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Archives for February 2017

Free Braces For Tweens or Teens In Need! Apply Now!

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Update-Applications are ongoing. The next recipient will be chosen this fall, so if you know a deserving tween or teen encourage him/her to get an application in now! If you missed this the last time we shared it, read on for more!

Do you know a local family who can’t afford braces for a tween or teen who really needs them?

I’m so excited to tell you about this amazing opportunity for a deserving area teen to get FREE braces. Yes, FREE.

It’s a program via the South Puget Sound chapter of Smile for a Lifetime and our friends at Molen Orthodontics. The details are all below. As with other scholarships, there is an application that needs to be filled out, and not everyone will qualify, but it’s definitely worth doing the application. This program has already changed the smiles (and the lives!) of some great, deserving tweens and teens, and one you know could be next! I seriously get emotional just writing this…..

If you know folks who teach or work with tweens or teens, I hope you’ll also consider passing this on

Qualifications:

• Must be a resident of Auburn, Enumclaw, Sumner or surrounding communities.
• Between the ages of 11 and 17
• Family income no more than 185% of poverty level (generally if applicant receives free/reduced lunch they would meet the financial qualification)
• Have a significant aesthetic need for braces
• Enrolled in school with a minimum 2.0 GPA in good standing
• Have a positive attitude
• Agree to follow the treatment plan and demonstrate the ability and commitment to keep all appointments
• Be willing to complete 40 hours of community service over the course of treatment

How to Apply:

To become a candidate, interested patients between the ages of 11-17 should fill out a Smile for a Lifetime application

There is also more information on their Facebook page here and on the Molen Orthodontics page here! 

Disclosure: We have a sponsorship relationship with Molen, but I did this post for Free because I think it’s an amazing opportunity. If you do, too, please pass it on, and tell the doctors at Molen thanks if you have a chance to do that, too!  Thanks! 🙂

 

Story Time at the Conservatory

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I wanted to quickly remind our Tacoma area readers about Story Time at the Seymour Conservatory.

The Conservatory is that beautiful glass building in Wright Park, and it’s full of plants and flowers. It’s also WARM, which makes is a great outing this time of year! You might be able to feed the fish, too (ask in the gift shop).

Metro Parks W.W. Seymour Conservatory children’s storyteller reading program. Photos by Russ Carmack

On select Wednesdays, you can also go for story time! The stories have a nature or science theme, and then there are related science or nature crafts or activities after. We have heard nothing but raves about them from readers!

It’s Free, though there is a suggested donation of 3.00.

These are targeted for preschoolers, but I think slightly older children who would enjoy the activity would also be welcome, and we’ve been assured younger ones are fine if they can sit still for a story. Because it’s full of flowers and plants and is kind of a small space, I would personally leave home your toddlers and babies, unless maybe you’re wearing ’em! You don’t want anyone who might pick and eat the flowers, and I think it’s way too small for a stroller.

Story time at the Seymour Conservatory is on select Wednesdays at 11AM. We do suggest you confirm details before you go. We have the schedule for the rest of the spring below. We’ll have times and activities for June and beyond in our big Summer guide!

March 8 Native Art: Frog Girl by Paul Owen
Science: Food Chains
Art: Frog Print Design

April 12 Garden Inspired Art: The Girl with the Watering Can by Ewa Zadrzynska
Science: What Plants Need to Grow
Art: Watering Can Design

May 10  Nature’s Colors: Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons
Science: Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Art: Flower Petal Butterflies

If you’ve been to Story Time at the Conservatory, I’d love for you to leave a comment and tell us about it!

