Around Stanwood

Patrons browse the variety of books that will be available at the Stanwood Library annual spring book sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15. The sale offers treasured books at very discounted prices. Donations are welcome this week. Constituents invited to talk jobs

Rep. Norma Smith will host a post-session telephone town hall meeting for 10th Legislative District residents starting 6:50 p.m. Tues, May 18. “The goal is to share the proposals I worked on this year to create and retain private-sector jobs, as well as listen to additional solutions to the economic challenges we face,” said Smith, R-Clinton. Constituents can call in toll-free, 1-877-229- 8493, then enter PIN 14881. The program works much like a callin radio show, where participants ask questions of Smith during the hour. Constituents unable to participate in the call, are encouraged to contact Smith at her Coupeville office, 360-678-3604, or write to Smith.Norma@leg.wa.gov.

Reardon seeks input on budget

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon will host a series of community conversations to collect public input on 2011 budget priorities. One such meeting is 6-8 p.m. May 11 in Arlington City Council Chambers at 110 E. Third St. in downtown Arlington. For information call 425-388-3460.

Warm Beach family safety days

North County Fire/EMS is offering safety information for families and fun for kids with a jump house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat, May 15 to thank the community for supporting the men and women who provide fire and emergency medical service. The family safety day includes refreshments at the Warm Beach Station 97 at 19727 Marine Drive south of Stanwood.

NAMI-Northsound meets Monday

A support group for family and friends of the mentally ill, NAMINorthsound meets Mon, May 17, 6:30 p.m. in Stanwood United Methodist Church at the intersection of 102nd Drive and 271 Street NW. For information call 387-2519, 387-5705 or 629-2282.

Garden club to hear about strawberries

Pam Shoberg will discuss growing strawberries with members of the Greenwood Garden Club Wed, May 12 at Warm Beach Community Church, 9620 188th St. NW, Stanwood. The program follows a noon potluck. For reservations and club information, contact Patricia, 360-652-4138.

Swim lessons at Warm Beach Camp

Swim lessons for kids ages 3-14 taught by American Red Cross lifeguards are available at Warm Beach Camp. Session one runs May 17 to June 10, and is comprised of two 30-minute classes each week for four weeks. Students can choose either Monday/ Wednesday, 5:30, 6, or 6:30 p.m., or Tuesday/Thursday, 5:30 or 6 p.m. Classes range from pre-beginner through Swimmer II, where kids will work on refining competitive strokes. Online registration is available at warmbeach.com. For information call 652-7575.

AARP driver safety program

Designed to enhance the driving skills of the mature adult, a twosession AARP Driver Safety Program May 19 and 20 is for people older than 50 and insurance companies are required to give a discount on auto insurance for those over age 55 who complete the course. The fee is slight higher for non AARP members. Pre-registration is required, at 629-6481 or Skagit Valley Hospital, 360- 814-2424. Sessions start at 5 p.m. in Skagit Valley Medical Center - Stanwood/Camano, 9631 269th St. Pay at the class.

Master Gardeners clinic Saturday

Bring gardening questions and/or samples of problem plants to the Master Gardener clinic from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sat, May 15, at Orchard’s Nursery, at Stanwood’s west end city limits.

Taste of Decadence, Space 2010

Village Community Services invites the community to learn about people with disabilities at its annual Taste of Decadence fundraiser Sat, May 22. This year’s theme is “Space 2010.” Highlights include musical performance by Voices of the Village, dinner catered by the Church Ladies catering, decadent desserts, and a silent auction, which features artwork by Joan Penewell and Ursula Stocke, accommodations at the Tulalip Resort and River Rock Inn, astronaut training and jet fighter experience at the Kennedy Space Center. Vacation packages include flight and hotel for two. Doors open 5:30 p.m. at Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd. Volunteers and donations of silent auction items and professionally-made desserts will be gratefully accepted, to help help Snohomish County residents who have disabilities achieve their personal potential.

Stilly River Band at Leatherheads

Leatherheads has announced the following music coming up in May; bluegrass by Stilly River Band, 8 p.m. May 15; acoustic guitar, vocals by Richard Rorex, 6 p.m. May 21 and fiddle champion Walt Werme & Friends, 6 p.m. May 28.

Better Speech and Hearing Month

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, and Stanwood Camano Hearing Center is offering free hearing screenings to the community May 27, 9 a.m. -noon, and noon-4 p.m. It only takes 15 minutes, call 629-6554 to reserve your space, at 7359 267th St NW, Suite A, Stanwood (Windermere building next to Bartell Drug).

Growing Forward Community Garden

Garden sites are available on a limited basis for the Growing Forward Community Garden located at the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center. There is a registration fee. Interested gardeners should call 629-5257.

Annual Youth Arts Festival Saturday

The creative talents of youth in the community are celebrated at the Youth Arts Festival Sat, May 15 at Stanwood Middle School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students of all ages are invited to participate by providing art for exhibit and judging, or offering dramatic or musical/ dance performances. Hands on activity tables are sponsored by the Island County Children’s Commission, Island County Sheriff’s Department, Stanwood Kiwanis, and more. For information call Jon Soth at the Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 629-5257.

‘Creation Rocks, Genesis program’

The Stanwood-Camano Chorale with vocal ensemble Trouvere will present “Creation Rocks, a Genesis Program,” Sun, May 23, 3 p.m. at Stanwood United Methodist Church. Director is Steve Jensen, admission is by free will offering.

Focus group discussion, luncheon

A focus group discussion with Enerspect Medical Solutions will examine several technologies and trends in pre-hospital medicine, during a luncheon noon Tues, May 11 at Warm Beach Fire Station, 19727 Marine Drive, south of Stanwood.

