Around Stanwood

A 24-hour life drawing marathon begins at noon on Saturday, March 6, at Gallery by the Bay, to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Stanwood Camano “Relay for Life.” Instead of running or walking laps, the artists in this marathon are drawing for cancer research. Artists will be drawing from live models for eight three-hour sessions at the gallery, 8700 271st St. NW, Stanwood. There is a registration fee. For information call 629-4297. School board meeting this Tuesday

The Board of Directors, Stanwood Camano School District 401, will hold a regular board meeting Tues., March 2 in the Administrative and Resource Center board room, 26920 Pioneer Highway in Stanwood. An executive session will begin at 10:46 a.m., followed by the regular meeting 15 minutes later. A study session to discuss the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget will begin at 11 a.m.

C huck Heckman blood drive scheduled

The third annual Chuck Heckman blood drive is Sat, March 20, at Cedarhome Elementary, 27911 68th Avenue NW, Stanwood, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 1 -1:45 p.m. for lunch). To make an appointment, contact Jeny Heckman, 425-238-0510, or email jenyheckman@ live.com One donation saves three lives.

Stanwood Library is going to the dogs

“Dog day afternoon: read aloud to a four-legged friend” is Sat, March 6, 11 a.m. at the Stanwood Library. “Dogs make great listeners!” say the staff. “Come and read aloud to Stella or Elly as part of this community based literacy program, R.E.A.D., which helps kids strengthen reading skills and improve reading confidence. Pre-readers and independent readers are welcome,” concludes Joy Feldman, children’s librarian. For information, call 629-3132, jfeldman@sno-isle.org.

Coin club show open to public at center

The Stanwood Coin Club will hold its 49th annual coin show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat, March 6, at the Stanwood Community and Senior Center cafeteria, 7430 276th St. NW. Coin buying and selling, free coin appraisals, displays, raffles of gold and silver coins, hourly door prizes and refreshments. Free admission. For information, e-mail Garden2day@verizon.net.

Celebrate the Irish at theme dinner

Merrill Gardens at Stanwood is having a St. Patrick’s Day theme dinner, with Celtic dancers, Tues, March 16, 4:30 to 6 p.m. There is a cost. The “Art of Tea” tasting with Tobi Cain is March 18, 2 p.m. for a small cost. Call call 629-3445 to RSVP

E ducational scholarship available

Sno-Isle Unit 22 of the Washington State School Retirees Association is currently offering a $1,000 scholarship to a prospective teacher candidate. Interested students must be a resident of Snohomish County or Island County, a junior or senior enrolled in a four-year university in the state. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Selection will be based on transcripts, leadership and activities, and essays. The deadline of applications is June 15. Funds will be available for the 2010-11 academic year. For information and an application, contact WSSRA, 425-347-2719.

Zumba class moves to new location

The Zumba class formerly located at the Stanwood Senior and Community Center, has moved to the Karate Studio in Viking Village (next to the Dollar Store in Stanwood). First class always free. Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 and 6 p.m., and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Groovin2themusic.com, or call Rachel, 425- 315-6789.

S kin cancer screening at Stanwood clinic

J. Semmes Mickelwait, MD, will conduct visual inspections of skin Wed, March 3, 1 – 4 p.m. at Skagit Valley Medical Center Stanwood/Camano, 9631 269th St. NW, Conference Room A/B. Call Skagit Valley Hospital, 629-6481 or 360-814-2424, to schedule an appointment. No charge, but pre-registration is required.

Friends of Library note special month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Ann Fredell will present the program “You forgot your skirt, Amelia Bloomer!” to the Stanwood-Camano Friends of the Library when they meet Tues, March 9, 11a.m. at the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st. St. in Stanwood.

Craft bazaar invites vendors March 27

Vendors are needed for the Stanwood Community and Senior Center craft bazaar Sat, March 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reserve tables at, 629-7403, ext. 114.

Rorex, Mailloux perform at pub

Leatherheads Pub and Eatery welcomes Richard Rorex Wed, March 3, 6 p.m. Dine to classical Spanish-style guitar. He performed regularly at the Djangofest on Whidbey Island. No charge. Don Mailloux performs Fri, March 5, 6-9 p.m. March 6 at 7 p.m., The Lost and Found bluegrass band from Virginia make a stop in Stanwood. Limited tickets are available at the pub, 10209 270th St NW; phone 629-5555, www.leatherheadspub.com.

Knitter’s guild welcome guest speaker

The North Sound Knitters’ Guild will meet Tues, March 8, 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Church. Guest speaker is Nancy Bjerke from NW Handspun in Bellingham. St. Aidan’s is located on Route 532 across from the Second Chance store on Camano Island. Bring contributions for the library auction. For information, call June Dickinson, 387-1952.

