City briefs

National Night Out events

National Night Out is Aug. 5 and it is a night where folks turn on their porch lights, lock their doors and go out and meet their neighbors in a nationwide attempt to fight crime.

Both Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace have annual, free events to encourage their residents to do just that.

Mountlake Terrace’s event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 5 at the city’s civic center’s parking lot at 23200 block of 58th Ave. W.

Residents can see demonstrations on vehicle theft and car prowl prevention, a drug display and drug dog demonstration, a wrecked car from a juvenile DUI crash and a demonstration with the DUI goggles. Along with the crime prevention demonstrations there will also be free food and entertainment. Entertainment will include a D.J. and street dancing, lots of games and contests. There will also be a portable skate park and balloon obstacle courses among other things.

In Lynnwood, the South Snohomish County Family Support Center hosts its event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Wilcox Park on 196th Street SW. in Lynnwood. This year’s entertainment includes family square dancing led by Lynnwood caller Dave Knien and the Does &Bucks Dancers.

There will be a large inflatable toy, arts and craft projects and more than 1,000 free books will be available for children. Everyone will have the opportunity to create their own free banana split while they enjoy the picnic dinners they have brought from home.

Along with the other events, the Lynnwood police and fire departments will have equipment there for all to check out.

For more information about the Lynnwood event contact Pam Graham, program coordinator for the Family Support Center at 425-670-8984.

For more information about the Mountlake Terrace event contact Joie Worthen at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at 425-670-8260.

Stuff A Bus with school supplies

For most children the start of a new school year is an exciting time.

But for some children in Snohomish County, returning to school can bring frustration and embarrassment. These children lack even the basic necessities for school – notebooks, pens and pencils, crayons or colored markers. Aug. 2-23 is a chance to “Stuff A Bus” with school supplies that will help thousands of foster children across Snohomish County be ready to go back to school. The idea of a bus stuffed with school supplies appealed to Community Transit because buses are such a lifeline to so many people who use them to get to doctor’s offices, jobs and schools around Snohomish County.

Collection sites to “Stuff A Bus” around Snohomish County will be at events at Park &Ride lots throughout the county, Community Transit’s RideStore, Alderwood Mall, the Food Pavilion stores in Smokey Point and Arlington, and Cost Cutter Foods in Everett will have donation barrels. Also, the Everett Aquasox will collect school supplies at all home games from Aug. 2-23. The Evergreen Speedway will collect donations at its Saturday night races on Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

The Snohomish County DSHS Children’s Administration will distribute the donated school supplies to foster children in Snohomish County. The Evergreen State Fair has generously agreed to help support “Stuff a Bus,” providing donors with $4 discount coupons on an Evergreen State Fair/Evergreen Speedway combination ticket for Aug. 23.

For information about donation locations, call 425/353-RIDE.

For more information about how to help children and families in our community, please contact Jeannine at fosj300@dshs.wa.gov or 425-339-3945.

Visit the MLT fire stations

Kids can have fun while they learn about fire safety at the Mountlake Terrace Fire Station Open House Saturday, Aug. 2.

The open house at Station 19 (next to City Hall) will take place in the morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

Station 18 at 3900 228th Street SW (just east of QFC) will host an afternoon open house from 1 to 3 p.m..

Guests can see fire apparatus, meet firefighters, learn about fire safety and injury prevention, and participate in the Fire Safety Adventure game. Children who complete the Fire Safety Adventure can get their pictures taken with a fire truck or aid car.

See the 2004 hottest firefighters

Washington State Firefighters Burn Foundation presents:

2004 Firefighter Calendar Unveiling Saturday, Aug. 16, at The Seattle Design Center in Seattle.

Buy the calendar before they are available anywhere else.

Be the first to know who made the cut and appears in the 2004 Calendar. This may be the only place you can see them all together.

This will be the Firefighter calendar’s public debut, with all firefighters present.

The event consists of an auction of T-shirts and posters from each individual month, along with a signing session by all the calendar firefighters.

Also, bid on an opportunity to have Sunday brunch with the guys the following morning.

Tickets are on sale now for the event. General admission tickets are $25, plus convenience charges and are available at http://www.firefightercalendar.org/events.htm and all Ticketmaster locations.

Citizens University in Lynnwood

This fall, the city of Lynnwood will offer Lynnwood Citizens’ University. The free class will have eight weekly meetings between September and November 2003. The class will include educating citizens on government and important local issues, encourage citizens to become active in local government and serve as an orientation for future elected or appointed city officials.

For more information call Elena Victorine at 425-744-6475.

Taking Care of You for free

The South Snohomish County Family Support Center is offering a free six week course titled Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Caregiving to help family caregivers care for themselves while caring for another adult, older relative or friend.

The classes are beneficial whether caregivers are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or in another part of the country. Groups meet 2.5 hours once a week for six weeks. This class will provide tools to: Reduce stress, communicate effectively with other family members, the doctor, the health team and paid help practice self-care, reduce guilt, anger and depression, make tough decisions, set goals and problem-solve.

Classes don’t discuss how to provide physical care for a family member but rather how the caregiver can thrive while managing their caregiving responsibilities. The Powerful Tools for Caregiving classes are research-based &proven to reduce caregiver guilt, anger and depression. Specially trained class facilitators co-lead the classes. Each facilitator has also experienced being a participant in the class. For more information call Pam Graham at 425-670-8984.

Developing Capable Young People

A research based, parent education free series, consisting of seven two-hour sessions. DCYP teaches participants how to communicate more effectively, how to use techniques that increase achievement and motivation, and how to better develop a sense of responsibility in youth. This motivating series is beneficial for anyone who wishes to strengthen the capacity to be a positive influence on youth.

Especially helpful for parents, foster parents, grandparents and other relatives raising children, teachers and others whom work with children.

