Around Stanwood

Fri., Oct. 2, an Oktoberfest celebration will be held at Stanwood Community and Senior Center, 6 to 8 p.m., with live music by Hugo's Accordion Band. There is an admission charge, and tickets are on sale now at the center. This popular German fest will have music, dancing and great food: Bratwurst, sauerkraut, sweet and sour red cabbage, German potato salad, green beans, brotchen roll and dessert. Mayor will host H1N1 town hall

Dianne White, Stanwood mayor and local pharmacist, will give a presentation about H1N1, a flu strain previously called the swine flu, 7 p.m. Tues., Oct. 6 at the Stanwood Fire Station, 8117 267th St. N.W. She will answer questions, and there will be resources and information sheets available.

Ronning to perform with symphony

Svend Ronning, a 1985 Stanwood High School graduate, will perform the JeanSibelius' /Violin Concerto/ with the Everett Symphony Orchestra and conductor Paul-Elliott Cobbs Fri., Oct. 9, 8 p.m., at the Everett Civic Auditorium (2415 Colby Ave.). In addition to the Sibelius' only concerto, the program will feature selections from "Camelot," as well as works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Tickets and information: Phone: 800-595-4849, ticket line only email: tickets@everettsymphony.org.

'Jim Dandy's' clam chowder served

"Jim Dandy's" famous clam chowder will be served Fri., Oct. 2 at the Sons of Norway Hall, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a bake sale. This is a fundraiser for the 100th year celebration in April 2010.

Teens invited to try disgusting menu

Tues., Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m., teens are invited to find out how strong their stomachs are at Stanwood Library's "Fear Factor" program. Test your stomach (and your stamina) with some truly disgusting menu items. Winners will be awarded prizes. Call teen librarian Rob Branigin for details on the mortifying menu, 629-3132.

Chamber seeks sponsors for holidays

In order to fill 400 Santa gift bags, the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce needs more sponsors for the Dec. 5 event at "The Floyd." Call Stacy, or visit stanwoodchamber.org.

John Koster's business roundtable

Bret Bertolin of the Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), will address a crowd of business and community leaders for an informative presentation on the state economic and revenue outlook Thurs., Oct. 1 at the Monte Cristo Hotel, 1507 Wall Street, Everett. Come join Councilman John Koster and other Snohomish County business leaders for a buffet breakfast. Registration and buffet opens at 6:45 a.m., followed by the roundtable discussion at 7:30.

Grade school basketball tryouts Thurs.

Stanwood AAU boys basketball tryouts for fifth-eighth graders Thurs., Oct. 1 at Stanwood High School. Fifth grade tryouts will be in the upper east gym, 6:30 to 8 p.m., with coach Reid Martinka. Sixth grade tryouts will be in the upper west gym, 6:30 to 8 p.m., coach is Rich Olson. Seventh and eighth grade tryouts will be in the high school main gym, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Seventh grade coach is Scott Reinecke, and eighth grade coach is Gary Doty.

Driver safety class at medical center

An AARP Driver Safety Class is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 14, and Thurs., Oct. 15, 1-5 p.m. at the Stanwood Medical Center, 9631 269th St. NW. Participants work through an interesting, interactive curriculum emphasizing defensive driving techniques. A fee is charged to cover the cost of materials. AARP members receive a $2 discount when presenting their membership number at the time of registration. Washington State offers auto insurance discounts for those who complete the course. Check with your carrier for more information. Call 629-6481 to register.

Collect yogurt lids to fight cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Curves of Stanwood and Mount Vernon are collecting the pink Yoplait yogurt lids to raise funds to fight this disease. Save your clean lids and turn them into Curves, located at 9923 270th St. NW, #101, Stanwood, Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lids will be collected through November. Your support of this project is greatly appreciated.

F ree community seminar on living wills

Sat., Oct 3, 10 - 11:30 a.m., there will be a free community seminar on living wills at Providence Hospice and Home Care, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Everett, Conference Room B. The "Five Wishes Living Will" is a legal document and will help you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. Anyone over 18 can attend, single people, caregivers, parents, married couples, adult children. Call 425-261-4815 to register.

Flu immunization clinics scheduled

Seasonal flu immunization clinics are scheduled this fall at Haggen Food & Pharmacy in Stanwood, 26603 72nd Ave. N.W. Tues, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 5, 2-7 p.m. For a complete schedule of flu clinics, visit www.Haggen.com. Shots are available to anyone age 10 and older for a fee, and no appointments are necessary. Medicare and most insurance companies can be billed if participants bring their Medicare or insurance card.

Nursery nominated for 'Best of'

Christianson's Nursery has been nominated for Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington 2009 contest, and you are invited to cast your vote. Go to best.king5.com/contests/best-ofwestern washington/4749, and look for them under Home and Garden in the Shopping Category. Contest closes Oct. 11.

Pregnant/parenting teens invited

Teen Parents, a ministry of Youth for Christ, is starting up the year with the first group night Mon., Oct. 5. Free dinner and childcare are provided. This is a support group for both young moms and dads. The evenings offer support and encouragement in this new chapter of the teen's life. For more information on this group and services offered, contact Heidi, stanwoodyfc.com, or call 425- 343-7591.

Auction, dinner to benefit homeless teens

Cocoon House has helped Snohomish County's homeless and atrisk youth since 1991, and Thurs., Oct. 1, a dinner and auction will be held at Comcast Arena, Everett Event Center. . For information or to make a donation, call 425-259-3342. Youth in crisis may call 1-800-259-6042 for immediate assistance.

' Financing a business' is free workshop

The Economic Development Association of Skagit County will present a free Oct. 13 workshop on planning and financing a business in today's economy. The three and a half hour workshop, beginning at 1 p.m., will be held at the EDASC offices, 204 West Montgomery. Register by calling 360-336-6114 or visit www. Skagit.org.

Parenting workshop on kids drug issues

A five-week class for parents with children ages 9 to 14, focuses on helping parents learn new skills to reduce their child's risk of developing problems with alcohol and drug use issues. Classes begin Tues., Oct. 6, and run through Nov. 3, 6 to 8 p.m. at Elger Bay Elementary School. Pre-registration required, child care provided. The workshop is sponsored by Island County Human Services in partnership with the Community Resource Center and the Stanwood-Camano School District. For more information, call Jon Evavold, 629-1290, Elger Bay Elementary; or Janet Mott, Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257. Visit janet@stawoodcamanoresources.org.

Lil' Cheer clinic for youngsters

Stanwood High 4A Booster Club Lil' Cheer Clinic for grades K-5 is Fri., Oct. 16, 4 to 8 p.m. There is a cost per child, which includes t-shirt, poms, picture with cheerleaders, dinner and snack. Registration forms are available at all elementary schools or the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce office on 271st St. NW. E-mail stacykj3@hotmail.com for more details and a registration form.

J am session/open mic at local hotel

At the Stanwood Hotel, Steve Raible hosts the Thursday night jam session and open mic starting at 8 p.m. Jam session and open mic on Sundays, 5 to 8 p.m. The hotel is located at 26926 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood; call 629-2888, or visit stanwoodhotel.net.

T ickets available for yule fest

Tickets are now available for the Dec. 5 yule fest at the Stanwood Community and Senior Center, call 629-7403. There will be spirits and fine cuisine, live entertainment, raffles, comedy, live and silent auction. Proceeds benefit the center. Festivity will be held at Tazer Valley Farm. For more details, visit www.stanwoodseniorcenter. org.