Teen center, library and community center educate and entertain teens this fall

By Mary Stevens Decker • September 14, 2009 2:53 pm
Both native Spanish-speaking teens and others who were studying Spanish language and culture shared a good time at last year's 'Dia de los Muertos' ('Day of the Dead') celebration at the Old Fire House Teen Center in downtown Redmond. This year's Day of the Dead party
Both native Spanish-speaking teens and others who were studying Spanish language and culture shared a good time at last year's 'Dia de los Muertos' ('Day of the Dead') celebration at the Old Fire House Teen Center in downtown Redmond. This year's Day of the Dead party

This fall, Redmond teens will find a cornucopia of resources and activities at the Old Fire House Teen Center, 16510 NE 79th St.; Redmond Regional Library, 15990 NE 85th St.; and Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St. in downtown Redmond.

Free or inexpensive events include college and career workshops (some with a Spanish-speaking facilitator) and holiday parties with music, food, arts and crafts.

Here’s just a sampling:

AT THE OLD FIRE HOUSE TEEN CENTER (OFH)

• 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, it’s the OFH’s 17th anniversary, with live music by Schoolyard Heroes, Sleepy Eyes of Death, Loving Thunder and Tradewinds for Zephyr. $10, all ages.

• 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 and 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the Teen Arts Fest will feature visual art, photography, spoken word and music performances. Free, all ages.

• 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, WorkSource Redmond will present a teen workshop called “How Can I Make Money Without Working in Fast Food?” Free, but registration is required. Call (425) 556-2300 or e-mail ccullen@redmond.gov. The workshop will include jobs in retail, customer service, office positions such as data entry and filing clerks, grocery stores and movie theaters.

“We will also be discussing labor laws related to youth,” said Carly Mitchell who will present the workshop with Teresa Boyes. “These kinds of jobs are targeted because youth can leverage both skills gained in school or volunteer activities — software skills, customer service skills, following directions, etc. — and other traits that make a great employee such as strong work ethic, dependability, responsibility, teamwork and a positive attitude.”

• 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) and the University of Washington Dream Project will present “Applying for College 101,” with tips on filling out applications, factors that influence college acceptance and preparing for admissions tests. Free, but RSVP at (425) 556-2300 or ccullen@redmond.gov.

• 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, a Halloween party with a costume contest, pumpkin-carving and live music by New Faces, Kung Foo Grip, Seahouse and Shotty. $6, all ages.

• 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, a “Dia de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” celebration of the Mexican holiday inspired by All Souls Day. This joyous event honors loved ones who have gone before us. Attendees will make sugar skulls and crepe paper flowers and drink hot chocolate. Free.

“The attendance is very diverse, from native Spanish-speaking teens to Redmond High School students getting credit for their Spanish class,” said Rana Shmait, program assistant at the OFH. Throughout the year, the teen center also hosts parties showcasing the cultures of China, France and other countries.

For more information about the Old Fire House Teen Center, visit www.redmond.gov.

AT THE REDMOND REGIONAL LIBRARY

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. “Scholarship Secrets” is a free, interactive workshop that covers putting yourself into the shoes of scholarship judges, choosing scholarships that fit your personal profile and analyzing what it takes to compile a competitive scholarship application.

For more information, contact Amanda Hirst, teen services librarian at the Redmond Regional Library, ajhirst@kcls.org or (425) 885-1861.

AT THE OLD REDMOND SCHOOLHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER

• 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, “Life After High School” will help high school students decide what makes most sense for them — a university, a community college or a technical college. Free.

• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, a technology panel, including professionals in fields such as software and biotechnology, will answer questions about careers. Free.

These programs are sponsored by RYPAC (Redmond Youth Partnership Advisory Committee), with light refreshments provided by Whole Foods Market.

For more information, contact Nancy Chang, program coordinator at nchang@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2358.