MOMS Club invites visitors to BBQ

The MOMS Club of Yakima invites all mothers and their children to learn more about the club at an open house barbecue from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Kissel Park, corner of 32nd and Mead avenues in Yakima. The event is an opportunity for mothers to learn more about the club. Lunch will be provided.

MOMS Club is an international group that organizes daytime activities for stay-at-home mothers and their children. To learn more about the organization, visit www.momsclub.org.

For information about the local chapter, contact Kristi at 829-5747 or momsclubofyakima@charter.net.

It’s not camping

“It’s not camping,” the sign on the office door said. “It’s kamping.”

My family spent last weekend at the Redmond/Central Oregon KOA, located about 3.5 hours south of Yakima off US Highway 97. Although I grew up “car camping,” I’d never stayed at anything quite as civilized as a KOA before. And, honestly, we chose the location only because my college BFF lives there (her husband works there), we hadn’t seen each other in a couple years, and it was a relatively inexpensive way to get out of town for a long weekend. Rates vary depending on how many people are in your group and whether you’re renting a “kabin” or bringing an RV, but our 4-person tent site was about $30 a night.

Naturally, we knew this was not going to be a rural, “roughin’ it” experience. But I was still a little shocked when I realized our “camp site” was a patch of grass roughly half the size of my front lawn (without so much as a picket fence for privacy). However, I have to say, the KOA’s amenities were kinda nice. We had flush toilets and free showers. There was a heated swimming pool and playground. The kiddos enjoyed sleeping in a tent and our fire pit was perfect for making s’mores. On Saturday night, camp staff led all the little ones (decked out with glow necklaces) on a boisterous “glow light parade” around the campground, complete with boosterish chant: “I don’t know, but I’ve been told, the KOA is the place to go.”

It’s not traditional camping, but this “kamping” trip definitely had its perks. One of them was definitely the patch of grass. We ran around in bare feet or flip-flops without the dirt-kicking and constant filth that I’ve come to associate with “kid camping.” KOA camping, I discovered, is actually pretty “klean.”

And that was perfect because we didn’t want to look like Pigpen when we drove into Bend to do some tax-free school clothes shopping. (You can do that when you’re kamping.) We found fun shops and lunch at the Old Mill District, a mixed-use development on the site of an enormous old lumber mill. Stop by the Central Oregon Visitor Center to pick up brochures and maps with loads of information about all the recreational opportunities in the area. Find pint-sized entertainment at the Working Wonders Children’s Museum is also located right at the Old Mill. (Find pint-sized entertainment for adults across the river at the Deschutes Brewery, but that’s a different vacation.) Just for kicks, we rented a surrey (with the fringe on top) from Wheel Fun Rentals; an hour cost $20. The kids thought that was hilarious good fun.

We were disappointed that we didn’t have enough time to tour Lava River Cave in Newbury National Volcanic Monument. The High Desert Museum is also definitely worth a visit. Guess we’ll have something to look forward to next time we go kamping…

Of course, we could save some gas if we tried the fresh pizza delivery and pony rides at the Naches/Mt. Rainier KOA at Squaw Rock Resort. Krazy, I never stayed at the KOA before.

End-of-Summer Water Party

August 25, 2009

3:00 pm

END-OF-SUMMER WATER PARTY. 3 p.m. Students in grades K-12 are invited to Selah’s Wixson Park for water balloon fights, sprinklers, bubbles, water tricks and popsicles. Sponsored by Selah Library, 698-7345.

Kindergarten Prep

August 25, 2009

2:00 pm

August 28, 2009

2:00 pm

KINDERGARTEN PREP. 2 p.m. Activities, story and craft for kids beginning kindergarten in the fall. Free. Downtown Yakima Library, 102 N. Third St., Yakima; 452-8541.

Tiny Tots Intro to Soccer (Selah)

TINY TOTS INTRO TO SOCCER (SELAH) | Boys and girls, ages 3-5. Meets 10-10:45 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 19-Oct. 24, at Lince Field, 316 W. Naches Ave., Selah. Cost: $29-$42, depending on residency; includes a T-shirt. Register with Selah Parks, 216 S. First St., Selah; 698-7300.

