Our Towns

A holiday open house will take place 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Humane Society at Happy Paws Farm, 19933 Old Burn Road.

The event is for anyone interested in volunteering at the shelter, and those who have helped in the past.

Hot cider and cookies will be served. There will be a free calendar (dog, cat or teddy bear) for new volunteers, who must be 16 or older. Younger volunteers can get involved by joining a 4-H dog group.

For more information, call director Linda Hunter at 360-652-5844 or go to www.saveourdogs.com.

Edmonds

Inmates to be

discussed tonight

The Edmonds Public Safety Committee will discuss a prisoner detention agreement with Lynnwood at its meeting tonight.

The meeting will take place after the regular City Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.

The meetings will take place at the Public Safety Complex, 250 Fifth Ave. N.

The council agenda itself includes two major items: amending the agreement for development of the Edmonds Center for the Arts and the mayor signing a quitclaim deed on some right of way to the state Department of Transportation.

Everett

Bus drivers aid

Toys for Tots

Everett Transit will hold its first Toys for Tots collection program to help support the U.S. Marine Corps toy drive.

Members of Everett Transit’s Amalgamated Transit Union will collect donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Donors can hand a toy to any Everett Transit bus driver until Dec. 21. Toys also can be dropped off at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave. Or participants can participate in “Stuff a Bus,” which takes place 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 20 at Fred Meyer, 8630 Evergreen Way. Transit drivers hope to collect enough toys to stuff a 29-foot bus.

The program collects toys for children of all ages.

For more information call Don Shagam, union president, at 425-257-8910.

Granite Falls

Public hearings set Wednesday

Six public hearings are planned for the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 206 S. Granite Ave.

The hearings will be on establishing a business and occupation tax, establishing a franchise fee for garbage service, increasing business license fees, levying 2004 property taxes, an increase in land use fees and the 2004 budget.

The council also will look at extending the sign moratorium and signing an agreement with the Snohomish County Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Under new business, the council will discuss information from the parks commission and N. Indiana Street improvements.

Lake Stevens

School board swearing in set

Gail Manahan, Rodney Mace and Mari Taylor will be sworn in at the Lake Stevens School Board meeting Wednesday.

Other agenda items include accepting a donated defibrillator, recognizing outstanding students and staff, acting on revised policies regarding reading and math achievement goals and contracts, and reorganizing the board for 2004.

The board meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the district’s Educational Service Center, 12309 22nd St. NE.

Lynnwood

Second meeting set for new park

Lynnwood officials are planning the second round of public workshops for the planning of two new neighborhood parks.

The second workshop on the proposed 60th Avenue W. park is 6-8 tonight at the Crossroad Assembly of God Church, 18527 60th Ave. W.

The meetings are to give neighbors a chance to join in the planning process. There will be three meetings for each park. Final design will then be recommended to the City Council.

For more information, call 425-744-6478.

Marysville

Capital facilities plan hearing set

The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on the city’s Capital Facilities Plan.

The meeting will be begin at 7 tonight in the second-floor council chambers at City Hall, 1049 State Ave.

No Park Advisory Board meeting

The city Park Advisory Board, which normally meets on the second Wednesday each month, will not meet this week because of the holiday season.

Monthly meetings will resume in January at the Ken Baxter Senior Center, 514 Delta Ave.

Mill Creek

Senator votes

to keep primary

State Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, voted to keep the state’s presidential primary intact for 2004.

“Saving the state money is always a good thing,” Schmidt said in a news release. “But I’ve never had a constituent ask me to save the state money by infringing upon their right to vote.”

Despite Schmidt’s opposition, House Bill 2297 passed the House and Senate.

Schmidt said having the primary increased voter turnout to 42.6 percent, compared with 6.5 percent two years before.

The primary also encouraged presidential candidates to come to the state. Now the state loses that chance to share its issues, he said.

“In this age of voter apathy and complacency, we should be doing everything we can to encourage citizens to vote, not hindering the process or taking away opportunities,” Schmidt said.

Monroe

Maintenance

requests sought

The city is soliciting requests for a proposal for the mechanical system maintenance system services for City Hall and the police department.

The proposal is for an annual contract that includes full heating, ventilation and air conditioning system maintenance. Proposals must be received by 10 a.m. Dec. 22. For more information, call Jakeh Roberts with the city at 360-794-6100.

Mountlake Terrace

Natural disasters workshop set

The city, in partnership with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, is hosting a public workshop on reducing risks from natural hazards.

The workshop is at 7 tonight in City Council chambers, 23204 58th Ave. W.

This is part of the hazard mitigation planning that is required under the federal Disaster Mitigation Act.

Mukilteo

District looking for top employee

The highest honor that can be bestowed on a Mukilteo School District employee is the Lighthouse Award, a district news release says.

Presented twice each year, it recognizes a staff member who “always seems to go above and beyond the call of duty – an employee who everyone values and respects, and who serves as a shining example to others.”

Nominations are open for this year’s first semester award.

In the past 13 years, teachers, classified support staff, principals and central office workers have won the award.

To be considered, an employee must receive at least two nominations. Forms can be ordered by contacting the district’s public relations office at 425-356-1215.

Snohomish

After-holiday fun planned at library

There will be holiday, no-batteries-required fun at 2 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave.

Families are invited to head to the library for an afternoon of stories, games, puppet making and more.

Stanwood

New fire station open house set

The city is hosting an open house and dedication of its new Fire Station 1-4 p.m. Dec. 27 at 8117 267th St. NW.

Mayor Matthew McCune will give a speech and cut the ribbon during the dedication ceremony. Firefighters and fire personnel will take part in a memorial for local firefighters who have died on duty.

There will be refreshments.

Tulalip

Board hires casino games consultant

The Tulalip Tribes board of directors approved a three-month contract with consultant Dual Cooper to review the tribe’s casino operation and make recommendations on ways to improve the gaming operation.