‘GREAT DECISIONS’ DISCUSSIONS
Cathy Van Dyke will lead a series of eight “Great Decisions 2013” sessions on a variety of world issues, meeting every other week, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Magnolia Library, 2801 34th Ave. W. Topics: “Myanmar and Southeast Asia,” April 2; “Humanitarian Intervention,” April 16; “Iran,” April 30; “China in Africa,” May 14; and “Threat Assessment,” May 28. Information: (206) 386-4225
McCLURE NEW-FAMILY TOURS
Prospective students and their families are invited to attend New-Family Tours at McClure Middle School (1916 First Ave. W.) on March 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families can sign in at the registration tables before the tours. Information: (206) 252-1900
BALLARD HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE
Barbara Hainley, of the Friends of Kirke Park group, will present a free talk on the Seventh Elect Church in Israel and the recent transformation of its property into Kirke Park. The talk will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 27, at the Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W. Information: ballardhistory.wordpress.com
QUEEN ANNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Queen Anne Historical Society will host Seattle Parks Foundation’s Becca Aue on March 28 as she discusses “The Sustainable Development and Stewardship of Queen Anne’s Parks,” including those of are the Uptown Triangle, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, the Lake to Bay Loop, Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop and the South Lake Union projects. The presentation will take place Seattle Church of Christ, 2555 Eighth Ave. W., starting at 7 p.m.
EASTER SERVICES AT FIRST FREE METHODIST
The First Free Methodist Church (3200 Third Ave. W.) will host Easter-week services, including a Maundy Thursday service on March 28 at 7 p.m., which will feature the retelling of the last hours before Jesus’ death through word, action and song. The church’s Easter Eggstravaganza on March 30 will include a free pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. and free children’s activities and egg hunt, suited for ages 3 to 8, starting at 9:45 a.m. Information: (206) 930-7729 or www.ffmc.org
‘EARLY DETECTION OF AUTISM’
Dr. Wendy Stone, a psychology professor at the University of Washington, will discuss the challenges of early identification and potential strategies for facilitating detection on April 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This lecture is presented by Seattle Pacific University’s School of Psychology, Family and Community Advisory Board. SPU’s Otto Miller Hall, 3469 Third Ave., Room 109.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING
Seattle Public Schools will have a community meeting on April 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to take comments on its update of the district’s Strategic Plan, which will guide the academic and operational policies for the next three to five years. The community meeting will take place in the Ballard High School commons (1418 N.W. 65th St.) Spanish and Somali interpreters will be available.
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OPEN HOUSE
The Church of Scientology (300 W. Harrison St.) will continue its ongoing drug-education campaign with an open house on April 10 that addresses the impacts of Initiative 502 and recent drug trends. A reception will take place at 6 p.m., followed by the program, at 6:30 p.m. Information: Ann, (206) 284-0604
FREE TAX PREPARATION, E-FILING
Confused by tax law changes? Can’t afford a professional preparer? AARP-certified counselors will assist taxpayers in preparing and e-filing tax returns on Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, through April 12. No age or income restrictions. Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W. Appointment: (206) 386-4235
SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE LIBRARY
The Magnolia Library (2801 34th Ave. W.) will celebrate its new Sunday hours on April 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Activities include children’s activities and an opportunity to participate in the Check-Out Sundays Challenge. Information: (206) 386-4225
SENIOR INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE
The Magnolia Community Center (2550 34th Ave. W.) is offering Senior Intermediate Bridge (Party and Duplicate) on Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register/information: Janet Ray, (206) 300-8559
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The Queen Anne Helpline is looking for volunteers to serve as a database administrator, a part-time accountant/bookkeeper and grants researcher. Information: (206) 282-1540 or info@queenannehelpline.org
MAGNOLIA MANOR PARK P-PATCH
Magnolia Manor Park P-Patch will be ready for gardening this spring. To become an active member of this new gardening community or to reserve a garden plot, contact Sharon Knoll, sharon@theknollgroup.com or 290-5839.