Brownie event will “Stitch It Together” for cancer patients

Girls in grades K-3 are invited to participate in the Brownie Girl Scouts “Stitch It Together” event to make blankets and hats to be donated to local cancer care centers. The event will be from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 at Central Lutheran Church, corner of 16th and Yakima avenues, Yakima.

The event is free to registered Girl Scouts or $12 for newcomers to register with the Scouts and participate in the event. Participants will earn a “Stitch It Together” Try-It badge and make a head band to take home.  Snacks will be provided.

To register, contact Silver Award Advisor Michelle Rambo at mrambo@gsewni.org, or 1-800-827-9478 ext 223, or Membership Area Coordinator Lisa Tapia at ltapia@gsewni.org or (509) 834-9785.

The Knack: American Girl Crafts

September 19, 2009
10:00 am	to	2:00 pm

THE KNACK: AMERICAN GIRL CRAFTS. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can make their own gifts inspired by American Girl books. Free; while supplies last. Michaels store, 1729 S. First St., Yakima. 452-6484. theknackkids.com

Disney skating into Kennewick

Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew from “Cars” will race across the ice at the Disney On Ice spectacular coming to Tri-Cities in October. The “Worlds of Fantasy” show also features characters from the Little Mermaid’s enchanting undersea kingdom, the Lion King’s “Circle of Life” and Tinker Bell’s Pixie Hollow.

A bonus pre-show starting one hour before show time will feature a Disney princess and a dazzling display of gowns.

Details: Performances at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 31; noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Toyota Center, 7016 Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick.

Ticket sales open Sept. 26: $45/$32/$20/$16. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com or Fred Meyer Home Electronics.

Health fair helps get kids ready for school

The Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic is ready to help with immunizations and sports physicals in time for the school year.

The Yakima clinic at 602 East Nob Hill Blvd. will host its annual health fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Childhood immunizations will be offered at no cost.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, must have their immunization records and, if applicable, show their medical coupons.

Sports physicals will be available for the reduced price of $10. Appointments are not necessary.

The health fair will also feature exhibits, refreshments and healthy activities.

— Yakima Herald-Republic

Get a haircut, kid

Have you been out shopping for school supplies and new shoes? Don’t forget how much a fresh haircut can really clean up a kid. I’ve been noticing that my own son’s looking a little shaggy around the ears lately.

Which reminds me of these photos we took of 2-year-old Ezra Rottman getting his first haircut last spring. I’d planned to use them in the magazine as part of a package on childhood “firsts,” but I just never got the time/space to finish it up… so I thought I’d at least show them to you here before he heads off to kindergarten.

Anyway, I thought Ezra’s big boy cut turned out great. He didn’t say much, but we could tell he was proud. He looked pretty awesome with a little patch of green hairspray! And, because it was his first cut, Ezra also got a keepsake certificate (with a lock of that precious baby hair) from Crazy Kids Hair Design in Selah. Thinking about heading there yourself? Find a coupon for $2 off a kid’s cut in the latest issue of Playdate (page 17).

‘Tis the season

We’re in the home stretch of summer vacation now… back-to-school season is lurking on the horizon. But — hey! — summer’s not over yet. Not even close. Late summer and fall are a great time to enjoy the Yakima Valley (and surrounding region) without the blazing temperatures we saw in July.

Just yesterday, my family drove out SR 410 to Chinook Pass to take a little walk around the Naches Peak Loop, where the abundant wildflowers failed to notice it’s no longer spring. The colors were gorgeous!

I heard from several famililes last year who enjoyed our story on the hike to Umptanum Creek Falls. And, on cooler days, Cowiche Canyon is a great place for a kid-friendly walk without much of a drive. The last guided Hikin’ Around walk of the summer will be Aug. 20. Of course, the Yakima Greenway is also close to home and great for walking, riding bikes, etc.

