Welcome to Seattle

New RS Book Group

2009-07-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

The entirety of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's short novel "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" takes place on a winter day in 1951 in a Siberian labor camp. The title character, Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, has been a prisoner there for the past eight years and has two more to go, provided his sentence isn't extended even longer for no reason at all. As a Soviet soldier in World War II, he was imprisoned after being accused of spying for the Germans, but the novel is concerned more with his daily routine at the camp than with the politics behind his imprisonment.

Like anybody who's been in a highly structured and disciplined environment for a long time, Shukhov has developed his own individualized way of living day to day, bending the rules, avoiding punishment, and making life a little more bearable under the circumstances. Temperatures are commonly well below zero and the food is barely nutritional enough to keep the prisoners alive, but Shukhov has adapted well enough to know how to stay warm and make the most out of his meals. On this particular day, Shukhov's squad is forced to work construction; the novel describes how well Shukhov has honed his masonry skills as he expertly lays blocks and mortar building a wall for a building that will be used to hold future prisoners. Life at the camp has made him tough and independent; his only weakness is tobacco, for which he will beg, borrow, or steal.

The novel is based on Solzhenitsyn's own experience as a labor camp prisoner under Stalin's reign, and therefore it has a sincere, natural, brutal quality that not even someone like Orwell could imitate. More than anything, though, it portrays a man whose spirit is strong enough to triumph over the most extreme adversity. This work is not only an indictment of the machinations of one of the twentieth century's most oppressive political systems; it also succeeds as a concise study in humanism.

(Additional Reading about the Author’s Life)

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

The Nobel Prize in Literature 1970

Autobiography

I was born at Kislovodsk on 11th December, 1918. My father had studied philological subjects at Moscow University, but did not complete his studies, as he enlisted as a volunteer when war broke out in 1914. He became an artillery officer on the German front, fought throughout the war and died in the summer of 1918, six months before I was born. I was brought up by my mother, who worked as a shorthand-typist, in the town of Rostov on the Don, where I spent the whole of my childhood and youth, leaving the grammar school there in 1936. Even as a child, without any prompting from others, I wanted to be a writer and, indeed, I turned out a good deal of the usual juvenilia. In the 1930s, I tried to get my writings published but I could not find anyone willing to accept my manuscripts. I wanted to acquire a literary education, but in Rostov such an education that would suit my wishes was not to be obtained. To move to Moscow was not possible, partly because my mother was alone and in poor health, and partly because of our modest circumstances. I therefore began to study at the Department of Mathematics at Rostov University, where it proved that I had considerable aptitude for mathematics. But although I found it easy to learn this subject, I did not feel that I wished to devote my whole life to it. Nevertheless, it was to play a beneficial role in my destiny later on, and on at least two occasions, it rescued me from death. For I would probably not have survived the eight years in camps if I had not, as a mathematician, been transferred to a so-called sharashia, where I spent four years; and later, during my exile, I was allowed to teach mathematics and physics, which helped to ease my existence and made it possible for me to write. If I had had a literary education it is quite likely that I should not have survived these ordeals but would instead have been subjected to even greater pressures. Later on, it is true, I began to get some literary education as well; this was from 1939 to 1941, during which time, along with university studies in physics and mathematics, I also studied by correspondence at the Institute of History, Philosophy and Literature in Moscow.

In 1941, a few days before the outbreak of the war, I graduated from the Department of Physics and Mathematics at Rostov University. At the beginning of the war, owing to weak health, I was detailed to serve as a driver of horsedrawn vehicles during the winter of 1941-1942. Later, because of my mathematical knowledge, I was transferred to an artillery school, from which, after a crash course, I passed out in November 1942. Immediately after this I was put in command of an artillery-position-finding company, and in this capacity, served, without a break, right in the front line until I was arrested in February 1945. This happened in East Prussia, a region which is linked with my destiny in a remarkable way. As early as 1937, as a first-year student, I chose to write a descriptive essay on "The Samsonov Disaster" of 1914 in East Prussia and studied material on this; and in 1945 I myself went to this area (at the time of writing, autumn 1970, the book August 1914 has just been completed).

I was arrested on the grounds of what the censorship had found during the years 1944-45 in my correspondence with a school friend, mainly because of certain disrespectful remarks about Stalin, although we referred to him in disguised terms. As a further basis for the "charge", there were used the drafts of stories and reflections which had been found in my map case. These, however, were not sufficient for a "prosecution", and in July 1945 I was "sentenced" in my absence, in accordance with a procedure then frequently applied, after a resolution by the OSO (the Special Committee of the NKVD), to eight years in a detention camp (at that time this was considered a mild sentence).

