that people would enjoy. I took inventory of what I considered to be my talents and combined them into what has now blossomed into Petunia’s Picnics. This business allows me to explore my creativity and challenges me in all the right ways. I’m always honored that people chose us to help them celebrate the big moments in life and it’s something that I will never take for granted.”
So what about our summer picnic plans for 2024?
People around the Pacific Northwest have a lot of strong opinions about picnics, especially when picnic season starts. Some want a homemade egg-salad sandwich and cupcakes or perhaps some yummy sandwiches and potato salad. Others will say go all out with champagne and prime rib. And you might even get a few who say, “If you do not hike at least three miles to get to your picnic spot, it does not count.” Who is to say they are not all right?
Loren Larsen, the executive chef and culinarian for Table for 12, a studio kitchen in the heart of Edmonds, has many fond memories of picnicking in Edmonds, including talks with his mom, watching the ferries, and meeting the local dogs.
“We spent months inside, watching the rain, our gardens become mud, and our days filled with busy work,” said Larsen. “When the clouds parted and we saw the forecast project anything over 65 with sun (let’s be honest, it’s 55 for some of us), my
Petunia’s Picnics provided a personal setup as part of a bucket-list Seattle trip request by a couple visiting from out of state. Their wish was for a pink setting, so Petunia’s chose a place where cherry trees were ample. Luckily for the couple, blossoms were in abundance for their special occasion.
Kassandra Alcala photo
family would spend as much time as we could outside. We would call the family and pick something up from downtown Edmonds and head to the waterfront.”
Since we are so anxious to get outside as soon as the weather allows here in the Northwest, every town seems to have their enticements to get you out there with your family, friends, and community. They are often great
opportunities to bring a picnic, as well.
“We do a lot of picnics in our family,” said Alexandra Rousu. The former manager of Savvy Traveler in Edmonds owns an event planning business, Rose Events, that sets up parties. “It’s a great way to shake up a weekday dinner and perfect for getting outside.”
Creamy Dill Red Potato Salad
Ingredients
• 2 lb. baby red potatoes, washed and halved
• 1/2 cup red onion, sliced thin
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 stalk celery, thin bias cut
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
• 4 oz. coconut yogurt
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 garlic cloves, pasted
• 2 lemon, juiced
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers, chopped + 1 tablespoon caper brine
Directions
In a large pot filled halfway with water, add halved potatoes with a good few pinches of salt. Bring water to a boil and cook potatoes until fork tender.
Drain potatoes in a colander and let cool for 5 minutes to dry out potatoes as much as possible.
In a bowl, toss the potatoes together with red onion, jalapenos, and celery. Set aside.
Whisk together the yogurt, tahini, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, zest, celery seeds, and fresh dill. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then taste for seasoning. Pour the dressing generously over the potatoes and gently toss together until coated.
Enjoy slightly warm or refrigerate overnight. Serves 6
Courtesy of Loren Larsen, Executive Chef | Culinarian, Table for 12
Preparation
And how do we prepare for our picnics?
Table for 12 frequently offers a class with a special picnic menu you can recreate at home for your own outing. Their classes include “Parisian Picnic” and “Plant-Based Picnic.” So if we cannot have a picnic on the banks of the Seine in Paris this summer, perhaps we bring a basket filled with the goodies we would have had there, like ratatouille salad, potatoes dauphinoise, chicken cordon bleu, and lemon poppyseed strawberry shortcakes and cream.
If you want something that takes less prep or if your picnic is a special occasion, companies like Petunia’s Picnics, which serves Snohomish and King counties, will set up a picnic for you, anywhere you want, and clean up after. Their finely presented charcuterie and cheese boards will certainly make the event feel special. Alcala wants to give people a memorable but also relaxing picnic experience – another reminder to slow down a bit.
“For all of our picnics, Petunia’s sets up and takes down anything you may need for the perfect picnic experience,” said Alcala. “People request these all-inclusive picnics for anniversaries, birthdays, special date nights, and even proposals, and I’m always honored that people chose us to help them celebrate the big moments in life.”
