Around Stanwood

Tina Meyers, the aquatic director at Team Fitness Sport in Stanwood, displays a Nike used athletic shoe drop in place at Team Fitness Sport, 7213 267th Street NW and Team Fitness, 9612 270th Street NW. The collected shoes are shredded and reused for sport court surfaces. S tamano Toastmasters’special week

Governor Christine Gregoire declared Feb 1-7 as Toastmasters Week. Stamano Toastmasters was founded more than 10 years ago, and continues to provide opportunity for personal and professional growth for all who participate. Membership is not required to visit a meeting. Beginning Feb. 10, the club will meet in the social room of the Stanwood Community and Senior Center, 7430 276th St NW, north of the high school stadium. Meetings are every Wednesday, 7:15-8:30 a.m. For more information, visit the Web site, stamano.freetoasthost.cc, or call Eleanor Guderian, 629-3499, or Ralph Powers, 387-1475.

Camano author to speak at town library

Stanwood-Camano Friends of the Library will meet Tues, Feb. 9, 11 a.m., at the Stanwood Library. Mary Trimble, award-winning author from Camano Island, will be the speaker. Trimble’s works feature contemporary western settings. Her current book “Tenderfoot.” Community members are invited to attend the program at 9701 271st in Stanwood.

Buses to the flower & garden show

Buses to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show leave from Christianson’s Nursery Feb. 3, 4 and 5 at 8:30 a.m. and return at 6 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 6, the adult “party bus” will include refreshments. Bus reservations and tickets for the show are available through Christianson’s Garden Store. Also Feb. 6, the nursery will present “pruning overgrown fruit trees” at 11 a.m., reservations required, there is a fee.

Register a team for April ‘Envirothon’

A fun, environmental-based competition for high school students, the 2010 Northwest Washington Envirothon, is set for April 15 at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, south of Stanwood. Teams from Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and King counties will compete on their knowledge of soils, wildlife, forestry, aquatics and environmental issues. For more information on registering a team for Envirothon, contact the local conservation district in Snohomish county, or call Lois Ruskell, 425-335-5634, ex.t 108. For more information. see www.envirothon.org.

Valentine’s Day idea from Republicans

Happy Valentine’s Day: nothing says “I love you” like a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States, available in a pocket-sized copy at the King Building Mall, 8705 271st NW in Stanwood, sponsored by the Republican Women of Camano Island. They meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at noon, at Lost Lake Club House, call 387-3964, or 425-231-6024.

Sound stewardship workshops for habitat

Volunteers interested in becoming Sound Stewards working to restore estuaries and shorelines in Snohomish County, are invited to free workshops presented in February and March by People For Puget Sound.Class topics will include local shoreline history, introduction to ecology, native versus invasive plant identification, weed control, and planting techniques. In Snohomish County, classes will be Feb. 25 and 27, and March 4 and 6 at the Port of Everett and field locations. To register, e-mail Keeley O’Connell, register@pugetsound.org. For more information, go to pugetsound. org/act/restore/sound-stewardship.

C ommunity bazaar vendors wanted

Applications are now available at the Stanwood Community and Senior Center for vendors at the March 27 bazaar, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Contact Terri Riffle, 629-7403, ext. 114, or visit www.stanwoodseniorcenter.org.

Community Resource Center activities

“Growing forward” community garden sites are available, with free gardening workshops at the Stanwood Camano Resource Center in Stanwood. “Managing the home budget” is a free budgeting class, call for scheduled classes, 629-5257. English as a second language, Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m., a free class for ages 16 and up. Free child care provided. Knitting Club, Tuesdays, 12-2 p.m., for beginners and experienced knitters. Heads Up program volunteer and community service opportunities abound for youth at the resource center. Teach a class, work in the used book store, stop in and visit with the center’s volunteer coordinator.

Free car care clinic Saturday

Twin City Collision is hosting a free car care clinic this Sat, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. Attendees will learn many tasks necessary to keep their vehicle running efficiently, what questions to ask when hiring a professional, your rights as a customer, what regular maintenance needs to be performed and how often, how to improve your gas mileage, how to change a tire, etc. For anyone wanting a little more information or some hands on instruction, they can stay for Car Care Clinic 2 which begins at 12 p.m. for anyone who has attended Clinic 1. Lunch will be provided after clinic 2, and space is limited, so call to reserve your seat, 629-5152.

Ducks Unlimited to hold dinner, auction

The Stanwood chapter of Ducks Unlimited is holding its 17th annual dinner/auction event in Viking Hall, Silvana, Feb. 18. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a prime rib/chicken dinner at 7 p.m.. There will be live and silent auctions as well as a raffle or two. Fun for the entire family. Contact Wayne Wendell, 360-659-3455, or Dennis Keller, 425-238-1078.

Don Mailloux to entertain locally

Leatherheads Pub & Eatery invites the public to dine while listening to the acoustic folk-rock sounds of local musician Don Mailloux, Fri, Feb. 5, 6:30-9:30 p.m. No cover charge. 10209 270th St NW Stanwood; phone is 629-5555, or visit www.leatherheadspub. com.

Shoe collections going to Haiti

Z’s, All Things Good in Stanwood, is working with Soles4Souls to collect sturdy shoes (no heels or sandals, please) for children and adults during the month of February. Last year, with incredible community support, 1,408 shoes were donated. Drop off location at Z’s, 9504 271st Street, Stanwood, Wed – Fri, 12 noon to 5 p.m. www.zsremedies.com for more information.

