Hello Mt. Vernon! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Wetlands restoration, a magic show, and dog man day + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Restoring a vital landscape: Settlers drained most of Skagit County’s wetlands, reshaping the landscape. Now the Swinomish Tribe is restoring areas to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and revive habitat near Mount Vernon -- see the wetlands comeback.
Top spots for retirees: A June 13 list named nearby Sedro-Woolley the safest Washington town for senior living in 2026, citing violent crime 0.2 per 1,000 and low property crime, with communities statewide highlighted -- see the full rankings.
Protecting a vulnerable shoreline: Stanwood agreed to fast-track $1.75 million repairs to the 100-year-old Skagit Bay dike after storms damaged 5,000 feet, with NOAA lawsuit pending and downtown at risk if it fails -- see the dike repairs.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Plant parent pick-me-up: When the pothos is thriving but the monstera is plotting your downfall, Arrows Aim Greenhouse & Supply Co. has in-house propagated plants, custom potting mixes, and hands-on workshops to set you straight. They also do home and business installs plus ongoing care, so your greenery actually lives.
Just add water: When the Skagit sun finally commits, Kiwanis Park is the low-stress way to tucker out small humans, with a solid spray park plus a playground, picnic tables, and restrooms close by. Pack a towel, sip your coffee, let the giggles do the rest.
Press start, Mt. Vernon: Phoenix Nest Classic Video Arcade lives inside Docking Bay 93, with pinball and retro cabinets that make your thumbs remember things your brain forgot. Keep it on your list this week for a quick nostalgia hit, a rainy-day detour, or bribing yourself to finally run those errands.
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04 — Our recommendations
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐟 Salmon Fry Release @ Northern State Recreation Area (Sedro-Woolley) | Wednesday (6/24) at 12:00 PM – At Hansen Creek’s Farmstead Bridge in Northern State Recreation Area, salmon fry raised at the Children’s Museum of Skagit County make their big debut downstream. Think graduation, but with fins, no speeches, and everyone cries a little, mostly from the creek breeze.
🎩 Magic Show @ Central Skagit Library (Sedro-Woolley) | Friday (6/26) at 11:00 AM – Sedro-Woolley’s favorite sleight-of-hand legend, Brian Ledbetter, returns with a summer show that makes grown-ups grin and skeptics blink. A master magician and illusionist who has wowed in 40 countries, which is at least 38 more than most of us have visited.
🐕 Dog Man Day @ Burlington Public Library | Friday (6/26) at 3:00 PM – Round up the kiddos and your inner half-dog, half-man for a Dog Man celebration with themed activities, crafty chaos, and a movie to close the day. Costumes encouraged, dignity optional, prizes possible, and yes, you’ll probably be the one wielding the glue stick.
🌿 Junior Ecologists (Ages 6-9): Estuary Plants @ Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mount Vernon) | Friday (6/26) – Let the 6 to 9 crowd play Junior Ecologists, getting knee-deep in estuary life with a hands-on look at the plants that keep our marsh humming. It is outdoors, it is muddy, and yes, you stay, which doubles as steps, sunshine, and a science refresher.
🐶 Evergreen Golden Retriever Club Specialty @ Skagit County Fairgrounds (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – At the Evergreen Golden Retriever Club Specialty, golden retrievers take center stage as they strut in conformation, ace obedience and CGC, and flash their trick dog skills. Expect wagging tails, proud handlers, and enough joyful chaos to justify more lint rollers, or maybe another dog.
⚔ Border Battle @ Skagit Valley Playfields (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (6/27) – Mount Vernon is hosting the Border Battle, a softball showdown of crack-of-the-bat, friendly chirping, and bragging rights across the Skagit. Pack the lawn chair, the sunscreen, and your best dugout small talk. Yes, the cooler counts as cardio.
🚗 Sedro-Woolley annual car show @ Sedro Woolley Eagles #2069 | Sunday (6/28) at 7:00 AM – Sedro-Woolley’s annual car show is rolling back in with chrome, chatter, and a 50/50 that might finally pay for your gas. Expect BBQ smoke, shiny pride, and bragging rights at the awards. Showing off your ride is twenty bucks, bragging is free.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Mt. Vernon report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. South southwest wind 1 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 69°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 37%
A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 54. This house is wildThis beautifully remodeled 4-bed, 2-bath Mount Vernon home sits on a level 1-acre lot surrounded by farms and tulip fields. Hardwood floors, a cozy fireplace, and a spa-like primary suite bring the charm, while the finished basement, hot tub, grafted fruit trees, lofted barn, and detached garage add serious versatility and fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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