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Happy weekend, Mt. Vernon!
In today’s happening-today edition: Quirky small-town surprises, pet parade among the daffodils, Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and more. + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Washington drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*
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📰 In the news
Training barriers slow clinician pipeline: Nurse practitioners could ease local doctor shortages, but students say preceptorship slots remain scarce, with limited support from PeaceHealth, sending some trainees to Skagit Regional Health in Mount Vernon — see what’s driving the bottleneck.
Unusual small-town surprises: From Edison’s chicken parade to Vashon’s Bike Tree and Long Beach’s oddities, six Washington towns get the spotlight for their quirky charm. One is right here in Skagit County — check out the full lineup.
High-stakes water dispute: Skagit County’s diking district is appealing to the 9th Circuit after a lower court blocked replacing a worn tidegate protecting 200 acres, raising stakes for farms, salmon, and Swinomish Tribe — see what’s at stake.
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.*
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Fries worth the detour: Big Scoop Sundae Palace & Restaurant turns errands into snack runs with classic golden fries, crispy waffle fries, and bold chili cheese waffle fries. Pair a basket with a juicy burger or a victory sundae, then thank your future self on the ride home.
Fresh-face fix, fast: Rough week showing on your face? Pure Skin Wellness Spa delivers Botox, fillers, and glow-boosting treatments, all by friendly pros who keep it low-stress. Quick self-maintenance that leaves you looking rested… maybe even a little smug about it.
Chain-chasing in the park: Edgewater Disc Golf Course traces Edgewater Park with breezy fairways, tall trees, and enough bite to keep things honest. It’s an easy after-work reset, whether you’re tossing solo or meeting a friend for a quick nine or the full eighteen.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Last call for the CVS Epic Beauty Sale: Today’s your last chance to save on all sorts of self-care products at CVS, including makeup, beauty tools, skin care, hair masks, moisturizers, and more from all your favorite brands. *Shop the sale before it ends →
Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →
Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →
Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →
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📆 Around town today & tomorrow
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🌱 Ask a Master Gardener @ Mount Vernon Farmers Market | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Got a plant behaving like a teenager? Swing by Riverfront Plaza in Mount Vernon on First Saturdays this summer for Ask a Master Gardener, and let the pros decode your tomatoes, slugs, and mystery shrubs. Free advice, friendly faces, and a legit excuse to linger by the river.
🎨 Spring Fling Craft Bizarre @ Skagit County Fairgrounds | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from scrolling and swing by Acre & Ash’s Spring Fling Craft Bazaar for handmade favorites and a peek at what’s next. Bring a tote, a coffee, and your willpower, because the candles, ceramics, and small-batch everything will test it.
🐶 Pet Parade Among the Daffodils @ Tulip Valley Farms (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Spring at Tulip Valley Farms means pets strutting between daffodils, yours included, auditioning for Best Sniffer. A laid-back parade tied to the La Conner festivities, with family vibes, photo ops, and fresh air. Leashes and boots encouraged, dignity optional.
🎶 Spring Concert: Whispers to Thunder @ McIntyre Hall Performing Arts and Conference Center (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Whether you remember squeaky school concerts or just love a good crescendo, the Northwest Youth Symphony brings Whispers to Thunder to McIntyre Hall. Local students from Skagit and Island counties deliver contagious energy, polished playing, and the kind of pride that makes errands wait.
🐾 St. Pawty’s Day Celebration @ Farmstrong Brewing Co. | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Skip the plastic shamrocks and hit Farmstrong Brewing, where Save-A-Mutt is throwing a St. Pawty’s Day fundraiser with adoptable pups, beer, dog-and-hop trivia, prizes, raffle baskets, and a food truck. Bring family, leash your dog, and let your pint fund happily-ever-afters. Kids welcome, leashes optional.
🧶 Intro to Cable Knitting Workshop @ Littlefield Celtic Center | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Whether you knit and purl in your sleep, or just graduated from scarf duty, learn cable magic and make a mug cozy at Littlefield Celtic Center. Echo Mae leads, Aran vibes for our drizzle season, and yes, BYO yarn, button, and caffeine.
🏆 Night at the Awards @ Lincoln Theatre | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Think you can call the winners before the pundits? Skip the couch for a free awards-night watch party with a cheeky red carpet, a costume contest, bingo, and trivia during commercials, and ballots for a shot at the grand prize, an annual film pass.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Mt. Vernon report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 34%
A chance of rain and snow before 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain and snow after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 93%
Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 47. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
This house is wild
Set on 8+ scenic acres in Mount Vernon’s Skagit Flats, this custom-built retreat blends accessibility and luxe details. Main-floor living showcases a massive primary suite, executive office, and junior ensuite. A chef-forward kitchen boasts premium appliances, granite, double ovens, and a butler’s pantry. Outside brings a barn, pasture, greenhouse, and orchard, plus a 3-bedroom ADU and plumbed detached garage.
Take a peek inside →
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