Community Focus

Mill Creek Scout earns Eagle rank

A Boy Scouts of America Eagle Court of Honor recently conferred the rank of Eagle Scout on Robert Van Leuven of Mill Creek.

Van Leuven 16, the son of Bob and Laura Van Leuven, is a member of Troop 114, headed by Scoutmaster Tony Bundschu.

In addition to earning the 21 required merit badges and serving in various troop leadership positions, he completed his Eagle project last spring. Van Leuven led his troop in the construction of two outdoor cedar benches and a rolling bingo cart for the activity department at Bethany at Silver Lake home, where he has also volunteered for the past two years.

He is a junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Inglemoor High School, Kenmore, where he is involved in drama, tennis, Model United Nations, French Club, Christian Club and National Honor Society. He is also a member of North Creek Presbyterian Church.

Winter recreation guide available

The city of Mill Creek’s winter recreation guide is now available at Mill Creek City Hall, the Mill Creek Library and online at www.cityofmillcreek.com.

Registration for programs is accepted at City Hall by mail or fax only. For more information, call recreation supervisor Pam Olson at 425-745-1891.

Child safety fair at Northshore YMCA

The Northshore YMCA in Bothell will host a child safety fair from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at its facility, 11811 NE. 195th St.

The 90-minute event will teach parents and children safety rules and techniques. The event is geared toward parents and children ages 4 through third grade.

Cost is $5 for YMCA single-parent members and Parent Without Partners members, $7 for YMCA Family members and $10 for the general public. Registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 27. For more information, call 425-485-9797.

Local church hosts guest speaker

Stan Kellner, CEO of Pregnancy Resource Center in Everett, will speak during two Northlake Christian Church morning worship services on Sunday, Jan. 22.

Kellner will speak at the 9 and 11 a.m. worship services, part of the church’s annual “Sanctity of Human Life” Sunday.

The church is located at 19029 North Road, at the corner of Filbert and North roads, between Mill Creek and Bothell. For more information call 425-672-8044.

Y hosts ‘money-smart’ seminar

The Northshore YMCA in Bothell is offering a “Money Smart Kids” program on Thursdays from Jan. 26 through Feb. 9.

Each 90-minute class teaches children ages 7-11 about saving, sharing, planning budgets and spending. The workshop is free, but space is limited. To register, or for more information, call 425-485-9797.

Child safety seat installations

Snohomish County Fire District 7 offers child safety seat installation. Installation times are by appointment because not all fire stations have a certified child safety seat technician on every shift.

Call 425-486-1217 for more information or to schedule a seat installation.

Rescue Pup in need of donations

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

Donations can be made at Pet Pleasers, a pet supply store operated by Rescue Pup, which is located at the corner of 9th Avenue SE. and 164th Street SE.

In addition to donations, the organization also needs volunteers to serve as foster homes for dogs it receives.

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.

Young Democrats pick Cole as their leader

The Snohomish County Young Democrats elected Kimberly Cole, 26, of Lynnwood as chair on Jan. 4, the group announced recently.

“I am very eager to get to work in 2006,” Cole said. “County democrats have seen tremendous success in 2005 and I look forward to harnessing that enthusiasm and continuing to grow our organization.”

She noted that the newly formed Snohomish County Young Democrats made a strong impact with their civic involvement in six political campaigns since chartering last year.

Cole is vice chair of the 21st Legislative District Democratic Party. She also serves on the Snohomish County Democratic Party Elections Committee and will join the Executive Board of the county party as a result of this election. She is a graduate from a local business school and has been accepted to law school in the fall.

The next meeting of the Snohomish County Young Democrats will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Mukilteo City Hall Council Chambers.

Energy bill relief available

Nearly $500,000 has been allocated by the state Legislature to supplement Snohomish County’s low-income energy assistance program. The funds are part of a statewide fund of $7.6 million to help low-income consumers pay their energy bills and weatherproof their homes for energy savings.

The supplemental funds will allow the County to provide direct energy assistance to an additional 1,200 households. Combined with existing funds, the County is expected to provide energy assistance to 9,000 households or about 27,000 people this year.

These supplemental funds will increase the County’s existing budget for low-income energy assistance and weatherization to about $2.6 million for the 2006 heating season. Energy funds also come from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Washington Consumer Energy Fund and the Puget Sound Energy Help for Customers Fund.

People seeking energy assistance should contact the Snohomish County Assistance and Weatherization Program at 425-259-5185.

Community Focus items for Mill Creek and surrounding areas can be sent to millcreek@heraldnet.com, faxed to 425-774-8622 or mailed to 4303 198th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA. 98036, attention John Santana. 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.