Around Stanwood

National Day of Prayer will be honored in Stanwood on May 6, from noon to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Haggen Food & Pharmacy, on 72nd Avenue in Stanwood. Adults and youth are invited to attend to pray for the community, the state and the nation. The master of ceremonies is the director of Warm Beach Camp, Ed McDowell. He will be joined by Pastor Mike Tarsi, of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Rev. Emmit Glanz of Mountain Top Ministries, and Dr. Jonathan Hansen, of World Ministries International. From Project Serve, Youth for Christ, Brian Hoyer will lead a prayer for youth. There will also be prayers for government officials, service men and women in the armed forces, churches, schools and families, as well as for the economy and the media. Music will be provided by PrayerSong. This year’s theme, “Prayer for such a time as this,” is based on Nahum 1:7: The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Volunteers needed to help collect food

Volunteers are needed Sat, May 8, when employees of the Stanwood Post Office are gathering food donations for the Stanwood Food Bank. They need assistance because contributions are usually so generous, carriers can’t get all the donations into their vehicles! Plus it slows down mail delivery. Volunteers are needed to drive their own vehicles on the mail routes around Stanwood, collecting non-perishable food items from mailboxes, then delivering them to the food bank. Two-people teams work best: one to drive and one to collect food. Instructions and signs for cars will be supplied by post office employees that morning. If you want to help, call Jeanne Schei at 425-330-9085, or Peggy Swendsen or Mark Eikeland, 629-3063.

Cinco De Mayo celebrated with music

The community is invited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Dos Reales Wed, May 5, beginning with live music 5 to 9 p.m., followed by DJ music, along with wine tasting and special food.

Democrats welcome candidate Kalb

Stanwood Democrats welcome Larry Kalb, a candidate for Congressman Rick Larsen’s 2nd congressional seat, 10 a.m. Sat, May 8, at the Viking Restaurant. The public is welcome to learn Kalb’s views of the U.S. Congress. Come before the 9 a.m. nohost breakfast and speak to the candidate before the meeting. For information call Carol, 629-2037.

Stanwood Lions’ White Cane Days

The Stanwood Lions Club is again participating in White Cane Days, May 7 and 8, with donations being accepted in front of Haggens Food and Pharmacy, and Q.F.C. in Stanwood. Donations go to the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing, for eye research, low-vision clinics and other vision programs. For 35 years, the foundation has supplied corneal tissue for more than 28,000 sight-restoring transplants. In addition, it has provided free screenings for vision, hearing, glaucoma, diabetes and blood pressure to nearly 30,000 people annually.

Learn to balance energy, decrease stress

Learn quick and easy energy balancing techniques that restore your body’s natural energy flows and help you feel more calm and centered, decreasing the impact of stress, 6-8 p.m. Wed. May 5 at the Stanwood Library. No special equipment needed, just wear comfortable clothes and bring drinking water. Funded by the Stanwood/Camano Friends of the Library, the class is taught by Cathy Wooten, licensed massage practitioner and safety and health specialist. No registration required.

Monday night rides for motorcyclists

All motorcyclists are welcome to join in weekly “ice-cream” rides on Monday nights starting May 10, organized by the Morning Star Riders Chapter of Christian Motorcyclists Association. Rides stage 6:15 p.m. Mondays (except holidays) May - Sept at Texaco- Skagit Red Barn/I-5 Conway exit. No need to pre-register, just meet at the staging area and be ready to roll out at 6:30 p.m. For information, contact Doug Peterson, road captain, 387-7011.

‘ Going Solar’ seminar at PUD building

A free seminar, “Going Solar” runs 2-3 p.m. Sat, May 8, at the Stanwood PUD, 9124 271st St. NW, providing information on incentives for homes and businesses. The same presentation will be made 6-7 p.m. May 11 at Windemere, 818 N. Sunrise Blvd., Camano Island. These free, one-hour seminars on solar energy systems and financial incentives are presented by Whidbey Sun and Wind, a Snohomish County PUD registered contractor.

Eats Café serves breakfast May 6

The A.S.S.I.S.T. program at Stanwood High School is offering its final Eats Cafe´ Breakfast Thurs, 8-10:45 a.m. May 6 in room 62 at Church Creek Campus. The usual menu will be offered with special gifts for Mother’s Day.

Teens invited for open mike Thursdays

Every Thursday, 7:30 p.m., The Station in Stanwood is offering a “speak-easy” (open mic) for teens to demonstrate their talents. Although the focus is on teens, all ages are welcome to participate.

Leatherheads welcomes local talent

Leatherheads Pub & Eatery hosts singer/songwriter Don Mailloux Fri, May 7, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and at 8 p.m. Sat, May 8 Steve Raible & the Newscasters will perform traditional blues, funky blues, R&B, at 10209 270th St. NW, Stanwood, phone 629-5555, or visit leatherheadspub.com. No cover charge.