Certificate and ongoing support available upon completion. Childcare and space for this class is limited so call to ensure your place. Sessions are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. seven consecutive Thursdays starting July 10 and going through August 21 at the Family Support Center at 6330 195th St SW in Lynnwood. For more information call Pam Graham at 425-670-8984.

New look to city utility bills

As of May 2003, Lynnwood began using a different format for utility bills. The bill looks different, but the rates stay the same, according to city officials. The change in format is part of an upgrade to the city’s computer systems. The new bill is on a standard sheet of paper, to help keep costs down, according to city officials. The new bill includes a graph to illustrate water use and should be easier to understand. For more information call Debie Cornelius at 425-670-6609.

Free and safe fun for teens

The Neutral Zone, a non-profit organization which benefits at risk youth, continues its safe and supervised Friday and Saturday night programs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Scriber Lake High School, 20525 52nd Ave. W in Lynnwood. The always free program for youth 12 to 20 includes free food, games, basketball, movies and more. Volunteers are needed. For more information call 425-344-6445.

Heed burn bans in your area

Washington state law prohibits residential burning and land clearing fires in urbanized areas, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. If you’re thinking of burning outdoors, know that, violations of outdoor burning regulations can be costly. Fines can exceed $13,000 per day and typically start at $2,000 plus reimbursement costs for fire department responses. Contact your local fire department before you burn. In the City of Lynnwood call 425-744-6433 in unincorporated areas of South Snohomish County, Mountlake Terrace or Brier call Fire District 1 at 425-551-1200.

Help out on National Night Out

Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, youth organizations and local officials are joining forces on August 5 to sponsor the Third Annual National Night Out Picnic in the Park in Lynnwood.

The event is an opportunity for neighbors to get out and get acquainted with one another.

Research shows that in neighborhoods where folks know one another, crime and violence are reduced. Nationwide over 9,850 communities from all 50 states participate in a variety of local events designed to help make neighborhoods safer places.

Last year over 300 residents participated in the Lynnwood festivities that included a free picnic meal, activities for the kids, opportunities to meet local law and safety enforcement personnel, and demonstrate their singing talents on the Karaoke stage.

The Family Support Center, along with the Lynnwood Police and Fire departments, are coordinating this years event. They are looking for volunteers to help with the planning, organizing and help on the day of the event. Individuals, groups and organizations looking for public service opportunities can apply by contacting Pam at 425-670-8984.

Donate your old car for a local cause

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County are starting a car donation program. Funds from the program will benefit the activities of the Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information call 1-800-246-0493.

Donate an old cell phone for safety

Project Donate a Phone is back on and the need is high, say officials for The Snohomish County Center for Battered Women.

The center is in need of old or new cellular phones, even ones with missing parts can help, Center officials said. Usable cell phones will be provided free to all women who use the center’s services. In case of emergency old phones can still be used to dial 911. The ones that can’t be used will be recycled to a business who has agreed to pay the non-profit organization for parts. To donate phones, drop them off at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at 5906 232nd St. SW or to the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women at 1310 Pacific Avenue in Everett #5 (corner of Grand and Pacific) or Mr. Bill’s restaurant at the Everett Mall. More information call Terri or Vicci at 425-259-2827. The Center for Battered women are also looking for volunteers. For more information contact Darla Lewis at 425-259-2827, ext. 18.

Play dates for children -5

There is an ongoing play group from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays at Maplewood Presbyterian Church at 19523 84th Ave. W. This is a chance for parents to meet other parents and their children, under 5-years old to meet new friends. For more information call the Family Support Center in Lynnwood at 425-670-8984.

ESL conversation group in Lynnwood

There is an ongoing English as a second language class going on from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Family Support Center in Lynnwood at 6330 195th St. SW. Practice English with a trained tutor and others in the process of learning English.

For more information call 425- 670-8984.

VFW meets first Thursdays

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, All – American Post 1040, Lynnwood meets the at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Alderwood Youth Club, 19619 – 24th.

For more information contact Post Commander Martin Spani at 425- 673-7702 or 425-774-7416 for information. All combat Veterans who earned a campaign medal are eligible for membership.

Go to a City Council meeting

Lynnwood City Council regular meetings start at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Mountlake Terrace City Council regular meetings start at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Brier City Council regular meetings start at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

For more information in Lynnwood call 425-775-1971 in Mountlake Terrace 425-776-1161 and in Brier 425-775-5440.

Free car seat checks in Lynnwood

Motor vehicle crashes are the single largest cause of child fatalities in the country, officials said.

However, proper child seat safety can reduce the risk of injury or death by 70 percent, officials added, if the car seat is installed correctly. Lynnwood Police have recently nationally certified five technicians to help parents and care givers be sure their precious cargo is as safe as possible.

Free car seat checks are now available every Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. by appointment, at the Lynnwood Police Station at 19321 44th Avenue West. Checks take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and it is best to have the child there for the check. For more info. or to make an appointment call 425-744-6900.

Have a court date? Click here:

Citizens can now go to a new website, www.courts.wa.gov, and look up their court dates by clicking on “find your court date” and entering a valid name or case number.

All courts in Washington including Lynnwood Municipal and South Snohomish County District Court are on the site except for Seattle Municipal Court.

Given that court proceedings may be rescheduled at any time, official said, users are encouraged to call their local court the morning of their appearance. An automated court directory is also available online via the Washington Courts website, combined with a “Courthouse Locator” which provides maps and directions to every courthouse throughout Washington State. For the Lynnwood Municipal Court call 425-670-6668. For the South Snohomish County District Court call 425-774-8803.

Free blood pressure screening at library

Red Cross volunteers provide free blood pressure screening from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month at the Lynnwood Library at 19200 44th Ave. W.