9TH ANNUAL FREE CAR WASH DAY PLUS A CHANCE TO WIN FREE CAR WASHES FOR A YEAR PRESENTED BY BROWN BEAR CAR WASH - AT ALL TUNNEL LOCATIONS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 27TH 2015 FROM 8AM-8PM

**New this year is a chance to win FREE CAR WASHES for a YEAR!!**

(see details below)

We have done this the past couple of years and it always goes pretty quickly, the staff is friendly and last year we even got a couple of giveaways to boot! We went at the end of the day last year and if memory serves, I believe they said that location did approximately 1300 free car washes that day! Wow! Thanks to Barry for emailing me regarding this year's FREE CAR WASH DAY!

" Family-owned company has washed over 225,000 vehicles during annual “free car wash days” over the past nine years SEATTLE—Celebrating its 58th anniversary, Brown Bear Car Wash will add sparkle and shine to thousands of cars and trucks next Thursday, August 27 as the family-owned company offers free “Beary Clean” washes at 21 tunnel wash locations. Hours for the special “all day” event are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the past nine years, Family-owned Brown Bear has offered free “Beary Clean” tunnel washes twice a year. Last year’s anniversary event generated 26,437 free washes, bringing the combined total of complimentary anniversary and free Veterans Day washes to over 225,000. For locations and hours of Brown Bear’s automated “tunnel wash” locations in the Puget Sound area visit www.brownbear.com. Adding to the fun and value, on August 27 only, one lucky customer will be selected to receive free car washes for a year: an annual membership to Brown Bear’s Unlimited Wash Club. Enter to win by taking a photo of your newly washed vehicle and posting it on Twitter (@brownbear) or Instagram (@brownbearcarwash) with the hashtag #FreeCarWashDay. Founder Vic Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle with one location at 15th Ave West in Seattle.  Brown Bear now owns and operates a total of 43 car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.  Through its parent company, Seattle-based Car Wash Enterprises, Inc., owns and operates car wash facilities in Washington State as well as a large network of gas stations and convenience stores.  It is one of the largest privately held car wash chains in the U.S. and is widely recognized within the industry as being a leader in the environmental movement. " For more info. go here and here. For a list of tunnel locations go here.

Scott Sampson, the Paleontologist/Host of "Dinosaur Train" presents: Connecting Kids to Nature in a Technological World at Town Hall in Seattle - Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm - Tickets available for $5 (+ 1.30 fee) online so "Less than a Double Latte" each!

This looks like a good one for us parents!

" In our increasingly digital age, children are spending less and less time playing outdoors–despite nature’s correlation to improved physical and emotional health. In How to Raise a Wild Child, Scott Sampson (host of beloved PBS show Dinosaur Train) lays out the importance of getting outside, and offers a step-by-step guide for parents and teachers to engage kids in nature. Sampson will explain why it’s crucial to strengthen a rich relationship with the environment at an early age, and explore the way this connection changes with age. He’ll even offer his suggestion for a somewhat unusual channel to get kids moving out the door–with technology. "

For more info. go here.

To buy tickets go here.

Parent Resource Fair including schools, camps and more at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue - Saturday, March 28th 2015 from 1-4pm

Saturday, March 28, 2015

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

South Concourse

Check out the following resources with Ry Akana on the Market Stage:

Ark at Cross of Christ

Asian Pacific Language School

Avon

Back Stage Dance Studio

Balloon Dojo

Barnes & Noble

Bella Luna Face Painting

Bellevue Christian School

Bellevue College Parent Ed/ Preschool

Bellevue Lifespring

BKPlay Academy

Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue

Chess4Life

Chinese Info & Service Center

Creatively Yours Ceramic Studio

Crossroads Community Center

Discovery Garden Learning

Eastside Heritage Council

Eastside Montessori School

Eton School

Faith Lutheran School

GET

JoAnns Fabric

Julie Kennedy Consulting

KCLS - Bellevue

Lice Knowing You

Little School

Mosaic Children's Therapy

MusicWorks

New York Cupcakes

New York Life

Pedalheads Bike Camps

Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Rite of Passage Journeys

Rosen Mead Preschool

Sambica

Samena Club

Spectrum Academy

St. Louise Parish School

Sunnyworld School

Sweetie Pie Parenitng

The Studio Fine Arts Classes

WiggleWorks

For more info. go here.

