This Friday’s “Peanut Butter & Jam Kids Concert” will feature the band Caspar Babypants, whose lead singer is Chris Ballew from the Presidents of the United States of America!

The concert will be held from Noon – 1pm in the grassy area near the spray park at the Community Center right here in Tukwila.

More info, along with audio and videos available here: www.babypantsmusic.com

Sleep Country USA’s annual “Pajama Bowl” is coming to Acme Bowl in Tukwila on Sunday, April 18th. This event is a fundraiser that helps over 26,000 foster children in the northwest.

100% of all donations will help local foster kids by going directly to one of 16 foster care organization designated by participants.

Last year’s event raised over $77,000 in both Washington and Oregon, and benefited more than 26,000 foster children.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Sleep Country USA’s 5th Annual Pajama Bowl.

WHEN: Sunday, April 18th, 2010, with bowling at either 11:00a.m. or 2:00p.m.

WHERE: Acme Bowl and Billiards at 100 Andover Park West, Tukwila; as well as Tech City Bowl at 13033 NE 70th Place in Kirkland.

REGISTER: Gather five of your best friends, co-workers or family members and register for this year’s event at your local Sleep Country USA store or online at http://www.pajamabowl.com.

Each team will need to raise or donate a minimum of $250 to participate (that’s only $50 per person).

And of course: “Pajama Bowl teams are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of family-friendly pajamas during the event—matching pajamas are even better!”

All of the entry fees will be donated directly to the 16 Pacific Northwest foster children’s charities that Sleep Country USA supports.

INFO: From their website:

Bowling + Pajamas = a fun way to give back to your community!

This annual event is Sleep Country USA’s largest fundraiser, and brought in over $77,000 last year for Washington and Oregon’s more than 26,000 foster children.

The Pajama Bowl will be taking place on April 18th at lanes in Tukwila and Kirkland, giving Seattle-area bowlers the opportunity to pick the venue that’s most convenient.

Pajama Bowl teams are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of family-friendly pajamas during the event—matching pajamas are even better! Each team will receive a score at the end of the event based upon their combined bowling average, amount donated, plus any additional points awarded for pajamas and raffles. The team with the most points at the end of the event will take home the grand prize of a brand new queen-size Simmons® Beautyrest® mattress set, also known as the “Bowling Ball” mattress, for each member of the winning team. Runner-up prizes will be award for second and third place. And, even if you don’t place, you’ll have a chance to win fun prizes throughout the event including music cds, dvds, event tickets and more.

100% of all donations will help local foster kids by going directly to the foster care organization you designate. There are over 18,000 foster kids in Washington State that share common challenges few of us can imagine. Sleep Country USA has developed the Sleep Country Foster Kids Program to assist local foster care organizations in providing essential childhood items. These non-profits organizations offer important services and the little extras that help give foster children a more stable and happier childhood.

Not everyone can be a foster parent, but anyone can help a foster child. ®

Sleep Country USA developed its foster kids program in 2005 to help meet the essential needs of the 26,000 foster children in the Northwest. Sleep Country also wanted to create a fundraising event that local families could participate in and would help our foster child non-profits provide the little extras like re-uniting with a sibling at camp, the opportunity to participate in team sports, or even learn a musical instrument. In 2006 we launched the first Sleep Country Foster Kids Pajama Bowl with one location in Washington drawing more than 300 participants and raising over $40,000. Now completing our 4th year we have grown to 2 locations in Washington and 2 location in Oregon, and to date have raised more than a quarter million dollars for local foster children. We truly appreciate the continued support from all our bowlers and sponsors. Stay tuned for 2010 event details.

The Ticket to Dream Foundation™is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and operates as Sleep Country Foster Kids. The Ticket to Dream Foundation provides a combination of in-kind and monetary contributions to non-profit organizations whose charitable purpose is to support worthy charitable causes and charities, with particular emphasis on charities related to children in need.