Looking for something wet? A friend who visited the aquatic center at Moses Lake last week had a great time with her  two boys (ages 8 and 11). They’ve been to Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho several times… and had just as much fun in Moses Lake. Besides being closer to home, admission to the Moses Lake aquatic center was much more reasonable ($32 for the whole family v. $40.99 for one person at Silverwood) AND they loved being able to bring a picnic instead of being forced to purchase food from overpriced theme park concessions.

Here at home, this is the last week for swimming at the Selah pool, which closes for the season on Sunday. Yakima’s Franklin Pool will be open daily through Aug. 30.

Little chef in the house?

Red Robin is looking for junior burger masters to design the restaurant chain’s next gourmet burger. Until Sept. 13, kids ages 6-12 can enter the Kids’ Cook-Off contest for a chance to have their burger featured on the menu and win a family vacation to Orlando. How cool!

Find the details about how to enter here.

Fall for Naches Peak Loop

It’s easy to see why this 3.5-mile trail at the edge of Mount Rainier National Park is one of the park’s most popular routes.

With an elevation gain of just 500 feet, the loop around Naches Peak (elev. 6,452 ft.) can be easily navigated by nearly everyone, including intrepid preschoolers and grandparents. The trail is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy subalpine meadows, scenic lakes and a spectacular view of Mount Rainier.

Heads up, Mom: This is skeeter territory. Be sure to apply mosquito repellent before you hit the trail, and bring more along just in case.

For the best views, hike the Loop clockwise, starting at the wooden footbridge that crosses over SR 410 near Chinook Pass. The first two miles include an ever-so-gentle incline past lovely meadows and an unnamed lake.

The trail can have snow up to nine months a year, so plan your trip from August through October for the best conditions.

In mid-September, we spotted four deer and abundant late-summer wildflowers, including lupines, mountain daisies and Indian paintbrush. Bring a plant identification guide if you’re interested in looking up names.

A little more than half-way around the Loop, pause to admire the picturesque Dewey Lakes. If you like, take a one-mile round-trip detour to dip your toes in the water. Our little hikers were just 3 and 5 years old, so we decided not to push our luck.

Just past the overlook to the lakes, catch a postcard-perfect view of Mount Rainier (elev. 14,410 feet). You’ll want to snap a few pictures here, so be sure to bring a camera.

Actually, you’ll be able to see the mountain most of the way back to the car. We also passed by people picking huckleberries on this side of the peak; ripe berries are plump, deep purple and sweet.

Papa offered little legs some relief and gave the kids a ride on his shoulders part-way down the trail, but all in all this loop didn’t offer anything they couldn’t manage. They were proud of their accomplishment, and we enjoyed a peaceful drive home while they napped.

— Sara Bristol

From Naches, head west on SR 410 to Chinook Pass. Continue under the wooden pedestrian overpass at the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park and park at Tipsoo Lake. The scenic drive takes about 75 minutes from Yakima. NOTE: Parking is free at Tipsoo Lake; if you park at Chinook Pass, a Northwest Forest Pass is required ($5).

For road and trail conditions, call Mount Rainier National Park at 360-569-2211, or visit the Web site at nps.gov/mora.

How to Get There

To find the Naches Peak Loop trail, follow the trail from the Tipsoo picnic area toward Chinook Pass to the Pacific Crest Trail (No. 2000). Cross the wooden pedestrian overpass and you’re on your way.

What to Bring

• Snacks and water
• Sensible footwear (no flip-flops)
• Appropriate clothing, including jackets, hats and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Plant identification guide
• Camera and extra batteries/film

Introduction to Golf (Selah)

INTRODUCTION TO GOLF (SELAH) | Boys and girls, ages 6-15. Meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 8-Oct. 1, at River Ridge Golf Course, 295 Golf Course Loop Road, Selah. Golf fundamentals, rules and etiquette. Cost: $80; provide your own clubs. Register with Selah Parks, 216 S. First St., Selah; 698-7300.

