Community Extra: Calendar for Dec. 11-19, 2015

Events

Cupcake Wars: “Cupcake Wars: Battle of the Books” is a cupcake competition for young culinary artists (ages 9-15), who are invited to create cupcakes inspired by their favorite books while learning about practices from professional kitchens, such as plating and mise en place, 3-4 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Lake Stevens Library, 1804 Main St. A special guest judge will award prizes for creativity and presentation. More info: 425-334-1900.

Ultimate Cheapskate: Jeff Yeager, The Ultimate Cheapskate, gives a free presentation at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Stanwood-Camano Resource Center (9612 271st St. NW, Stanwood). Offbeat humor with practical advice for living a better life. More info: www.sno-isle.org.

Cat adoptions: Paddywack Pet Supply and the Community Cat Coalition join paws to sponsor a cat and kitten adoption event for local rescues, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 12 at the store at 15415 Main St., Mill Creek. All cats and kittens are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and microchipped. Community Cat Coalition is a Mukilteo nonprofit. More info: www.communitycatcoalitionwa.org.

Dickens: Join the Friends of the Mukilteo Library for some 19th century-style entertainment at “Dickens in America,” 2-3 p.m. Dec. 12. The library is at 4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd. Hear readings from Charles Dickens’ first American visit in 1842 and selections from his classics, including “A Christmas Carol.” Refreshments. More info: http://goo.gl/2J7MpP, 425-493-8202 ext. 3231.

Brunch: 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 at the Camano Island Yacht Club, 129 N Sunset Drive. Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, meats, hash browns, fruit, sweet rolls; omelets $1 extra. Cost is $9, $5 children younger than 9. Bake sale, too.

Sunday dinner: 12-2 p.m. Dec. 13 (second Sunday, except special holidays) at the Horseshoe Grange, 16424 Broadway in Snohomish. Home-style roast beef with fixings and homemade pie. Cost is $9, $4.50 ages 6-12. Live music. Proceeds support upkeep of the grange. More info: 425-316-1991.

Musical jam: Enjoy an evening of old-time music with fiddle, guitar, banjo and more at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 (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.

Pancakes, Lake Stevens: A Norwegian Pancake Breakfast is served 7:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 (third Saturday, September to May) at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 2111 117th Ave. NE. Cost is $5; children younger than 4 are free. More info: 425-334-0421.

Pancakes, Monroe: 8-10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 (third Saturday) at the East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway. Cost is $5, $3 younger than 12. Proceeds benefit the center. More info: 360-794-6359.

Pancakes, Bothell: Seahawks’ alumnus Manu Tuiasosopo joins the Northshore Senior Center during its pancake breakfast, 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 19 at 10201 E Riverside Drive, Bothell. All-you-can-eat pancakes, two eggs, sausage, coffee, tea, and orange juice for $5. Tuiasosopo was a first-round draft pick in 1979 and played defensive end for the Hawks before going on to win a Super Bowl ring with the San Francisco 49ers. More info: 425-286-1023.

Holiday

Charlie Brown: The Northshore Wranglers Theatre presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Wonderful World of Disney,” 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Northshore Senior Center, 10201 E Riverside Drive, Bothell. Free with a new, unwrapped toy donation supporting Hopelink through Team Wranglers and the Kiwanis Aktion Club. More info: 425-286-1023.

Tour of Lights: The city of Marysville’s Holiday Tour of Lights runs 6-9 p.m. or until sell-out Dec. 11-12, 17-19 and 21-23 with a grand finale Dec. 26 at Cedarcrest Golf Course, 6810 84th St. NE. Ride the Marysville Noon Rotary train for a 20-minute tour of lighted holiday displays. Hot chocolate, music, s’mores and more. Suggested donation is $5, $3 children, $20 family. More info: marysvillewa.gov, 360-363-8400.

Trees for Salmon: The Adopt A Stream Foundation holds its annual sale of 200 live Holiday Trees for Salmon, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Trees cost $35 to $50 and 3 to 5 feet tall. After the holidays, trees that are returned to the Stream Center will be planted next to local streams to help next year’s salmon runs. More info: 425-316-8592, www.streamkeeper.org.

Santa at the Lighthouse: Santa will be at the Mukilteo Lighthouse, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 12, 608 Front St. The gift shop also will be open 12-4 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, with free gift wrapping for all purchases. Proceeds support educational outreach and the preservation of the lighthouse and Mukilteo history.

