Our Towns
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Arlington
Hospital offers first-aid class
Cascade Valley Hospital offers a basic first-aid and CPR class every month. Participants of the one-day class will get a two-year certification.
The class is 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month at the hospital, 330 S. Stillaguamish Ave.
A breakfast is provided, as well as a manual. For more information or to register, call 360-435-2133, ext. 4705.
Edmonds
Pets in city will be spayed, neutered
All animals adopted in the city will likely soon be spayed or neutered before being turned over to new owners.
An ordinance the City Council approved at the end of 2002 – but that has yet to be implemented – will go into effect when contractual issues with the city’s animal shelter can be agreed upon.
The issue will be brought back to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee Jan. 13 and likely to the full council in following weeks, said Council Member Michael Plunkett, who led the petition drive that got the ordinance approved.
Everett
Christmas House serves thousands
Christmas House this year provided gifts to a record 2,383 families, up from 2,036 last year.
The charity estimates that between 6,500 and 7,000 children received presents this holiday season from Christmas House.
The volunteer-run charity provides presents to low-income families in Snohomish County.
Parents go through Christmas House – which this year was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Everett – and choose gifts for their children. Kids typically receive up to 10 presents each.
This was the first year that all of the 15 gift-choosing sessions were filled.
Granite Falls
Council extends sign moratorium
TheCity Council extended a six-month moratorium on Monday on certain kinds of new signs for another six months.
The sign freeze applies to:
The hold on new signs was originally enacted to allow city staff, the Planning Commission and City Council to adopt new rules for signs in town. That process is still ongoing, so the council extended the freeze.
No residents spoke at a public hearing about the matter Monday, said City Clerk Gerry James.
In other matters, the council earlier this month approved paying Police Chief Chuck Allen a $2,000 bonus for 2003.
Island County
New outdoor club on Camano Island
A new outdoor club is organizing on Camano Island.
The club is called the Island County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts, or ICORE.
Dana Pratt, a founder, said the idea is to create a social network of people who enjoy outdoor activities, particularly biking and skiing.
“Like yesterday, I wanted to go skiing, but I couldn’t find anybody to go with,” Pratt said.
The club would also get involved in trail maintenance. Pratt said the group would like to find some county land for new recreation opportunities, including building new trails.
For more information, call Pratt at 360-629-6080, which is a fax and phone.
Lake Stevens
Free community party tonight
The public is invited to the Lake Stevens Family New Year’s Eve Party 8 p.m.-midnight today at the Mitchell Community Center, 1609 E. Lakeshore Drive.
The free family gathering is for the community to celebrate the holiday and also to turn over the center’s keys to the Boys &Girls Club, which will remodel the building into a youth club beginning in January.
The celebration will include movies, games, music and food, and will be alcohol-free. Anyone under 17 must be accompanied by a parent.
Lynnwood
Citizens Academy starts in February
The Lynnwood Police Department is offering a free 16-week Citizens Academy for residents.
The course is intended to give people a broader understanding of police operations. Classes will be 7-10 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Feb. 19 and running through June 3.
For more information, or to request an application, call police spokeswoman Trudy Dana at 425-744-6939.
Marysville
Senior center closed for 2 days
The Ken Baxter Senior Community Center will be closed today and New Year’s Day, but will be open 9 a.m.-noon Friday.
The center, at 514 Delta Ave., resumes regular hours next week 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays.
Mill Creek
132nd Street SE lane to be closed
Wendell Scott Development is installing sewer manholes along 29th Avenue SE south of 132nd Street SE.
Drivers can expect lane closures. All work will take place during the day and is expected to be complete by Jan. 9.
Monroe
Class for new year’s babies
A six-week childbirth preparation course will be 7-9 p.m. beginning Jan. 21 at Valley General Hospital, 14701 179th SE.
The “Welcome Baby!” class costs $55, and medical coupons are accepted.
To register, or for more information, call hospital community relations at 360-794-1411 or visit www.valleygeneral.com.
Mountlake Terrace
First meeting full of housekeeping
The City Council will meet Monday and set the table for the new year.
Two new council members, Michelle Robles and John Zambrano, will be sworn in, while incumbent Laura Sonmore also will take the oath of office.
The City Council also will elect a mayor and mayor pro tem and make some appointments to various boards and commissions.
Snohomish
Helping horses need helpers
Equifriends Therapeutic Equestrian Program for People with Disabilities is looking for volunteers.
Volunteers must be age 14 or older and must be willing to help support disabled people who are learning to ride horses. There will be an Equifriends volunteer orientation at 10 a.m. Saturday and then weekly sessions as needed.
To volunteer, or schedule a visit, call 425-337-1137 or visit the Equifriends Web site www.equifriends.org.
Snohomish County
Mental health meeting set
The North Sound Mental Health Administration Advisory Board will have its regular monthly meeting 1-3 p.m. Jan. 6 at 117 N. First St., Suite 8, in Mount Vernon.
The administration consists of Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The group advises the administration’s board that plans, develops and implements a coordinated system for mental health services in the five-county area. Call 360-416-7013 for details.
Stanwood
Auditions open for ‘Oklahoma’
Northwest Civic Light Opera has scheduled auditions for its premiere production, “Oklahoma.”
The nonprofit community theater group is a recent spinoff of the Lighthouse theater group. Participation is open to the public for no charge. Proceeds from the plays will go toward future productions.
Auditions for children age 16 and younger will be 2:30-5 p.m. Friday at the Sons of Norway Hall, 9910 270th St. NW, in Stanwood.
Adult auditions are 6-10 p.m. the same day at the hall. Be prepared to sing a song from the show.
The play will run the last two weeks of June. For more information, call Brenda Mueller at 360-387-3948.
