Go “Fourth” and celebrate!

The good ol’ U.S.A. is a whopping 236 years old—and here’s how we’re celebrating the red, white and blue.

Yakima’s 4^th of July Celebration begins at noon and ends at midnight at State Fair Park, located at 1301 S. Fair Ave. in Yakima. The park will be packed with food vendors, activities, games, rides, stage shows  and other attractions. A fireworks show starts at 10 p.m.

Independence Day fun begin at State Fair Park on June 29, however. The 2012 Carnival runs from June 29-July 8 (closed July 5). For more details, hours, prices and updates, head to yakima4thofjuly.org.

 

You don’t have to stay within the Yakima city limits to celebrate!

The Naches Valley Independence Day Festival will kick off at 10 a.m. in downtown Naches. Family fun activities are scheduled throughout the day, culminating in a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. If you’d like to learn more, contact Randy at RJ Tires in Naches at 509-653-2165.

There are also a couple of lower valley options available to you. Zillah’s 4^th of July celebration begins at 8 p.m. and features professional and local fireworks at Stewart Park, located at 107 First Ave.

Traveling farther down I-82, you’ll find Prosser’s Old-Fashioned 4^th of July Celebration. Early festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a car show, concession stands, sack races, obstacle courses and bingo. Stick around or come back for a fireworks show at 10 p.m. The fun takes place at Prosser City Park, located at Seventh and Sommers streets.

Be One with Nature

 There’s the joke about the Buddhist who walks up to a hot dog vendor and says, “Make me one with everything.”

Now, your family can be one with nature with the plethora of options available this summer.

 

Sometimes you don’t have to go very far to experience a real outdoorsy summer here in the area. Try these local options:

Spend a few evening hours under the stars by Star Gazing at Randall Park one Friday each month through October. Thanks to a partnership between the Yakima Astronomical Society and Yakima Parks and Rec, families can observe the moon, planets, stars and other sky objects. Contact Yakima Parks and Rec at 509-575-6020 for more info.

Starting times vary, but here’s the schedule:

May 25: 8:30-midnight

June 29: 9 p.m.-midnight

July 27: 8:30 p.m.-midnight

Aug. 24: 8 p.m.-midnight

Sept. 21: 7 p.m.-midnight

Oct. 19: 7 p.m.-midnight

 

Another great way to be one with the earth is to get your hands dirty and grab hold of some plump earthworms.

 Sure, you can try to hunt down the night crawlers on your own, or you can head to the Yakima Area Arboretum to give your kids an educational and fun outing. The Arboretum’s “Worm Composting for Kids” class is set for 1-3 p.m. June 19.

Kids grades 2 and up will learn all about worms in a real hands-on setting. The cost is $20 for YAA members and $26 for non-members. The fee includes a starter kit. Parents are free if they accompany their child.

The class takes place at the Jewett Interpretive Center at the Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima. Contact: 509-248-7337, or visit ahtrees.org.

The YAA is also holding “Nature Camp” for six weeks this summer. The week-long camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and is intended for ages 5-11.

Pick from the following weeks: June 18-22, June 25-29, Jul. 2-6, Jul. 9-13, Jul. 16-20, or Jul. 23-27. The cost is $139 per child, which includes snacks, a T-shirt and a bottle.

Let your voice be heard this summer!

Ahhh … the sounds of summer.

 Melody Lane is offering classes to boost your musical prowess with voice and instrument lessons.

July 2-7 (no July 4 class): Sing Like a Pop Star. Vocal lessons. 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. Ages 8 and up.

July 3-31: Beginning guitar. 5-week session: Tuesdays, 4:30-5 p.m. Ages 8 and up.

July 5-Aug. 2: Beginning piano. 5-week session: Thursdays, 5-5:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up.

July 30-August 3: Sing Like a Broadway Star. Vocal lessons. 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. Ages 8 and up.

 Allied Arts is keeping with the rhythm of music with its own Strings Music Camp. Beginners will meet 8-9:30 a.m. June 18-22 or June 25-29, and intermediate musicians will meet 9:45-11:15 a.m. June 18-22 or June 25-29. The cost is $125.

