Community focus

Low-cost bike

and ski helmets

Fire District 1 has bicycle, multi-sport and ski helmets available to the public for a donation.

Ski helmets are available at the Mariner Fire Station only (12310 Meridian Ave., Everett) for a donation of $16.

Bicycle helmets are available for a $5 donation and the multi-sport helmets suitable for skate boarding, bicycling and rollerblading are available for a $6.50 donation at most district 1 fire stations. Prices for bike and multi-sport helmets will be going up Jan. 1.

The helmet program is part of Fire District 1’s injury prevention program. Firefighters are trained to custom-fit all helmets. Properly fitted helmets are highly effective in preventing head injuries. For more information, visit the department’s Web site at www.firedistrict1.org or call 425-551-1200.

WashPIRG reps

in Lynnwood

As part of a statewide effort, the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG) has launched a local grassroots campaign to adopt legislation requiring standards for new cars like that of California and six other states. Clean-car legislation would require that 10 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in Washington to be low- emission vehicles (like hybrids) or zero-emissions vehicles, according to a press release. A small crew of citizen outreach canvassers will be visiting Lynnwood neighborhoods to build support for the campaign during the rest of December. WashPIRG is a non-profit, non-partisan, public interest advocacy organization with approximately 23,000 members in Washington state. For more information, or to get more involved in the campaign, call 206-568-2855.

Lynnwood has festival funds Applications for the Lynnwood Festival Fund grant program are now available through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. Funding for community festival projects for 2005 will be awarded on a competitive basis, subject to available funding. Applicants from eligible organizations, who demonstrate the ability to complete the proposed activity, can apply. The deadline for completed applications is Friday, Jan. 28. Applications for the Festival Fund are available by contacting the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, 18900 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood, or by calling 425-771-4030.

The Festival Fund was created to provide public support for community festivals and celebrations in Lynnwood that have a broad-based appeal and provide family-oriented activities. Funding for this program is made possible through a portion of the city of Lynnwood general fund.

Detailed information about the grant program, eligibility, and program requirements are included in the application package. For more information, contact Katie Anderson, City of Lynnwood Parks, Recreation &Cultural Arts Department at 425-744-6445, or e-mail kanderson@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Christmas music performance

Sacred Music Chorale performs Christmas selections through the centuries at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th St. SW, Lynnwood. There is a suggested donation of $10. For more information call 425-379-2553 or go to www.sacredmusicchorale.org.

VFW collects

‘Toys For Tots’

The Lynnwood Fire Department and Lynnwood VFW Post 1040 will be assisting the United States Marine Corps Reserve “Toys For Tots” campaign this Christmas season by collecting new, unwrapped toys to be given to needy children for Christmas. All new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at either fire station in Lynnwood, located at 188th Street SW and 44th Ave. W or 188th Street SW &68th Ave. W. All toys can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. between Nov. 24 and Dec. 20.

Sponsor the

next Hi!5 Run

The Rotary Club of Lynnwood is looking for sponsors for the next Hi!5 Run in Lynnwood scheduled for Aug. 28, 2005.

The 5K and 10K runs are looking for different sponsorships such as the title sponsor for $10,000 and co-sponsors for $5,000. The title sponsors receive exclusive premier location on the back of the official Lynnwood Hi!5 shirts. According to Rotary sponsor committee members some other benefits include marketing money leverage with a 300,000 plus marketing exposure. Recognition for involvement in the local community and support of Rotary programs. Sponsors who sign up soon will also receive other benefits. To be included in the advertising material, all sponsorships must be secured by March 31. There are also other promotional opportunities. Call Harry Truitt at 425-771-2679 for more information.

Boys &Girls Club new teen center

The Alderwood Boys &Girls Club had a grand opening for their new teen center on Sept. 29. The new teen center consists of a multimedia entertainment system, computers, furniture, pool, foos ball and ping pong. The teen center will be open to kids in grades 7-12. For more information call the club at 425-258-2436.

Lost a bike

or have it stolen?

The Mountlake Terrace Police Department’s evidence room is overflowing with lost or stolen and found bicycles.

Police officials there said folks don’t always think to report their bicycles missing to police and also don’t think to call area police departments to check if they’ve been found. So by the end of the summer police department’s have several bicycles that if not claimed would be auctioned off.

When calling a police department to inquire about a lost or stolen bicycle be prepared to have a full description of the bike and the registration information if you have it and an approximate date the bike was found missing.

Mountlake Terrace residents wishing to register their bicycle, skateboard or motorized scooter can do so for free at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department.

For more information about lost or stolen bicycles call your local police department. For Mountlake Terrace 425-670-8260, for Lynnwood call 425-744-6900 and for Brier 425-775-5452.

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.

Food banks

need volunteers

Concern For Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace needs people who can drive a truck (yours or theirs) and helpers who can ride along to pick up food during the week. Call 425-778-7227 message phone and leave your name.

Other area food banks: Lynnwood (425-745-1635) and Edmonds (425-778-5833) need people who can help sort and pass out food on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday or just show up at one of the locations and offer your services. MLT and Edmonds Monday-Tuesday 8 a.m. until Noon. Lynnwood- Wednesday Noon until 6 p.m.

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. For more information call Terri or Vicci at 425-259-2827.

Donate your old car for a local cause

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County have started 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.

Community Focus 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 number with area code for publication in the newspaper. Briefs are printed on a space-available basis.