Around Stanwood

A new musical comedy, “Chasing Nicolette,” is presented by the Village Theatre at Everett Performing Arts Center Oct. 30 through Nov. 22. Based on the 13th century romance “Aucassin et Nicolette,” whose author is unknown, the musical confronts these two lovers with hysterical obstacles, written completely in iambic pentameter. Tickets at EPAC Box Office, 2710 Wetmore Ave., www.villagetheatre.org or call 425-257-8600 or 888-257-3722. Ribbon cutting at Cedarhome

The City of Stanwood invites the public to the entrance of Cedarhome Elementary School Thurs., Nov. 12, to celebrate the completion of the 68th Ave. N.W. road extension construction and pedestrian improvement project. The ribbon cutting will be at 27911 68th Ave. N.W.

D onations needed for benefit feast

There will be a benefit soup/salad feast and auction at the Stanwood American Legion Hall Sat., Nov. 14, 4 to 8 p.m., for Matt Murphy, a soldier who lost his leg in Afganistan. Matt spent his summers on Camano Island, and his friends are spearheading this benefit. The event is open to the public. The raffle and auction include weekend getaways as well as other items. Donations are needed for this auction, goods and/or services, call Lorri, 425-268-7283 or contact seasanjuan@aol.com

High school fall choir concert set

The Choir Boosters present the fall choir concert at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church Sun., Nov. 8, 4 p.m. There will be an admission fee, with small children admitted free. Women’s choir, jazz ensemble and the chamber choir will perform, with a number of solos throughout the show. Address of the church is 26900 78th Ave. N.W.

‘Love is the answer’ auction

A benefit silent and live auction for Jeanne Lyons will be held Sat., Nov. 14, 4-8 p.m. at Tazer Valley Farm, 7314 300 St. N.S. north of Stanwood. Friends have joined together for a gala evening of refreshments, music and silent auctions, with all proceeds going to the Lyons family, Jeanne and her children Jake and Jessie. Jeanne has recently been diagnosed with grave health issues. The “Love is the answer” event will include a live auction at the end of the evening, for a 3-day weekend get-away for two in the Santa Barbara foothills.

‘Fjord horses’ is Norwegian topic

A program on Fjord horses will be given at the Thelma Lodge, Daughters of Norway meeting Sat., Nov. 21, 10 a.m., St. Paul’s Church, 2005 Colby, Everett.

Benefit bingo for homes lost to fire

The Cinder-Ella Fire Auxiliary to Fire District #19 at Silvana, is sponsoring a bingo benefit Sun., Nov. 15, 6 p.m. for two families in the Silvana area who suffered home fires. The fire district, along with the auxiliary, aids families during disasters, and would appreciate a good turn out for this benefit. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to Viking Hall in Silvana, snacks and door prizes. Also, new members are being sought for the auxiliary, and will be most welcome. Call 652-7691 for more information.

Restless Legs Syndrome group to meet

Skagit Valley Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Support Group is holding its fall quarterly meeting at Island Hospital, 1211 24th St., Anacortes, in Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3 Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to noon. Charlotte Spada will lead in an annual “RLS Sharing Session,” giving members a chance to share RLS-related issues. This forum allows members to help each other by sharing questions and answers to problems that arise when living with RLS. Anyone suffering from RLS, knows someone with it, or is interested in receiving information regarding the illness, is welcome to attend.

Garden club hosts speaker on florals

Wed., Nov. 11, Barbara Tacher will present a program on holiday floral arrangements to the Greenwood Garden Club at the Warm Beach Community Church (basement Fellowship Hall), 9620 - 188th St. N.W., Stanwood. For directions: 652-8787. The program follows a noon potluck. For reservations and club information, contact Patricia, 652-4138.

Book swap for library meeting

The Stanwood-Camano Friends of the Library will meet at 11 a.m. Tues, Nov 10 in the library meeting room. “Sharing your book bounty,” a book swap, will be the program. Members may bring a book, receive a number which will then entitle them to select a different book. The library is located at 9701 271st in Stanwood.

