Around Stanwood

Off-duty firefighters from North County Fire/EMS Lt. Jeff Sinker and firefighters Jason Mathews, Karl Wiggins, Brittney Miller, Eric Love, Nich Sacha, Dan Welk, Andrew Hiechel, Jay Bonnifield, Jeff Walsh and Lt. Josh Farnes spent more than four hours non-stop with chain saws, splitters and axes recently to help an elderly resident stock six cords of firewood for next winter. “It is a hard thing to explain the bond of brotherhood many of us have at North County but you can see it when we take our own time to help others. It is a beautiful thing when you can make a real difference by ensuring someone will have firewood to keep warm during next year’s winter season,” said firefighter Jeff Walsh. Breakfast to benefit Relay for Life

Duck In Café in the Viking Village Shopping Center will have its third annual benefit breakfast for Relay for Life Sun., April 25, 8 a.m. to noon. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser

Stanwood Rite Aid is holding a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network from now until May 15, by selling CMN balloons and raffling art work produced by children who are patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Joshua Brown, a Rite Aid supervisor in-training, has donated one of his inspirational photographs of Vancouver, B.C. for the raffle. For more information, contact him, 629-9519. CMN is a non-profit organization that raises funds for over 170 Children’s Hospitals but the funds raised at the Stanwood store will go to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Donations create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of millions of children each year.

Benefit raffle for Aiden Alvarado

There will be a benefit raffle for baby Aidan Alvarado at the Smokey Point Community Church Sat, April 24, noon to 2 p.m. Address is 17721 Smokey Point Blvd. Aidan was born Dec 23 almost two months early with an extremely rare type of cancer called infantile fibrosarcoma. Initial chemotherapy was not successful and the cancer spread. He is currently undergoing six weeks of very intense chemotherapy. Side effects are extreme and can be life-threatening. Both businesses and private party donations for the raffle are deeply appreciated. All proceeds go directly to the family, and donations can be made at Whidbey Island Bank under Aiden’s name.

Norwegian lodge celebrates 100 years

Celebrating 100 years, Fritjov Lodge #17, Sons of Norway members are raising the Norwegian “vimple” honoring their ancestry. The lodge invites the public to an open house Sun., April 25, 1 to 4 p.m. at the local Sons of Norway building in the west end of Stanwood.

Family musical performed at high school

Show and Tell Family Projects presents “SPINA,” a fun, fast, family musical April 29 and 30, and May 1, 7 p.m. at Stanwood High School. A “pay what you can” matinee is also May 1, at 2 p.m. General admission at the door, and pre-sale tickets available at Coastal Community Bank, both Stanwood and Camano Island.

Dinosaurs loose in Cedarhome Tuesday

“Dinosaurs, giant creatures and creation” is being presented at Cedarhome Baptist Church Tues, April 27, 7 to 8 p.m. Dr. Tom Hoyle features a live digital slide show and a display, books/discs for sale, and a question/answer time. Dr. Hoyle has spoken in over 3,400 churches, schools and conferences in all 50 states and a few other countries. As a full colonel in the USAF Reserve, he has also spoken frequently to the military. The church is located at 29000 68th Avenue NW.

Donations welcome for library book sale

The annual Stanwood Library book sale is May 14 and 15, with donations from the public welcomed beginning May 10. Drop off at the library during business hours, 9701 271 Street NW. Sponsored by the Stanwood/Camano Friends of the Library, the sale offers time-saving convenience to the public with books sorted by subject or genre. Fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and like-new gardening books are some of the offerings that will be situated inside the meeting room. Used books for the sale were donated during the past year by local residents. Proceeds fund educational programs and informational resources at the library, and also cover the costs of resources for enrichment activities and children’s programming.

Hot cakes served by local firefighters

North County Fire / EMS will be hosting a neighborhood firefighter pancake feed at the old Bryant fire station, 26828 SR 9 N.E, Bryant (from Stanwood, take SR 532 east, under the I-5 overpass and continue to the stop sign at SR 9, turn left and the station is less than a block ahead, on the left). The 6 to 11 a.m. breakfast will be Sun, April 25. Firefighters and paramedics will be cooking and serving up pancakes, eggs, ham, along with their famous local biscuits and gravy. The breakfast is by donation only and all proceeds go to the North County Firefighters Association, which contributes to many events throughout the year, such as Relay for Life, NW Burn Foundation, NW Stair Climb, Stanwood/Arlington Food Banks, local community members and organization that are at need. For additional information, call 425-754-4342.

Youth Arts Festival is May 15

The 12th annual Youth Arts Festival is Sat, May 15, Stanwood Middle School, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It showcases and celebrates the creative talents of youth in the community. Students of all ages are invited to participate by providing art for exhibit and judging, or offering dramatic or musical/dance performances. All artists and performers should submit their works of art or indicate their desire to perform by Tues, May 4. Contact Jon Soth, program coordinator, at the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257.

