Our Towns

Arlington

Commission eases up on sign rules

The Planning Commission discussed a long-debated new sign code at its meeting Tuesday night and agreed with the City Council Land Use Committee to loosen up some previously proposed restrictions.

Some of those restrictions included limiting the use of internally illuminated signs and plastic signs, while encouraging use of wood and neon to create an old-time atmosphere downtown.

The commission recommended getting rid of such restrictions and allowing illuminated and plastic signs after all.

The commission also recommended allowing existing signs to stay in place. The new rules should only apply to new signs, the commission said.

Everett

Two Christmas concerts planned

Northshore Christian Academy will present two Christmas concerts this month.

The first, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, will feature pre-kindergarten students who will sing songs while dressed in animal costumes in a re-creation of the Nativity scene. Also that night, about 200 students in kindergarten through second grade will present the play “Christmas Special Delivery.”

At 6:30 Monday, Dec. 15, about 150 students in third through fifth grade will present a concert featuring new twists on traditional holiday carols.

Northshore Christian Academy is at 5700 23rd Drive W. in Everett.

For more information, contact the school at 425-407-1119 or go to www.northshorechristianschools.org.

Lake Stevens

Construction will delay traffic

Motorists in the area of Lakeshore Drive and Vernon Road should be prepared for traffic delays due to the closure of a single lane 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Dec. 15. The closure was extended due to rain.

The Snohomish County Public Works Department granted D and G Backhoe permission to close one lane of traffic on E. Lakeshore Drive at Purple Pennant Road and one lane on Vernon Road at Maple Lane in order to replace a water line. Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.

For more information on the project, call public works at 425-388-6453.

Marysville

Home-school group stages play

The home-school group the Home Port Players will perform the courtroom drama “You Be the Judge” at 2:30 p.m. today at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St.

The Entropy Academy Choir will sing carols ranging from 16th-century England to the Appalachian Mountains. There also will be community carols accompanied by a string quartet.

A donation is requested to cover expenses.

Water line to be modified

City officials have authorized Marshbank Construction to complete installation of a water main on State Avenue south of the first phase of the $6.2 million State Avenue improvement project.

Workers several times have punctured the water line accidentally because the asphalt-concrete line is very difficult to locate accurately, city public works director Jim Owens said. The city is installing a steel line in the new project.

On Tuesday night, the east side of State from Eighth Street to Fourth Street flooded due to heavy rain and a clogged catch basin. The flooding receded after a city crew unclogged the catch basin.

Monroe

Board to hold special meeting

The Monroe School Board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday at the district administrative office, 200 E. Fremont St.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss long-term planning and high school reinvention progress.

Residents who need special accommodations may call 360-794-3000 for assistance at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting.

Mukilteo

Two continue service on boards

The Mukilteo City Council on Monday appointed John Jacobson to a new term on the Parks and Arts Commission, and reappointed Chuck Seider to the Planning Commission.

Snohomish

Workshop for caregivers set

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a free workshop for those who take care of people with memory problems 6-8 p.m. Dec. 9 at Sunrise of Snohomish, 1124 Pine Ave.

The topic of the workshop is “Getting the Most Out of Doctor Appointments.”

According to a survey commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association, only 33 percent of family caregivers felt they received adequate information from a primary care physician.

This seminar will help caregivers plan ahead for the visit and get organized to be sure to ask the right questions.

To register for the workshop, or for more information, call Sunrise Senior Living at 360-568-1900.

Snohomish County

Blue lights honor slain officers

Police are asking you to remember the four officers killed in Washington state this year with a blue light during the holiday season.

Project Blue Light is a nationwide program started in 1988 by the mother of a Philadelphia officer killed in the line of duty.

The Washington State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police is asking residents to join her in placing a blue light bulb in an outside light fixture.

Stanwood

City open house for comp plan

City staff has developed a land-use alternative plan as part of its 20-year update to Stanwood’s comprehensive plan.

The public will have a chance to comment on the plan, which has been in the works at the Planning Commission for the past two years.

The commission has scheduled an open house 4-8 p.m. Monday at Stanwood Middle School, 9405 271st St. NW.

The city needs to accommodate state growth forecasts of 8,840 residents and 5,550 jobs through the year 2025.

The open house gives residents an informal atmosphere to ask city staff and commission members about the draft plan.

For more information, call 360-629-4577.

Tulalip

Meeting on draft shoreline rules

The Tulalip Tribes Planning Commission will conduct a community meeting to discuss draft shoreline regulations. The meeting will focus on residents of the Tulare Beach community.

The meeting will be 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Tulalip Tribes gym at the Tribal Center, 6700 Totem Beach Road. There is ample parking.

For information on the draft regulations, call land use planner Joe Sparr at the Tulalip Department of Community Development, 360-651-4025.