Community Focus

Bridal open house in Lynnwood

Brides, grooms, their families and friends are invited to a Bridal Open House at the Lynnwood Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants will get a chance to taste, feel and see what the new convention center and local vendors have to offer. Vendors and sponsors include: AA Party Rentals, Aria Floral, AV Factory, Cake Walk, Creative Ice, Edlen, Linens by Alice, Lumina Weddings, Smooth Grove, True Colors events and WaveLink.

Admission and parking are free. The Lynnwood Convention Center is located at 3711 196th St. SW. Call 425-778-7155 or visit www.lynnwoodcc.com for information.

Melody Hill public hearing on Feb. 27

A public hearing about the future of Melody Hill neighborhood is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Mountlake Terrace City Hall.

Everyone is welcome to review the draft neighborhood plan, which will guide the area’s growth for the next 20 years, including buildings, businesses, roads, parks, trails and parking.

The plan must be approved by the city’s Planning Commission before it can advance to the City Council for consideration at a second public hearing.

The Melody Hill neighborhood is in the northwest area of the city, roughly west of Interstate 5 and north of 224th Street.

A paper copy of the draft subarea plan is available for review at city hall and at the Mountlake Terrace Library. Copies can also be purchased at city hall. An electronic version can be viewed at www.cityofmlt.com.

For information or questions, leave a message with Debbie Rubatino, Planning Commission Secretary, at drubatino@ci.mlt.wa.us or 425-744-6266.

Local companies win medals

EcoLogical Landscapes of Mill Creek, DreamScapes of Lynnwood and Garden Dreams Design of Mountlake Terrace won medals at the 2006 Northwest Flower and Garden Show, which ended last weekend.

EcoLogical Landscapes earned a gold medal for a display garden titled, “Circle of Life,” DreamScapes received a silver medal for their display titled “The Celestial Dreamscape,” and Garden Dreams Design brought home a crystal medal for their show garden titled “Small Space Style.”

Volunteer expo approaches

On Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., join 60 organizations at the Everett Mall and discover where you’d like to volunteer. The sixth annual Volunteer Expo is where Snohomish County non-profits will be gathered looking for prospective volunteers. It’s a chance to interview several agencies in one convenient location. The Volunteer Expo is sponsored by the Everett Mall, The United Way and 90.7, KSER-FM. For information, contact Patty Igo of the United Way at 425-921-3459.

Many commission, board seats open

There are several openings on citizen boards and commissions in the city of Lynnwood. Each board and commission makes recommendations to the Lynnwood mayor, City Council, staff and others about their area of interest.

For information or an application, visit the Web site at ci.lynnwood.wa.us, stop by city hall at 19100 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood, or call city hall at 425-775-1971 and ask for the staff liaison for the board or commission you are interested in.

The openings are as follows:

• Civil service commission: one opening. Meets at 6 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at Lynnwood City Hall.

• Ethics board: two alternate positions vacant

• Historical commission: one opening. Meets at 7 p.m. third Tuesday of each month in City Hall conference rooms.

• Parks &rec board: one opening. Meets at 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at the Wickers Building at Heritage Park.

• Planning commission: two openings. Meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the City Hall Council Chambers.

• Diversity commission: two openings. Meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month.

Town hall meets with lawmakers

Residents of the 1st Legislative District will have the opportunity to speak with Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, and Reps. Mark Ericks, D-Bothell, and Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace, about the 2006 legislative session and issues important to the community at two town hall meetings. Everyone is welcome.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Northshore Senior Center, multi-purpose room, 10201 E. Riverside Drive, Bothell.

• 12:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, Mountlake Terrace Library, reception room, 23300 58th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace.

Terrace council sets priorities

The Mountlake City Council will discuss the city’s priorities and goals for at least the next two years at a council retreat on Feb. 25, which is open to the public.

How the city will draft a vision for the town center, allow property owners to redevelop land and engage the public throughout the process will likely dominate the council’s discussions. The council is also expected to discuss council conduct.

For information, contact the city manager at 425-776-1161.

Camp Fire USA seeks volunteers

Camp Fire USA is extending an invitation to those who enjoy working with children and would consider an opportunity to mentor, guide, and teach our future leaders. For information, contact Camp Fire USA at www.campfireusasnohomish.org or call 425-258-5437.

Fire Department seeks volunteers

The Lynnwood Fire Department joined the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Snohomish County as a volunteer station. RSVP matches individuals over the age of 55 with organizations and agencies that use volunteers. For information, call 425-257-2111, ext. 3375.

In addition, the fire department recently started the Fire Corps, a volunteer organization to provide community outreach and education events. Fire Corps volunteers will assist the fire department with promoting fire safety, installing smoke detectors and other activities. For information about the Fire Corps, call Marybeth at 425-744-6436.

Trail program advisers wanted

The state Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) is looking for three volunteers to fill vacancies on its National Recreational Trails Program advisery committee.

The trails committee makes recommendations about program policies, project funding and statewide planning. Generally, members are asked to attend one weekday meeting a year and spend 10 to 20 hours evaluating projects for funding. When the budget allows, per diem is provided. The terms run through December 2009.

The openings are:

• Motorized trail recreation: One position is open for candidates with All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) experience.

• Nonmotorized trail recreation: One position is open for water trail candidates.

• Nonmotorized trail recreation: One position is open for mountain bicycle candidates.

The National Recreational Trails Program, in recent years, has provided more than $1 million annually for trails. Through the years, the advisery committee has provided guidance for funding 282 projects.

To apply, send a completed application to IAC by March 8. Applications are available online at http://www.iac.wa.gov/Documents/IAC/Grants/NRTP/member_application.doc, or by contacting Lorinda Anderson at 360-902-3009 or e-mailing her at lorindaa@iac.wa.gov.