FREE! but not duty free …
FREE, FREE, FREE! How many times have we read that, followed by details of shipping and handling charges? Or purchases required before anything is free? Well, here’s a list of local opportunities which don’t demand that you get out your wallet.
Ÿ FREE LUNCH for kids ages 2 to 18. No sign-ups — just come and enjoy! Lunches will be served weekdays through Aug. 20 at Heatherwood Apartments, 13510 North Creek Drive. It’s provided by the Everett School District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Ÿ FREE MUSIC at two summer concert series: Music in Mill Creek, 6-8 p.m. each Thursday through Aug. 26 at The Forum in Mill Creek Town Center, sponsored by Central Market; and Children’s Concerts in the Park, noon Wednesdays (July 21, 28, Aug. 11, 18) at Library Park, next to the Mill Creek Library, presented by Friends of the Mill Creek Library and Mill Creek Parks and Recreation.
FREE is definitely a good price. We’re all interested in physical fitness these days, so it’s good to know there are free walking groups through the senior center and free trails maps from the Mill Creek Community Association. Stop by City Hall for information on city parks and Snohomish County bike trails.
At Library Park you’ll find new play equipment and the new Veteran’s Monument dedicated earlier this year. Visit Cougar Park and its climbing wall, or simply enjoy walking through our lovely neighborhoods. The exercise is, you guessed it, FREE!
In August, it’s time to exercise our right to vote, and yes, voting is FREE! Mail in your primary ballot, or bring it to the Mill Creek QFC ballot collection center and take time to say “hi” — I’ll be there helping on Aug. 16 and 17.
Next, here’s another great opportunity: the FREE electronics recycling event in September. It’s the perfect chance to get rid of that big old TV, computers, etc. No appliances, please. For details, check at City Hall, 425-745-1891.
No doubt you are aware that our taxes help to fund some of these programs. We choose to support them with our votes.
Last November voters approved a special levy lid lift for Sno-Isle Libraries, raising the allowed rate of taxation, and supporting the FREE use of computers, books, movies and materials by library cardholders. In February, voters approved funding for the Everett School District and will have a chance to vote again in the August primary on a special levy to offset state cuts.
Our votes are important because our FREE society depends upon us to make responsible decisions and to choose our representatives wisely. To help make yours an informed vote, try to take in a City Council meeting on a Tuesday evening or a Tuesday afternoon school district board meeting. Visit a Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees meeting, held monthly at 5 p.m. Mondays (the next one is July 26 in Coupeville).
Let’s visit their meetings now and then help them to set policies and goals, review budgets and evaluate their job performance through the years. Read their meeting minutes online to stay up to date. We can provide input and praise, questions and concerns, and support our representatives in their work for the public good.
Even if our FREE time is limited, let’s all share the oversight responsibilities, too.
That way we’ll ensure our city continues to be a terrific place to live and to educate our kids.
Jean Lightburne is a member of the Friends of the Mill Creek Library. Opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Friends or Sno-Isle Libraries.
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