Mayor's corner

Fall is in full swing and we are busier than ever at the City! With 2019 just around the corner, we continue to focus on finalizing the proposed budget for next year. This has been a very collaborative process and I appreciate all of the participation from community members and our City team.

The City faces an ongoing structural budget deficit that only grows bigger in future years, and we’ve had to look at some difficult options this year in order to begin closing that gap. My goal is to protect our quality of life and keep our residents safe, and the 2019 proposed budget is aligned with the priorities we’ve consistently heard from our community: public safety, economic development and community engagement.

As we work to make changes throughout the City, I am grateful for the City Council’s willingness to dig into these tough questions. We’ll be working with them to finalize the budget over the coming weeks. You can follow along by watching the City Council and budget committee meetings, either live or via the online archive.

- Mayor Franklin

Feed your fire – join the team!

Everett Fire Department is recruiting smart, athletic, self-motivated team players for the position of Firefighter. The City of Everett is actively accepting applications for an anticipated six firefighter vacancies in 2019, with the potential for additional vacancies in the future. Apply through PublicSafetyTesting.com and select the testing date, time, and location most convenient for you. Interested candidates must complete the written examination and CPAT prior to Oct. 22 in order to be considered for this round of hiring. Learn more at everettwa.gov/FireCareers.

Make it rain

Get ready for fall weather with Everett Public Works’ rain barrel program - a great way to catch rain to water your garden the natural yard-care way. Build your own rain barrel on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Public Works will supply the barrels, parts and tools, and you build your functional rain barrel at the workshop. The fee covers the price of one 55-gallon barrel and parts. You must pre-register for the workshop. Space is limited, register today by calling 425-257-8992.

If building isn’t your thing, purchase a premade barrel at the rain barrel sale on Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to noon. Each 55-gallon barrel includes a spigot, an overflow, and a double screen on top to keep out debris. You do not need to register, just show up!

Calling all artists

Everett Cultural Arts is currently accepting nominations for the 2019 Mayor's Arts Awards and the 26th Richard Wendt Award of Excellence. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have shown a commitment to the Everett arts community and work hard to make Everett a better to place to live through the arts. To learn more or nominate a deserving individual or organization, visit everettwa.gov/artsawards.

Community events

Calling all princesses, pirates and other costumed friends to join Everett Parks and Community Services to make a spooky splash at Goblin Splash on Friday, Oct. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Forest Park Swim Center (802 E. Mukilteo Blvd.)! This spook-tacular event includes games, prizes, refreshments and swim time. Learn more at everettwa.gov/goblinsplash.

Come together with friends and family of all ages and lend your ears to The Fab Three’s songs played in tribute to the heart, soul and musicianship of John, Paul, George and Ringo. The Carl Gipson Senior Center invites you to the Beatles Tribute Show & Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 20, 5:30-9 p.m. Come for the Beatles-themed dinner at 6 p.m and stay for the show at 7 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is required. Senior center members may call 425-257-8780, all ages welcome.

Help celebrate and honor Everett neighbors who go above and beyond to beautify our city! All are invited to celebrate neighborhood pride, get inspired and have fun at the 24th annual Monte Cristo awards. The ceremony, presented by the Everett Council of Neighborhoods, will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Historic Everett Theatre. Learn more at www.everettwa.gov/montecristo.

Celebrate all things Frankenstein with the Everett Public Library at FrankenFest, Oct. 27-28 at the Main Library (2702 Hoyt). This fall is Frankenstein’s 200^th anniversary. Enjoy learning about Frankenstein’s history, listen to ghost stories and catch viewings of the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein movies. With crafts like making “frankenslime” goo and mask-making, there will be fun for the whole family.

Discover fungus among us at the Annual Wild Mushroom Show on Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Forest Park’s Floral Hall (802 E. Mukilteo Blvd.). Learn to distinguish more than 100 different kinds of mushrooms and bring your own samples for identification. Sponsored by the Snohomish County Mycological Society (SCMS) in cooperation with Everett Parks and Community Services.