Around Town

No bones about it

Those go-getters at the Edmonds Police Foundation have achieved their goal of raising $40,000 from the public for the purchase and outfitting of a K-9 vehicle unit for the Edmonds police. That breaks down to about $1 per Edmonds resident raised well before the target date of March 31, volunteers reported.

Now comes the fun part: finding a puppy and assembling and training the new K-9 team. Once a dog is located, Edmonds residents will be able to enter a contest to name the newest member of the police force.

Wind beneath their wings

Since the announcement of Edmonds’ decision to raise money to help an elderly couple in Bay St. Louis, Miss., rebuild their house that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, $4,277 has been donated by area residents.

Linda Carl, executive assistant to Mayor Gary Haakenson, said the money is in addition to the $5,354 donated earlier by Edmonds’ sister city of Hekinan, Japan, and Frank Yamamoto of Running in Motion running store.

Working the plank

Off-leash animal area volunteers who maintain the dog park on the Edmonds waterfront are looking for some woodworking help.

The spring project for the group is construction of wooden surrounds for the garbage cans at the popular pooch play yard. Carpenters who can help are asked to contact the group through its Web site, www.olae.org

Off-leash area supporters shoulder the lion’s share of the upkeep of the area south of Marina Park. They expect to spend $2,900 in 2006 for supplies and services such as poop bags, garbage bags, grass cutting and special-event insurance.

As-yet uncommitted supporters might like to know that the group has filed IRS forms to obtain 501(c)3 designation so donations may be claimed on federal income tax returns as charitable contributions.

Foot loose

Plans are underway for the inaugural Edmonds Waterfront Festival Run/Walk to be held Saturday morning, June 3.

Registration begins Saturday, April 1, at Running in Motion running store, 610 Main St. The phone number is 425-774-0637.

The run will be part of the annual Edmonds Waterfront Festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Edmonds. Proceeds will benefit the club’s community service projects.

Among those planning the route – which will be accessible to children’s strollers and dogs on leashes – are Rotarian Kanoa Ostrem and Frank Yamamoto, owner of Running in Motion.