Northwest Rachel Events

Two Special Guests

2012-01-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

That's right, besides Rachel we have a special guest coming to the concert in May.

Can you guess? He is big, green, and hops around:

Yes, Portland, you get Hopkins in May. :)

Portland 2011

2012-01-02T19:54:00.001-08:00

Yep, 2011. Last year. Were you there? Did you get to see/hear/feel the wonderful concert that was inclusive of all children of all abilities?

If not, check out a few photos, and a tidbit about the concert here, or read how this touched people's lives in the Signing Time blog post.

Then, enter the contest:

Contest, you say? Yep! We're looking for stories about how Signing Time (or the use of ASL) changed your family for the better. Submit your stories by Feb 28th, 2012 (and be willing to come to Portland for the concert). There will be a Grand Prize and 2 First Prize winners.

Grand Prize:
Tickets for the immediate family to come to the concert in May (or reduced price VIP tickets)
A free Signing Time DVD of your choice
A free autographed picture with your family and Rachel

First Prize:
Tickets for the immediate family to come to the concert in May (or reduced price VIP tickets)

Portland Concert

2012-01-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

So, the 2012 Portland Concert website is all up, pretty and decorated. You'll notice, for example, a brand new banner of pictures (including parts of Ladd's Addition, and a photo of last year's Portland concert).

The colors have changed (they're shades of green this year), and everything is clean and tidy. You'll notice a few things missing, though:

1) A fundraising bar. That's simply because we haven't raised a dollar of the funds needed to make this concert happen. Yet, I have faith that it will come to pass. Why? Because I know the love you all have for Signing Time.

2) Sponsors. So far, we have none, but as I get the ads up on the site, I hope you'll join me in asking our local businesses to help sponsor this amazing opportunity, as well as asking local charities/advocacy/outreach groups to spread the word.

3) The link to tickets. It'll be up around late February, so don't worry too much about that.

:)

May 19th, 2012 - Rachel in Portland

2011-11-30T19:04:00.000-08:00

More information to come, but just an early release!!!

The Seattle Concert

2011-10-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

The concert was wonderful, Hopkins danced and sang with Rachel on the stage, and we got a sneak-peak at the upcoming Signing Time DVD, Potty Time! :)

We also raised over $6500 for the Signing Time Foundation, and learned that Labor-Day weekend isn't the best weekend in Seattle for an indoor concert! :) Ah well, we'll have the next one at a more accessible time! Thank you, everyone for making this event such a success!

Silent Auction (2)

2011-08-11T18:51:00.001-07:00

More items for the Silent Auction:

A $200 gift card for Grand Event Rentals:

2 pints of Organic, Heritage, additive free Oregon blueberry jam:

Have an item you'd like to donate? Please get in touch!

Silent Auction (1)

2011-08-11T18:33:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of the things we have had donated for the Silent Auction:

A crystal "Hopkins" pin:

A copy of the Family, Feelings and Fun board book signed by Rachel, Alex, Leah, Alex's Mom (and Signing Time co-creator) Emilie, Lucy (Leah's little sister), and Aaron (Leah's dad).

Thank you, again, Grand Event Rentals!

2011-08-11T18:13:00.001-07:00

Thank you again, Grand Event Rentals, for your generous donation. Last year they donated all the chairs for the event, and this year, they're donating a popcorn machine, tables, and two drink dispensers so we can serve juice and water. They're also donating a $200 gift certificate to the silent auction! We love you guys!

The Foundation For Early Learning: Thank You Again

2011-08-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

We can't even begin to thank the Foundation for Early Learning for their generous grant a second year in a row. The work they do to benefit Washington's youngest children, those up until the age of five, is absolutely astounding, and they are changing the lives of those children from birth onward.

Thank you to our newest Seattle Concert sponosor!

2011-08-02T11:51:00.001-07:00

It's always best to let someone put the business they do in their own words. On his website, Brad MacVicar says "I've been with Allstate for over 28 years and have worn many hats in the company. My tenure and expertise has allowed me to not only understand the ins-and-outs of insurance, but also to service hundreds of families regarding their protection needs. I can help you protect the things that are important – your family, home, car, boat and more.

I'm proud to work with a company who's been serving satisfied customers for over 70 years. Customers count on outstanding financial strength and superior claims service to help protect what they value most. Allstate delivers on their promise. In fact, their outstanding financial strength and superior claims service received an A+ (Superior) rating by A.M. Best. Quality service, strength and satisfaction – that's something I'm glad to be a part of.

