Issuu

Family, Kids, and our Pets

We trust this issue of Snohomish City Lifestyle finds you well and enjoying the last half of the most glorious part of the year, our summer months. Typically, August and September bring with them warmth, sunshine, water sports, along with the anticipation of a new school year. This year is no different and we hope you are looking forward with the anxious anticipation you had as a kid.

I can’t help but be reminded of my youth; riding bikes, swimming, playing baseball, time on the river, and learning how to drive. Our kids are the future just like we were the future when we were their age. Their youthful innocence, endless curiosity, and boundless energy will give way to the knowledge they have sought, wisdom they have secured and the power to make their own decisions. It’s exciting to look forward knowing some of them are working hard to be prepared for their time. In future issues of this publication, we will feature some local young people. Those who have demonstrated not only academic excellence or athletic ability but contribute to our community in other meaningful ways. It’s inspiring to learn about them, their creativity, ambition, and willingness to do hard things in order to accomplish something important. We hope you enjoy learning about them as much as we are. Additionally, this month we focus some attention on our other family members. Those whose tail wags when they see us or who purr when we sit for a moment, our pets. While not all of the animals in our life are pets, as you’ll see in these pages, we would be remiss if we didn’t include the furry or feathery friends. For 15 years, our dachshund-chevalier King Charles mix, named Max, taught us that our food was his food, but he also taught us empathy, and responsibility, while he offered unconditional love and companionship, if only when we had treats.

Dogs are a big part of our family, even as our kids are growing up, going off to college, or starting into their careers and in some cases moving away. In many ways, kids and pets both show us that our capacity to love is endless and that should inspire all of us. We hope what you find in the pages of this edition will inspire you as well. May you enjoy the remaining few weeks of summer.

Cheers!

August 2024

PUBLISHER

Shannon Coy | shannon.coy@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Teresa Coy | teresa.coy@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kelly Bone | kelly.bone@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Bradon Coy | bradon.coy@citylifestyle.com

INTERN

Tasia Heintzelman | tasia.heintzelman@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michelle W. Parnell, Lawson Coy, Snohomish City Lifestyle Staff

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dawning Memories, Life N Light

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley Learn

SNOHOMISH

BURKHEAD

SNOHOMISH

Full Circle Cleaning & Restoration Services, LLC has expanded services and now offers junk removal to their amazing clients! Time to clear out the garage, lighten the load of moving, call in reinforcements for things that are just too heavy, large, or awkward to lift yourself, or even clean out an entire home for clients ahead of selling or after abandonment. Reach out today to schedule a haul in Snohomish County and beyond!

Floor Covering International adds another vehicle for better coverage

Floor Covering International has added a second, fully-wrapped van to better accommodate the growing demand for their services. Adding another vehicle will allow Andrea Hansen and her team to serve homeowners in Marysville, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, and Monroe with increased frequency. Look for them at the Evergreen State Fair, August 22September 2 or call to discover their full range of flooring services, 425-229-8529

Ace Handyman Service of Snohomish celebrates 4-years in business

August marks the 4th anniversary of the opening of Ace Handyman Services of Snohomish and with that comes reason to celebrate. As a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor, Charles and Crystal Masters lead a skilled team of experienced professionals capable of providing an excellent outcome for small or annoying projects nearly everyone has a list of. Celebrate with us in congratulating them for this anniversary and give them a call - 425-224-1559

Photography by Ace Handyman Services

Photography by Floor Covering International

People Helping Animals

Welcome PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to

W. PARNELL

Snohomish

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIFE N LIGHT

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located off Hwy 9 in Snohomish

For Mick Szydlowski, the three cats his family has adopted through PAWS serve as a constant reminder of the important work the nonprofit organization does daily.

“PAWS is people helping cats, dogs, and wild animals go home and thrive,” said Szydlowski, who serves as the organization’s Director of Public Affairs. “We rehabilitate injured and orphaned wild animals, shelter and adopt out homeless cats and dogs, and educate the community with the goal to inspire compassionate action for animals.”