Special Needs Parent? SEPAC and NSSD present "The IEP from A to Z: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating the Northshore School District Individual Education Program (IEP) - Wednesday, October 29th 2014 from 7-9pm

If you are a parent with a child that has special needs, be it vision issues, autism, cerebral palsy, adhd and a host of others, here is an event to help you to understand the school system's IEP (Individualized Education Program). This is an event that takes you through the IEP template with more detail so you can better understand the process.  This one is being presented by the Northshore School District and SEPAC.

For more info. go here and here.

Parent Workshop: "Emotions and the Family" at KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue - Wednesday, October 15th 2014 from 6-7:45pm

Can't recommend these free parenting workshops enough! Go and check out this one to learn how to manage family emotions. 

" Do you ever feel like you are riding an emotional roller coaster? Understanding the emotions in your family and learning what you can do to help deescalate family emotions will help everyone learn to calm down and enjoy each other more. In this class you will learn what emotion coaching is and why it’s important, how to be more responsive and less reactive, and how to practice mindful parenting. 

Taught by Jennifer Watanabe, certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator, Parent Coach, and Parent Education Instructor for Bellevue College. 

Free. Pre-registration required. Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child (separate pre-registration is required for childcare). Click here to register for childcare. "

For more info. go here.

Free Parent Workshop: "Safety Shouldn't Be Scary" at KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue - Wednesday, March 19th 2014 from 6-7:45pm - PreRegister!

Find out some great tips for keeping your child/children safe in all kinds of situations! 

" We all want to keep our kids safe. Join us and learn easy tips to make safety fun and not scary! Presented by Kim Estes, Child Safety Expert and Founder of Savvy Parents Safe Kids. "

Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child. Pre-registration for childcare is required. To register for childcare call 425-637-8100. "

For more info. go here.

Free Parent Education: "Staying Marketable While Taking a Professional Hiatus" at KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue - Wednesday, February 19th 2014 from 6-7:45pm

I have always found these parent education workshops at KidsQuest to be beneficial! Here's another one to check out!

" This workshop is All About Mom!

Have you ever contemplated stepping away from paid employment (or, perhaps, already took that leap)? Thinking you may want to return to work outside of the home at some point in the near or distant future? Whether you have already taken the plunge or are considering the transition, join Lora Poepping of Plum and learn how to best stay connected and marketable for a successful return. 

Free. Pre-registration required. Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child. To register for childcare call 425-637-8100. "

For more info. go here.

"Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options" A free talk presented by Katherine Raymer, MD, ND of Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle - Saturday, January 25th 2014 from 10:30-12pm - No registration necessary!

Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options 

A free talk presented by Dr. Katherine Raymer

" Helping a child with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) can be enormously difficult for parents. Children with these conditions may struggle with difficulty sustaining attention, impulsive behavior, low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school.

Many of these children are faced with taking pharmaceuticals to ease symptoms, sometimes for the rest of their lives. But Katherine Raymer, MD, ND, a psychiatrist and faculty supervisor at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, says natural medicine can offer a helpful perspective on behavioral disorders, along with alternatives — or additions — to conventional medical care.

Learn more about "Understanding ADHD and Treatment Options" at a free talk from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25, with Dr. Raymer, who supervises Bastyr Center’s ADHD Wellness Care, shift on Thursday evenings. You can read more about the topic in our article "Find Balance Through Natural Approaches to ADHD."

This lecture is part of the free series "Living Naturally: Conversations on Health and Happiness with Bastyr Experts," presented by Bastyr University and its teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health. All of the talks take place at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle and feature an audience Q-and-A session.

Although most of the our Living Naturally lecture series are posted on our YouTube Channel, this one will not be posted online. Be sure to come early to ensure a spot at the lecture. "

For more info. go here.

"Couples Nite" - A FREE hands-on event (no pun intended!) with music, treats and more at Pottery Northwest - Valentine's Day - Friday, February 14th 2014 from 6-9pm - Available times at 6, 7 or 8pm - Free event Registration begins on January 25th 2014 - Mark your calendars!

Ok, I LOVE this! Think: pottery scene in the movie Ghost but not shirtless, ha ha! 

" Every year around Valentines Day we hold this FUN, free event. Always well attended and always even more fun than we thought it would be, Couples Nite is an opportunity to bring your partner, or someone perhaps you would like to be your partner to try out the studio.

It is FREE and open to the public. Our artists-in-residence serve as generous guides giving lessons in throwing on the wheel, or hand building. As usual there will be music and a treat or two. Students are welcome, but you do not have to be currently enrolled to attend. Barry White, Elvis, Sade and more provide the background music.