Another musical treat is Allied Arts’ Music Camp, which runs July 23-27 & July 30-Aug. 3. The weeklong camp, from 9-11 a.m. each day, is for ages 7-12.

The music camp is open to everyone in that age group, and is inclusive of kids with special needs. The class will feature free-flowing music and give kids a hands-on music experience and lessons on instruments from around the world. The cost is $80 each.

 

Allied Arts of Yakima Valley

5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima

509-966-0930 • alliedartsyakima.org

 

CoMotion Dance Center for the Arts

4001 Summitview Ave., Suite 20, Yakima

509-966-0676

 

Meloday Lane Performing Arts Academy

2610 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Suite A, Yakima.

509-248-9623 • melodylaneacademy.com

 

More Musical Notes

If you want to enjoy music but don’t want to commit to a week-long camp, there are some other options out there.

 Gone Fiddling Again hosts its “Circle Music Jam” the third Thursday of each month from 7-9 p.m. Next dates: June 21, July 19 & Aug. 16.

The jams are for all ages and abilities and are described as “nutrition for the music soul.” The jams include country, folk, fiddle, bluegrass and blues.

Gone Fiddling Again is located at 217 S. 63^rdAve. in Yakima. Contact: 509-949-2100; gonefiddlingagain.com

The Yakima Valley Community Band marks its summer debut of “Concerts in the Park” 7 p.m. on July 4, with free concerts running each Wednesday from July 4-Aug. 8. A variety of music includes jazz, classical, pops, Broadway tunes and marches. Each concert is performed at Randall Park at 48 N. 44^th Ave. in Yakima.

Youth can also try out for a seat on the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-2013 group. Auditions are held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 2 and June 9 at Englewood Christian Church, 511 N. 44^th Ave. in Yakima. For more details email yyso.yes@gmail.com.

Care to dance?

Your kids can dance the summer away with a variety of dance camps.

Co-Motion Dance will run weekly dance camps and intensives for ages 3 and up from June 11 to August 16, and each week will offer something different.

The cost is $68 for one week for ages 6-9, and $78 for the week for ages 10 and up. The 6-9 age group runs from 3-4:30 Monday-Thursday; intermediate from 4:30-6:30 p.m.; and advanced from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

June 11-14: Hip hop

June 18-21: Tap

June 25-28: Modern

July 9-12: Jazz

July 16-19: Ballet

July 23-26: Modern (not a repeat)

July 30-Aug. 2: Jazz (not a repeat)

Aug. 6-9: Tap (not a repeat)

Aug. 13-16: Hip hop (not a repeat)

 

The Melody Lane Performing Arts Academy is offering music, dance and theatre camps this summer. You like princesses? Check. Movie-inspired courses? Check. A variety of music genres? Check!

Princesses first! Ages 3-5: $65 per week. Each week offers two sessions: 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m.

June 25-29: Cinderella Princess

July 9-13: Little Mermaid Princess

July 23-27: Sleeping Beauty Princess

July 3-31: Disney Princesses (5-week session), 11-11:50 or 4:30-5:20 p.m.

Music/Theatre/Dance classes: Two session options: 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. $65-$99.

July 9-13: “Annie” Musical Week. Sing and dance. Ages 6 and up.

July 16-20: “Star Wars” stage combat and Jedi training. Ages 6 and up.

July 23-27: “Wicked” musical theatre. Ages 8 and up.

Aug. 6-10: “Tangled” musical theatre. Ages 3-7.

Other dance camps:

June 25-29 & Aug. 6-10: Pop Stars Hip Hop Dance Week. 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. Ages 6 and up.

July 2-7 (except July 4) & July 23-27: Ballerina Boot Camp Dance Week. 10-10:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. Ages 6 and up.

July 16-20: “So You Think You Can Dance?”-style dance week. 10-11:50 a.m. or 4:30-6:20 p.m. Ages 12 and up.

July 30-August 3: “Get the edge.” Strength and flexibility. 10-11:20 a.m. or 5-6:20 p.m.

Theatre, anyone?

“All the world’s a stage!”

So says the character Jacques in Shakespeare’s play As You Like It.