PAWS accomplishes these goals through three physical locations. The Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood is a shelter for

cats and dogs as well as an educational hub, PAWS Cat City in Seattle functions as the primary sheltering and adopting location for cats, and Snohomish is home of the new Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

With over 200 species of wild animals in the area, there is a high likelihood of people encountering injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife. PAWS offers guidance and support in these situations. “PAWS is the largest rehabilitation facility and one that is able to care for the greatest range of animals,” he shared. “We have now cared for over 160,000 injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals.”

PAWS uses an innovative online self-service portal to help citizens correctly identify wildlife and define the nature of the injury or situation. Based on the information entered, the portal provides next steps and contact information for professionals if further assistance is needed.

“If people need additional help or don’t have access to the website, they are encouraged to call our wildlife team at 425-412-4040 between 8am and 7pm, seven days a week. Our admissions specialists are able to talk through the next steps,” he shared. “However, not all animals, such as black bears, can be brought in safely. In those cases, we connect them with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other partner agencies to ensure that the animal is taken care of.” CONTINUED >

WE HAV E NOW CAREDFOR OVER 16 INJURE D, ORPHANED , OR SICK WILD

For cats and dogs who need care and a home, PAWS provides sheltering and rehoming. “PAWS started in 1967 and since that time, we’ve found homes for over 150,000 cats and dogs. In a given year, we have close to 4,000 cats and dogs that find homes here at PAWS,” Szydlowski shared. “We have an average of 7 transports per month, and these animals come from places like Maui, which are affected by wildfires, and other areas that are impacted by natural disasters, like Louisiana, after hurricanes. They are also coming from states that have big stray populations and overcrowded shelters such as California, Texas, and Florida.”

A large component of helping animals is providing educational opportunities for people to learn about animals and caring for pets. A successful approach is beginning education early by providing programs for children. “We have a six-lesson program for

elementary schools, which is done in fourth grade, called the Kids Who Care Program. We offer a variety of live workshops at PAWS that cater to kids who are interested in becoming better cat and dog owners, or pet parents as we call them,” he explained. “We also have programs and workshops that make kids more aware of the environment and how to help injured or orphan wild animals.” Additionally, PAWS offers badge programs for scouting groups and summer service opportunities.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, PAWS relies on the financial and volunteer support of the community. One of the major fundraising events each year is PAWS Walk, a walk-from-anywhere event where families walk with their pets, log their miles, and fundraise for the organization.

In addition to using volunteers to help at each of their locations, PAWS recruits foster families to provide a temporary place for animals to stay outside of the shelter. “When animals leave the shelter for the weekend, run around in somebody’s backyard, socialize with people and other dogs, and potentially have an adventure and go on a hike,” he said, “those animals return to the shelter more adjusted and less stressed, which is better for them.”

Szydlowski says PAWS staff and volunteers are passionate about the mission to help animals and in return, he sees many people benefiting as well. “We often say we are people helping animals and vice versa,” he shared. “Because adopting an incredible cat or dog is a life-changing event. It can help reduce stress and make us feel more connected and grounded.”

For more information on facility locations and the many opportunities to learn, adopt, and volunteer through PAWS, visit paws.org . For injured or orphaned wildlife, visit the self-serve portal on the website or call the Wildlife Team at 425-412-4040.

60,000 D ANIMALS.

CHILDHOOD CURIOSITY

ARTICLE BY SNOHOMISH CITY LIFESTYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIL

DUDE’S INSECT ACADEMY

One little boy’s wish leads to his life’s work.

“In our society today, there is one topic which is significantly overlooked by many, especially in our educational system. Despite insects being the most abundant organisms on the globe, the amount of people who study them are dwindling.” ~ Bradon Coy

Most people experience a fascination with little things at one point in their childhood, for many it is the micro creatures that roam our own backyards. From grasshoppers to butterflies, ants or bumblebees, many individuals have distinct memories of finding and catching these creatures in jars to examine closer with wonder in their minds. Bradon Coy, founder of Lil Dudes Insects Academy manages to harness this wonder and educate many about Entomology (the study of insects).

“Growing up I saw a lack of information online and in the library for young aspiring entomologists. I set out to create the resources that I wish I had access to growing up,” says Bradon. When asked about the manifestation of Lil Dudes, “I always had a passion for the little critters I could find in my own backyard, and despite the outcries from my siblings, I never found them gross or frightening. When coming up with a name, my siblings referred to me as Lil Dude, so it just seemed like the natural choice when naming my enterprise at 10 years old.”

