Category Archives: Activities

Activities, Kids, Services, Uncategorized

Easter Egg Hunt for Teens

Friday April 15th the City of Mill Creek Parks and Recreation Department is hosting, and that means free, the second annual Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt! Teens from 6th to 12th grades are invited. It starts at 7:30 and goes until 8:00PM. There will be free candy and prizes. To participate you will need a signed waiver form, which you can download/print from the City of Mill Creek website, a flashlight and a bag for all the loot you collect.

So, it should be a lot of fun. Come to the Heatherwood Middle School Gymnasium located at 1419 Trillium Blvd SE in Mill Creek, Wa 98012. Don’t forget to bring the signed participation waiver!

Full details and the form can be found at www.cityofmillcreek.com The contact phone number is 425 • 745 • 1891

This event is supported by our great community sponsors: Mill Creek Youth Advisory Board, Azteca Restaurant, Boston’s Restaurant, Burgermaster, Central Market, Color Me Mine, Dairy Queen, Elle Marie Hair Studio, Feel Artistic, Fred Meyer, French Nails, Frida’s Mexican Restaurant, Garlic Jim’s, Great Clips, Lowes, McDonald’s, Papa Murphy’s, Patty’s Eggnest, QFC, Rite Aid, Safeway, Shari’s Restaurant, Skinny Dip Yogurt, Smart Eats, Staples, Starbuck’s, The Split End Salon, Subway and Top Pot Doughnuts.

Activities, Books, People, Shopping, Uncategorized

It’s Murder at the University Bookstore

Mary Daheim, Seattle native & local author, will visit the University Bookstore in Mill Creek this Thursday evening, the 31st. As part of their Reading Allowed program, she will read from and sign copies her latest book, The Alpine Vengeance. This is volume #22 in her Alpine series of mystery novels featuring Emma Lord, editor and publisher of the Alpine Advocate. Alpine, a fictional small town nestled in the foothills of the non-fictional Cascade Mountains, provides a charming setting for all the mayhem. Do tell.

Thursday March 31st at 7PM.

http://www.authormarydaheim.com/

 

 

Activities, Sports, Uncategorized

Everett Silvertips Keep it Exciting

The Everett Silvertips will try to keep their round-one playoff hopes alive when they take on the Portland WinterHawks tonight – Mar 30th. It is game 3 as they bring the series back to home ice at Comcast Arena in Everett. Portland leads the best of 7 series 2-0, but there is still a lot of hockey left. So come out & cheer the Tips to victory both tonight and tomorrow night – the Mar 31st –  for game 4!  The puck drops both nights @ 7:05PM. Do tell.

For tickets and more info go to: www.everettsilvertips.com

Activities, People, Sports, Uncategorized

Home Away From Home For a Silvertip

Tyler Giebel of Balgonie, Saskatchewan is calling the Mill Creek area home. AtSilvertip Puck least for the WHL [Western Hockey League] Hockey season. This is Tyler’s first season in the “Dub” playing for the Everett Silvertips. He is listed on the roster as a center, but he told me he’s been playing on the wing as of late. Players are here from mid-August until April into May depending on how far the team goes in the playoffs. Because they are 16 to 20 years of age, they live with host families known as “billets.” Tyler lives with his billet family, the Steigerwalds in the Silver Lake neighborhood. The Steigerwald family consists of parents Deb & Lee, daughter Noelle, Noelle’s dachshund – Oskar and the family lab – K.C. Another daughter, Lindsay, is out of the house on her own.

I asked Tyler if there were any big surprises coming to Everett from Saskatchewan and he said probably the biggest thing is that the “Weather is a lot different. Not having to go out and scrape the [ice off the] car in the morning is different. And all the rain. Not used to all the rain.”

Any billet mates? “For the most part I’m the only player staying with the Steigerwalds. During the season there have been a few call-ups and since there’s an extra room, players have stayed there temporarily at times during the season.”

