Around Stanwood

“Going on with God,” by Jeffrey Erken of Stanwood is part of a visual arts exhibition at the Smithsonian, “Revealing Culture,” for artists with disabilities through Aug. 29. The exhibition explores how culture positions people with disabilities, revealing honest portrayals of personal experiences, currently showing at Smithsonian’s International Gallery in the S. Dillon Ripley Center on the National Mall, 1100 Jefferson Drive S.W. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25, and admission is free. Info meetings on up-coming EMS levy

Fire Chief Dale Fulfs will be hosting a public information meeting on the fire district’s up-coming EMS Levy renewal July 29, 7 p.m. at Fire Station 97, 19727 Marine Drive, Warm Beach. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Fulfs, 652-1246, or visit dfulfs@northcountyfireems.com.

School board sets meeting August 3

The Stanwood-Camano School District’s Aug. 3 regular board meeting will be in the Administration & Resource Center Boardroom, 26920 Pioneer Hwy at noon. Persons with disabilities needing auxiliary aids or services to attend and/or participate in a board meeting should call 629-1200 prior to a board meeting.

Fair board seeks volunteers to help

The Stanwood-Camano Fair is seeking any volunteers that would like to have fun helping at the community fair: selling tickets, working in the youth or adult exhibit hall during the fair, taking entries for the fair, painting or general maintenance are just a few of the options. Call the office for more information, 629-4121.

Change for entering fair exhibits

All youth and adult indoor exhibits will be accepted Tues, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wed, Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entries can be art, photography, baking, sewing, crafts, vegetables, eggs and flowers. Demonstrations are also strongly encouraged. Exhibitor’s handbooks are no longer available at local businesses. Get one at the fairgrounds or online, stanwoodcamanofair.org.

PTA sponsors weekend rummage sale

Stanwood Elementary PTA’s rummage sale is Fri., July 30, and Sat., July 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gym 10227 273rd Place NW. Merchandise is priced to sell with extra savings between 1 – 3 p.m. Saturday. Someone will be at the gym Thurs, July 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to accept donations. No broken, incomplete, stained items, computer parts or televisions. The 501(c)(3) will issue you a donation receipt for tax purposes. For information, contact Michelle Freedman, 629-1038.

Volunteers needed at thrift store

The SWAN Thrift Store, which is located in west Stanwood with the food bank, needs volunteers, especially a cash register operator and a Web site specialist. SWAN stands for Share With A Neighbor, said Jeanie Ovenell, executive director. The thrift store raises money to operate the food bank, pay the mortgage, do maintenance and repairs, and pay utility bills. The food resources for clients are provided by donations from the community at large. “Please call 629-2789 if you wish to volunteer at the thrift store,” Ovenell said.

Alzheimer’s Support Group meets here

A free information and support group for care partners, family members and friends of individuals with dementia will be held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Warm Beach Health Care Center, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Contact group facilitator Kimberly Gordon, 652-2614, to learn how 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.

‘Great gray whales’ is nature program

Sat, July 31, there will be a program on the “great gray whales” at Camano Island State Park amphitheater, 7:30 p.m. Veronica, of Sky and Sea Photography, will illustrate information on the great gray whales with stunning images. Sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks and Washington State Parks. E-mail judychwa@ yahoo.com for more information or directions.

Walt Werme appears at Leatherheads

Leatherheads Pub & Eatery welcomes Walt Werme and friends Fri., July 30, 6 p.m. Walt is a past National Senior Fiddle Champion and will be performing Celtic, sprinkled with a little bit of jazz. No cover. 10209 270th St. NW, Stanwood, phone 629-5555 or visit leatherheadspub.com.

Friday night ‘art walks’ in east end

Gretchen Leaf invites area residents to take an art trip closer to home. In July, August and September, “Your Passport to Art,” will be a series of Friday evening art walks in Olde East Stanwood’s downtown. Art will hang in some unexpected places when downtown merchants play host to art walks three times this summer and fall. The first art walk is slated for Fri., July 30, 5-8 p.m., and each of the host businesses welcomes its featured artist with a reception. Everyone is invited, and works of art are offered for sale. The art is also scheduled to be on display at each location during regular business hours throughout the month it is featured. The event is a cooperative effort by Old East Downtown Merchants showcasing both their businesses and the variety of local artistic talent. Design Stanwood joins these businesses and artists as a sponsor.