Alcala is also quick to say that there is “nothing wrong with your average blanket-and-a-basket picnic setup” because there are a lot of days in the summer to get out there in the sun and enjoy.
If you’re bringing a blanket, check with your favorite restaurant, and I bet they will give you a picnic-ready to-go order. Just a few weeks ago, my husband, mom, and I enjoyed a picnic at Brackett’s Landing with a tasty feast from Vinbero. The choices are endless, as even most of our local supermarkets have an amazing array of grab-andgo food. Up and down Highway 99, restaurants offer just about anything your heart desires as you head to your picnic spot. And how about stopping at the pick-up taco bar or catering from Taqueria Puebla in Mukilteo? Tacos are always right for the occasion.
Where to picnic?
So, that just leaves us with finding a picnic destination. Where shall we picnic in south Snohomish County?
Picnic Point Park, the woodsy enclave between Edmonds and Mukilteo, is aptly named. Located
in a beautiful spot on the shores of Puget Sound, Picnic Point Park offers a stunningly scenic setting for picnicking and beach activities. If you don’t want to sit on a blanket or bring everything ready-made, they have table and charcoal barbeques. Enjoy your favorite bites with excellent views of Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountain range. If you are there at sunset, it is even more spectacular.
“My favorite picnic destinations are the Edmonds waterfront and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park,” said Larsen from Table for 12, “And if you’re from around here, then you know about the bluff in Innis Arden.”
Petunia Picnic’s Alcala also has a favorite “low-key spot” nearby: Ballinger Park in Mountlake Terrace. “The lake is so peaceful, and I love watching the sun’s reflection glimmer between the lily pads on the water,” she said. “It is generally low-traffic compared to the bigger parks and has cute, grassy nooks surrounded by foliage that perfectly set the scene for a dreamy lakeside picnic.”
Where else? Hickman Park, Maplewood Park, Stamm Overlook Park, and any park in Mill Creek, all made it to the list of favorite spots in the area. Rousu of Rose Events mentioned a beloved downtown Edmonds location as a spot to picnic and take in a show: “We do the Edmonds concerts in City Park in the summer.”
A bit further north, everyone knows the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park as a spot to access the beach, take wedding and graduation photos, and yes, enjoy a picnic. The former Washington State Park was deeded to the City in 2003 and continues to welcome thousands of visitors each
Petunia’s Picnics’ anniversary event celebrated its second year in business.
Kassandra Alcala photo
year. If you have any history buffs in your group of picnic pals, you can visit the historic Mukilteo Light Station after your picnic.
Mukilteo is also home to Japanese Gulch Conservation Area and Big Gulch Park, and these spots are great if you are one who believes the best picnic starts with a hike. You can set up an informal picnic from a beautiful trailhead or view spot. If you go to 92nd Street Park, you can take advantage of the playground, pond, and picnic areas.
My favorite spot is Meadowdale Beach Park. After a beautiful hike, picnickers can take advantage of the green spaces or the beach. Since its improvements were completed last year, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Snohomish County.
In the end, a great picnic is one we share with those we love. Whether tailgating at a favorite sports or art event or carrying a backpack full of goodies into a hotel, any spot is picnic-ready – as long as you bring some of your favorite people.
Event planner Rousu said it best. “What I love the most about picnics is that it is a family activity that incorporates every generation. The grandparents can sit and relax and parents can let the kids play. So rarely do we have an activity that everyone can look forward to and be away from screens for some wholesome fun.”
A picnic in the park, or wherever your favorite spot may be, is a celebration of slowing down, of stopping to smell cardamom carrot cake bars and roses. So this summer, let us all take on the challenge of one of our favorite cartoon bears, Yogi Bear, who once said to his friend, Boo Boo: “I think it’s time I introduce myself to that pic-a-nic basket.” n
Here to help your picnic
Luxury Picnics by Fanciful Celebrations
Everett-based Fanciful Celebrations’ slogan is, “We’ll bring the party … you bring the people.” Each picnic is personally designed for beauty and comfort, with plush pillows, fine dinnerware, cloth napkins, lanterns, candles, comfy cushions, fresh flowers, and more.