Knowing what it is like to billet, I asked if he had any humorous stories he’d be willing to share. Without hesitation, he said, “Well yes. One of the Streigerwald’s daughters has a little wiener dog that has a tendency to be a bit yappy. And especially when I come home, even though I’ve been in the house for about 6½ months. Every time I come home the dog goes a little berserk and I kinda have to wait for someone to get the dog calmed down for me to come in. So that’s pretty funny.”

So what’s the typical daily routine for a Silvertip? “I get up & shower, help myself to breakfast and go to school. [Tyler is a senior at Everett High School.] Since I’m Canadian and the classes don’t match between the systems and schedules, I only take one class.  So about 9:00 I leave Everett High and go to the rink. Practice is usually over at about 3:00 and I go home for dinner. If I’m not going directly home or not going to be home for dinner, I call to let my billet know. After dinner I hang out in my room or maybe chat with the Steigerwalds. Curfew [time to be at the house] is 9:00pm for the guys in school.”

“On game days if it’s a home game, pretty much the same schedule, after school go to the rink for a short skate or meeting then it is home for a sleep, then Deb prepares pregame meal which is usually pasta and chicken.”

Next I had a chance to ask Deb for her perspective. How long have you been a billet? “This is our 6th year. ” If someone reading this is considering billeting what would you tell him or her? “Every kid is different we only had girls, so it is a whole different ballgame. Teen boys are a lot different from teen girls.”

Why did you decide to billet? “We were excited to have hockey here. We moved here in 1996 from an NHL city. There were the T-Birds but it was a little too far for us to go to many games. We were excited to have hockey in Everett and we got season tickets as soon as we could. They were asking people to billet, but Noelle was still at home so we said no. But then we had the opportunity to go to Australia with the Everett High band and we stayed with families as billets and saw what it was like.”

Any rewards of billeting? “We get the kids still in school so we get a chance to know them. We are still friends with [Zach] Hamill’s family. We’ve met great kids and people over the years that we still keep in touch with. We like making a contribution, making it possible for the players to come here and play for Everett.”

How do you try to make Tyler part of the family? Activities, mealtimes, chores? “We try to have sit down dinner together whenever possible without hats. Sometimes after a home game we’ll go out to a restaurant. They are always so hungry after a game. Tyler’s birthday was at the end of February so we had a celebration and had him invite a few of the other guys over.”

Any humorous stories you would like to share? “One of the boys, a couple of years ago (not Tyler) was raised by a single dad, I guess. We had dinner with mashed potatoes. He looked up very surprised and said, ‘Oh my God, did you make these from scratch?’ ‘You mean the potatoes?’ ‘Yeah, they are the best.’  Another time there were a few players over and someone saw a spider. No one wanted to deal with. Lee got it down with a broom and showed it to the guys; they kind of screamed and he chased after them then it fell off; no one knew where it went?!? But, it was kind of funny because these guys are the tough hockey players, you know.” Do tell.

Thanks to Jon Rosen, Director of Broadcasting & Public Relations – Everett Silvertips for setting this up, and thanks to Deb Steigerwald & #7 Tyler Giebel for taking the time to talk to me. Good luck in the playoffs!

Everett Silvertips begin Round 1, best 4 out 0f 7 against Western Conference top-seed Portland Winterhawks in Portland this Sat Mar 26 7pm & Sun Mar 27 5pm                           Games 3 & 4 will be played in Everett @Comcast Center Mar 30 & Mar 31 both 7:05pm Game 5 back in Portland Apr 2 7pm*  Game 6 in Everett Apr 4 7:05pm*  Game 7 in Portland 7pm*                * if necessary

Activities, Food, Shopping

Oscar Night Dinner

Planning a little dinner party for 8 on Oscar Night. Festive, yet casual with star-strewn linens, lots of candles, maybe a little extra glitter tossed around.

On the Menu:

Steak Oscar with Filet Mignon and fresh Dungeness crab from Central Market, and fresh asparagus from QFC capped with more than a drizzle of Bernaise sauce.