For the 26,000 foster children in the Northwest, each day presents new challenges. Many are frequently relocated to new homes and must repeatedly struggle to catch up in a new school. With support from non-profit foster child organizations and local communities, these children can regain a sense of hope, and you can help!

For more information, visit the Pajama Bowl website here.

A new Junior Football and Cheer League has started in Tukwila – say hello to the Tukwila Bulldogs!

We spoke with Azure Brown (yes, that’s her name, not a crayon color), and here’s what she says:

It’s our first year as a league and we need all the help we can get.

Tukwila Bulldogs Jr Football & Cheer League!

We have early registration BBQs the 1st Saturday of the EVERY Month @ the Tukwila Community Center (12PM- 4PM)

We are Sponsored by the City of Tukwila and the Boys & Girls Club of American- we are also still looking for more sponsors.

We have started a website: www.tiptopwebsite.com/tukwilabulldogs

We support ALL KIDS interested in Football and Cheerleading, ages 5-14.

We are also looking for additional Coaching & Team Support, Volunteers.

We will be at Foster High School for most of our Games.

Contact info for anything football, tukwilabulldogs@gmail.com.

Contact info for Cheerleading, azurebrown@comcast.net, mobile: 925-457-9164.

Here’s some info from their website:

Our Vision: Our main focus as an organization is “Football For All!” We hope to one day be able to offer an economically efficient way for all families to be able to afford for their children to play football and cheer for our organization. We are a non-profit community based organization looking to provide a productive option and outlet to our areas youth!

Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t Everything, it’s the ONLY thing!” At the professional & collegiate level, this very well may be true, but at our level it is the exact opposite. We stress teaching the fundamentals of the game and the essential life skills that come from football. Passion, teamwork, trust and cooperation are just a few of the skills that you learn on the field that will translate in being a better individual.

We are looking to give back to our community in many ways! We look to donate scholarships for those parents who may not be able to afford it, but their child has the dedication and desire to be a Bulldog. We have also partnered up with the Boys & Girls Club of America in an effort to provide kids not only with football, but also scholastic help and after school tutoring!

The Tukwila Bulldogs hope to inspire youth to achieve goals both personally and as a team. We strive to provide our youth an alternative to other activities that may be detrimental to their futures and our communities. Help us today, so one day we can achieve our goal of “Football For All!”

The annual Easter Egg Scramble and Hunt is coming to the Tukwila Community Center on Saturday, April 3.

This is an annual family event, perfect for all the kids of Tukwila.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Easter Egg Scramble and Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, April 3rd beginning with breakfast at 8:30am:

• Breakfast: 8:30-10:00 am
• Egg Hunt:10:00 am sharp!

WHERE: Tukwila Community Center, located at 12424 42nd Avenue South.

COST: Breakfast is $5.00; egg hunt only is FREE!

INFO: Sponsored by the Tukwila Rotary

There will be a “Family Movie Night on the Big Screen” this Saturday night (Feb. 27th) at 6:30pm at the Tukwila Community Center gym, located at 12424 42nd Avenue South.

Suggested donation is just $3 per ticket, or $10 for a family of four, which beats the heck out of movie ticket prices elsewhere. We’ve also been told that “There is no admittance fee, but we are accepting food donations for the Tukwila Pantry.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Family Movie Night on the Big Screen”

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th at 6:30pm; doors open at 6pm

WHERE: Tukwila Community Center gym, located at 12424 42nd Avenue South.

COST: Suggested donation is $3.00 per person, or $10.00 per family of 4.

INFO: “Bring the whole family to watch a movie everyone can enjoy on our big inflatable movie screen.

Just bring your sleeping bags, blankets and pillows to set up your movie viewing are in the TCC Gym.

No outside food or beverages. Concessions are available and include popcorn, candy, soda, water and pizza by the slice.

Doors open at 6:00pm and the movie begins promptly at 6:30pm.

There is no admittance fee, but we are accepting food donations for the Tukwila Pantry.

