What's Up With That?

Guam Grub owner and head chef Julita Atoigue-Javier, center left, stands behind the counter with her brother-in-law Angelo Javier, left, and sons Timothy, 13, and John, 21, right, on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Say hello — or ‘Hafa Adai’ — to Guam Grub at Everett Mall

Chamorro cuisine is a heaping melting pot of cultures and tastes. For some in Everett, it brings back tastes of home.

Guam Grub owner and head chef Julita Atoigue-Javier, center left, stands behind the counter with her brother-in-law Angelo Javier, left, and sons Timothy, 13, and John, 21, right, on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A pear from the Fowler Pear Tree at Barbara Brennen Dobro Park in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 09, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Pick a pear at pocket park the size of a pear tree in Mukilteo

Barbara Brennan Dobro Park, site of a historic tree, is among the tiny gems to explore near the waterfront.

A pear from the Fowler Pear Tree at Barbara Brennen Dobro Park in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 09, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Michael Durkee, 15, left, holds a tape measure for Jeff Forbes, 60, right, at the Wayside Chapel along U.S. 2 in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Michael Durkee, 15, is leading the effort for his Eagle Scout project. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Tiny Wayside Chapel near Sultan gets a super Scout makeover

The 7-by-11 foot chapel built in 1962 is open all hours for weddings, piety and curiosity, thanks in part to a pair of Eagle Scouts.

Michael Durkee, 15, left, holds a tape measure for Jeff Forbes, 60, right, at the Wayside Chapel along U.S. 2 in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Michael Durkee, 15, is leading the effort for his Eagle Scout project. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Angelo and Jona Sarmiento, along with 7-week-old Carlisle, stand in front of the Costco where Jona went into labor with the couple's first child in late May on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Oh, baby! Mom’s labor started at Lake Stevens Costco

Jona Sarmiento often returns with baby Carlisle, now 2 months, for milestone photos from the watershed event.

Angelo and Jona Sarmiento, along with 7-week-old Carlisle, stand in front of the Costco where Jona went into labor with the couple's first child in late May on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
From left: Avery Martin D.C., Sarah Kotlerman D.C. and CEO Anna Martin, all of Averio Health Institute, wear giant cardboard vertebrae made out of banana boxes while demonstrating how they plan to claim the Guinness World Record for largest cardboard costume on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Mount Vernon, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

World’s largest cardboard spine? Arlington aims to host record backbone

A 5K fun run is Saturday in Arlington for a Guinness World Record attempt to promote the state’s first chiropractic school.

From left: Avery Martin D.C., Sarah Kotlerman D.C. and CEO Anna Martin, all of Averio Health Institute, wear giant cardboard vertebrae made out of banana boxes while demonstrating how they plan to claim the Guinness World Record for largest cardboard costume on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Mount Vernon, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a poster featuring eight federally listed species that have been put on the road to recovery. The eight portraits were painted by Lake Stevens native Cal Robinson, a public affairs specialist at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife office. (Cal Robinson/USFWS)

Lake Stevens artist’s portrait subjects: endangered mammals, fish, more

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife portraits were created by Cal Robinson, 34, to honor 50 years of the Endangered Species Act.

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a poster featuring eight federally listed species that have been put on the road to recovery. The eight portraits were painted by Lake Stevens native Cal Robinson, a public affairs specialist at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife office. (Cal Robinson/USFWS)
Challenger Elementary 3rd grade teacher Ian Brown holds his comic book “I Hate Math” in his classroom Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Brown wrote and illustrated the book while on a roughly half-year sabbatical from teaching duties. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett teacher’s ‘I Hate Math’ comic book is based on a true story

Instead of torturing his third grade students with math, Ian Brown is trying to make it funny and fanciful.

Challenger Elementary 3rd grade teacher Ian Brown holds his comic book “I Hate Math” in his classroom Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Brown wrote and illustrated the book while on a roughly half-year sabbatical from teaching duties. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

For sale: Whidbey’s fabled ‘Pork Chop Express’ gets great smileage

Asking price is $500 for the 1991 Subaru Justy, a three-cylinder econobox with 65K miles and a transmission as rare as hen’s teeth.

Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)

3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
Librarian Phillip Buffington, 54, pulls up to the Everett Public Library on his fixed-gear bicycle at the conclusion of his morning commute from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett librarian on 60-mile bike commute: ‘Totally rational behavior’

Phillip Buffington, 54, pedals from Capitol Hill in Seattle to Everett Public Library. It sure beats driving, he says.

Librarian Phillip Buffington, 54, pulls up to the Everett Public Library on his fixed-gear bicycle at the conclusion of his morning commute from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crowns, robes, thrones come with stay at Monroe castle on 19 acres

The new owners of the medieval marvel say, “We want everybody to feel like royalty here.” The regal bed and breakfast sleeps eight.

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett’s Spiffy Thrifty coach can help you look chic on the cheap

Tim Lambright’s hobby is helping people look first-rate in secondhand clothes, especially us in the stodgy PNW.

Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get nutty: Have a peanut butter burger for the shtick and shell of it

Burgers slathered in peanut butter are hard to find but worth a shot. In Everett, those who’ve tried them keep coming back.

Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bob Martin, 82, poses for a photo at The Stag Barbershop in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish’s rogue barber keeps clipping despite no license, $90K in fines

Bob Martin’s defiance during the pandemic made him a “poster boy” of conservative resistance.

Bob Martin, 82, poses for a photo at The Stag Barbershop in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Signs of love on Rucker Ave: blushing rocks, scrambled eggs, a coffee date

Messages on display on Totem Family Diner and Pacific Stone Co. signs reveal “secret crushes.” More updates expected.

In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logan Leadley, Kyle Thies and Justin Nygard work on tying sausages at Double DD Meats on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hot, saucy Double DD Meats is Mountlake Terrace’s carnal destination

Find 3,000 hot sauces, 1,000 barbecue bastes, 500 dry rubs, 400 marinades and 50 flavors of sausage.

Logan Leadley, Kyle Thies and Justin Nygard work on tying sausages at Double DD Meats on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new $9.99 roast beef sandwich tested at the Lynnwood Costco food court of low-priced fare is blowing up on social media. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood’s new $10 roast beef sandwich is Costco sticker shocker

The new cold cut sub is the same price as an 18-inch pizza, six hot dogs or two rotisserie chickens from the vaunted food court.

A new $9.99 roast beef sandwich tested at the Lynnwood Costco food court of low-priced fare is blowing up on social media. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Car, bike or UFO? Three-wheeled wonder PEBL lands on the streets of Everett

With a sticker price of $10,000 to $13,000, it’s a thrifty person’s Tesla or a big spender’s electric bike.

Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
LoveZone owners Katrina Cooney and husband Kevin Cooney at their store on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Does your Valentine want candy — or a trip to the Love Zone?

The adult store has 27 years of experience selling products to spice up romance, with stores in Everett and Marysville.

LoveZone owners Katrina Cooney and husband Kevin Cooney at their store on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Home Depot worker Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, holds a certificate that names him a Kentucky Colonel, an honor from the governor of Kentucky. He received the award, given to 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, for getting the word out about a hiring program for veterans at Home Depot. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

This Kentucky Colonel works at Home Depot, not a fried chicken stand

Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, of Everett, joins thousands of other colonels honored for good deeds by the governor of Kentucky.

Everett Home Depot worker Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, holds a certificate that names him a Kentucky Colonel, an honor from the governor of Kentucky. He received the award, given to 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, for getting the word out about a hiring program for veterans at Home Depot. (Annie Barker / The Herald)