I served the first part of my sentence in several correctional work camps of mixed types (this kind of camp is described in the play, The Tenderfoot and the Tramp). In 1946, as a mathematician, I was transferred to the group of scientific research institutes of the MVD-MOB (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of State Security). I spent the middle period of my sentence in such "SPECIAL PRISONS" (The First Circle). In 1950 I was sent to the newly established "Special Camps" which were intended only for political prisoners. In such a camp in the town of Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan (One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich), I worked as a miner, a bricklayer, and a foundryman. There I contracted a tumour which was operated on, but the condition was not cured (its character was not established until later on).

One month after I had served the full term of my eight-year sentence, there came, without any new judgement and even without a "resolution from the OSO", an administrative decision to the effect that I was not to be released but EXILED FOR LIFE to Kok-Terek (southern Kazakhstan). This measure was not directed specially against me, but was a very usual procedure at that time. I served this exile from March 1953 (on March 5th, when Stalin's death was made public, I was allowed for the first time to go out without an escort) until June 1956. Here my cancer had developed rapidly, and at the end of 1953, I was very near death. I was unable to eat, I could not sleep and was severely affected by the poisons from the tumour. However, I was able to go to a cancer clinic at Tashkent, where, during 1954, I was cured (The Cancer Ward, Right Hand). During all the years of exile, I taught mathematics and physics in a primary school and during my hard and lonely existence I wrote prose in secret (in the camp I could only write down poetry from memory). I managed, however, to keep what I had written, and to take it with me to the European part of the country, where, in the same way, I continued, as far as the outer world was concerned, to occupy myself with teaching and, in secret, to devote myself to writing, at first in the Vladimir district (Matryona's Farm) and afterwards in Ryazan.

During all the years until 1961, not only was I convinced that I should never see a single line of mine in print in my lifetime, but, also, I scarcely dared allow any of my close acquaintances to read anything I had written because I feared that this would become known. Finally, at the age of 42, this secret authorship began to wear me down. The most difficult thing of all to bear was that I could not get my works judged by people with literary training. In 1961, after the 22nd Congress of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party and Tvardovsky's speech at this, I decided to emerge and to offer One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.

Such an emergence seemed, then, to me, and not without reason, to be very risky because it might lead to the loss of my manuscripts, and to my own destruction. But, on that occasion, things turned out successfully, and after protracted efforts, A.T. Tvardovsky was able to print my novel one year later. The printing of my work was, however, stopped almost immediately and the authorities stopped both my plays and (in 1964) the novel, The First Circle, which, in 1965, was seized together with my papers from the past years. During these months it seemed to me that I had committed an unpardonable mistake by revealing my work prematurely and that because of this I should not be able to carry it to a conclusion.

It is almost always impossible to evaluate at the time events which you have already experienced, and to understand their meaning with the guidance of their effects. All the more unpredictable and surprising to us will be the course of future events.

From Nobel Lectures, Literature 1968-1980, Editor-in-Charge Tore Frängsmyr, Editor Sture Allén, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1993

Free Movie Festival

2009-06-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

REG’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing!
When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!

Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.

Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

AMC theaters also offer summer family movies - this year for $1. All movies are G or PG. Here's the link:

http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/

Submitted by Robin Markanich

2009-06-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a lot of the ward is going on the camp out - but this event is happening on Saturday - it is being put on by the most recent single-dad from Seattle who was on the Bachelor. My office is involved a little bit as well.
· Piggyback run

· Gummyworm, sit on your dads pack push-up contest

· Pop the balloon with your butt relay

· Tug of war

· Mariner Moose

· Seattle Seahawks

· Free Nike Give Aways, enter to win one of 3 three $100 Nike gift certificates

· And much much more

Spring Book Sale

2009-04-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Book on over to Warren G. Magnuson Park: Friends of The Seattle Public Library Spring Book Sale set for April 17-19

More than 250,000 books, CDs, DVDs, videos, sheet music, art prints and posters are among the items up for sale at bargain prices at the 2009 Friends of The Seattle Public Library Spring Book Sale, scheduled for April 17-19.

This popular event, attended by thousands throughout the region, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Warren G. Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Building No. 30. For more information, call the Friends of The Seattle Public Library at (206) 523-4053, e-mail book.sale@spl.org or visit www.friendsofspl.org.

