Around Stanwood
Free roasted corn From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays until the end of Sept., Mossyback Farms, on Old Hwy. 99, just off I-5 between exits 212 and 215, is offering fresh Mount Vernon corn roasted on alderwood and serving it up free of charge! Norwegian pianist presents recital
Norwegian pianist Knut Erik Jensen will present a recital, "Nordic Elegance," 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 1 in the sanctuary of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in west Stanwood. The program will feature piano music from 1900-1950 by Norwegian composers that is rarely performed in the United States. The program includes works by Alf Hurum, David Monrad Johansen, Harald Saeverud and Geirr Tveitt, along with piano works by Grieg and Christian Sinding's "Rustle of Spring."
Bake sale will help centennial planning
A bake sale and garage sale will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Aug. 29 at the Sons of Norway Fritjov Lodge to raise funds for the 100th anniversary party for the lodge next spring, April 24.
'Collision' class at high school
Doug Gold and his Snohomish County collision investigation team will present another 'Collision' class for Stanwood's traffic safety program Sat., Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-12 noon in the Stanwood High School Performing Arts Center. This is open to all community members.
Chaplin speaks to Morning Star Riders
Dean Jenkin, Chaplain of Camano Island Fire & Rescue, will speak about the "Support 99" critical incident support unit at the Thurs., Aug 27 chapter meeting of Morning Star Riders (MSR) Christian Motorcyclists Association. The mission of Support 99 is to care for and comfort victims, families and first responders at critical incident scenes such as serious accidents, significant fires, search and rescue situations, and natural disasters. Guests are welcome to attend the presentation along with the 6 p.m. dinner meeting at Denny's, 100 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. All motorcyclists are welcome to join MSR's weekly "ice cream" rides on Monday evenings May-September, staging 6:15 p.m. at Texaco Red Barn/I-5 Conway exit. Contact MSR president Scott Burner at 360-770- 0728 for chapter information. Visit the national Web site www. cmausa.org for organization overview or the state Web site www.riding4theson.com for ride opportunities in Washington.
Haggens to help with school supplies
Haggen Food & Pharmacy is partnering with its customers to provide foster children with supplies for the start of school. When customers buy and donate a backpack at a Haggen Food & Pharmacy store for $9.99 through Sept. 13, Haggen Food & Pharmacy will fill the backpack with $21 worth of school supplies, including paper, pencils, crayons, a binder and a ruler. The backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to foster children by Treehouse for Kids. For more information on how your organization can help Treehouse services e-mail drives@ treehouseforkids.org. Communit y Transit Exch ange students need host homes International high school exchange students Lucca and Cornelia are seeking host families in the Stanwood area for the 2009-10 school year. These students want to experience American culture as an American high school student does. In turn, they will provide insights into their own cultures. Lucca is a 17-year-old boy from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, who loves playing soccer, volleyball and swimming, and is eager to learn more about American culture and customs. Cornelia is a 17-year-old girl from Lidingo, Sweden, who is also very fond of playing soccer. She has competed in gymnastics and enjoys playing the guitar and the piano. They are both excellent students and will have their own spending money and health insurance. Host families provides a separate bed, family meals and a safe environment. Anyone interested in being a host family should call Lillian, 800-522-4678, or send an e-mail to lillian@stsfoundation.org. For information, see stsfoundation. org.
C ounty hosts barn preservation workshop
The Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission, in partnership with the Washington Preservation for Historic Trust, is sponsoring a Heritage Barn Workshop for barn owners in Snohomish County Thurs., Aug. 27. Attendees will receive guidance on nominating their barns to the state Heritage Barn Register and on how to fill out funding applications for the Heritage Barn Rehabilitation Grant Program if accepted on the register. The state Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative, established in 2007, is a grant program that assists with rehabilitation projects designed to stabilize and preserve heritage barns across the state. Last year, the program provided grant assistance to 19 heritage barns. To be eligible for listing, barns must be more than 50 years old and retain a significant degree of historic integrity. Nominations must be received by Sept. 25. Grants through the rehabilitation program are awarded through a competitive application process. Criteria for funding include, but are not limited to, the historical significance of the barn, urgency of needed repairs and provision for long-term preservation. Priority is given to barns that remain in agricultural use. Grant applications are due Nov. 4, with grant awards slated to be announced in January 2010. All nomination/application materials can be downloaded from www.dahp.wa.gov. Barn owners with questions should contact Chris Moore, at 206-624-9449 or cmoore@wa-trust.org. For information on the workshop, contact Wendy Becker, Snohomish County's economic and cultural development officer, 425-388-3186, or wendy.becker@snoco.org.