Hometown Holiday, Darrington: Whitehorse Farmers Market hosts a Hometown Holiday Celebration, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at 1080 Seeman St. Bonfire for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, caroling, and cocoa and cider. Bring your own roasting stick. Santa also will visit.

Concert: A Boeing Employees Choir Christmas Concert is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Cedar Cross United Methodist Church, 1210 132nd St. SE, Mill Creek. Classical and seasonal songs, ballads and spirituals. Freewill offering. More info: 425-338-7845.

‘Wonderful Life’: The Lakewood High School Drama Club presents the holiday favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at 17023 11th Ave. NE, Arlington. Tickets are $6 to $8, cash or check at the door.

Concert: Kamiak High School presents its annual Holiday Classics Concert, with selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave. Tickets online only at www.kamiakarts.org.

Tree lighting, Gold Bar: The Gold Bar Tree Lighting and Parade runs 7-9 p.m. Dec. 12. The lighted parade travels from Gold Bar Family Grocer down 10th Street to Lewis Avenue and then down Fifth Street, ending at Gateway Park at the corner with Orchard Avenue, where festivities continue. Santa and Mrs. Claus, children’s tree ornament crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, cider. More info: cityofgoldbar.us.

Concert: Evergreen Community Orchestra presents “Beautiful International Christmas Carols,” 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Northwest Music Hall at the Everett Mall, 1402 SE Everett Mall Way. Introducing guest choir Evergreen Community Chorale. Donations accepted. More info: 425-359-3489.

Sing-along ‘Messiah’: Enjoy a Handel’s “Messiah” Sing-Along and Festive Desserts event, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 13 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2301 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Suggested donation is $12. Scores available or bring your own. More info: David Spring at 206-261-0873 or davespring@comcast.net.

Concert: Navy Band Northwest presents its “Home for the Holidays” concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. Free. More info: 360-315-3448.

Bazaars

Darrington: Holiday bake sale and new and used Christmas items, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 at the Cascade Senior Center, 1115 Darrington St.

Marysville: The Marysville Getchell High School Holiday Bazaar runs 5:45-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12 at 8301 84th St. NE. More info: 360-965-2603, www.facebook.com/MghsBazaars.

Everett: Everett-Chapter IM P.E.O.’s annual Christmas Cookie Sale is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12 at J Matheson Gifts Kitchen &Gourmet, 2615 Colby Ave. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization for women’s causes.

Everett: The Carl Gipson Senior Center gift shop is open to all, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Get your holiday shopping done faster with no crowds and no lines. The senior center is at 3025 Lombard Ave. More info: 425-257-8780.

Ways to help

Star Wars food drive: BobaKhan Toys and Garrison Titan Vader’s 501st Legion hold a food drive for Volunteers of America of Western Washington, 12-4 p.m. Dec. 12 at the toy store, 500 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite A-1, Everett. Bring non-perishable food donations and have your photo taken with a Star Wars character. More info: 425-258-3582.

Giving trees, Edmonds: Stop by Edmonds City Hall (121 Fifth Ave. N) or the Frances Anderson Center (700 Main St.) to select a tag with the name of a person in need and their gift suggestion. Purchase a gift and return the wrapped gift to either location by Dec. 11. Tags provided by Volunteers of America Western Washington.

Santa Run: The Arlington firefighter food drive runs 5:30-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 6-8 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 13. A decorated fire truck escorts Santa through local neighborhoods to pass out candy canes and help firefighters collect food and monetary donations for the Arlington Food Bank. See routes and get more info at santarun.net.

Stuff a Bus: The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 883 fundraiser will park a 35-foot Everett Transit bus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 13 at two Fred Meyer locations: 12906 Bothell-Everett Highway (Everett) and 18805 Highway 2 (Monroe). Donations of nonperishable food, household items and new, unwrapped, non-violent toys will be accepted to benefit Volunteers of America Western Washington. More info: www.voaww.org.

Granite Falls food drive: The Granite Falls School District’s annual food drive aims to bring in $11,000 and 22,000 non-perishable food items. The drive is held through Dec. 14. Checks should be made to “Granite Falls High School Food Drive.” More info: fooddrive@gfalls.wednet.edu or Eric Dinwiddie at edinwidd@gfalls.wednet.edu or 360-283-4393.

