Community Focus

Gift-wrapping ideas at women’s club

Dyan Emery, a presenter for Packaging Specialties, will show ideas for wrapping gifts and making gift cards at the next meeting of the Mill Creek Women’s Club.

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the Mill Creek Country Club, 15500 Country Club Drive. For membership information, call Jac-e Albertson at 425-743-9455.

Fire District 1 wins management award

Snohomish County Fire District 1 won the 2004 Management Excellence Award for the second year in a row at the recent Washington Fire Commissioners Association annual conference.

The Management Excellence Award is presented to recognize fire service organizations that have demonstrated progressive achievement, innovative programs, outstanding management techniques and successes during the past year.

Fire District 1 serves the neighborhoods of Silver Firs and Martha Lake west of Mill Creek.

Annual tree lighting set for Nov. 30

The city of Mill Creek’s annual “Deck the City Halls” tree lighting ceremony will take place Tuesday, Nov. 30. Festivities will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the tree will be lit at 7:30 p.m.

New YMCA executive named

Courtney Whitaker has been named the next branch executive of the Shoreline/South County Family YMCA and succeeds Terry Pollard. She will begin her new position Monday, Nov. 15.

Whitaker came to the Shoreline YMCA in 2000 to serve as the director of business and membership. She has since served in a variety of capacities, including business manager and program executive.

Prior to her work with the Shoreline/South County Family YMCA, she worked as the marketing manager for Levy &Wurz, Integrated Marketing and as a junior lobbyist for the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

Whitaker was appointed after Chris Wiseman opted not to accept the position.

Donations needed for Rescue Pup

Rescue Pup, a Mill Creek-based non-profit organization that finds homes for stray sick and injured dogs, regularly needs donations to cover veterinary expenses.

Donations can be made at Pet Pleasers, a non-profit pet supply store the organization operates. Pet Pleasers is located next to Claire’s Pantry at the corner of 9th Avenue SE and 164th Street SE.

For more information, call 425-742-6072.

DARE chocolate shield fund raiser

Mill Creek police are selling police department chocolate shields for $2 to benefit the DARE program.

The shields were made from a mold that was designed with the Mill Creek water wheel and the words “Mill Creek Police.” The shields can be purchased at the police department’s service counter inside City Hall, 15728 Main St.

Community focus items for Mill Creek and surrounding areas can be sent to millcreek@heraldnet.com, faxed to 425-673-6533 or mailed to 4303 198th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA. 98036, attention John Santana. E-mail is preferred. Deadline is 5 p.m. the Tuesday prior to publication. Include a contact number with area code for publication in the newspaper. Items are printed on a space-available basis.