It is the middle of October, can you believe it? I still can’t exactly wrap my head around how fast the beginning of the school has gone. Ours has been quite eventful with big transitions and a few illnesses already. At this very moment, I have the sinking feeling I may get a call from the school that my youngest is sick. He certainly wasn’t sick enough to keep home being virtually symptom free, but he also just isn’t right. Now that could be from anything like playing too much vigorous make-believe Minecraft at recess, refusing to go to bed at a decent hour, or just being on the verge of some form of sickness from basically putting his mouth on anything we come across in public. It just seems to be the time of year for that, I’ve noticed kids missing from class and have had to reschedule some things with my Mom friends who have a kid on the couch. Good luck staying healthy and, if you haven’t already gotten the flu shot, this first event may interest you!

The Edmonds Library, 650 Main Street, Edmonds is celebrating the “Library Open House: A Festive Afternoon At Your Community Library.” The event, held on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1-2:30 p.m., will give you the opportunity to learn more about the library, and enjoy harp music and some light refreshments. It will also NOT conflict with the Seahawks game, which starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday. There will be a free flu vaccination clinic at the open house, and the Back to School Bikes for Books will be awarded. For more information you can visit www.sno-isle.org.

There is still time to pre-register at a lower cost for The Edmonds Street Scramble Oct. 25. Street Scramble is “an urban adventure” with runners, walkers, or families in mind! There will be dozens of checkpoints marked on a special map and your goal is to find as many as you can within the time limit. You can participate solo or in teams of two to five. The maps are handed out at 9 a.m. on Scramble day and at 9:30 a.m. everyone involved hits the streets. For more information you can click HERE or call Debbie at Edmonds Parks and Recreation, 425-771-0230.

If you have every wondered if the Edmonds School District Challenge Program is right for your child, the K-7 Information Night is coming up. At the meeting, next Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., you will have an opportunity to learn about the testing process and requirements for entry into the Gifted Challenge and Gifted Middle School programs. The meeting is held at Terrace Park School, 5409 228^th St. S.W. in Mountlake Terrace right next to the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion. If you choose to have your child take the test, the deadline for turning in the paperwork is Nov. 21. If you cannot attend the meeting, which is for parents only, much of the information can be found HERE on the district’s website.

The Off-Leash Area Edmonds’ 10th Annual Halloween Howl will be Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will be held at “Doggie Beach” at 498 Admiral Way, which is by Marina Beach! There will be a silent auction, raffle and a doggie costume contest. Prizes for the contest will include not only 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, place, but these categories: “Most Original,” “Funniest,” “Best Owner and Dog Combination” and a new-to-this-year award, “Best in Show.” Edmonds Animal Control will be there to answer questions and to give tours of their vehicle. As a community service, Off-Leash Area Edmonds will pay for the first 10 new City of Edmonds dog licenses. For additional information, visit www.olae.org.