South County Notebook

A STAFF CHOICE: Book Buddies

Remember the kid in class that hated reading aloud because he or she stumbled over words? How cool did you feel when “big kids” gave you the time of day? Teen volunteers are needed at the MLT library to be Book Buddies to help reluctant second- and third-graders gain confidence and learn to enjoy reading. Book Buddies sessions are Monday nights from Feb. 1 to March 29. For more information, call 425-776-8722.

– Katie Murdoch, Enterprise editor

Seminars and education

• Free computer classes at MLT library

Need help with your computer and Internet skills?

Make a New Year’s resolution to get connected in 2010. This series of classes starting Jan. 16 at the MLT library is aimed at the beginner and very beginner. It will teach students how to use a mouse, the basics of the Internet, how to use library resources and find job hunting opportunities on the Internet. All classes begin at 8:15 a.m.

Classes include computer basics, navigation of a mouse, Internet basics, job hunting and exploring the library’s Web site.

Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

For information and registration, call 425-776-8722 or register at the library. The Mountlake Terrace Library is located at 23300 58th Ave. W, next to the old City Hall.

• Edmonds Chamber of Commerce

The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce has positions open for volunteers at the Log Cabin Visitor’s Bureau in downtown Edmonds. The Log Cabin is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers provide visitors with information about Chamber and city activities, events, lodging, shopping and dining in Edmonds, as well as information about living and working in Edmonds. All interested people should contact the Log Cabin at 425-776-6711.

• Lynnwood Police Citizens Academy

The Lynnwood Police Department is recruiting for the department’s Citizens Academy. Space is limited so sign up soon for this no-cost opportunity.

The Lynnwood Police Department is offering a 14-week academy to familiarize citizens with police procedures, activities and investigative techniques. Although this course will not make police officers out of the public, those who attend will learn a great deal about all phases of law enforcement. The course, held at the Lynnwood Police Department Thursday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m., begins Jan. 7 and ends April 8.

There is no charge , and refreshments are served each evening. Space is limited, so early enrollment is encouraged. You can sign up online (click the following: Lynnwood Police Department, education, volunteer opportunities, Citizens Academy) or pick up a flyer at the front desk of the Lynnwood Police Department, open 24 hours a day. If you have questions, or want an application sent to your home, call Trudy Dana at 425-670-5637.

Community events

• Edmonds Floretum Garden Club

Members of Edmonds Floretum Garden Club have recently completed a handmade quilt. The club is starting a campaign to sell tickets for a raffle of the quilt, which measures approximately 7 feet by 8 feet. All proceeds will be placed in a special club fund to help redo the park in the newly refurbished Old Mill Town property. The club has enlisted volunteer help from a landscape architect for a new plan for the park. The club will work with the city Parks Department to implement the plan.

Members of Edmonds Floretum Garden Club will be visiting groups and venues to sell the tickets. For more information, call president Betty Larman at 425-776-3549 or e-mail bhlarman@earthlink.net.

• Edmonds Light a Light

Light a light this holiday season for someone you love, something you wish for or in remembrance of a loved one. Donate $5 per light and the city will note your donation on the bulletin board of the Frances Anderson Center. Each light you light is a donation to the city of Edmonds Youth Scholarship Fund that enables Edmonds’ children to participate in Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services programs who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. A living fir tree is strung with lights and placed at the entrance of the Frances Anderson Center. It will remain lit until Jan. 4, then be planted in the interior of Yost Park.

Each year, the parks department receives numerous requests for assistance and provides approximately $3,796 in scholarships. The Celebration of Lights program has raised $7,605 for the Youth Scholarship Fund. To light a light, call 425-771-0230 and the city will send you a form, or stop by the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds.

• Drop off unwanted medications

Residents may now drop off unwanted or unused medications at 28 Snohomish County police departments. Secure lock boxes are available at all 28 police departments to drop off unwanted vitamins, cold medicines, painkillers, inhalers and other medications. For details and hours, call the program information line at 425-388-3199.

• MS musical benefit

MS Helping Hands, headquartered in Edmonds is planning a musical benefit, “All That Jazz With a Stroll Down Broadway,” for multiple sclerosis awareness on Feb. 27. All of the proceeds will be used to provide financial assistance grants to people with multiple sclerosis who reside in Washington. The benefit features the musical groups of two well-known local icons, Frank DeMiero with the “Seattle Jazz Singers,” and Ed Aliverti and “The Fantastic Stardust Follies.”