Merrill Gardens hosts book discussion

Stanwood Library will lead a discussion of this year’s Big Read book about the Vietnam war, “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, at Merrill Gardens Library in Stanwood, 6 p.m. Wed, May 12. One of 17 Big Read book discussions across the county this month, the project is coordinated by Sno-Isle Libraries and Everett Public Library. The book contains 22 tales relating the exploits and personalities of a fictional platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam portrayed with poignancy and sincerity. A 6:30 p.m. discussion will be held at the Camano Island Library Thurs, May

Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser

Stanwood Rite Aid is selling CMN balloons and raffling art work produced by children who are patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital, as a benefit for the Children’s Miracle Network, through May 15.

Donations welcome for library book sale

The annual Stanwood Library Book Sale is May 14 and 15, with donations from the public welcome beginning May 10. Drop off at the library during business hours, 9701 271 St. NW.

Action 20, and live online book chats start 10 a.m. May 11 and again 9 p.m. Sat, May 15 at sno-isle.org/bigread or epls.org/bigread.

F undraiser car wash for Relay for Life

Team N.O.A.H. will be chasing the dirt from cars, pickups, and SUVs, etc. at a fund-raiser car wash 2-6 p.m. Fri, May 7, at Stanwood Haggens to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

School board directors meeting

The Stanwood-Camano School District will hold a regular board meeting Tues, May 4, in the administration and resource center board room, 26920 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood, at 7 p.m. Anyone with disabilities needing auxiliary aids or services to attend and/or participate should call 629-1200 prior to the meeting.

TOPS having plant sale this Thursday

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is planning a plant sale Thurs, May 6, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Cedarhome Baptist Church on 68th Avenue. For more information, call 360-939-0963.

Bike Blessing with free food

The fourth annual Stanwood Camano Bike Blessing starts 11 a.m. Sat., May 8 at Stanwood Foursquare Church across from Dairy Queen and Stanwood Hardware Store. Free barbecue burgers and hot dogs. For information call Mark or Pam Reeves, 629-2625, e-mail mark-pam@wavecabe.com or see stanwoodfoursquare. com.

‘Hamfest’ by amateur radio club A “hamfest” starts 9 a.m. Sat, May 9 at Stanwood Middle School, presented by Stanwood-Camano Amateur Radio Club, provides electronics information and the opportunity to find out about local amateur radio operators and “ham” radio communications for emergency support, community activities, experimenting, and talking to the world. Prizes to be awarded in drawings.

Moms admitted free to museum

All mothers will have free admission to Skagit County Historical Museum on Mother’s Day, May 9, at 501 S. 4th St. at the top of the hill in La Conner. For more information, call 360-466-3365 or visit skagitcounty.net/museum.

Harpist to entertain mothers May 9

Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens presents its traditional Mother’s Day concert featuring Harper Tasche Sun, May 9, noon to 4 p.m. Tasche performs a folk harp concert on the Gazebo Green. Bring a garden chair or blanket, picnic basket and favorite beverage. Please, no dogs. Meerkerk Gardens is in Greenbank, off SR 525 and Resort Road, at 3531 Meerkerk Lane. Tickets may be purchased at the door, children 16 and under are admitted free.

Operation Clean Sweep this Saturday Help make Stanwood sparkle at the annual Operation Clean

Sweep this Sat, May 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check in at the former Thrifty Foods parking lot, behind Country Store. Wear grubbies and gloves, bring a rake and your smiling face. For more information, call Devin Tokizawa, 629-4577.

Department of Revenue tax workshop

The Everett office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners Thurs, May 13, 1-4 p.m. at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., in Everett. Space is limited, so register at www.dor. wa.gov, or call 425-356-4800. A complete schedule of workshops statewide and a short streaming video version of the workshop in English and Spanish are available on the Web site.

Mother’s Day champagne brunch set

Merrill Gardens will host a Mother’s Day champagne brunch, May 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., There is a cost, call 629-3445, to RSVP. An osteoporosis clinic is planned on May 12, 1 p.m., with Dorothy Cooper of Everett Clinic offering a free educational presentation on the disease.

R egister for youth football May 13

Open registration for 2010 Stanwood Youth Football is at Stanwood PUD building May 13, 5-8 p.m. Those interested can also register at www.stanwoodfootball.com. Print off the paperwork and mail it in. There are registration costs for all levels except peewees, who play for free thanks to sponsors. E-mail questions to spartanfootball@hotmail.com.

Grow your own tea garden

A new event at Christianson’s Nursery, “Growing a tea garden,” Fri, May 14, 6-7:30 p.m., reservations required, call 360-466- 3821 or 320-0531. Joanne Romann will lead this workshop which includes how to harvest the leaves to make herbal infusions with lavender to lemon verbena, chamomile to coriander, the combinations are endless.