At the age of 7, Bradon was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and because of that diagnosis in 2015 Bradon was granted a wish through the Washington/Alaska chapter of Make a Wish Foundation to go on a bug safari to Panama. For 10 days Bradon, his family, and entomologists from all over the world tromped through the jungle of Panama hunting insects and unlocking the wonder of the natural world. Upon his return, Bradon began to teach other students from ages 5 to 14 how to pin and preserve the insects in their backyard.

Bradon soon came to believe that insects could be the gateway to the other sciences through helping students learn to ask questions. Hands-on learning offered his students the opportunity to further their own comfort by learning to apply the scientific method. For about 4 years Bradon taught students through camps and workshops until the pandemic in 2020 changed everything. He could no longer go out and teach students in person, so he decided that the next step to bringing Entomology Education to more children was to transition Lil Dudes to become a 501c3 and broaden its reach. Now in 2024 at the age of 19 Bradon finds himself running the non-profit, learning about fundraising, along with recording and editing YouTube videos and podcasts, and interviewing professionals in the field to highlight the work that they do within the bug community, in addition to scheduling local classes with K-12 groups to once again teach in person.

Bradon’s own education is continuing as he is moving to be a student in the Entomology program at The University of Florida this coming fall. There, he will be working towards his bachelor’s in Insect Science. This means that much of the work he has done over the years will be able to benefit from his expanding knowledge and connections. What does this mean for Lil Dudes? “I will have more resources for teaching online and continue many of my interviews and YouTube videos while at school, but ultimately, Lil Dudes will continue to thrive and grow thanks to the support of my peers.”

“Ultimately, my goal is to get insect education into more science curriculums, which will allow more exposure to the field and hopefully lead more students to Entomology as a career.” Bradon’s own interest and passion for the field has affected many already and is attested through the testimonials found on the Lil Dudes website. It’s common for students in STEM to go into biology, chemistry, engineering or other areas, but because of entomologists there are many patterns of the world that are understood on a deeper level simply because these professionals knew that it had to start with bugs.

How can you help? “We are always looking for generous donors, or sponsors for the classes and podcast. But visiting our website and connecting with our other outlets along with sharing those with your friends can go a long way towards educating other aspiring students like me.”

Keep updated with Bradon’s growing knowledge of the insect world and how you can help with the mission of Lil Dudes Insect Academy by visiting his website at lildudesinsectacademy.com to donate or connect with his other social media channels. There you can find his Weekly Podcast, YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook.

“I SET OUT TO CREATE RESOURCES THAT I WISH I HAD ACCESS TO GROWING UP”

ASK

EXPERT the

COULD GOLF BE MY CHILD’S NEXT PASTIME? WHERE TO START.

ARTICLE BY BEN RICHARDS, GM SNOHOMISH GC PHOTOGRAPHY BY SNOHOMISH GOLF COURSE

If your child enjoys being outside, making friends, developing skillsets, and working towards a goal then golf may be perfect for them. There is no other sport where you walk more than five miles, while socializing with friends and competitors for over four hours, all while trying to get your ball in a four-inch hole over 500 yards away. This may sound a little chaotic but in reality, golf is one of the best mirror examples of real life as you are constantly battling new conditions and dealing with good and bad breaks.

To get started the first thing you’ll need is a set of clubs. For kids still growing (under 13) boxed sets are usually a good place to start. Cleveland Golf and US Kids Golf are two of the most reputable options, and US Kids Golf has a club trade-in program for growing children. For older kids and adults, I recommend getting fit by a certified fitter that you can find at Snohomish Golf Course.

Once you have your clubs I recommend starting with lessons, a junior camp, or clinic. Developing the proper setup and swing fundamentals is crucial for setting up future golf success. Now, it’s time to play golf! At Snohomish GC, like other courses throughout the United States, there is a program called “Youth on Course.” Once you sign your child up, they can play 18 holes for $5.

Finally, whether your child wants to play on the high school team, earn a Division One scholarship to play in college, or make millions on the PGA Tour - they will need to play in junior tournaments and competitions. One of the best places to start is the “Drive, Chip, and Putt” skills competition. After that, there is the Washington Junior Golf Association which offers 9 and 18-hole tournaments throughout the year.

