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Funko Pop Everett Headquarters
Pop in for a visit at the Funko Pop Everett Flagship Store
Nestled in the heart of downtown Everett there is an eye-catching building on Wetmore Avenue that is worth a visit. It is the building with the GIANT pop culture figures towering over passerby’s like colorful cartoon stylized gargoyles from the rooftop of a 17,000 sq. ft. flagship store. These characters are also accompanied by an emblazoned marquee sign that reads FUNKO. In my opinion, this store is hard to miss and even harder to miss out on. If you haven’t guessed it yet, it’s the Funko Pop Everett retail store!
A Brief History on Funko
For those of you who don’t know, Funko is a company that was founded in Snohomish Washington in 1998 & since its inception has taken the fandom world by storm with their Funko Pop signature stylized collectible vinyl figurines. Funko Pops depict characters and recognizable public figures within the pop culture universe. The pops are loveably big-headed and wide eyed and come in a variety of sizes from 3.75-18 inches and range in price from $8.99 on up.
Featured Fandoms at Funko Pop Everett Headquarters
Funko’s Everett store is worth a visit for collectors and photo-op enthusiasts alike. Every inch of the store has been meticulously staged to draw you into a perfectly curated pop culture universe. Walk straight in and turn right and you can have your own run in with a leviathan sized POP Godzilla. If that doesn’t entice you there are other fandom realms to see. Wetmore Forest for instance, houses cuddlier creatures and pays homage to Wetmore Avenue where the store is located. There is also: a Batcave, Arkham Asylum, Hogwarts, Disney-land and massive Marvel pops. If you are feeling brave enough you can chill inside the Wampa’s icy cavern and see what terrors await you inside the Star Wars Universe. Regardless of where you pose all your photo backdrops will be gram worthy!
Funko Pop Everett Featured Merchandise
Funko has obtained many licensing rights and will continue to expand their fandom reach for the foreseeable future. In addition to their vinyl figurines, they also have an assortment of merchandise like games, Loungefly apparel, and makeup. As if ALL these things weren’t reason enough to drop in for a visit, Funko has a unique in person pop-portunity that is exclusive to their Everett & Hollywood locations. Using their POP! Your Peeps digital booth you can make a pop figurine of yourself, a loved one or any other person you can dream up.
Go POP Yourself at Funko Pop Everett HQ Retail Store
I have done two variations of pop customization at the Everett Funko store. It started with a Freddy Funko monster known in my house as “Dog Boy Freddy.” In place of the Build-a-Freddy factory there is now a 4 screened kiosk where you can Pop! People! When I went last I created a Pop! avatar of myself. With the touch of a screen I had access to seemingly endless skin tones, outfits, hairstyles and accessory combinations. I even got to personalize my own Pop! box. For $25 (pre-tax) it was a well worth it experience. My Pop! Kerriann sits on my mantle alongside my family pops but may have to make her way to my office desk at some point.
What to Know before You Go!
Every time I visit the store it seems like Funko has dreamed up something new. Whether it be merchandise, a Funko Exclusive release, or a pop customization experience. I recommend grabbing a price list before you wander too far into the store because only the Loungefly merchandise is regularly priced. Also, dress in layers because occasionally the line to get into the store can wrap the outside of the building. Lastly, if you want to avoid crowds check Funko’s social media pages to make sure you avoid going on a special release day. Regardless, rain or shine, I say the Everett Funko store is worth a Pop-in!
blog written by Kerriann Jenkins
Creative Team
Mill Creek Town Center Spring Wine Walk and Tasting Notes
Featured wineries: Bacovino | Cavelero Hill Cellars | Cedergreen Cellars | Dahlman Cellars | Drum Roll Wine | Forgeron Cellars | Martedi Cellars | Michael Florentino | Naches Heights Vineyard | Sin Banderas Wines | Structure Cellars | Tricycle Cellars | WineHunter | Wit Cellars | Woodinville Ciderworks
Bacovino: proudly hosted by Inflection Wealth Management
BACOVINO sideways and underlined runs the left-hand length of an otherwise clean wine label. It is a Portuguese word that “speaks of the legendary culture of the vine and the mod of extracting its precious juice.” Reading through the Bacovino STORY page let me know that Wine Maker & Founder Randy Brooks has a passion for the symbiotic relationship between cultivated land, crop, harvest, and production and is mindful of the impact human creation has on the environment, so his brand practices and promises sustainability. I was surprised to learn that Bacovino had opened just before the pandemic. While many doors shuttered closed for the last time, they found a way to grow. With grapes sourced locally from Eastern Washington, I was excited to see how Brooks’ mindfulness and boldness played out when bottled.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: This was my first stop of the event and I had a 2018 Sangiovese. I am glad that I did not miss out on this wine because it was a great one. It poured a brilliant garnet color and smelled well developed with an unobtrusive light cherry sweetness present. This medium bodied wine tasted of juicy red fruits and carried into a nice acidity that was balanced out by bold tannins. Baccovino’s 2018 Sangiovese was well rounded and easily one of my favorites of the wine walk.
Chasity: This was also my first stop, and I had the 2019 Signature Sauvignon Blanc as I am more of a white wine connoisseur. I give these 3 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the smooth woodsy taste it provided and how it was not on the sweet side. It was well balanced, and I would drink more than one glass.
