Marysville Toy Store, Food Bank in critical need of donations, help

Briefs for Nov. 27

MARYSVILLE – Santa’s elves need a little extra help this year to bring Christmas to hundreds of local children.

The Marysville Food Bank and Toy Store is in critical need of donations, especially toys for ages 10-17 and infants. Stocking stuffers for all ages are also needed. Drop off toys, gift cards, books and coats through Dec. 7 at more than 75 locations in Marysville as well as any city of Marysville government building – including the parks office, community center, city hall, police station and all fire stations.

Volunteers are also still needed for the Toy Store Dec. 10-13. Community members interested in volunteering can email fbtoystore@gmail.com. The food bank is looking for volunteers as well, all season long. If interested email marysvillefoodbank@frontier.com.

Formed in 1985 by several regional service organizations and their volunteers, the committee serves more than 1,300 children.

Work on Grove Street Overcrossing 

MARYSVILLE – Grove Street will be closed between State and Cedar avenues at the railroad tracks for several nights starting this week to perform geotechnical work for preliminary design of the Grove Street Overcrossing.

The closure will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights only starting Dec. 2. Work may be completed before Dec. 14 and work nights may not be consecutive. Message boards at each end of the road will provide updated information.

The project would build an elevated roadway over the BNSF Railway tracks on Grove Street between State and Cedar avenues. Delays caused by trains significantly impede traffic flow downtown. Through this project, the city aims to reduce congestion and improve east-west connectivity.

Cost is estimated at $24 million; construction is not yet funded or scheduled.

Vendors raise money for Marysville Boys and Girls Club

MARYSVILLE – More than 60 vendors plan to help the Marysville Boys and Girls Club raise money for new sports equipment Dec. 2.

The craft and direct sales vendors will be there from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at part of Marysville Stop and Shop at 1010 Beach Ave.

Santa will be there from 1-3 p.m. Kids also can be part of a Kids Craft Station.

Free SWAG bags will be given to the first 50 guests.

Buy a peace dove to stop domestic violence

MARYSVILLE – Jackson’s Shell Gas Station at 1209 4th St. is part of a campaign to fight domestic violence.

Jacksons Food Stores is accepting donations to purchase a peace dove that will be hung in the convenience stores around the state.

The company will provide matching funds to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a 501c3 nonprofit.

Last year, Jacksons Gift of Peace campaign raised over $10,000 that was matched by Jacksons to stop DV in the state, said Katrina Lemmon, advertising and promotions manager.

Doves are available in $1, $5 and $10 increments. Last year, the campaign raised over $160,000 across six Western six states

Swenson grand marshal of lights parade 

MARYSVILLE – To celebrate its 30th year, the city looked back to its beginnings in naming former City Administrator Mary Swenson the Merrysville for the Holidays grand marshal.

Her place of honor will be in the Electric Lights Parade Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at 5th and State.

Swenson retired in 2010 after serving 32 years with the city, the last nine as city administrator. She was here in 1988, along with parks director Jim Ballew, when the holiday festival got its start with Santa, cookies and music in the former gazebo at Comeford Park.

The holiday parade and water tower lighting came a few years later.

“It was fun to make it happen and see it grow through the years into this really cherished community tradition,” Swenson said, adding her granddaughter will ride in the parade with her.

Festivities start at 5 p.m. with Winter Wonderland family activities, photo booths and holiday craft show; concert featuring Holiday Harmony Pop at 5:30, followed by the parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the water tower lighting, holiday bonfire and food available for purchase at the Kiwanis booth.

For details, call 360-363-8400.

Firefighters put out travel trailer fire

MARYSVILLE – Firefighters extinguished a travel trailer fire Monday night at Port Susan Camping Club in the 12000 block of Marine Drive. The adult resident of the trailer called 9-1-1 to report the fire just before 8:30 p.m. She was not in the trailer when the fire started. It took firefighters just over 15 minutes to extinguish the fire.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. The trailer is a total loss. North County Fire and EMS as well as Silvana Fire District 19 provided mutual aid.

‘A Christmas Carol’ coming to Marysville

MARYSVILLE – “A Christmas Carol,” Michael Paller’s adaptation of the traditional holiday classic, presented in a unique retelling will run Nov. 30-Dec. 16 at the Red Curtain Arts Center.

It’s Christmas Eve in London, 1843, and Charles Dickens has invited his closest friends to join his family for a festive celebration at his home. When he is asked to tell a story, he insists that “if we’re to have a story, let us each take a part in its telling.” Thus, the guests are ushered into his work space in the attic, where they are assigned roles in the Victorian ghost story he has been creating. Each member of the party plays several characters during the course of the evening, until the miser is redeemed and the anticipated feast is finally served.

Directed by Beckye Randall, the cast includes local actors David Henry, Ben St. Hilaire, Christopher Bartness, Andrea Miner, Brandon Tiehen, Hilary Erlandson and Sean Jancovik. Young actors Trevor Glassman, Pierce Parsons and Evellyn Jeschke round out the ensemble.

Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave, Suite J.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), students and military personnel, and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com; at the RCF box office by phone 360-322-7402); or in-person at the arts center Tuesday-Saturday from 2-6 p.m.

For more information, go to www.redcurtainfoundation.org.

Firefighters collect donations for families in need

MARYSVILLE – Marysville firefighters are teaming with Santa again this year to collect donations for local families in need.

Firefighters will be at Safeway, 1258 State Ave., from 3-7 p.m. Nov. 27-30 seeking non-perishable food, unwrapped toys, new books and cash or gift cards for the Marysville Food Bank and Toy Store.

“We’re asking for the community’s help to make sure more families can celebrate without stress this holiday season,” said Capt./paramedic Cody Brooke, IAFF Local 3219 president. “Every can of food and every toy has the potential to make a big difference.”

Donations for the food bank and toy store are also being accepted at more than 75 locations throughout Marysville, including all city government buildings. Families in need are asked to sign up directly at the food bank, 4150 88th St. NE, before 11 a.m. Nov. 30. Volunteers are still needed for the food bank and toy store. Contact marysvillefoodbank@frontier.com, email fbtoystore@gmail.com or call volunteer coordinator Christie Veley at 360-363-8507.

Ex-M-P band booster treasurer faces theft charges

MARYSVILLE — A former treasurer is accused of stealing $9,000 from the Marysville-Pilchuck High School band booster club, to cover overdue rent and debts, according to charges filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The woman, 42, is accused of first-degree theft and three counts of forgery.

“This type of misappropriation hurts students, the program and the club,” school district spokeswoman Jodi Runyon said in a prepared statement. “Although booster clubs are not under the district’s operations or management, we encourage booster clubs, PTSAs or other parent groups to have appropriate fiscal controls in place, including monitoring and auditing systems, to protect themselves from this type of activity.”

The nonprofit club raises money through donations for the school’s marching band and music programs.

Marysville Toy Store, Food Bank in critical need of donations, help