Week of the Uninsured
The Metropolitan King County Council advocated for the need for all uninsured children in Washington to have access to the State Children's Health Insurance Program by proclaiming March 23 to 27 "The Week of the Uninsured" at its March 23 meeting.
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was established in 1997 to provide health care for children who are not eligible for Medicaid and unable to afford medical care. Today more than 570,000 children in Washington State and 11 million nationwide are provided medical care through SCHIP. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives voted last month to expand SCHIP to many previously uninsured children, but the program still does not provide care for all children.
Today, 65,000 children in Washington State are still not covered under SCHIP.
Whirligig! Returns to Seattle Center
Seattle Center Whirligig!, that wacky world of child-sized action, returns to Seattle Center for its 27th year, March 27 – April 12, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
This lively, child-focused festival transforms Center House into a veritable "house of bounce" for two weeks at the start of spring with eye-popping decor, roaming clowns and face painters, and an attractive assortment of super-sized inflatable rides.
Free entertainment choices abound. Radio Disney is on hand April 2, and the Radio Disney Dance Team performs on Center Stage, noon – 12:45 p.m.
Center Stage also hosts 42 student showcase performances during Seattle Center Whirligig! to give public and private schools and youth performance groups the opportunity to share their artistic accomplishments with family, friends and the public. Whirligig! is suitable for children 12 and under. A special Toddler Zone is available. Minimal fees will be charged of $1.50 for a single ride, $4.50 for a toddler (3 and under) day pass, and $7.50 for a day pass (12 and under).
Kids can ride for free in Center House on Thursdays. Face painters and balloon artists also charge a nominal fee. For more information, visit http://www.seattlecenter.com.
'Taking Root'
The film "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai" shows at the Central Library Saturday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m.
How does the simple act of planting trees lead to winning the Nobel Peace Prize? Ask Wangari Maathai of Kenya. In 1977, she suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from a degraded environment. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, defend human rights and promote democracy.
Free and open to the public. More info at http://communitycinemaseattle.org/.
Also, join a post-event gathering at Grey Gallery and Lounge, 1512 11th Ave.
Small Business Seminar
Tips to Survive and Thrive in a Challenging Economy, a free workshop for small business owners, is Tuesday, March 31, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the SBA Education and Training Center, 2401 4th Ave., Suite 450, 4th & Battery near Belltown, in Seattle. Doors open at 8:15
The SBA and its partners are ready to help small businesses cope with and survive this tough economic climate. If you are thinking about launching a new business, growing a current one, or struggling to keep your doors open - then attending this workshop is a must.
Learn how to respond to the current credit market, where to go for help, critical steps to secure capital for your business, and how to take a proactive stance now.
Mark Costello, lead lender relations specialist, SBA will facilitate a panel of savvy business advisors who will provide tips on how to protect your business.
Pre-registration is required, space is limited to 60 attendees. Register with [email protected], note March 31 Panel in subject line, or call Shirley at 206-553-2664
Walter Mosley Reads from Newest Book
The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas (CD Forum) and the Elliott Bay Book Company presents an evening with author Walter Mosley, Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at the Northwest African American Museum, 2300 South Massachusetts St.
Reading from his new book, The Long Fall: The First Leonid McGill Mystery, Mosley strikes out in a new direction as he moves from mid-20th century Los Angeles to 21st-century Manhattan.
Walter Mosley is one of America's most-celebrated and best-known writers. His mystery novels, including the now-classic Easy Rawlins series, are routinely on the New York Times Bestseller List and his books have been translated into more than twenty-one languages.
He has won numerous awards, including the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award given to work that increases the appreciation and understanding of race in America, a Grammy, the Sundance Risktaker Award, and the PEN American Center's Lifetime Achievement Award. Mosley served on the board of directors of the National Book Awards and is past-president of the Mystery Writers of America.
Tickets are $7 for general admission. Advance sales are available through Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.BrownPaperTickets.com or phone 1-800-838-3006.
For more information, visit http://www.cdforum.org or call 206-323-4032.
Free Google Map Building Workshop
Learn to create a unique Google Map at a workshop from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at The Seattle Public Library, University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E.
The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Free parking is available in the branch parking lot.
Alice Enevoldsen will teach participants how to create their own Google Maps. Participants will learn how to label points of interest, attach pictures to their maps and more. For more information, call the branch at 206-684-4063.