Scholarship offered to high school senior

North Cascade Eye Associates is proud to present the eighth annual North Cascade Eye Associates PS Excellence in Education Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior in high school from the Eye Associates’ service area. NCEA desires to pursue an education in the medical field. The goal is to encourage students who want to be medical receptionists, coders, or administrators, as well as doctors or nurses. Applications are available at local high schools, and at the North Cascade Eye Associates location in Sedro Woolley and Mount Vernon. The completed application is due by Fri, April 16. For more information, call 360-416-6735.

Polar plunge is canceled

A polar-bear plunge at Lake Goodwin County Park Feb. 15, President’s Day, has been cancelled. For details, call 425-388-6604.

Computer class on basic Internet

Basic Internet computer class, Tues, Feb., 16, 10-11:30 a.m at the Stanwood Library. Set up an e-mail account and learn basic Web navigation in this 90-minute workshop. Requires mouse skills. Pre-registration required. Call the library, 629-3132, to register.

‘Stuffed animal sleepover’ story time

“Stuffed animal sleepover” is Fri, Feb., 5, 7 p.m. at the Stanwood Library. Did you ever wonder what your stuffed animals do while you’re sleeping? Bring one to the library for a special family story time, and find out. Come dressed in your pajamas and listen to stories about bedtime and toys. Afterwards, say goodnight to your furry friends, leave them at the library for a midnight adventure, and pick them up the next morning, complete with photos of their antics. Contact children’s librarian, Joy Feldman, for more information, 629-3132.

Northwest Glass Quest kick-off event

The Great Northwest Glass Quest kick-off event is Thurs, Feb. 4, 5 – 7 p.m., 9612 270th St. NW, 103, Stanwood (next to the Port Susan Athletic Club). Refreshments will be served and the 2010 glass snowballs will be available for pick-up.

Water quality workshop is this Saturday

A Stillaguamish Water Quality Workshop is Sat, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Stillaguamish Grange at Stanwood Camano Fairgrounds. Focus of the workshop is Port Susan Bay and water quality; managing water on your property, building rain gardens, care for septic systems, etc. Free with morning refreshments and a lunch provided, but registration is required: Chrys Bertolotto, WSU Snohomish County Extension, 425-357-6020 or, chrys@ wsu.edu. A field trip to a Warm Beach property is included. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day.

‘Beating breast cancer’ lunch

One of the nation’s leading researchers and experts on breast cancer treatment, Dr. Julie Gralow, is the featured speaker at the Women’s Health luncheon Thurs, Feb. 11, 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. Gralow is director of Breast Medical Oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and an associate professor of medical oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The event is sponsored by the Skagit Valley Regional Cancer Care Center, an affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Pre-registration required by Feb. 8, 629-6481 or 360-814-2424.

Chorale begins rehearsals on Sundays

The Stanwood-Camano Chorale rehearses Sundays, beginning Feb. 7, 3 to 5 p.m., in the Anderson Room of the Stanwood United Methodist Church. All singers are welcome and no audition is required. For more information, call 360-445-2721.

Running Start information available

High school students and their parents can learn about Everett Community College’s Running Start program at a 6 p.m. information session Tues, Feb. 9. College staff will explain options for full and part-time enrollment, how to apply and special options like the ORCA program in marine biology. A partnership between colleges and high schools, the program is available to high school juniors and seniors. Students can earn college credit while finishing their high school graduation requirements. Tuition for 1-18 credits is free. The deadline to apply is May 1. For information, call 425-388-9211.

Register for camp now for early birds

Camp Killoqua is registering youth for summer day and resident camp sessions, plus spring break day camp. Summer camp, for grades K-12, includes traditional weekly sessions, and specialty programs such as horses, archery, culinary, and teen leadership. Spring break day camp also offers a range of activities for grades K-8. Weekly fees depending on the program selected; financial assistance may be available for those who qualify. Registrations prior to April 15 receive a special discount. Call 425-258-5437 for more information, or go to www.campfireusasnohomish.org.

WWU to host career fair Feb. 11

Job seekers looking for ways to connect directly with employers are invited to attend Western Washington University’s Winter Career Fair 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thurs, Feb. 11, in the Mac Gym of the Wade King Student Recreation Center. Admission is free, and job seekers should bring resumes and dress in business attire. A free workshop, “How to prepare for the Winter Career Fair,” teaches skills in approaching employers, at 4 p.m. Thurs, Feb. 4 in Viking Union Room (VU) 462B and at noon Mon, Feb. 8 in VU 567. For a complete list of participating employers or more information see the Career Services Center Web site. careers.wwu.edu, or call 360-650-3240.

Haggen still collecting for Haiti relief

Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores are still collecting donations to fund World Vision’s relief efforts in Haiti, and customers may make donations of any amount at Haggen checkstands through Feb. 9. For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

Donate now for Silvana fair auction

The annual Silvana Fair Board auction is Sat, Match 13 at Viking Hall in Silvana. Board members are again this year, asking for donations from local merchants; call 652-8682.

RLS support group to meet

Skagit Valley Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Support Group is holding its winter quarterly meeting at Island Hospital, 1211 24th St., Anacortes, in Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3, 10 a.m. until noon Sat, Feb. 6.

Violin virtuoso to give free concerts here

Jaime Jorge, violin virtuoso, will perform two free concerts in Stanwood next week, the first at Merrill Gardens, 7212 265th Street NW, Wed., Feb. 3, 3 p.m.; the second at Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Avenue NW, Thurs., Feb. 4, 7 p.m. For more information about performances, call David Johnson, 425-345-1008.