Fall Back … And Change Those Smoke Alarm Batteries!
Sunday, Nov. 2 marks the end of daylight savings, and many fire departments recommend that as families “fall back,” they also change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors.
“An early warning can provide critical extra seconds to escape,” the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office says, noting that properly functioning smoke alarms double your family’s chance of getting out of a house fire alive.
This is the 21st year of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery campaign by a joint effort of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Energizer battery company. For more information about safety tips, go to www.snoco.org<http://www.snoco.org and type "fire marshal" into the search box, or call the Fire Marshal's Office at 425-388-3557.
Teens Speak on New Web Site
The University of Washington, YMCA of Greater Seattle and the City of Seattle have launched PugetSoundOff.org, a new Web site for area teens to discuss issues in the region. The site allows users to engage in discussions, create topic groups, find volunteer opportunities or discover new local bands. To jump start the site, there will be a competition to use the site and create the best blog, video or song encouraging teens to weigh in on local issues. Prizes include a mini-laptop, flip video camera and iPod shuffle. The contest is open to all area high-school age teens. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Oct. 17. Winners will be announced at the Sound Off for Action Forum at the University of Washington's Kane Hall on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Winners also will be featured on www.seattletimes.com and www.seattlechannel.org. For more information visit www.pugetsoundoff.org.
Chef and Father Video
Greg Johnson, a Seattle chef and father of two, has released his first cooking video. In the Chef and Father, Vol. 1, Johnson shares his secrets for creating wholesome meals that appeal to the entire family. The 53-minute video, which sells for $19.99, features organic recipes and topics on baby food basics, equipment, how to choose produce and food safety. It’s available for purchase online at www.chefandfather.com.
Winter Coats for Foster Kids
For the fourth straight year, Sleep Country USA is collecting winter coats for foster kids in Oregon and Washington. New coats can be donated at any Sleep Country USA store through Nov. 2 and will be distributed among 20 foster care organizations in the Pacific Northwest. To find a store near you, visit www.sleepcountry.com or call 1-888-88-SLEEP. Store hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rally for Afterschool Programs
Parents, children and community leaders nationwide plan to rally in an annual show of support for after-school programs on Oct. 16. The “Lights On Afterschool” rallies give children the chance to showcase skills and talents developed at their after-school programs.
The event is organized by the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance, which advocates for affordable, high-quality after-school programs. The alliance estimates that more than 14 million children lack access to safe, supervised activities after school.
The nationwide rally marks the end of a yearlong celebration of the 10th anniversary of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for after-school programs.
This year's event also is going green and will feature a new poster with a compact fluorescent light bulb as the symbol of the event, rather than the traditional incandescent bulb. To find a rally near you, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/loaFindEvent.cfm. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.
‘Caring Continuum’ Breastfeeding and Parenting Conference
Think La Leche League is only about breastfeeding?
Not if you judge by the wide range of topics presented at “The Caring Continuum,” La Leche League of Washington’s 2008 Breastfeeding and Parenting Conference Oct. 17-19 at the Redmond Marriott Town Center, 7401 164th Ave. N.E. in Redmond.
The conference is open to parents and families (babies and children welcome), beginning with the keynote address Friday, 7 - 9 p.m. Author and parenting educator Mary Sheedy Kurcinka will speak on “Choosing to Connect … Even During the Tough Times.” The conference continues 8:15 a.m. - 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m. Sunday. The Bubble Man entertains Saturday evening, and Recess Monkey concert closes out Sunday’s sessions with a rock n’ roll concert.
You’ll find plenty of breastfeeding topics, including “How Milk is Made,” “Good Latch/Bad Latch” and “Breastfeeding and Working,” along with advice for first-year parents on mood disorders, cloth diapering, safe sleep positions and more. Other sessions cover the full spectrum of child-rearing, ranging from “Attachment Parenting,” “Staying Connected with your Teenager” and “The Importance of the Family Dinner Table” to discussions of discipline, sleep and behavior, nutrition, immunology, fathering, ‘unschooling’ and home organization.
The cost is $130 for La Leche League members, $160 for non-members and $80 for fathers for one day; $150 for members, $180 for non-members and $95 for fathers for the full weekend. Prices include lunches; kids’ lunches are extra. The Bubble Man performance is $10 extra for the whole family. Parents can buy tickets for the keynote address only for $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information or to register by mail or online, visit www.lllwaconf.org.
NAME THAT PARK
Seattle Parks and Recreation needs your help naming three parks in the Capitol Hill and Sand Point neighborhoods. Suggestions are welcomed for the following sites:
• A tiny parcel located at the northeast corner of East Howell Street and 16th Avenue East. Construction is slated to begin next fall. Park features will include a garden, walking paths, a plaza and benches, and an art element. For more information, go to http://seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/CapitolHillDevelopment.htm.