With that in mind, if you can’t travel the world, then make the world come to life with theatre!

This summer there are several programs available for your kids to get in the stage spotlight.

Eisenhower High School will host its Eisenhower Summer Drama Camp June 18-22. The camp, which runs from 9 a.m.-noon each day, is intended for kids 6-13.

Participants will learn the ins and outs of the stage, including acting, dancing, singing, improvisation, props and costuming.

A “Grand Finale” show will be held at 11:30 a.m. on June 22, the last day of the camp.

The cost is $68 per child, which includes a daily snack and a camp T-shirt.

The drama unfolds at Ike’s Little Theatre, located at 702 S. 40^th Ave. in Yakima. Call 509-833-7676 for more info.

 

Allied Arts of Yakima Valley has prepared a lineup of theatre fun, too.

The organization is holding its “Theatre For Kids” program June-August. Each camp runs from 4-6 p.m. for kids 7-12. Cost: $80.

June 25-29: The film “The Artist” hits the stage.

July 9-13: Myths and storytelling on stage.

July 15-20: Murals come to life on stage.

Aug. 20-24: Puppets on stage.

Allied Arts will also resume its two-week Shakespeare Camp in August. Elementary and middle school students meet from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 13-17 & Aug. 20-24, and high school students meet from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 13-17 & Aug. 20-24. Cost: $150.

Let summer begin…

What does summer mean to you?

With each new season, I think of transitions and new possibilities, and summer is no exception.

With all four seasons in the Yakima Valley, that means having a real summer experience.

Our household is still in the process of planning vacations, but I’m not concerned about it so much.

That’s because I’m looking forward to what some might call “the little things” — things that really aren’t so little at all.

I’m excited for longer days outside.

I’m ready for fresh fruit and vegetables, either from Yakima Farmers’ Market or local produce stands.

I’m eager for local baseball to start (and happy to see the Yakima Bears will be here this season!), and am already hungry for a Bear Dog.

I’m excited for my kids to experience another summer and all its wondrous opportunities, and I’m sure you’re ready to do the same.

What does summer mean to you?

Programs for the Young Artist this summer

Programs for the Young Artist

 

Yakima Valley’s beautiful summer is a work of art itself, and it might inspire kids to get their hands working creatively. Here are some programs for kids who want to get artistic.

Maxin Art Studio is offering a drop-in drawing class each Friday from 4-6 p.m. The studio is located at 106 S. Third St. in Yakima. You can call 509-494-3850 for details, or visit maxinartstudio.com. Ongoing.

Red Art Studios, located at 2522 W. Nob Hill Blvd. in Yakima, has a lineup of summer art and science day camps beginning in July. Each camp costs $65 per participant, and pre-registration is required. Call 509-469-2766 to register. All camps run 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. Here’s the schedule:

July 17-20: “Explore Ancient Egypt” Art, culture, math and language.

July 24-27: “Weather Central” Weather in art, weather machines and observing.

July 31-Aug. 3: “Masks of the Americas” Mask construction, history, culture and expression.

Aug. 7-10: Rocket camp. (First session)

Aug. 14-17: Rocket camp. (Second session)

 Allied Arts of Yakima Valley will resume its popular summer ArtsVan program, which brings art to various parks in the area (check out our website, playdateyakima.com, for a full schedule!). Allied Arts also has a number of art camps at its facility at 5000 W. Lincoln Ave. in Yakima. Call the office at 509-966-0930 or visit alliedartsyakima.org for more info and updates.

Each art camp costs $80 for a full week or $140 for two theatre or art camps. Each camp is designed for ages 7-12 and runs from 2-4 p.m. on the dates listed below.

Jun. 25-29: Explore the movie “The Artist.”

July 9-13: Explore myths and storytelling in an art classroom setting.

July 16-20: Explore the art of murals.

Aug. 20-24: Explore the world of puppet creation.

Minute for Mom: June/July edition

Minute for Mom

Robin Salts Beckett

 

Snack Attack

My family has two current snack obsessions: Dannon’s Greek Yogurt in Vanilla … and waffles. Betcha’ can’t guess which one is my son’s obsession. (It’s still the waffles.) My mom made a lovely little dessert the other night out of Dannon topped with sliced strawberries and a little bit of sweetener on top. It’s super yummy and some pitiful number of calories, so pretty guilt free.

