Get a free health checkup today

How often are you able to get a free health screening? Take advantage of a Lions Club project and visit the group’s big motor home for blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, vision and hearing checks.

Stop by the bus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Safeway, 3532 NE 172nd St. NE in Smokey Point, or from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the YMCA at 6420 60th Drive NE in Marysville.

“It’s always a gratifying event,” said Frank Votry, a retired U.S. Marine who helped organized the new Seven Lakes Lions Club. “And we have fun.”

You can’t miss the bus. It’s painted with landscapes, a tug boat and, of course, a great big lion.

Shy folks who love to read but don’t want to talk about books in public finally fit in. A free Readers Theatre is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway in Oak Harbor.

Join them for a dramatic reading from “Midwives,” by Chris Bohjalian, performed by actress Candice Baker.

Oak Harbor managing librarian Mary Campbell said it’s part of Sno-Isle Libraries Whidbey Reads 2008.

“Ever wanted to join a book discussion but didn’t think you had anything to say?” Campbell asked. “We’ll do the talking for you.”

Grab your Bible, Hezekiah — atheists are coming to Darrington.

A group of ‘em.

Right through town.

No real need to panic. They’ll be out of town at the river, not walking on it, rafting down the Sauk.

Camp Quest Atheist Summer Camp, also open to skeptics, agnostics and humanists, will pitch tents June 26 at Clear Creek Campground near Darrington.

“We always tell the children they don’t need to be in a hurry to make up their mind or put labels on themselves,” said camp director Chris Lindstrom. “At the same time, we let them know that coming from a free-thought family is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Fun fact: Master gardener Bea Randall of Arlington will look a lot like Arlington historical figure Millie Mills at a free Arbor Day Program at 10 a.m. Saturday at Jensen Park, 7801 Jensen Farm Lane, in Arlington.

The retired teacher offers three programs for the Arlington Garden Club.

1. How to grow better apples.

2. Living with backyard varmints.

3. Tales of Tall Trees in Arlington During Pioneer Times, taken from “The History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties,” written for a state of Washington in 1926.

“I guarantee that 97 percent of everything I tell is the absolute truth straight from the history book,” Randall said. “The other 3 percent is artistic freedom, you know, reading between the lines. I can go a long ways with that 3 percent.”

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

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