Brides run for a thrifty new dress

Published 10:24 pm Monday, January 12, 2009

Elbows may be a girl’s best friend Saturday morning.

“Running of the Brides” is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hansen Conference Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett.

Pick from more than 500 designer wedding gowns priced from $99 to $199.

It’s part of a Northwest Bridal Showcase Saturday and Sunday in the Hansen Conference Center. For more information, visit nwbridalshowcase.com.

The bridal run happened last year, too. Show owner Paulette Deckers says a few dozen brides rushed for dresses last year.

“No there was no obscene behavior or pushing or fighting,” she said. “We coordinated it in such a fashion as not to encourage that type of behavior.”

Moments to Treasure dress boutique in Mukilteo will supply some of the gowns.

Beware: Last year, the very-polite line began forming at 6 a.m.

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It’s called Sunday, but it’s on a Saturday.

“Saturday: It’s the new Sunday,” says Katherine Schiffner, communications and media relations coordinator for the Everett Community College office of college advancement.

Actually, the program about finding money for college, College Goal Sunday, is planned for a Saturday because it’s more convenient for families to attend on a Saturday, says Laurie Franklin, director of student financial services.

The event is planned for noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Everett Community College, 2000 Tower St. For more information, visit www.collegegoalsundaywa.org or call 888-758-2253.

At the program, folks will learn how to fill out the federal student aid, so parents should attend, too.

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Michelle Ringler would be pleased. The Terrace-Brier Lions Club recently gave $172 in her name to a recreation scholarship.

In 2008, the scholarship fund helped 78 children participate in dance classes, swim lessons, summer camps and other programs through Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks Department.

Ringler worked at the Recreation Pavilion for 16 years before she died in 2008 after a long illness. Her career began as a recreation leader working with special needs children. Later she worked at the service counter greeting visitors at the pavilion.

She took on a number of special projects that helped struggling families during times of need.

“One of her favorites was the Recreation Scholarship Fund that was established so children would be able to afford to participate in recreation programs offered by the city,” said Julie Codd, support services supervisor for recreation and parks.

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Maynard G. Krebs may be there in spirit.

If you are old enough to remember the TV beatnik icon from “The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis,” which aired from 1959 to 1963, perhaps a get-together to read poetry would be “hip” to you.

A poetry slam, offered by the Mukilteo Arts Guild, is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at Rosehill Community Center, Suite 103, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo.

I wondered what the response had been to earlier jams.

“Do you mean like snapping our fingers and wearing berets in a dim room type of response?” asked Christine Awad Schmalz. “This is our first poetry slam and I am very interested to see how this evening will unfold.”

Take the kids and bring your original work. You get no more than five minutes onstage.

And no costumes, props or, God forbid, bongos.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.