Bruin food drive: Cascade High School students hold their annual food drive through Dec. 14. Last year’s effort brought in more than 90,000 food items. Students will be at area businesses throughout the coming weeks. There also will be bins for donations. Donations also can be dropped off at the main office at the school, 801 E Casino Road.

Giving trees, Arlington: American Legion Post 76 and other local service clubs and businesses are raising money and collecting new, unwrapped gifts for children served by the Arlington Food Bank and the Arlington Boys and Girls Club this year. Banks and credit unions in Arlington, Darrington and Smokey Point will gave giving trees where you can choose a tag or make a donation. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 16. More info: Tina Davis, 360-631-2159 or Davis2060@hotmail.com.

Sew Thoughtful: This month the Snohomish County Clothing and Textile Advisors sew walker bags for those with mobility issues at Group Heath Hospital Rehab. Sewers are invited to help, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Cougar classroom behind the WSU Extension Office at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Kits provided. Bring your sewing machine, sewing tools, assortment of thread colors and lunch. More info: Arlene, 425-743-0118 or afharris@juno.com.

Startup Gym benefit: GroWashington hosts a Startups for Startup fundraiser, 7-9 p.m. Dec. 18 at the nonprofit GroWashington shop, 923 Main St., Sultan. Sample some Locust Cider from the start-up brewery and take a chance on winning other locally produced items. Proceeds benefit restoration of the Historic Startup Gym. More info: 360-217-7235.

Socks drive: The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau is collecting new socks of all sizes through Dec. 18 at its Visitor Information Centers at Lynnwood’s Heritage Park (19921 Poplar Way) and at 1301 First St. in Snohomish. Donated socks will go to kids and teens in Snohomish County through the in-home youth services program of the nonprofit Pioneer Human Services. More info: www.snohomish.org.

CASA lights: Honor your pet with a light on the Camano Animal Shelter Association’s Lights of Love Tree at Mark’s Camano Pharmacy at the Camano Plaza. Donate $5 and a Christmas tag with your pet’s name will be hung on the tree. Donations help the dogs and cats at CASA. Donations can be made through Dec. 24. Forms are at the shelter or at www.camanoanimalshelter.org.

Socks on Saturday: The Arlington Community Resource Center seeks donations of heavy warm socks. Donations also will be accepted through Dec. 31 at City Hall, 238 N Olympic Ave., or at ACRC, at the northwest side of the senior center complex at 18308 Smokey Point Blvd. More info: 360-386-7989.

Light a light: A living fir tree strung with lights stands at the entrance of the Frances Anderson Center (700 Main St.) through Jan. 2 before being planted at Yost Park. Donate $5 per light in honor of someone and the donation will be posted on the main floor bulletin board. Proceeds go to the city’s Youth Scholarship Fund for parks and recreation programs. More info: 425-771-0268.

Adopt A YWCA Family: Gifts go directly to a YWCA family that has faced poverty, violence or homelessness. There are still many families in need of “adoption” for the holidays. More info: Luanne Kunz, 425-258-2766 ext. 150 or lkunz@ywcaworks.org.

Blankets, sleeping bags: The Mountlake Terrace Senior Center (23000 Lakeview Drive) is collecting new socks and underwear and pajamas for Holly House. More info: 425-672-2407.

Holiday help, Monroe: Sky Valley Food Bank anticipates helping about 400 families this Christmas and seeks food, money and unwrapped toys. Donations can be dropped off 8-11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, at 233 Sky River Parkway. Or mail to Sky Valley Food Bank, PO Box 724, Monroe, WA 98272. More info: www.svfoodbank.org.

Holiday help, Marysville: The Marysville Community Food Bank and Toy Store seeks donations of holiday food and unused toys and gifts, cash cards and more for the holidays. Drop off donations at red barrels placed throughout the city, or during open hours at the food bank, 4150 88th St. NE. Giving trees are at a few local businesses. Volunteers needed, too. More info: 360-658-1054.

Holiday help, Snohomish: The Snohomish Community Food Bank seeks groups of people to pledge and collect a holiday food item and bring in 100, 200 or 350 quantity of that item. More info: Elizabeth Grant, 360-568-7993.

