Around Stanwood

The Stanwood Area Historical Society invites the public to a program Thurs, Feb. 25, about the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition held in Seattle in 1909. Many residents of Stanwood traveled to the Exposition and left accounts of their experiences. The 7 p.m. program will be followed by refreshments. The Exposition was originally planned for 1907 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush, but was rescheduled when the organizers discovered that a Jamestown Exhibition was planned for that year. The Alaska-Yukon Exposition was a world’s fair for the purpose of promoting the Pacific Northwest. It was held on the campus of the University of Washington, which in 1905 was largely forested and consisted of only three buildings. At the time, there was some discussion about whether or not the site was too far from the city center. Camwood Players announce presentation

“The Foreigner,” directed by Ray Riches, will be presented at Stillaguamish Grange March 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27, doors open 7:30 p.m., curtain, 8 p.m. There will be a matinee March 21 and 28, doors open 2 p.m., curtain at 2:30. Dinner shows are set for March 13, 20, 37, 6:30 p.m. Dinner by reservation only, 629- 4494. The grange hall is at 6521 Pioneer Highway, next to the fairgrounds; tickets available at Snow Goose Book Store in downtown Stanwood. More information at camwoodplayers.com.

Shoe fund for needy children

The Marlece Duncan Memorial Shoe Fund is now being handled by St. Cecilia Church. Vouchers for shoes are available for children in need, and parents can pick them up at the church on the first and third Friday of every month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Vouchers are given out August through May of each year, and are good for ages 5-18, redeemable at Kmart in Marysville or Burlington only.

‘Bring them home’ benefit dinner set

A barbeque benefit dinner to help pay remaining adoption and travel expenses to bring two children to Stanwood from Ethiopia, will be held Sat, March 13, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Cedarhome Baptist Church, 29000 68th Ave. NW. There will be barbecued ribs, chicken and the trimmings. Donation only. The dinner will be in the new Cedarhome Church building. Attendees are asked to RSVP by March 6, to maier.bringthemhomemarch13@gmail.com, or call 629-6582.

Christian Motorcyclists sets meeting

Morning Star Riders Chapter meeting will be held 6 p.m. Thurs, Feb. 25 for dinner, fellowship, and review of upcoming rides, rallies and outreach events. Guests welcome; participation open to all motorcyclists. Meet at Denny’s, 100 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Contact Scott Burner, pres., 360-770-0728, for chapter information visit national Web site www.cmausa.org for organization overview or state Web site www.riding4theson.com for ride opportunities throughout Washington state.

Last call for map ads says chamber

Support has been great for the new Stanwood/Camano business map, says the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce. If you haven’t reserved your spot yet, now is the time; deadline is Fri, March 5. Call or e-mail Jeanne, 425-361-7089. or stanwoodmap@gmail. com for all the details.

Genealogical society hosts Margie Wilson

Skagit Valley Genealogical Society, with members in the Stanwood Camano area, meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m., Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. Feb. 23, The public is welcome. For more information and directions, visit rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wasvgs/contacts.html, or call 360-424- 4427.

GriefShare offered to community

GriefShare sessions will be offered at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 3 to 5 p.m. Wenesdays, March 3-May 26. GriefShare is a non-denominational group that features Biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. Whether you have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are welcome to attend the group. There is a cost for materials. The church is located 20815 Marine Drive. For questions, call 652-6555 or visit wbfmc.org.

Day of Recollection this Saturday

There will be a Day of Recollection Sat, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carmelite Institute of Spirituality, 27008 78th Ave. NW, Stanwood. The topic is Saint Edith Stein with presenter Fr. Ramiro Casale, OCD. Suggested donation and bring a sack lunch. Coffee and tea provided. For questions, call 629-4032.

Free dental screening for the uninsured

A free dental screening and sealant day will be provided at Stanwood Elementary School by Medical Teams International, and Scott VonBergen and staff, Fri, Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All elementary students without dental insurance are eligible to be seen. Contact Stanwood Elementary school nurse Amy Tierra, 629- 1250 for details. PUD closed to public M onday, March 1

As part of its conversion to a new customer information system, the PUD will be closed to the public Mon, March 1.

Shoe collections through February

Z’s, All Things Good in Stanwood, is working with Soles- 4Souls to collect sturdy shoes (no heels or sandals, please) for children and adults to be shipped to Haiti. Drop off location at Z’s, 9504 271st Street, Stanwood, Wed – Fri, noon to 5 p.m. www.zsremedies.com for more information.

Volunteers assist v ulnerable adults

Vulnerable adults living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes throughout Snohomish County, are in need of community help. More than 2,500 such residents lack a volunteer ombudsman, who serves as an advocate, educator, investigator and problem solver on their behalf. Volunteer ombudsmen come from all walks of life, various age groups and educational levels. The common thread is a passion for older adults and persons with disabilities. The Snohomish County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program will offer a four-day training session April 13, 14, 20 and 21 for new volunteer ombudsmen. Once certified, volunteers are asked to spend an average of four hours a week on their ombudsman duties. Expenses such as mileage are reimbursable. The Snohomish County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is part of a statewide program that protects residents and works with residents and their families to achieve high-quality and compassionate care. Contact Michal Glauner, michal.glauner@ snoco.org, or 425-388-7393, for more information.

