WSU offering reading programs for kids this summer in Yakima

If you are a parent looking to balance your child’s carefree summer months with something worthwhile and educational, then Washington State University has something for you.

True, your little tykes may be too young to enter college, but they may certainly be ready for more reading practice.

WSU’s Global Campus will offer beginning reading programs this summer in Yakima. The programs are designed and taught by instructors from the WSU’s Institute of Reading Development and emphasize alphabet skills, reading readiness, phonics, comprehension and love of reading.

Five programs will be offered at St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School, 202 N. 4^th St. in Yakima. Here is the schedule and breakdown by grade:

• Program R: 10-11:15 a.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For 4-year-olds and entering kindergartners. Children must be 4 by start of program.
• Program 1: 12-2 p.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For entering 1^st graders.
• Program 2: 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays, June 25-July 23. For entering 2^nd graders.
• Program 3: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Tuesdays, June 25-July 23. For entering 3^rd graders.
• Program 4: 2:45-5 p.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For entering 4^th and 5^th graders.

The cost of tuition and materials differs per grade level, and some may be eligible for a family discount. Other programs for middle school and high school students and adults are also available at various locations.

You can call 800-978-3532 to register or get more information, 5 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 5 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those interested are encouraged to inquire early, as class size is limited.

Allied Arts continues art programs this spring

Kids have been shut indoors for too long by now, leaving parents wondering just what to do with them. It’s time to get artsy.

Allied Arts of Yakima has several new art programs lined up in the next few months.

Fly Your Kite & Rock Your Banner. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays through March 28. Instructor Mindy Clark helps kids create kites and banners using markers and watercolors on recycled materials, emphasizing shape, color, value, line and pattern. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Magazine Beads. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 30. Instructor: Diane Smith. Cost: $10 per person. Drop-ins welcome. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

Open Studios. 12-3 p.m. Saturdays through April 27. Open, drop-in studio. Art teacher on-hand to facilitate projects. Cost: $5 for one adult and child together; $2 each additional child. Art supplies included in cost. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

Pop Art Portraits. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, April 4-25. Clark teaches students to create portraits using markers, glue, oil pastel, printing and collage to study line, color, pattern and balance. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Collage with Rausenburg and Beardon. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, May 2-30. Instructor: Mindy Clark. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Spring Sports

SOCCER

Spring Break Soccer Camp
Your kids will get a kick out of Ike’s Spring Break Soccer Camp, which runs two days in April. The camp, at Gilbert Elementary, is from 9-10:30 a.m., April 2-3.
The soccer camp is designed for boys and girls, grades K-6. Kids will work with the Ike soccer players to learn soccer skills and have fun. Cost is $20 per child. Registration began March 1. To register, contact coach Tyler Suhm at 509-573-2672 or email suhm.tyler@yakimaschools.org.

ITTY BITTIES INTRO TO SOCCER Boys and girls, ages 3-4. 6-6:45 p.m. Thursdays, May 10-31. Kids learn dribbling, passing, shooting and basic motor skills. Cost: $40/$48, depending on residency; includes T-shirt. At Chesterley Park. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

PEE WEE SOCCER LEAGUE Boys and girls, ages 5-6. 6-7:15 p.m. Thursdays, April 5-26. Fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting learned with noncompetitive games. Cost: $40/$48, depending on residency; includes T-shirt and ball. At Chesterley Park. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

YMCA ITTY BITTY SOCCER Boys and girls, ages 3-6. Soccer basics, plus teamwork and sportsmanship. Season begins: TBA. Registration: Opens in mid-April, closes in May. Cost: $45/$55, depending on membership. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 509-248-1202. Contact: Doug Berndt, Youth Programs Director: 509-972-5273 or dberndt@yakimaymca.org. yakimaymca.org

FOOTBALL

SELAH FLAG FOOTBALL Boys and girls, grades 2-6. Divisions by grade. No-tackle, pass-only league. Cost: $47.61/$58.43/$69.25, depending on residency; includes T-shirt. Registration: Through April 12. League play: April 30-June 6. At Lince Fields in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