As your Allstate agent, I can help you understand how the choices you make – such as the car you drive – affect your insurance rate. I'm committed to helping you get the appropriate level of protection and make it easy to do business with Allstate."

So, if you're looking for an insurance quote, to involve a little less "Mayhem" in your life, please contact Brad at (425) 392-4163 or through his website.

Want to Help?

2011-07-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

How would you like to help make the LIVE Rachel Show in Seattle a reality, while helping to raise funds for the Signing Time Foundation (besides buying tickets to see the show, of course)?

Well, now there's a great way you can help be a part of the excitement, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Businesses can participate by donating in exchange for ad space in the program, and may participate in a video shown as attendees are being seated, if space is available. Gift certificates or goods donations to the silent auction will also be greatly appreciated.

Families can also participate by leaving a message to Rachel in the program, or even a video message to be played while folks are getting seated (and sent home with her on a DVD). You can also shop around at the silent auction that will be happening during the meet and greet line.

Read the flier below (you can click on it to be directed to a .pdf if you need it bigger) and then choose your level of sponsorship or ad size below. Once you've paid, please email the text or image for the program, and for more information on how to submit your video.

New Eventful Postings

2011-06-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

Eventful.com now has information up for Rachel's events here in the NorthWest.

First, there's the one in Boise, Idaho (what, you didn't know she was coming to Boise?) which gives all the info you need.

Then, there's the one for Seattle 2011, which gives you the info on the big one coming at the Washington Cathedral. There are a few VIP tickets left, too, so get them while you can!

September= Seattle: Second Signing Time Concert

2011-05-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard, she is indeed coming back, and she's bringing Hopkins!

The date? September 3, 2011.
The place? The beautiful Washington Cathedral just outside of Seattle in Woodinville.

And we made a few changes from last year. An earlier time (1:30pm) so that people can get home before bed-time), much more comfortable seats, and available VIP tickets (meaning you can meet Rachel BEFORE the concert so you can just go home afterward). Oh, and a chance to put your family's message to Rachel in the program and up on screen (more info on that will follow).

The rest of the information, and tickets, can be found at the Seattle NW Rachel Events site, so please come on over. We're also looking for sponsors and donors this year, so please let us know if you're interested in helping to support the Foundation.

Thank you! (Part 3!)

2011-04-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Unlike any other adoption-related magazine, Adoption Mosaic’s The Adoption Constellation magazine represents and speaks to all members of our diverse adoption community. The purpose of The Adoption Constellation magazine is to help build and support bridges between adoption constellation members, with the ultimate goal of improving our adoption experiences.

BONUS

Their, new, quarterly issue out WITH AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY RACHEL inside it, so pick one up if you are interested.

Thank You!!! (Part 2)

2011-03-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

The SWCDHH or Southwest Washington Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works "to improve the lives and rights of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people in Southwest Washington." The non-profit promotes "the productivity and full citizenship of the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing" and encourages "Life-Long educational opportunities for everyone."

Burgerville is a Portland institution. Fresh, local and sustainable, they make fast-food that includes vegetarian options, smoked salmon salads, fish-and-chips kids' meals and rosemary chicken sandwiches. Oh, and then there are the seasonal items, the foods and drinks offered for only a month, made from the NW's own seasonal crops. Pumpkin shakes in fall, cherries in February, etc.

Burgerville at SE 25th and Powell and Burgerville at SE 92nd and Powell have agreed to help us sponsor this event in an awesome fashion. Simply click on the coupon below (or grab one at the concert) and take it to one of the two locations on the day of the concert. Grab a Rouge River Bleu salad for lunch before the concert for yourself and a fish-and chips meal for the kids as a lunch before the concert, or drive thru after the concert for the Spicy Anasazi Bean Burger Basket with Portobello wedges and let the kids have a cheeseburger with apple slices after getting to meet Rachel. Burgerville will donate 10% of your meals on the day of the concert (and the day after) to the Signing Time Foundation in support of our concert. The page contains two fliers, so share one with a friend. :)

Thank You!!! (Part 1)

2011-03-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

If you didn't trek over to the sponsor page when you bought tickets, I understand. I mean, hey, you just got tickets to the absolutely coolest kids' concert in Spring, and it may have slipped your mind. I get it. However, I really need to share some of these awesome folks with you.

Today, let me thank (and introduce) Therapy Solutions for Kids and Woman Uncensored.

