Calendar Submissions

Calendars are published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis. Items for the Wednesday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Thursday. Items for the Saturday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Tuesday. Submit items to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Special events

Return to Renton Benefit Car Show: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 6. Includes entertainment, vehicle displays, art show, food and raffle. Piazza Park, at the corner of South Third Street and Burnett Avenue South, Renton. 425-430-7589 or www.gorenton.com.

Renton Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 16. Features master gardener clinics, chef’s demonstrations and live entertainment. Performances include: July 8, Cascade Jazz Trio; July 15, Kids Talent Show; July 22, Susanna Fuller; July 29, Tacoma Banjos; Aug. 5, Lava Flow Trio; Aug. 12, Triple Treat; Aug. 19, Piano Man; Aug. 26, karaoke and you; Sept. 2, Temple Biet Tikva dancers and music; Sept. 9, Tex Knutson; Sept. 16, closing celebration. South Third Street, between Logan and Burnett Avenue South. 425-679-1502 or www.rentonfarmersmarket.com.

Animal Fun: 10:30 a.m. July 15, Will Stedman’s Hollywood Educated Parrots; 10:30 a.m. Aug. 12, Valentine’s Performing Pigs. Cost: Free. Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. www.rentonwa.gov.

Renton River Days: July 23-27. Main festival is 11 a.m.-8 p.m. July 25-27. Features live entertainment, art show and market, quilt show, pony rides, downtown parade (Saturday) and more. Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N., Renton. 425-430-6528 or www.rentonwa.gov.

The Big Screen: 9-11 p.m. Aug. 22. Open to ages 11-17. Bring a lawn chair and watch the latest PG or PG-13 movie. Food and snacks available for purchase. Admission: Free. North Highlands Neighborhood Center, 3000 N.E. 16th St., Renton. 425-430-6766 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Downtown Renton Art and Antique Walk: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 23. Indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring works by more than 75 artists. Downtown Renton. 425-430-6589 or www.artsunlimited.org.

Children

Play Day in the Park: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays July 9-Aug. 6. No play day July 23. Open to ages 2-12 with an adult for games, crafts and activities. Locations: July 9, Kiwanis Park, 815 Union Ave. N.E.; July 16, Philip Arnold Park, 720 Jones Ave. S.; July 30, Kennydale Lions Park, 2428 Aberdeen Ave.; Aug. 6, Tiffany Park, 1902 Lake Youngs Way S.E. 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Picnic Pizzazz: Noon-1 p.m. Thursdays, July 10-Aug. 14. No event July 24. Free lunchtime entertainment for children includes: July 10, Roberto the Magnificent; July 17, Washington Owners of Flying Disc Dogs; July 31, Jeff Evans magic show; Aug. 7, The Noise Guy; Aug. 14, Eric Herman music show. Bring a picnic lunch. Kiwanis Park, 815 Union Ave. N.E., Renton. 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Summer Splash-tacular: 9:30-11 a.m. July 12. Open to children ages 7-12 and families. Features water games, contests, safety presentations and more. Cost: Free. Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 1719 Maple Valley Highway. 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Summer Fest 2008: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 15. No program July 23. Open to ages 6-12. Free drop-in program includes crafts, games, contests and more at various city parks. Free summer lunch program also available. See Web site for details and locations. 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Classes

Safety Camp 2008: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 30. One-day camp teaches children about safety issues including bike, water, gun, and campfire safety. Participants also get an inside tour of Valley Medical Center emergency department, and an interactive session with firefighters, paramedics, ambulances and fire engines. Cost: Free; advance registration required. Valley Medical Center’s MAC Building, 400 43rd St., Renton. SafetyCamp@ValleyMed.org.

Libraries

Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. 425-226-0522 or www.kcls.org.

• “Catch the Reading Bug” 2008 Summer Reading Program: Through Aug. 31. Pick up booklets at the library.

• Master Gardeners: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.

• ESL class: 6:30 p.m. most Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration required; call 253-838-6810.