For more information, including featured movie, please call the Tukwila Community Center at 206-768-2822.”

More info available here: www.ci.tukwila.wa.us.

Tukwila Blog Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School. More info at their website here.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website seen by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

OMG! On Thursday, Nov. 12th, some cast members from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” will be appearing at Tukwila’s Westfield Southcenter Mall!

And get this kids – not only can you meet and listen to cast members, but there will also be a live performance from one of the bands on the soundtrack. Any guesses as to which one? Perhaps one from this area?

OMFG!!!

To get in though, you’re going to have to spend $75 at Nordstrom this Saturday, Oct. 31st beginning at 8am; this will entitle you to a “VIP pass” (just 75 are available on a first-come, first-serve basis).

Also, don’t expect the big stars to be there, since they’ll apparently be otherwise occupied.

BUT OMFG!!!

Nordstrom is currently selling a special line of clothing based entirely on The Twilight Saga, so ‘rents, it’s time get the plastic out for the kids. Once the $75 is spent, your TwiFan will be given access to return to Southcenter on Nov. 12th to meet the cast and participate in the event.

According to Entertainment Tonight:

Fans can acquire limited-amount V.I.P. credentials on a first come, first-served basis at 8 a.m. this Saturday, October 31 at Hot Topic and select Nordstrom stores, given to those who make qualified purchases. They will be given access to return and meet select cast members at that same mall on the assigned scheduled date and time.

V.I.P. credentials are non-transferable.

In an effort to avoid having to close any more schools, Public Health Seattle and King County is asking parents to be on the front line of stopping flu infections, and are offering this informational checklist for parents:

Please talk to your children about how they are feeling.

If your child is sick, keep your child home. Staying home when sick helps reduce exposure to others and helps the sick person get well faster.

Answer these questions every morning before sending your child to school or child care:

1. Does your child have a fever (100º F or 37. 7ºC)?
2. Does your child have a sore throat, cough, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, your child might have the flu. Keep your child home from school for seven days or until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

If you answered “yes” to only one of the questions, keep your child home from school until symptoms are gone for 24 hours.

In addition to health and safety information about H1N1/Swine Flu, starting tomorrow, Wednesday May 6th, the Flu Hotline will offer callers an opportunity to speak with registered nurses.

(The hotline starts with a recorded message, follow the prompts for the best language option and when asked if you want “health and safety information about the H1N1 flu” or “if you have the flu,” follow the prompt to “if you have the flu.” This will take you to the menu that allows you to select “talk to a nurse.”)

Hotline nurses will tell callers how to manage their symptoms at home, tell them if they need to see a doctor or health care provider and answer other medical questions about H1N1 flu.

The Flu Hotline number is 1-877-903 KING (5464)

For more information, go to Public Health’s web site: www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-5464

No, it wasn’t a police raid on the burger joint – it was the annual “Tip A Cop” fundraiser for Special Olympics.

“Tip A Cop” is a major fundraiser put on at Red Robins throughout Washington as well as many other states. It ran from Noon to 8pm Saturday, and the idea is this:

• For a minimum donation of $5, you could have a friend (or family member) “arrested,” handcuffed and taken outside to a waiting SWAT paddy wagon by a real, uniformed police officer.
• All donations went to Special Olympics.
• Saturday’s goal was to raise $5,000.
• Officers from the Tukwila Police Department were there, along with members of the Washington State Patrol, Recruits from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien, as well as area Police Explorers.
• Departments from around the US compete against each other, and this year, according to Tukwila Officer Ted Rutt, the main competition was against the state of Colorado.
• The last Special Olympics fundraiser these guys pulled off was the Polar Bear Plunge on Valentine’s Day (read the story and watch our exclusive video here)
• “Tip-A-Cop” is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) campaign, which includes a series of relay runs and other fundraisers represented by more than 85,000 law enforcement officers worldwide to help raise money and public awareness for Special Olympics.

The Tukwila Blog’s Scott Schaefer was there, and he took these photos: