If you would like to volunteer to work on the Steering Committee or at the conference, contact WOTS@ci.edmonds.wa.us.

Interested groups must apply through the same process as other performers, but will be juried separately. If you, or someone you know, would like to perform, download an application form at www.edmondsartsfestival.com and follow the instructions.

A demo CD must be included with the submittal or other arrangements need to be made in advance with a festival co-director of Performing Arts. Groups will need to provide their own instruments, music stands and special dance floors. The festival will provide the sound system and amplifiers (through Morgan Sound) and can supply chairs for seating if notice is given a month in advance.

Submittal packages must be received no later than March 15. Questions can be emailed to performingarts@edmondsartsfestival.com

This year’s line-up includes John Keister, host of Almost Live; Karen Rontowski, recently seen on the Late Show with David Letterman; Brian Boshes, featured at Bumbershoot and the Bridgetown Comedy Festival; and Kermet Apio, a Terrace Park parent and winner of the Great American Comedy Festival.

The event,  at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, is designed to benefit programs for children throughout the Edmonds School District. Schools can sign up to receive a portion of the ticket sales generated by their school.

General admission tickets are $25. VIP tickets are $55 and include a reception with appetizers and drinks as well as preferred seating in the show. The VIP party starts at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

According to Edmonds resident Lynn Kern, a PNDRI board member, she and Clark — both parents of children with type I diabetes — have joined forces to organize the fundraiser. The cost per person is $75 and covers appetizers, salad, entree, dessert and wine, which is being donated by Milbrandt Vineyards. The event starts at  6 p.m. with wine and appetizers, and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Reservations are required; call Becky at the PNDRI at 206-568-1489.

“My son Michael was diagnosed with type 1 just after his ninth birthday,”  Kern said. “He was the first diabetic child to attend Sherwood Elementary (he’s now at Edmonds-Woodway). Ted’s daughter was diagnosed as a toddler, she became the second.  Since then, a set of type 1 twins are there. Most of the diabetic kids attend Chase Lake where the fabulous nurse, Leslie, keeps a watchful eye.  According to Nancy Sutherland (district nurse) there are 83 type 1 kids attending public school in Edmonds.

“Type 1 is a life-threatening autoimmune disease,” Kern continued. “These kids need insulin, either via multiple daily injections or an insulin pump, to stay alive. There is no cure, they will not grow out of it, and the long-term complications are devastating.  Type 1 used to be called juvenile diabetes – a bit of a misnomer as adults can also get it. It’s just more common to be diagnosed in childhood.”

FIVE is located at 650 Edmonds Way.

The speaker will be Bill Hunot, formerly in public affairs for the Social Security Administration.

Individuals who want to attend should call Bernadette at 425-670-2757 to reserve a seat.

Moore, an educator and advocate for establishing native plantings in urban environments, will speak and show slides about “Native Plants for the Home Garden.” This workshop is designed to help the home gardener make plans and list “must haves” for upcoming winter/spring plant sales.

All are welcome. A donation of $2 is suggested. For more information, call Janice Noe at 425-774-4991.

“We are not going down without a fight,” organizer Teri Terrano said in an email Monday.

“People can bring signs to help us spread the news to traffic on Edmonds Way,” Terrano said. “We don’t want Walgreens to tear down our community bowling alley!”

Local  author and psychologist Dr. Joseph Vizzard will be signing copies of his espionage thriller “Eye for an Eye,” Monday, Jan. 16, from 8-10:30 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Harbor Square Athletic Club, 160 W. Dayton, in Edmonds.