Heather Caro, who used to work for Yakima magazine, sent along this snack idea, which my son is crazy about: cinnamon waffles. All you do is get a can of cinnamon rolls (the kind you pop open, pop on a baking sheet and pop in the oven), then press them in a waffle iron. Voila! Cinnamon waffles. Pour on the syrup and call it breakfast.

 

DIY Fun

Jill St. George, our resident DIY expert, came up with this brilliant way to make darling jewelry for not a lot of money. Here are her instructions on how: Cut a leather strip (she recycles leather belts) approximately 7 inches (for most wrist sizes). Cut a piece of vintage or new lace to wrap around edges of leather. Next drill one hole at each end of the leather. Then attach lace, using spray adhesive (glue). Spray the back of the lace (not the leather — you don’t want a sticky bracelet) and then neatly place lace across the leather strip. Make a small slice in the lace before attaching grommets. Place and attach grommets in each of the holes. Run ribbon through the holes and then tie onto wrist.

 

Royal Reality

Staffer Alex Mitchell, who can always be relied upon for an excellent book recommendation, loaned me “Rose,” an autobiography by the personal maid to volatile and rich Lady Astor. No meek wallflower herself, Rose Harrison describes the complicated—and loving—relationship between her and Mrs. Astor. Wry, honest and fun, the account is a true page turner, and an amazing account of how things “used to be.” If you’re a Downton Abbey fan, you’ll love it.

Family Fare: Waffles Cafe

By Jill St. George

 

Every year, I crave fresh asparagus right about the time it’s in season. I’ll admit, I have a hard time remembering which veggie is in season when. So you can imagine how happy I was to drive past Waffles Café and see a billboard reading, “asparagus omelets,” — an indication that asparagus is indeed here. So in a brief moment of excitement, I whipped a u-turn on North First Street, landing me smack-dab in the middle of the Waffles Café parking lot.

 

A day seldom passes when my son, Jax, who’s 4, doesn’t ask to eat out. So he was more than happy to tag along.

 

Once inside, we sat ourselves and then browsed through the menu. I expected to see breakfast items galore, but to my surprise, they have quite a selection for lunch as well — from chef salads ($8.99) to monster burgers ($9.65).

 

As good as everything else sounded, I still had one thing on my mind: asparagus! So I went with the omelet ($9.90). In between coloring and clowning around, Jax decided on pancakes and bacon ($5.90) from the kids’ menu.

 

Within a matter of minutes, our food arrived (a huge plus with a 4-year-old).

 

The pancake was plenty enough for two. And the omelet… it was heavenly. It’s filled with mushrooms, ham and cheese, topped with fresh asparagus and then covered in a creamy hollandaise sauce. And it tastes just as good as it looks. It not only satisfied my asparagus craving, it had me coming back for more.

 

The following Friday we were right back in the same seat — but with dad there to treat us. And once again, we raved about our dishes — mine was the Monte Cristo ($9.35), dad had the cheeseburger with crinkle fries ($8.95) and Jax was served enough French toast ($5.90) for two.

 

I seldom am a regular at restaurants, but the few I do frequent see more than enough of my rambunctious boy and me. I have a feeling they are going to see a lot more of us.

 

Waffles Café • wafflescafe.com

 

1510 N. First St. • Yakima

509-574-0920

 

7200 W. Nob Hill Blvd., No. 42 • Yakima

(Inside Meadowbrook Mall)

Finding our home

By Lacy Heinz

 

My husband and I moved to Yakima in 2005. We wanted to stay in the Northwest after grad school, but choosing a city was a little like throwing a dart at the map.

Our primary goal was to be gainfully employed in order to get a little experience and start paying on those hefty student loans. Yakima was promising employment-wise, not saturated like the college towns we were more familiar with.

It was a “three year plan.”  We would leave and find our permanent place, somewhere closer to extended family, once we built up our resumes.