We recommend you reserve a wheel. We will begin taking reservations on February 1, 2014. You will have until Thursday, February 13 to pre-reserve a wheel. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may have to wait until an unreserved wheel becomes available. Give it a spin! "

For more info. go here.     

Images courtesy of Pottery Northwest.

FREE "PARENT WORKSHOP: Regaining your groove and taking care of you in the midst of motherhood" AT KIDSQUEST MUSEUM - WEDNESDAY, January 22nd 2014 from 6pm-7:45pm - REGISTER ONLINE!

I can really relate to this as I only started refocusing on myself, other than blogging, while my son was well into his threes. Coincidentally, that is also when he (therefore I) started to sleep through the night, so I am sure that had a lot to do with it. But with that being said it is so easy to get into "mommy" mode and forget all the other wonderful things you have to offer the world and the world has to offer you. Make sure you don't completely lose yourself in "mommydom" and learn what tips Ilene has to offer!

" This workshop is All About Mom!... Chances are your kids are enriched from head to toe, but what about you? If going to the market alone is the highlight of your week and blow-drying your hair is icing on the cake, you are probably in serious need of a re-boot! Join Ilene Schaffer, MA for a fun and rejuvenating talk on the 6 essentials for regaining your groove and hitting your stride in the midst of motherhood. This interactive evening will leave you inspired and equipped with a realistic mini-plan to shake off the blah’s and crank up the fun! "

Learn more on the topic tomorrow at KidsQuest Museum!

Free! Pre-registration required.

  

For more info. go here.

The Cheap Bastard's Guide to Seattle: Secrets of Living the Good Life...for less! Author event at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park - Friday, January 31st 2014 at 6:30pm

Want to learn more ways to save money in the Seattle area? Then check out Third Place Books' author event with David Volk!

The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Seattle: Secrets of Living the Good Life--- For less! by David Volk

" Seattle is full of free and ridiculously cheap stuff--one just needs to know where to look. Leave it to The Cheap Bastard to uncover all the ins and outs and exclusive bargains to be had, and to set forth the real deal with wit and humor. "

For more info. go here.

Free Lecture on Dyslexia by National Dyslexia Expert Susan Barton in Seattle - Tuesday, September 24th 2013 from 6-9pm - Free tix available online!

If you know someone with dyslexia, suspect it or want to just learn more about it, then check out the free seminar happening in Seattle on Tuesday evening!

" Learn about dyslexia from leading dyslexia expert, Susan Barton.

You'll discover:

• Dyslexia's inheritance patterns and the genetic link
• The symptoms of mild dyslexia in adults
• The classic warning signs in children
• Why most dyslexic children don't qualify for special ed
• Research-based "best practices" to improve spelling, reading, and writing
• Why tutoring alone is not enough and much more!!! "

For more info. go here.

Free "Parent Workshop: The Perils of Doing Too Much for Your Children" at KidsQuest Museum - Tuesday, September 3rd 2013 at 6pm - Register online! (Childcare available too for $5 suggested donation - call for a spot)

Being the parent of an only child I sometimes wonder about overindulgence as it is easy to do and hope that we are setting the limits appropriately.

Learn more on the topic next week at KidsQuest Museum!

" Overindulgence is not just about too many "things". It's also about too many privileges, too much attention, and too few rules. Join Jennifer Watanabe, a Parent Coach from Youth Eastside Services, to learn how to set limits and empower children by letting them do for themselves. "

Free! Pre-registration required. Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child. To register for childcare call 425-637-8100.

  

For more info. go here.

Free "Parent Workshop: Chores without Challenges" at KidsQuest Museum - Wednesday, August 28th 2013 at 6pm - Register online!

Kids and chores, where and when do you start? Find out tomorrow at KidsQuest Museum!

" Are you struggling with how to get your kiddos to help out around the house? Are you wondering what, exactly, you can and should expect from them? This workshop will provide you with an understanding of what chores to introduce at different age levels, how to frame the purpose of chores, and how to make the requirement of chores less of a challenge. "

Presented by Lauren B. Leiker, Med., PCI Certified Parent Coach, in partnership with Parenting Aware Parent Coaching.

Free! Pre-registration required. (Spaces usually available!)

 

 

For more info. go here.

Free tickets to see Dr. Pepper Schwartz Presentation "Balancing Life, Love & Your Growing Family - Wednesday, May 15th in Seattle or Saturday, May 18th 2013 in Bellevue - various times

Just received this email in my inbox and had to share!

