Welcome to Snohomish Hate Free
We have our differences as a community. A hate free Snohomish is our aspiration and we’re going to work for it.
We are Small Town Snohomish
Taking back the red! This is the hat for our times…or at least a version of it. It is a nisselue, made famous by Norwegians at the start of Norway’s occupation by Nazi Germany in 1939 as a sign of quiet resistance. Within a short time the Nazis banned the hats, then they banned all red clothing, then they banned the public display of re
Taking back the red! This is the hat for our times…or at least a version of it. It is a nisselue, made famous by Norwegians at the start of Norway’s occupation by Nazi Germany in 1939 as a sign of quiet resistance. Within a short time the Nazis banned the hats, then they banned all red clothing, then they banned the public display of red, at least by the Norwegians. Ownership of red…not a thing. It’s time to reclaim it. If you knit (or know a persuadable knitter) there is a nisselue hat pattern available on line. But really any red knit watch cap with a tassel will do. Wear it to your next protest 😉
What's New and Blog Posts
February 17.
The Lunar New Year for Asian communities world wide and in diaspora begins February 17. This is a generous two week festival, with Seattle holding its event on March 7. Between now and then will be local celebrations at Seattle Center, Phinney Ridge, and Bellevue.
Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, an
February 17.
The Lunar New Year for Asian communities world wide and in diaspora begins February 17. This is a generous two week festival, with Seattle holding its event on March 7. Between now and then will be local celebrations at Seattle Center, Phinney Ridge, and Bellevue.
Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, anticipated Wednesday, February 18 evening. Daytime fasting will last for a lunar month. To our Muslim friends: Ramadan Mubarak. We wish you a peaceful and meaningful fast.
Ash Wednesday is February 18, beginning 40 days of Lenten observances for Christians in anticipation of Easter.
While just past (February 15-16), Hindus observe Maha Shivaratri, honoring Lord Shiva.
Buddhists remember the death of the Buddha on Nirvana Day, February 15.
Look for new Snohomish resources added to the Volunteer section below.
February 16. New posts: red hats for our times in We Are Small Town Snohomish. Black History bios celebrating the breadth of African American contribution.
February 4. New dog walk in Explore. Updated photo “We are Small Town Snohomish”
January 20. New blog post: A Second Look at Snohomish’s New City Administrator
New posting in Small Town Politics. Political Primer Button. “What does small town political corruption look like”
December 12. Small Town Politics. Political Primer Button. What does good governance look like and how do we get it?
Black History Month 2026
Black History Month 2026
While we tend to revisit familiar famous people during honorific months, behind those famous lives are lives no less impactful, but perhaps lesser known. So let’s celebrate less well known African Americans who led remarkable lives. We start with these two.
The button below will take you to a couple of short biographies.
Small Town Politics
Black History Month 2026
About the rocks…..they worked. Congratulations to all the hard working volunteers who really communicated clearly the impact of the schools levies.
Humans: painting rocks for 50,000 years!
Explore
Explore the community resources available for paths, trails, and tours, including scenic city walks and popular dog walks.
This is Panther rock at the Highway 9 north entry to town. It is part of the rock and wall art, big and small, you can find throughout town. I don’t recommend visiting Panther rock as a dog walk, however…no sidewalks
Explore the community resources available for paths, trails, and tours, including scenic city walks and popular dog walks.
This is Panther rock at the Highway 9 north entry to town. It is part of the rock and wall art, big and small, you can find throughout town. I don’t recommend visiting Panther rock as a dog walk, however…no sidewalks or trails; no safe street crossing. There is a small, loosely defined parking area for visiting, though.
Volunteering and Local Resources
We speak a lot about volunteering in your community and the opportunities volunteering provides in civic life generally. Use the button for possibilities.
Also, for folks wanting more information on focused areas of interest I offer these suggestions:
Outinsnohomish.org is a resource for our LGBTQ+ community. They will be working on the
We speak a lot about volunteering in your community and the opportunities volunteering provides in civic life generally. Use the button for possibilities.
Also, for folks wanting more information on focused areas of interest I offer these suggestions:
Outinsnohomish.org is a resource for our LGBTQ+ community. They will be working on the Pride events that were, in the past, managed by HDSA. They are also on Facebook and Instagram, have an events calendar and offer volunteer opportunities.
In Facebook, look for Wil Johnson’s Facebook page. He does a great job of elevating and broadening the reach of marginalized voices…or perhaps simply voices you might not otherwise hear from. He is a longtime educator, works for Snohomish County, and his page is well worth the feed.
HDSA has a podcast called Snohomish Storytellers. You can query it on Apple Podcasts, and they have been at this for awhile. There were 25 recordings in their library on subjects of all kinds but all focused on Snohomish.
Meet the Mayor
Aaron Hoffman is Snohomish’s new mayor. He faces some interesting challenges; at least one of his own making.
TheTeamsters’ Union suspended contract negotiations with the city awaiting the new mayor’s term. Why? Because Hoffman promised to grant their terms for a 13% plus pay raise and increasing the city’s contribution to the Teamster
Aaron Hoffman is Snohomish’s new mayor. He faces some interesting challenges; at least one of his own making.
TheTeamsters’ Union suspended contract negotiations with the city awaiting the new mayor’s term. Why? Because Hoffman promised to grant their terms for a 13% plus pay raise and increasing the city’s contribution to the Teamster pension plan From $0.25 to $1.50 per hour.
Real estate developers, who contributed approximately $25K in kind political advertising attacking Linda Redmon in the last two weeks of the campaign will be expecting a return on their investment.
We will be reporting on how this administration honors its obligations to residents and tax payers, compared to the special interests Hoffman courted during his campaign.
Book Corner
Books for our times and our town. These selections will help you navigate the increasingly jumbled world of ultraconservative politics and the religious denominations that serve it.
John Fugelsang has a unique background, which has provided him a sharp understanding of the ways some fundamentalist and evangelical churches contort Christian
Books for our times and our town. These selections will help you navigate the increasingly jumbled world of ultraconservative politics and the religious denominations that serve it.
John Fugelsang has a unique background, which has provided him a sharp understanding of the ways some fundamentalist and evangelical churches contort Christian teaching. How to spot deception and warped teaching is his key message. His intended audience are readers who are not particularly religious. This book is to help folks strengthen their BS filters. He offers this book for your arsenal. In his work life John Fugelsang is a comedian; “Separation of Church and Hate” is amusing, educational and a quick read.
A more harrowing read is “A Well-Trained Wife” by Tia Levings. Tia Levings was a member of an affiliated member church of Doug Wilson‘s Moscow based Christ Church. While folks may not see the local relevance of a ultra conservative church in a small college town in Idaho, understand Doug Wilson has helped establish the CREC (Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches) which has seeded several churches in our immediate area (Bothell, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Mt. Vernon), Pete Hegseth is a member of a CREC church in Tennessee. Tia Levings provides a first person narrative of CREC teachings and how they play out in members lives, and now political world.
The New Apostolic Reformation
The New Apostolic Reformation
Christian Nationalism and the New Apostolic Reformation distinctions; and how to identify adherent churches in the wild. And what it means for you.