Therapy Solutions is "a warm and welcoming place for children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental disabilities and/or injuries. At Therapy Solutions for Kids you will find caring pediatric occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech therapists who put their years of experience in therapy and education into developing customized activities and therapeutic treatments based on your child's needs."

The Portland office has been so warm and welcoming to our family, as well as countless others, and they've got a Eugene location as well, which is wonderful. My son's OT visit light up his whole week, and in his year working with this therapist he's gone from a child on a liquid diet with barely having the core strength to hold himself up in a sitting position to a running, jumping preschooler who will ask for preferred foods. Needless to say, we are fans.

Read more about them in this article: Truth in Advertising: Therapy Solutions For Kids

Woman Uncensored is "a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, and a friend. [She has] views that many people in [her] 'real life' find confusing or downright horrifying, but thanks to the internet [she's] discovered that [she is] not the only person in the world with these beliefs. Some people would label [her] as an "Attachment Parent", and [she's] great with that, but [she tends] to think that following one's parental instincts is what is truly normal, and everyone else is a "detachment parent". [She] practice[s] and advocate[s] full-term breastfeeding, safe co-sleeping, baby wearing, natural birth, the right to home birth, the right of all children to genital integrity, and positive parenting in general. [She is] a human, and if you met me in real life, you'd have no idea that [she is] a 'freak'. [She] shop[s] at Wal Mart. [She] like[s] an occasional cheeseburger. [She] wear[s] jeans, t-shirts, and flip flops. [She] even wear make-up and dye [her] hair, gasp! In most ways, [She's] just your average woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother. [She is] generally a laid back gal that just likes to spend time with [her] loved ones. [She] just also happen to believe that many "mainstream" parenting beliefs and practices are unhealthy, either physically, emotionally, or both."

In other words, she's brash, she's funny, she's a huge Rachel fan, and she provides a great forum for moms and moms-to-be with questions about alternative medicine, kids with special needs, and natural/"crunchy" or attachment parenting discussions. She rules.

Interested in helping to sponsor the concert? Want to get your name out to the 600 families expected? Shoot me an email.

Portland Concert on Examiner

2011-01-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

All the information about the Portland Concert is now up on Examiner.com, the online newspaper. The article, written by yours truly, explains the ins and outs of the concert, and is a good thing to link to if you're explaining the concert to others.

Click the banner below to be redirected to the article:

Portland Concert Tickets are up for Sale!

2011-01-11T13:04:00.001-08:00

That's right! Both VIP (early admission) and General Admission tickets are are available for sale now (as well as tickets marked for the Deaf/HOH population and their guests/family so that we know how many seats to save in the interpreter's section).

To read the specifics and to start your order, please visit the
Northwest Rachel Events Portland Tickets Page

Guess What? She's coming back!

2010-12-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

To the NW that is, Portland to be precise. If you head to the NW Rachel Events Website, you'll see that it got a little overhaul this week. You can now click the picture of Seattle to see all the pictures and get the info for the concert we did in November...or you can click on the picture of Portland to see how things are starting on the Portland concert.

We should have tickets for sale by January 1st, and we're already looking for sponsors, donors, and those willing to chip in through fund-raising efforts both for our venue and another organization we're working with (both which should be tax deductible). We're really hoping to find a local printer willing to work with us on tickets, brochures and posters, as well as some other local businesses maybe willing to chip in for a silent auction.

More info will come as it comes, but I thought I'd let you all know.

Also, if you asked for your photos to be emailed, they will get sent out tomorrow!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

2010-11-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Seattle, you guys were amazing! We're still tallying up the exact amounts, but it seems clear that we've raised over $5000 for the Signing Time Foundation!
Your generous gifts have made this amazing even possible, and your help getting the word out has been INVALUABLE in filling the house the way we did.

If you have pictures, please, please email them to me here and I'll post them up on the website.

BTW, if you look on the NW Rachel Event site now, you can see the ones we've collected so far of Rachel at the hospital and at the show. Please, please, send us more!

Last minute chance for great Rachel seats

2010-11-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

As I'm sure you're aware, Rachel will be in Seattle in just two days!

If you have friends or neighbors who are planning on coming, and don't want to take a chance buying tickets at the door, remind them that sales stop tonight at midnight. The same goes if you want to make sure that a specific DVD, CD, tshirt or book is waiting for you, so that Rachel can sign it. Pre-orders close tonight at midnight.