SPECIAL OFFER: FREE TICKETS FOR PARENTMAP FAMILIES! To help parents navigate the craziness of family life while staying connected with their partners,  ParentMap is hosting two special talks next week. Don't miss this great finale to our 2013 Seattle + Eastside lectures.  Please share this offer with your friends — especially new parents! Reserve seats at www.parentmap.com/schwartztickets

Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. Balancing Life, Love + Your Growing Family  Details + Recent News Clip  Wednesday, May 15 Seattle Children's Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Saturday May 18 Bellevue College, 11 a.m. Check out our pre-event fun below!  Doors open one hour before the talk.  Enjoy free childcare at our day-time Eastside event.

BOOK NOW Seats + childcare limited! RESERVE SEATS HERE!

For more info. go here.

Free "Parent Workshop: Help your child get their Zzz's" with Julie Kennedy at KidsQuest Museum - Wednesday, May 1st 2013 at 6pm - Register online!

Kids not sleeping? Learn some ways your kids (and you!) can get more sleep!

" Learn the basics to enjoy a good night's sleep! What keeps your child awake? Why is sleep important? Get tips from a certified sleep coach and learn how much sleep your child needs at each stage in their development, why sleep is important, how to successfully sleep train your child and more! "

Presented by Julie Kennedy, certified Gentle Sleep Coach.

Free! Pre-registration required. 

 

 

For more info. go here.

Parent Workshop: Early Literacy presented by KCLS at KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue - Wednesday, March 20th 2013 from 6-7:30pm - Preregister!

Help your child on the road to reading from the very start with helpful tips by KCLS Librarian Linda Ernst!

"  Research has shown that there are five simple but powerful practices that parents and caregivers can use to help young children get ready to read. Find out what these are and discover activities you can do in just minutes a day that will make a powerful difference in a child's life. 

Instructor: Linda Ernst, King County Library System Librarian.

This presentation will last 1.5 hours and provides 1.5 STARS-approved education credit in Curriculum Development.

Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child. Pre-registration for childcare is required. To register for childcare call 425-637-8100. "

For more info. go here.

Parent Education - "Beyond Labels: Seeing with "HANDLE" Eyes" at the Shoreline Library - Saturday, March 2nd 2013 from 10:30-12pm

With our ever increasing number of children on the spectrum, with sensory issues, developmental delays, ADD/ADHD, etc., and the puzzlement that comes with it, I find these presentations fascinating and enlightening.


If you have children with special needs, suspect it or want to understand more about neurodevelopment and how all the interconnections work this might be something you may want to check out!

"Beyond Labels: Seeing with HANDLE Eyes"

" When daily life isn't easy to manage, school, work, and social relationships all become harder, too. Maybe it's a learning challenge; maybe it's sensory issues; maybe it just seems too hard to focus and pay attention. When the cry is "It's too hard!" it may be time to look at the neurodevelopmental factors involved, and see how sensory/motor issues, immature brain pathways, and even the food we eat can influence learning and behavior. HANDLE is a non-drug, gentle therapy that is effective for all ages. "


For more info. go here.

Please RSVP to peg.simon@handle.org

FREE Parent Workshop - The Top 5 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Before a Playdate! in Bellevue - Wednesday, January 9th 2012 from 6-7:30pm - Register online

I have seen one of these presentations and found the information very useful. One of the questions is "are there any guns in the home and if so, how are they secured?". I would never in a million years have thought to ask this question. But in light of A LOT of recent events, this is a very pertinent question to ask. I would recommend this workshop to any parent that will be dropping off a kid for a playdate!

" Playdates are a fun part of childhood but are you asking the right questions to keep your kids safe when they're at someone else's home? How do you handle the unwanted playdate invitation? Kim Estes from Savvy Parents Safe Kids will give you the five questions you need to be asking, why they are important and when you should be concerned.

Free! Pre-registration required. Childcare available for a suggested donation of $5/child (Pre-registration for childcare is also required. To register call 425-637-8100.) "


For more info. go here.

 

"Exploring Play: How Children Think and Learn" - A Free Parent Education Workshop at KidsQuest Museum in Bellevue - Wednesday, November 28th 2012 from 6-7:30pm

Attend a free parenting workshop!

" This groundbreaking workshop series, developed by the Talaris Institute, presents the latest scientific research on child development in a useful, practical way. Learn the four pillars of your child’s social and emotional development and why it is critical to your child’s future success in academics and in life. This free series is for expecting parents and those with children from newborns to age 5. "
 
Free and pre-registration is required.

Childcare provided for a suggested donation of $5/child. To register for childcare call 425-637-8100.


For more info. go here.