North County Fire and Emergency Medical Services practiced its annual mass-casualty drill on July 24. More than 30 volunteer victims turned out for the drill, held at the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church complex.

The volunteers played victims of a simulated carbon monoxide poisoning. Along with North County Fire, participating were personnel from Fire Districts 15 and 19.

“It is important that our folks train in realistic situations. This training will help us ensure the best possible outcome for our citizens,” said North County Fire Chief Dale Fulfs.

North County Fire and Emergency Medical Services has emergency services jurisdiction outside the Stanwood city limits. It covers more than 106 square miles, including the communities of Bryant, Freeborn and Warm Beach.

Car club donates to Camp Fire USA

Seattle Rod-Tiques club recently presented a $10,000 check to Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council.

The car club made the donation from proceeds from its annual Memorial Day Cruzin’ to Colby car show.

The extra funding to Camp Fire will help provide club and camping programs to more than 8,000 children in Snohomish County, said Michael Deal, director of operations at Camp Fire’s Everett office.

Rubin recognized for work with Lions club

Solly Rubin has been awarded the Lions Distinguished Service Award for his work administering Lions sight and hearing programs in Snohomish County.

Rubin is the chairman for Everett Central Lions Club sight and hearing programs and the sight-division chairman for the Lions Snohomish County Sight and Hearing Foundation. His nearly 30 years as a Lions club member has been dedicated to these programs, club members said.

Also recently recognized by the Lions club was Merry Goshorn, first vice president of Everett Central Lions Club.

Goshorn was presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for “dedicated humanitarian services.” Her award carries with it a $1,000 grant to Lions Club International Foundation. Goshorn recently retired as an administrator for Bethany Northwest.

In addition, Art Ruben has been presented the Lion of the Year award for his work with Everett Central Lions Club.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club with more than 45,000 clubs. For membership information, call 425-514- 5464.

New officers at North Everett Lions Club

North Everett Lions Club has announced its new officers for the 2007-08 year.

Elected recently to serve were Chris Wright, president; Michael Lebens, first vice president; Barry Martin, second vice president; James Martin, third vice president; John Madden, past president; Larry Norton, treasurer; Gloria Smith, secretary; Roy Norton and James Oas, one-year directors; Veryl Nelson and Shelby Sutton, two-year directors; and Richard Lathom, Tail Twister.

Women’s club sends ‘cool ties’ to troops

“Operation Cool Ties,” a project of the Snohomish County Republican Women’s Club, has sent about 200 Cool Ties to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The ties offer soldiers a little relief from the heat.

A Cool Tie has a filling of water-absorbing polymer crystals that absorb more than 200 percent their weight when soaked for 20 to 30 minutes. They are then tied around the neck or head.

Anyone wishing to help by making ties or donating funds to the project is asked to call 425-258-3435 or 425-743-0995.

Whidbey Playhouse awards Shining Stars

Whidbey Playhouse recently presented its “Night of Shining Stars” to recognize the accomplishments of its 41st season and raise funds for the theater’s new heating and cooling system.

Shining Star awards were given to Jessica Eickhoff, Bailey Rivers, Dave Myers, Elizabeth Baker Powell, Mike Walker, Fil Baca, Mary Jo Strain, Emylie Keehner, Julie McNutt, Scott Arnold, Dave Myers, Adam Peckenpaugh, Julia Locke, Allen Young and Dave Myers.

Edmonds Rotary Club gets four presidents

Four former presidents of the Edmonds Rotary Club are expected to take turns leading the civic organization during the next year.

Staser Holcomb, Elizabeth Crouch, Patrick Shields and Vern Chase will be sharing the duties of former Rotary Club president David Stern, the city’s late police chief who died in April.

This unusual arrangement follows the Rotary International requirement that all presidents go through formal training before taking on the responsibilities of president.

Doug Purcell is president-elect and will start his term in July 2008.

Hutton to lead board of service group

Art Hutton of Arlington has been elected Village Community Services board president.

Based in Arlington, Village Community Services is a nonprofit agency that helps disabled adults with their challenges at home, at work and in the community.

Hutton’s son is served by Village Community Service’s residential and vocational programs and his wife, Jackie, is an active volunteer with the organization. Hutton has been an advocate for people with disabilities since his son was a child.

As president of the organization’s board, Hutton said he is concerned about helping young people make the transition from high school special education programs to adult vocational and residential services.

For more information about Village Community Services, go to its offices at 3210 Smokey Point Drive, Suite 200, Arlington; call 360-653-7752, ext. 14; e-mail resource@village communitysvcs.org; or go to www.villagecommunitysvcs.org.