Take a Walk Back in Time at Shadow Lake Bog

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Did you know that there is a 5,000 year old peat bog in Renton? This is a great place to check out with the kids if you want a short outing with a little learning thrown in. Shadow Lake Bog is open to the public daily for self guided tours (see link to pdf below) or, if you call ahead, you might even be able to score a personal tour from a volunteer or staff member.

photo courtesy of Shadow Lake Nature Preserve

We were lucky enough to have a staff member, Isabelle, give us a tour. The trail consists of a half-mile boardwalk which winds through the forest and peat, ending with an observation platform that overlooks the bog. As we walked through the forest, Isabelle pointed out a prehistoric plant and many other plants growing in the area which were used many years ago by Native Americans. The kids especially enjoyed seeing (and smelling) the humongous skunk cabbage. About halfway through the trail, the environment changes from forest to the peat bog. The surface of the bog is covered in little hills called hummocks. The hills are caused by the 17 varieties of moss growing and decaying at different rates. The visible part of the peat is just the top layer of 65 feet of moss- the size of a six story building!

A wide variety of wildlife in the bog area features garter snakes, salamanders, birds and lots and lots of frogs, which live in a man made pond. Isabelle told us that around February, the frogs in the pond are so loud, you can’t  hear much else!

Visiting the bog feels like going back in time, and is a serene, interesting trip. Check the website or Facebook for educational programs, hours and volunteer opportunities.

Address:

21656 184th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058

Self Guided Tour

Video on the history of the bog

Website

Facebook

Facebook is the best way to check upcoming events.

See The New Beauty And The Beast Free Thanks to Molen Orthodontics!

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Hot tip! You can see the New Beauty And The Beast FREE courtesy of our friends at Molen Orthodontics.

You do need to register, and tickets are going FAST. Go here to RSVP for yours!

The event is Saturday, March 18th in Bonney Lake. Here’s the rest of the details!

Event Details: 

Molen Orthodontics Molen Movie Night (Yes, it’s open to All)!

Movie: THE NEW Beauty and the Beast
Price: FREE!
When: Saturday, March 18th
Time: Check-in starts at 2pm (please plan to come a bit early to check in, grab concessions and find your seats)
Location: Regal Tall Firs
Address: 20751 WA-410, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Details: We are watching fan-favorite Beauty and the Beast. You will also receive a soda and a choice of a popcorn or candy (per two people), completely on us!
Space is limited. All tickets are on a first come, first serve basis and only while tickets last. Please have your tickets printed or ready on your phone at check-in.
We will see you there! Go here to claim your tickets!

This event is sponsored by the community minded folks at Molen Orthodontics, with offices in Sumner/Bonney Lake, Auburn, and Enumclaw.

Are you excited about Beauty and the Beast? I know I am! Don’t forget to tell your friends about this, and do RSVP fast.

Mid Winter Break Ideas!

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Updated for 2018

Looking for some mid winter break ideas or fun things to do with kids around Tacoma and the greater South Sound this President’s Day? We’ve got a round up of free family fun for Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, and Your part of the South Sound. Know something good we missed? Just let us know! Read on for more than two dozen fun ways to fill your week!

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Mom Reviewed: The Covington Aquatic Center

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Have you been to the Covington Aquatic Center? Contributor Tiffany says this fun pool has something for everyone-and no, you don’t have to be a Covington resident to go! Read on for her review.

My family has enjoyed swimming at the Covington Aquatic Center for several years. My husband and I get our exercise during lap swim, and our kids enjoy the heated pool and special events.

Cool indoor pools for kids tacoma, covington

The Octopus at the Covington Pool

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Free Admission to the Hands On Children’s Museum for EBT Card Holders-Plus Deals for All!

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We’re so excited to let you know about this amazing deal on admission to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia for qualifying families.

The museum has just announced a new partnership with the WSECU, and thanks to their generosity, the museum will be able to expand its programming, including offering free admission to any family receiving state basic food assistance through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. Isn’t that great? To receive the free admission, simply present your EBT card and your id.

If this doesn’t apply to you, I do hope you’ll consider sharing it with friends and family.

There are other free admission deals to the HOCM for all. Read on for all of them! [Read more…]