Paperback and hardback books will sell for $1. There will be a section of "better books" priced separately. On Sunday, most items will sell for half-price.

A Friends member preview will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 17. Members of the Friends may purchase up to 25 items at that time.

A silent auction of special treasures will be held during the Friends members' preview. Auction items do not count toward the 25-item limit. Some of the rare and valuable books that will be offered at the auction include:

Annual memberships are $15 in advance (see www.friendsofspl.org or call (206) 386-4098) or $30 at the door of the preview sale.

This widely anticipated event is attended by families, the young and old, book-lovers, students, teachers, book store owners and bargain hunters, according to Joan Amatucci, book sale director.

"It is not unusual to see people buy scores of books at once, carting them out on something you would carry luggage on," she said. "They line up hours before the sale starts and when the doors open, they make a mad dash to various parts of the sale, piling large numbers of books into boxes."

This popular sale includes everything from books on art, history, hobbies, gardening, sports, humor, science, literature, business, computers, the Northwest, popular fiction and much, much more, she said. In addition, there will be a large selection of children's books.

Items for the sale are donated by private individuals, book stores and the Library. Proceeds benefit the Library.

Parking is free at Warren G. Magnuson Park, but Amatucci recommended arriving early for the best buys.

Craft & Dessert Group

2009-04-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

On April 30^th the Craft & Dessert Group will be meeting at 7:45 at the Laurel Comm. Center.

Green Group

2009-04-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Green Group is meeting on April 23^rd for Watch Earth at Redmond. See Beth Smith for details.

Poetry Night

2009-04-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

On April 21^st at Ann Romish at 7pm please RSVP to Sister Romish's

The Seattle Green Festival

2009-03-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our Relief Society Green Group went to the Seattle Green Festival and it was amazing!

Booths ranged from recycled typewriter key cuff links to . . .

Organic cotton and natural dye clothing. I gathered together all kinds of information on green construction for my sister who is planning on building a hybrid-type house. We also fought our way through the mob to get a couple pieces of Theo chocolate. To be completely honest though, one of the best things about the whole thing was the people watching. The crowd ranged from people who looked like they lived on Mercer Island with private boat docks on Lake Washington to young idealists that the only way they could afford entry to the Festival was to be a volunteer to older couples that looked like they were still holding on to their own Woodstock days. And then there were some that looked like they belonged at a Seahawks game and drove Ford pickup trucks. Seeing so many different types of people there made me realize that this people of all kinds of backgrounds and values care about preserving human rights (Fair Trade), the environment and all-in-all making our world a little better.

Literary Night

2009-03-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

Attention all writers! Our Literary Night has been moved to Sunday, April 26 at 7 p.m., so that gives us a little more time to hone our work. We are looking forward to hearing your poetry and prose – no more than 2 pages, double spaced, please.

Please send your entries (at least two) to oreenj@msn.com or snail mail to Oreen Jackson, 1526 No. 39^th St, Seattle 98103.

Our deadline is Wed., April 15 to give our artist time to compile the program. Anyone is invited to join us. Refreshments will be served.

dessert and game night

2009-03-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

On March 12^th at 8pm is a dessert and game night at the church.

Ward Linger Longer

2009-03-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

Ward Linger Longer is on March 15th this month at 4PM. The theme is Cereal and milk. Please bring a box of your favorite cereal.

Relief Society Auction

2009-03-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

On March 17^th we will be having our Relief Society Birthday dinner and auction. The idea is that everyone brings something to be auctioned. During dinner (which will be catered by Scott Leisch) we fill out a questionere where we earn points that we use to bid with.

Last year people brought everything ranging from a homemade Japanese dinner to a photography session. President Thatcher will be running the auction again so it's bound to be fun.

Green Festival

2009-03-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

On March 28th the Green Group will be going to the Green Festival. The cost range is $15 or $10 for Bike, bus riders, students, and Seniors. It is FREE if you volunteer or are under 18. The link is www.greenfestivals.org/seattle/. Contact Beth Smith if you want to bus together or volunteer 930-2136.

Church History Group

2009-01-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

March 3^rd Church History Group meeting at 7:30 Molly Bennion's.

Craft and Dessert Group

2009-01-29T14:45:00.000-08:00

February 26^th Craft and Dessert Group meeting at 7:45 at the Laurel Village community center.