• Story times: Library offers various story times for newborns to 6-year-olds and foreign language speakers. Call for details.

• Talk Time: 10 a.m. Saturdays. Improve speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Renton Public Library, 100 Mill Ave. S. 425-430-6610. Library events include:

• Renton Library Book Group: 7-8:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month.

• PAWS to Read: 2-3:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month. Children in fourth grade and younger can come to practice reading skills with a canine listener. Registration required. Call 425-430-6825.

• Story times: 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Open to ages 2-6 and parents.

Highlands Library, 2902 N.E. 12th St., Renton. 425-430-6790. Library events include:

• Story times: 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Open to ages 2-6 and parents.

Seniors

Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. 425-430-6633. Events and activities include:

• Senior trips: July 18, Lavender Festival; Aug. 6, Tacoma Rainiers vs. Albuquerque Isotopes; Aug. 27, Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins. All trips leave from the senior center. Call for details, cost.

• Lunch: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Cost: $3 donation for ages 60 and older; $5.75 for those younger than 60. 425-254-1128.

• Health Assessment: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays. Provided by a visiting nurse.

• Bert’s Tuesday Trips: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. various Tuesdays. Registration: 9 a.m. Cost: $7.

• Computer Lab: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays. Open to seniors with some computer experience to use Internet and e-mail. Cost: Free.

• Ongoing activities: Center offers a variety of activities and games, including bocce, bridge, pinochle, crochet group, horseshoes, open painting, woodcarving and pool.

• Thursday Afternoon Dances: 1-3 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: Free.

• Friday Frolics trips: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays. Registration: 9 a.m. Cost: $3.

• Foot Care: Service is limited to seniors who cannot manage their own foot care. Call to schedule or cancel an appointment: 425-430-6662 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays.

• Free Blood Pressure Checks: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Low Vision Education Group: 12:15-1:30 p.m. the fourth Friday of the month.

• Widowed Information and Consulting Service: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

• Meals-On-Wheels: Program provides frozen meals for homebound seniors. 425-255-7932.

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission: Mission offers Renton-area seniors a variety of activities, including Bible studies, road trips, themed luncheons, summer camp, food boxes, free hair cuts and volunteer opportunities. For details, call 206-322-6801 or jmack@ugm.org.

Support

Al-Anon Family Group meetings: Meetings in Renton include:

• Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 p.m. at Valley Medical Center’s Medical Arts Building, 400 S. 43rd St.

• Mondays and Thursdays: 7 p.m. Mondays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Prichard Hall, 99 Wells Ave. S.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. Thursdays, at First United Methodist Church, 2201 N.E. Fourth St.

• Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. at May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 S.E. Renton-Issaquah Road.

Alliance for the Mentally Ill of South King County: 6:30-8 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The Alliance Center, 515 W. Harrison St., Kent. 253-854-6264.

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly-diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments. Will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments and have volunteers in your community. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Angel Flight West: Volunteer pilot group offers free air transportation to those in need, especially medical care. 888-426-2643 or www.angelflightwest.org.

Consumer Support Group: 6:30-8 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. The Alliance Center, 515 W. Harrison St., Kent. 253-854-6264.

Domestic Violence: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays; 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. YWCA of South King County hosts support groups for women who have experienced domestic violence. Meets at a confidential location. 206-799-6209.

Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle and King County: Program offers 14 varieties of healthy, nutritionally-balanced food packs to families and individuals with an immediate need for food. 206-329-0300 or www.emergencyfeeding.org.

Gamblers Anonymous: 7-9 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church of Renton, 2640 Benson Road S.; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, 10940 S.E. 168th St., Renton; 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Nativity Lutheran Church, 17707 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. 888-424-3577.

Hearing Loss Association: 12:30 p.m. the second Friday of the month. Group works to help people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N., Renton. www.hearingloss.org or www.wasa-shhh.org.

Medical coverage assistance: Public Health Seattle & King County provides free assistance applying for benefits, including free or low-cost medical coverage for qualifying children. Call for details. English: 206-296-3944; Spanish: 206-296-3948 or 206-296-3943; Vietnamese: 206-296-3949.