Cavelero Hill Cellars: proudly hosted by Boston’s Restaurant
Cavelero Hill Cellars was harder to find information about before attending the event; skimming down their Facebook feed I was able to learn that they are a wine house located in Lake Stevens and they had their initial startup in 2013. They also have two winery cats named Neo and Triniti which as an animal lover I was happy to see.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: Cavelero Hills was my second to last tasting of the night. I arrived looking like something the cat had dragged in. Sodden with rain and holding on to my hat. Chuck Hagglund warmly greeted me and took the time to chat while he poured his offerings. He shared that his red grapes were sourced from Eastern Washington and his whites were from Oregon. I had a white wine followed by a preview of a Cabernet Franc named 100 Buck Good Stuff Chuck which I noted was “really good.” I would love to make it out to Lake Stevens to give this winery a proper sit and sip review because the hospitality given in a modicum of an interaction was off the charts.
Cedergreen Cellars: proudly hosted by First Financial Northwest Bank
Cedergreen Cellars is a family operated winery owned by Kevin & Julie Cedergreen. From the homepage on their website, I was clued into the fact that they craft great pairing wines by the leading sentence “if you’re passionate about food, you’re going to love our wine.” Kevin spent his childhood harvesting on his family’s orchard in Eastern Washington and has gained a winemaking education through UC Davis as well as working harvests in Washington and New Zealand. The Cedergreens source their grapes from many notable vineyards throughout the state.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: Unfortunately, this was a winery that I missed out on.
Dahlman Cellars: proudly hosted by John L. Scott
Dahlman Cellars mission statement is “seriously great wine for less serious people.” It is branding that carries over from their website to their Instagram to their Facebook page. Scrolling down their feed I had a laugh at their inspirational post about fitness: “did you know 14 muscles are activated when opening a bottle of wine? Fitness is my passion.” I was also surprised to see they had shared and shouted out other wines and wine makers they were sipping on. Jim & Andrea Dahlman began dabbling in garage production wine making in 2013 and grew their non-serious hobby into a passion project alive with “innovative and experimental fermenting.” Dahlman Cellars wine is made in Woodinville and crafted from both notable and smaller vineyards.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: Unfortunately, this was a winery that I missed out on.
Drum Roll Wine: proudly hosted by Mill Creek Chamber of Commerce
When faced with job loss not many would turn to the bottle quite as metamorphically as Matt Frazier did. After being laid off from a long-term job Matt Frazier, Co-Founder and Wine Maker behind the brand Drum Roll moved forward to new pursuits. He combined his love for his family, music, art, and fun with wine making. Along with his wife, Sundee, and their daughters, Matt Frazier and family grant you a backstage pass to their wine and a glimpse into their lives. Visit their website to see all their passions including a few fun family music videos.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: This was my second stop of the day. I had the 2016 Drum Roll Red. I was told by Matt Frazier who was the pourer for the evening that it was a blend of cherry and strawberry. It poured a brilliant red and smelled softly sweetened. This red blend drank sweet and rolled through layers of light acidity and dryness. At the end of the event I rushed back to purchase this wine but I had missed curtain call.
Chasity: Kerriann and I started out at the same wineries but quickly went our separate ways, haha…. This was also my second stop. I tried their 2020 Drum Roll White Wine and it was very delightful I must say. I enjoyed the fruity, smooth crisp taste it provided on my pallet. It was very refreshing with notes of white grapefruit, pineapple, and peach. I give this a 4 star and it is one of my favorites!
Forgeron Cellars: proudly hosted by Kate’s Gifts
Forgeron is French for blacksmith, and it is in the remains of a re-forged old blacksmith building that Forgeron Cellars opened a winery and tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. Forgeron Cellars’ mission is to produce artisan wines that are site-specific and varietally-correct to pay proper homage to the vineyards they credit as being responsible for 80% of winemaking. With a team of Founders and newly seasoned Wine Maker Cody Janett at the helm Forgeron Cellars has achieved critical acclaim and expanded to a tasting room in Woodinville.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: At this stop I had the 2017 Imaginarium Red Blend. This wine was another one that was easy to drink. It smelled sweet on the nose. It presented itself fruit forward on the tongue. The blend tasted full like chocolate covered strawberries softened by savory light tannins.
Martedi Cellars: proudly hosted by DeVine Wines
The word Martedi is Italian for Tuesday. As noted on their Yelp review page this word holds special importance to the brand because it “commemorates the fact that for years all of the Miglino brothers would get together on the second Tuesday of each month to visit, eat pasta, drink wine, play cards, lie to each other, smoke cigars, discuss family and just spend time together.” It is their familial closeness that is displayed across their Instagram page along with an insight into their production crushing. Their 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was the last wine I got to taste. By that time, I had retreated to my go to order, and I was not disappointed with the wine in my glass.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: This was my final stop made in a mad dash. I had a 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. I noted that it was bold, deep, dark, and smooth. If you are a person who likes a Cabernet you would not be disappointed with this one.
Michael Florentino: proudly hosted by Kafe Neo
As noted on their website Michael Florentino began as a digital catalog winery. They made small batches for private label wine shops. Owner Brad Sherman studied at the UC Davis Vinology program and through volunteer work with local wineries and his time as VP at the Boeing wine club he fueled his own passion to begin making wine. Michael Florentino specializes in Spanish and Italian varietal wines and now has a tasting location and winery in Woodinville.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: Unfortunately, this was a winery I missed out on.