• A sports field complex at 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., in Warren G. Magnuson Park. It's currently under construction and is on track to be completed by fall 2009. It includes one synthetic surface rugby field, two synthetic surface soccer fields, one Little League field and softball field, and one adult baseball field. For more information, go to http://seattle.gov/parks/ProParks/projects/Magnuson.htm.
Criteria for naming the parks include geographical location, historical or cultural significance and natural or geological features. A park may be named for a person no longer living (deceased a minimum of three years) who made a significant contribution to parks and recreation. Suggestions should be sent by Oct. 27 via e-mail to paula.hoff@seattle.gov or mailed to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Park Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109.
Stay Safe on All Hallow's Eve
As the little ones don their Halloween outfits, the National Crime Prevention Council reminds parents to take precautions for keeping the ghouls and goblins safe. A few tips for taking care of trick-or-treaters:
• Clear your yard and sidewalk of any obstacles or decorations that may be hard to see in the dark. • Keep your house well lit, both inside and out. • Ask your Neighborhood Watch or local citizens’ group to patrol your community. • Report any suspicious or criminal activities to your police or sheriff’s department. • Parents should accompany young children. Older kids should stay in groups. • Review your trick-or-treating route and set a time for returning home. Have a plan if your children get separated from you or their friends. • Remind your children not to enter strange houses or cars. • Use makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct vision. • Make sure costumes are bright enough to be seen at night. Otherwise add reflective strips to the outfit or bags, and have kids carry glow sticks and flashlights. Costumes should also be short enough to avoid tripping and be flame-retardant. • Avoid costumes with fake weapons, or make sure they're made of flexible material such as cardboard or foam. • Remind children not to eat any treats until they’ve come home, where items can be checked for tampering.
For more information and tips, go to www.ncpc.org.
Dyslexia Conference
The 59th annual International Dyslexia Association conference is being held in downtown Seattle this year from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center and The Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers. Considered the premier conference dedicated to the myriad issues of dyslexia and related disorders, the international event draws more than 3,500 educators, reading specialists, pyschologists, doctors, tutors and others each year to focus on the latest in research and teaching methods. Topics on the agenda include the effectiveness of in-school teaching methods, teacher training, as well as the neurological, psychological and social impact on children and adults with dyslexia. Pre-registration ends Oct. 19. Admission for association members is $395 for the entire conference, $155 per day. Nonmembers pay $495 for the conference or $295 per day. Student rates are $200 for the conference or $95 per day. For more information, visit www.interdys.org/AnnualConference.htm.
Tea Party Benefit
Parent Trust for Washington Children holds its ninth annual Mad Hatter Tea Party benefit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel Ballroom. The event includes both a silent and live auction, children's activities, a luncheon and entertainment. Tickets are $65 for general admission and $15 for children 12 and under. Tables of eight are $325 or 10 for $375, and corporate tables are $500. Proceeds go to Parent Trust’s parent education and family support programs. To buy tickets, call Jamie Newman at 206-233-0156, ext. 221, or visit Parent Trust's Web site at www.parenttrust.org.
Young Musicians
Calling all young musicians: The Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra is accepting applications for Eastside and Snohomish youth to perform as featured soloists with the orchestra during the sixth annual Young Artists Debut Concert on May 29, 2009, at the Theatre at Meydenbauer in Bellevue. Musicians must be full-time students, any grade through high school, must live in or go to school in East King County, Mercer Island or Snohomish County, and have a letter of recommendation from their music teacher. Previous winners may not apply.
Applicants must include a CD or audio cassette of them playing two short contrasting compositions, but not concertos. Videotapes will not be accepted. Recordings should be 15 minutes or less. Include student’s name, telephone number and names of compositions. To request an application, call 425-455-4171 or email info@bellevuephil.org. Applications are due Nov. 31. Mail them to 1805 136th Place N.E., Suite 206, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Birth Survey
Women eager to share their birth experiences, good or bad, are invited to take part in an online survey by the Grassroots Advocates Committee of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services. The volunteer group started a project two years ago focusing on transparency in maternity care information.
The birth survey takes about 30 minutes. Questions range from where you last gave birth, how many children you delivered, and how long you had to wait during prenatal care visits, to whether you’d recommend your doctor to family or friends, whether your delivery was covered by insurance and how much your out-of-pocket expenses were. It also allows for written comments about specific doctors and hospitals.
The surveys are used to build public reports that can be accessed by women and families so that they can make informed maternity care decisions. They're also available for practitioners to review and, if necessary, make improvements. Anecdotal information is paired with official statistics from state departments of health listing obstetrical intervention rates.