There are several themes for a two-hour $425 picnic for six, including Aladdin, Love Always, Pretty in Pink, and Snow White. It provides setup and teardown services. Charcuterie and baked goods are extra. More information: fancifulcelebrations.com
Petunia’s Picnics
Seattle-based Petunia’s Picnics aims to “provide a stunning display of food, drinks, flowers, and decor designed just for you and your guests.” Owner Kassandra Alcala says the business provides and sets up everything you need to have a luxury picnic experience. That means rugs, tables, drink pitchers, charcuterie board, a wicker basket for flowers, pillows, ice bucket, and Bluetooth speaker.
Picnic builds are for four hours, with prices starting at $300 for two people, $1,200 for 16. Picnics can be held from Burien in the south to Marysville up north. More information: petuniapicnics.com.
Picnic Party Seattle
The women-owned business offers customized luxury pop-up picnic packages. They are set up and cleaned for customers. Booking is available now for summer picnic packages. The business started in Seattle and is now available in the Midwest and East Coast. Prices vary depending on the package. More information: picnicpartyseattle.com/seattle
Sno-Isle Foods Co-op
Based in Everett, the shop provides produce from the farms and river valleys of Snohomish County. Fine cheese, deli salads, local fruits – and more – are available for your picnic needs.
More information: snoislefoods.coop
Urban Whey
Mill Creek-based Urban Whey will set up platters, bistro boxes, and artfully arranged grazing tables for customers’ own picnics. Founded by three longtime friends who love cheese, prices for cheese boards start at $65. A 12-inch board of cheese, meats, fruits, and more – called “The Gathering” – serves four to six people. A crudite platter – raw veggies with dipping sauce – is also $65. Wine is available.
More information: urbanwhey.com
Vinbero
Edmonds-based Vinbero will provide charcuteries, sandwiches, popcorn, cookies, fruit, and drinks for customers to take to their own picnics. Charcuterie boards start at $17 per person.
More information: vinbero.bar
A dream come true when a bride-to-be said she wanted an explosion of pinks for her bridal picnic.
Kassandra Alcala photo
Cardamom Carrot Cake Bars Season to Taste
Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly crushed and lightly toasted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 1/4 cup oat milk
• 1 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup avocado oil
• 1/2 cup apple sauce, unsweetened
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups carrots, grated
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare a greased 9x13 pan.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup toasted walnuts, coconut, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and ground cardamom. Set aside.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine oat milk, brown sugar, avocado oil, applesauce, cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture bowl, then add grated carrots. Mix batter with a wooden spoon until just combined.
Spoon batter into prepared 9x13 and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Courtesy
For Frosting
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 8 oz. vegan cream cheese, softened (Mykonos, Daya, Tofutti, etc.)
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
• 1/2 cup coconut butter, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Make the frosting in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
Add softened cream cheese, coconut butter, and unsalted butter to the mixer and beat together until fluffy and combined.
Add maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, and vanilla to the mixture.
Slowly pour powdered sugar into the mixer as it’s mixing to create that fluffy frosting. Place frosting in a piping bag and set aside.
Cut carrot cake into squares and pipe frosting on each one in a zig-zag. Garnish with remaining toasted walnuts crumbs.
Serves 12
of Loren Larsen, Executive Chef | Culinarian, Table for 12
Mukilteo park ranger keeps his eyes focused on the community
By David Pan
Aiden Lone had a job he enjoyed with a well-regarded company.
He worked in loss prevention at the Shoreline Costco for about seven years. But in the back of his mind, he always dreamed of finding another job more aligned with public service.