Parkinson’s Support Group: 1:30-3 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. Merrill Gardens at Renton Centre, 104 Burnett Ave. S., Renton.

Renton PFLAG Meetings: 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is open to anyone having issues about acceptance of a gay or lesbian loved one, or yourself. Meetings are confidential. Group is not associated with any religious organizations. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 99 Wells Ave. S., Renton. 425-235-4139.

SHIBA Helpline: Statewide Heath Insurance Benefits Advisors is a network of trained volunteers that assists and advocates for consumer rights and options regarding health insurance, health care access and prescription access. Group is also accepting volunteers. 800-562-6900 or www.insurance.wa.gov.

South King County CHADD chapter: 7-9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. Discussion of issues that concern parents of children with attention-deficit disorder. New Horizon School, 1111 S. Carr Road, Renton. 253-631-8603.

Teen Camp Erin-King County: Applications now being accepted for free weekend camp. Open to teens who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp provides support, education and opportunities for fun and fellowship to grieving teens. Camp slated for Aug. 22-24 at Camp River Ranch in Carnation. Call for details. 206-749-7689.

Veterans

Veterans Outreach: 3:15-6:15 p.m. July 8 and Aug. 12. Veterans and their families can get assistance in applying for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs from a Disabled American Veterans Service Officer. Kent Library, 212 Second Ave. N. 253-859-6439.

VFW Panther Lake Post 11329: 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. U.S. Army Reserve Center, 14631 S.E. 192nd St., Renton. 253-631-8151 or 425-254-1459.

VFW Post 9430: 7:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Ladies Auxiliary meetings: 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Family Hamburger Night: 6-7:15 p.m. Thursdays (except holidays). 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle. 206-772-9982.

VFW Renton Post 1263: 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Ladies’ Auxiliary: 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month; Men’s Auxiliary: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. VFW provides support to veterans of foreign wars and their families through overseas troop support, volunteer programs, community service, legislative action, charitable donations and research, and helps veterans seeking governmental benefits. Frank R. Vaise Post 1263, 416 Burnett Ave. S., Renton. 425-255-9010 or www.vfw1263.com.

USS Missouri 35th Veterans Reunion: Aug. 28-Sept. 1. For BB-63. Veterans, family and friends welcome. Reunion will take place in San Antonio, Texas. 203-281-4693, 803-469-3579 or mo63@ftc-i.net.

USS Maddox Destroyer Association Reunion: Sept. 3-7. For DD-168, DD-622 and DD-731. Reunion will take place in Oklahoma City, OK. For details, contact Cliff Gillespie at 337-616-8450 or cwgilles45@aol.com.

USS Hollister Destroyer Reunion: Sept. 17-21 in Branson, Mo. For DD-788. For details, contact Nelda Rupp. 503-656-4949 or hnrupp@comcast.net.

82nd Airborne Division Association reunions: Association is seeking veterans from the 82nd Airborne Division to join in conventions and other special events throughout the country. Call or e-mail for details: 937-898-5977 or srgabn@aol.com.

Military reunions: October, 2008, reunion for the former crew of the USS Yancey (AKA-93) in Seattle. For details, contact George Clifton, 708-425-8531 or clifs@ameritech.net. June 24, 2009, reunion for former crewmen from the USS England (DLG/CG-22) in Seattle. For details contact Dennis O’Brien, 714-961-6840 or dennis@ussengland.net. Veterans can find information about upcoming reunions across the country through Military Locator and Reunion Service. Call 828-256-6008 or visit www.mlrsinc.com.

Volunteers

AFS Student Exchange Program: Host families needed to house high school exchange students for the 2008-2009 school year. Call or see Web site for details. 800-237-4636 or www.afs.org.

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast cancer survivors needed to provide support for others battling cancer. Must be one year past the end of treatments and have good interpersonal skills. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Green River Community College: College seeks volunteers in a variety of areas: ceramics, basic computing, court reporting and more. Professional experience is not required. Call 253-288-3346 or visit volunteer@greenriver.edu.

