City briefs

City briefs for the cities of Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier can be sent to sessions@heraldnet.com or mailed to 4303 198th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA. 98036, attention Shannon Sessions. E-mail is preferred. Include contact name with area code for publication in the newspaper. Briefs are printed on a space-available basis.

MLT’s Ardie Smith to move on

After almost 13 years of being the “go to” person at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department, Ardie Smith, Administrative Assistant to the police chief among many other duties, is leaving to join her husband Larry in retirement.

“He retired in October and he’s just been waiting for me,” she said, so we could start the next chapter in our lives.”

Police Chief Scott Smith (no relation) said Ardie has been a friend professionally and personally and she will be sorely missed around the city.

“I don’t know where to begin about Ardie, for me there’s two things that are clearly standouts, she’s a consummate professional and she just has so much class about her—she’s just a classy lady.”

Smith said Ardie built the position and has made it what it is today. “She’s indispensable,” Chief Smith said. “I will miss her tremendously.”

Mountlake Terrace City manager Connie Fessler said, “Ardie has been a major force in the department, assisting two chiefs and keeping over 20 police officers in line,” she said “Her last day will be April 25 and we wish her well in her retirement.”

While Ardie Smith isn’t considering this a “real” retirement—she says she’s too young, she does plan on taking it easy and enjoying the country side of Bow, Wash., where her and her husband are building their dream home with view, acreage and all. The two lived in Edmonds for about 28 years.

Smith said she and her husband will be buying new bicycles and strolling around seeing the countryside that she was raised in. The two also love to show some of their classic cars locally.

“What I will miss the most is the people or my ‘family’ here,” Ardie Smith said. “It’s a wonderful place to work and the people are so great.”

Fessler said, Martha Karl has been hired to replace Ardie. Karl most recently has been working as an administrative assistant to the director of the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in Seattle. Martha lives in Edmonds with her family and is working on her bachelor’s degree.

Multi-Cultural Fair in Lynnwood

Celebrate the richness of the area’s diversity and create a more connected community by joining neighbors at the second annual Multi-cultural Fair from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday April 26 at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Avenue West in Lynnwood.

The purpose of the event is to celebrate these things and introduce music, stories, customs, dances, arts &crafts and foods from different cultures to the citizens of South Snohomish County.

Last year over 400 of our neighbors came together to enjoy this event. This year we would like you see thousands of our friends and neighbors.

There will be a variety of booths, roving entertainers, ethnic foods, dancing, music and story telling. In the gymnasium folk and ethnic dancers will be performing and inviting audience participation. Arts and craft activities will be offered for the children while storytellers will weave their magic. There will be booths with displays from different cultures educating and informing the public. Vendors from some local ethnic grocery stores will also display a variety of food ingredients and recipes. Food from different cultures will also be provided.

Auction to benefit preschool

Christ Lutheran Preschool will be having it’s annual live and silent auction and gourmet dessert tasting. The event is open to the community and starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Christ Lutheran Church at 23525 84th Ave. W. in Edmonds. The cost is $10 at the door and it includes $5 worth of “auction dollars.” For more information call the church at 425-778-2189.

Compost bins on sale in Lynnwood

For one day only Snohomish County Solid Waste Management and the City of Everett Public works Dept. join Lowe’s in the sale of backyard compost bins. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Lynnwood Lowe’s at 3100 196th St. SW. They will be selling The Earth Machine for $24—regularly $80.

For more information and other sale locations call 425-388-3425 then press “0.”

CFBW needs volunteers

The Center For Battered Women is looking for volunteers who want to work together to eliminate domestic violence. If interested in taking a training class, applications must be received no later than April 21. The training class will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 26, May 10 and May 17 at the Everett General Hospital (Colby Campus). To receive a volunteer application packet, call Darla Lewis at 425-259-2827, ext. 12.

MLT Police mugs

for sale

The Mountlake Terrace Police Department have large mugs with a silver badge and a painted emblem on the sides for sale now for $12. To get a mug, go to the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at 5906 232nd St. SW, behind the City Hall and Library. The proceeds from the mugs benefit the Mountlake Terrace Police Officers Association. For more information call 425-670-8260.

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.

Match funds raised for food bank

The Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island has offered to match funds raised to Concern For Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace. Any money donated in the name of the Feinstein challenge will be matched. For more information contact Joan Hinjim at the food bank at 425-778-7227.

The Lynnwood Food bank is also in dire need of volunteers. If you can help call 425-745-1635.

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.

Spring concerts coming, no choir

The Trolley Days Band presents

• “Swing into Spring” Swing Concert at 7 p.m. on May 9.

• “Red, White &Brass” Patriotic Concert at 7 p.m. on June 27.

All Concerts will be at LDS Church 17321 44th Ave. W. in Lynnwood

Because of lack of funding and interest The Trolley Days Band is canceling its Community Choir this spring. The group is still looking for musicians for the band and ensemble groups. No auditions or dues and everyone is welcome. For more information call Becky Janecke at 425-745-9121.

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.

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.

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.

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.