South County Notebook

In photo: Clinic dedicated to LFP Marine­

STAFF CHOICE: Ole! Ole! Ole!

At 7:30 p.m. March 27, the Seattle Men’s Chorus heats up the Edmonds Center for the Arts with this new spring production highlighting the sounds of Latin America and Spain, including zarzuelas of Spanish opera, tangos of Argentina, and salsas of Brazil and Cuba. At 410 Fourth Ave., Edmonds, this is a great chance to see the largest community chorus in America — and the largest gay chorus in the world — close to home. Tickets available by calling 425-275-9595 or online at www.ec4arts.org.

— Andrea Miller, Enterprise features editor

SEMINARS AND EDUCATION

Professional development grant to be awarded

The Friends of the Mill Creek Library will award grants of up to $2,000 to defray professional development costs to support the provision of literacy education or the expansion of literacy services in the community. Proposed projects may include seminars, courses, conference attendance or other continuing education endeavors that support professional development.

To apply, mail a resume and cover letter detailing interest in the grant, postmarked by April 15, to: Grants Committee, Friends of the Mill Creek Library, 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek, WA 98012.

Awards will be announced at the Friends meeting May 12.

MLT Citizens Academy coming up

The Mountlake Terrace Police Department will host the Police Citizens Academy from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday nights, April 14-June 30. The free 12-week is limited to the first 30 people accepted. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. March 31.

Training sessions include information and demonstrations by K-9, SWAT, narcotics, records, evidence handling and a ride-along with an officer.

For information, please contact Officer Kim Berg at 425-670-8260 ext. 4418 or e-mail kberg@ci.mlt.us or www.cityofmlt.com.

Driver improvement class

The AAA Driver Improvement Program is accepting reservations for its refresher course on defensive driving skills. The course gives practical guidance for traffic accident prevention and enhances driver safety and confidence. Successful course completion qualifies drivers age 55 and older for automobile insurance premium discounts, but all ages are welcome to attend.

The class will be offered March 27 in Everett.

Cost is $16 per person. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 800-462-3728.

‘Pathways’ employment support class

Individuals who are re-entering the workforce can find tools and support, at no cost, in workshops presented by “Pathways to Work” through the YWCA. The next workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., April 7 to 20 in Lynnwood.

For more information and to register for class, call 425-258-2766, ext. 226 or e-mail bpatrykus@ywcaworks.org.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day

The Sons of Norway’s Leif Erikson Lodge will host Tastes of Norway/Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 27 in Ballard. The day’s events will also feature the Leif to Leif 5K fun run/walk starting at 9 a.m. Registration is $10 adults and $5 children ages 12 and under. For information, call 206-783-1274.

Get your tickets for annual tea

Beginning March 28, North Sound Church will be selling tickets for its annual Women’s Tea, May 1.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the church, 404 Bell St., Edmonds. For more information, call 425-776-9800.

Edmonds Merchants plan fashion show

The Merchants of Downtown Edmonds fashion show will be April 18 at the Edmonds Yacht Club.

Proceeds of the event will go to support downtown community activities including the Art Walk, Halloween, First Dibs and the holiday tree lighting.

Tickets are $35. Tables can be sponsored for $350 for eight seats and a listing in the fashion show program. For tickets or more information, contact the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce at 425-670-1496, ext. 3 or www.EdmondsWA.com.

Supplies for new moms

The Baby &Family Boutique is celebrating its fourth anniversary in the Coral Tower Suite 320 at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. The Boutique provides hard-to-find breast-feeding and postpartum supplies.

The boutique is open to the public, not just families who have given birth at Evergreen. The Baby &Family Boutique hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Appointments can also be made. It is located at 12040 NE 128th St., Kirkland in Suite 320 of the Coral Building. Parking is always free at Evergreen.

The Boutique offers products such as breast pumps (for sale and for rent), breast pump parts, breast milk storage options, nursing bras, belly supports and nursing tank tops. The accessory line features swaddle blankets, options for starting solids, hand-made baby clothing, baby carriers, toys and books on parenting, breast feeding and baby care. Certified bra fitters help find the right bra for nursing mothers.

Puget Sound Bird Fest poster art contest

Puget Sound area artists are invited to submit original artwork representative of local bird life to be used for the 2010 Puget Sound Bird Fest poster. The event will be Sept. 10-12. A $100 prize, sponsored by the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation, will be awarded to the winner. The winner will be announced June 14.

For information or an entry form, contact Sally Lider at 425-771-0227 or lider@ci.edmonds.wa.us. Entrants must be 18 years or older; one entry per person. Entries must be received by May 28 along with a signed entry form and $10 entry fee.

Cascade Symphony presents ‘Russian Evening’

On March 29, the Cascade Symphony and Music Director Michael Miropolsky will present “A Russian Evening” at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Russian-born pianist Natalya Ageyeva will perform Piano Concerto by Edvard Grieg.

