Around Stanwood

Exchange food for plants this weekend Free perennial plants are being given away in exchange for food for the Stanwood Food Bank, and monetary donations to the Stanwood Camano Resource Center, May 22-24, 9 to 6 p.m., at the Lake Ki RV Resort. Located at 2904 Lakewood Rd., the resort has thousands of plants that need to find a good home. Due to health issues, owners are cutting back on upkeep of the gardens, and would like to benefit the public as well as the food bank and resource center. Checks should be made payable to the S/C Resource Center, and food for the food bank should be non-perishable.

Healing service at St. Cecilia church Frank Kelly's "Short Circuit to God" healing service and teaching ministry is coming to St. Cecilia Catholic Church Thurs., and Fri., May 28 and 29, starting with mass at 7 p.m. For information, call Marie, 629-3737. The church is located west of the high school, 26900 78th Ave. NW.

B eekeepers to learn about swarms Tues., May 19 is the regular meeting of Stanwood/Camano Beekeepers, 7 p.m., at Stanwood Library. The topic will be about swarms, how to prevent them, catching, collecting, and using swarm cells for new queens. Also, feeding bees during the dearth of nectar until other nectar plants are available will be discussed (phenology of plants).

'Steps to healthy aging' is topic Merrill Gardens at Stanwood presents "Four steps to healthy aging" Fri., May 15, 2 p.m. Guest speaker Valerie Stafford from United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley will discuss what you can do to stay healthy and active as you age, including how to keep your brain sharp and memory strong. This free presentation will cover exercise, nutrition, stress and brain exercises. For more information, call 629-3445.

Wild Song Nursery sets free class A free "growing groceries" class at Wild Song Nursery is Thurs., May 21, 7-9 p.m., at 21313 36th Ave. NW, Stanwood, call 652-5708. The nursery is open Saturday and Sunday through July, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., or call for an appointment.

Anniversary sale benefits food bank The Stanwood-Camano Food Bank's SWAN (Share With A Neighbor) Thrift Store will celebrate its third year in west Stanwood's historic Bryant Hardware building with a 50 percent off sale Mon. and Tues., May 25 and May 26. The store is located at 27030 102nd Ave. NW, across from Gerry Andal's Restaurant, and north of the Stanwood Hotel. Everything in the store will be half-price, with a few exceptions. All proceeds are used to purchase food for food bank clients. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 629-6646 for further information.

All-community basketball tourney Stanwood-Camano "Hoop it up!," a 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be held July 11 and 12 at Stanwood High School gym. There is a cost per team, with eight divisions of competition. The event is open to those going into the ninth grade and on up through adult. Team registration is open now until June 30. The event is sponsored by Camano Chapel. For details, call Brett or Mich, 387-7202, or visit stanwoodcamanohoopitup.com.

Design sun-loving container gardens The second in a series on designing containers will be held Fri., May 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Christianson's Nursery on Best Road west of Mount Vernon. Call for reservations, 360-466-3821, for this class on sun-loving plants. Soil and fertilizer are complimentary.

Cats 'N Garden Tour coming in June The second annual Cats 'N Garden Tour is Sun., June 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kayak Point Estates and Tulalip Shores. There will also be leaf-casting demonstrations. The plant sale is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Purrfect Pals Cat Shelter, 230 McRae Rd. NE, Arlington. Raffle tickets are for sale at the shelter, and at purrfectpoals.org, Tickets are available at Orchard's Nursery, Stanwood.

Advantage basketball camps signups Advantage basketball camps are accepting registrations for summer camp, located at multiple locations throughout the area. Camp will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for three months. For details, visit advantagebasketball.com or call 1-425-670-8877.

Inspirational lunch for area women All women in the Stanwood area are invited to a "Determining your best colors" luncheon at the Marysville Golden Corral Thurs., May 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn what your best colors are from Mary Spillane when she color drapes a volunteer. Speaker Martin Venneberg shares how he manages to problem solve. For reservations and complimentary off-site childcare, call 659-9045 or 653-6461.

F inancial questions answered June 9 Edward Jones financial advisor Jerry Van Vliet of Stanwood will host a free satellite broadcast titled, "Midyear market update: your questions answered," at three different times next month: 8:30 a.m., 3:30 or 5:30 p.m. Tues., June 9. Location is 7208 267th Street NW, Suite 102, Stanwood. To reserve a seat or for more information about the program, call Shelley, 629-9562. For those unable to attend, additional viewing opportunities may be available.

Weight loss and nutrition counseling A three-month program provided by Lou Kupka-Schutt, PhD, RD, can provide participants with the support they need in setting and meeting nutritional and weight loss goals. Elder Driver Screening can help an individual, a physician or a family member decide if a person is capable of being behind the wheel. A six-week course for expectant parents includes information about emotional changes during pregnancy, the labor process, breathing techniques, the role of the support person, breastfeeding and newborn care. Pre-registration is required by calling the hospital, 360-814-2424, or 629- 6481.

' Surf Monkeys' appearing at hotel Seattle guitarist and singer Chris Stevens as been a favorite of Northwest blues fans for many years, and rounded out by a stellar group of topflight musicians, his "Surf Monkeys" will be playing at the Stanwood Hotel Saloon Sat., May 23, 9 p.m.; there is no cover charge. The hotel is located at 26926 102nd Ave. NW, in west Stanwood; phone 629-2888, or visit stanwoodhotel. net.

Flood Control District meeting set The Stillaguamish Flood Control District will meet Thurs., May 21, 7 p.m. at the PUD conference room in downtown Stanwood.

Workshop for drip irrigation at home WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners, in partnership with WSU - Mount Vernon NWREC, will present a "Know & Grow" workshop on drip irrigation for the home gardener, Tues., May 26, 1 - 3:30 p.m. at 16650 SR 536 (Memorial Highway) west of Mount Vernon. For more information, visit http://skagit.wsu.edu/MG.

C heese making class in Spanish, English Learn the safe way to make queso fresco cheese at a free "fresh cheese made safely" class in Mount Vernon Mon., June 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Skagit County Community Action Agency (320 Pacific Place). To register, call 428- 4270, ext. 0. For Spanish, call 428-4270, ext. 230.

U pcoming Relay For Life fundraiser May 24, the second annual "Battle of the Bands" and music fest will be at Gerry Andal's Restaurant, 4 p.m. If you are interested in competing in either the karaoke or the Battle of the Bands, call Scott, 360-303-5951, for more information.

Baby shower benefits Pregnancy Choices St. Cecilia Women's Guild meets Thurs., May 21 at noon to hold the annual baby shower to support Pregnancy Choices in Mount Vernon. Items needed are diapers size 0-3, and clothing up to size nine months. A potluck luncheon will be followed by a brief meeting. Cash donations are also welcome.