Our Towns

Arlington is accepting proposals for the services of a hearing examiner. A new city code that was recently adopted included reverting to a hearing examiner for quasi-judicial hearings on various land-use permits, variances and appeals of city staff decisions regarding development applications or appeals of code enforcement actions.

That responsibility currently rests with citizen members of the city’s Planning Commission.

Public hearings are scheduled as needed, generally one or two a month. Those interested in the position should call Terry Davis at 360-403-3421 for further details about the application process. The deadline is 4 p.m. Nov. 26, and should be posted to Davis at 238 N. Olympic, Arlington, WA 98223.

Edmonds

Council looks at next year’s budget

The City Council tonight will have a presentation on the preliminary 2004 budget.

The meeting, at the Council Chambers, 250 Fifth Ave. N., will be at 7 p.m.

The presentation is expected to last 30 minutes and should outline the city’s preliminary plan for spending and revenue for the year 2004.

The 2003 budget was heavily debated as the city faced a $2 million shortfall, threatening some city employees’ jobs and opening up the possibility of cuts in police and fire services.

Everett

Benefit magic show scheduled

Several magicians will perform at two benefits for Keaton Alvarez, an Everett boy who is going through cancer treatment.

The benefits – sponsored by Fieldstone Mortgage Company – are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the PUD Auditorium, 2320 California St.

Tickets are $12 for teenagers and adults and $8 for children 12 and under. To buy tickets, or for more information, call Brian Cook at 425-931-7514.

Keaton’s parents, Robert and Virginia Alvarez, have health insurance, but they periodically must take time from work to care for the 5-year-old boy and have bills for co-payments on medicine, said Corina VanderWeken, the boy’s aunt. Keaton had a bone-marrow transplant last month.

Gold Bar

A salmon’s life

is on display

Washington State University is hosting its annual River Salmon Tour 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Wallace River Hatchery between Startup and Gold Bar, 14418 383rd Ave. SE.

The tour is for youth and adults interested in learning about the life story of a salmon, or who would like to learn how to help restore the salmon habitats of Northwest Washington.

The tour is open to the public, and consists of 10 educational stations with hands-on opportunities surrounding the life cycle of salmon, their habitat and the role of the hatchery.

The tours are sponsored in part by Washington State University Extension, which conducts education sessions throughout Snohomish County.

For more information, please contact Sandy Clemence, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 425-486-0762 or 360-668-9002.

Island County

Septic systems topic of workshop

Island County’s Washington State University Extension office is sponsoring a free class about how to care for your septic system.

The class will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 3, at Camano Center, 141 N. East Camano Drive.

The class is free and space is still available. To register, call 360-629-4522, extension 7327, and leave your name and phone number.

Lynnwood

Head Start gets $2.1 million grant

Head Start services at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood will receive more than $2.1 million in federal grants, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced Monday.

The money, provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, will be used to support school readiness services for children between the ages of 3 and 5.

The grant will help 510 Lynnwood-area children prepare for school.

Officials, public to discuss new park

Lynnwood officials will hold public workshops for the planning of two new neighborhood parks in Lynnwood. The first workshop is on the proposed neighborhood park at 33rd Place W. A meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. today at Spruce Primary School Gymnasium, 17405 Spruce Way.

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

Mill Creek

Police employee honored by city

Robin Swanson, a records technician for the Mill Creek Police Department, was recently named the city’s employee of the year. Swanson has yet to celebrate her one-year anniversary with the police department. That will come Nov. 1.

“I was kind of embarrassed,” said Swanson, a north Everett resident. “I was shocked. I just come to work, try to make people happy.”

Swanson got the award during a staff vote among city employees, including the police department. Swanson was one of four city employees in the past year to be named employee of the quarter, and the four winners were in the running for employee of the year. The vote was done recently via e-mail.

Mountlake Terrace

Council seeks

opinion on center

The City Council invites residents to a community open house tonight at 7 in the Council Chambers, 23204 58th Ave. W.

The city is undertaking the development of a Civic Center Campus Master Plan. The council wants people to share their ideas to help plan the Mountlake Terrace Civic Center Campus. The Civic Center is at the heart of the town center and has the potential to set the tone for subsequent projects.

Mukilteo

Halloween treats to be given out

The Mukilteo Yacht Club will give out hot dogs and hot chocolate for all the ghosts and goblins (and their parents) who go out Trick or Treating on Halloween.

Starting at 6 p.m. stop by the Old Mukilteo Garage and grab a quick bite to eat and a cup of hot chocolate while you are scaring the neighborhood. The garage is located at 807 2nd Ave., Mukilteo.