2025 Life Recap: Community Resilience, Cultural Celebration, and Compassion

In 2025, native organizations and people all through Snohomish County demonstrated exceptional group spirit by meals safety, training, and remembrance efforts. Below are a number of the highlights of our protection for 2025.

Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen holds fifth annual Christmas on the Farm

Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen in Lynnwood hosted its fifth annual Christmas on the Farm occasion, that includes festive lights, a bonfire, sizzling cocoa, and pink velvet donuts.

Started in 2020 by homeowners Eric and Rachel Vaughn to foster group throughout social distancing, the occasion affords family-friendly actions like adorned walkways, a mini mud pie kitchen, bubble blowing, animal petting, and images with Santa.

Rachel Vaughn emphasised the farm’s concentrate on secure, farm-centered experiences for kids and year-round agrotourism to attach folks to meals. The occasion has concluded, however guests can return in spring for extra farming actions.

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 households in Everett.

The ticket-only occasion offered frozen turkeys, greens, cornbread, contemporary fruit, potatoes, cabbage, cookies, stuffing, and extra, plus coloring books and home items. RISNW Executive Director Van Dinh-Kuno highlighted introducing American Thanksgiving traditions amid federal program cuts like SNAP.

The ongoing partnership since 2020 additionally helps well being fairness, cultural meals, and volunteer job abilities coaching for immigrants.

Nourishing Network breaks file in college students served, volunteers and donors wanted greater than ever

The Nourishing Network, launched in 2014 by the Foundation for Edmonds School District, has grown dramatically, projecting as much as 1,000 food-insecure college students served this yr—greater than double the pandemic peak.

As of early November, 621 college students had been registered, with speedy will increase pushed by rising meals prices and widespread insecurity. The program companions with organizations like Whole Foods and North Sound Church, providing weekend meals, summer season assist, vacation kits, and supply. It distributed practically 133,000 kilos of meals final yr and urgently seeks extra volunteers and donations to satisfy demand.

How one man’s religious journey uncovered the holes in how the area addresses homelessness

Lynnwood resident Joe Wankelman, following private struggles together with trauma, PTSD, and a suicide try, performed practically 600 interviews with homeless people over two years to look at the effectiveness of Washington State’s $5.3 billion homelessness funding.

A Johns Hopkins grasp’s graduate in Data Analytics and Policy, he concluded that present approaches concentrate on signs (housing, substance abuse) quite than root causes like unresolved trauma and disgrace. He criticized inaccurate counts and funding silos, advocating for trust-building, peer assist, and systemic change by grassroots efforts.

Five years in the past, Lynnwood’s the House of Wisdom started in a storage with a $300 mortgage

Ahmad Hilal Abid, an Afghan refugee, based the House of Wisdom in 2020 in his household’s Edmonds storage with a $300 mortgage. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it serves 200 immigrants/refugees yearly with free tutoring, English courses, programming workshops, resume assist, and job placement. With 70 employees and a number of areas, it boasts 80-90% educational enchancment charges and has earned awards for Abid, who’s finding out Political Science and Law at UW.

County holds ninth annual An evening to recollect, a time to behave for opioid consciousness

Approximately 300 folks attended the ninth annual A Night To Remember, A Time To Act occasion on August 28 at Snohomish County Plaza, organized by Hope Soldiers. The gathering honored overdose victims, supported restoration, and raised opioid consciousness. Founders shared private tales, a panel mentioned housing and sources, and Everett’s mayor highlighted restoration housing priorities. It ended with a candlelight vigil and useful resource truthful providing naloxone and detox data.

Thousands braved the rain Saturday for Lynnwood’s seventh annual Fair on 44^th

On September 6, 2025, hundreds attended Lynnwood’s seventh annual Fair on forty fourth regardless of rain. The block occasion closed six blocks of forty fourth Avenue for well being/security cubicles, vaccinations, public security shows (together with Okay-9 items and SWAT), library giveaways, bus excursions, performances, health courses, and meals vans. Sponsored by Community Transit and others, it constructed connections between residents and companies.

PAX West online game conference attracts hundreds to Seattle Convention Center

PAX West 2025, the most important online game conference on the U.S. West Coast, drew roughly 120,000 attendees to the Seattle Convention Center from August 29 to September 1. Spanning a number of buildings and close by venues, the occasion featured main publishers like Nintendo, Capcom, Ubisoft, and Square Enix showcasing demos of upcoming titles together with Pokémon Legends Z-A, Borderlands 4, and Resident Evil 9. Indie video games similar to Hades II and Silksong had been 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, dwell 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 conference, based by Seattle residents in 2004, continues to develop regionally and internationally.

Emerald City Comic Con 2024 involves an in depth with a knockout movie star guestlist

Emerald City Comic Con 2024, the Pacific Northwest’s premier popular culture occasion, ran February 29 to March 3 at Seattle’s Convention Center and close by venues, attracting round 100,000 attendees. The conference provided a large present flooring, Artist Alley, and various actions together with panels, workshops, karaoke, arcade video games, a maid cafe, board video games, drag queen BINGO, dwell music, foam weapon preventing, and a brand new 21+ Tavern. Celebrity visitors featured Chris Evans, Christina Ricci, Billy Dee Williams, voice casts from Adventure Time and Avatar: The Last Airbender, Twilight solid members, Christopher Lloyd, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Jodie Whittaker, and authors like Terry Brooks. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs addressed ebook censorship considerations.