Seven years later, we are still here. We have two kids, a cat and a dog, a mortgage, friends and colleagues, jobs that we are invested in, favorite taco joints and coffee stands. We know the back way to Costco and the best parks for training wheels. Every year our Yakima roots grow deeper.  But every year we wonder if this should be our permanent home, so far from our parents and other family.

Spring is an excellent time to assess whether Yakima is really “home.” The trees are in bloom. People are out in droves planting, weeding, exercising, waving to neighbors. The Farmers’ Market is right around the corner. Visitors from around the state come for wine tasting and a bit of sun.  Kids on the playground squeal and frolic.  (No, really, they do — we live right down the street from an elementary school.) As I write this, it is early spring, and my own children are playing in the sandbox after eating lunch outside. There is an incomparable charm to Yakima in the spring.

But I am not a Yakima cheerleader. There is a brand of Yakima-dweller who is tired of the negative headlines and wants everyone to stand up and shout for all the good we have here in the Valley.

And we do have a lot of wonderful things here: fun recreation, a decent housing market, hops and grapes and lots of industry. I recognize this, but I’m not oblivious to the challenges we face as a community either. I was a prosecutor for some time and am acutely aware of the crime rate. Disturbing also is significant malnutrition and obesity in children. Underfunded public schools, too. But I don’t really have an eagle eye on these issues at the moment either. The dual faces of Yakima — its sunny, bright-blossomed glow and its shadier side — color the backdrop of my child-rearing years, but they do not define my experience.

What keeps me going and digging a little deeper each year are Yakima’s people. Every time we talk about moving away and being closer to our extended family, I get a jolt of fear that, in a new city, I would not have a community of caring and genuine friends that makes our lives so rich. I have two grandmotherly neighbors who consistently offer up chocolate chip cookies, gossip and pregnancy war stories. I have forged friendships with mothers who continue to support me despite my impulsive late night text messaging practices.  (Me: “3 cheeseburgers normal at 6 mo pregnant right??” Nice friend: “Of course!!!”)  My husband and I have both had willing mentors in our chosen fields. We have friends who live in the country and have allowed our children to pick apples and meet all manner of livestock. To top it off, we have found the best babysitter.  (That alone is worth its weight in gold.)

So, while it is difficult to live so far from family in other parts of the Northwest, we continue to stay in Yakima. The endless irrigation water and fertile soil give us lovely things to grow and eat, while our dear friends bring sunshine to our days.

Yakima is good to us.

 

–Lacy Heinz is a Mom with a capital M who loves to read, root for the Oregon Ducks, and do a little legal work when time and preschoolers permit.

Moses Lake water park a great day trip option

Summer usually means road trips, and you don’t have to go far if you’re looking for a real water park adventure.
Moses Lake is home to Surf ‘n Slide Water Park, which attracts visitors from all over the area. There are plenty of attractions for the brave swimmers, but there’s no need to be shy; the water park offers fun options for all ages and abilities.
There are plenty of ways to make a splash at the park. Some highlights include two 200-foot water slides, a 300-foot “river,” an artificial surfing simulator, volleyball courts, pools and diving boards, and a tube slide.
This year’s early season opens May 26 until June 7, when operating hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends, and 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Regular season commences June 8 until Aug. 28, when the hours expand to 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Late season spans Aug. 29-Sept. 3, when hours go back to 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends, and 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
It’s advised to call ahead of your trip to make sure hours haven’t changed.
Cost: $9 adult, $8 student (ages 13-17), $7 seniors and children (ages 5-12), free for children under 4. Call or check website for season and family passes.

If you go:
Surf ‘n Slide Water Park
401 W. 4th Ave.
Moses Lake
509-764-3842
surfnslide.com

Summer at the Museum

Summer at the Museum

 

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to go on a long journey. That’s the beauty of museums. You can drive for a few minutes, or take a road trip to explore one of the many options in the state, and you’ll be transported to another time and place.

Here’s a roundup of fun regional museums that are worth the road trip this summer:

 

Yakima County

Central Washington Agricultural Museum

Museum grounds feature horse-drawn and early mechanical farm machinery, plus 3,000 antique hand tools, a steam engine, bells, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, an apple packing line and the Lindeman Tractor. Educational programs available 9:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays though June 8. Other special events include various tractor runs, tractor pulls and the annual Central Washington Antique Farm Equipment Expo, scheduled for Aug. 18-19.