Stanwood coop preschool sets fundraiser

Stanwood Coop Preschool is preparing for their annual fundraiser Sun, March 14. There will be a video to celebrate the 27 years of the school.

S cholarships to junior college students

Three $2,500 scholarships are to be awarded by the American Association of University Women to a Stanwood, Lakewood or Arlington student with junior college standing by June, 2010. Get an application at info@s-caf.org, or bmchoov@wavecable. com. Deadline for application is April 30.

Conservation tree and shrub sale

Head to the Monroe Fairgrounds for the 25th annual conservation tree and shrub sale Fri, March 5, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sat, March 6 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check the district Web site for more information: snohomishcd.org/plant-sale.

S tanwood/Camano Women’s Club meets

For new friendships and fun activities, join other women Sat, March 13 for coffee, 10 a.m. in Stanwood at Scandia coffee house.

B.I.K.E.S. Ride to pass through town

B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County will hold their annual bicycle tour ride Sat, March 20, and will include Silvana and Stanwood on the route between Arlington and Lake Stevens. The ride is a recreational fundraiser and draws 100-500 cyclists. Registration between 8 and 11 a.m. For more information: www.bikesclub.org .

Genealogists software program

The New Legacy Family Tree software program will be presented Tues, March 23, 7 p.m, when Skagit Valley Genealogical Society meets in Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington. Call 360-424-4427. Public welcome. For information see www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wasvgs/contacts.html.

C ollege information fair at WWU

Washington Campus Compact, with support from the college access campaign KnowHow2GO, is hosting an information fair from noon until 3 p.m. Sun, March 7, in the lobby of the WWU Communications Facility building, to encourage low-income and first generation students to pursue a college education. The event is free and open to all middle and high school students; free parking will be provided in the south campus “C” lot. For more information, visit wacampuscompact.org and knowhow2go.org.

Register soon for Camp Killoqua

Camp Killoqua offers Spring Break Day Camp for grades K-8 March 29-April 2 and April 5-9; fees are per week. Bus transportation is available. Call 425-258-5437 for more information, or click on www.campfireusasnohomish.org.

Camwood Players announce new play

“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 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, formerly handed through Stanwood District schools, 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. Over 165 pairs of shoes were purchased last year through generous donations made to the shoe fund.

‘Bring them home’ benefit dinner set

Chris Maier will present a PowerPoint slide show Sat, March 13, about his family’s current mission to bring their adoptive children, Gadisse, 11 and her brother Abdi, 8, home to Stanwood from Ethiopia. A barbeque benefit dinner, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Cedarhome Baptist Church, will help pay remaining adoption and travel expenses for the children. Donation only. Guest speaker is Ed McDowell of Warm Beach Camp; music by Matt Stinson and the Cedarhome worship band. Attendees are asked to RSVP by March 6, to Maier at bringthemhomemarch13@gmail.com, or call 629-6582.

Local artist turns author, booksigning set

Well-known local artist Jack Gunter will present his three new mystery novels at a reading and book signing Wed, March 3, 7 p.m. at the Snow Goose Bookstore. These novels combine his love of antiques with his ability to spin a great yarn. There is no charge for the reading and book signing, but seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Call the bookstore, 629-3631, for reservations. It is located at 8616 271st St. NW in downtown Stanwood.

Sewing for teens begins next week

For ages 11-18 all levels of sewing, classes will be held at Davis Place Tuesdays, 3 – 5 p.m. starting March 9. There is a registration fee with scholarships available. For information, call 629- 5257.

Ed Hume to speak at Christianson’s

Christianson’s Nursery will host garden expert Ed Hume Sat, March 6, 1 p.m., when he will talk about growing annuals and perennials from seed. There is a small cost, reservations required, at 360-466-3821.

Family Night at EvCC March 9

Bring the family to Everett Community College at 5:30 p.m. Tues, March 9, to learn about applying for financial aid and choosing what to study, information about Running Start, career decision making, university transfer options and EvCC programs, in Parks Student Union at 2000 Tower St., is two blocks west of North Broadway. Parking on campus is free for this event. Spring quarter classes start March 29. For information www.everettcc.edu/ prospective or call 425-388-9219.

‘Pathways to work’ is women’s workshop

Women who need to re-enter the workforce because of divorce, separation, death or disability of a spouse, or loss of welfare, will find tools and support in the workshop, “Pathways to Work,” to be held in Arlington, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., March 10-24. Participants will learn how to translate experience into marketable skills, how to set goals, build self-esteem and where to get training and find work. Designed for women who have spent at least 10 years as a homemaker, not working outside the home. For information, call 425- 258-2766, ext. 226, or e-mail bpatrykus@ywcaworks.org.