‘A time to remember’ gathering at center

Skagit Hospice Services has announced a gathering to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. A session is planned at the Stanwood Senior Center, 7430 276th St. N.W., 6 -7 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 12. “A Time to Remember” will include readings, reflections, sharing of names, music and light refreshments. It is open to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one. For information, call 360-814-5589.

‘MessiahSing’ heads up for holidays

Mark holiday calendars now for the second annual community “MessiahSing” Dec. 29 at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church on Camano. Freewill offering. Come to sing or to listen, as well as to sample the flaming plum pudding afterwards. For more information, call Judy Mieger, 939-0240.

S tanwood/Camano Women’s Club meets

If you are looking to form new friendships and enjoy fun activities, join other women Nov. 7 for a new member coffee at 10 a.m. in Stanwood’s Scandia Coffee House. The women, 40 and up, do a variety of social activites ranging from movies, coffee, dining out, shopping, cooking, crafts, spa night, ladies night, couples night, parties, brunch and more.

J ack Gunter at county museum

Art will come to life at Skagit County Historical Museum on Art’s Alive! Sun., Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., when “outside-the-box” artist Jack Gunter shares his imaginative and satirical world in his presentation “3-D Experiments in Alternative Spectrums & Phosphorescent Pigments.” The museum is located at 501 S. 4th Street at the top of the hill in La Conner. There is an admission fee except members and children 5 and under are free. For info, call 360-466-3365, or visit www.skagitcounty.net/museum.

Harvest dinner in Silvana’s Viking Hall

Silvana Viking Hall will be the scene of the annual harvest dinner Sat., Nov. 8, with doors open at 4 p.m., dinner at 5. This is also a donation fundraiser, with live music, raffle, food, etc. Contact Silvana Mercantile for information, 652-9081.

Warm Beach harvest time bazaar

The 2009 harvest time bazaar will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7 at Warm Beach Fellowship, 20420 Marine Dr. in Beachwood Lounge. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Shoppers can browse through Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, the bake shop, farmers’ market, Christmas House; make selections from ceramics, books and toys that will be on display. Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., homemade pie, ice cream and coffee will be available for a small cost, in the Garden Room.

H ammond concert at Conway Muse

Conway Muse presents John Hammond in concert Fri., Nov. 6, 8 p.m. From coffeehouses to concert halls, festivals and beyond, John Hammond has spent 40 years entertaining blues, folk and rock audiences around the world, performing over 4000 concerts. From the Northwest music scene, Max Paul Schwennsen and Jon Parry will perform the opening set. This concert is an all-ages event. Advance tickets at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. or call 800-838-3006. Conway is north of Stanwood on SR 530.

Annual open house and ‘Arts Alive’

Christianson’s Nursery will celebrate its open house and “Arts Alive” beginning Fri., Nov. 6, with a special after hours holiday shopping extravaganza in Primrose, gift and antique store 5 to 8 p.m. Sample mulled cider and light hors d’oeuvres. Nov. 7 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., there will be cheese tasting with Suzanne Wechsler, from Samish Bay Cheese. Also in the schoolhouse, “Photographing Skagit Valley” with John and Kathy Willson. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., John and Emma Christianson will demonstrate apple cider pressing on the 100-year-old antique cider press and bystanders can nibble on molasses cookies. Saturday 2 – 4 p.m., Joanne Romann will demonstrate making living holiday wreaths with sedums and ground covers. Reservations requested, call 360-466-3821 or 320-0531.

R eservations now for Leavenworth trip

December 12, a BelAir charter bus will depart from the Stanwood Community and Senior Center to the Christmas tree lighting in Leavenworth. Call the Center, 629-7403, for reservations. Limited seating.

H ave November tea at center

The Harvest Tea Room will be open at the Stanwood Community and Senior Center Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Serving fresh scones, tea, variety of tea sandwiches and dessert, for a small charge.

D inner and dance honors the Nichols

“Here’s Looking at You!” is the theme for the second annual Josephine Sunset Home dinner and dance Sat., Nov. 7. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, the event will honor contributions from the community, and also the legacy of Bob and Marion Nichols. Reserve tickets before Oct. 30, 629- 2126, for an event featuring fine dining, specialty drinks, dance instruction, entertainment and benefit raffles.