Hundreds of locals raised their glasses of sparkling cider to toast "Ooh La La" in greeting to Ciscoe, a TV personality and gardening expert, at the Arlington Education Foundation's Garden Party, a fundraiser held May 14 at Arlington Hardware.

Ciscoe, a certified arborist and self-described "plant addict," kept the audience entertained with amusing stories and gardening advice, including tips for getting rid of deer, moles, slugs and moss. He shared a disturbing statistic: in May, the average garden in Washington has 6,000 slugs.

"This is an incredible turnout and it makes me feel really good," he told the crowd of AEF supporters. "Community working with community to help the schools-there's nothing better than that. This is a 4-brussel-sprout event, which is the highest award I give."

The evening's other activities included demonstrations by Kari Black, a WSU Master Gardener.

Proceeds from the event will go to the AEF Pay It Forward program. The foundation has committed to raising $10,000 to fund a video production program at Arlington High School, $47,000 for 28 teacher technology stations at Post Middle School and $12,000 for a choral music library for elementary schools across the district.

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