Ice Cream Theatre dishes up marimba music

It’s a sweet August tradition: Ice Cream Theatre, presented by the Yakima Valley Libraries, will dish up a third year of free family entertainment and ice cream from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 18.

This year’s entertainment is YakiMambo, a local group that performs African marimba music. There’s no charge for the all-ages show, which will be held at the Yakima Valley Museum Outdoor Stage, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima. Yum!

Selah Football Club Fall Soccer League

SELAH FOOTBALL CLUB FALL SOCCER LEAGUE | Boys and girls, entering grades K-6. Weeknights and Saturdays, Sept. 19-Oct. 24, in Selah. Cost: $38-$50, depending on residency; includes a jersey; $4 late fee after Aug. 31. Register with Selah Parks, 216 S. First St., Selah; 698-7300.

Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo will feature more entertainment

Kirk Houle, 4

By Leah Ward
Yakima Herald-Republic

GRANDVIEW, Wash. — It’s fair time in Grandview and there’s more entertainment on the schedule this year in addition to all the livestock.

The Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo starts in earnest on Wednesday with an opening ceremony at noon at the Grandview Country Park and Fairgrounds.

Between all the livestock judging, mutton bustin’ and mechanical bull riding, a man named Brandon Cash will sing his tributes to Johnny Cash.

They’re no relation but Brandon looks a little like the real man in black and he’s based in Nashville. Cash sings Friday and Saturday night after the rodeo.

It’s part of the 82-year-old fair’s effort to bring more entertainment to the event, said volunteer Michelle Mensonides.

Also performing are Acapella, a Christian group from Nashville, and David Harsh, Christian singer and song writer from Marysville, Wash.

Mensonides said there’s a well-founded rumor that one of the members of Acapella may try to ride a real bull Saturday night. “We’ll see,” she said.

Dick Frost, a magician from Spokane, will also be on hand to try to tell you there’s nothing up his sleeve. He performs at 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mensonides said the entertainment is a good deal because it’s included in the price of admission.

The traditional fair events are back too, including the Friday and Saturday night rodeo, sanctioned by the Pacific Rodeo Cowboy Association, and the Saturday Grandview Chamber of Commerce car show, now in its fourth year.

Other highlights:

* Thursday: Tractor driving career development, 10 a.m.; Grandview Community Parade, 6:30 p.m.

* Friday: Pee wee swine fitting and showing 2:30; diaper derby, 6:30 p.m.

* Saturday: Dog show, 8 a.m.; livestock sale, 10 a.m.

If you go …

• Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo in Grandview
• Location: 812 Wallace Way, Grandview.
• Admission: Adults, $6; Students ages 5-13: $4; Kids under 5 are free if accompanied by an adult.
• For a complete schedule and more information: www.yvfair-rodeo.org

Be thrifty when buying back-to-school supplies

Beginning in July, the Yakima mom begins scouring advertisements for the best deals. She knows summer is the time to shop, because supplies will become more expensive as the school year progresses.

“Boxes of crayons and glue sticks are so much cheaper during this time, so I stock up,” said Connell, who has five children between the ages of 8 months and 11 years. “As soon as I see the sales starting, I keep an eye out.”

Connell is one of thousands of parents gearing up for the back-to-school season in the Yakima Valley. Many school districts already have mailed their supply lists or will do so in the next couple of weeks.

Classes at most schools begin in late August or early September, prompting parents and retailers alike to say that now is the time to buy.

“Back-to-school is like Christmas for us,” said Atif Awan, a sales supervisor at Office Max in Yakima. “It usually starts to get busy the last week of July, but August is when it really starts.”

The supplies begin arriving in his store in June, but the sales are heaviest in late July and throughout August, Awan said.

Lured by the promise of folders, crayons, rulers and other items for a penny, Awan said parents will flood through the doors with their lists in hand.

If they want to avoid the crowds, though, they need to plan their shopping trips wisely, he said.

“The best time to get this stuff is the moment the first ad hits,” he said. “If you wait until the last moment, you won’t get anything that cheap.”

Awan also advises people to check retailers’ Web sites to see the advertisements, and go shopping in the morning.

