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Change the world - even just a tiny bit! Here are the info and links you need to fight for what you care most about - your kids. Together, we can be a powerful voice of positive change on issues that affect children and parents in our neighborhoods and beyond. NEW! Visit GPS, the ParentMap blog.
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Courts & Capitol Watch
Toy stories
A one-two punch for toy safety: Our state’s Senate has just passed the strictest toy-safety bill in the nation. The new law drastically cuts down on the amount of lead, phthalates and other chemicals allowed in kids’ products that are made and sold in our state.
The law already passed unanimously in the House; it now gets a little fine-tuning and then heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who’s expected to sign it.
And a tough new toy-safety law just passed the U.S. Senate. The new law adds bite to existing laws on toy safety, including overseas inspections, and calls for a new public database that would track consumer complaints. The House has already passed a similar law; now the two chambers are working on creating a compromise bill.
Schoolhouse rock
At press time, there are mixed results for school districts with measures on the March ballot. Bellevue voters easily passed a whopping $545 million construction bond measure; construction bond measures are being defeated in Renton, Snoqualmie Valley, and Snohomish school districts. Renton, Auburn, and Mercer Island appear to be passing their levy measures, as are the Orting, Clover Park, Dieringer, Eatonville and Auburn school districts. But the news is not good for White River, and the Franklin Pierce School District’s bond measure appears destined for defeat.
Green Bites
Green scene
It’s about time! Take the kids to the first-ever Seattle Green Festival on April 12–13 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Visit 350 exhibits, shop for green products, play in the kids’ zone, sample organic foods and wine, and listen to dozens of speakers, including Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and many authors and green experts. Get lots more info.
Eco-sweet home
If you hit that festival, you may see the authors of a cool new book — written just for Northwesterners who want to green up their homes. Seattleites and sustainability experts Kathleen O’Brien and Kathleen Smith have packed The Northwest Green Home Primer with ideas for building and buying green. Which paint color is kindest to the earth? Why should you consider a no-shoes policy in your house? It’s a great source for those thinking about a remodel — or who want to make their existing home as earth-friendly as it can be. $24.95, Timber Press.
Glassy baby
Avoid plastic baby bottle worries by using glass. Glass bottles don’t contain bisphenol-A, like some plastic bottles do; they’re also recyclable, easy on the environment and rarely (if ever) break. You can find them on www.amazon.com or www.newbornfree.com . And here’s a cool blog for more on planet-wise parenting.
Action
This month's highlighted resources
Teens in Public Service
A local organization dedicated to fostering teen leadership, Teens in Public Service places teens, through a competitive selection process, in paid public service summer internships where youth can develop job and leadership skills and support their communities.
Don’t look away
It’s a shocking fact: Nearly 800 children under the age of 6 are homeless in King County, sleeping with their families in cars, on couches and in shelters. Now, a striking silent protest is drawing attention to this heartbreaking problem. For the next three months, hundreds of life-sized cardboard cutout children will appear on the streets of Seattle with a direct call to action: Don’t Just Look Away! You can help homeless children. Visit www.family-services.org to support Family Services' work by volunteering, donating or attending an event.
Volunteer Opportunities for Kids
Is your family looking for ways to give back to the community together? Are your teens in need of an inspiring way to complete their service learning hours this summer? Figure out where to plug-in with this list of volunteer opportunities for kids.
MomsRising.org
We talk to the mothers of MomsRising in our May-issue feature story. Visit their Web site to learn more about this new group from Kirkland and to participate! Learn about which issues are at the forefront for MomsRising and discover what you can do.
Find Your Legislator
Contact your state legislators! Use this easy resource to find out who represents you — and add their numbers to your speed dial.
Policy Watch
The University of Washington's School of Social Work makes it simple to track the progress of what's happening in Olympia. Updated weekly, the site emphasizes legislation up for a vote that is related to social welfare, low income and health. Read what's happening, then pick up the phone.
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Voice It! 