Fullbright Park, 4508 Main St., Union Gap

Museum grounds open every day of the year

Buildings open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday through October

Free admission ($5 suggested donation per person)

509-457-8735 • centralwaagmuseum.org

 

McAllister Museum of Aviation

Opened in 1926 by brothers Charles and Alister McAllister. Special event: B-17 Bomber, ground tours and rides available at 4 p.m., June 25-28.

Open all year: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays

2008 S. 16^th Ave., Yakima

509-457-4933 • mcallistermuseum.org

 

Northern Pacific Railway Museum

The Northern Pacific Railway depot was in use from 1911 until 1981, and the museum was opened in 1989. Highlight: Have your birthday party in a caboose!  The 13^th Annual Railroad Show is Aug. 24-25 and features art, demonstrations, caboose rides and tours.

10 Asotin Ave., Toppenish

Open through October

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 12-4 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

$5 adults, $3 children 17 and under and seniors

Contact: Roger, 509-865-1911, or Mary (special events), 509-877-3894

nprymuseum.org

 

Yakima Area Arboretum

Described as a “living collection of trees and plants.” Park grounds cover 46 acres, 30 of which house trees and display gardens, and 15 acres of natural area. Jewett Interpretive Center features a bell tower, Heritage of Trees display, reference library, herbarium, gift shop and courtyard.

1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima

Park open dawn to dusk; Jewett Visitor Center open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

Admission by donation

509-248-7337 • ahtrees.org

 

Yakima Electric Railway Museum

Since 1907 this has been the home of Yakima Valley Trolleys, which its website says is “America’s last intact, early 20^th century, interurban electric railroad.” A collection of trolleys for observation and weekend and holiday trolley rides available.

South Third Avenue & Pine Street, Yakima

Open through September 3

Trolley rides 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

$4 adults, $3 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and up, children on lap are free (cash only)

509-249-5962 • yakimavalleytrolleys.org

 

Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center Museum

Exhibits include life-size dwellings, a mannequin exhibit of Native American leaders and sound effects with music and oral narratives. There’s also a gift shop, restaurant and theater.

Highway 97 and Buster Road, Toppenish

Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

$6 adults, $4 seniors 55 & older and children 11-18, $2 children 0-10, $15 family (2 adults and 2 children under 18), $25 guided tour

509-865-2800, ext. 1 • yakamamuseum.com

 

Yakima Valley Museum • Children’s Underground

Historical exhibits of Yakima Valley, from pioneer days to early city life. Highlights include a focus on the area’s fruit industry, horse-drawn vehicles, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas exhibit, the Children’s Underground and the adjacent Museum Soda Fountain. Gift shop and educational programs available. Other rotating exhibits throughout the year.

2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima (Franklin Park)

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; Children’s Underground opens 1 p.m. weekdays & 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

Museum & Children’s Underground: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, children under 5 free, $12 family (check for special group rates)

Soda Fountain: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; summer hours 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday

509-248-0747 for museum; 509-457-9810 for Soda Fountain

yakimavalleymuseum.org

 

Take a little road trip for these museums:

 

Benton County Historical Museum

Antique clothing, Pomo baskets and a Christmas toy exhibit.

Located in Prosser City Park, 1000 Paterson Road, Prosser

Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 12-3 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday

$3 adults, $1 children under 18

509-786-3842

 

Children’s Activity Museum

Since 1991, hands-on fun includes themed play areas, the vortex machine and a reading nook. Preschool program, party rentals and field trips available.

118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, 12-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday; closed Sunday-Tuesday

$4.25 per person, ages 1 and up; $14.50 family admission for four or more immediate family

509-925-6789 • childrensactivitymuseum.org

 

Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science & Technology

Highlights the scientific and technology history of Columbia Basin area, including nuclear technology, molecular science, hydroelectric power and Hanford.

95 Lee Boulevard, Richland

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday

$5 adults, $4 students ages 7-17 and seniors

509-943-9000 • crehst.org

 

Fort Simcoe State Park

This 200-acre, day-use park features five original buildings, picnic areas and interpretive displays. A family weekend in June celebrates military and Fort Simcoe history.