Tickets are available through 425-776-4938, www.cascadesymphony or at the Edmonds Bookshop.

Special food bank donations this spring

During March and April, Alan Feinstein of Rhode Island will give away $1 million to anti-hunger agencies throughout the country as part of the Feinstein Foundation’s annual giveaway. The community’s gifts to its local food bank will be matched. Send checks and/or call for food pick-ups from:

• Edmonds Food Bank, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, 425-778-5833

• Lynnwood Food Bank, 5320 176th St. SW, Lynnwood, 425-745-1635

• Mountlake Terrace Food Bank, 4700 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace, 425-778-7227

For more information, contact the Rev. Richard K. Gibson of the South County Food Banks at 425-774-7007.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Clay animation class for teens

Find out how clay-animated movies like “Wallace and Gromit” are created at “You Can Do Clay Animation.” Teens will learn how to animate their own movies, operate a digital camera and create simple clay characters. Each participant will receive a DVD of their work after the session.

The class will be held March 31 at the Brier Library. Pre-registration is required. Call 425-483-0888.

Call for student art for Edmonds Arts Festival

Student artists, including home-schooled students, in kindergarten to 12th grade within the Edmonds School District are invited to submit their art for consideration in the Student Exhibit of the Edmonds Arts Festival. Open class entries will be received and photographed April 30 and May 1 at the Edmonds School District Office. Guidelines for entry are on the Student Exhibit page at www.edmondsartsfestival.com.

Mediums include oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, pastel, ink, crayon, print work, textiles, clay, fused glass, photography and recycled materials. A Student Poster Artist will be chosen to receive a $300 award sponsored by the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation. In addition, a graduating senior artist will receive the Pederson Family Award for Excellence in Community Service.

The Exhibit will take place during Father’s Day Weekend, June 18-20, at the Frances Anderson Center in Edmonds. For information visit www.edmondsartsfestival.com, call 425-431-7027 or e-mail piperL@edmonds.wednet.edu or nancysmusel@yahoo.com.

YMCA summer camp registration

Spring has sprung and summer is following closely behind. That means it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll do with the kids. Open registration for YMCA of Snohomish County Summer Camp is underway for camps offered through all five YMCA family branches, including Mill Creek.

A wide range of summer programs are available for campers ranging from kindergarten through high school.

For more information on YMCA of Snohomish County summer programs or to reserve your space online, visit www.ymca-snoco.org/camp or contact your local YMCA family branch.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Community ‘active’-ists wanted

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, sponsored by Catholic Community Services, seeks persons over age 55 for volunteer opportunities in the community.

For more information, e-mail John McAlpine at johnm@ccsww.org or call 425-257-2111 ext. 3374 or toll-free at 888-240-8572.

South County Senior Center activities

Events and classes are held at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave., Edmonds, unless otherwise noted. Contact Janice at 425-774-5555 for more information, reservations and sign-ups.

• Ukulele Lessons: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays in the View Room. New students are always welcome.

• Thursday Quilters: 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays. Come and join a friendly group of stitch and gatherers.

• Woodcarving: A drop-in class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the View Room free of charge. The weekly woodcarving class meets Wednesdays in the Ceramics Room from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and the cost is $5 per class. No experience necessary. Bring your tools and wood. New students are welcome.

• Bingo: 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $1 for five cards.

• AARP Tax Preparation: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays through April 9. By appointment only; sign up at front desk.

• China Painting: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $3 per session. Space is limited; must sign up.

• Knitting (Stitch &Gatherers): 1-2 p.m. Thursdays. Cost is $3 per session.

• Dance: 1-3 p.m. Sundays. A selection of favorite music will be played. Call 425-774-5550 by the Friday prior to confirm the schedule. Cost is $3.

• Enhance Fitness: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members, per month. Class meets in the Ballroom. Call Susan Bennett at 425-771-4228 to sign up for the class.

• Soft Exercise: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Join instructors Susan Bennett and Caroline Longsoldier for a 30-minute class designed to help seniors keep muscles toned for balance and energy. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members, per month. Call Susan Bennett at 425-771-4228 to sign up for the class.

• Volunteer needed for Sound Writers: The South County Senior Center is looking for an instructor for a writing class. Call 425-774-5550 to inquire about the class or volunteer as the instructor.

• Hair cuts: First and third Thursdays of the month. For men and women. Call for an appointment.

• Modern World History: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays in the library. Circumnavigate the globe studying the politics, economics and cultures of the countries around the world from the 17th through the 20th century. Cost is $5 per quarter.

• Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Must purchase tickets between 9:15 a.m. and noon the day of the meal. Tickets are first come, first serve, and can sell out. Suggested donation is $2.50 for age 60 and older, $5.15 under 60.