Please reach out to our golf professionals at Snohomish Golf Course for more detailed advice.

“Golf is one of the best mirror examples of real life.”

Let’s Play with Money

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE W. PARNELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWNING MEMORIES

By combining her experience as a small business owner and certified business coach with the desire to write books, Mara Williams is creating delightful books, called The Little Books of Big Business, which introduce children to financial literacy concepts.

MEET MARA WILLIAMS AND HER SOLUTION TO INTRODUCING KIDS TO FINANCIAL LITERACY

“I WROTE THE SERIES TO TEACH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL LITERACY IN A FUN AND SIMPLE WAY.”

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CREATE THIS SERIES?

I wanted to write a book so I chose things I love including my favorite dessert (brownies), my favorite season (fall) and my love for coaching small business. I also enjoy youth fiction, so I wrote the series to teach people of all ages about entrepreneurship and financial literacy in a fun and simple way.

I wrote my first book, Cat Casey Turns Brownies Into A Business, but set it aside for a while. More stories kept coming and it ended up being a series of books with a total of four kids in the books who each start their own business. After getting helpful feedback, I published them so that kids would be inspired to start learning about business and money.

WHAT SPECIFIC TOPICS DO THE BOOKS COVER?

The books all cover entrepreneurship, the idea of developing a concept about a business, resourcing, and putting together an actual business. These are micro businesses for kids like selling baked goods, dog walking, and being a kid handyman. Kids learn entrepreneurial skills like business planning, cost of goods, and writing up an invoice. They also learn soft skills like communicating with adults, confidence and creativity. Those skills are layered with basic financial literacy standards like spending and saving, earning money and financial decision-making.

WHAT TYPES OF RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

The first four books (Cat Casey Turns Brownies Into A Business, Emma Mason Turns Paperwork Into A Profit, Max England Turns A Pet Project Into Pay, and Nick Frank Turns Carpentry Into Cash) are available as individual books wherever books are sold.

I’ve also created a fun resource called a Kidpreneur Kit. It is the collection of all four books along with engaging activity sheets, stickers, blank business cards, and money envelopes in a cute briefcase bag. Kids can read the books, make their own business cards, and use the money envelopes to budget their money.

In May I published a fifth book, Tim Young Turns Clouds Into Coins, that is specific to the farmers market. There are two new characters who each design their own product to sell at the farmers market by using the worksheets that are built

Mara Williams

Studies show that kids’ behaviors about money are set between the ages of seven and nine. I feel like there’s a sweet spot for kids who are in grade school as they are open to learning about money before they become teenagers. Teens feel like they should already know all these things and they’re embarrassed or confused when they haven’t had financial practice and they need to make big decisions about their future. If we can get them when they are in grade school and willing to play and make mistakes, they can learn and build their capabilities about money.

into the book. This book was inspired by the collaboration I do with the Snohomish Farmers Market and the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce. This year we have forty kids in our Kid Vendor Day program and the kids are reading this book to learn and design their own farmers market business.

Additionally, I have been getting requests for curriculum, and so I started something new called “Let’s Play Money.” These are printable activity packets that follow the Washington state financial literacy standards for grades Kindergarten to sixth grade. Each packet includes all kinds of fun articles about money, crossword puzzles, coloring pages, and activities for practicing and playing with money.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH KIDS FINANCIAL LITERACY CONCEPTS?

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

I get major satisfaction from kids being super hungry for this topic. They’re smart and learning about money is empowering. I was recently in a fourth-grade classroom and helped the kids play a “marketplace” activity. They were so energized by creating their own businesses, selling their products to each other and practicing for real life. It makes me feel good that they are getting experience now so that when they’re ready to make financial decisions they’ve had some practice.

WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D

LIKE TO PASS ALONG TO PARENTS?

Cash is a missing piece we are facing with what I call “money technology”. Everything kids see today is plastic or digital. They have lost the opportunity to learn the value of money. I really encourage parents to find ways to integrate cash into the world.

