Open House at ALL NINE Fire Stations with tours, demos, snacks, activities and more in Bellevue - Saturday, October 3rd 2015 from 10am-4pm

A Day of Family Fun

Open House at Bellevue Fire Stations

Saturday, October 3, 10-4pm

" Join us for a day of family fun at all nine Bellevue Fire Department stations. Last year we had over 4,000 parents, kids and neighbors join us for a day at the fire house. This year we will be focusing on the importance of smoke detectors. "Hear the beep where you sleep" reminds all of us to review the locations and proper function of smoke alarms in our homes.


Here are just a few of the happenings:

                                                            Home fire safety trailer
                                                    Hands only CPR demonstrations
                                                      Stove top fires demonstration
                                                    Tours, snacks and fun for all ages


                                                                      

                                                             For more info. go here.

NW SolarFest at Shoreline Community College - Saturday, July 25th 2015 from 10am-5pm

For more info. go here.

Touch-A-Truck and Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair in Tukwila - Saturday, July 25th 2015 from 9am-1pm

For more info. go here.

Cooling Stations in Seattle per King5.com - June 27th 2015

Here is a list of cooling stations courtesy of King5.com. They recommend calling ahead to make sure a/c is on, etc. before you head over to any of these locations.

" With temperatures in the Puget Sound area expected to hit the 90s this week, some cities and counties are offering air-conditioned facilities where people can get away from the heat. Heat waves can be dangerous for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, the very young, or those with other medical conditions that could lead to heat stroke or other problems.

This list will be updated as information becomes available. Check with your local government office for more locations and information.

Seattle

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Seattle and surrounding areas from Friday afternoon through late Saturday night. Here's a look at public spaces that may be used by residents to stay cool in the high temperatures.

The following Seattle Public Library locations are equipped with air conditioning, and serve as cooling centers when the area experiences extreme heat. Please call the individual location before you go for open hours and to verify that the air conditioning is working. "

• Central Library (1000 4th Ave) - 206-386-4636
• Ballard (5614 22nd Ave NW) - 206-684-4089
• Beacon Hill (2821 Beacon Ave S) - 206-684-4711
• Broadview (12755 Greenwood Ave N) - 206-684-7519
• Capitol Hill (425 Harvard Ave E) - 206-684-4715
• Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) - 206-733-9125
• Douglass-Truth (2300 E Yesler Way) - 206-684-4704
• Greenwood (8016 Greenwood Ave N) - 206-684-4086
• High Point (3411 SW Raymond St) - 206-684-7454
• International District / Chinatown (713 8th Ave S) - 206-386-1300
• Lake City (12501 28th Ave NE) - 206-684-7518
• Madrona-Sally Goldmark (1134 33rd Ave) - 206-684-4705
• Magnolia (2801 34th Ave W) - 206-386-4225
• New Holly (7058 32nd Ave S) - 206-386-1905
• Northgate (10548 5th Ave NE) - 206-386-1980
• Rainier Beach (9125 Rainier Ave S) - 206-386-1906
• South Park (8604 8th Ave S) - 206-615-1688
• Wallingford (1501 N 45th St) - 206-684-4088

Seattle Center (View the campus map PDF) – 206-684-7200

• Seattle Center Armory (Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• International Fountain
• Fountain of Creation (Dupen Fountain)

The following senior centers have air conditioning or are relatively cool and are open to the public:

• Greenwood Senior Center (525 N. 8th Street)
• International Drop-In Center (7301 Beacon Ave S.)
• Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank (85 Pike St, #200)
• Ballard NW Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW)
• Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 South Holly St)
• The Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St)
• South Park Senior Center (8201 10th Ave S)
• Wallingford Community Senior Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140)
• The Central (500 30th Ave S)
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service Senior Center (3639 Martin Luther King Way S.)
• Sunshine Garden Chinese Senior Community Center (611 S. Lane St.) housed in the Chinese Information and Service Center   

For more info. and to see info. on other locations go here.

Stay cool!

REPOST: 30+ WAYS TO KEEP COOL IN HOT WEATHER...

Thought I would repost this post from 2012 since it will be in the 90's around Greater Seattle starting this weekend! Ready to keep cool when it gets HOT, HOT, HOT?! 

REPOST:

After moving here from the Midwest (via the East Coast!) we were surprised how many homes, apartments and condos didn't have air conditioning. Now after living here for several years we, of course, understood why a/c wasn't important when you only get a handful of 90+ days. (Of course if you are pregnant at the same time, that is another story!) 