YMCA FLAG FOOTBALL Boys and girls, ages 5-12. Season starts May 20; registration runs March 15-April 30. Cost: $65/$75, depending on membership. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 509-248-1202. Contact: Doug Berndt, Youth Programs Director: 509-972-5273 or dberndt@yakimaymca.org. yakimaymca.org

T-BALL

SELAH T-BALL Boys and girls, ages 5-7. Teams play once a week, plus one or two practices per week. Cost: $38.92/$49.77/$60.59, depending on residency; fee includes T-shirt. Registration: March 1-April 9. League Play: Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 30-June 6. At Lince Fields in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

GOLF

PEE WEE GOLF Boys and girls, ages 4-6. Four sessions: 3-3:30 p.m. Mondays, May 6-20; 3-3:30 p.m. Mondays June 3-17; 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14-28; 3-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 22-June 5. Preschoolers will learn basics of golf and etiquette, stance, swings and putts. Class size caps at four students. Cost: $24/$29, depending on residency. Fisher Golf Course, 823 S. 40th Ave., Yakima; 509-575-6075.

JUNIOR CHIPPERS Boys and girls, ages 7-11. Three sessions, all Wednesdays-Thursdays: 3:30-4:30 p.m. April 17-May 2; 4:45-5:45 p.m. May 8-23; 4:45-5:45 p.m. June 5-20. Develop proper etiquette, swings, stance and confidence. Cost: $71/$80, depending on residency. Fisher Golf Course, 823 S. 40th Ave., Yakima; 509-575-6075.

JUNIOR DRIVERS Boys and girls, ages 12-16. Three sessions, all Wednesdays-Thursdays: 4:45-5:45 p.m. April 17-May 2; 3:30-4:30 p.m. May 8-23; 3:30-4:30 p.m. June 5-20. Develop proper etiquette, swings, stance and confidence. Cost: $71/$80, depending on residency. Fisher Golf Course, 823 S. 40th Ave., Yakima; 509-575-6075.

Fisher Park offers two Friday Night Glow Ball sessions
This spring you’ll have two chances to golf in the dark with glow balls, May 17 or June 7. Participants will take glow sticks on a nine-hole course and receive glow-in-the-dark necklaces. Cost: $25 per person; includes greens fee, one glow ball and glow stick, necklace and light snacks. Register one week prior to either event. Fisher Golf Course, 823 S. 40th Ave., Yakima; 509-575-6075.

Want disc golf? Disc golf has become quite the popular sport. (Or is it recreation? You be the judge.) Now, disc golf enthusiasts and those new to the game have a special place of their own.
The Wide Hollow Creek Disc Golf Course is now open at Randall Park in Yakima, near the side CLOSEST to 48th Avenue. The nine-disc golf course was made possible by a $4,000 grant from Legends Casino along with more than $2,000 in donations from area businesses.

White Pass Kids’ Clinic Boys and girls ages 5-12 can experience full-day skiing or snowboarding clinics with specialized children’s instructors. The remaining sessions are March 23-24. Registration takes place from 8-9:15 a.m. on those dates in the Talus Room. Clinic participants meet at The Learning Center at White Pass at 9:30 a.m. each day. The cost is $90 single day, $130 weekend; includes lunch, snacks and lift tickets.
Register for either program with The Learning Center at White Pass, 509-672-3101, and check out skiwhitepass.com for more info.

Junior League Starting Kids’ Marathon

Junior League of Yakima wants to get your kids moving! The league is starting its first Kids’ Marathon, which is open to kids 5 and older.
Don’t worry, parents. Your child is not expected to run all 26.2 miles in one shot. Instead, your kids can get started now and have their miles logged along the way.
The actual marathon is set for 10 a.m. May 18 at West Valley Park. On that day, kids will run the final mile of the marathon together. Kids completing the marathon will receive a medal. The last day to register for the marathon is March 28.
A Family Fun Run is scheduled the same day, with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. There is no cost to participate, but families are asked to bring canned food donations to benefit Northwest Harvest.
To sign up, visit the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/JlYkidsmarathon2013, where all required forms can be found. You can also contact the Junior League office, 509-966-0930, or email kidsmarathon2013@gmail.com.