'Sewing for Teens' class starts soon
A class on sewing for youth ages 11-18 is being offered in partnership with WSU Extension and 4-H. Participants will learn all levels of sewing, at Davis Place on Tuesdays, 3 - 5 p.m. Sept. 15 - Nov. 17. Scholarships are available to cover the registration fee. For more information, call the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257.
Learn about mailing options in seminar
Stanwood Postmaster Scott Harsh will present a free informational seminar about mailing options for businesses and individuals Thurs., Aug. 27, 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st St. NW. Speakers include the manager of business mail entry for the Seattle USPO District, and a specialist for shipping and direct mail.
Cyclists gear up for Bike MS Ride
More than 2,000 cyclists are expected to participate Sept. 12 and 13 in the Bike MS Ride, presented by Point B, an annual fundraiser that supports multiple sclerosis research and local services and programs. Starting from the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon, the 2009 Bike MS Ride follows scenic routes through Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. The ride offers riders a choice of figure-8 routes ranging from 20 to 100 miles, with mechanical support, frequent fully-stocked rest stops, support and gear vehicles, access to medical personnel as well as catered meals, entertainment and other amenities. For information and to register, go to www.bikeMSwashington.org or call 800-344-4867.
YWCA Pathways for Women class
Designed for individuals who have spent at least 10 years as a homemaker and now find it necessary to earn a living, "Pathways to Work" employment support workshops are for individuals who need to re-enter the workforce because of divorce, separation, death or disability of a spouse, or loss of welfare. Tools and support are available at no cost in a workshop presented by YWCA in Arlington Sept. 16 -29, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For information call 425-258-2766 ext. 226 or e-mail bpatrykus@ ywcaworks.org. Additional registration openings may be available for others seeking employment with a similar situation, call for details. Learn how to translate your experience into marketable skills, set goals and build self-esteem Learn where to get training and find work Transportation and childcare assistance may be available.
Homeless teen shelter sets open house
"Cocoon House" will host an open house at its North County Shelter in Arlington Wed., Sept. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tours of the facility continue to 3 p.m. A presentation featuring local dignitaries and special guests will take place at 12:15 p.m., and a light luncheon will be provided. There is no cost and the community is welcome. RSVP to amy.shaflik@cocoonhouse.org or call 425-259-3342. The Arlington Shelter opened in 2006, where the two-story home now has doubled the number of beds open to homeless teens age 13-17. "Teens, parents, friends, school counselors, law enforcement, or any interested community member are invited to call the shelter, 800-259-6042, for more information about how a short-term shelter stay might be helpful in resolving family conflict," said Marty Bishop Arellano, Cocoon House director of youth operations. Last year, Cocoon House served almost 1,400 youth and their family members. Donations can be made on-line at cocoonhouse.org.
Habitat for Humanity Store coming soon
The Skagit Habitat for Humanity Store, where new and used building materials, home appliances, tools and home furnishings start at 50 percent off retail, is opening soon. Materials sold by Habitat stores are donated by local retailers, contractors and individuals in the community. It provides an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of the waste stream and simultaneously provide funding for all of Habitat's community improvement work, said a spokesperson. Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.
' Lifesavers' to be honored Friday
Residents and staff of Merrill Gardens at Stanwood are presenting the fourth annual "Lifesavers open house," 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28 to honor men and women in local police, fire and rescue departments. The public is invited, no reservations needed, for complimentary barbecue and root beer floats with music by Jerry Andal. For information call 629-3445.
'Miniature gardens" is class topic Joanne Romann, of Christianson's Nursery, will demonstrate how to create a scaled-down version of a dream garden, 11 a.m. Sat., Aug. 29. Reserve your spot by calling 360-466-3821.
Barbecue, car show for Methodists
The public is invited for free food, music, and a mini-classic car show at the summer barbecue starting 5 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28, at the United Methodist Church, 27128 102 Dr. N.W. in west Stanwood. For information call 629-9551 or 387-7681.
'Kindermusik' classes begin this fall
"Kindermusik" classes are beginning in September for parents and their children. Check it out at kindermusik.com, or call 387- 3602.
Davis Place finishes up summer
Local teen musicians will play on the big stage at "Summer's Last Blast," 7 - 10 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28, at Davis Place, next door to the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, in an event for teens created by teens. For information call 629-5257.