“Anytime before 4 p.m. is best,” he said. “That’s when people who are shopping aren’t looking for school supplies. You can take your time and you don’t have to worry about fighting someone else over it.”

Jamie Christiansen, security manager at Target, agrees that August is his busiest month. He said deals are to be had, but people must be vigilant about checking the fliers and Web site each week.

Want to know what school supplies are required? You may need to check your school district’s Web site or call the school directly to find out when supply lists will be available. For contact information and Web site links to the more than 30 school districts served by ESD 105, click here.

“Merchandise will start flying out the window by the end of the summer,” he said. “If you want to make sure what you’re looking for is in stock, you should get in as early as you can. If it’s on clearance, it might not be there.”

Connell has learned the importance of buying early. She will typically visit several stores to get her supplies, and with the exception of backpacks she gets the cheapest items possible.

“Maybe I’m not that nice of a parent, but if my kids want a sparkly folder that costs three times as much, they can use their own money,” she said. “If I come home with school supplies, they’re happy to take what I bought for them already.”

Michelle Dooley, a first-grade teacher at Terrace Heights Elementary School, also has finessed her shopping techniques. With a class of kids and a first-grade son of her own, she said she stockpiles supplies now so they will last throughout the year.

She also prefers one-stop shopping, and will wait until she sees an ad that’s too good to miss.

“I don’t run all over town for each little sale,” she said. “I would say, definitely wait until you see the better ads.”

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

Back-to-school shopping tips

* Give your children only the necessary amount of pencils and lined paper each week, so you have backups if supplies are lost.

* Don’t scrimp on backpacks and lunch boxes, as those items are the most abused. By spending more money now, you avoid having to replace the items later.

* Budget for back-to-school expenses and establish a savings fund a year in advance. That way, you’ll have cash available when you need to do your shopping.

* Consider shopping at thrift or consignment shops for “gently used” clothes and backpacks.

* Stick to your budget, and have your children participate in the shopping so they can learn how to manage money.

* Don’t be afraid to say no to your children’s requests.

* Shop at home first for such basics as pencils and pens, which you probably already have.

* Look for deals at office supply stores, drugstores and even dollar stores — which all compete for back-to-school spending.

* Purchase plain supplies, which are cheaper than their decorated counterparts.

A fun stop in Bellevue

After dropping a friend off at SeaTac on Friday, the kids and I needed a place to stop and burn some energy before heading back home to Yakima. Of course, Seattle has lots of fun things to do with kids: Pacific Science Center, Woodland Park Zoo and the wading pool at Green Lake were all tempting options.

Ultimately, though, I decided to stay on the eastside of Friday afternoon traffic. So, we stopped by the KidsQuest Children’s Museum at the Factoria Mall in Bellevue. It’s at the junction of I-90 and I-405, so it was super convenient for our route. Admission was $7.50 per person. We stayed about two hours and, honestly, the kids could have stayed longer but I was ready to move on (especially because the “jeans for $12″ sign on the OshKosh B’gosh store across the way was screaming at me to check out their back-to-school sale).

Anyway, the kids had a great time. Annie, 4, loved the Waterways area, which had several interactive exhibits that allowed kids to explore the power of water. Max, 6, really loved “driving” the full-size Peterbilt semi-truck.

The museum’s not especially large and I wouldn’t recommend it as a destination from Yakima, but it was a great way to pass the afternoon if you happen to be in Bellevue or (like us) just passing through. Makes me wish we had something similar closer to home…

Looking for an indoor place to beat the heat? Check out our list of Indoor Play Places.

Central Washington State Fair

September 30, 2009

CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE FAIR. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Headline entertainment: Boys II Men at 7 p.m. “Fair-N-Dipity” is the theme of this annual agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, concerts, rodeo, car racing, commercial exhibits, food concessions, carnival rides and games. Runs through Oct. 4. Admission: $12 adults, $9 seniors 65+, $7 youth ages 6-12.State Fair Park, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima. 248-7160. fairfun.com

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