This was about seating, though, right? And seating, except for in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing section near the interpreting team, is first come, first seated...

UNLESS someone in your party is willing and able to show up at 4, un-encumbered by children, and work setting up chairs, moving bleachers, and generally playing roadie until the show begins. That member of your party will then be allowed to reserve your seats for you, as soon as the seats are unfolded. Yes, moms or dads with an Ergo-ed kid count as un-encumbered. The rest of you party will have to hang out in the Will Call line to pick up your tickets, but you'll already have seats up nice and close. Deaf/HoH volunteers will get to be even closer to the stage in on that side (and probably help us set it up better, let's be frank).

The first 25 volunteers have it...I may even take 30. We've got a ton of work to do.

Presale Tickets and Product

2010-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

Payments for re-sale Products and Tickets will stop being accepted at midnight on Thursday, November 17th! After that, you get to come to the Northgate Community Center, wait in line and hope that there are still tickets available (right now we only have about 150 left), and that the specific DVD, book or shirt that you want Rachel to sign will still be in stock.

If, when you get there, you think of a DVD you want that isn't in stock, or decide you know of a family, library or church that could benefit from some Signing Time DVDs, we will happily be able to take orders and have them shipped to you.

:)

In the news

2010-11-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

The SnoValley Star has written up an article about the concert, featuring our very own Megan Spires!

In the article, they detail all the reasons people should sign, with both their hearing and Deaf children (which most of us already know, since we're Signing Time Fans), and then goes on to talk about where some of the classes can be found.

Please go on ahead over and read it, if you get a chance:

Signing Family Helps Bring Expert to North Bend Event

There's a great picture of Megan signing with her three oldest boys as well!

No Closed-Captioning...

2010-11-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

...but your interpreting services for the concert will be provided by TERP Sign Language Services, LLC. Erin and Tiffany were wonderful in helping me find quality interpreters who were available for the concert, and excited to be doing performance interpreting.

For the Deaf/HOH attendees of the concert: The TERP interpreters will be there from 5, when the concert starts, until 6:30. That should allow your families to meet with Rachel after the actual performance. We'll also have a plethora of interpreting students about, as well as other signers, so when the interpreters go home, feel free to tap on of the coordinators on the shoulder, and if we can't help you, we'll try and find someone who can.

In just over a week

2010-11-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

In just over a week, Rachel will:

* be reading to the kids hospitalized at Seattle Children's Hospital.
* be performing at the concert at Northgate!
* be meeting all of you!

In just over a week, your kids will:

* be singing and signing along to the Signing Time songs they know and love.
* have a chance to get their faces painted.
* get to make shirts for Rachel and her family, and Alex and his family.

In just over a week, we need:

* about ten more volunteers willing to work after the concert during the meet and greet.
* To sell our last few tickets.
* To raise about $1000 more.
* To see if anyone can bring their card/folding tables with them to the event, for us to borrow from 4-9.
* To see if any interpreter or interpreting student, or hearing person fluent in ASL, would be willing to come and mill around as a back up interp after the concert. Contact me about free tickets in exchange for this.

Here we go!

Autographs and Photographs

2010-11-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

So, you're all geared up for the big concert in less then two weeks, right?

Me, too.

And you're going to sit, watch Rachel perform, and have a marvelous time, and then wait in line for your kids to get a chance to meet with Rachel. They'll get to color, create shirts for Alex, Leah and their families, and get their faces painted, while they wait, and then the big moment will arrive.

The kids will run up to Rachel, she'll pose and you'll snap away with your camera. Which is great, we totally encourage that. Then your kids take their leave of Rachel, and the next family runs into her color-coded hands, and your kids go home with a head full of great memories.

But hey, this is a concert, right? Wouldn't it be a bit more fun if the kids got to take something tangible home? Something, perhaps, with Rachel's autograph on it?

Well, take heart, there are two options that allow for that very thing.

The first option is brought to you by Ellie Osburn, another parent whose life was touched by Signing Time. Her daughter, Ruby, was born with a lot of challenges and a Signing Time DVD found at a library gave Ruby language and joy. It also gave Ellie joy and hope, and Ellie just couldn't be happier that Rachel is coming to visit Seattle Children's Hospital, where Ruby has spent so much time.

