Bill Owens in the seat of his Piper Super Cub flying over Monroe, where he keeps the plane.

Owens has been a skywriter for 16 years and does it here for clients, almost as a hobby, when gray skies turn to blue. Owens bought his Piper Super Cub at a sheriff's sale in 1980.

Owens diagrams the message he will skywrite by writing it backward, here working out "hello" and checking which way he needs to fly to spell out each letter. Owens clips the message to the dash of his plane to guide him while skywriting.

Bill Owens spells out a "hello" in the sky.

This is one of three pieces that together make up the sculpture called "Child's Play" by artist Georgia Gerber.

Arthur Skotdal and his son, Craig, look over the intersection of Colby and Hewitt in Everett where the Skotdal family has been active in construction and renovation. The area is the heart of downtown Everett's rebirth. Arthur Skotdal and his son, Craig, look over the intersection of Colby and Hewitt in Everett where the Skotdal family has been active in construction and renovation. The area is the heart of downtown Everett's rebirth.

John Engels scrapes and paints a rental duplex he owns in the Lowell neighborhood of Everett.

The crew of the Everett-based USS Chandler stands for early-morning quarters on the deck of the destroyer. The crew of the Everett-based USS Chandler stands for early-morning quarters on the deck of the destroyer.

"Webbly," the mascot for the Aquasox baseball team, hugs a young fan prior to the start of a game in Everett Stadium. "Webbly," the mascot for the Aquasox baseball team, hugs a young fan prior to the start of a game in Everett Stadium.

Players for the Everett Aquasox minor-league baseball team warm up before taking the field. Players for the Everett Aquasox minor-league baseball team warm up before taking the field.

Everett's working waterfront reflects fishing, logging and other marine commerce in a town whose economy is increasingly diverse. Everett's working waterfront reflects fishing, logging and other marine commerce in a town whose economy is increasingly diverse.

Electrician Leslie Hewa bikes past a 777 being assembled at Boeing's Paine Field plant. At 427 million cubic feet, the building is well known for its size. Hewa figures he rides five to 10 miles a night between work sites. Electrician Leslie Hewa bikes past a 777 being assembled at Boeing's Paine Field plant. At 427 million cubic feet, the building is well known for its size. Hewa figures he rides five to 10 miles a night between work sites.

Joel Starr taps a brew from the ornate bar at his Flying Pig Brewing Co. Joel Starr taps a brew from the ornate bar at his Flying Pig Brewing Co.

Customers gather at Mukilteo Coffee and Juice, one of the city's new upscale businesses downtown.

Jim Leese Sr., left, and son/captain Jim Jr. keep the wood-hulled Polarland shipshape. Purse seining for salmon in the Sound is what they know, what they've always done. Jim Leese Sr., left, and son/captain Jim Jr. keep the wood-hulled Polarland shipshape. Purse seining for salmon in the Sound is what they know, what they've always done.

The landmark belltower of Everett's Snohomish County Courthouse was built after a fire destroyed the origional courthouse in 1909.