Litter Patrol: Once a month, help patrol State Route 900 from Interstate 405. All gear supplied by the Washington State Department of Transportation. 206-351-6796.

Domestic Violence Unit: King County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking volunteers to provide legal advocacy to King County domestic violence victims. Volunteers needed for 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. 206-296-9700.

CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates is looking for volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 with excellent references. Volunteers must also attend 28 hours of training. Call 206-296-1120, e-mail gal.group@metrokc.gov or visit www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

Dining Program Volunteers: Currently seeking volunteers to help with the Senior Community Dining Program at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. Program hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Hours are negotiable. Food service experience is helpful and a food handler’s permit is required. When obtained the cost of the permit is reimbursed. 425-255-7932.

Family Law CASA of King County: Children’s needs can get lost in the dispute between separating parents. Do you want to advocate for such a child? Volunteer for Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of King County. 206-748-9700 or www.familylawcasa.com.

Friend to Friend: Volunteers are needed to visit residents in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement homes in the Puget Sound area. Call for details. 888-383-7818 or www.friendtofriendamerica.org.

Help Teach English: Volunteer tutors needed to help new immigrants and refugees learn English. Contact the City of Renton Community Services Department for more information. 425-430-6600.

Highline Hospice: Hospice is recruiting caring and compassionate people interested in supporting terminally ill patients and their families. Volunteers provide patient support and companionship, caregiver respite, bereavement support or office help. Comprehensive training provided. Highline Hospice, 12844 Military Road S., Tukwila. 206-439-9095.

Meals on Wheels: Meal-delivery program has openings for volunteer drivers and co-coordinators at sites throughout King County. Time commitment for drivers averages three hours once a week, with 35-cent reimbursement per mile. Coordinators may work one or two days a week, four to six hours total. 206-448-5767 or www.seniorservices.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County Volunteers: MSA of King County is looking for people to assist those with MS in maintaining their independence and quality of life. People are needed to assist with water-therapy programs, visit isolated individuals, provide transportation, go shopping, do yard work or other household chores, teach computer skills and more. Volunteers are also needed to assist with an ongoing school-assembly program that educates elementary-school children about coping with the challenges of disabilities. 206-633-2606 or www.msakc.org.

Olive Crest Abused and Neglected Children’s Foundation: Group is looking for dedicated volunteers to join the auxiliary group. Members assist with Foster Family activities, fundraising activities and welcome baskets for children entering new homes. 425-462-1612, ext. 1314, or www.olivecrest.org.

Puget Sound Blood Center: Assist with blood drives and bone marrow registry drives. Must be available in the day or early evening twice a month and have reliable transportation. 425-462-4381, meganp@psbc.org or www.psbc.org/volunteers.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team: American Red Cross is seeking King County volunteers to respond to local disasters. Volunteers must be on-call one week out of six, and will receive free training. 206-726-3566 or www.seattleredcross.org.

Special Transportation Program: Group Health Cooperative needs volunteer drivers to transport frail, elderly members to and from medical appointments in King County. Volunteers use their personal cars, are reimbursed for mileage and determine their own schedules, including when, where and how often they will drive. Volunteers do not need to be Group Health members. 206-326-2800 or resource.l@ghc.org.

Stitches from the Heart: Volunteers are needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters, hats and booties for babies in need. Items go to hospitals across the country. Patterns available. Donations of yarn or money also appreciated. Call for details. 866-472-6903, stitchfromheart@aol.com or www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

Volunteer Chore Services: Volunteers needed to assist with chores for low-income elders and adults with disabilities. Services include shopping, light housekeeping, laundry, cooking and yard work. Program is a service of Catholic Community Services. 206-328-5787 or vc@ccsww.org.

Volunteer Literacy Program: Many people in our community struggle to communicate in the English language because they are new to the country. If you can volunteer three to four hours a week, you can help someone learn to read, write and speak English. Call Highline Community College: 206-878-3710, ext. 3303.