In her "pre-mommy" days, Ellie was a professional photographer, and she's offered to do family portraits with Rachel. If you'd like, Ellie can take a photo of your whole family, or just your child(ren), with Rachel, and then you are free to snap all the photos you'd like. Using her portable, professional photo printer, she'll print out a 4x6, and Rachel will sign it for you, and you can take that autographed picture home with you, in a keepsake folder.

These pictures will cost $15, or two prints of the same photo for $25, and after paper, ink and processing fees, proceeds will be donated to the Signing Time Foundation.

The other is that you can buy a Signing Time item at the concert, and Rachel will sign it. She can only sign brand-new Signing Time items (due to so much pirated stuff coming in), but the good news is that there is stuff that even the most die-hard fans don't have yet, is inexpensive, and that the kids will love.

For example, Hopkins Shirts (in kids XS, S, M and L):

And the new Board Books (they correspond to videos 4-6:

The shirts and books will be $10 each at the concert, and a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Signing Time Foundation. If you would like to order your shirts/books/any other Signing Time item, please email me and place your order ahead of time, so that we can have your items waiting for you when you arrive.

What to do, what to do? - Entertaining 300+ kids

2010-10-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

So, there's this concert. And it will be wonderful and magical and life-changing. And then there are announcements and thank-you's, and then, the kids get to go up and meet Rachel!

You did know that, right? After the concert, there's a big meet and greet line, and the kids get to go up to Rachel, take a picture with her and get her autograph before they head home. But, as someone pointed out, there will be an AWFUL lot of families coming to this, which means that the line will be awfully long. And kids don't like waiting in line, and what if melt-downs start to happen?

Well, I have some good news for you. First, there is a line order. Those that are Deaf or Hard-of-hearing and require an interpreter will be going through the line first, so that we can send the interpreters home to ice their hands. :) The rest of the families will get to line up in an orderly fashion, and hang out.

I know, I know. I said GOOD news. Well, we will have a drawing section laid out so that kids can amuse themselves drawing pictures on the floor, and a place where kids can help with our super secret gifts for the Coleman/Brown families (Rachel, don't read this part). We'll need volunteers and card tables for that part as well, so if you'd like to work the drawing area while your kids run around, feel free.

Best of all, however, we have Happy Go Lucky Face Painting.

Melissa is the owner, and her kids watched Signing Time when they were younger. She will be there to help keep the kids entertained while we all wait in line to see Rachel. As you can see from the picture above, her general artwork is full-face, glittery and masterful. However, as we're going to have a lot of kids who are going to want her attention, please try and encourage your kids to ask for small things (maybe a butterfly from Caterpillar Dreams or a Rainbow from Colors of our Rainbow...or Hopkins with a balloon...everyone loves Hopkins). The more simple cheek art we request, the more kids get their faces painted.

If you want one of her full-face gigs, please be sure to visit one of her events, or you can schedule her for a birthday party!

Our Press Release

2010-10-24T11:41:00.001-07:00

Please feel free to send this to your local papers, Mama-zines, TV stations and to post it up in your American Sign Language classes. The smoother this concert goes, the better chance we have of getting Rachel out to the Northwest again, and soon. Below is the press-release in full. Feel free to steal and snag it, and use whatever parts you want. All we ask is that you leave the website and contact info attached, and that if some paper, zine, site, blog does use it, that you please let us know.

Rachel Coleman, Emmy Nominated Star of Signing Time, to Perform Benefit Concert in Seattle on November 20th.

Thousands of families in the Northwest have been touched by Signing Time, the hit PBS show that introduced American Sign Language to children across the Nation. Now, for the first time, these families will be able to come and see her perform, live. During her stay in Seattle, Coleman will also be performing a private story-time for children who are hospitalized at Seattle Children's Hospital.

Megan Spires, resident of North Bend and owner of Signing For Life and PDX Loves Signing's Carissa Martos are proud to announce that Emmy-nominated Rachel Coleman, host of Signing Time, will perform for children and families during this year’s premier Seattle Signing Time Foundation Community Event on November 20, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Northgate Community Center in Seattle. Info and tickets available at NWRachelEvents.com. The event will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

Coleman, who co-created Signing Time as a means to teach children of all abilities how to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), has seen firsthand the miracles that can come from using sign language. As the mother of a daughter who is deaf, and another who has cerebral palsy and spina bifida, Coleman has spent the last few years making sign language fun and accessible for all children through the Signing Time series. Whether used by a pre-verbal infant, a non-verbal child with disabilities, or a family who simply wants to learn ASL as a second language, Signing Time reaches children with diverse learning styles and encourages interaction through signing, singing, speaking and moving.

