View over 40 photographs of polar bears in the wild by wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski, who for over eight years documented the effects of global warming on ice-dependent species in the Arctic. Date: 06/28/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Location:The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle | Map It Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 206-543-5590 | Web site
The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head
Mr. Potato Head's your host at this new exhibit, which debuts in Seattle before it leaves for a multi-city tour. Kids explore literacy, social studies, math, science and other educational topics as they wander through a jungle safari, outer space, under the sea, and an archaeological dig. Date: 09/27/2008 - 01/11/2009 Time: Daily, open hours Location:The Children's Museum Seattle, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 3-8 Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 206-441-1768 | Web site
Films
Sprocket Society's Sunday Matinee
Ever Sunday, NWFF presents a new cliffhanger episode of movie serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe," plus a different (and secret) feature, cartoons, and shorts. Date: 08/31/2008 - 11/23/2008 Time: Sundays noon Location:Northwest Film Forum, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 7 and up; Oct. 19 10 and up Cost: $8.50, under 12 $6. Family pass: $130 for a family of four for the whole series. Event Info: 206-329-2629 | Web site
Friday Nights at Loyal Heights
Head to the community center for a different family activity on selected Fridays through the fall. Tonight, watch Kung Fu Panda and enjoy chicken stir fry and rice. Date: 11/21/2008 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location:Loyal Heights Community Center, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $3/$10 Event Info: 206-684-4052 | Web site
Get Moving
Greenwood Family Dance
It's OK to be a beginner at this high-energy dance style. All dances are taught, and you get to step with your kids to live old-time and folk music while a caller keeps you focused. No outside food in the dance hall -- water and fruit are served during the event. Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle. Date: 01/04/2009 Time: 3-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: $6, child $4, family $15 Event Info: 206-985-4468 | Web site
Greenwood Family Dance
It's OK to be a beginner at this high-energy dance style. All dances are taught, and you get to step with your kids to live old-time and folk music while a caller keeps you focused. No outside food in the dance hall -- water and fruit are served during the event. Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle. Date: 02/01/2009 Time: 3-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: $6, child $4, family $15 Event Info: 206-985-4468 | Web site
Greenwood Family Dance
It's OK to be a beginner at this high-energy dance style. All dances are taught, and you get to step with your kids to live old-time and folk music while a caller keeps you focused. No outside food in the dance hall -- water and fruit are served during the event. Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle. Date: 03/01/2009 Time: 3-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: $6, child $4, family $15 Event Info: 206-985-4468 | Web site
Baby Loves Disco
Local DJ Darek Mazzone spins tunes from the 70s and 80s while toddlers, preschoolers and their parents shake their booties on the dance floor. Kids who don't want to dance can play with baskets of instruments, have a healthful snack and hang out in the chill-out room. Buy tickets online, and don't delay. This event sells out. This month, get the costumes ready for the annual Boo Baby Boo Halloween party! Heaven, 172 S. Washington St., Seattle. Date: 10/25/2008 Time: 1-4 p.m. Ages: Ages 6 months-7 years with parent Cost: All walkers $12 Event Info: 206-622-1863 | Web site
Spokespeople Bike Rides
On the first Saturday of every month, take a bike ride between neighborhood centers, starting at the Wallingford Playfield in Seattle. Kiddos over 1 are welcome -- they get a special one-hour introduction to safe road biking at the south end of the playfield (adults newbies are welcome, too). Bring your helmet and spruced-up bike -- brakes, handlebars, tires in good working order -- for a short ride from the playfield to Meridian Park. No helmet? Buy one onsite. (PS: Kids under 1 don't have the neck muscles to support helmets, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, they shouldn't ride in a trailer or bike seat, so Spokespeople requests that all kids be over 1 year of age.) 4219 Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle. Date: 11/01/2008 Time: 2-4 p.m. Ages: Ages 1 and up. Ages 9 and up for road biking. Cost: Free Event Info: 206-547-9569 | Web site
Greenwood Family Dance
It's OK to be a beginner at this high-energy dance style. All dances are taught, and you get to step with your kids to live old-time and folk music while a caller keeps you focused. No outside food in the dance hall -- water and fruit are served during the event. Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle. Date: 11/02/2008 Time: 3-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: $6, child $4, family $15 Event Info: 206-985-4468 | Web site
Baby Loves Disco
Local DJ Darek Mazzone spins tunes from the 70s and 80s while toddlers, preschoolers and their parents shake their booties on the dance floor. Kids who don't want to dance can play with baskets of instruments, have a healthful snack and hang out in the chill-out room. Buy tickets online, and don't delay. This event sells out. Heaven, 172 S. Washington St., Seattle. Date: 11/22/2008 - 11/25/2008 Time: 1-4 p.m. Ages: Ages 6 months-7 years with parent Cost: All walkers $12 Event Info: 206-622-1863 | Web site
Spokespeople Bike Rides
On the first Saturday of every month, take a bike ride between neighborhood centers, starting at the Wallingford Playfield in Seattle. Kiddos over 1 are welcome -- they get a special one-hour introduction to safe road biking at the south end of the playfield (adults newbies are welcome, too). Bring your helmet and spruced-up bike -- brakes, handlebars, tires in good working order -- for a short ride from the playfield to Meridian Park. No helmet? Buy one onsite. (PS: Kids under 1 don't have the neck muscles to support helmets, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, they shouldn't ride in a trailer or bike seat, so Spokespeople requests that all kids be over 1 year of age.) 4219 Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle. Date: 12/06/2008 Time: 2-4 p.m. Ages: Ages 1 and up. Ages 9 and up for road biking. Cost: Free Event Info: 206-547-9569 | Web site