At the end of State Route 220, located on the Yakama Reservation (45 minutes south of Yakima)

Summer hours (through September): daily, 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Free admission and parking

509-874-2372

 

Goldendale Observatory

Budding astronauts will enjoy staying up late to star gaze at this hilltop observatory housing one of the nation’s largest public telescopes. Or stop by during the afternoon for a daylight view of the countryside.

1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale (70 miles south of Yakima)

Summer hours (through September): 2-5 p.m. & 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday.

Admission by Discover Pass, donations

509-773-3141 • perr.com/gosp.html

 

Kittitas County Historical Museum

A local history museum. The Exploring Kittitas County summer program offers an extensive calendar of field trips and hands-on activities for kids.

114 E. Third Ave., Ellensburg

Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Admission by donation

509-925-3778 • kchm.org

 

Maryhill Museum of Art

Set in a three-story mansion overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, the Maryhill Museum of Art features European and American paintings, Native American arts and pieces from the Queen of Romania. The kid-friendly EyeSEE Resource Room features games and special exhibits. Enjoy a picnic in the large garden. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Stonehenge Memorial.

Special event: Family Fun-Draw Your Own Landscape,  1-4 p.m. Jun. 9 (free with museum admission)

35 Maryhill Museum Drive, Goldendale (Located off Highway 97, 12 miles south of Goldendale)

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through November 15, including holidays

$9 adults, $8 seniors 65 and up, $3 youth ages 7-18, children free 6 and under, $25 family (2 adults and all related children ages 7-18); free parking and exploration of grounds

509-773-3733 • maryhillmuseum.org

 

It’s only a couple of hours to ancient Egypt…

If you’re hitting the road for the west side, be sure not to miss something extra special at Seattle’s Pacific Science Center. (This just might be the attraction to give you an excuse to hit the road!)

That’s because the “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” exhibit will be unveiled for the last time in North America, from May 24 until Jan. 6, 2013. The attraction features more than 100 artifacts, many of them having been around for 2,000 years. Visitors will get to see 50 items that came right from King Tut’s tomb.

The exhibit is a collaboration of National Geographic and Arts & Exhibitions International and the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, and sponsored by Seattle’s Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Tickets range from $15.50-$32.50. Pacific Science Center is located at 200 Second Avenue North in Seattle.

Find out more information: http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/King-Tut/king-tut-the-exhibition

Packages of Hope

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Want to give the gift of Christmas love this summer to kids in need?

Mikayla Vickers certainly does, and she hopes you do, too.

Vickers created a program called Packages of Hope several years ago to send care packages to children with cancer.

Her first program, called Christmas in July, paired her with a boy named Mathias. After sending a package of toys to him, she received photos and a thank-you note.

“I saw how he loved the toys and how grateful his mom was,” says Vickers.

Vickers continued the Christmas in July program for two more years before she established her own page on Facebook last year, called Packages of Hope. Vickers’ mother helps her assemble and ship packages of toys to children locally and across the nation.

Vickers will travel to Memphis this June to deliver gifts to children.

You can help, too.

“People can get involved by spreading the word,” Vickers says. “More people need to know that childhood cancer is not rare.”

Vickers is accepting donations to fill packages, and will hold an auction on her Facebook page to raise money to purchase more toys.

“I want to be the voice for these kids,” she says. “They are the strongest people you will ever meet; they go through so much but they still manage to smile through it all.”

Vickers is also gearing up to promote childhood cancer month in September. You can check out her Facebook page by searching for Packages of Hope.

 

–Scott Klepach, Jr.

Second Opinion: Sweetened Beverages

Sweetened Beverages: Not Ideal for Thirst or Flying

By Dr. David Pommer

 

The marketers for Red Bull energy drinks use metaphors to depict the benefits of their sweetened beverage. The problem with their slogan — “giving you wings” — is that unlike birds, human bones are not hollow. And with the extra calories these sweetened beverages add to your waistline, any child or adult would find it difficult to “lift off.”