Chasity: I tried the 2013 Michael Florentino Sangiovese. I enjoyed the woodsy barrel taste it gave, very nice dark red blend. As I mentioned before I enjoy white wine but a good red blend is hard to turn away. I would purchase a bottle and for the price you could buy more.
Naches Heights Vineyard: proudly hosted by Frost
Naches Heights Vineyard and Winery is a family owned and operated business based out of Yakima. Owner Phil Cline is a third-generation farmer who entered the wine business in 2002. Refreshingly although Cline was born into farming land that has been in his family for over 75 years, he credits his team with the success of winemaking and helping to propel his business venture forward. Naches Heights area was established as an American Viticultural Area in 2012 lending even more credibility to the NHV brand.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: I tried the 2015 Crooked Red Blend. This blend comes bottled and canned. I was told by my pourer that this blend is a mix of a Tempranillo, Malbec and Syrah. This wine was smooth and full. This wine was complex but balanced and I could see it being a good on the go drink.
Sin Banderas Wines: proudly hosted by Windermere Mill Creek
Four strangers from around the world came together in a happenstance meetup at the Owen Roe crush facility and formed a bond that would lead them to create the wine brand Sin Banderas. Sin Banderas is Spanish for without flags and pays homage to its four owners Jacki Evans, Nacho Licea, Elyse Woda and Francois Dereeper. As their website states the brand was “cultivated by a Mexican, vinified by a Texan, cellared by a Frenchman, and distributed by a Washingtonian.” Together these four friends craft small batch wines with extra attention to detail. As of right now they do not have a tasting room so the only way to get your hands on their wares is to visit their website or one of the restaurants and boutiques that stock them.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: At this location I had the 2021 Rhone Rose. I remember thinking this would be a good summer or bridal wine. It smelled floral and bright. It was light and airy, crisp, and fresh. I don’t reach for a Rose often but this was a good one.
Chasity: This was one of my lasts stops and I tried the 2020 Rhône Rosé, I love a good Rosé. This must be one of my favorites, 4 stars! I appreciated the Rose gold hue it gave, and it was not too sweet or dry, it was the perfect balance for me. I would buy a bottle, or more….
Structure Cellars: proudly hosted by Banner Bank
I am a sucker for a love story and Structure Cellars had its beginning while building love and a brand from the ground up. I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in this brand to head over to their about us section on their website to read their story as told by the winemaker’s wife Brandee. Their brand gained its name during a very human moment of overwhelming frustration; faced with life challenges Brian and Brandee Grasso came together in the midst of the rubble of their stripped to the studs fixer upper and sought comfort in each other over a glass of Brian’s first crafted wine. In Brandee’s words “we sat down on the floor among the sawdust and sheetrock and opened a bottle of the 2008 Syrah (the first wine he ever made). The flood gates opened and I spewed out a string of the day’s house misadventures while gulping down my tumbler of wine. Brian listened, nodded and showed genuine concern. When he finally did speak he said you know, this house is a lot like this wine, it’s got good bones… it’s got good structure, it just needs some love. Our house may have been falling down, but I could see the irony of the situation. This was truly the beginning of STRUCTURE CELLARS.”
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: At this venue I tried the 2018 Foundation Syrah. It poured out a deep plum color and smelled like fruit and leather on the nose. This one tasted dark, earthy, robust, smoky and VERY dry. When I tasted it I thought it was a wine that my older sister would have LOVED.
Chasity: At this tasting spot I tried their 2021 Oculus Viognier (sounds like it came out of a movie). I would say this one was very, very smooth, with a little crisp and dry taste, perfect balance. I would have to say this one might of been my favorite out of them all, 4 Stars!
Tricycle Cellars: proudly hosted by Peoples Bank
Owners Chuck and Pam Hundley credit their interest in wine to a 2006 Porsche Club tour through Yakima Valley wine country. Their initial enthusiasm led Chuck Hundley to enroll into a wine program at Walla Walla CC and helped the Hundleys to switch lanes and head toward a new endeavor. Tricycle Cellars was formed in 2011 and released their first vintage, a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rocks District of Milton Freewater that won double gold at the Seattle Wine awards. Since then, Tricycle Cellars has continued to be a family owned and operated winery and is currently carried by Double Barrel Wine Bar in Snohomish and Heritage Restaurant and Bar in Woodinville with some of their proceeds being donated to mission work.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: Tricycle Cellars was the 8th stop of my night. I was excited to finally see a Cabernet on the docket and they had featured two. I ended up asking for the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon and next to it I wrote and underlined the word AMAZING! Cabernets are my comfort zone, if I don’t know what to get I usually leave with a cabernet or a red blend in hand. The wine itself poured a traditional ruby red and smelled like smooth dark fruit. This was a fruit forward presenting Cab that finished with a rich velvety texture. It encapsulated everything that I like about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Red Earth/WineHunter: proudly hosted by Expedia CruiseShip Centers
Red Earth wines is a brokerage of wines. The company was established in 2012 by Martin and Lisa Gorman who moved to Seattle from Melbourne Australia. Their mission was to bridge the gap between the impressive wine catalogue that Australia had to offer and the Australian wines that had made their way to the states already. Their goal is to represent wines that encapsulates the essence of Australia- it’s red centre, its dryness and its richness to bring the US wines Australians are proud to pour.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: This was my 7th stop of the evening and it was at this point that I got a little more adventurous and decided to finally try a white. I let the gentleman pouring my wine know that I was a red drinker, but I wanted to try a white and was leaning toward sampling “The Wattle.” He told me if I really wanted to try something a little wild that I could have fun with I should try the 2012 Mitchell Watervale Riesling. I did and I was pleasantly surprised with my experience with it. The 2012 Mitchell Watervale Reisling poured out a light golden hue and smelled of fragrant summer citrus with a hint of a floral character note. It ended up tasting a lot like it smelled. There were obvious notes of citrus and I had written down that it was reminiscent of a soft champagne, meaning there was a light dryness but I felt that the complexity of the flavors overpowered the dryness and remained on my tastebuds long enough to make them water.
