In brief

Everett neighborhood tours: Historic Everett continues its series of self-guided neighborhood tours.

Tour the Port Gardner/Rucker Hill neighborhood on Sept. 10 (tickets at Providence Hospital, Pacific campus, 916 Pacific Ave.).

Tickets are $12, $10 for Historic Everett members, and are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the events. Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For information, call Patti Lohse at 425-303-0733.

Ciscoe sightings: Gardening expert Ciscoe Morris leads a free class, “Goodbye Grass … Hello Garden!,” at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. NW, Seattle.

Morris teaches the do’s and don’ts of how to take out a lawn and transform it into a beautiful garden. Learn his time-tested approaches and get great ideas for fall planting.

For information, call 206-782-2543 or visit www.swansonsnursery.com.

On Sept. 11, Morris will discuss how to use a variety of plants to create privacy in the back yard at 1 p.m. at Emery’s Garden, 2829 164th St. SW, Lynnwood. The free talk is part of HedgeFest, a weekend devoted to highlighting plant materials for privacy at the nursery. HedgeFest runs Sept. 8 through Sept. 11.

For more information, contact Amy Tullis at 425-743-4555 or visit www.emerysgarden.com.

Horticulture scholarships: The Northwest Fuchsia Society announces it is offering scholarships to students studying horticulture.

For an application and guidelines, call 206-365-6887, or write to Sally Williams, 11822 31st Place NE, Seattle, WA 98125.

Win a makeover: Lennox Industries, which sells indoor air quality and fireplace products, is searching for the most uncomfortable home in North America.

The grand-prize winner will receive a home comfort and interior design makeover valued at up to $60,000. Four others will receive $1,500 gift certificate for Lennox home comfort equipment.

Participants write 200 words or less on why their home is so uncomfortable and submit photos or a brief video of the home.

The contest runs through Aug. 31. For an entry form, visit www.lennox.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Lennox Home Comfort Makeover Contest, 1999 Bryan St., Suite 3490, Dallas, TX, 75201.

Master gardening training: The Washington State University Extension is accepting applications for training in its master gardener program.

The program is taught by faculty, staff and volunteers and is more than 60 hours. Classes begin Jan. 5 and meet Thursdays and two Saturday through March 11.

For information, send a legal-sized, self-addressed stamped envelope with 60 cents postage to WSU Extension Master Gardener, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, WA 98209.

Applications must be received by Oct. 14.

Downtown tour: The Market Foundation is hosting its Spaces for Urban Living Downtown Home Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18.

Pike Place Market is home to nearly 500 people. The self-guided walking tour visit homes chosen because of interest in the building’s or a particular unit’s architecture or interior design.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For tickets, call 206-774-5254 or visit www.pikeplacemarket.org.

Horticulture basics classes: Washington State University Master Gardener program presents “Horticulture Basics,” a series of classes for people who work in the green industry and want to increase their horticulture knowledge. Classes are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 5 through March 11.

The fee is $300 and includes training materials. Registration is required. Deadline for applying is Oct. 31.

Applications can be picked up at the Snohomish County Extension office, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, or downloaded at www.snohomish.wsu.edu.

Herald staff and news services