True Grit roasted potatoes. Russets from QFC scrubbed, peeled and cut into bite size pieces. They are placed in a large rectangle baking dish and tossed with olive oil, Lipton Onion Soup Mix and pepper to taste. Roasted in a 350° oven appox 1 hour until crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.

Biutiful Salad made with a mixed greens of iceberg, baby spinach, Romaine, Arugula tossed with shredded carrot, sliced green onion, tomato wedges and garlic croutons. Choice of Ranch, Blue Cheese or Balsalmic vineagrette.

Wines:  Monte Aribaldo 2007 Dolcetta D’Alba  &  Michele Chiarlo 2008 Barbera D’Asti From the wine selection at Central Market

For dessert how about Red Carpet doughnuts [really Red Velvet] from FROST Doughnuts Evolved in Mill Creek? I hope FROST won’t mind. I love their doughnuts as an alternative to cake or cupcakes. They are so rich and fancy, they shouldn’t just be for breakfast and snacks. Do tell.

Activities, Kids, Uncategorized

Mill Creek Little League

The Mill Creek Little League is still in the process of registration for the 2011 season. Wow, with all this snow falling and forecasts calling for temps in the teens, it seems funny to be thinking about baseball, but in fact, the season will be here before we know it.

If you have a child interested in or planning on trying out for a team and they haven’t done so, you better get going.

T-Ball (ages 5-6) registration closes March 18th

Rookies (ages 7-8) registration closes March 14th

Farm (ages 9-10) closes March 14th

Minors (ages 9-11) teams have been selected as well as the Majors (ages 9-12)

Junior Tryouts (for ages 13-14) are over, but there are a few spots left and registration will stay open until the spots are filled.

Senior and Big League Baseball Tryouts (that’s for ages 15-18) tryouts will be held on March 5th 10-11:30AM and on March 6th Noon-1:30PM at Cedarwood Elementary School.

Softball Tryouts for players (ages 9-16) entering the draft for Minors, Majors, Jr. and Sr. Divisions will be on Feb 26th and 27th at Jackson High School. Times and information are linked on the Mill Creek Little League website. Click on link below.

This information was obtained from the Mill Creek Little League website and there is a ton of information there, so please visit: www.millcreeklittleleague.com if you have any questions or want more details, including contact information, volunteer opportunities, information on umpire clinics, and much, much more. Do tell.

Activities, People, Shopping

Mill Creek Garden Club

Mill Creek is home to several social/philanthropic groups. One of these is the Mill Creek Garden Club.  They meet at the Mill Creek Country Club for a program and lunch at 11:30 AM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month- September through May. The group collects annual membership dues of $25. In addition to the dues, the cost of lunch of $23 for members and $25 for guests. The programs cover a wide variety of gardening and horticultural topics.

In addition to the luncheon meetings the group plants and maintains flowers in several public sites within the city limits, and recently provided holiday arrangements for the dining tables at Emeritus Senior Living in Mill Creek. There are tours to places of interest and other activities planned throughout the year.

Currently, The Mill Creek Garden Club is taking orders for Spring Flower Baskets. The profits raised from the sale of the baskets goes to a scholarship for an Edmonds Community College students enrolled in the Horticulture Program and toward grants available by application to local elementary schools.

For more information, to see about becoming a member and/or to order a Spring flower basket go to: www.millcreekgardenclub.com Supply for the baskets is limited and the deadline to order is April 1, 2011 for delivery May 5th and 6th. Do tell.

Activities, Services, Uncategorized

City Council Meeting

The Mill Creek City Council meets every 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesday Of the month at 6PM in the Mill Creek Council Chambers located at 15728 Main Street in Mill Creek, Washington.
That means the next meeting is tomorrow evening! The public is very much encouraged to come and participate in their local government.
For more information and links to city documents and agendas visit: www.cityofmillcreek.com

Activities, Kids, People

Recess Monkey Coming to Mill Creek March 12

1 Comment

Recess Monkey is coming to Mill Creek University Bookstore. So what exactly is a Recess Monkey? Should I be running for cover? I’ve heard of a Rhesus Monkey, but . . . . Well I did a little research and it turns out Recess Monkey is not one but three elementary school teachers from Seattle who have a band. Not just any ordinary band but a very successful band playing music inspired by their classroom experience plus The Beatles and The Who.  This makes for a musical experience geared for kids but delightful for parents as well.  A happy laughing child = a happy laughing parent.