‘Sewing for the fair’ class offered This class for students grades 6 -12 will cover all levels of sew- South Camano Grange pancake breakfast

Sat, April 24, 8 to 11 a.m., is the day and time for the next pancake breakfast at South Camano Grange. Pancakes and/or French toast, scrambled eggs and ham, sausage, orange juice, along with coffee and orange juice. For membership information and directions, call Pat, 629-3276. ing at Davis Place on Tuesdays 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. starting May 4. Participants can enter their projects in the fair. For more information, contact the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257.

Support group for those with dementia

A support group for family members and friends of individuals with dementia, will be held 2 – 3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Warm Beach Health Care Center, south of Stanwood on Marine Drive. The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups provide a consistent and caring place for people to learn, share and gain emotional support from others who are also on a unique journey of providing care to a person with dementia. For information, call Kimberly Gordon, 652-2614. For more information on the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www. alzwa.org.

Day of Recollection scheduled Saturday

There will be a Day of Recollection Sat, April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carmelite Institute of Spirituality, 27008 78th Ave. NW. Topic is Saint Therese of Lisieux, presented by Fr. Ramiro Casale OCD. There is a suggested donation, bring a sack lunch, coffee and tea provided. For questions, call 629-4032.

Parent nominations for capable students

The Stanwood-Camano School District continues to offer a Highly Capable Program for exceptionally advanced learners in reading and math. Currently the district is serving students in grades 3-8. Elementary services are now provided at Twin City Elementary. Stanwood Middle School serves highly capable students in grades 7 and 8. Nominations will be accepted for students currently in second through seventh grade. Nomination packets may be obtained from the building secretaries or the district office and are due to the curriculum office by April 30. Testing is to take place May 25 and 26. The district identification team screens all parent nominations, and students meeting the screening criteria will be tested. Further information can be obtained from the Highly Capable Program Coordinator: call or e-mail Roxanne Forslund, 629-1343, or rforslund@stanwood.wednet.edu.

Workshop for genealogy online

Sat, April 24, 10 a.m. in the Stanwood Library, librarian Rob Branigin will host a workshop for people interested in learning to use Ancestry.com to explore their family history. Sno-Isle Libraries subscribe to this extensive genealogy database, and access is available at all branches of the library system. Preregistration is required. Call the library, 629-3132 for details.

Christian Motorcyclists chapter meeting

Morning Star Riders Chapter meeting will be 6 p.m., Thurs, April 22 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 info; visit national Web site www.cmausa.org for organization overview, or state Web site, www.riding4theson.com, for ride opportunities throughout Washington state.

Singer, songwriter at Leatherheads

Leatherheads Pub & Eatery welcomes singer/songwriter Russell Clepper with guest Ro Purser, Sat, April 24, 8 p.m. Hot off his Southwest tour, Ro is Texas born and bred. Real Americana music, no cover charge. 10209 270th St NW Stanwood, phone 629- 5555, or visit leatherheadspub.com.

Volunteers, desserts wanted for event

Volunteers and donations of silent auction items or professionally made desserts are needed for Village Community Services’ Taste of Decadence: Space 2010 fundraiser May 22. The event is located at the Stillaguamish Senior Center Banquet Hall, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd. Volunteer for two hours or more between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for decorating and set up, the silent auction, registration, dessert dash, and clean up. Proceeds from the annual event help Snohomish County residents who have disabilities achieve their personal potential at home, work, and in community life. To volunteer, contact Michelle Dietz-Date, 360-653-7752 ext. 14, or resource@villagecommunitysvcs.org.

Have lunch with Rep. Barbara Bailey

Wed, May 12, the public is invited for lunch and a presentation with state Representative Barbara Bailey at La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House, to discuss the 2010 regular and special legislative sessions, and take questions. Check-in at 11:45 a.m., the event will begin at noon and run until 1:30 p.m. Call 360-466- 4778 to RSVP, or if you have any questions.

Hosts needed for exchange students

Foreign high school students are scheduled to arrive in July and August for academic semester home-stay programs, and the sponsoring organization needs a few more local host families. The students are all between the ages of 15 and 18 years, speak English, have their own spending money, carry accident and health insurance and are anxious to share their cultural experiences with their new American families. Families interested in learning more about student exchange or arranging for a meeting with a community representative, can call toll-free at 1-888-743-8721, or visit www.pieusa.org

Intensive care babies reunion Saturday

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett will hold its second Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) reunion at the March of Dimes Snohomish March for Babies Sat, April 24 at American Legion Memorial Park in Everett. At the NICU Reunion, a fun, casual atmosphere will allow families to reconnect with NICU physicians, nurse practitioners and hospital staff. The reunion will feature small goody bags for the children and family photographs by Providence photographer Wendy Fagan. Families are also encouraged to bring baby pictures to the celebration. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by a rally and warm-up at 8:30 a.m. The popular walk begins at 9 a.m., followed by the NICU celebration at 10 a.m.

C hristian school open house Mount Vernon Christian School is hosting an open house for families interested in enrolling their students for the 2010- 2011 school year Thurs, April 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families are invited to tour the school, meet administrators. To RSVP or if you have any questions, call the school office, 360-424-9157.