Around Stanwood

Fidalgo Youth Symphony will present its holiday concert Fri., Dec. 18, 7 p.m, in the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 1511 E. Broadway, Mount Vernon. Admission is by a suggested donation. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” arranged by Jerry Brubaker, is an all time classic sure to be entertaining. The Junior Symphony will perform “Winter Wonderland” and the Youth Symphony will perform “A Vaughan William’s Christmas.” Festive sounds of Hanukah are also on the program. Questions: 360-679-6778. High school winter concert Thursday

The Stanwood High School winter choir concert will be Thurs., Dec. 17, 7 p.m. in the SHS PAC. The concert will feature all of the high school choirs performing seasonal music, including music celebrating the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays. Admission is free.

Blue Christmas service Sunday

A special Blue Christmas worship service will be held at Stanwood United Methodist Church Sun., Dec. 20, 7 p.m. All are welcome to this uplifting service, but especially those who find Christmas and the holidays a difficult time. It provides an opportunity for those who may be grieving, in pain, or lonely, to come together for a time of worship and to realize they are not alone. There will be scripture, music and prayer at 27128 102 Dr. NW; phone 629-9555.

Volunteers needed at food bank

Christmas House is starting this week, Dec. 14-18, 9 a.m.-4. p.m. Anyone who can help distribute toys should contact Tracy Ulrich at tracyulrich@verizon.net. Those who can help distribute food baskets should contact Irene Stewart, reeny_s@hotmail.com. The food bank is handing out the Christmas dinner baskets Sat., Dec.19 with two different shifts: 8 a.m. – noon, and noon – 3 p.m. and on Mon., Dec.21, two shifts are 2 – 5 p.m.. and 5 to 7 p.m. Volunteers should be people who can lift and carry boxes. Volunteers are advised to dress warm.

Kids’ picture day at American Legion

Kids’ picture day with Santa at American Legion Post 92 in Stanwood is Sat., Dec. 19, 1 to 3 p.m. There will be coffee, punch and cookies, open to the public.

Hero quilters meet this Saturday

Stanwood-Camano Hero quilters meet Sat., Dec. 19 at the Stanwood Senior Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the social room next to the Thrift Store. Address is 7430 276 St. NW. Quilts made by the group are given to wounded soldiers through American Hero Quilts, americanheroquilts.com. The group is also selling cookbooks of their favorite recipes. For more information, contact Sharon Szekely, 387-4800, or visit sharonsseams2b@peoplepc.com.

Chorale presents Christmas Harmonies

The Stanwood-Camano Chorale with vocal ensemble Trouvere will present Christmas Harmonies from Home and Hamlet, 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 20, in the sanctuary of the Stanwood United Methodist Church, 27128 102nd Dr. NW. Freewill donations will be accepted.

‘Preparing for His coming’ celebration

The public is invited to join in “Preparing for His coming,” a Christmas celebration in word and song at Anchor of Hope Community Church Sun., Dec. 20, 10 a.m., at the Sons of Norway Hall, with free parking permitted in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot. Carol singing, words of hope and special music will be followed by a noon meal with “lots of Christmas goodies!”

Dinner, installation of officers

To celebrate the new Camano Island Builders Association chapter, a dinner meeting and installation of officers will be Thurs., Dec. 17 at Gerry Andal’s Restaurant, 27021 102nd Ave NW in Stanwood. Social time starts 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. All builders, associates, and interested parties are welcome to attend. The group is collecting “Toys for Tots.” RSVP to SICBA, 360- 757-6916, or visit www.sicba.org; CIBA is associated with the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Support group will not meet this month

NAMI-Northsound, a support group for the mentally ill, will not meet in December, say organizers. Watch for the January announcement of the next meeting.

Day of Recollection Saturday

There will be a Day of Recollection Sat., Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carmelite Institute of Spirituality, 27008 78th Ave. N. in Stanwood. There is a suggested donation, bring a sack lunch, coffee and tea provided. Topic will be St. John of the Cross, with presenter Fr. Ramio Casale OCD. Questions? Call 629-4032.

Flood control district meeting set

The Stillaguamish Flood Control District will meet at the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce Thurs., Dec. 17, 7 p.m.