Wit Cellars: proudly hosted by Artisan Custom Framing
Wit means mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; having a natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humor. Wit is something that is often passed between friends, and it is this thoughtful, meaningful interaction with a lightness of mood and certain elegance of style which encapsulates the spirit of WIT Cellars. Wit Cellars was started by three friends Gina Adams, Flint Nelson and Carolina Warwick. Together their mission is to create wine that will be a catalyst to encourage family and friends to come together and have meaningful conversations shared over a bottle of Wit Cellars wine.
Tasting notes:
Kerriann: Unfortunately, this was a winery I missed out on.
Woodinville Ciderworks: proudly hosted by Brooklyn Brothers Pizza
If you have made it all the way down the list of featured wineries, you have probably been clued into the fact that Woodinville Ciderworks is the only sanctioned non-wine offering at the event. Woodinville Ciderworks specializes in small batch hard ciders that are balanced, nuanced and food-friendly hard ciders from Pacific Northwest Apples. All their hard ciders are off-dry, highly drinkable and gluten-free. Owner Leroy Radford left behind his title as winemaker and closed shop at his Flying Dreams winery to become Owner and head of production at Woodinville Ciderworks which was established in 2015 and has gone on to become a notable Pacific Northwest cider brand.
Tasting Notes:
Kerriann: I should preface this review by saying I am admittedly not a cider drinker, but on our 4th stop of the day I decided to branch out and try Red Flesh. Red Flesh poured out a bright coral color and remained lightly frothy at the top while I sampled it. The best way I can describe this drink is that it was bright, fresh, crisp, very tarte and it had an earthy quality to it that made it seem less processed than previous ciders I had tried. I think this cider would have been great accompanied by a slice of Brooklyn Brother’s Pizza. I could also envision myself adding a shot of fireball to this cider on a cold fall night and waiting for the warmth to overtake me but on its own it was a bit too puckering for me.
Stay tuned for our next wine tasting! We are having fun sharing our tastings and experiences with you. We are all about our local wines and community!
Kerriann Jenkins
Receptionist/Creative Team
Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director/Creative Team
Mill Creek Town Center Spring Wine Walk
Seattle Uncorked | Mill Creek Town Center | First Financial Northwest Bank
On Thursday the forecast called for a 100% chance of rain and by Friday it had dropped to 89%. Come what may, I was committed to bundling up and making my way outdoors to sip and stroll down main street at the Mill Creek Town Center Spring Wine Walk on Saturday. Our Windermere Mill Creek office was set to feature Sin Banderas Wines and I wasn’t going to miss out on a fun opportunity to taste wine from local crafters because bad weather. After all, when you live in Washington you must get comfortable with a little or a lot of rain.
For the advanced purchase price of $25 attendees received 10 wine tastings and a souvenir glass. The only caveat being that there were 15 featured wineries all of which I would have loved to try. On Saturday the rain did fall as the forecasted. Despite the rain, I was pleasantly surprised to see there was a large turnout of eager and happy sippers lined up in the entrance cue. I was further surprised when I was handed extra gifts at check-in. I left the cue with a heavy-duty wine tote, a wine tour map and a golden coin for an extra pour.
The event itself was well thought-out. If you flipped the map over there was a list of the wines available for purchase along with their prices, makers, and hosts. If you were less inclined to use the map the event planners had marked the doorways of the hosting businesses with a purple star balloon which was great since my map started to get waterlogged as time passed. Several of the hosting businesses laid out additional refreshments and snacks and even offered swag and had live music and giveaways. There was even a free valet service offered to store any purchased event wine so you wouldn’t have to lug it around with you all evening.
The only thing I would have changed about the wine walk was the speed at which I maneuvered through it. At the start of the event, I had thought that 11 tastings would be easily doable. I anticipated having time to make it through my tickets and coin and have spare time to go back and purchase the bottles that I had marked with a star on my map. That was not how things worked out. Once I got to sipping, sitting, snacking, chatting and purchasing other things, I veered too far off track to accomplish that goal. At the end of the event, I still had a few tickets and my golden coin left over and didn’t make it back in time to purchase my starred bottles.
Overall, the event was such a fun way to get out and socialize on a rainy Saturday. It was great exposure for the town center businesses and the featured wineries, and I would highly recommend going to the next one! Just be advised you should plan to put on good walking shoes and move like a Winosaur if you want to make it through all your tickets in time.
Stay Tuned for a Roundup of the Featured Wineries and Tasting Notes!
written by Kerriann Jenkins/Creative Team
Top 5 best blooms in Washington State
Where to see the top 5 best blooms in Washington State
Going to see the flower blooms is a good way to bid adieu to the winter gray gloom as they are a colorful cheery reminder that Spring truly does exist here in Washington and that the sun shines enough to encourage things to grow through the rainiest of weather. Keeping weather in mind, blooms are often unpredictable in their nature because weather variables can cause the buds to either reach maturity earlier or later than predicted. Typically speaking though, there is a correlation in bloom time that if the weather is warmer the buds will bloom earlier and if it is a colder year the buds will bloom later. This year for instance we are in a late bloom season because of the snow that has persisted into spring. Keep in mind as you read on that everything blooms in its own time, so the dates provided below are just tentative time frames.
