MyEverettNews.com

Editor’s note: MyEverettNews.com is working to introduce our readers to more independent business owners here in Everett, Washington. We want to highlight their businesses, tell their stories and invite you to shop locally and help move Everett, Washington forward. If you know of a business we should feature, send us a suggestion via email: news@myeverettnews.com. Leland Dart – Publisher
 

Clay Erickson is the 4th generation owner of Erickson Furniture.

The store carries name brands and is the oldest Lazy-Boy dealer west of the Mississippi.

Erickson Furniture has an amazing selection including the largest selection of recliners in Snohomish County.

“I’m an Everett guy,” Clay Erickson said with a smile. “I started sweeping the floors here when I was ten years old, went to Everett High School and then WSU, coming back here after graduation in 1991.”

Clay’s Great-Grandfather August Erickson opened the first store in Everett in 1912. As the family grew so did the family furniture business with the name becoming Erickson Brothers Furniture. At one time there were stores in Stanwood and Mount Vernon in addition to Everett. Also at one point there were three locations in Everett (a main store and two smaller locations).

“I’ll always remember the date, April 15th, 1980,” Clay said. “That’s when a fire burned the main store to the ground.”

Inventory was moved to the other two locations but in 1985 Erickson Brothers Furniture decided to close operations. But that’s not the end of the story.

“My Dad (Jim Erickson) purchased the Old Prairie Market at 2015 Broadway and opened Erickson Furniture,” Clay told me. “My older Brother Mark and I went to work with him and built that business to what you see today.”

Mark retired in 2007 but his son Chad is working on the sales floor marking the 5th generation of Ericksons to make their mark selling furniture in Everett, Washington.

I asked Clay what he wanted people in Everett who haven’t visited the store to know.

“We have the largest collection of recliners and reclining products in Snohomish County, we’re the oldest Lazy-Boy dealer west of the Mississippi and we’re a full line furniture store,” he explained. “That means we also have lamps, pictures, floral displays and more and can literally furnish every room in your home, plus we offer hundreds of choices in custom orders for fabrics, materials and finishes.”

He says their furniture ranges from middle prices to the lower upper end and seventy-five to eighty percent of their inventory is made in north America. They also handle all deliveries locally with their own employees and not contractors.

“Our general manager has been here thirty-four years, multiple sales people have been here more than twenty years and we pride ourselves on product education,” Clay said. “Knowledge of products is essential. We know furniture is not a cheap investment and we can tell a person buying a dresser why a certain glide is better than another. We help people make an informed decision and actually fit people to chairs and sofas to make sure they’re going to be comfortable in that furniture for years.”

The Erickson family have been in the furniture business for generations but multi-generational families have also been shopping at Erickson Furniture. “We have Grandma, Mom and daughter come in together to shop for furniture as their families grow,” Clay said.

Everett, Washington is extremely important to Erickson Furniture who supports Everett events and causes. Clay spoke of various fund raisers over the years for the Everett branch of the Boys and Girls club as well as long-time sponsorship of the Everett Aquasox, Everett Silvertips and numerous non-profits here in Everett.

This weekend Erickson is marking their 111th Anniversary. The store is located at the corner of 20th and Broadway. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. You can find out more online at their website. The phone number is (425) 259-3876.

Soot discolors the exterior below a 4th floor window

Engine 5 was first on scene.

About 7:20 PM Everett Firefighters were dispatched to reports of a room filling with smoke.

On arrival Engine 5 found light smoke coming from a room on the fourth floor.

Crews investigated and found the sprinkler system had activated and put out the fire, limiting the damage to just the one unit.

As of this writing an investigator with Everett Fire was on scene working to determine the cause of the fire.

The car went into the living room of the bottom floor unit.

The car caused extensive damage to the unit but there were no injuries.

Everett Police were investigating to see if the driver was impaired.

It happened right around midnight in the 500 block of 112th street SE.

Due to the damage to the apartment, the residents of the unit that was hit as well as those in apartments directly above it were displaced until a structural engineer could assess the damage.

Everett Police were looking into the possibility that the driver of the car was impaired and as of this writing that person had been detained by Everett Police.

We’ll provide more information as it becomes available.

Here are a few photos of the damage.

A heads-up for drivers using I-5 through Everett, Washington tonight through Wednesday October 4th.

Click to enlarge map.

Northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to one open lane nightly beginning Friday, Sept. 29, through Wednesday, Oct. 4.
We’re going to apply permanent striping to northbound Interstate 5 in Everett, which will require a number of overnight lane reductions beginning Friday, Sept. 29, from Lowell Road to Marine View Drive. These include:
• 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, one right lane open.
• 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, one left lane open.
• 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, one left lane open.
• 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, Monday, Oct. 2, through Wednesday, Oct. 4, one left lane open.
This work is weather-dependent. When the freeway is reduced to one left lane, the Marine View Drive off-ramp will be closed.

This is the final phase of a project to replace expansion joints, damaged concrete panels and grind off high spots, creating a smoother driving surface and reducing puddling on northbound I-5.

You can buy a rain barrel Saturday or attend a rain barrel workshop October 9th. Photo courtesy Everett Public Works

Public Works holds an annual sale for residents to purchase premade rain barrels. Each 55-gallon barrel includes a spigot, overflow, and double screen on top to keep out debris and bugs. Barrel is setup for gutter water collection. Each barrel is $65. Payable by cash or check, made out to the City of Everett. Sale occurs at Everett Public Works, 3200 Cedar St. The sale is first-come, first-serve.

Interested in learning to make your own rain barrel? On October 9th at 6:00 PM the City is having another rain barrel workshop. Here’s more on that.

Attend a “Make it, Take it” workshop hosted by Everett Public Works and build your own rain barrel. The fee covers the cost of the 55-gallon barrel and all parts. You must pre-register for the workshop. Space is limited. Workshop may be held outdoors so please dress for weather. Fee is $50, cash or check, made out to the City of Everett. Confirmation of registration and details for workshop will be sent to you, once you have successfully registered.

Register for workshop by email: everettpw@everettwa.gov or by phone: 425-257-8992

Today the Boeing Company announced that beginning October 5th they will resume tours of their factory in Everett, Washington. Tours were suspended during the Pandemic in 2020. Here are all the details courtesy of Boeing.

Visitors will once again be able to see the work being done inside the factory. Photo Credit: Boeing Media

Over the past 50 years, the tour has attracted more than 6 million visitors from around the world and is ready to inspire, educate and captivate many more. Since the tour was paused in 2020 due to the pandemic, the company has made enhancements including an updated route and accompanying visual components throughout the experience.

“We are thrilled to reopen our factory tour experience to visitors who want to see how Boeing airplanes are assembled and learn about the company’s role as a global leader in aviation,” said Christi Medlyn, Boeing Future of Flight general manager. “With the rebound in travel and tourism, we are pleased to once again share this exclusive look into one of the world’s most interesting factories.”

Boeing tour guides are a diverse group of employees who are knowledgeable and passionate about the company’s role in aviation. The tour experience takes you from the Boeing Future of Flight Museum to the Everett factory, the largest building in the world where tens of thousands of employees support airplane production. You’ll see the site’s underground system of factory tunnels and visit an observation balcony with an exclusive, sweeping view of the 777 assembly line.

Open to the public, the Boeing Future of Flight museum tells Boeing’s 107-year story through interactive and immersive experiences, programs and tours with a mission to educate, connect and inspire adults and children alike. It is one of Washington State’s premier aerospace attractions, showcasing Boeing products, services and a commitment to advancing our world through technologies including sustainable fuels and autonomous aerial systems. Guests at the Boeing Future of Flight can also enjoy its Gallery, Sky Deck and flagship Boeing Store.

The Boeing Everett Factory has been at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing since its groundbreaking in 1966 to produce the 747 “Queen of the Skies.” The factory holds the Guinness World Record as the largest building in the world by volume, spanning 98.3 acres with a footprint of more than 98 million cubic feet. It has played a pivotal role in production of iconic Boeing aircraft, including the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

Factory Tour tickets are available for purchase online today at BoeingFutureofFlight.com, in-person at Boeing Future of Flight and through the Call Center 1-800-464-1476. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended as tours sell out weeks ahead of dates.

At the Everett City Council meeting tonight Dan Templeman announced that October 31st would be his last day as Chief of the Everett Police Department.

Dan Templeman takes the oath as Everett Police Chief on June 25, 2014

Chief Templeman briefly spoke about his 31 years in Everett and announced his last day will be October 31st.

Prior to being chosen as Chief by then-Mayor Ray Stephanson, Templeman served as Deputy Police Chief and also supervised investigations, oversaw patrol, worked in traffic enforcement and DUI emphasis and began his career as a north Everett beat cop in 1992. He was honored as Officer of the Year in 1996 and Supervisor of the Year in 2001.