Head to Selah for hunter education class in March

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting the next Hunter Education courses in the area at 6 p.m. March 18-22 at the Selah Civic Center. The cost is $10 per person.

The state requires anyone born after 1972 to complete a hunter education class before being allowed to hunt.

You may register online at wdfw.wa.gov. After you register, be sure to bring your paperwork to the class, where you’ll then pay the course fee and receive a book.

The Selah Civic Center is located at 216 S. First St., in Selah.

Allied Arts of Yakima kicks off new art programs in February

Kids have been shut indoors for too long by now, leaving parents wondering just what to do with them.

It’s time to get artsy.

Allied Arts of Yakima has several brand-new art programs lined up starting in February and continuing into the spring.

February

“Masks of the Pacific Northwest.” 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7-28. Instructor Mindy Clark helps students explore the world of masks created using mixed media, representing the Pacific Northwest. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. 2^nd St., Selah.

“Belly Dancing with Sabra.” 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 5-26. Cost: $10 per person.  Drop-ins welcome. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

“Mommy & Me Matching Pocket Services.” 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 2 & Feb. 9. Instructor: Diane Smith. Cost: $10 per person.  Drop-ins welcome. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

March

“Fly Your Kite & Rock Your Banner.” 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, Mar. 7-28. Instructor Mindy Clark leads kids to create kites and banners using markers and watercolors on kites and banners made of recycled materials, emphasizing shape, color, value, line and pattern. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. 2^nd St., Selah.

“Magazine Beads.” 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Mar. 2-30. Instructor: Diane Smith. Cost: $10 per person.  Drop-ins welcome. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

April

“Pop Art Portraits.” 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, Apr. 4-26. Instructor Mindy Clark teaches students to create portraits using markers, glue, oil pastel, printing and collage to study line, color, pattern and balance. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. 2^nd St., Selah.

May

“Collage with Rausenburg and Beardon.” 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, May 2-30. Instructor: Mindy Clark. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. 2^nd St., Selah.

Free parenting classes at First Presbyterian

Laurie Kanyer, certified life eductor and author, will hold free parenting classes for seven weeks at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima. Each class starts at 11 a.m. Sundays, and the kickoff was Sept. 9. The final class is Nov. 4. Each class takes place in the church gym.

Topics include ages and stages of childhood develoopment, building strong families and getting kids to cooperate.

The church is offering child care for kids up to age 5, and a kids’ program for grades K-5 while the parenting classes are held.

Contact Shan Trick at 509-248-7940 or visit fpcyakima.org for more information. First Presbyterian Church is at 9 S. Eighth Ave. in Yakima.

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.

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.

Circle Music Jam offering fiddling performances this spring

Don’t be befuddled by the fiddling world. Every third Thursday of each month, Gone Fiddling Again hosts a “Circle Music Jam” for all ages.

The jam is nutrition for the music soul, and combines musical ingredients including country, folk, fiddle, bluegrass and blues.

All ages and abilities are welcome to play. The jam runs 7-9 p.m. April 19 and May 17 at 217 S. 63^rd Ave. in Yakima.

The “Fiddle Kids” third annual show is set for Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive in Yakima. This event is free and open to the public.

On May 19, the group will host a community dance from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Broadway Grange. Dances will be taught during the event, including reels, circles and squares, so no dancing experience is necessary.

Call Cheryl at 509-949-2100 for more info, or visit gonefiddlingagain.com.

Parenting classes run Feb. 5-Mar. 25

PARENTING CLASS. 11 a.m. An 8-week parenting class instructed by Certified Family Life Educator and author Laurie Kanyer. Some topics include: Why kids misbehave, understanding temperament, acknowledging feelings and gaining trust, accountability, gaining trust and cooperation, ways to reduce stress, offering healthy alternatives, setting reasonable limits and teaching life skills. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. 8^th Ave., Yakima; 509-248-7940. Contact: shan.trick@fpcyakima.com.

