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This morning we were happy to have the Bothell Fire Department stop by and help us put some decorations on the tip top of our large community Christmas tree! Once again this year the Country Village Shops have pulled out all the stops and have brought in a HUGE Christmas tree for this year's holiday season!

One issue was that we could not get to the tip top of the tree. Since there are thousands of people who come to admire the Country Village during the holiday season and as the Country Village puts on the much loved Santa Arrival community event each year, the Bothell Fire Department came out and quickly assisted us with decorating the tip top of the tree. It was so nice to see active community involvement from our local fire fighters and we so appreciate being able to work with them on this event

Also, for this holiday season, the Bothell Fire Department urges everyone to remember to check their smoke detectors and make sure they have fresh batteries.

We would like to especially thank Lieutenant Jeff Sandman, Firefighter Jeff Salatino and Firefighter Brian Shulz for coming out and quickly getting the top on our tree decorated! We could not have done it without you guys! Thanks, and see you at Santa's Arrival!

See some pictures and video here!

Well, like clockwork the culprit we’ve been tracking struck again.  This time, it was one of Country Village's home décor favorites, Cranberry Cottage. Quite frankly, it doesn’t surprise me.  Cranberry Cottage is known for its new and vintage home décor furniture and gifts.

Security cameras caught him relaxing on a comfy chaise lounge.  Unfortunately he vanished before we were able to open the door, but we have now confirmed his identity.  It is in fact, Santa Claus.

When I accepted this position 15 years ago I had been told about strange events around this time of year, dating back to the opening days of Country Village.  But until this year we were unable to confirm the visitor. All of the hard work installing our security cameras has finally paid off.

It’s such a relief to finally confirm my suspicions and I am hoping to be able to meet Santa in person. I have a feeling this year, he wants to be caught, I mean, why else hang around and read books? The Cranberry Cottage is known for its amazing variety of home décor products, styles and ideas so I am sure Santa had plenty to choose from.

We are continuing our investigation and will be interviewing shop owners who have experienced Santa’s late night shopping and will be reporting back to you later this week. Until then, stay frosty.

-Anthony Scroogetti, Country Village Shops Security

I have been head of security here at Country Village Shops in Bothell for the past 15 years.  Each year, around this time, my team begins to receive reports of unusual after-hours activity.  Of course, we are used to the typical  ‘chicken stuck in a tree’ or ‘kids stuck in the pirate ship’, and we’ve also been trained to set speed traps for the train conductor, checking the water levels in the duck pond….  But nothing prepares us for the continual reports of large quantities of products mysteriously disappearing from store shelves each night.

As Head of Country Village Shops Security, the shop owners here look to me to solve what had initially appeared to be, "crimes".  And, normally I would classify it as such.  Except that the culprit leaves old world gold coins and a note of thanks on the counter near the cash register.  He also has a penchant for cookies and milk.

I have had my suspicions for a long time as to exactly who this is that visits us each year.  And, why wouldn’t he?  We have more than 40 unique stores with such a variety of gift items, toys, antiques, artwork and some great restaurants….  What more could the Big Guy ask for?

This year, my team and I have set up additional surveillance cameras to see if we can catch a glimpse of our nightly shopper and solve this long time mystery.  We are asking the public for their help.  Please send any tips to via our CONTACT US page. And, stay tuned…  I’ll be sure to post regular updates.

-Country Village Shops Security

SustainableBothell is inviting all interested parents to participate in the creation of the Childrens Garden project. Help your kids to understand how plants grow and learn ways to enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of our childrens garden. Join our group of community 

 The Country Village Events team is in search of a few spectacular vendors for upcoming events this summer. If you have amazing products or know someone who does, please send them our way!

Mother's Day is always a fun event around Country Village, and our shop owners all appreciate it when you bring your Mom for the day! Here's a list of some of the promotions and sales happening around The Village on Mothers Day Weekend:

This weekend Country Village presented the Annual Fuchsia Sale and Dahlia Tuber Sale in the center parking lot. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful or cooperative for the event that was co-hosted by the Seattle Dahlia Society and the Sno-King Fuchsia Society, and offered an outstanding variety of plants, starters, tubers and gardening information. The gardeners of Bothell and beyond came out with plans for amazing summer color for their landscapes, and we hope that if you did attend that you'll share with us your pictures of the event and of your gardens on Country Village's FACEBOOK PAGE. We're looking forward to all the summer flowers and definitely to next year's flower sale!