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

Community Carnival and Family Resource Fair: 1-5 p.m. Aug. 2. Information about Senior Housing Service, Valley Medical Clinic, Family Counseling Service and other resources will be available, as well as photo ID kits, games and food. Cost: Free. First Presbyterian Church of Renton, 2640 Benson Road S. 425-255-1255.

Renton Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 16. Features master gardener clinics, chef’s demonstrations and live entertainment. Performances include: 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.

Children

Play Day in the Park: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 6. Open to ages 2-12 with an adult for games, crafts and activities. Tiffany Park, 1902 Lake Youngs Way S.E. 425-430-6700 or www.rentonwa.gov.

Picnic Pizzazz: Noon-1 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 14. Free lunchtime entertainment for children includes: 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 Fest 2008: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 15. 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.

Renton FUMC Children and Parents Playgroup: 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays. Open to parents and children of all ages. Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 N.E. Fourth St. 425-255-5403.

Faith

Movie Night at First United Methodist: 6-8 p.m. Aug. 3. All are welcome. Refreshments provided. Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 N.E. Fourth St. www.gbgm-umc.org/renton1stumc.

“Rainforest Adventure Camp” Vacation Bible School: 9:30 a.m.-noon Aug. 4-7. Open to children age 3 through sixth grade. Cost: $10. Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 N.E. Fourth St. 425-255-5403.

Movie Nights at St. Andrew: 8 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 23. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3604 N.E. 10th Court, Renton. 425-226-5547.

Renton Day Women’s Bible Study: 9:25 a.m. Tuesdays. First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108th Ave. S.E. www.bsfinternational.org.

Seniors’ Bible Study: 9:15-11:30 a.m. Thursdays. Non-denominational group is open to all. Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. 425-430-6633.

Women’s Group Bible Study: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays. Room 110 at Highlands Community Church, 3031 N.E. 10th St., Renton. nlr22@comcast.net.

Libraries

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

• Teen Writing Workshop: 4 p.m. Aug. 4.

• Citizenship Workshop: 6 p.m. Aug. 4. Registration required.

• “Dragons by Design”: 7 p.m. Aug. 5. Open to teens. Join artist Cym Earlysmyth as she explores the history and tells stories of these mythical creatures.

• “Illustrate Dragonflies and Butterflies”: 11 a.m. Aug. 6. Open to ages 7 and older. Ages 7-8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.

• Bee Boppin’ Bugs!: 11 a.m. Aug. 7. Sing-along concert with Nancy Stewart.

• Fairwood Afternoon Book Group: Noon Aug. 13.

• Books and Bites Pizza Finale: 7 p.m. Aug. 14. Discuss the hottest books of 2008 while munching on pizza. Open to teens.

• “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:

• Spiderwick Adventures: 2-4 p.m. Aug. 7. “Spiderwick”-themed crafts and activities. Open to children in third-sixth grades.

• “Second Time Cool” Crafts for Teens: 2-4 p.m. Aug. 15. Open to teens in sixth-12th grades. Bring old jeans and T-shirt to decorate or create something new.

• Anime Festival: 2-4 p.m. Aug. 22. Open to teens in sixth-12th grades.

• “Cinderella and the Bug Brigade”: 7-8 p.m. Aug. 25. Presented by Mary Shaver and Her Marionettes. Open to all ages.

• Renton Library Book Group: 7-8:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Topics: Aug. 21, “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro; Sept. 18, “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

• 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: 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: 11:30 a.m.-noon 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Veterans

Veterans Outreach: 3:15-6 p.m. Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cedar River Volunteer Naturalists: Through October. Volunteers needed to serve as naturalists along the Cedar River Watershed. Includes 20 hours of training in September and early October, and three weekend days along the river, educating the public about spawning salmon and the history of the Cedar River Watershed. Call or e-mail for application, details. 206-245-0143 or naturalists@cedarriver.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. 253-288-3346 or 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. 206-296-1120, gal.group@metrokc.gov or 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: Apply now for training class in late September. 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.

Visiting Nurse Services of the Northwest: September, volunteer orientations. Volunteers needed October-December to help with set-up and paperwork for annual flu immunization program. Opportunities in King and Snohomish counties. Call for details. 425-738-4937.

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.