Stanwood class of 1970 reunion set

The 40th class reunion for the Stanwood class of 1970 is June 19 at Leatherheads in Stanwood, 4-7 p.m. RSVP by May 15, to get your memory book information, and ticket. Contact Wendy at 360-770-7543 or Cheryl, 206-601-5147.

Emergency manager visits Warm Beach

Stephen Hagberg from Snohomish County Emergency Management will be giving a presentation about Natural Disaster Preparedness May 14, 1:30 p.m. in Beachwood Lounge at the Warm Beach Senior Community.

Retirement party for Dennis DeKok

Mount Vernon Christian School is honoring Dennis DeKok at a retirement open house Sat, May 15, 2-5 p.m., at 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon. DeKok has served 44 years in Christian education, as a dedicated teacher and as a coach and athletic director. The school is also hosting an open house for families interested in enrolling for the 2010-2011 school year Thurs, May 20, 6:30-8 p.m. Families are invited to tour the school, meet administrators and ask questions. To RSVP or for information, call 360-424-9157.

Reservations for South Seas dinner

Make reservations for a night in the Caribbean, at Merrill Gardens in Stanwood, with delicious island-inspired food and a steel drum band Thurs, May 27, 4:30-6 p.m. RSVP to 629-3445.

Seminar for noise-sensitive dogs

For noise-sensitive dogs a workshop is being held Thurs, June 3, 6-8 p.m. in the Stanwood Masonic Hall, 27205 102 Ave. N.W. (Market Street). Hands-on techniques will calm your dog and give him/her coping skills during the hubub of the Fourth of July. Leave your dog at home but bring a stuffed animal for practice, said trainer Shannon Finch, who has been training dogs for 18 years and is a certified TTouch practitioner for companion animals and horses. A pre-payment is required to hold a space. Call 629-9641 or e-mail animalkind@juno.com.

Students present ‘Steel Magnolias’

Six Stanwood High School seniors are co-producing, directing and acting in “Steel Magnolias,” which will be presented at 7 p.m. Fri, May 15, and Sat, May 16, in the Performing Arts Center at Stanwood High School. A 2 p.m. matinee will be offered on Saturday. Admission is by donation, with all of the proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association.

R egistration for 2010 youth football

Open registration for 2010 Stanwood Youth Football is May 13, 5-8 p.m. at Stanwood PUD or at www.stanwoodfootball.com. Fees apply at all levels except peewees, but there are scholarships available. E-mail questions to spartanfootball@hotmail.com.

Reno raffle benefits children, families

The Old Bags of Arlington, an Arlington/Stanwood women’s non-profit philanthropic club, sponsors a three-day, two-night trip to Reno every year. Raffle tickets will be available at the May Hunt Saturday, May 15, in the Arlington City Hall parking lot. The drawing is July 4 after the Arlington parade in downtown Arlington. The Old Bags raise money to help needy children and families who don’t qualify for public assistance.

Old Time Fiddlers invite jammers

The Old Time Fiddlers meet Friday evenings May 14 and 28 at Sisco Heights Community Club, 13527 99th Ave NE, Arlington. Celtic jam is at 5 p.m., workshop at 6, circle jam at 7. Small stage show if anyone is up for it. Coffee, tea, juice and snacks throughout the evening. Listeners and any aged acoustic musicians with instruments welcome.

Sarvey volunteer speaks at bookstore

Jeff Guidry will speak about his book, “An Eagle Named Freedom,” 7 p.m. Thurs., May 20 at the Snow Goose Bookstore, 8616 271st St. NW. As a volunteer at Arlington’s Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, Guidry connected to many of the “wild ones” brought to Sarvey for treatment or rehabilitation, but none of the bonds grew as strong as that which he shared with a bald eagle named Freedom. Guidry helped the injured bird in her recovery, a gift that Freedom repaid when Guidry found himself faced with a serious illness. Seating is limited, reserve a space by ee-mail, snowgoosebookstore@ yahoo.com, or phone, 629-3631.

Event supports Skagit Hospice

Skagit Hospice Foundation’s annual auction is Sat, June 5 in Burlington, 6 to 10 p.m. “Sentimental Journey” will take place at the Corporate Air Center, Port of Skagit, to raise funds to support Skagit Hospice Services, and enhance awareness of the services and programs that are available. “This promises to be a unique and fun event,” say organizers.

Discuss ‘The Things They Carried’

Stanwood Big Read discussion starts 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 12 at Merrill Gardens Library. This year’s book, “The Things They Carried,” is a very personal, albeit nonfiction book about the Vietnam War by Tim O’Brien. The Camano Island Library will be discussing the book starting 6:30 p.m. Thurs, May 20.

U rban Chickens 101, WSU workshop

Jill Eelkema will cover all aspects of raising a few chickens at home when she speaks at a WSU Know & Grow workshop, Tues, May 18, 1-2:30 p.m. at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC Sakuma Auditorium, 16650 SR 536 (Memorial Highway). Sponsors are WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners in partnership with WSU - Mount Vernon NWREC. The workshop covers regulations, breeds, care of chicks and adult birds, health and safety, benefits, and chicken coops. For information, call 360-428-4270, or visit skagit.wsu.edu/MG. WSU Know & Grow is a series of Tuesday afternoon workshops for the home gardener that combine the latest in horticultural research with sound gardening advice presented by the above sponsors.

‘Grow a tea garden’ workshop Friday

Christianson’s Nursery is offering a workshop on growing a tea garden, Fri, May 14, 6-7:30 p.m., reservations required. Joanne Romann will discuss planting and harvestist leaves for herbal infusions: lavender to lemon verbena, chamomile to coriander, the combinations are endless.

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.