“I feel now is the right time,” Chief Templeman told the City Council. “I want to spend more time with friends and family and less time on a cell phone and computer.”

Templeman spent his entire 31-year-career with the Everett Police Department.

At times emotional, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said the following.

“On behalf of the City of Everett, I want to express our sincere appreciation for Chief Templeman. He’s been a thoughtful and dependable leader for our officers and a wonderful partner to my team and our community.

We’ve certainly faced some challenges over the past several years and Chief Templeman has never wavered in his dedication to serving this community. He has continued to find ways to innovate, improve efficiencies and ensure we have the best police department in the state. And I truly believe we do.

The sign of a great leader is the strength of the team around them. And we have that in our deputy chiefs, lieutenants, sergeants, captains, detectives, officers and our support staff thanks in large part to Chief Templeman. Chief, I’d like to thank you for 31 years of service to the City of Everett. I’m really happy for you and will miss working with you!”

This in today from the Everett School District.

Megan Vinther is the band director at Everett High School. Photo Credit: Everett Public Schools

In addition to the prize money, her composition will be performed in public during the 2023–2024 Quadre season.

Quadre’s Music with a Message project shines a spotlight on issues that concern all of us today. Since Quadre’s beginnings in the ’90s, the group has sought out ways to connect with the community at civic functions, youth and senior centers and schools. This spirit has guided the group over the years towards a greater emphasis on community issues.

Megan’s passions lie in creating inclusive community through music and expanding the visibility of under-represented people within the performing and composing communities.

“I’m so honored that my piece was chosen by Quadre for their performances and contest. It was a real treat to have my piece premiered by a world class ensemble,” said Megan Vinther.

Kelly Shepherd, principal of Everett High School shared, “Megan Vinther provides an example for our students who are not typically seen as band directors and composers to achieve whatever they want. Her talent in composing music pieces with impact is inspiring.”

The Music with a Message project provides Quadre a platform to serve as a catalyst and vehicle for social change. The mission is to create programs for their audiences that engender discussion and action on issues such as homelessness, gender and racial inequality and the environment.

The process of removing the Equator is underway.

Following a research project by students studying maritime archaeology and conservation at Texas A&M University to document the ship’s structure, a crew has been carefully taking apart the historic Equator at the Port of Everett.

Earlier this year the Port held an open house and outlined plans to dismantle and remove the ship which has been at the Port of Everett since the 1960s.

Samples of her timbers will be analyzed for wood species and organic material identification and further dendrochronological analysis, and then properly documented for historical record.

The Port has commissioned Seattle artist John Grade to make a sculpture of wood salvaged from the Equator to be on display at the Port. The Port is also in the process of putting together an interpretive exhibit about the Equator’s legacy at the Port’s Waterfront Center near the interior entrance to Scuttlebutt Family Brew Pub.

The exhibition will include historical photos, a timeline of the vessel’s storied career, a map showing her many journeys through the seas, a shipbuilder’s drawing and a 1:48 model of the ship itself.

The Port was loaned a model of the Equator built by Robert Yorczyk of the Washington Ship Model Society in Washington, D.C. The 26-by-36-by-12-inch model will be the showpiece of the interpretive exhibit.

Here’s a bit of how the Equator came to be at the Port of Everett:

The Equator was rescued from a breakwater along Jetty Island in 1967. The Everett-based Equator Foundation hoped to restore the boat to her former glory; sadly, it proved to be a challenging project and funding fell short. But she was the first historical asset in Snohomish County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The vessel — constructed in 1888 by renowned boat builder Matthew Turner — is said to be the last of its kind in North America. Her colorful history includes a voyage through the South Pacific with author Robert Louis Stevenson, work as a tender to an Arctic whaling fleet and towing service as a Puget Sound tug.

When her champion, Eldon Schalka, died in a plane crash, the momentum to resurrect the Equator was lost. After some time located at the Port’s Marina Village, the boat is now displayed near the Jetty Landing Boat Launch.

In 2017, the stern of the vessel collapsed, crushing any lingering hope of restoration. After searching for an organization to rehome the historic boat to no avail, the Port obtained custody of the Equator in 2022 to document, memorialize and repurpose her materials.

You can find a timeline of the Equator’s history here.

You can click here to follow John Grade Studio’s work on the sculpture.