Prenatal and Kids’ Yoga

Prenatal Yoga:

Feather Yoga Studio
Prenatal yoga classes.
Heather Powell: 509-469-2559

featheryogastudio.com

 

Prenatal Yoga

Mondays 6-7 p.m.

Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s Education Center

2506 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima

Lori Gibbons: 509-248-7322

lorigibbons@yvmh.org

 

Yakima Yoga

509-910-1151

yakimayoga.com

 

Kids’ Yoga:

Surva Yoga

Kids’ 4-8

910 Summitview Ave., 6A

509-965-2346

Kids Yoga

Kids Yoga

By Heather Caro

Lookitme, mom!

My 4-year-old son scrambled around on the couch for a moment before finally deciding on an impressive feat: He then reclined and easily extended both legs behind his head. I watched him, genuinely impressed – not only with his ability to place his own toes in his mouth while giggling hysterically, but his skill in (literally) bouncing back from such a position.

I shuddered to think of what would happen should I attempt to follow suit. Needless to say it would probably result in a “sick day.”

Cocking my head to the side in order to properly observe his acrobatics, I watched as he stood on his head and flipped into a cringe-worthy back bend off the couch – narrowly missing the cat. Giving him a fist-bump for his efforts, I quickly made a mental note to help him fine-tune his elastic aptitude – before investing in another vet bill.

Want to get your kids into yoga? You don’t have to go far:

Yakima Yoga

Slip into some sweats, grab a mat and your kids and downward dog-it to a Kid’s Yoga session at Yakima Yoga. This popular class teaches yoga basics and relaxation to kids ages 4-8. Parents are encouraged to participate in this drop-in class. Cost is $13 per family or a 6-class punch card is available for $65. Allow 10 minutes before first session.

Yakima Yoga

25 N. Front St., Suite #4, Yakima

509-255-0650

yakimayoga.com

Kids in the Kitchen

Kids in the Kitchen

Want to find a way to spice up your time in the kitchen and give your kids a craving to cook? A few offerings in Yakima are designed to put some extra flavor in your family food prep.

One offering can be found at La Maison de Falaise, dubbed the Cliffhouse and located in Naches Heights. Although the business started in March and offers many adult cooking courses, La Maison de Falaise also hosts kids’ classes.

Kathy Sali, the founder and one of the group’s featured chefs, said the first children’s class – with a Hawaiian theme – was offered in June. Each class will offer a different theme, and Sali hopes to feature fall-favorite dishes such as ratatouille this upcoming season.

A parent or other adult is required to sign up with a child, and Sali said one of the goals is to encourage teamwork between the two. Often, she said, parents are busy and pick up fast food or throw something together quickly for dinner, and the time learning about food and bonding together in the kitchen is lost.

These classes are aimed at bringing back that kind of relationship that revolves around food. To model this relationship, Sali’s daughter and granddaughter, Eschelle and Blaire Nunley, teach each class to show this teamwork in action.

Eschelle said that in her family, she has always emphasized the importance of eating meals around the dinner table together – with the TV off. She said making recipes fun and different appeals to children.

“Anything off-the-wall and away from the norm gets kids to try different things,” Eschelle said, “so it’s not just a carrot stick in front of them.”

Blaire, Eschelle’s 6-year-old daughter, has become very involved in the kitchen with meal preparation in the past few years. She loves making anything with chicken, and the first meal she ever made was chicken shish kabobs.

Blaire has also developed a sensitive palette, once detecting basil in that evening’s spaghetti sauce all on her own.

Sali said the focus of each class is on the preparation of the food and learning about each ingredient and the cooking process. “It’s also about getting new ideas. Sometimes we run out of our repertoire,” she said.

La Maison de Falaise features a garden for students to venture into and pick out ingredients for salads and other dishes. Kids are encouraged to touch, smell and taste herbs and other ingredients. Sali said they might be asked how various herbs smell, and which foods they think they might have tasted these ingredients in before.

