In 2025, local organizations and individuals throughout Snohomish County demonstrated remarkable community spirit through food security, education, and remembrance efforts. Below are some of the highlights of our coverage for 2025.
Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen holds 5th annual Christmas on the Farm
Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen in Lynnwood hosted its 5th annual Christmas on the Farm event, featuring festive lights, a bonfire, hot cocoa, and red velvet donuts.
Started in 2020 by owners Eric and Rachel Vaughn to foster community during social distancing, the event offers family-friendly activities like decorated walkways, a mini mud pie kitchen, bubble blowing, animal petting, and photos with Santa.
Rachel Vaughn emphasized the farm’s focus on safe, farm-centered experiences for children and year-round agrotourism to connect people to food. The event has concluded, but visitors can return in spring for more farming activities.
RISNW and Lynnwood Food Bank distribute 150 free Thanksgiving meals
On November 20, 2025, Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest (RISNW), Lynnwood Food Bank, and Everett Police Department distributed 150 free Thanksgiving meal kits to refugee and immigrant families in Everett.
The ticket-only event provided frozen turkeys, vegetables, cornbread, fresh fruit, potatoes, cabbage, cookies, stuffing, and more, plus coloring books and household items. RISNW Executive Director Van Dinh-Kuno highlighted introducing American Thanksgiving traditions amid federal program cuts like SNAP.
The ongoing partnership since 2020 also supports health equity, cultural foods, and volunteer job skills training for immigrants.
Nourishing Network breaks record in students served, volunteers and donors needed more than ever
The Nourishing Network, launched in 2014 by the Foundation for Edmonds School District, has grown dramatically, projecting up to 1,000 food-insecure students served this year—more than double the pandemic peak.
As of early November, 621 students were registered, with rapid increases driven by rising food costs and widespread insecurity. The program partners with organizations like Whole Foods and North Sound Church, offering weekend meals, summer support, holiday kits, and delivery. It distributed nearly 133,000 pounds of food last year and urgently seeks more volunteers and donations to meet demand.
How one man’s spiritual journey uncovered the holes in how the region addresses homelessness
Lynnwood resident Joe Wankelman, following personal struggles including trauma, PTSD, and a suicide attempt, conducted nearly 600 interviews with homeless individuals over two years to examine the effectiveness of Washington State’s $5.3 billion homelessness investment.
A Johns Hopkins master’s graduate in Data Analytics and Policy, he concluded that current approaches focus on symptoms (housing, substance abuse) rather than root causes like unresolved trauma and shame. He criticized inaccurate counts and funding silos, advocating for trust-building, peer support, and systemic change through grassroots efforts.
Five years ago, Lynnwood’s the House of Wisdom began in a garage with a $300 loan
Ahmad Hilal Abid, an Afghan refugee, founded the House of Wisdom in 2020 in his family’s Edmonds garage with a $300 loan. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it serves 200 immigrants/refugees annually with free tutoring, English classes, programming workshops, resume help, and job placement. With 70 staff and multiple locations, it boasts 80-90% academic improvement rates and has earned awards for Abid, who is studying Political Science and Law at UW.
County holds ninth annual A night to remember, a time to act for opioid awareness
Approximately 300 people attended the ninth annual A Night To Remember, A Time To Act event on August 28 at Snohomish County Plaza, organized by Hope Soldiers. The gathering honored overdose victims, supported recovery, and raised opioid awareness. Founders shared personal stories, a panel discussed housing and resources, and Everett’s mayor highlighted recovery housing priorities. It ended with a candlelight vigil and resource fair offering naloxone and detox information.
Thousands braved the rain Saturday for Lynnwood’s seventh annual Fair on 44th
On September 6, 2025, thousands attended Lynnwood’s seventh annual Fair on 44th despite rain. The block party closed six blocks of 44th Avenue for health/safety booths, vaccinations, public safety displays (including K-9 units and SWAT), library giveaways, bus tours, performances, fitness classes, and food trucks. Sponsored by Community Transit and others, it built connections between residents and services.
PAX West video game convention draws thousands to Seattle Convention Center
PAX West 2025, the largest video game convention on the U.S. West Coast, drew approximately 120,000 attendees to the Seattle Convention Center from August 29 to September 1. Spanning multiple buildings and nearby venues, the event featured major publishers like Nintendo, Capcom, Ubisoft, and Square Enix showcasing demos of upcoming titles including Pokémon Legends Z-A, Borderlands 4, and Resident Evil 9. Indie games such as Hades II and Silksong were highlights, alongside tournaments for Mario Kart 8, Tekken 8, and Fortnite; tabletop gaming; speedrunning; VR experiences; and a Nintendo Power museum. Panels included discussions with Naoki Yoshida and Washington native Eric Barone (Stardew Valley creator).
Cosplay, live music, and after-parties added to the festivities. Local participation included Bothell’s Zulu’s Board Game Café, and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs promoted civic engagement. The convention, founded by Seattle residents in 2004, continues to grow regionally and internationally.
Emerald City Comic Con 2024 comes to a close with a knockout celebrity guestlist
Emerald City Comic Con 2024, the Pacific Northwest’s premier pop culture event, ran February 29 to March 3 at Seattle’s Convention Center and nearby venues, attracting around 100,000 attendees. The convention offered a massive show floor, Artist Alley, and diverse activities including panels, workshops, karaoke, arcade games, a maid cafe, board games, drag queen BINGO, live music, foam weapon fighting, and a new 21+ Tavern. Celebrity guests featured Chris Evans, Christina Ricci, Billy Dee Williams, voice casts from Adventure Time and Avatar: The Last Airbender, Twilight cast members, Christopher Lloyd, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Jodie Whittaker, and authors like Terry Brooks. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs addressed book censorship concerns.