Donations for tickets are accepted through the Edmonds Center for the Arts at 425-329-7658.

• Friends of the MC Library

The Friends of the Mill Creek Library will celebrate its 25th anniversary from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the library, 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway.

• Square dance lessons

Checkerboard Squares invites the community to begin or brush up on square dance lessons. It’s a great way to exercise and have fun. Classes are from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 3 at the Edmonds Masonic Hall, 515 Dayton St., Edmonds. The first lesson is free and then $5 per person after that.

For more information, call 425-267-0775 or 206-949-0114.

Youth activities

• Boy Scout Christmas tree-cycling

As always, all decorations, tinsel, tree stands and nails must be removed from the tree in order to be recycled. Flocked trees are not accepted. All trees left out for curbside pickup need to be placed at the curb by 8 a.m. on pick-up day.

– Troop 312 is collecting Christmas trees from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. Drop-off locations are: QFC parking lot, 196th Street Southwest and 76th Avenue West, and the PCC Market parking lot, Edmonds Way and 100th Avenue West.

– Troop 300 is collecting trees from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 2 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Top Foods Grocer parking lot, 21900 Highway 99, Edmonds, and at Westgate Elementary, 9601 220th St. SW, Edmonds.

– Troop 367 will do curbside Christmas tree pickup during daylight hours Jan. 2. The scouts will cover the south side of Edmonds, mainly neighborhoods south of 224th Street Southwest from Lake Ballinger into Woodway and all the areas served by Edmonds Way and Firdale Avenue. Homeowners that received Troop 367’s door hanger notice should attach the notice to the tree with a rubber band. Donation checks can be made out to Troop 367 and an adult representative will collect it at your door. Contact Ben at 206-533-0222. Appointments are not required.

– Troop 304 will do curbside pickup and have a drop-off location from 3 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3. Scouts will pick up trees within Lynnwood city limits. Drop-off is one block north of 196th Street Southwest on 56th Avenue West, just west of Wilcox Park. Donation checks can be made out to Troop 304 and placed in the envelope. Residents can either mail the check in the envelope or fasten securely to the tree.

– Troop 65 will do curbside pickup during daylight hours Jan. 2. Scouts will visit Lynnwood neighborhoods that are within 44th Avenue West on the west, Maple Road on the south, 164th Street Southwest on the north and stretching east past 36th Avenue West to State Route 525. Also the residential areas between and including Manor Way and Ash Way, north to 148th Street Southwest. Donation checks can be made out to Troop 65, inserted into the envelope, then either mailed to: Troop 65, 14925 19th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA 98087, or fastened securely to the tree.

Senior notes

• South County Senior Center activities

– The South County Senior Center New Year’s Eve party and dance is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 31. Why wait up until midnight to celebrate on the West Coast when you can usher in the new year with Paris? Bring in the new year with the Astoria band and your SCSC friends. Come and dance or just enjoy the music and merriment. Snacks, beverages, hats and noise makers provided. The cost is $12 for SCSC members and $15 for non-members.

– Lunch at South County Senior Center is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new friends while enjoying a delicious, hot, nutritionally balanced meal. Lunch is served Monday through Friday. Tickets must be purchased after 11 a.m. the day of the meal. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can sell out. Lunch is served at noon. Suggested donation: $2.50 for 60 years and older, $5.15 under age 60.

– SCSC Surplus Food Program: Surplus food is provided by local stores. Everyone is welcome to participate Monday through Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. There is no charge for this program.

– The Bronn Journey Harp concert will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Come enjoy a glorious holiday concert at the South County Senior Center featuring the “Victor Borge of the Harp.” Great music and comedy celebrating this holiday season. The cost is $23 for SCSC members and $28 for non-members.

– On Dec. 30, the Over-The-Hill hikers will be hiking Pipeline Trail, a lovely park in Redmond. This is an easy three- to four-mile hike with an elevation gain of 100 feet.

The Over-The-Hill Hikers group is for older adults who love to travel the Northwest trails and back roads. Each hike is limited to nine hikers so sign up early through the SCSC front desk. You will need hiking boots, water and to dress for the weather.

First time hikers must contact Larry Weimer at 425-513-9374. The group will meet and park at the United Methodist Church located at 828 Caspers St., Edmonds. The cost is $13 for SCSC members and $16 for non-members.