“I’ve always liked helping people, and when I was doing loss prevention I worked pretty closely with the King County Sheriff’s Office and got to help them a lot at Costco.”
After graduating from Shorewood High School, he studied criminal justice at Shoreline Community College. As part of the program, he completed a three-month internship with the Mukilteo Police Department in 2019. He spent three days a week learning firsthand about the law enforcement field.
In August 2023, Lone received an alert on his phone about a park ranger opening in Mukilteo Police Department’s Community Services Division.
“I was always meaning to apply because eventually I would like to be a police officer at some point,” he said. “I figured I’d get my foot in the door with the department and see how I liked it.”
Mukilteo Police hired Lone as its newest park
ranger in November. Six months later, he’s loving his new job. Trading in the confines of a warehouse for the sand, sun, and even the rain at Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park, Edgewater Beach Park, and Japanese and Big gulches has worked out well for the 25-year-old Edmonds resident.
Assistant Police Chief Colt Davis noted the primary function of the job is parking enforcement and patrolling the parks. The department looks for candidates who like to work with the public and can operate independently. “A park ranger is like their own entity,” Davis said. “We give them a lot of freedom.”
Not surprisingly, Lone said the best part of the job is getting to hang out at the parks. “It’s almost a perfect excuse to walk around on the beaches all day.”
Lest anyone think that all a park ranger does all day is chat with people at parks, Lone points out that he has many responsibilities.
During one of his typical four 10-hour shifts, Lone issues warnings and tickets as part of his parking enforcement duties. And it’s not just at Lighthouse Park; he can be spotted all over the city, from Old Town to Beverly Park Road.
“If we get a parking complaint somewhere else in the city, I’ll go take care of that,” he said. Mukilteo Speedway is no stranger to vehicle collisions and the resulting traffic backups. If the City’s traffic officers need
Park ranger Aiden Lone calls his supervisor to ask a question after a woman complained about marijuana smoke coming from a car in the parking lot at Edgewater Beach.
David Pan photo
Aiden Lone wanted a job where he could help people
assistance, they’ll call on Lone to direct traffic.
He also works with animal control officer Shanita Duke. The two have opposite shifts to try and cover for each other. When Duke is off, Lone is the defacto animal control officer.
“Occasionally, I’ll help animal control. She is really good at her job, so she doesn’t need much help. But if she runs into a situation where there are multiple dogs and it’s urgent, then I’ll pop over and go help her.”
Davis said other park ranger duties include walking trails, enforcing park rules, assisting records staff, answering phone calls in the front office, and assisting with walk-in complaints. Two important qualities the department looks for in its park ranger applicants are being highly motivated and a self-starter. Two former Mukilteo park rangers eventually were hired as police officers by the City.
“Aiden has been amazing. He’s a go-getter,” Davis said. “When you hand him an assignment he takes it on and does it. He’s eager to learn and grow.”
Up and running
One of the first things Lone does when he arrives at the police station in the morning is to log onto his computer to see that the City’s parking meters are all functioning properly. Once he sees no problems, he heads to Lighthouse Park.
Even though some residents are enjoying one of the nicer spring days, it’s still early and Lighthouse Park isn’t busy – only a few vehicles are in the parking lot. Lone checks the dashboard of an out-of-town vehicle for a parking receipt and runs the license plate (the City is transitioning to a digital platform where parking passes are associated with license plate numbers).
Instead of writing a parking ticket, he issues a warning and leaves it in a small envelope under one of the wiper blades.
The driver returns a few minutes later; Lone tells him he just left him a warning notice and not a ticket. The driver seems appreciative.
“Each situation is different. But when it’s nice like it is today, especially more towards the evening at Lighthouse Park, it gets super busy.” Lone writes between five and 10 parking infractions a day. On a day when the parking lot is packed, the number can run into the 20s.
His years as a loss prevention specialist helped Lone deal with angry people. Even though he said most people are happy to see him, on occasion he will run into people who cop an attitude about getting a parking ticket. He is usually able to calm people down if they are especially worked up.
