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Community Corner

Play Date! July 20

Fun activities and some sweet deals for the whole family this upcoming week.

EVENTS FOR FAMILIES, July 20, 2011 – July 27, 2011

July 21: Dragon Theatre Puppets present Little Bugs Big World Puppet Show at the

  • 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
  • For ages three and up with an adult caregiver.
  • When Lady Bug meets Caterpillar they decide to travel the world and learn new languages. They visit bugs from different countries and discover it's not such a big world after all. Will the adventure ever lead them back home safely?
  • Cost: Free

July 21: Adventure Playground at Deane's Children's Park aka the Dragon Park at

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  • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday and Thursdays through August 30th
  • Come dig in the dirt, build forts, play knights and dragons and create imaginary worlds using a variety of materials.  Park and Recreation staff will provide materials and tools as well as guidance on how to use them safely.
  • Children younger than age seven must be accompanied by an adult caretaker. Age seven to 13 may attend without an adult although adults are welcome to stay.  First time participants must have a parent sign a waiver before participating.
  • Cost: Free

July 22: Fun Mobile at the  Meadow

  • 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • The Fun on the Run mobile entertainment van is back with lots of fabulous fun activities for the island's kids including mega squirt guns, water balloon launcher and giant slip-n-slide. 
  • A complete calendar of Fun Mobile appearances in July and August is available online.
  • Cost: Free

July 23: Guided Canoe Trip Through the 

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  • 8:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
  • Explore the beautiful Mercer Slough Nature Park by water with your family. Bellevue Park Rangers lead the canoe trip that begins and ends at the  Boat Launch. You’ll see how this amazing ecosystem functions as you travel into the heart of Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 320 acre wetland. With a little luck, you may catch a glimpse of the otters, herons, turtles and other wildlife of Mercer Slough. Kids must be age five and up and there must be one adult caretaker present for every two children. Some paddling experience required and participants are required to paddle a distance of 4 miles.
  • Cost: $14 resident, $16 non-resident Pre-registration required by calling 425 452-6885 or online

July 26: Megamind at the Bellevue Summer Outdoor Movie Program at the 

  • Seating open at 7 p.m., movies begin at dusk (around 9 p.m.)
  • Bring your kids to this fun, animated sci-fi romp rated PG. Take a low backed chairs or blanket and come early to participate in a People Scavenger Hunt.
  • Cost: Free but consider bringing a donation of new clothing  for the clients of this week's featured non-profit organization Treehouse, including jeans of all sizes and hooded sweatshirts for kids ages five to eighteen.  Also needed are backpacks, messenger bags, warm coats and new socks and underwear. The series continues through August 23 and a schedule of upcoming movies is available online.

Sweet Deals

Plant Starts at the Bellevue Crossroads Farmer’s Market from Kitts North Hill Greenhouses

  • Tuesdays Noon to 6:30 p.m. May - October
  • Deal: Did you start your garden late this year – or not yet?  Would you still like to have fresh veggies by this fall?  Or a planter outside your kitchen growing fresh herbs?  Then stop by Kitts North Hill Greenhouses booth at the Crossroads Farmer’s Market located right across from the old Circuit City building, soon to be the Stone Gardens Climbers Gym.  Meet the members of this family run farm and enjoy great deals on starts of all sort of vegetables, herbs and flowers. And while you are at the market enjoy an extraordinary ice cream bar from Whidbey Island Ice Cream and bring home some French macaroons and fine pastries from Lilli Pilli.

Good Through: Ongoing

Summer Clearance Sale at the 

  • Wednesday, July 27 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Deal: Take advantage of some great deals on clothing, toys, household items and books and benefit programs serving Mercer Island's youth and families.

Boredom Buster Kit Supplies at Bargain Prices at  ongoing clearance sale

  • Deal: Are your kids driving you crazy as they remain often trapped inside and bored by our soggy summer? Then hop in the car and head to Bellevue Art and Frame.  Downstairs you’ll find a 75% off clearance table all summer long with a week’s worth of activity supplies including fabric markers for make your own cool t-shirt designs, color pencils, paint, rubber stamps and card making supplies and books with project instructions.
  • Good through: Ongoing 
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