Finding certainty in a wobbly world
There is something about getting through a winter holiday in this bizarre époque to reassure us that we do indeed have the resilience to get through it all. I may toss my 2021 calendar onto a bonfire for a ritual burning, while lifting high a strong beverage, and bid the year a solemn Good Riddance! […]
Getting Grounded in Gratitude
Gratefulness: Practicing gratefulness daily can prime our brains to look for more reasons to be grateful which shifts our outlook, perspective, and mood. McCraty and colleagues (1998), in one of their studies on gratitude and appreciation, found that participants who felt grateful showed a marked reduction in the level of cortisol, a stress hormone. They […]
Tying things down: Batten the hatches
This week we finish our October theme: Winterizing FERTILIZING – INSULATING – SETTLING INTO OUR ROOTS – TYING THINGS DOWN In the Spring of 1990 tourists poured out from a cruise ship onto the island of St. Thomas, USVI. They were employees of a large American generator manufacturer. The company made so much money […]
October is the month to begin “Winterizing!”
I like October not only for its unique beauty here in the great Salish region, but also because it encourages me to prepare and make the best of the next 4 months – my least favorite time of the year. During the remainder of this year, we’ll use Winterizing as our overarching theme: FERTILIZING – INSULATING […]
DOJ issues lawsuit against Texas for abortion law
The Department of Justice is suing Texas over its newest abortion law. The law, TX SB8, became effective on September 1, 2021, and is noteworthy for two reasons. First, as it prohibits women from having an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected—anytime after six weeks—it is the most restrictive abortion law in the US. […]
Beer Gate: Mukilteo violates alcohol serving policies at Lighthouse Park…again
MUKILTEO, Wash, August 20, 2021 – The Chamber of Commerce Music at the Beach events, held at Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Park, were found to be serving alcohol without proper co-sponsorship, just two months after Diamond Knot’s Alehouse license was revoked for a similar violation. The Music at the Beach summer concert series featured live music, food, […]
Holding gratefulness and grief
Let’s face it, as a community and as individuals, we are experiencing a mixed bag of emotions right now. We may be grateful for a paycheck, shelter, friends and family to reach out to, food options and our health. Or we may actually be grieving a lack of income, companionship, and threats to our housing […]
Verdant approves $2.5M in community health grants
LYNNWOOD, Wash. – June 28, 2021 – During the Verdant Health Commission’s recent funding cycle, the Board of Commissioners approved more than $2.5 million in health grants. These funds will be put directly into South Snohomish County to address community health and well-being needs. The grants listed below will support 14 different multi-year projects or […]
The Investment of Fatherhood
By Paul Ellis, CIMA®, Ellis Wealth Management Everywhere you can see advertisements designed to sell you something: A luxury vehicle, vacation, timepiece or the latest technology. Perhaps it’s a professional service or a perfect smile. Very few of these items I would consider investments. Why? Because a vehicle, as beautiful as it may be, is […]
Foibles of the absent minded
Last summer I went backpacking with friends for an overnight sojourn at Janus Lake near Stevens Pass. After a 3.5-mile hike we arrived. A fellow backpacker and his two Golden Retrievers were happily fussing around their campsite at the edge of the lake. We introduced ourselves. He let us know he would be picking some […]