Sewing for teens begins next week

Class for ages 11-18 will cover all levels of sewing at Davis Place Tuesdays, 3 – 5 p.m. starting March 9. There is a registration fee with scholarships available. For more information, contact the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257.

Leatherheads welcomes rock band

Leatherheads Pub and Eatery welcomes 7 Second Window, Sat, Feb. 27, 9 p.m. This Bellingham rock band makes its Stanwood debut, no cover, at 10209 270th St. NW, Stanwood, 629-5555, or visit www.leatherheadspub.com.

High school basketball games scheduled

The 2010 Skagit Valley high school senior basketball games, which will include Stanwood, will be held Sat, March 20 at Skagit Valley College’s Duvall Pavilion. The girls play at 6 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 p.m. Games will be preceded by 3-point and slam dunk contests for both boy and girl participants starting at 5 p.m. There is an admission fee; less for senior citizen (65 years plus). Children 10 years of age and under are free. For more information, contact Skagit County Parks & Recreation Department, 360- 336-9414, or by e-mail parksrec@co.skagit.wa.us.

Auditions for ‘Annie’ open March 3

“Annie” is coming to McIntyre Hall, June 4-13, and auditions are March 3 and 4, with many parts available for ages 7-adults. Feeling uneasy about auditioning for the first time? Attend a workshop Thurs, Feb. 25; call 360-466-3072 for details or visit the Web site metaperformingarts.org

Playhouse competition announced

Members of Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA) announce the first annual playhouse competition, in conjunction with the SICBA Home and Garden Show March 19-21 at Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon. MHE International, Hagge Design Associates and Cascade Lumber have created and are sponsoring a playhouse with ticket sales to benefit Josephine in Stanwood; the playhouse will be on display there until March 16, where you can purchase your winning ticket for a small donation at Josephine’s front desk, or at the show. The winning ticket will be drawn March 21 at 2 p.m. at the fairgrounds. You need not be present to win. If you have any questions, call Becky Bunke, 629-2126, ext. 146.

Winter field day highlights pruning

Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation is holding a winter field day Sat, March 6 at the WSU NWREC, 16650 SR 536, Mount Vernon. The event will have lectures on the “slender spindle” tree training method, grafting; vole control; pruning fruit trees, blueberries and grapes. There will also be commercial vendors, scionwood and rootstock sales and grafting services. For more information, visit NWFruit.org.

Swing band to perform at Maple Hall

Skagit Swings, a swing band composed of northwest Washington musicians brought together by their shared love of the big band sound, will perform at La Conner’s Maple Hall, 7 p.m. Sat, March 6, under the auspices of the La Conner Institute of Performing Arts. Tickets can be purchased at the Next Chapter Bookstore, First and Commercial streets in La Conner (across from Maple Hall), or by calling the bookstore, 360-466-2665. Tickets will also be available at the door March 6.

Christianson’s annual winter festival

Christianson’s Nursery announces guest speakers for the annual “tribute to hellebores” are Glenn Withey and Charles Price, curators of the E.B. Dunn Historic Woodland Garden. Charles’ lecture will describe his involvement in hybridizing the Helleborus hybridus “Mardi Gras” series in the 1888 Historic Schoolhouse. Learn how to grow and care for your hellebores and get a copy of “Companion plants for Hellebores,” Sat, Feb. 27, 1 and 2:30 p.m. Register early for this complimentary program. Saturday, March 6, 1 p.m., Ed Hume will talk about growing annuals and perennials from seed. There is a small cost, reservations required; call 360-466-3821.

Human Rights Festival is next week

The 2010 Skagit Human Rights Festival will have seven events from March 5 through the 19. Housing as a human right is March 5, 7 p.m. at Skagit Valley College Phillip Tarro Theatre; March 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skagit Valley Co-op, a natural building workshop will be held. March 7, 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, “Hannah free.” March 12, 7 p.m. “Genocide in our time; why Darfu matters.” March 14, 3 p.m. film “The Other Side of Immigration.” March 19, Phillip Tarro Theatre, documentary war and peace, 7 p.m., and March 26, 7 p.m., a speaker on health as a societal right; is capitalism killing us? Ppplanet.org or skagithrf@gmail.com.

H ost family needed for exchange student

A host family is needed for a foreign exchange student who will attend Stanwood High School for the 2010/11 school year. A potential host family can choose from three students: a girl from Mexico, a boy from Sweden, or a girl from Vietnam. Students come with good English skills, their own insurance and spending money, and mainly the desire to be a member of an American family. For more information about the students and the program, contact Jamin Henderson, 360-661-0552 or j.henderson33@hotmail. com.