Greenwood Family Dance
It's OK to be a beginner at this high-energy dance style. All dances are taught, and you get to step with your kids to live old-time and folk music while a caller keeps you focused. No outside food in the dance hall -- water and fruit are served during the event. Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St., Seattle. Date: 12/07/2008 Time: 3-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: $6, child $4, family $15 Event Info: 206-985-4468 | Web site
Cast Off! Free Public Sail
Every Sunday, hop in one of the CWB's classic boats, or its 1906 Steam Launch Puffin, for a half-hour sail around Lake Union. Vessels might include the restored Bristol Bay gillnetter, Admirable, Friendship sloop Amie, or new Sharpie Colleen Wagner. Sails are weather permitting, so call around noon on Sundays to check if you have a question. Staff recommend that you arrive early to sign up for a sail since they're popular (about 10:30 a.m. during the summer) since phone reservations are not taken. From June-September, there's a docent-led tour at 1:30 p.m. Date: 01/01/2006 - 10/26/2008 Time: Sundays 2-3:30 p.m. Location:Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info: 206-382-2628 | Web site
Friday Night Family Skate
Music, games and rollerskating in a roller rink atmosphere! Bring skates (no toy skates) or blades, or borrow a pair at the center. Held at Bitterlake Community Center's annex (Broadview Thompson Elementary School), 13040 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle). This is an ongoing event, so check for unexpected schedule changes before dropping by. Date: 09/05/2008 - 12/19/2008 Time: Fridays 6:30-8:15 p.m. Location:Bitter Lake Community Center, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $3/skater Event Info: 206-684-7524 | Web site
Other Great Stuff
Kids for Obama Parade
At 2 p.m., kids will express their hopes for the country's future with words and drawings, and the first 300 will be given a helium balloon. At 3 p.m., everyone will walk/stroller/skateboard/pedal clockwise around Green Lake. Bring homemade signs and wear red, white and blue clothing. Meet by the Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N., Seattle.
Date: 10/12/2008 Time: 2-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Free
Parents' Night Out
You get a break while your child enjoys dress up, crafts and stories. Preregister, and bring dinner/snack/water bottle for your child. Date: 11/21/2008 Time: 6-10 p.m. Location:Moonpaper Tent, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 4 and up Cost: $8/hour/chld Event Info: 206-422-6616 | Web site
Parents' Night Out
You get a break while your child enjoys dress up, crafts and stories. Preregister, and bring dinner/snack/water bottle for your child. Date: 12/26/2008 Time: 6-10 p.m. Location:Moonpaper Tent, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 4 and up Cost: $8/hour/chld Event Info: 206-422-6616 | Web site
Fremont Sunday Market
Browse stalls packed with treasure, junk and everything in between at this year-round, rain-or-shine flea market. It's a weekly pageant that remains interesting even as Fremont has grown more bland. While you're there, walk beside the canal or pop into a nearby restaurant for brunch. The market is located around Phinney and 34th; look for directional signs. Date: 03/02/2008 - 02/22/2009 Time: Sundays, November-March 10 a.m.-4 p.m., April-October 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Free admission Event Info: Info line: 206-781-6776 | Web site
Columbia City Farmers Market
It's shopping, but it's also an outing. At the area's colorful farmers markets, you can buy the best of the season's fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers who grow them, plus meat, honey, bread, pastries, pasta, and whatever else you need to put dinner on the table this week. Kids' activities, too. Columbia Plaza parking lot, 4801 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle.
It's shopping, but it's also an outing. At the area's colorful farmers markets, you can buy the best of the season's fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers who grow them, plus meat, honey, bread, pastries, pasta, and whatever else you need to put dinner on the table this week. Kids' activities, too. Located in the West Seattle Junction, California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska. Date: 06/01/2008 - 06/28/2009 Time: Sundays year-round 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Event Info:Web site
Magnolia Farmers Market
It's shopping, but it's also an outing. At the area's colorful farmers markets, you can buy the best of the season's fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers who grow them, plus meat, honey, bread, pastries, pasta, and whatever else you need to put dinner on the table this week. Kids' activities, too: On July 19, children can make a Zucchini 500 veggie car. Located next to the community center. Date: 06/07/2008 - 10/25/2008 Time: Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Location:Magnolia Community Center, Seattle | Map It Event Info:Web site
University Farmers Market
It's shopping, but it's also an outing. At the area's colorful farmers markets, you can buy the best of the season's fruits and vegetables direct from the farmers who grow them, plus meat, honey, bread, pastries, pasta, and whatever else you need to put dinner on the table this week. Watch for special activities in honor of the market's 15th anniversary this year. On July 12, celebrate the market's with live bluegrass, gifts, free berry samples and free! strawberry! shortcake! University Heights Center for the Community, corner of Northeast 50th and University Way Northeast, Seattle. Date: 06/07/2008 - 06/25/2009 Time: Saturdays year-round 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Event Info:Web site
Parents' Night Out
Get away for an evening out, while your child enjoys dinner and activities under the watchful eye of the community center's preschool teachers. Date: 11/07/2008 Time: 6-9 p.m. Location:Loyal Heights Community Center, Seattle | Map It Cost: $15/child Event Info: 206-684-4052 | Web site
Parent Learning
Thursday Morning Chat
Submitted by Dr. Patricia Nan Anderson
Get together with Dr. Anderson of Mother's Mentor/Father's Friend at Uptown Espresso in West Seattle. We'll talk about whatever is on your mind with regard to raising small children, and Dr. Anderson will have some new ideas to share. This pleasant location has lots of room for quietly-occupied children. 4301 S.W. Edmunds St., Seattle. Note: No chat on Thursday, Sept. 25. Date: 08/28/2008 - 10/30/2008 Time: Thursdays 9:30-10:30 a.m. No chat on Thursday, Sept. 25. Cost: $5 Event Info: 206-244-5673 | Web site | email
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