Art and Literature Group

2009-01-29T14:43:00.000-08:00

February 5^th Arts and literature group going to the SAM Museum. Meet at the SAM at 7:00 it's the first Thursday of the month so it is free.

Dry Pack Cannery

2009-01-29T14:40:00.001-08:00

January 29th Dry Pack Cannery Enrichment. Meet at the Church to car pool.

The Green Group's BIG Chocolate Adventure

2008-11-25T15:59:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday we had our Relief Society's Green Group debut. We all met in funky Fremont and took a tour of the Theo Chocolate factory. Sound like a dream come true? Well, it was. Right there in that old brick building they take the actual cocoa bean (shell and all) and move it through this long and elaborate process to produce some pretty darned good chocolate. The tour is $6 and I for one would recommend it to anyone who even remotely likes chocolate.

One of the most interesting parts of the whole tour was when they talked about what it means to be Fair Trade. We had all heard the term but weren't clear as to what all it entailed. The Cliff's Notes version is that a third party oversee-er makes sure that the relationship between the merchant and the farmer is fair (especially to the farmer) and more interestingly, that the actual workers on the farm are being paid and treated well.

This kind of regulation is most important in developing countries and with the following commodities: handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, and bananas (I'm sure there's more but those are the one's the mentioned). They told us that something like 80% of the world's cocoa beans come from the Ivory Coast and that country also has the highest rate in human rights violations; especially in the use of child labor. Crazy isn't it, to think of child labor being used to provide the world with one of it's most beloved feel-good treats?

Here's most of the gang that was there last Saturday. The others had already run up to buy their chocolate. But don't worry, we followed suit right after this was taken.

The real reason why we're all smiling: samples.
It was impossible to get a picture without some disembodied hand in there. That should tell you something.

Here's Amelia with a bowl of cocoa bean shells which they sell as mulch. That's one way to make your kids eat their veggies (think chocolate infused cauliflower).

Pure chocolate. Eat at your own risk.

The Smiths with a chunk of cocoa butter which is where white chocolate comes from.

The Easthams

These two pictures were of the confections which are basically truffles, just in a square shape. They had some with fennel in it that was to die for!

Warm Fuzzies

2008-11-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

i thought these two websites would be uplifting and good during times of crisis. it's a good reminder to see others are devoted to living good and kind lives:so i am in love with this website. it is amazing:http://www.forbetterlife.org/ i have ordered posters and dvds and they come for free. it really is a fantastic resource. here is it's sister site which is equally good. http://www.actsofkindness.org/

~ submitted by Robin Markanich

A Christmas Carol

2008-10-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Seattle BYU Alumni is pleased to present its fifth annual LDS Friends and Family Night at the Act Theatre's presentation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". This warmhearted tribute to the spirit of Christmas is a terrific way to start the holiday season!

This year we will be attending the performance on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008; the curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. Plan on arriving early to nibble on some Christmas goodies prior to the show at our BYU alumni reception.

For those with young families, it is the policy of the theater that no children under the age of eight will be admitted to the theater, this includes infants.

We are pleased to announce that price for the performance has not increased. Each ticket can be purchased for $28, which is a significant discount from the regular price of $42-$47 plus shipping and handling! Seats are reserved and will be assigned according to when the tickets were purchased. So order your tickets early for the best possible seating! You can order your tickets by going to http://seattle.aa.byu.edu. Click on the Christmas Carol link and then the Register Here link.

This should be an excellent performance, so don't miss out on this great event!

Best wishes,

Lee Hilton
BYU Alumni

Essay Contest - by Robin Markanich

2008-10-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this counts as something for the literacy blog... maybe it would get the parents to encourage their youth to participate. The Stake President would really like the youth encouraged in this venture. It is a an essay contest open to all public and private school 8th graders in King County to promote the study and thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. This would also be a great way for youth to work on a Personal Progress or Duty to God project.

http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/mlk/education.htm

Free Museums - submitted by Robin Markanich

2008-09-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Entertain the Family for free: Bank of America has an agreement until April 2009 with 73 museums across the country that allows you to get in free the first weekend of the month if you show them your Bank of America debit, credit or ATM card. Go to http://promotions.bankofamerica.com/museums/ to find museums and other attractions in your area.

I just checked and it only features 3 museums for WA: The Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of history and industry and The Wing Luke Asian Museum.

"School Supplies Drive" for the DI

2008-08-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Mandi Harris sent me this info about some really good school supply sale going on this week in case people wanted to buy some things for the drive. Thanks!