Washington’s Midsummer Renaissance Faire’s 16th year comes to a close
The 16th annual Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire concluded after five weekends (July 19–August 17, 2025) at Sky Meadows Lane in Snohomish, drawing over 80,000 visitors. Set in the fictional 16th-century town of Merriwick, the event offered archery, axe throwing, sword fighting workshops, live jousting, knighting ceremonies, carnival games, and equestrian archery. Entertainment included musical acts, comedy, strongwoman performances, birds of prey displays, and nightly shows with fire dancers, acrobatics, and burlesque. Children enjoyed fairy hunts and tea parties, while adults had access to themed bars, pub crawls, and adults-only events. Over 150 merchants sold handmade goods, with crafting workshops and a new Dungeon Museum available. Organized by the Washington Renaissance Arts and Education Society with 500 volunteers, the faire supported local artisans and businesses.
Fairwinds Brighton Court annual Car Show raises $2,000 for South County Fire
The annual charity Car Show at Fairwinds Brighton Court senior living facility in Lynnwood, held July 19, 2025, featured 35 classic and custom vehicles and raised $2,000 for South County Fire to support AED purchases. Attendees enjoyed live music by Uncle Buzzy, barbecue lunch, and a dunk tank. Highlighted cars included a 1965 Mustang Fastback, 1967 Chrysler Newport, 1978 Corvette, and a 1924 Bentley (Best in Show). Other winners: Best Interior (1977 convertible), Best First Date Car (1962 Corvette), Best Muscle Car (1967 Camaro), and Jackie’s Choice (1955 Thunderbird). The community-focused event promoted socialization and philanthropy among residents and visitors.
Bothell Islamic Center receives bomb threat in alleged hate crime
On June 8, 2025, the Islamic Center of Bothell received an anonymous bomb threat via its website, threatening an explosion during Friday prayers and calling for harm to attendees. The message, submitted under the name “Filthy,” prompted immediate notification to Bothell Police and the FBI, with the incident investigated as a potential hate crime. CAIR-Washington condemned the threat, linking it to rising Islamophobia and recent federal policies, and called for state-level investigation. Center leaders expressed thanks for swift law enforcement response and emphasized community unity. Bothell Deputy Mayor Rami Al-Kabra supported the call for compassion amid ongoing concerns about hate incidents.
Ninth Circuit sides with state in Olympus Spa transgender lawsuit
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Washington State Human Rights Commission in a lawsuit against Lynnwood’s Olympus Spa, a female-only Korean spa requiring nudity that admits only post-operative transgender women. The spa owner claimed enforcement of the state’s anti-discrimination law (WLAD) violated First Amendment rights to free speech, religion, and association. The court ruled WLAD is a neutral, generally applicable law that does not infringe these rights. The case stemmed from a 2020 complaint by transwoman Haven Wilvich, denied entry due to her transgender status. A dissent argued the ruling undermines protections for women in intimate settings.
How one child’s compassion led to a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough
At Little Cedars Elementary in Snohomish, a garter snake injured by students stomping on it after emerging from hibernation was rescued by student Boston Divito, who alerted adults. The family brought the snake to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, where veterinarians treated severe injuries including exposed bones and a damaged jaw. During surgery, a rare fungal infection (Paranannizziopsis) was discovered—the first untreated case in the U.S. PAWS collaborated with researchers to develop a successful treatment protocol. The infection, unrelated to the abuse, likely caused the snake’s early emergence. The snake was released healthy on April 9, 2025, highlighting garter snakes’ ecological role and potential for broader wildlife disease treatment.
Lynnwood resident Marjorie Mays celebrates 103rd birthday
Lynnwood resident Marjorie “Maizie” Mays celebrated her 103rd birthday on March 20, 2025, at Quail Park Assisted Living. Born in 1922 on a Cashmere apple ranch, she credits longevity to positivity and activity. She lived through Prohibition, the Great Depression, WWII, the moon landing, and the internet era. Key memories include celebrating WWII’s end in Pioneer Square and watching Neil Armstrong on TV. She met her husband Roy in 1945; they married, built homes, traveled, and enjoyed outdoor activities into their 90s during their 77-year marriage. Roy passed at 101 two years prior. Mays, mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of ten, shares life lessons: stay active, learn, and avoid judgment.
Flora galore: Northwest Orchid Society’s second annual Indoor Plant Festival
The Northwest Orchid Society hosted its second annual Indoor Plant Festival on March 22-23, 2025, at the Lynnwood Event Center. The event showcased hundreds of plant varieties, with orchids as the focus alongside cacti, carnivorous plants, begonias, and more. Participating groups included Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society, Oregon Orchid Society, Spokane Orchid Society, and Mount Baker Orchid Society. Vendors featured local and international nurseries from the Pacific Northwest, Thailand, Peru, Ecuador, and Taiwan. Approximately 1,300 attendees visited, a slight increase from the prior year. Organizer Ben Johnson described the event as very busy and expressed optimism for future growth.
Hundreds brave the weather for Lunar New Year celebration at the Port of Everett
Nearly 150 people attended the second annual Lunar New Year celebration on February 1, 2025, at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place, despite snowy conditions. Co-hosted by the Port and Fisherman Jack’s restaurant (owned by Chinese immigrant Jack Ng), the event featured remarks by Port Commissioner Glen Bachman, Ng, and Representative Rick Larsen. Highlights included a lion dance and martial arts demonstration by Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness. The 2025 celebration marked the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom and transformation, with traditional elements like red decorations and references to warding off the monster Nian through family and cultural festivities.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