“It’s being able to communicate with them and not coming in all high and mighty. It’s coming in at their level and being able to see what the situation is, especially if they’re coming at you right off the bat all hot and heavy.”
Lone tries to remain calm and reassuring. He tells people that a parking ticket usually is $50, and that they have options , including disputing the ticket.
“I think the gift of talking to people very, very important, especially in that role,” Davis said. “Verbal skills and the ability to communicate are super important in this profession, not just for a park ranger, but for law enforcement as well.”
Making the rounds
After spending time at Lighthouse Park, Lone usually drives to Edgewater Beach Park; the park is in Everett but Mukilteo operates and maintains it.
He checks in with Sound Transit security. The regional transit agency operates a nearby light rail station and shares parking with Mukilteo. “I’ll go over
David Pan photo
Lone leaves a ticket on the windshield of a time-expired vehicle at Lighthouse Park.
to Edgewater Park just to make sure everything’s OK. There are no parking meters over there, but I like to just make my presence known. I’ll go walk over there for a little bit.”
As he was walking back to his vehicle in the parking lot, a woman stopped him to complain about the strong smell of marijuana coming from one of the cars in the parking lot.
“Is there anything you can do about it?” she asked.
Lone explained he was not a police officer, but that he would check with his supervisor. Commissioned police officers have attended the police academy and have the authority to enforce state criminal laws and arrest suspects, Davis said. He added that Mukilteo Police have granted its park rangers limited authority to deal with certain types of incidents at parks, such as vehicle prowls and graffiti. Park rangers have no authority to detain suspects.
“Occasionally, I’ll run into some people who think that I’m fully commissioned,” Lone said. “And I’ll explain I’m here to help, obviously. But there is some stuff that I need to have a patrol officer. Without being fully commissioned, there are things out of my range of what I’m legally allowed to do.”
The woman thanked him and continued walking to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. Lone reached his supervisor, who confirmed that Snohomish County amended a no-smoking-in-public-places law to include marijuana.
Walking the trails
The first few hours on the waterfront generally are slow. That gives Lone the opportunity to head to one of the trailheads to the Japanese Gulch Conservation area near the Mukilteo Community Garden at the northwest corner of 44th Avenue West and 76th Street SW. “I tend to go use that time to go check on some of the trail systems. It’s a lot of seeing where the day takes me.”
Christopher Bragg photo
Debbie Magill photo
YouTube photo
Edgewater Park
Japanese Gulch
Lighthouse Park
Lone, an outdoor enthusiast, enjoys being able to get out in the parks and trails. He typically walks the trail system in the Japanese Gulch and Big Gulch Park daily. If people have trouble finding their way out of either gulch, Lone will point them in the right direction. “People sometimes get lost in there, and they just need help in getting out.” He waves to some of the gardeners in the community garden and takes a look at the almost-completed nearby dirt jump bike park. His next stop is 92nd Street Park and Big Gulch.
Lone likes to make sure no debris is blocking the trails. When it’s cold and wet, he doesn’t run into many hikers or bicyclists on the trails. Summer means more people hitting the trails. “Now that the weather’s nicer, it’s going to be higher on my priority list,” he said.
Lone heads back to the trails at the end of his shift when it starts getting dark. He wants to make sure no one is lost or in trouble. “Once it gets dark in the trails, it’s pitch black there. I like to go in probably half a mile and see if there’s anyone who needs guidance.”
Lone hasn’t had to deal with any distressed hikers so far. But in February, he was part of a search team looking for a small airplane that crashed in Japanese Gulch. The aircraft was located near a ravine off a trail. The pilot was uninjured.
“The plane overshot the runway and ended up in Japanese Gulch. We were in the park for an hour trying to locate the plane. It was pitch black there so you couldn’t see anything, and the plane lights weren’t on. It was a lot of walking around with the fire department, medics, and some people from Paine Field. Eventually, they located him.” n
Business Directory
ADVERTISING / MEDIA
Beacon Publishing, Inc.