On those 90+ days, however, it can be a little unbearable. So, some of the things we did during those times (like now) is stocked popsicles in the freezer, took a cool shower and let hair airdry during the day, and discovered some local spray parks. But my favorite discovery was one I heard on the radio here years ago and it really does work.

You open all of the windows at night before you go to bed (if it is safe to do so) and keep them open to let the cool air in. Then before it gets hot and sunny you close all of them as well as all of the shades. The key is to close them between 5 and 6am if possible and 7am at the latest. When I first tried this I couldn't believe how well it worked. Our house is always 10 degrees cooler than outside by doing this. It is really refreshing to come home to a house without a/c that is 75 degrees instead of 85 like outside. (As I write this it is 78 degrees in my house and 89 degrees outside.) I am a person that always prefers it colder than hotter and the excessive sun and heat are no friends of mine.

Other things we do is use electric fans, and on especially hot days, we put a bowl of ice in front of the fan and it works like a mini a/c. I also sleep with a cold wash cloth on my neck or forehead to keep cool. And on days when it is just too hot upstairs we sleep downstairs on the sofabed. It's kinda like a vacation from the bed, a mini-adventure! At least my preschooler thinks so!

I have found 30+ more ways to keep you (even while sleeping) and your home cooler too. So click on the links below to discover more of the ways to beat the heat.

The first one I am going to try is the cold water spray bottle you keep in the fridge!

Don't forget the usual suspects for the kids at home too, like water balloon fights, wet sponge fights or catch, supersoaker fights, sprinklers and kiddie pools.

And if you want to avoid the heat altogether short of going to visit Santa at the North Pole, don't forget to take advantage of the indoor malls, libraries, movie theaters, book stores and the like.

Stay cool!

For more info. on staying cool go here, here and here.  

Care Day 2015 with FREE SERVICES like dental care, haircuts, manicures, health screenings, etc. and FREE PRODUCTS like groceries, shoes, etc. plus tons of resources and information for Northshore area neighbors and more at Bothell High School - Friday, June 26th 2015 from 10am-4pm - See list for all services and product giveaways!

These services will be available at 

Care Day 2015:

Dental Care

• Immediate Care for adults
• Preventive Care for children

Employment Support and Training

• Job Search
• Basic Food, Employment and Training (BFET of DSHS)
• Childcare
• Job Training
• Cell phones
• Résumé writing
• College, classes/workshops
• Transportation

Groceries, Foodbanks, and Nutrition

• Free Meal
• Free Groceries
• Free Community meals
• Foodbank
• Food Assistance
• Nutrition Education
• Summer Meals for Families

Haircuts, Beauty and Hygiene

• Haircuts
• Manicures
• Hygiene supplies
• Hygiene assistance

Health and Medical Services

• Medical Screenings (Vision, Hearing, BMI, Blood pressure, Glucose, Cholesterol)
• Info on Health Clinics (including language assistance)
• Apple Health signups and info
• Mental/Behavioral health, Rehab
• Domestic Violence Safety/Prevention

Housing

• Emergency
• Transitional
• Permanent
• Prevention of Homelessness
• 2-1-1 for King and Snohomish County

Legal and Financial Services

• BFET – College, Childcare, Job Training, and Job Search
• Catholic Community Services
• Child Care Resources
• Language Assistance
• DSHS
• Emergency assistance (rent, utilities, food, clothing)
• Social Security-related assistance

Shoes

• Adult and Children

Transportation

• Orca LIFT card

Veteran Services

• Communications/Computer services
• Dental
• DSHS & Catholic Community Services

" Care Day does not require proof of income or residence location. We aim to serve whomever comes to Care Day, but focus our “marketing” on the communities of Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland. "

For more info. go here.

Sample a Summer Camp with crafts, snacks and a language mini-class at Sponge in Seattle - Saturday, June 20th from 10am-11:30am - RSVP!

Check out a free sample class at this Summer Camp preview! 

Thanks to Margaret for the submission to the FreePlay Kids calendar. :-)

" Looking for a language camp for your child, but wonder what a day at language camp looks like?  Come give your little one a taste of the fun that's in store at Sponge's free mini-camp workshop in Mt. Baker (3107 S. Day St. Seattle, 98144) on Saturday, June 20, 10:00-11:30 AM.  Kids will revel in crafts, snacks, and fun Mandarin and Spanish mini-classes, while parents and caregivers soak up the who, what, where, when, how and why of Sponge summer camps.  