1.) Daffodils in Skagit Valley
(Bloom as early as March and as late as May)
Starting with the “first blooms” of spring, the Daffodil fields begin brightly shining in Skagit County as early as March and as late as April. You can take a free self-guided drive tour around the blooming fields and stop on the roadside for photo opportunities but keep in mind these fields are privately owned so try to resist the urge to walk into them. Snow Geese flock to this area during this timeframe so you may get the added bonus of seeing them soar over the daffodils as you view the flowers from the comfort of your vehicle. If you’re in the area during the right timeframe, you can also visit La Conner during their Daffodil festival. You can plan your tour by using this bloom map: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Bloom Map – Visit Skagit Valley – North Cascades National Park to Farmlands to Salish Sea
2.) UW Cherry Blossoms in Seattle
(Full Bloom Mid-March)
The iconic UW Cherry Blossom trees start showing their pink of perfection around the third week of March. There is no clear recorded history of where the trees came from, though rumor has it they were possibly donated to Seattle by the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912 and were transplanted from Washington Park Arboretum to UW’s quad in 1984. The trees that line UW’s quad are around 90 years old and have bloomed every year since their planting and just as you would refrain from hanging off the limbs of your 90-year-old grandmother, you should also plan to refrain from climbing or shaking these trees. Despite their age and viewing limitations the Cherry Blossom blooms still draw large crowds. You can check up on these trees to see them in bloom using UW’s Cherry Blossom Webcam at: Campus Webcams | UW Video (washington.edu) or you can use this interactive map which is maintained by the Seattle Department of Transportation to view other Cherry Trees around Seattle: Trees for Seattle | Street Trees (arcgis.com)
3.) Tulips in Skagit Valley
(Late March-May)
About two weeks after the Daffodils bloom, Skagit valley becomes alive with a rainbow of brilliant colors courtesy of the Tulip blooms. Unlike the Daffodils which aren’t as well known, the Tulip Fields have gained worldwide recognition for their beauty, most likely because they are a little more interactive than their predecessors. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town both offer ticketed entry to view their cultivated tulip gardens by foot. From my experience RoozenGaarde offers wider rows of tulips of the same color and Tulip Town has their colored rows closer together. Both yields beautifully impactful photographs though so you can’t really go wrong visiting one over the other. You can find out more information about RoozenGaarde at Fresh Cut Flowers & Spring Flowering Bulbs: Tulips.com and you can find more information about Tulip Town by visiting: Tulip Town.
4.) Lavender Fields in Sequim (Late June-August)
Lavender blooms in Washington state throughout the Summer and the Sequim Lavender Festival is a good draw to visit the area to see and smell the aromatic purple blue blooms in a visually impactful setting. Sequim has gained a reputation for being the “Lavender Capitol of North America” and there you will find over 20 locally owned lavender farms to visit. The 2022 Sequim Lavender Festival will take place from July 15th– 17th and you can bet there will be plenty of fragrant flowers to see, purchase, smell and even eat. To find out more about the festival you can visit Sequim’s City managed website at: Attend Local Festivals | Sequim Tourism, WA – Official Website (visitsunnysequim.com). By visiting that page, you will also see that Sequim encourages visitors to do their farm research before visiting the Lavender fields because each farm has their own individual entry times, fees and attendee expectations.
5.) Wildflowers in Mt. Rainier (Late June-August)
In my opinion, I saved the best blooms in the State for last. John Muir, a famous explorer, and conservationist who is synonymous for helping to raise awareness to establish many of our treasured national parks was quoted crediting Mt. Rainer as “the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings.” These words are carved into the steps that lead up to Paradise and just beyond that are Trailways that lead to the most awe-inspiring wildflower meadows in the state. Unlike the other flowers I have mentioned this one is curated by Mother Nature and everywhere you look there are Avalanche Lilies, Beargrass, Lupine, Paintbrushes, Asters, Daisies, Purple Shooting Stars and so many other floral varieties intermingling with one another and blanketing the grounds surrounding Mt. Rainier. The Paradise area offers many hike views of Mt. Rainier’s wild splendor from the 5.5 mile Skyline trail but even if you just choose to walk the portion of the trail leading away from the visitor center and toward Myrtle Falls you will be visually rewarded with wildflowers. Keep in mind you are kindly asked not to meander through the flowers and to stay on the marked pathways. You can learn more about visiting Mt. Rainier through the National Parks page at: Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
One of the major benefits of living through the rain and seasonally overcast weather is that Washington is the perfect hub for floral vegetation to grow and flourish and because of that there are many beautiful places to visit that are alive with blooms. If this list inspires you to visit any of these bloom locations or you would like to share your favorite blooms, please tag us on Instagram @windermeremillcreek or on twitter @wremillcreek
written by Kerriann Jenkins
Creative Team
Local Farmers Markets
I am always excited to put together the Local Farmer’s Market Blog! Another year all the farmer’s and local community get to share their food, art, creations and much much more! This list covers Snohomish and the surrounding area so you can pick up essentials fresh from the farm at any of these locations.
