Happy weekend, Mt. Vernon! In today’s happening-today edition: Libraries with surprising offerings, rose festival, and native plants and pollinators relationships + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Mt. Vernon protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Libraries with surprising offerings: Mount Vernon Library Commons opened a commissary kitchen in February, renting space to local food startups, while Whatcom’s Library of Things lists 796 items, from animatronic kittens to Discover Passes -- see what they’re lending.
Malls are evolving again: Bellis Fair and Burlington Gallery are retooling as shopping shifts, blending retail with community spaces. Vacancies improved since 2021, but fewer Canadian visitors and Bellis Fair’s 2022 ownership change weigh -- see how malls are changing.
Mall spaces find new purpose: Bellis Fair and Burlington Gallery are adding community uses as retail shifts, with vacancy improving since 2021 and fewer Canadian shoppers after Bellis Fair’s 2022 sale to 4th Dimension Properties -- see the mall changes.
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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 $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Pasta night, perfected: Il Granaio Authentic Italian Restaurant makes fresh pasta daily in a cozy spot inside the Old Town Grainery, with a patio for those rare sunny evenings. Solid neighborhood move when you want classic Italian, genuine hospitality, and an excuse to linger a little longer.
Fairway therapy, Mount Vernon: Whether you’ve got an hour or an afternoon, Overlook Golf Course is the low-fuss local spot to reset your swing, walk off the week, and enjoy some fresh Skagit air. Treat yourself to a quick loop or linger a bit, your short game will thank you.
Staycation on wheels: Skip the long haul and give your rig a mini-vacation at Town and Country Motorcoach and RV Resort, where pickleball courts, hot tubs, and an on-site restaurant make it feel like a getaway without leaving Skagit Valley. Perfect for a quick reset between school pickups and weekend plans.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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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 Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎯 Father's Day PITA Shoot @ Old Skagit Gun Club (Burlington) | Saturday (6/20) at 8:00 AM – Swap the necktie for ear protection at the Father’s Day PITA Shoot, a weekend of clay-smashing, low-drama fun at the club. Presquadding on SOSClays keeps things civilized, and the continental breakfast, lunch, and good company mean Dad gets bragging rights without getting hangry.
🌹 Rose Festival @ Christianson’s Nursery (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Peak rose season at the garden means an unapologetically fragrant afternoon, with engaging talks from rose whisperers, rose-inspired treats, and strolls through show-off blooms. Yes, there is rose ice cream. You will leave debating deadheading, and plotting trellis upgrades.
🌼 Native Plants and Pollinators Relationships @ Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mount Vernon) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:30 AM – This talk connects the dots between native plants and the pollinators that actually keep your garden alive. Bob Gillespie breaks down who's buzzing, who's bluffing, and what to plant so the good guests show up, linger, and maybe stop raiding the birdbath.
🐄 Moo-sic Fest Party @ Burlington Eagles | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Berry Dairy Days means one thing, a Moo-sic Fest outside the Skagit Valley Eagles, an all-ages sing-and-dance hangout for the whole town. Come for the tunes, stay for the neighbors, and feel virtuous knowing your two-step supports ATTIC, the Adult Transition To Independence Center.
🌞 Resin sun catcher class @ The Local Shop (Sedro-Woolley) | Saturday (6/20) at 3:00 PM – Skip the yard work and make your own stained-glass-inspired resin suncatcher at The Local Shop in Sedro-Woolley. Totally beginner friendly with 20-plus designs, zero glass splinters, and plenty of good company, it's a relaxed, crafty fix for $45. Sunshine sold separately, obviously.
🧩 Puzzlepalooza 2026 @ Central Skagit Library (Sedro-Woolley) | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – Puzzlepalooza is back to settle who really rules the Skagit jigsaw scene. Pick 200-piece Beginner or 500-piece Advanced, bring a team of up to five, all ages welcome, team registration required. Nothing says quality time like arguing over where the sky pieces go.
🎺 Skagit Swings Big Band @ Skagit River Park (Burlington) | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – Berry Dairy Days kicks off its final day with Skagit Swings Big Band, brass and bounce that makes cautious knees feel optimistic. Dance if you dare, or claim a chair, and let food vendors handle lunch, dessert, and an alibi for not twirling. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Mt. Vernon report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 75. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 78°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 78. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. This house is wildThis newly updated 3,664± sq ft Big Lake stunner pairs front-row water views with serious entertaining power. The fully remodeled kitchen shines with Quartzite countertops, a massive BlueStar range, and an oversized island. Two fireplaces, expansive decks, a walk-out lower level with wet bar, plus a 3-car garage and extra lot seal the deal.
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