For kids at the Stanwood library

“Sail the Seven Seas as a Pirate!” is Thurs., July 29, 11 a.m. for school-age children.

Silvana Community Fair is July 31

The Silvana Community Fair is Sat, July 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Viking Hall and surrounding fields in the downtown area. There are indoor exhibits and outdoor exhibits, which include cows, goats, rabbits, poultry, swine, sheep, dogs; entertainment, a petting zoo, pony rides, food, games, grease pole, vendor booths and vintage tractors. Entry and parking are free. The Silvana Fair has several goals: promote community spirit, help youth prepare for upcoming fairs, and provide a family-friendly day of wholesome activities.

Stanwood Camano Fair t-shirts available

The 2010 Stanwood Camano Fair t-shirts are available at Eagle’s Nest, 9520 271 Street NW. Theme for this year is “Small Town, Big Fair.” The “official” color is lime green, but shirts are available in other colors.

Quilceda Carvers set weekend events

Quilceda Carvers, with members in and around Stanwood-Camano, have set their 10th annual “Spit ‘n’ Whittle” July 30-Aug. 1 at Friday Creek Campground, Burlington. There will be two sessions of free carving classes Friday and Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. Meals include potluck dinner Friday, with all other meals served at small cost. Friday evening entertainment and open mic. There is RV camping as well as tents, call 360-659-6778 for reservations. Take Bow Hill Road exit 236, turn right, eight miles, then left onto Old Highway 99 for seven miles. Turn left on Friday Creek Road and go nine miles.

Neighborhood barbecue and picnic

At 5:30 p.m. Fri, July 30, Stanwood United Methodist Church will again host an annual neighborhood barbecue/picnic for members, neighbors and friends, 27128 102 Drive NW; phone is 629-9555.

Eat breakfast Saturday at the grange

Sat., July 31, 9 to 11 a.m., the South Camano Grange pancake breakfast offers pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, ham and sausage, along with orange juice and coffee, all for a low price. For information about membership in the grange, or directions, call Pat, 629-3276.

Mark calendars for N/S Dakota picnic

The annual North and South Dakota picnic will be held in Church Creek Park, Stanwood, Sat., Aug. 14 beginning at noon. Anyone with connections to either state is invited to bring potluck food, paper/plastic plates and utensils, your own beverage. Reminisce with others from the Dakotas, win prizes and points for your state.

L ocal author visit at Stanwood Library

Local author Mary E. Trimble will present “Tenderfoot” Sat., July 31, 11 a.m., at the Stanwood Library. Set with a backdrop of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, this romantic suspense story takes place on a working cattle ranch. Trimble will share her process for researching and crafting a novel, as well as offer a reading. For more information, call the library, 629-3132, or check out sno-isle.org. All programs are free of charge

V olunteers get free tickets to ball game

Do you volunteer? If so, there’s a free ticket to the Everett Aqua- Sox game Aug. 9 waiting for you. United Way of Snohomish County, Cascade Bank and the Everett AquaSox are saying “thanks” to all community volunteers with free tickets to the baseball game against the Boise Hawks. This year’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Night at the AquaSox begins at 7:05 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium. Support Volunteers of America Food Bank by bringing a non-perishable food item with you to the game. To reserve your free tickets, call 425-374-5530, or e-mail jessica.gaitan@uwsc.org.

Support group for ‘restless legs syndrome’

Skagit Valley Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Support Group is holding its summer quarterly meeting at Island Hospital, 1211 24th St., Anacortes, in Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3, 10 a.m. until noon Sat, July 31. Dr. Mary Rose MD, will give her annual update on the most recent research about RLS and answer questions about this troubling condition. Anyone who is suffering from RLS, knows someone with it, or is interested in receiving information regarding the illness, is welcome to attend. For further details, call Irene, 387-7825.