Hope to see you at the camp preview... bring a friend (or two) along!

RSVP to events@spongeschool.com or call 206-227-7138. "

For more info. go here.

For more info. on Sponge go here.

To view the schedule of camps, go here.

4th Annual Polish Festival Seattle (with additional children's activities!) at Seattle Center - Saturday, July 11th 2015 from 12-8pm

Go and check out the Polish Festival and enjoy all things of the Polish culture as well as some fun children's activities!

Many thanks to Marija for submitting this to the FreePlay Kids calendar!

" The very popular Polish Festival returns to Seattle Center on July 11, 2015 as part of Festal cultural programs. Come explore and experience Polish cultural traditions and contemporary achievements through live music, dance performances, workshops, exhibits, and children's activities. Merchandise market place will showcase Polish glass art, hand-crafted pottery, amber jewelry, crystal, and cut-out paper art (wycinanki); it will also provide information about local Polish-American community and travel to Poland. The beer garden will be well stocked with a variety of imported Polish beer, and the food booths will serve plenty of authentic Polish food.

This summer the Festival will feature many new children's activities including crafts, a drawing contest, story time, and an interactive science presentation based on experiments of Maria Sklodowska Curie.  The Festival's featured Polish region is the Polish Highlands (Podhale).  The unique traditions of Polish Highlanders (Górale) and the splendor of the Polish Tatra mountains  will be showcased with regional artifacts exhibit, performances of authentic music and dance, and special sheep cheese (oscypki) from the mountains.

The Polish community is proud to present this Festival and provide an opportunity to share its Polish heritage and find common ground with others, to foster understanding between cultures and build a greater Seattle community overall. "

For more info. go here.

Sustainamania with all things sustainable (!), a touch a truck and more in Bothell - Saturday, June 6th 2015 from 10am-3pm

Door Prizes at Entrance Booth

Touch a Truck

Eco Room opens

Wetland tours start

FREE BNB Summer Boutique Opens

Music at the Bay

Special Features:

FREE EVENT

FREE parking

Door Prizes

Kid's can play the "R you a Recycler Game" to win prizes

Recycling drop off/collection (see list of accepted items)

Wetland tours

Touch a Truck allows kids of all sizes and ages (even grown ups) to see Public Works equipment up close. You can even talk to staff about programs and services offered by Public Works

Planting for visitors of all ages (get a start to gardening by planting on site and seeing samples of things you can create)

For more info. go here.

Spirit of Indigenous People Festival at Seattle Center - Saturday, May 30th 2015 from 11:30-5pm

" Join us on Saturday, May 30th from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Seattle Center for Seattle Indian Health Board's Spirit of Indigenous People Festival. The event celebrates American Indian and Alaska Native culture with Native performers, music, food, speakers, workshops, health & wellness information, a Native art exhibit, and a Pow Wow. "

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCES

Performances - Armory Building Stage:

11:30 am:     Opening Welcome

11:45 am:     Maya Mueller - Native Song

12:05 pm:     Ryan Yellowjohn - Hoop Dancer

12:40 pm:     Roger Fernandes - Native Storytelling

1:00 pm:        Randy Kimball - Native Guitar & Song

1:25 pm:        Naakw - Tlingit Native Dance Group

2:15 pm:        Rona Yellow Robe - Native Song & Drum

2:50 pm:        Kuteeyaa Alaska Native Dancers

3:35 pm:        Peter Ali - Native Flute

4:10 pm:        Tsimshian Hayuuk Alaska Native Dancers

Workshops/Health Fair/Native Films - Armory Loft:

12-1 pm Workshop: Native Beading - Cynthia Masterson

1-2 pm Workshop: Dream Catchers - Paul Wagner

2-3 pm Workshop: Flute Circle - Peter Ali

3-4 pm Workshop: Native Beading - Vanessa Griffith

2:30-4pm Session: Red Lineage - Reimaging Family & Ancestry

All Day Seattle Indian Health Board - Health Fair

Pow Wow - Mural Amphitheatre Stage:

8:30-11:30 am:       SpiritWalk Activities

10:00 am:                 Randy Kimball - Native Guitar/Song

10:30 am:                 Paul Che Oke Ten Wagner - Native Flute/Singer

11:30-11:50:            Joseph Barnhart - Mask Dancer

11:50 am:                 Haida Laas Alaska Native Dance Group

   1-5 pm        Pow Wow

For more info. go here.