“It makes you a little more appreciative (of the food),” said Sali.

Blaire is one example of a child who appreciates gathering ingredients and preparing meals more than making a quick fast food run.

“We don’t eat at McDonald’s,” Blaire said.

Lessons on cleanliness and sanitation are also included in each class, so kids can understand why it’s important to prepare chicken carefully and keep hands clean when moving onto another food item. Table manners are also discussed in the class. Students receive gifts, such as aprons, too.

Sali’s goal is to offer kids’ courses once a month, which cost $35 per seat. The Sept. 26 class will feature a menu of mini pizzas, breadsticks and marinara, salad and dessert. Plans are still being worked out for future dates and themes. For more information, contact Sali at 509-961-9899, or visit the website at maisonfalaise.com.

Fresh Taste Meals also began offering cooking courses for kids this past summer.

“The classes are filling up like mad,” said Trish Koethke, who handles the administrative work for the company, located at 2204 Nob Hill Blvd.

Because of the popularity of these kids’ cooking classes, Fresh Taste Meals will continue offering them on a monthly basis.

During each one-hour class, students are exposed to the food pyramid and take a field trip to a grocery store, so they can identify fresh herbs and various ingredients to use for meal preparation. Other topics include sanitation and measuring.

“We also talk about different flavors from different regions,” said Koethke. “For instance, Italian foods have different spices.”

All classes are taught by Julie Boorman, the mother of Koethke and her sister Debbie Boorman, who oversees food and menu prep for the company. Each class is $25 per person, which includes the meal he or she gets to take home.

The Nov. 13 class will have a Thanksgiving theme, and students will learn how to get ready for a big dinner party with plenty of side dishes.

Future classes will have specific themes as well. A previous course focused on barista basics, with kids learning how to make various coffee drinks, and another upcoming class will be centered on cake decorating. Koethke said they do not require parents to stay for each class, but each child must be at least 9 years old.

For more information, contact Trish Koethke at 509-457-7798, or visit the company’s website at freshtastemeals.com.

Kids’ Cupcake Classes

Don’t forget about making dessert! Why not check out the Cake Decorator Shoppe, located at 5609 Summitview Ave., at the Chalet Place. While the business focuses on adult cake-decorating classes, it also holds kids’ cupcake classes. 

There is a five-person minimum for each class, so this might be a great option for birthday parties or other celebrations. A parent or adult is required to attend each class. Students will end up taking home six cupcakes or cookies by the end of the class, which costs $15 per student.

To reserve a spot or get more information, call 509-494-0975 or visit the website at cakedecoratorshoppe.com.

YV Tech Culinary Arts Program

While kids can get started in the kitchen early on, high school juniors and seniors have a golden opportunity to receive culinary training right here in town, thanks to the Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center. The culinary arts program services nearly every school district in the upper and lower valleys, and younger kids also have a chance to get a flavor of the program.

Ned Walsh, the program’s coordinator, said many middle school classes have taken field trips to the facility to learn about the training. He added it would be fun to offer more kids’ programs in the future, especially for younger grades.

Several high schools in Yakima offer food classes in school, said Walsh, but the YV Tech program is more commercially centered. He noted that the facility’s kitchen is one of the best in Central Washington.

To find out more about YV Tech, call 509-573-5500.

Other Food Connections

There are a variety of ways to get your family involved in the kitchen and around the dining table. In addition to various classes offered around town, some moms host Pampered Chef parties, and often these events can create bonds between parents and their children.

Aubrey Does, a local stay-at-home mom, has been a Pampered Chef consultant since March 2008, months after her first child was born. She said she has been able to continue staying at home with her son because of this position.

She also noted it’s a good way to meet with other mothers and have their children focused on a single activity. Does hosted one mother-daughter show in the past, and the girls got involved in making calzones while the moms browsed the catalogs.

“Parents definitely connect with the parties, and a lot of stay-at-home moms sell it to bring in some extra income,” Does said, but she added there are many other companies or avenues that offer similar benefits to mothers.