Red kettles: The Salvation Army of Marysville-Tulalip holds its Christmas Kettle drive, which seeks donations of money, toys and food. Volunteers are needed to help ring the silver bell throughout the season. More info: 360-926-2228, volunteer.usawest.org.

Shelter volunteers: The South Snohomish County Emergency Cold Weather Shelter opens at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood when the temperature is forecasted to fall below 34 degrees for four or more hours overnight. Volunteers are needed to help open the shelter, stay overnight, prepare meals, drive the shelter van, or offer security screening. More info: 425-778-2159 ext. 8 or www.trinitylutheranchurch.com.

Seniors

Driving safety, Arlington: A “55 Alive” defensive driving class is offered 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the second Tuesday to Wednesday of each month at the Stillaguamish Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd., Arlington. Cost is $12 AARP members, $14 non-members. To sign up, call 360-653-4551.

Driving safety, Camano: The Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, offers the AARP “Smart Driver” class. The course is 8 hours and designed for the driver older than 50. Cost is $15 AARP members, $20 non-members. Bring a sack lunch. Current schedule and more info: 360-387-0222.

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 in five-week sessions at the Carl Gipson Senior Center, 3025 Lombard Ave. in Everett. No experience needed. Non-Group Health Medicare members can take the class for $30 (three days a week per five-week session). More info: 425-257-8780.

Ceramics: An informal ceramics group with a volunteer instructor meets 9-11 a.m. Thursdays at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave. Paints, glazes, tools, bisque, greenware and kiln provided. Cost is $2 a month, or $1 if one visit. Ages 50 and up. More info: Terry, 425-337-6922 or 425-337-5198 (cell).

Assistance

Holiday food: Sky Valley Food Bank (233 Sky River Parkway, Monroe) holiday hours are 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 (last names A-G), Dec. 21 (H-O) and Dec. 22 (P-Z), and 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 21 for those who work or go to school only. Closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 1. More info: 360-794-7959.

Health insurance: People wishing to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act will find assistance through January at the Lynnwood, Marysville and Mountlake Terrace libraries. Individuals and families can meet, first-come, first-served, with WithinReach staff. Mountlake Terrace Library: 2:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29. Marysville Library: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 16 and 30; Jan. 13 and 27. Lynnwood Library: 2-4 p.m. Mondays through Jan. 25. More info: 360-651-7081.

Dental Clinic: The Sno-Isle Technical Dental Clinic in Everett will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays through March 31. Limited openings by appointment at 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. for reduced-cost services. For $75 (cash or check only) per appointment, clients will receive full mouth X-rays, an exam from a licensed dentist, and a cleaning. Cavities diagnosed may be composite restored in a follow-up appointment for an additional $75. More info: 425-348-2240.

Cocaine Anonymous: A nonprofit recovery program for those seeking sobriety or support in staying sober from cocaine and other mind-altering substances. For program information and local meeting times and locations in Snohomish County, go to www.caofwa.org. More info: 425-244-1150.

Drug abuse family support: A support group for those affected by someone else’s drug addiction meets 9 a.m. Saturdays in the Monte Cristo Room at Providence Regional Medical Center’s Pacific Campus, 900 Pacific Ave., Everett. More info: www.nar-anon.org.

Grandparents: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren meets 6 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Stevens, 1609 E. Lakeshore Drive. Childcare provided. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. More info: Kelli Lynn, 425-212-1919 or KelliLynnEvents@gmail.com.

Parenting: A drop-in parenting group meets 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays starting Oct. 14 at the YWCA Family Village at 19703 68th Ave. W in Lynnwood. Discuss common parenting challenges, ask questions, practice new techniques. More info: 425-412-2360 ext. 2435 or 2433.

Parents, behavioral: A support group for parents of children with behavioral problems meets 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays at Zion Lutheran Church, 4634 Alger Ave., Everett. Peer-to-peer support for parents struggling with children exhibiting risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol use. Confidential and free. More info: 888-468-2620 or www.cpsn.org.

Parents, special education: A support group for special education parents in the Everett School District meets 6:30-8 p.m. third Wednesdays, except December, at View Ridge Elementary School, 202 Alder St., Everett.

Parents, LGBTQ: The Everett chapter meets 7 p.m. third Mondays at the Everett United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller Ave. Group unites people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer with families, friends and allies. More info: www.pflag.org.