“’This is his fifth Recess Monkey concert,’ says the man next to me, whose 3-year-old son has already been led up front by Mom. Only a bit abashed, the 40-something father holds up his iPod, confessing, ‘Yes, it’s loaded with Recess Monkey songs.’ Such is the phenomenon and cross-generational pull of Seattle’s Recess Monkey: a band of three private-school teachers whose growing fame as purveyors of kiddie rock/pop has reached the ears of the Dalai Lama.” —Excerpt from an article by Megan Sheppard –Special to the Seattle Times

Recess Monkey has produced 6 CDs  with titles like Tabby Road, Field Trip, Final Funktier and two-part DVD series Field Trip which features music and video from their tours local and cross-country.

“They continue to be praised across the country for singable danceable songs that parents enjoy as much as their kids.” —Recess Monkey site

“Self-proclaimed graduates of ‘Monkey U,’ three teachers make up Recess Monkey and pay homage to The Beatles, The Who, The Byrds and other bands through mellow, light- hearted tunes on their third CD …This is a perfect selection for long roadtrips — quick jaunts across town will deprive listeners of the full, continual experience of Wonderstuff.” —Nashville Parent

Mark your calendars now. Load up the kids and prepare for some fun.

Final Funktier
photo Kevin Fry

Appearing at the University Book Store in the Mill Creek Town Center on Saturday March 12 at 11 AM  as part of the Kindiependent Series with Top Pot Doughnuts. Do Tell.

Activities, Shopping

Books For a Cold Winter’s Night (or day for that matter)

When the weather is dreary like this, my thoughts turn to getting cozy with a good book in a comfy chair, perhaps by the fire. Did you know that Mill Creek is teeming with Book Clubs? Even if you are not into joining a group you can get some ideas for your next read.

The University Book Store 15311 Main Street in Mill Creek has a special shelf loaded with the latest selections from local groups including three book clubs of its own.

The Main Street Book Club is reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. They will meet to discuss the book on Wednesday February 23 at 6:30PM. Recent past choices include: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, Straight Man by Richard Russo, and Winner of the 2009 National Book Award, Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.

If you are more in the mood for a classic, The Creek Classics Book Club is reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.  “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” This would be an excellent choice for that cozy spot by the fire with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, all while listening to the wind howl outside and the rain on the window. Ooh, I’m scaring myself. Is that Mrs. Danvers I hear creeping down the stairs? Come to discuss on March 8 at 6:30PM

The bookstore also hosts @thecreekbc – “a book club for readers of the best in young adult fiction.” Their current pick is North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley. They will meet to discuss on March 7 at 7:00PM. This group can also be followed on facebook and twitter.

In addition, The Mill Creek Library Book Club and Mill Creek Library Non-Fiction Book Club are represented. They are reading The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Charlatan by Pope Brock, respectively.

I counted 9 additional neighborhood book clubs with their current picks available! These are private groups that have formed in the area. They have registered with University Book Store, and they keep the manager informed of their picks. The U Bookstore endeavors to keep a certain number in stock and club members can purchase the books and receive a small discount. Some of the current selections are:

  • Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
  • The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
  • Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
  • Mourning Becomes Cassandra by Christine Dudley
  • Letters From Yellowstone by Diane Smith (sounds interesting)
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (loved this one)
  • Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: a Novel by Jamie Ford (on my list)
  • Sea of Poppies by Amitov Ghosh
  • Pulitzer Prize Winner The Dead Hand by David E Hoffman (looks good)

Well, I hope this list helps, and you are inspired to read. At least you know what your neighbors are reading. Do Tell. The University Book Store and the Mill Creek Library have shelves and shelves more.  So no excuses; get cozy and get reading.