Arlington Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays May 7th through October 25th
140 N. Olympic Ave.; 360-659-5453 – www.stillyvalleychamber.com/farmersmarket
Ballard Farmers Market
Every Sunday rain or shine year-round from 9:00 AM – 2:00PM
Ballard Avenue NW between Vernon Place and 22nd Avenue Ballard AVE NW – www.sfmamarkets.com/visit-ballard-farmers-market
Bellevue Farmers Market
3 PM – 2PM Every Thursday, From May 12th through October 6th
Bellevue Presbyterian Church parking lot, 1717 Bellevue Way NE – www.bellevuefarmersmarket.org
Capitol Hill Farmers Market
All Year Around, visit site to see which market and times work for you
E Barbara Bailey Way between Broadway Ave E and 10th Ave E, Seattle – www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org
Duvall Farmers Market
Thursdays from 3pm – 7pm
Taylor Landing, 16201 Main Street NE, Duvall WA 98019 next to Park & Ride – www.duvallfarmersmarket.org
Edmonds Museum Garden & Summer Market
Saturdays May 7th from 9am – 2pm
5th Avenue N. & Bell Street – www.historicedmonds.org/summer-market
Everett Farmers Market
Sundays May 8th – October 30th from 11am – 3pm
5th Avenue N. & Bell Street – www.everettfarmersmarket.com
Kirkland Wednesday Market
Wednesday’s starting June 1st
Marina Park 25 Lakeshore Plaza – www.kirklandmarket.org/www.everettfarmersmarket.com
Lake Stevens Farmers Market
Wednesdays June – August from 3pm – 7pm
North Cove Park and The Mill – 1808 Main Street in downtown Lake Stevens – www.lakestevensfarmersmarket.org/www.kirklandmarket.org/www.everettfarmersmarket.com
Snohomish Farmers Market
Thursdays May – September from 3pm – 7pm
Union & Glen Avenue in Historic Downtown Snohomish – www.snohomishfarmersmarket.org
Shoreline Farmers Market
Saturdays June 4th – October 1st from 10am – 2pm
Location TBD – www.shorelinefarmersmarket.org/home
Woodinville Farmers Market
Saturdays May – September from 10am – 3pm
Festival Street in Downtown Woodinville – www.woodinvillefarmersmarket.com
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Wine of the Month
Pasek Cellars Wine of the Month
When I think of Wine destinations, I pour out images of France, Tuscany, Sonoma, and Napa Valley. I never really considered to look more locally at my own home of Washington State. That being said, recent events led me to learn that I needed to re-evaluate my ill formed opinion on the matter. After a few weighted exchanges of polite words and a quick google search, I learned that Washington’s Wine game was in fact the real deal. As it turns out, while small in comparison to California’s boastful 680,272,512 production gallons, Washington is the second highest wine producing state in the US crafting 40,747,190 gallons per year as of 2021. Washington also ranks 3rd in our number of operating wineries at 792 and falls short of second highest only by one to Oregon at 793 wineries. Some sources claim a winery is opened here every 15-30 days. Washington’s wine economic impact comes in hot at a whopping 9.6 Billion dollars and was only really developed into a commercial industry in the 1960’s when the first commercial-scale plantings began by Chateau Ste. Michelle & Columbia Winery. With figures like that it’s hard for a wine student like myself to not want to learn more. This information got me thinking about the bottles I have delved into in the past and really thinking about where they came from and who made them and now, I have a strong thirst to explore the pours that Washington has to offer. As the saying goes wine only gets better with age and as Washington’s graperies ripen with age and experience our wine will only get better with time.
Why I Chose this Wine Label
This month I’m cheating and talking about a wine label that has frequently been poured into my glass at home. It’s the wine I offer to my friends who say they are not a fan of drinking wine and it’s the wine that has converted many of them into wine lovers. Pasek Cellars.
After only ever drinking grape wines, my Dad brought me home my first bottle of Loganberry wine from Pasek Cellars well over a decade ago. I had told him I liked reds and technically the wine he offered was red inside the bottle. I was skeptical but back then drinking was less about the experience and more about the buzz, so I uncorked the top, gave it a go, and was instantly hooked. In honor of my Dad I continue to offer this label to those who haven’t tried it.
About Pasek Cellars
Pasek Cellars was started in Mt. Vernon in 1995 by Gene & Kathy Pasek and is best known in the area for their fruit wines. Unlike other fruit wines who add in fruit flavoring, Pasek cellars fruit wine is 100% Northwest grown fruit through & through. They currently offer 18 varietals to choose from including five berry wines, 5 port style dessert wines, 3 reds, 3 whites and two tropical wines; six of which are certified Kosher. Pasek Cellars top selling bottle is their Cranberry wine, which makes up a third of their business followed distantly by their Blackberry bottle. Their demand has grown since the 90’s and they are now the official wine of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Pasek Cellars continues to grow and expand what their production has to offer under a change in hands of ownership to David James and his wife Judy Pascale. If you would like to find out more about Pasek Cellars or purchase their wine you can visit their website here: www.pasekcellars.com
Tasting Notes:
In this portion you will be reading my personal notes as well as our Social Media Director, Chasity Rodriguez’s tasting experiences.
