Visit four Renton locations this month to chat with naturalists about the Pacific Northwest’s fishy mascot, the salmon, and its crazy homeward voyage to create the next generation of small fry. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to root for a few as they carry on upstream. Naturalists will be at Renton Library, Riverview Park, Cavanaugh Pond and Landsburg Park and Dam from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18, 19, 25, 26 and Nov. 1. For more info and directions to viewing sites, visit cedarriver.org or call 206-245-0143.
Local circus arts ensemble Circus Contraption shapes its brilliance into "Kiddy Kabaret," a family-friendly variety show playing Sundays (12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.) through Oct. 26. Drinks for mom and dad, sing-alongs and the Pink Poodle Girls for the kids — everybody’s happy! All ages. $10–$12. Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle. Buy tickets at circuscontraption.com.
As if you needed an excuse to get outdoors, right? Visit new website maketracks.org to find trails near your house, then go hiking, biking or walking on Oct. 11–13, the first annual Make Tracks! Family Trail Weekend. It’s part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour, a campaign aimed at getting kids away from their screens, away from structured activities, and into the wild (or semi-wild).
Gilda’s Club Seattle, a nonprofit community clubhouse for anyone affected by cancer, throws its doors open to the community every Halloween for Noogiefest. Wear costumes and don’t miss the haunted house — or a visit by the International Pirates. It’s all ages, and it’s all free. Oct. 24, 6–8 p.m. 1400 Broadway, Seattle. Call to reserve your spot: 206-709-1400.
—Kris Collingridge
