Community Extra: Calendar

Events

The Gingerbread Story: Learn stories beyond “Hansel and Gretel” and “The Gingerbread Man,” and create your own gingerbread design to devour at Sno-Isle Library branches this month: today at the Mukilteo Library (4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd.), Saturday at the Brier Library (23303 Brier Road), Dec. 23 at the Mill Creek Library (15429 Bothell-Everett Highway), Dec. 26 at the Lynnwood Library (19200 44th Ave. W.), Dec. 27 at the Edmonds Library (650 Main St.), and Dec. 28 at the Mountlake Terrace Library (23300 58th Ave. W.). Start time is 2 p.m. For ages 5-11.

Auction: Grandview Village holds a silent auction, 4-6 p.m. today, to benefit the Take a Vet to Lunch program. The retirement community is at 5800 64th St. NE, Marysville. More info: 360-653-2223.

Musical jam: Enjoy an evening of old-time music with fiddle, guitar, banjo and more at 7 p.m. today (third Friday) at the Sisco Heights Community Club, 13527 99th Ave. NE, Arlington. Musicians welcome, or just come and enjoy the music. Hot coffee and refreshments provided. More info: Don King, 360-658-8107.

Norwegian Pancake Breakfast: 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday (third Saturday, September to May) at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 2111 117th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens. Proceeds benefit the Lake Stevens Food Bank. Thin, rolled pancakes with strawberries and syrup, along with ham and beverages. Cost is $5; children under age 4 are free. More info: 425-334-0421.

Pancake breakfast: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday (third Saturday) at the East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Pancakes, eggs, ham, sausage, coffee, milk and juice prepared and served by volunteers. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children under age 12. Proceeds benefit the center. More information: 360-794-6359.

Santa breakfast: 9-11 a.m. Saturday in room 202 of Woodway Hall on the campus of Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. The Rotary Club of Lynnwood event includes breakfast, a chance for kids to meet Santa, photos, entertainment, raffles and a sing-along. Cost is $5 for kids; $10 for adults; children age 2 and younger are free. Or bring a can of food for the food bank and get in free.

Santa photos: Brad and Norma Rae Pilkenton invite children to have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who have been paying a special visit to the Pilkenton home for 20 years to bring kids cheer. This year’s visit, which may be the last, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 2602 Baker Ave. in Everett. The couple will give out toys, coffee and cider. Bring your own camera.

Health Fair: WithinReach and Verdant Health Commission host a family-friendly event to help people learn about and enroll in health insurance, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W. The event will include free flu vaccines, blood pressure screenings and kids’ activities. More info: Jefferson Rose, jeffersonr@withinreachwa.org.

Skate park opening: The Mukilteo YMCA (10601 47th Place W.) celebrates the grand opening of its new Youth Development Center and Indoor Skate Park with a ceremony and celebration, noon-3 p.m. Saturday. The free event includes an open skate, ribbon-cutting, skate team demonstration and contests. More info: Merrie Babazadeh, 425-493-2424.

Science show: The Pacific Science Center shows kids what happens when things get super cool with liquid nitrogen, 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mukilteo Library, 4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd. More info: 425-493-8202.

Solstice walk: Stroll with friends, come a-caroling, or contemplate the beauty of the evening along the Riverfront Trail in Snohomish during a Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk, 4-7 p.m. Saturday. The trail runs along the north bank of the Snohomish River from Lincoln Avenue to the Avenue D bridge, in downtown Snohomish. More info: www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org.

Chemistry fun: Students are invited to explore exploding, elephant toothpaste, discover if raisins can dance, and experiment with bouncing blobs, 2 p.m. Monday at the Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave. One of several Winter Extravaganza events over the holiday break. More info: 360-568-2898 (Snohomish), www.sno-isle.org.

WAYS TO HELP

Cans For Christmas: The Allen family of Everett is holding a metal recycling drive to benefit Cocoon House. Donate aluminum cans and other metals through Dec. 31. All proceeds go to the Everett-based shelter for homeless and at-risk youth. To donate, contact Catherine Allen at 509-760-6423 or drop off donations directly at ACE Metal Co., 11110 Mukilteo Speedway in Mukilteo (425-493-6802), and mention “Cans For Christmas.”

Diapers, drinks and glasses: The Everett Public Library’s main branch, at 2702 Hoyt Ave., is holding a diaper and diabetic drink drive to benefit Volunteers of America of Western Washington. Size 5 and 6 diapers, and diabetic beverages like Glucerna, are especially needed. The library also is collecting eyeglasses for the Lions Club. More info: 425-257-8000.

