Imagine: it’s a warm early-summer day. You load up the tots and frisbees, grab a latte, and head out for a few blissful hours at your fave local playground.

When you get there, a shocking sight meets your eyes:

Melted slide at Richmond Beach

Now imagine explaining this sickening waste of taxpayer dollars to your children.

ParentMap reader Jessica sent us this photo, fed up with taking her two kids to this popular playground in Seattle’s Richmond Beach neighborhood only to find the equipment wrecked beyond repair — not once, but three times.

Three times. Here’s what Jessica told us:

“A little while ago, the tube tunnel high up on the playset was damaged and taken out. And in between these events the rings were stolen. The man who came from the city parks to take care of it mentioned that this happens ‘all the time.’ They apparently usually go after the handicap swing. All of this is extremely expensive. Not to mention, none of the small children can safely play at this very popular playground.”

Vandalizing the swing for handicapped children? I shudder to think of the talent behind that idea.

Trying to summon a little righteous indignation, but this one just leaves me tired. What can be done about ignorant sociopaths who vandalize handicapped swings? Jessica suggested cameras be installed to catch the vandals in action. Other ideas?

It’s the first weekend of summer, and festival season’s on the roll.

Experience Music Project celebrates its 9th anniversary with nine-buck admission to Saturday’s Family Day. Here’s your chance to see the sweet Muppet-themed exhibit, Jim Henson’s Fantastic World.

Greenway Days is a 100-mile celebration of the Mountains to Sound Greenway that starts in Mercer Island and ends over the mountains in Thorp. There’s plenty going on this weekend — and most of it’s free — hikes, geoteaming, festivals and fairs, and tours of the Cedar River Watershed (which I recommend, if you’ve never done it).

Public schools are busted, and it will take a massive, coordinated effort to fix them. Into that roiling mess, Scott Oki — one of the most successful top executives at Microsoft — lobs Outrageous Learning: An Education Manifesto — a cool-headed and compelling vision for turning the tide for public schools. He offers 11 “planks” — foundational ideas — and specific strategies for constructive change.

Doable? Maybe … maybe not …  but kudos to Oki for bravely wading into one of the most critical issues of our time. Agree or disagree as you will, but “apathy is unacceptable,” Oki says. Discuss.

What’s cooking this weekend?

A strawberry harvest festival in Carnation, a Ballard beach bike ride, half-price admission to Wild Waves, helicopter flying lessons (!) for kids in Renton, a biggie garage sale on Mercer Island, and chocolate dipping for kids on Queen Anne.

That’s not all, of course. Check our calendar for much more.

New parents, here’s everything you need to know about the care and feeding of your precious darling.

Now you can own a piece of Seattle theater history - and support our treasured children’s theater! Seattle Children’s Theatre is having a weird little garage sale on eBay. Click here to browse cool props (like this here dolly from Goodnight Moon) and costumes (flying monkey! cocktail-party chic!; money raised goes straight into SCT’s annual fund.

It’s shopping for a great cause - and possibly your only chance to own your own throne.

Click on lion for a singin’ safari!

The Tiny Tots series at Benaroya Hall sells out quickly, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Last week, I talked to the delightful Linda Sebenius, half of the Let Your Music Shine! with Lisa and Linda duo that performs the shows; she told me that there are empty seats at every concert (kids get sick, families go on vacation, the sun is shining, etc.), and that tickets really are available at the door.

Performance times for today’s rock ‘n’ roll-themed “Beep and Bounce Adventure” are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Linda suggests that you show up a bit early and wait for empty seats to be released.

It’s not too late to cue up for the cure this weekend! The weather, she is smiling on the 16th annual Race for the Cure this Sunday, June 7. Burn off that breakfast burrito in the 5k or 3.5-mile run-walk, starting and finishing at Qwest Field - it goes along the “scenic Highway 99 Viaduct.”

“Cureleaders” from various high schools will be positioned throughout the race course to cheer walkers and runners on.

You can hobnob with honorary co-chairs and former Mariner and Hall-of-Famer Edgar Martinez and wife Holli; executive director Mona Locke; Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke; Grand Marshal Robin Clark; and Grand Marshal of the Kid’s Race Adam Westerman.

Register here. You can register a team, or search for a team to join. Entry fees are $30 for adults, $20 for children 6-12 years of age, $10 for children 5 years of age and younger, or $35 for (my specialty!) Sleep in for the Cure.

Ever wonder who Susan G. Komen was? Here’s the answer:

(more…)

Dragging from another sleepless night? Fighting the urge to go for that third latte? You may have Sleepless-Tot Syndrome. Been there!

Super-cool author and FOPM (friend of ParentMap) Elizabeth Pantley can help! Enter to win one of her books - your choice of either The No-cry Sleep Solution or The No-cry Nap Solution. Just email me your mailing address and let me know which book you hope to win.

And don’t miss Elizabeth’s lecture - sponsored by ParentMap - this Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The name says it all: “The No-cry Sleep Solution - Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby and Toddler Sleep.” Just imagine: A good night’s sleep can be yours!

Facials are not normally my thing- I usually am found indulging in a regular’ish massage.  But when I learned of “Be Sugar and Swank” a local day spa which is owned and operated by a local Mom I decided to look into it.

Be Sugar and Swank (the name has it) is located on Mercer Island and is its own little oasis for women looking for spa facials, custom make up, wax help, and even facials for teens.  Check out the name of the facial for the teen-set, it’s called  the “Please Pop My Zit” teen facial! 

The owner of this spa has it right- instead of the crazy over the top hype which many of the larger spas tend to feed, Be Sugar and Swank caters to you without making you feel, well you know how you feel when you check into some of the larger spas…

There really is something for everyone.  So if the mood strikes you, grab the girls, plan a spa party or go in for a little TLC.

http://www.besugarandswank.com

laura