So as warmer weather approaches and kids leave the classrooms for summer break, they will likely find themselves with increased levels of thirst. The question is, what thirst quenchers will they choose? Hopefully this column will give both you and your child the information necessary to make an informed decision.

Sweetened beverages or any drinks that include sugar — such as soda pop, juice, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, sports drinks and energy drinks — pack a lot of calories.  And with a growing childhood obesity epidemic, these are not calories they need for a healthy developing body.

Let’s turn to our nutritionist friends for help in crunching some of these numbers:

 

 

 

It takes 3,500 calories to make one pound of fat.

• Your standard-issue juice box has about 110 calories. So, let’s say you had a juice box every day. Over a year, you would gain about 11 pounds.
• A 12-oz. can of soda has approximately 150 calories per can.  Over a year, you may gain up to 15 pounds.
• Drinking a large fountain drink or an energy drink could create upwards of 40 pounds of additional weight.

 

Not only do you need to be concerned about calories, but also about serving sizes. Actual drink sizes have gotten bigger over the years, even as the official “serving” size has remained constant.  Today, a “kids”-size drink from a fast-food establishment is about the size that an adult drink was decades ago. If you order a beverage and it comes with two handles and wheels, consider that a sign to send it back. [what comes with two handles and wheels?]

And what about those energy drinks? The truth is, while it may provide a boost of energy, many people consume these drinks for activities that don’t require a lot of energy. One of my colleagues commented on a patient drinking energy drinks to play video games longer. While that may benefit the folks at Red Bull, a sedentary lifestyle compounds the problem of the extra calories from this sweetened beverage. And as a side note, the other additives that give an energy drink its “kick” are not particularly healthy either.

So what can we do?  The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that kids have no more than one sweetened beverage per day. If a child is overweight, this amount should be reduced significantly, preferably to none.

Recently my 11-year old asked to have some sweetened coffee, which reminded me how I can serve as a positive or negative role model. Whether we are aware of it or not, our examples influence our kids’ decisions and choices. (Note to self: put down my juice box.)

So I encourage you to let water, milk and other unsweetened beverages pass your lips this summer. Not only will you and your children drink more responsibly and quench your thirst, I won’t need to explain how weight influences aerodynamics in my waiting room.

–David Pommer, MD, is a family physician with Selah Family Medicine. He is a graduate of Whitworth University and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Happy Fourth of July!

July 4, 2012

Concerts in the Park

CONCERTS IN THE PARK. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 4. Yakima Valley Community Band performs classical, jazz, Broadway tunes and marches. Randall Park, 48 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. Contact Roger at 509-877-6307. yakimacommunityband.org

Concerts in the Park

CONCERTS IN THE PARK. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 4. Yakima Valley Community Band performs classical, jazz, Broadway tunes and marches. Randall Park, 48 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. Contact Roger at 509-877-6307. yakimacommunityband.org

Concerts in the Park

CONCERTS IN THE PARK. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 4. Yakima Valley Community Band performs classical, jazz, Broadway tunes and marches. Randall Park, 48 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. Contact Roger at 509-877-6307. yakimacommunityband.org

Concerts in the Park

July 4, 2012

7:00 pm

July 11, 2012

7:00 pm

July 18, 2012

7:00 pm

July 25, 2012

7:00 pm

CONCERTS IN THE PARK. 7 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 4. Yakima Valley Community Band performs classical, jazz, Broadway tunes and marches. Randall Park, 48 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. Contact Roger at 509-877-6307. yakimacommunityband.org

Creative Gaming Club (Moxee Library)

March 27, 2012

4:00 pm

April 3, 2012

4:00 pm

April 10, 2012

4:00 pm

April 17, 2012

4:00 pm

April 24, 2012

4:00 pm

May 1, 2012

4:00 pm

May 8, 2012

4:00 pm

May 15, 2012

4:00 pm

May 22, 2012

4:00 pm

May 29, 2012

4:00 pm

June 5, 2012

4:00 pm

June 12, 2012

4:00 pm

CREATIVE GAMING CLUB. 4 p.m. Tuesdays. Hangout and games for teens.  Moxee Library, 255 W. Seattle, Moxee; 509-575-8854.

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