Mukilteo Beacon
Edmonds Beacon
Mill Creek Beacon
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 / MUSEUM / THEATRE
Bear Carpenter, Artist Edmonds, WA Bearcarpenterart.square.site
Edmonds Driftwood Players
950 Main Street Edmonds, WA 98020 425-774-9600
edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org
Mukilteo Garden & Quilt Tour
Mukilteo, WA 98275
Mukilteogardenandquilttour.org
Schack Art Center
2921 Hoyt Avenue Everett, WA 98201
425-259-5050
schack.org
BANKING
1st Security Bank
Edmonds Branch 425-774-5144 fsbwa.com
BARBERS
Mickey’s Hometown
Barbershop 405 Lincoln Avenue
Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-347-2712
CANNABIS RETAIL
Kush Pointe 11811 Mukilteo Speedway, Suite 111 Mukilteo, WA 98275
425-322-4799 kushpointe.com
DISTILLERY / SPIRITS
James Bay Distillers
3101 111th Street SW, Suite B Everett, WA 98204
425-212-9135
jamesbaydistillers.com
EDUCATION
The Learning Connection
9999 Harbour Place, Suite 104
Mukilteo, WA 98275
425-789-1770
tlcmukilteo.com
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Ace Handyman Services
425-403-4004
acehandymanservices.com/ offices/snoco
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Northlight Custom Builders, LLC
9800 Harbour Place, Suite 201 Mukilteo, WA 98275
425-977-9661
northlightcustom.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
rb.by.design Edmonds, WA 98026 425-765-7680
rbbydesign.com
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
HopeWorks 3331 Broadway Everett, WA 98201
425-610-4931
hopewrks.org
ORTHODONTIST
Pellegrini Orthodontics
827 128th Street SW, Suite B Everett, WA 98204 425-374-8218
everettbraces.com
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Community Transit 20110 46th Avenue W Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-353-7433
communitytransit.org
REAL ESTATE
Aranka Fruehauf Windermere Real Estate North, Inc. Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-478-7270
HomesByAranka.com
Coldwell Banker Bain 108 5th Avenue S Edmonds, WA 98020 coldwellbankerhomes.com/ wa/edmonds/agents wa/mill-creek/agents
David La France
Pointe3 Real Estate 3509 Fremont Avenue N, #300 Seattle, WA 98103 206-713-4375 pointe3.com/team/david-la-france
REAL ESTATE cont.
René Porubek, Broker/Realtor
Windermere Real Estate M2, LLC 9502 19th Avenue SE, Suite A Everett, WA 98208 425-478-8864 realtyrene.com
RESTAURANTS
Anthony’s Homeport 456 Admiral Way Edmonds, WA 98020 425-771-4400 anthonys.com
5x5 Bar & Bistro 9600 Harbour Place Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-775-9600 5x5bar.com
Waterfront Coffee 101 Main Street, Suite 102 Edmonds, WA 98020 425-670-1400 waterfrontcoffee.com
RETAIL
Best Kept Secret 3616 South Road, Suite B-2 Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-822-6600 mukilteosamplestore.com
SENIOR LIVING
Cogir Senior Living 10605 NE 185th Street Bothell, WA 98011 425-487-3245
21500 72nd Avenue W Edmonds, WA 98026 425-776-3600
14905 Bothell-Everett Hwy Mill Creek, WA 98012 425-338-1580 cogirseniorliving.com
Harbour Pointe Senior Living 10200 Harbour Place Mukilteo, WA 98275 425-541-7598 hpretire.com
Quail Park of Lynnwood 4015 164th Street SW Lynnwood, WA 98087 425-329-3294 quailparkoflynnwood.com
WINDOW WASHING
Clean & Clear Services
6127 139th Place SW Edmonds, WA 98026 425-218-6318 or 1-877-668-0866
cleanandclearservices.com