Newcastle Earth Day 2015 with petting zoo, live raptors, activities, eco-resources and more in Newcastle - Saturday, April 18th 2015 from 10am-3pm

" View Local and Global Video Clips, Kids Activities, Food Vendors, Live Raptor Display, Animal Encounters Petting Zoo, Booths with Information about sustainable eco-friendly living. "

For more info. go here and here.

Celebrate Arbor Day-Earth Day Family Festival with activities, demos and more at Lewis Creek Park in Bellevue - Saturday, April 18th 2015 from 11am-1:30pm

For more info. go here.

"April Pools Day" with free swim, giveaways, a raffle and safety info. in Mount Lake Terrace - Saturday, April 11th 2015 from 9:45am-12pm - See schedule!

Head to the pool and learn important safety info. and enjoy a free swim!

" Make sure you and your family safely prepare for seasonal water-related activities by attending April Pools Day, a free, family event sponsored by Swedish Edmonds Hospital, Edmonds Family Medicine, and the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Department to promote swimming safety and swimming as a healthy lifestyle. Event activities include: Free swim from 11 am – noon, Free Swedish Edmonds mini first-aid kits and hand sanitizer, Raffle (must be present to win) 10:45 – 11am, Lifejacket test drives (try on different kinds and learn how to pick the correct size), Learn about safety around the water and participate in water safety stations 9:45 – 10:45am, and Learn first aid and water safety tips from a Swedish Edmonds Emergency Department medical professional. For more information about April Pools Day, citizens can visit www.mltrec.com or call the Recreation Pavilion at (425) 776-9173. "

For more info. go here.

Health and Safety Fair with free pancakes, free hotdogs, free ice cream, firetrucks, police car, scavenger hunt and lots more fun, plus safety info. at Fire Station 31 in Woodinville - Saturday, April 4th 2015 from 10am-2pm (see time frames for free food!)

For more info. go here.

Ranger Program: Creatures of the Night at Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue - Sunday, February 15th 2015 from 2-3pm

Learn all about the nocturnal animals in our area!

" At night when people go to sleep, the forest comes to life! Many nocturnal creatures make their home in the northwest and have amazing adaptations that allow them to succeed in a world with no light. Whether it's a group of bats, a silent owl, or even a sneaky raccoon, the world of darkness is a fascinating place! "

For more info. go here.

5th Annual Healthy Kids Healthy Families Fair featuring a Caspar Babypants performance, activities, exhibits, a Teddy Bear Clinic, demos, raffles, lectures and more at Bellevue College - Saturday, February 7th 2015 from 10am-2pm

" A free community event featuring exhibits, Teddy Bear Clinic, Ask-the-Doc, demonstrations, healthy snacks, creative activities, lectures, a raffle and much more!

With special musical guest:

CASPAR BABYPANTS

Performing at 10:30 a.m.

Please join us for this FREE, fun-filled event which focuses on the health of you and your family. The fair includes creative activities for children, exhibits, Ask-the-Doc, healthy snacks, a raffle and MUCH MORE. Mini lectures will be given throughout the day by Swedish Issaquah physicians and Bellevue College Parent Education Instructors. Your little one will want to bring a puffed lovey or doll for the Teddy Bear clinic. There will also be a main stage performance by Caspar Babypants at 10:30 a.m. 

The first 200 attendees will receive a free re-usable bag. "

Main Stage Presentations:

10:30 AM Special Musical Performance by Caspar Babypants 

11:45 AM Baby Wearing Demonstration 

Presented by: Sweet Baby Wrap

12:45 PM Jazzercise Family Dance Mixx! 

Presented by: Lori Hollow

Discover how dancing to some upbeat songs can be a playful form of getting exercise. A Jazzercise instructor will lead the whole family through a fun-filled, easy-to-follow dance workout. Good for the body and lifting the spirit.

Additional Special Presentations:

11:15 AM (Location TBA) Join Joanne Massimino, Program Director of My Gym Bellevue, for age-appropriate games and activities for kids of all ages! 

12:15 PM (Location TBA) Join Usborne Books for Storytime 

Mini Lectures:

11:30 AM

Breastfeeding 101: Troubleshooting Common Breastfeeding Concerns

Presented by: Anthony West, DO and Tamara Wescott, RN and Lactation Specialist

· The importance of a good latch

· Navigating early breastfeeding 

· Osteopathic techniques to improve breastfeeding, including a newborn demonstration!