CRANBERRY
Kerriann: Having previously had this wine I knew that despite this being the top seller for Pasek Cellars this was not going to be my favorite. I usually pick up a bottle of Pasek Cellars Cranberry wine for Thanksgiving and call that my Cranberry side dish. It goes great paired with a Thanksgiving Day Turkey. During the tasting I paid closer attention to details I had passed over during previous sipping. The wine itself is a brilliant red to even a deepened pink tone. When I smelled it, I was surprised to find that I could actually smell the sweetness and tartness of a cranberry. My initial sip was fresh and there was a deep sweetness to the wine followed by abruptly by a juxtaposed crisp tartness and a dry finish. For me the sweetness and tartness provided something of a sour patch kid experience, the warring flavors brought out an impactful burst of tarte and sweet. In closing, this is a great and unique wine but without food to offset it this was too strong for me. At the end of the tasting this is still a one glass wonder for me, it’s not something that I would sit and sip on without food but it will remain a holiday side dish necessity in my household.
Chasity: This is the first time I have tried this type of wine and this flavor and I have to say it was not my favorite. It did provide a fresh crisp tart taste with a dry ending. The smell was sweet and did smell of cranberries. The taste did resemble cranberry juice but the cranberry taste was not predominate. The color was rich in red but held to light it was blush in color. I would say this a sipper wine and wouldn’t drink too much of it, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
RASPBERRY
Kerriann: I went into this tasting knowing that I really enjoyed this bottle, but I believed it wasn’t my personal favorite out of the wines I had purchased for this tasting. This one poured out much deeper in color and had a smooth pleasing smell I couldn’t quite place that was almost floral and summery. My initial sip started out tarte and finished sweet and left my mouth watering. To me this wine tasted closer to a true red varietal grape wine. Unlike the Cranberry wine where the tarte and sweet flavors seemed at war with one another, the Raspberry wine’s tarte and sweet flavors were well balanced and complimentary of one another. I was surprised to find that this wine was the overall winner for me of the wines that we tasted this day. The Raspberry literally left my mouth watering well into the Blackberry wine tasting and at the end of the tasting I couldn’t help but have a full glass of this one.
Chasity: So as like Kerriann I really enjoyed this wine. Surprisingly it was my favorite out of the three we tasted. The color was a deeper in red and was true to a more traditional red wine we are all unaccustomed to. This wine started off a little tart and then finished with a sweet taste in my mouth. It made my mouth water, wanting to go back for more and well balanced so you could have more than one glass. Overall, a winner for me!
BLACKBERRY
Kerriann: Initially this was the wine that I had thought was my favorite out of the flavors I had managed to find. However, having the wines back-to-back made me take notice of things that I had not before and left me with an unexpected change of opinion. The Blackberry wine poured out even darker than the two previous glasses and for me there was no mistaking that this was a Blackberry wine. I could smell the Blackberry and it wasn’t as sweet smelling as the first two wines had been. There was a bit more of a robustness to it. For me, this wine tasted the closest to a true red varietal grape wine. Despite not smelling as sweet as the previous two wines this one tasted consistently sweet throughout, but not sickeningly sweet, it was more of a deepened smooth rich sweetness that ended dry on the taste buds. There was something almost homemade and comforting about this wine. It reminded me loosely of a blackberry cordial my parents used to concoct. It is a very enjoyable wine, and I could have more than a glass of this one on its own, but it was the Raspberry that had sated my taste buds the most.
Chasity: This wine is also more of a red wine, smoother throughout the tasting then the others I believe. I could smell the blackberry but not very sweet when it hits your nose. This wine was also true to a red grape wine. The taste was sweet and tart but stayed consistent throughout. To be honest it did end with a dry taste in my mouth not like the Raspberry where my mouth was literally watering. The color was even deeper in red and I thought it was very pretty, I’m about the color……I know.
blog written by Kerriann Jenkins
Creative Team
blog featuring Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director/Creative Team
Spring Reading List
These are my reading picks for Spring time. I hope you enjoy them along with other reading options through Sno-Isle Libraries. All online services and resources continue to be available as well. Visit there site here, www.sno-isle.org/mill-creek
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food and Love by Fay, Kim
“In the vein of the classic 84, Charing Cross Road and Meet Me at the Museum, this witty and tender novel follows two women in 1960s America as they discover that food really does connect us all, and that friendship and laughter are the best medicine.”
From Strength to Strength by Brooks, Arthur C.
The roadmap for finding purpose, meaning, and success as we age, from bestselling author, Harvard professor, and the Atlantic’s happiness columnist Arthur Brooks. Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and eastern wisdom, as well as dozens of interviews with everyday men and women, Brooks shows us that true life success is well within our reach. By refocusing on certain priorities and habits that anyone can learn, such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection and service to others, and spiritual progress, we can set ourselves up for increased happiness.
I hope you enjoy the books I have chosen for your spring reading. Visit www.sno-isle.org/mill-creek to view other wonderful books that are available. All online services and resources continue to be available. Visit there site here, www.sno-isle.org/mill-creek
blog post by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
March Artist of the Month
This month for March we have an artist by the name of Kim Harris. She is a graphite artist that specializes in drawing horses, dogs and cats. Her work is phenomenal and very unique!
Kim attended the University of Oregon and Cornish Art School as a fine arts major. She has lived in Washington state her whole life. She’s been married 28 years and has two daughters. Kim and her family live on 22 acres of farm land with 3 horses and her Airedale Terrier, Fergus. She understands the important role your pet has in your family and her goal is to capture that spirit in every portrait created. Go check out her beautiful work at www.kimharrisgraphites.com.