Dresses: A Take This Dress to Heart fashion show and dress sale to benefit the Nick of Time Foundation will be held Jan. 18 at Meadowdale High School in Edmonds. The event seeks donations of evening gowns, formal wear and prom dresses. For more information on how to donate dresses, contact Sandra Wright at 206-816-4447 or sandrakwright@live.com. Tickets to attend the event are $5 and can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/MHSFashionTix.

Food drive: The Battle of the Banks to Benefit the Bank runs through Dec. 27 at Snohomish Chamber-member banks. Banks compete to bring in the most food and monetary donations to benefit the Snohomish Food Bank. Participating banks are: Washington Federal, 620 Second St.; Columbia Bank, 167 Lincoln St.; Coastal Community Bank, 928 Ave. D; Opus Bank, 1101 Ave. D; and Peoples Bank in Fred Meyer, 2801 Bickford Ave.

Light a Light: A living fir tree is strung with lights and placed at the entrance of the city of Edmonds’ Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St. Donate $5 per light to benefit the city’s Youth Scholarship Fund. The tree will be lit through Jan. 2, then planted in Pine Ridge Park. More info: 425-771-0230.

Food bank, Snohomish: The Snohomish Community Food Bank needs reliable volunteers to assist with various duties. More info: Elizabeth Grant at 360-568-7993 or megan@snohomishfoodbank.org.

Salt of the Earth: The Everett soup kitchen seeks volunteer drivers. Vehicle provided. Volunteers must be licensed and insured. Help is needed on various days. More info: Sandra, 425-355-1042.

Food bank, Everett: Hands of Hope, a Volunteers of America Food Bank, at 9021 Evergreen Way in Everett, seeks volunteers and donations. Send checks to P.O. Box 839, Everett, WA 98206. Food donation and client hours are 2-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. More info: Leann Geiger, senior director of Basic Services, at 425-259-3191.

Food bank, Arlington: Arlington Community Food Bank seeks donations and volunteers. The food bank is at 18810 59th Drive NE. Send checks to 16821 Smokey Point Blvd., PMB 224, Arlington, WA 98223. More info: acfoodbank@frontier.com, or leave a message at 360-435-1631.

Food bank, Marysville: Volunteers are needed to help sort food (10 a.m.-noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday), serve clients groceries (9-11 a.m. Monday and Friday and 3-6 p.m. Tuesday), pick up groceries and other tasks at Marysville Community Food Bank. The food bank is at 4150 88th St. NE, Marysville. More info: 360-658-1054, http://mrysvillefoodbank.org.

Work clothing, YWCA: The YWCA Working Women’s Wardrobe program is in need of personal care and feminine hygiene products and also large department store clothing bags. The items may be dropped off at 3301 Broadway, Everett. Working Wardrobe provides interview- or work-appropriate clothing free to over 1,100 women a year. More info: 425-258-2766.

Donate clothing: Faith Lutheran Church, 6708 Cady Road in Everett, seeks help with its Community Meals program through donations of gently used or new cold-weather clothing, including boots, shoes, sweaters, coats, gloves and warm socks for both kids and adults. Children’s books and magazines also are needed. All donations appreciated.

Help with wardrobes: Clothes For Kids, a Lynnwood nonprofit that provides wardrobes for low-income families, seeks volunteers to help sort clothes, stock shelves, assist shoppers and more. Available shifts are 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday, or 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday. More info: www.clothesforkids.org or Nancy Laird Burris at 425-741-6500.

Baby items needed: The YWCA of Snohomish County seeks donations of disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion, formula, food and baby and toddler toys. Drop donations off at the YWCA Family Village of Lynnwood, 19703 68th Ave. W. More info: Cheryl, 425-770-5931.

Stanwood Camano center: The Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, at 9612 271st St. NW in Stanwood, seeks a variety of volunteers. No experience necessary. The Center is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays. More info: Janet at 360-629-5257 or janet@stanwoodcamanoresources.org.

Camano Center: The Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road on Camano Island, seeks a variety of volunteers. More info: 360-387-0222.

Assist with equine: All Breed Equine Rez-Q in Marysville seeks a variety of volunteers. More info: 425-263-6390, 206-933-0327, allbreedhorserescue.com.

Help wildlife, Arlington: Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, located in Arlington, seeks volunteers to help in its wildlife care clinic. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. More info: www.sarveywildlife.org or info@ sarveywildlife.org.

