Mayor's corner

The official start of summer is just around the corner. And while this is an excellent season to relax and enjoy our beautiful city, our City team has been busy! We recently had our 2019 all-staff meetings to celebrate our employees’ accomplishments in the last year and look to all the great work ahead of us.

At the end of May I had the chance to visit with more than 50 members of the Urban Land Institute, who explored Everett and all the opportunities available as part of their Thriving Communities Tour. Later this month, we will welcome 20 high school students from Everett Public Schools who will be interning at the City as part of the Everett Career Link partnership!

Summer in Everett is my favorite time of year, especially with all of the exciting work our City teams are doing. There’s always lots to do and explore all summer long, and I can’t wait to get out and enjoy all the exciting events and programs throughout the city.

Mayor Cassie with Dr. Cohn and Career Link interns

Read along this summer with the Everett Public Library

Students work hard all school year on their reading skills and the Everett Public Library is here to help prevent the “summer slide”! Students and families are invited to join the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge. Children and teens, ages birth through grade 12, can earn prizes by reading, or being read to, this summer. Keep your little ones active and learning all summer long with the Library’s storytimes, craft activities, and other free programs.

Colors of Freedom Parade and Festival

Celebrate Independence Day at Everett’s largest event of the year, the Colors of Freedom parade and festival. Start your Fourth with excitement with the parade at 11 a.m. in downtown Everett, featuring marching bands, drill teams, community groups, Scout troops, and so much more! Then, hitch a ride on the free shuttle service to Legion Memorial Park to enjoy the festival jammed packed with fun, music, food and activities from 1-10:30 p.m. Finally, sit back and awe at the colors and booms of the Thunder on the Bay fireworks show at 10 p.m. over Port Gardner Bay. Learn more at everettwa.gov/fourthofjuly

Get to know the Everett Police and Fire departments

Before you head on over to Legion Memorial Park for the festival after the Colors of Freedom Parade, stop by the Public Safety Open House from noon – 4 p.m. July 4 at the North Precinct. Bring your little ones and get to know the Everett Police and Fire departments, check out their cool specialty units, meet Colby the Crime Prevention Dog, and have fun!

First eight members of Districting Commission selected

At the May 29 Council meeting, City Council and Mayor Franklin selected the first eight members of the Districting Commission. The eight members will select a ninth and final commissioner, and will hire a districting master to assist them in the development of a district plan and map. They are expected to begin meeting this fall.

Open data goes live

The City's new open data portal is now live. Open data is the idea that some data should be freely available to everyone to reuse and republish without restriction. Community members can now access data through the portal on the City’s website. This interactive online tool is part of the City’s open-data strategy, and aims to promote transparency and improve access to information about the City and its operations. Learn more and dive into City data!

Community events

Sorticulture, Everett’s garden arts festival, returns for its 22^nd year June 7-9 at Legion Memorial Park. Grab your friends and family and hop on the free shuttle or ride your bike to enjoy all the offerings from more than 150 vendors and artists, a food fair, live music, a wine garden, pet adoptions, advice from gardening expert Ciscoe Morris, activities for kids, and so much more!

The Everett Farmers Market is back for the 2019 season on Sundays at Boxcar Park in the Port of Everett and Wednesdays at Everett Station. Enjoy fresh produce and baked goods, browse artisan goods and tap your toes to live music! Learn more at everettfarmersmarket.com.

Master gardeners and gardening newbies alike are sure to find great plants and prices at the Arboretum’s Annual Plant Sale at Legion Memorial Park, Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fill your garden with textures and colors this summer! Garden experts will be on hand during the sale to help answer questions and give advice. Proceeds benefit Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens.

Our popular Music at the Marina Concert Series kicks off on Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m., with DoctorfunK performing funk and soul jams. Enjoy festivities and a variety of free concerts all summer long with family and friends! Stop by the beautiful and scenic Port Gardner Landing, 1700 W. Marine View Drive, every Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. until Aug. 29.

The Seattle Storm is calling Everett home for a few of their games this season! Get your tickets to check out the action and cheer on these world champs at the Angel of the Winds Arena on June 21, Aug. 2 and Aug. 8.