Washington’s Midsummer Renaissance Faire’s Sixteenth yr involves an in depth

The Sixteenth annual Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire concluded after 5 weekends (July 19–August 17, 2025) at Sky Meadows Lane in Snohomish, drawing over 80,000 guests. Set within the fictional Sixteenth-century city of Merriwick, the occasion provided archery, axe throwing, sword preventing workshops, dwell jousting, knighting ceremonies, carnival video games, and equestrian archery. Entertainment included musical acts, comedy, strongwoman performances, birds of prey shows, and nightly exhibits with fireplace dancers, acrobatics, and burlesque. Children loved fairy hunts and tea events, whereas adults had entry to themed bars, pub crawls, and adults-only occasions. Over 150 retailers bought handmade items, with crafting workshops and a brand new Dungeon Museum obtainable. Organized by the Washington Renaissance Arts and Education Society with 500 volunteers, the faire supported native artisans and companies.

Fairwinds Brighton Court annual Car Show raises $2,000 for South County Fire

The annual charity Car Show at Fairwinds Brighton Court senior dwelling facility in Lynnwood, held July 19, 2025, featured 35 traditional and customized autos and raised $2,000 for South County Fire to assist AED purchases. Attendees loved dwell music by Uncle Buzzy, barbecue lunch, and a dunk tank. Highlighted automobiles 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 occasion promoted socialization and philanthropy amongst residents and guests.

Bothell Islamic Center receives bomb risk in alleged hate crime

On June 8, 2025, the Islamic Center of Bothell acquired an nameless bomb risk by way of its web site, threatening an explosion throughout Friday prayers and calling for hurt to attendees. The message, submitted underneath the title “Filthy,” prompted quick notification to Bothell Police and the FBI, with the incident investigated as a possible hate crime. CAIR-Washington condemned the risk, linking it to rising Islamophobia and up to date federal insurance policies, and known as for state-level investigation. Center leaders expressed thanks for swift legislation enforcement response and emphasised group unity. Bothell Deputy Mayor Rami Al-Kabra supported the decision for compassion amid ongoing considerations 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 in opposition to Lynnwood’s Olympus Spa, a female-only Korean spa requiring nudity that admits solely post-operative transgender girls. The spa proprietor claimed enforcement of the state’s anti-discrimination legislation (WLAD) violated First Amendment rights to free speech, faith, and affiliation. The court docket dominated WLAD is a impartial, typically relevant legislation that doesn’t infringe these rights. The case stemmed from a 2020 grievance by transwoman Haven Wilvich, denied entry as a result of her transgender standing. A dissent argued the ruling undermines protections for ladies in intimate settings.

How one baby’s compassion led to a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough

At Little Cedars Elementary in Snohomish, a garter snake injured by college students stomping on it after rising from hibernation was rescued by scholar Boston Divito, who alerted adults. The household introduced the snake to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the place veterinarians handled extreme accidents together with uncovered bones and a broken jaw. During surgical procedure, a uncommon fungal an infection (Paranannizziopsis) was found—the primary untreated case within the U.S. PAWS collaborated with researchers to develop a profitable therapy protocol. The an infection, unrelated to the abuse, doubtless triggered the snake’s early emergence. The snake was launched wholesome on April 9, 2025, highlighting garter snakes’ ecological position and potential for broader wildlife illness therapy.

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 credit longevity to positivity and exercise. She lived by Prohibition, the Great Depression, WWII, the moon touchdown, and the web period. Key reminiscences embody celebrating WWII’s finish in Pioneer Square and watching Neil Armstrong on TV. She met her husband Roy in 1945; they married, constructed properties, traveled, and loved out of doors actions into their 90s throughout their 77-year marriage. Roy handed at 101 two years prior. Mays, mom of two, grandmother of 5, and great-grandmother of ten, shares life classes: keep energetic, study, and keep away from 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, on the Lynnwood Event Center. The occasion showcased a whole bunch of plant varieties, with orchids as the main target alongside cacti, carnivorous crops, begonias, and extra. Participating teams included Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society, Oregon Orchid Society, Spokane Orchid Society, and Mount Baker Orchid Society. Vendors featured native and worldwide nurseries from the Pacific Northwest, Thailand, Peru, Ecuador, and Taiwan. Approximately 1,300 attendees visited, a slight enhance from the prior yr. Organizer Ben Johnson described the occasion as very busy and expressed optimism for future progress.

Hundreds courageous the climate for Lunar New Year celebration on the Port of Everett

Nearly 150 folks attended the second annual Lunar New Year celebration on February 1, 2025, on the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place, regardless of snowy circumstances. Co-hosted by the Port and Fisherman Jack’s restaurant (owned by Chinese immigrant Jack Ng), the occasion 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 knowledge and transformation, with conventional parts like pink decorations and references to heading off the monster Nian by household and cultural festivities.