I confess, growing up in southern California, I have always had an affection for begonias. My very first purchase, at the young age of eight, was from the county fair and was a rhizomatous variety that I grew for many years. While I have never met a begonia I didn’t like, the number of varieties to choose from is far too numerous to cover in a short column like this, so I am going to focus on three of my favorites that are garden worthy.

These two qualities, tenacity and persistence, are among my favorites. And there are differences between how these personal attributes are “applied” on the Eeast Coast and here in the Pacific Northwest.

How does a cat end up with the name Shelley? By being a beautiful tortoiseshell of course!

Our cat of the week Shelley is a sweet twelve-year-old senior who is on the lookout for love. Watch out, this affectionate gal will charm her way into your heart and home with her soft meows and lap warming abilities.

Everett Public Schools is a 2017 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award nominee for its exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.