On The Island

Rotary Adventure Playground will hold its official groundbreaking ceremony Sat, April 10, 1 to 4 p.m. in Freedom Park, located at Terry’s Corner on Camano Island. The event will include a ceremonial “dirt cake,” donated courtesy of the Camano Plaza IGA. The playground is a community effort, involving volunteers and donations. Donations may be made to the Stanwood Camano Area Foundation (PO Box 1209, Stanwood WA 98292) on behalf of the project. More information is available at iHeartParks.org, or by calling 360- 722-7811. Republican Party to hold convention

Island County Republican Party will hold its 2010 Convention April 10 at North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor. Republican PCO’s, elected officials, delegates, and alternates throughout Island County will gather to elect state convention delegates. Additional business will be consideration and adoption of the Island County Platform, as well as adoption of the convention rules and any proposed resolutions. Registration for Camano starts at 8:35 a.m.; Oak Harbor and North Whidbey, 7:30, Coupeville and South Whidbey, 8:05, with convention business starting promptly at 9:30 a.m. sharp. For additional information, visit the ICRP Web site: www.islandcountygop.com. Contact Debbie Cunningham, 949-291-2690 (debbie@cgifinancial.com), or Bill Carruthers, 360-341-2209 (carr@whidbey.com), for additional convention questions. Note: the Island County GOP headquarters office is open Monday, 2 to 6 p.m., and is located at 390 NE Midway Blvd., Suite A103 in Oak Harbor, 360-279-1197.

Volunteers needed during emergencies

Camano Island Fire and Rescue is looking for men and women to help out in the island’s emergency operations center (EOC). Trained volunteers can help staff the EOC on Camano and in Stanwood during emergencies. Training is tentatively planned for two hours a month at the administration office, which doubles as the EOC. The first meeting is Wed, April 17, 7 p.m. Volunteers need to be able to transport themselves to and from the EOC. Call Mike Simmons, 387-1512 or via e-mail, msimmons@camanofire. com.

FOCIP work party at state parks

Friends of Camano Island Parks volunteers will be hosting a work party at Camano Island state parks next week. Meet at 9:30 a.m. Tues., April 13, at the Camano Island State Park ranger station. Bring lunch, beverage and dessert provided. Newcomers are welcome to join FOCIP in work party efforts to improve Camano Island parks. For more information about Friends of Camano Island Parks, call Carol Triplett, 387-0889, or Tom Eisenberg, 387-4000, or write FOCIP, P.O. Box 1385, Stanwood, WA 98292.

CARE to hold environmental discussion

Camano Action for A Rural Environment will have its regular 6 p.m. meeting Thurs, April 15 at Suzie’s Place Greek Deli, Brindles, Terry’s Corner, at the corner of Sunrise and SR 532/East Camano Drive. Topics of discussion include the upcoming Sept. 11 CARE event “Camano Honors Earth,” shorelines and streams, water quality and distribution on the island, and CARE’s plans for citizen involvement in 2010. Call Joan Schrammeck 387-9589, for questions or directions. Donations may be sent to C.A.R.E., P.O. Box 1742, Stanwood, WA 98292. C.A.R.E. is all-volunteer non-profit organization.

Senior center reps speak to Fire Jets

Representatives from the senior center will speak at the April 12 meeting of the Fire Jets at Terry’s Corner, 10 a.m. Hostesses are Joy Getty, Evelyn Adamson and Dee Winter.

Plastic pot exchange, gardening classes

There will be a plastic plant pot exchange Sat, April 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Four Springs Lake Reserve, 585 Lewis Lane, Camano Island. Follow signs from Camano Hill Road. Recycle your plastic nursery pots, or pick up ones you can use at home. Gardeners, organizations and volunteer groups are encouraged to come get what they need; what is left over will be recycled. Pots should be reasonably clean, without any dirt, tags or wire. (You don’t need to wash them!) Free classes by WSU Extension will also be held in the barn: Composting (Janet Hall), 10 - 11 am. Native plants and noxious weeds control (Susan Horton), 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Rain barrel construction (Scott Chase), 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. No registration required. Sponsored by WSU Waste Wise in Island County. Contact Scott Chase, 387-3443, ext 258, or schase@wsu.edu, with any questions.

Spring dance at community center

Camano Junction plays the big band sound and more at their spring dance at Camano Senior and Community Center, Sat, April 10, 7-10 p.m. Open to public, all ages invited, admission at the door.

Spring storytime hosted by library

Ready Readers spring storytime offers stories, songs and crafts for preschoolers and toddlers. CFridays, 10:30 a.m., April 9 – May 28 at Camano Island Library, 848 N. Sunrise Blvd.; 387- 5150.

Plant sale benefits fire department

Sat, April 24, 9 a.m. to noon, the Mabana Flames is holding a plant sale at the Mabana Fire Station to benefit volunteer firefighters. Hanging baskets, perennials, annuals, tomato and vegetable starts, basket fillers, etc. will be for sale. There will be raffles for a garden basket, artwork by island artists, and a bake sale. Mabana Fire Station is located five miles south of the Elger Bay Store at 3651 S. Camano Dr, Camano Island.

Cleanup at CWB needs volunteers

The Center for Wooden Boats at Cama Beach will have a campus clean-up April 16-18:livery is open. For volunteer inquiries, contact Matt, mnesheim@cwb.org. For more information, visit cwb.org/cwb-cama-beach, or contact Andrew, awashburn@cwb. org, phone is 387-9361.

Women’s club to hear about organics

Camano Country Club Women’s Club will host John Stevens at the 10 a.m. meeting April 12. He will talk about nutrition, organic produce and preparation of soil and seeds. Debbie Christopher will cater, reservations required. Ladies bridge follows at 12:30 by reservation only. Call Jan Seferos, 387-7213.

Camano Island Home Show Saturday

The first annual Camano Island Home Show will be held at Brindle’s Marketplace April 10 and 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show, sponsored by Distinctive Interiors and More, features craftsmen as well as products for improving your home or office, and experts who will answer questions. Products and services include flooring, carpeting, granite, wood products, home décor, art, cabinetry, bathroom sinks and pedestals, etc.