Every Month our office holds space for an Artist of the Month. We display their work at our Mill Creek Town Center location for the whole month. Its a great opportunity for the artist! We love supporting our community and this is just one way of showing how much we love it.
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Valentine’s Day Ideas that are Low Key
Are you looking for things to do for Valentine’s Day? Here are some Romantic Ideas and Cute Activities that are low key and fun!
Start a Couple’s Bucket List
Create your very own bucket list and jot it down on a notebook. It can include anything you two dream to do in life together.
Eat Breakfast in Bed
How about dishing up a little love by preparing a delicious breakfast for your beloved and serving it in bed?
Slow Dance to Your Song
Bring back those feelings that first brought you together with your song! We all have that favorite song we listened to when we first met that special someone. Turn it up!
Stay in a Suite close by
Pack away a few belongings and go on a short couple’s retreat.
Recreate Your First Date
Step out and recreate that first date! Get dressed up and meet each other there! How exciting! (then you get to go home together)
Stay Up All Night
Do you remember when the two of you just started your relationship and would spend the wee hours of the morning just talking on the phone? Try to replicate that special period of time by planning an all-nighter that may include chatting, laughing, dancing or taking a late night stroll.
Take a Bubble Bath Together (with Champagne & Strawberries!)
Set up the mood! Light scented candles, dim the lights, put on relaxing music, fill up the bath with water and add some salts and bath bombs, and plunge! Add some strawberries and a bottle of champagne and this is one of the must things to do on Valentine’s Day.
Eat a Fancy Dinner Out
Relax, head out to your favorite fancy restaurant and indulge in gourmet food in a midst of tranquility.
Eat Fondue Together
Grab a huge pot of fondue, some bread, and forks, and eat away! If you want sweet rather than savory, you can go for chocolate fondue that has sweet tidbits of fruits and pastries. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?
Stay in Bed All Day (& Night)
Reconnect now! Give up all the chores, take the day off and spend a lazy afternoon (and night!) in bed this Valentine’s Day. Talk, cuddle, gossip, laugh and much more *wink wink*. You will notice the difference instantly.
Get a Couples Massage
What could be more romantic than lying side-by-side with your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse in the most relaxing environment? Or, for a even more intimate couples activity, you can learn how to give each other a sexy tranquilizing massage.
Watch your Favorite Romantic Movie
Watch a romantic movie together to reflect your lovey-dovey feelings on Valentine’s Day. You can also have a movie marathon or stick to your most favorite one. Laugh at jokes and cuddle.
Watch the Sunset
You don’t need to be somewhere far off in a tropical isle to watch a sunset. All you need is a clear view. Find a quiet spot and quietly gaze at the sun together. It is simply serene.
Write Each other a Love Note
Lets bring it back to old school; the days where letters were handwritten, sealed with a kiss and mailed at the post office. You don’t have to send it through the post office but you get what I mean.
Create your own Couples Cocktail
Celebrate the day of affection and love by creating a cocktail that captures flavors of your love. Raise a glass to your relationship and drink away!
Have a Picnic
Find that picnic basket for this romantic Valentine’s activity. Pack it with your favorite bottle of wine, snacks and pick a secluded outdoor getaway and create a memory.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember you can always show love to the one you love anytime of the year, it doesn’t have to be just one day!
written by Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
Buying Land Vs. Homes
Property is an asset anyone would want to have. This can be land or a house and lot. Owning either of these is the end goal for people. By doing so, you will have a liquid asset and can start living rent-free. But what is better, buying an empty lot, or an already built home? First-time home buyers who are ready to make this investment commonly ask this question. We’ll go through the pros and cons of each.
Buying Land
Acquiring a good-sized empty land can be hard to come by nowadays. The rise in demand and the population growth attributed to this. But, it is an excellent investment to make, especially if you have enough to buy one.
Owning land means you can keep it as is, and that specific piece of the earth will gain you money in the long run if you decide to let it go. This is because the land value goes up as the years go by. But if you are ready to build your dream home in it, then here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Full customization of your dream home
- Energy-efficient
- Use of modern technology – making sure your home is built for the climate and changes
- Cost-saving in the long run
Cons
- It can seem expensive since you need to put out the money in one go.
- Perfect land, but not the ideal area. For example, getting water and electricity lines can get tricky.
- It takes time.
Buying A House (and Lot)
First off, you can set a budget before searching for your perfect house. This is one of the advantages of buying something that is built already. There will be numerous choices too. Looking and choosing houses can be exciting, but it can also be stressful – that is why hiring a realtor is necessary. You can tell them the specifics you want in a house and the agent will shortlist them for you. But what are the real pros and cons of buying a house:
Pros
- Fast turnover. Once you buy your choice of house, you can move as soon as possible.
- It can be cheaper than building your own home.
- Can have multiple choices
Cons
- Less customization. You will have to make do of existing home features or amenities.
- It can cost you more in the long run because of repairs.
- It is a chore. Searching for the perfect house can take a long time.
Bottom Line
Buying land or buying a house is an important decision. Depending on what you want in your dream home, the pros and cons of each option are different, but there’s no perfect solution for everyone who wants their own space just like that! Suppose customized design features with every amenity possible appeal most to you. In that case, you might want to consider buying empty lots instead, because this allows more customization than other options do at first glance.
If you want to find something you can move into in no time and believe that you can find one with all your requirements, then searching for a home can be the right choice. But in the end, one of the most important things to factor in is the community your land or home is in.
Chasity Rodriguez
Social Media Director