School supply deals at Office Depot this week

Office Depot school glue--$0.01 each, limit 5
Office Depot wood inlay rulers--$0.05 each, limit 5
12-pack Crayola colored pencils--$0.50 each, limit 5 50 cents each, limit 5
Wilson Jones 1" 3-ring binders--$0.50 each, limit 5
Ticonderoga Dry Erase Markers 4-pack--free after mail-in rebate of $3.99, limit 1

School supply deals at Office Max this week

Office Max 24-ct Crayons--$0.01 each, limit 3
Ring Binder Ruler--$0.01 each, limit 3
Sharpie Mini Hi-lighters--$0.05 each, limit 3
Office Max Assorted Grips and Erasers--$0.25 each, limit 3
ACME Junior Pointed or Blunt Scissors--$0.25 each, limit 3

Welcome to Seattle from Laura Robeck

2008-06-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

Favorite Place for Romantic Dinner

Old Spaghetti Factory

We love the this place. There is one downtown by the piers--romantic sunset walk along the water front, dinner for two...ahhh...

Address: 2801 Elliott Ave
Phone: (206) 441-7724
Website: www.osf.com

Mamma Melina's

This little Italian place just south of 50th on Roosevelt was really good and wasn't extremely pricey either. They apparently have a pianist to serenade your dinner, but we didn't get to enjoy that. I think we went too early--5 or 5:30.

Address: 4759 Roosevelt Way NE (University District)
Phone: (206) 632-2271
Website: www.mammamelina.com

Favorite Cheap Place to Eat

It's not seattle specific, but our fav is Wendy's. Best 99 cent menu ever! The only one i know of is on Lake City and about 120th.

Favorite Park

Carkeek

Some toys for kids, some nice fields, great hiking/walking park! I think you can even go down to the beach when the tide is out, but be careful not to get stuck down there when it comes back in.

Address: 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd (northwest Seattle)
Website: www.seattle.gov/PARKS/environment/carkeek.htm

Favorite walk

Carkeek park (see above) or promenade along Lake Washington in Magnison Park. Really, really beautiful in fall or on a clear day you can see Mt. Rainier across the lake. There's a nice big hill not too far off the promenade in Magnison that apparently is good for flying kites too.

Address for Magnuson Park: 7400 Sand Point Way NE

Favorite Day Trip/Weekend Getaway

Hiking and camping at Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park. Great hikes, some short loops for the kids too. Beautiful forests!

Ferry rides to San Juan Islands or across the sound to the Olympic peninsula. Beautiful hikes in those places too. We've hiked Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park) and camped at Salt Creek Park (get a chance to find a bunch of sea creatures in tide pools) on the peninsula. Note: be careful when using cell phone there, we got charged for roaming on a Canadian network.

I don't remember the exact hikes we did on the San Juan Islands, but the ferry ride through all the islands was most beautiful!

Website for Rainier National Park: www.mount.rainier.national-park.com
Website for San Juan Islands: www.guidetosanjuans.com
Website for Olympic Peninsula: www.olympicpeninsula.org

Favorite Rainy Day Activity

Relaxing on the couch, bundled in a blanket with a book in hand, at least when my daughter (17 months) is taking a nap otherwise doesn't work so well. =) Love hot chocolate too! But we don't always keep a supply in our cupboards, which is probably good considering how many rainy days there are here.

Welcome to Seattle from Jenne Alderks

2008-06-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Favorite Place for Romantic Dinner

Casa D'Italia

Address: 2615 NE 65th St
Phone: (206) 525-7747

The Melting Pot

Address: 14 Mercer St
Phone: (206) 378-1208
Website: www.meltingpot.com

Continental Restaurant and Pastry Shop

Address: 4549 University Way NE (University District)
Phone: (206) 632-4700

Favorite Cheap Place to Eat

Subway on 25th Ave

Favorite Restaurant for the Whole Family

Anywhere that will clean up after a toddler.

Favorite Park

Ravenna Park/Cowan Park

Address: 5520 Ravenna Ave. NE
Website: www.seattle.gov/PARKS/park_detail.asp?ID=391

Favorite Walk

The Nature Trails at Ravenna Park (see above).

Burke Gilman Trail to the UW Campus.

Website: www.seattle.gov/PARKS/BurkeGilman/bgtrail.htm

Favorite place to get ice cream

QFC (its cheaper and you get more!)

Favorite Book Store

Barnes and Noble at University Village.