For more information, visit http://www.thelittlebooksofbigbusiness.com. Find additional resources by following The Little Books of Big Business on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

AUGUST 5TH – 8TH

Nike Soccer Camps - Outdoor

Snohomish High School - Lower Turf Field

Snohomish Sports Dome is hosting an incredible week of outdoor soccer camps, ages 5 to 12. Camp Director, Austin Hill and the Snohomish Sky staff will utilize traditional and modern soccer coaching methodologies, the curriculum is one that allows every camper the opportunity to continue to progress to a higher skill level while having fun! Visit snohomishsportsdome.com/camps to learn more.

AUGUST 10TH

Harvey Field - Community Appreciation Day (Events All Day)

9900 Airport Way, Snohomish | 7:00 AM

Get ready for a full and fun filled day at Harvey Field in Snohomish. Starting with a pancake breakfast at 7AM and continuing past sunset, enjoy food trucks, kids zone, music, joy rides, hot air balloon displays, airplane competitions, and fancy wheels. Live music starts at 1PM and includes Ray Neyens, Kellie Rose, and Antwane Tyler! Visit harveyfield.com for details.

AUGUST 17TH

2024 JWA Sasquatch Hunt

- Sponsored by Allied Motorsport

Route 2 Taproom - 19837 US Hwy 2, Monroe, WA

In partnership with Jeepers with Attitude (JWA), Allied Motorsport is helping sponsor the 2024 Sasquatch Hunt to benefit the Stars and Stripes Charitable Alliance - a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the overlooked and underserved members of our community including veterans and senior citizens. Register for this event by visiting jeeperswithattitude.com and have fun in support of this organization.

AUGUST 17TH – 18TH

First Annual Adult Summer Art Experience Camp

Burkhead Art Center - 21416 95th St SE, Snohomish

Get ready for an exciting weekend getaway to explore various art forms, meet new creative people, and immerse yourself in a fun, enriching experience. Enjoy catered meals, hands-on workshops, and campfire fun! Try Welding, Jewelry, Pottery, Painting and A Raku Firing experience, all at the Burkhead Art Center. Learn more at www.burkheadartcenter.com.

AUGUST 22ND – SEPTEMBER 2ND

Evergreen State Fair

Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Hwy 2, Monroe WA

Located in Monroe, Washington Since 1949, the 193-acre Evergreen State Fairgrounds is home to the Evergreen State Fair which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Join us this year, August 22 through September 2, for the Youth Livestock Judging and Auction, Vendor Booths and Stands, 4-H demonstrations and displays, races, live music, and so much more.

AUGUST 23RD – 24TH

Snohomish Block

Party

Downtown Snohomish locations | 5:30 PM

Snohomish Block Party, presented by John L. Scott Snohomish Provides an opportunity to support our community by empowering artists, supporting youth creativity, building bridges, and sharing memorable experiences. People together through vibrant events that celebrate music, art, and local culture. We hope you’ll join us for the highly anticipated festival weekend. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: https://snohomishblockparty.com

Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.

ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STYLED BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”

Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “That, in turn, fosters an environment where the next time a family hosts Thanksgiving or has friends over, the owner and their dogs fall into the habit of obeying commands because of the confidence built through all the work put in beforehand.”

Even dogs with a troubled history can achieve improvement.

“We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.

• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it , but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99 percent working on small steps as part of a larger plan.

• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.

DOG

SOCIALIZING TIPS:

• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.

• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.

Once your dog is able to socialize with other pets, playdates are a great way to encourage good play behavior. One way to celebrate your pup’s birthday is to celebrate with their favorite furry friends. Here are a few helpful tips for making your gathering a success.

• Set up play areas for your furry guests to enjoy. This can include a doggy pool or splash pad, chew toys, frisbees, and don’t forget the pet-friendly bubbles.

• Offer party guests birthday attire such as a birthday hat, bandana or party outfit. Set up a photo wall for pet owners to get photos with their furry friends in their birthday outfits. Better yet, make it a costume competition, and invite guests to come dressed up ready to show off their pup’s attire.

• Create a treat display with a pet-friendly birthday cake and various chewy snacks for guests to give their pups.

• Party favors are a must to end your festivities with a bang. Fill party bags with bouncy balls, treats, and pet-friendly bubbles to send your guests off with a smile.