Services at Stanwood United Methodist

Thurs., Dec. 24, Christmas Eve family candle lighting will be held in Stanwood United Methodist Church, 5:30 p.m. At 11 p.m., will be the traditional candle lighting service. Sun., Dec. 27, Christmas Sunday will be celebrated at the 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. services. For more information, call 629-9555. The church is handicapped accessible and child care is provided.

LaCross signups for grade schoolers

SCJAA LaCross sign-ups for third through eighth grade will be held at the Stanwood Library this week, 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 16 and 18, and also in January. For information contact Chris at 425-750- 2588.

Time to register for winter school 2010

County Living Expo and Cattlemen’s Winter School 2010 will be at Stanwood High School Sat., Jan. 30, 2010, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To register online, visit Skagit.wsu.edu/CountryLivingExpo. Or call 629-6408 for details. Over 135 classes are offered, and “space fills up quickly, register early to assure yourself a space,” say organizers. Some of the classes are on general livestock, poultry, goats, sheep and fiber, forestry, pastures, gardening, food preservation and cheese.

Advantage Basketball Camp open

Advantage Basketball Camps are accepting registration for winter camp during Christmas break for kids. Located in Bellingham at Whatcom Community College, the camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 30 and 31. For more information, call 425-670-8877 or visit advantagebasketball.com.

Entertainment at Leatherheads

A wine tasting features Camano Cellars, 5 p.m. Dec. 18 at Leatherheads Pub & Eatery which also presents “The Native Guerrillas,” at 8 p.m. that night. Original American roots music influenced by Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, John Prine, at 10209 270th St NW, Stanwood; phone 629-5555. On Dec. 19, “40 oz Mullet” is a Skagit Valley group, with music starting at 8:30; again, no cover charge.

Girl Scouts fundraiser for CASA, trip

Girls from Troop 50405 will present a mov ie Dec. 31 as a fundraiser for CASA, and for their trip to Europe. The movie, “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” will be presented at the Stanwood Cinemas, 9:30 a.m., the morning of New Years Eve and is open to the public. The admission fee covers the movie, “The Squeakquel,” popcorn and a drink. Donors to CASA will receive $1 off of the ticket price. Although cash donations are preferred CASA can also use bleach, laundry detergent, cat, dog and kitten food, and animal toys.

S ilvana’s Santa House open Saturday

Bring the whole family for cookies and pictures with Santa Sat., Dec. 19, 2-5 p.m. at Happy Valley Station 94, 2720 212 St. NW, between Silvana and Warm Beach. Non perishable food items will be collected for the food bank.

Children’s Christmas craft class

At Christianson’s Nursery Sat., Dec. 19, Joanne Romann will be making bisque-like ornaments representing one of The Twelve Days of Christmas, and miniature hedgehogs from field-gathered teasel. This 10:30 a.m. program is geared for children ages 5-12. Make reservations at 360-466-3821, or 360-320-0531.

C eltic Yuletide with ‘Magical Strings’

“Magical Strings” returns to the Historic Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon 7 p.m. Dec. 21 for its annual holiday special, Celtic Yuletide at 712 S. First St. Celtic-flavored holiday music, with singing, dancing, juggling, caroling, storytelling. For information, visit www.lincolntheatre.org. Reserve seats at 360-336-8955.

Unitarian’s invite public to service

Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Marysville will have a Christmas Eve service 4 p.m. Dec. 24, at 1607 Fourth St. Call 360-659-6621, or e-mail evergreen.uuf@verizon.net.

Volleyball tryouts announced

Open volleyball tryouts for Stanwood Club Team 6th grade, girls only has been announced. A January through May commitment is asked. For information, go to stanwoodvolleyball.net.

B lood drive for ‘gift of life’

The Puget Sound Blood Center urges community members to donate the “gift of life” at a blood drive Wed., Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.) at the Skagit Valley Medical Center, 9631 269th St. NW, Stanwood. Pre-registration required by calling 1-800-398-7888.

Local volunteers needed for tourney

The annual Special Olympics Washington Regional Basketball Tournament will be held at Stanwood High School and Middle School in February and local volunteers are needed. Teams will be traveling to Stanwood from all over Northwest Washington to compete. The tournament is 8:30 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 7, 2010. Local volunteers are needed to assist with scorekeeping, handing out awards, and managing the different courts. For information or other opportunities to get involved, call Joe Hampson,1-800-442-2508, ext. 209, or email him, jhampson@ sowa.org.