12:00 PM

Meet the Midwife: A Chat on Women's Health

Presented by: Laura Carmichael, Certified Nurse Midwife

Don’t miss this informative discussion on:

· The latest in OB care in 2015

· The growing field of Midwifery in hospital systems

· Building a great relationship with your OB provider

· Bring your questions!

12:30 PM

Outdoor Play – How Kids Benefit from Playing in the Mud

Presented by: Janelle Durham, Bellevue College Parent Educator 

Help your child avoid “Nature Deficit Disorder”

Learn about the benefits of outdoor play for children’s 

· Health and physical development

· Cognitive development

· Mood and ability to concentrate

1:00 PM

How to Stay Calm in the Midst of a "Parenting Storm"

Presented by: Kristin Nasman, Bellevue College Parent Educator

and more!!

For more info. go here.

Health and Wellness Fair with a kids zone, demos, health screenings and more on Mercer Island - Saturday, January 10th 2014 from 10am-2pm

For more info. go here.

DigiPen offers Free Preview events for elementary, middle and high school students in March and April in Redmond - Registration for the free preview days this year opens on Monday, January 5th 2015!

My son hasn't been old enough to attend these yet but I hear they are pretty cool!

" These free events will give elementary, middle, and high school students the chance to preview our upcoming course offerings. Attendees will also receive a discount of either $100 for a two-week workshop or $35 for a one-week workshop during the 2015 summer!

Each summer, DigiPen offers one-week and two-week workshops that introduce students to a variety of fun and engaging Video Game Programming, Game Design, Fine Arts and Multimedia Production, and Engineering topics. We offer Teen Workshops for students entering grades 8-12, Junior Workshops for students entering grades 4-7, and Young Explorer Workshops for students entering grades 1-3. These programs are offered at DigiPen’s Redmond, WA, campus, located within minutes of Nintendo of America, Microsoft Game Studios, and Valve Software at the heart of the video game industry.

Registration for 2015 Preview Days will be open on January 5, 2015. In order to make room for all interested participants, attending parties and families must be limited to no more than four guests each. There will be a separate schedule for students and parents. Please register each participating student separately (even if there is more than one student in the same party), and feel free to contact us at projectfun@digipen.edu for further information.

*Note: Combination of discounts cannot exceed $250 for two-week workshops and $100 for one-week workshops. Discounts available for on-site summer workshops at DigiPen in Redmond, WA. The Preview Day Discount is only available to first time students in the ProjectFUN Workshops. "

                        2015 Summer Workshop Preview Day Dates:

                                                             Saturday, March 28, 2015
                                                               Saturday, April 4, 2015

                                                              Saturday, April 18, 2015

Each full-day event includes:

                             A welcome presentation by DigiPen President and Founder, Claude Comair
                             A preview of select workshops on Video Game Programming, Fine Arts and 

                                           Multimedia Production, Engineering, and Game Design.

                                            Complimentary lunch at DigiPen’s Bits & Bytes Café

Check-in begins at 9:00 am. 

Registration and additional details about these events will be available on January 5, 2015. 

For questions, check out our FAQ below or contact us at projectfun@digipen.edu. "

For more info. go here.

Green Your Holidays Workshops with ornament making for kids too at Gilman Village in Issaquah - Saturday, November 22nd 2014 from 11am-3pm

Check out this fun event and learn how to reduce waste, upcycle and more during the holidays!

" Get in the holiday spirit! Visit the free Green Your Holidays Workshop and learn how to make the season bright and less wasteful. As you browse around, stop into our five stations set up around Gilman Village. "

Green Your Holidays Idea Center / Event Check-in

Hosted by: Tom Watson and the King County EcoConsumer program

Location: Recology CleanScapes Store

Make holiday cards from repurposed fabric scraps 

Hosted by: Deborah Boone of Our Fabric Stash

Location: Studio Den

Holiday Cooking Demo: learn how to make a yummy side dish and remake it into more meals

Hosted by: Rachel Duboff of Thyme to Nourish

Location: The Writers’ Cottage

Ornament crafting for the kids using recycled materials

Hosted by: Smart with Art teachers

Location: The White Board

Gift wrapping without the waste – take home a bow of your own!

Hosted by: Lindsay Kittleson and her husband Chet of the Tomato Boots blog

Location: Phoenix Art Restoration

For more info. go here.