Help wildlife, Lynnwood: PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood seeks volunteer wildlife care assistants to perform a variety of tasks. More info: www.paws.org/wildlife-volunteer-care-assistant.html or volunteers@paws.org.

Humane Society: HappyPaws Farm, a no-kill, farm-like shelter in Arlington, has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Donations also are accepted, such as gift cards to pet stores, dog heating pads, pet food and more. More info: 360-652-5844, hmnsoc@aol.com, www.saveourdogsand cats.org.

Camano Center: The Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road on Camano Island, seeks a variety of volunteers. More info: 360-387-0222.

Senior center, Arlington: The Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd. in Arlington, has a variety of volunteer opportunities. More info: 360-653-4551 or program@stillycenter.com.

RSVP: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), sponsored by Catholic Community Services, seeks people ages 55 and older for a variety of volunteer opportunities at schools, food banks, homeless shelters, the court system and more. More info: John McAlpine at johnm@ccsww.org, 425-374-6374 or 888-240-8572.

Tutor: Everett Community College’s Adult Literacy Center seeks volunteers who can tutor adult learners two or more hours per week in reading, writing, basic math and English as a second language. Volunteers must be patient, have good literacy skills and be sensitive to a variety of learning styles and cultural backgrounds. Tutoring times and locations are flexible. Training is free with a six-month commitment. More info: vlp@everettcc.edu, 425-388-9524.

Volunteer Chore Services: This program of Catholic Community Services seeks volunteers to assist with household chores and more, enabling elders and adults with disabilities to remain independent in their own homes. Volunteers can help the same person each week or be listed for on-call assistance. More info: Cherisse Webb, 425-374-6323 or cherissew@ccsww.org.

Assist cancer patients: The Cancer Resource Center at the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership seeks volunteers to work weekly four-hour shifts meeting with cancer patients and caregivers to provide support. Drivers also are needed to get cancer patients to treatments and appointments. Volunteers use their own vehicles and get mileage reimbursement. More info: Jerri Wood, 425-322-1114 or jerri.wood@cancer.org.

Donate cellphones: Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County recycles cellphones, iPads and iPhones. Donate at the New and Again Thrift Shoppe, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett. For other sites or more information, go to www.dvs-snoco.org or call 425-259-2827 ext. 13.

Help out at Habitat store: Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County seeks volunteers to help staff the store in four-hour shifts between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The store is at 2302 Broadway, Everett. The store also accepts donations of building materials, household items and furniture by appointment. More info: 425-903-4430 or www.habitatsnohomish.org.

Hospital gift shop, Monroe: The gift shop at Valley General Hospital in Monroe needs reliable volunteers to work three-hour shifts. The gift shop is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. More info: Janie, vghgiftshop@gmail.com.

Hospital gift shop, Everett: The nonprofit Providence General Children’s Association needs volunteers at the Providence Regional Medical Center Pacific campus gift shop, located at the Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, 916 Pacific Ave., Everett, for four-hour shifts, day or evening, one or more times per month. Gift shop proceeds benefit Northwest children in need. Must complete hospital volunteer forms, TB test, background check and training. More info: PGCA president Julie Dickson, 425-339-1398.

Veterans center: Healing Hearts In Hope Veteran Retreat Center seeks volunteers to help clean trails and organize fundraisers, among other things. The nonprofit helps veterans by providing a retreat. It is located at 28902 Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls. More info: Teresa, 360-691-6284 or hhhvrcfounder@netzero.com.

SENIORS

Enhance Fitness: Group Health Medicare members are invited to take a low-impact aerobics class for free. The class, for ages 50 and older, runs 8:45-9:45 a.m. weekdays through Dec. 31 at the Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave. in Everett. No experience needed. The current five-week session started Nov. 27. More info: 425-257-8780.

Table tennis: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, 12:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave. Five tables with paddles and balls provided. Cost is $1 per session. For ages 50 and older. More info: 425-257-8780.

Scrabble group: Plays at 12:15 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave. More info: 425-257-8780.

Bingo: 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave. Cost is $2 for three-on. Everybody older than 50 can participate. More info: 425-257-8780.

Friendship Club: A group of senior citizens meets for lunch the second Thursday of each month at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 216 Broadway, Everett. Lunch costs $7. The group also takes monthly bus tours. More info: Edward, 425-493-2588.

Double-deck pinochle: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 4 p.m. Thursdays at Scriber Gardens/GenCare, 6024 200th St. SW, Lynnwood. More info: Carla, 425-771-5471.