Favorite Mexican Restaurant

Azteca

Address: 5025 25th Ave NE # 101 (University District)
Phone: (206) 524-2987
Website: www.aztecamex.com

Jalisco

Address: 1205 NE 65th St
Phone: (206) 524-0717

Favorite Thai Restaurant

The Thai-ger Room

Address: 4228 University Way NE (University District)
Phone: (206) 632-9299
Website: www.thaigerroom.com

Favorite Italian Restaurant

Casa D'Italia

Address: 2615 NE 65th St
Phone: (206) 525-7747

Favorite Greek Restaurant

Continental Restaurant and Pastry Shop

Address: 4549 University Way NE (University District)
Phone: (206) 632-4700

Favorite Irish Restaurant

Finn MacCool's

Address: 4217 University Way NE (University District)
Phone: (206) 675-0885
Website: wwwfinnmaccools.com

Favorite Toy Store

Kids Club

Address: 4530 Union Bay Pl NE # 130 (University District)
Phone: (206) 524-2553
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Website: www.shopkidsclub.com

Favorite Festival

Irish Week at the Seattle Center

Website: www.irishclub.org/irwk.htm

Winter in Leavenworth

Favorite Day Trip

Hurricane Ridge

Located in the northern half of Olympic National Park.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a model of a Bavarian village that is located off Highway 2 in the mountains of Washington. I think its a 2 hour drive from Seattle. They have festivals throughout the year: May Faire, Oktoberfest, Winter Festival, etc. Its a place where German heritage and culture is celebrated. They have a website that you can find out more about.

Website: www.leavenworth.org/modules/pages/index.php?pageid=1

Favorite Weekend Getaway

Olympic National Park (SolDuc Resort)

Website: www.visitsolduc.com

Forks

Small town on the west side of Olympic National Park

Favorite rainy day activity

Stay in and make playdough (tip: use food extracts, herbs and essential oils for scents)

Splash in Puddles

Favorite Museum

The Children's Museum

Address: 305 Harrison St (Seattle Center)
Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission:

$7.50		Adults and Children.
$6.50		Grandparents.
$6.00		Groups of 10 plus
FREE		Children under the age of one.

Website: www.thechildrensmuseum.org

Favorite Christmas Festivity

Leavenworth (see above)

Favorite Fabric Store

Pacific Fabric Store

Address: 838 NE Northgate Way
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Website: www.pacificfabrics.com

Favorite Playground

The playground at Kids Club

Address: 4530 Union Bay Pl NE # 130 (University District)
Phone: (206) 524-2553
Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Website: www.shopkidsclub.com

Cowan Park

Address: 5520 Ravenna Ave. NE
Website: www.seattle.gov/PARKS/park_detail.asp?ID=391

Favorite Parent Groups

SAHM Seattle (yahoo)

NE Seattle Moms (yahoo)
http://parentsaroundseattle.blogspot.com

Favorite Community Services

Great Start

Playgroups, information meetings, childbirth education, parenting classes, seminars, referrals to maternity care providers.

Birth and Beyond

Classes on babywearing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, moms groups.

Address: 2610 E Madison St (Madison Valley)
Phone: (206) 324-4831
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Website: www.birthandbeyond.com

Recommended Midwives

Tracy McDaniel (Seattle Healing Arts)

Address: 6300 9th Avenue Northeast
Phone: (206) 522-5646
Website: www.seattlehealingarts.com

Suzanne Thompson (New Life Midwifery)

Address: 10357 14th Ave NW
Phone: (206) 365-5156

Molly Gray (Seattle Natural Family Medicine)

Address: 6300 9th Ave NE Suite 300
Phone: 206.363.5555
Website: www.snfm.net & www.OneSkyWellness.com

Recommended Chiropractor

Amy Vevoda at Lake Union Wellness

Address: 235 Westlake Ave N
Phone: (206) 749-5253
Website: www.lakeunionwellness.com

Recommended Massage

Stacey Taylor (in West Seattle)

She is in West Seattle and costs $45 1 for a 1 hour massage.

Favorite Baby Supplies Store

Birth and Beyond

Great place for clothing, nursing supplies, etc. Is near Capitol Hill.

Address: 2610 E Madison St (Madison Valley)
Phone: (206) 324-4831
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Website: www.birthandbeyond.com

Favorite Consignment Shop

Kids on 45th

Address: 1720 N 45th St
Phone: (206) 633-5437
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.