The thrift store is open for donations between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. “Bring a bag of clothes, dishes, jewelry, anything except large appliances and furniture,” he said. “Also the senior center is a happening place. Come on down.”

Highway 99

A six-pack of athletic socks from TJ Maxx

A gift card from Kafe Neo

Westgate

A gift certificate from Kebella’s Pizza and Pasta

You can see our earlier shopping finds here:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Note that many Edmonds stores are open at least part of the day Saturday, Christmas Eve.

Happy holidays from My Edmonds News!

Meanwhile, be sure to check our holiday shopping guide for a list of specials and hours of operation for participating merchants. Some highlights:

– Buy $50 worth of Chanterelle gift certificate and get an additional $10 gift certificate free.

– If a day of shopping leaves you too tired to cook, Evviva Pizza now offers home delivery, featuring organic and natural ingredients.

– The Edmonds Bookshop provides free gift wrapping, and is open until 8 p.m. tonight, Dec. 23.

– Shop at J. Rankin Jewellers and save 20 percent off the purchase of any item or $250 or more, through Saturday, Dec. 24.

Owner Scott Raney explains the protective casing on the hydroplane engine to Edmonds Economic Development Director Stephen Clifton.

Cockpit area of the New U-11 hydroplane under renovation.

By Harry Gatjens

One of the top competitors in one of the world’s fastest sports has opened up shop in Edmonds. Scott and Shannon Raney and JW Meyers have chosen Edmonds to be the headquarters for their unlimited hydroplane race team, Unlimited Racing Group.

Members of the group say they love the community and want  to be a part of it. Plus they want the people of Edmonds to root them on and support their racing efforts.

Having spent many years working in the sport for other teams, members of Unlimited Racing Group decided to form their own team for 2011. They have already purchased a boat and related equipment and are renovating the boat at their Edmonds headquarters, located near Highway 99, for the upcoming season, which is just 45 days away.

For those unfamiliar with unlimited hydroplanes, these are the boats that race at Seafair each August and throughout the world the rest of the summer. The boats are approximately 30 feet long, are powered by Lycoming turbine helicopter engines and race at average speeds of close to 160MPH.

The group, Unlimited Racing Group, already has a primary sponsor for the boat – Peters and May Company, a worldwide transporter of boats and other large cargo. Last fall, Peters and May transported the entire race fleet to Qatar  for races there.

The group met Wednesday with Edmonds Economic Development Director Stephen Clifton to explore how they can be more involved in the community. One hope is to develop a rivalry with Madison, Indiana, a small city that is home to the current National Champion hydro Oh Boy! Oberto. Other ideas include working with other local businesses in promoting products. The race circuit will be on national television this summer and it will be announced that the boat is from Edmonds.

My Edmonds News will post frequent updates on the team’s progress during the season.

You can buy your cards at the following downtown Edmonds merchants: Housewares, Resident Cheesemonger, Edmonds Bookshop, Sound Styles Boutique, Rebekah’s Boutique and Manya Vee Selects.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Rebekah’s Holiday Sale is featuring 10-percent off storewide. Enjoy extended holiday hours, appetizers and unique gift ideas. Plus, the store is still carrying select consignments.

Edmonds has a wealth of shopping opportunities, from the downtown Edmonds core to Highway 99 (including our own “international district” between 238th and 224th) to our neighborhood shops in Firdale Village, Westgate, Five Corners and Perrinville, plus plenty of restaurants and coffee shops where you can refuel and relax. And you can follow My Edmonds News during the holidays as we “Shop Hyperlocal,” and report on some of the great finds for family and friends in our own town.

You can download your own “Shop Hyperlocal” Badge here – post it on your Facebook Page or your website and remind people to support our local business community.

This Saturday also happens to be Small Business Saturday, aimed at encouraging people to support their local small businesses. It’s the perfect time to shop in Edmonds, then stop by the annual Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Plaza, 5th and Bell, at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy caroling, cider and even a visit from Santa Claus.

-The Edmonds liquor store closed; Top Foods on 220th Street Southwest open 24 hours; the Safeway Store on Highway 99 open 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Petosa’s Family Grocer at 550 5th Ave. S. , open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Westgate QFC open until 6 p.m. PCC Natural Markets will be closed.

-No home mail delivery, and post offices closed.

-Schools closed Thursday and Friday.

Services

-Banks are closed.

-Edmonds City Hall and Snohomish County offices closed Thursday and Friday.

-The Edmonds Library closed.

Dining

The following establishments have reported that they will be open on Thanksgiving Day:

Tully’s Coffee, 210 5th Ave. S., open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 425-771-4282

Arnie’s Restaurant, 300 Admiral Way, open from 12:30-8:30 p.m. with a four-course dinner. 425-771-5688.

All Edmonds Starbucks locations (Westgate, downtown Edmonds and Highway 99 at 220th Street Southwest) are open regular hours.

Claire’s Pantry 301 Main St., open 8 a.m.-8 pm. 776-2333.

Scott’s Bar and Grill 8115 Lake Ballinger Way Edmonds, WA 425-775-2561 Open Thanksgiving noon-8 p.m. with traditional turkey dinner featuring slow-roasted free-range turkey with all the fixings.

If you have other restaurants to add, email teresa@myedmondsnews.com and we’ll include them!

Transportation

There is no Community Transit service on Thursday. Due to budget cuts, the agency has suspended service on Sundays and six major holidays.

Community Transit will also have reduced commuter service on Friday:

- Local buses run on regular schedules, including Swift and service to Boeing. Sound Transit on regular schedules.

- University of Washington service will be provided only by Route 855 from Lynnwood Transit Center. No other 800 routes will operate. – Seattle service is reduced on Routes 401, 402, 413, 415 and 421. Trips marked with an “H” in Bus Plus and web schedules will not operate.

- Sounder train service will operate on a Sunday schedule.

- Edmonds/Kingston ferry is operating on weekday schedule.

The non-profit international development foundation supports projects that directly impact he quality of life for families in developing countries. And for the holidays, the Fabric of Life Foundation is working with Holly House to fill the stockings of more than 2,000 children in need in Edmonds and Lynnwood.

Bring your stocking stuffer gifts to the Fabric of Life by Dec. 6. Suggestions include candy and food items, baby gifts, toiletries for boys and girls, games and art supplies and gift certificates. Christmas gifts, including pajamas, socks and underwear for children and teens, are also welcome and can be dropped off by Dec. 15. More information is here.