FOOT CARE THURSDAYS
The Ballard NW Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave. N.W., has a foot-care specialist providing care on Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For an appointment, call (206) 297-0403.
The Rotary Club of Magnolia
The group now meets for lunch meetings at noon on Thursdays at the Seattle Yacht Club Elliott Bay Outstation (2601 W. Marina Place) near Maggie Bluffs. Free parking available. Great speakers at each meeting. Information: magnoliarotary.org.
Free Alzheimer’s training sessions
Washington Home Instead Senior Care franchise offices will host free, in-person Alzheimer’s training sessions during November, in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month.
The recently launched Alzheimer’s CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education program is a first-of-its-kind training program that addresses current and future needs by offering family members a fresh approach to Alzheimer’s care, encouraging mental engagement to help relatives remain safely at home and in familiar surroundings as long as possible.
Information: www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.
FREE! Health Clinic
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the Month, 10am
Blood pressure, diabetes checks, and consultations are now provided by the Ballard Care & Rehabilitation Center’s RN and specialists. This is a free drop in clinic between 10am and 1:30pm. Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd NW. www.ballardseniorcenter.org
Computer Classes
First 3 Thursdays of the Month, 1pm
From web searches to email and beyond. If you have a question, then we have the answer. Come get involved in this class and learn some computer skills. Limit 6 people. Pre-registration required. $5 per class. Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd NW. www.ballardseniorcenter.org
Emerald City Toastmasters.
The Emerald City Toastmasters will meet every Thursday at noon at 415 Bell St. to help people overcome their speaking fears and improve communication skills. Information: Kathleen Klein, (206) 781-2615; or tinyurl.com/3aut4u4
Bridge Group - FREE
Mondays, 12:30pm-3:30pm
Grab a friend and join in! Bridge is a trick-taking card game played by four players in two competing partnerships. Each group of four individuals sit around a square card table, with the partners facing each other. Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd ave. NW.
Current Events Group - FREE
2nd & 4th Tuesdays 10:30am
The group decides the topic and how the discussion will run. All inquiring and open minds are welcome. This is a FREE group. Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave. NW.
Caregivers Group - FREE
Every 2nd and 4th Mondays, 12:30-2:00pm
Are you caring for someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory impairment issues? Come talk about your experience with others in the same situation. Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave. NW.
Magnolia Scrabble and
Game Club
Scrabble Club meets on the first and third Mondays of every month, and a general board-and-card-games group meets on the second, fourth and fifth Mondays of every month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Serendipity Café, 3222 W. McGraw St. Information: Judy, (206) 284-3911; Annette, (206) 285-3717
Magnolia Girl Scouts
Interested in community service, camping, leadership? Come join our Girl Scout Troop. We are a father-run troop that focuses on Outdoor Skills and Service Projects. Moms are welcome to participate and lead also. For more information, call 206-696-3434, Jim.V.Petersen@Gmail.com.
Spanish Conversation
Hola. The Spanish Conversation Group meets in the Magnolia library on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. We are a small group with varying levels of ability. Bienvenidos a todos. Call 285-4290 for more information.
Picture Perfect Queen Anne is
looking for people who work or reside on Queen Anne to join its Board. PPQA works with other community organizations and city government to enhance the public streetscape of the hilltop retail core of Queen Anne Avenue N. For further information, please visit: ppqa.org. Interested? Please send an e-mail to Margaret Okamoto at pictureperfectqa@gmail.com
Bridge players needed
The Magnolia Community Center Bridge Club meets from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., every Wednesday at the Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W. Call Janet Ray at 300-8559 for more information.
Ballard Senior Center
Ballard NW Senior Center will be introducing a variety of new classes in the coming weeks. The program offers many free classes for seniors. For more information, call me at (206) 297-0403.
Alzheimer’s Association
support will be held 7-8:30 p.m., on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Magnolia United Church of Christ, 3555 W.
McGraw St. 206-284-4508.