For the past seven years, Signing Time has been dedicated to proving the benefits and positive impact of sign language on children of all abilities. While most people regard sign language as something only for the Deaf community, thousands of parents are seeing that all children can accelerate their language and reading development through the unique blend of sign language, written word, song and video modeling used in Signing Time.

This event was made possible through a Community Action Project grant from the Foundation For Early Learning, generous donations from the Jorge Posada Foundation, Grand Event Rentals, The Issaquah Holiday Inn, Washington Hands and Voices and individual Donors. Also essential are the volunteers who offered their time and energy. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Signing Time Foundation. Donations made online or at the concert will also benefit the Signing Time Foundation, and will be tax-deductible.

About the Signing Time Foundation:

Signing Time was developed based on her personal experiences. Rachel has seen firsthand the benefits of signing with ALL children, not only for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and is committed to making ASL easily accessible to all families through the Signing Time series. The Signing Time Foundation (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit) is dedicated to making sign language fun and accessible to all children, creating a world in which all children can express themselves and be understood. For more information, please visit http://www.signingtimefoundation.org/.

Fr more information, please contact Megan Spires (www.signing-for-life.blogspot.com) or Carissa Martos (PDXLovessigning.com) or our downtown Seattle instructor, Betsy Dischel (www.bienfeliz.com). Thank you.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Megan Spires, this has been picked up by at least one paper in her area, but we could use all the press we can get.

So come on, get sharing!

Meeting of the Minds, part 2

2010-10-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

While in Seattle, I also had the chance to meet with Betsy Dischel of Bien Feliz and Justin Angelos, the Jiu-Jitsu instructor who started the ball rolling on Rachel coming to Seattle months, and months ago.

Betsy was warm, opened her home to us, and I could see right away why her classes fill up so quickly. Not only does she offer them at many different locations, but in her Spanish Signing Time classes, she has re-written some of the songs so that they rhyme in Spanish! She's even in talks to start teaching Signing Time classes in Hebrew! If you live in the area around Northgate Community center (where the Rachel concert will be), please sign up for her classes. They are a joy to witness.

Betsy is also the contact for those lovely posters, so if you would like them, please get a hold of her via email. If you're in Seattle proper, she can probably meet you to hand them over, but if you're out in the farther reaches of the state, you'll want to get those requests in soon.

Justin really impressed me, too, as he was super hyped up about the event, for his daughter. He KNOWS how much she's going to love the concert, and is doing his level best to paper Seattle with these posters and raise awareness of the concert for no other reason than to bring a smile to his daughter's face. That, I tell you, is what fatherly love is all about.

Finally, we turned around and headed home to Portland, determined to get the word out in whatever form we can from here. If you have a blog, an email chain, a parents' group or a church that you think might be interested...Please, please, let them know about it.

A Meeting of the Minds Behind the concert (pt 1)

2010-10-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I stopped in to North Bend, Washington to do some planning for the concert. I was fortunate enough to get to meet Megan Spires of Signing For Life. As my family pulled our car into their driveway, Rory and Julian burst from the vehicle and tore into to their home.

Road-weary though they may have been, they were all-too-glad to gt inside and play with some other kids. And you know what? All five of the kids bouncing on the sofa, off the walls and running screaming for the tire swings were signing. Granted, some were better at it than most, but even "O", the eldest, was eager to join in once he realized it was "cool" to other kids, and not just something his baby brothers did.

The hullabaloo was a little much for the two quietest kids, though, and they retreated to the porch near the house to watch Rory, "T" and "O" harass one another on the tire-swing across the yard. "C" is nearly 5 and Julian nearly 3, and they are both more easily over-whelmed than their louder siblings.

They also both have craniosynostosis. Eventually, "C" came inside and informed us "that baby wants more chalk." Sure enough, Julian was sitting outside drawing circles on the deck with yellow chalk, looking forlornly at "C" while signing RED.

So, "C" went into the house, got the tub of chalk and came outside to play. Every time Julian would sign a color, and "C" would give him to color he wanted. They sat and played in silence, signing happily for a few good long moments before the big kids descended upon them. It was lovely to watch these two boys be able to just sit down and play. Upon first examination, they are so different from one another, and yet they are both generally isolated because of their shared condition: Julian because he can't speak and "C" because he is Deaf. And just look at them, happily playing away.

My daughter's ability to sign brought her the attention of the two lovely boys over on the swings, and the fact that "O" and "T" can sign with her gave them the "kids who sign with their siblings" club. Julian and "C" learned to sign out of necessity, and for one of the first times, it let them interact organically that Friday.

As for Megan and I? I think we'll be good friends from here on out.

Chairs!

2010-10-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

We have chairs!

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Grand Event Rentals for their gracious donation of the seating for this concert. If you've got a wedding, party, graduation, holiday bash or whatever coming up, and you have to rent some party supplies, please patronize these good people, and let them know that you're doing it because of what they did for the Signing Time Foundation!

I'm shocked and amazed at the generosity and support being poured out by the local community in support of this event.

Special thanks to the Educated Child Playgroup for helping us find this wonderful sponsor!

So, we still need day-of volunteers (including a few who will work during the concert), an ASL interpreter or two (the more we have, the more breaks the ones we have get) and people to help get the word out. Email your friends, co-workers and family...this is going to be a BLAST!

Big Posters Have Been Ordered

2010-09-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Aren't they gorgeous? At 11x17, they're huge, too, and perfect for local doctor's offices, community centers, churches, or your own business. We have a limited number of them, so if you would like one, please

Signing For Life Class at Si View

2010-09-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

Megan Spires is one of our big sponsors and coordinators for this concert, and she runs Signing For Life in North Bend. Her new classes have just been announced, and I want to encourage any Signing Time fans in the area to sign up and attend with their little ones.

Not only is Megan phenomenal with little children, but she's a wonderful signer who uses American Sign Language on a daily basis with her four children, one who is Deaf. I can honestly say that if I lived within driving distance, my kids would be taking her class!

The six week sessions run 10 to 11 am on Wednesdays, and all 6 classes are only $75! A truly amazing deal.

To sign up, please go to the Si View Community Center site and sign up!

-Carissa Martos

We've reached $1900

2010-09-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! That's a fantastic milestone! And we couldn't have reached it without a grant from Seattle's Foundation for Early Learning.

A local non-profit, the Foundation for Early Learning makes such a difference in the lives of young children in the Evergreen state, and they have done so much to make this concert, and the storytime at Seattle Children's Hospital, possible, that we simply cannot thank them enough.

As you can see from the graphic, we're not done raising funds, though, and every dollar you donate brings us that much closer to making this concert, and the storytime at Seattle Children's Hospital, a reality!

Hands and Voices, Washington Chapter

2010-09-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

A big thank you to our newest sponsor, the Washington chapter of Hands and Voices.

Washington State Hands and Voices is a parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting and unifying families with Children who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. [They] provide families with a non-biased perspective of communication choices and with the resources they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. [Their] activities are focused on networking with parents and professionals to empower deaf, ard-of-hearing and deaf-blind children throughout the entire state to reach their highest potential.

I'm a member of the Oregon chapter, and these people are so wonderful! We're grateful for their support, and would be happy to answer any questions you have about our personal experience with them!

Progress

2010-08-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

We've raised $200 so far! Yay! That's a great start, but we still have a long way to go! Our first fundraising deadline is September 5th, and we're aiming to have raised $1500 by then. So, if you're planning to donate or buy tickets, why wait? Do it now!

Over on this end, we're applying for grants, looking for sponsors, and getting ready to print out some nice big posters to hang in local buildings. Until those get printed, however, here are the outreach items we have:

Click on the tear-tab flier below to be redirected to a PDF you can print out and hang up in grocery stores, community centers or your church:

Or, you can click on the image below, and download the .jpeg image. It can be uploaded to Walgreens.com or Costco.com, and then printed as 4x6 photo fliers for about 10 cents a flier.

Website up and running!

2010-08-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

That's right, everyone, we have just finally finished building NW Rachel Events a lovely new website. Don't worry, though, the blog will still keep you abreast of all the new info, sponsors, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities as they arise!

Stories for the Kids at Seattle Children's Hospital

2010-08-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

Need another good reason to donate to the Signing Time Foundation in support of this event? Probably not. If you did, though, I have one for you that will tug on your heart strings.

Along with supporting this concert and the good work of the Signing Time Foundation, your donation will allow Rachel to do a private story-time for the children hospitalized at Seattle Children's Hospital. Kids who otherwise must look for ways to fill their time will be able, at least for an hour, to spend some quality time with this fantastic entertainer, a woman who has given so much to so many children.

No details about the time of the event will be released to the general public, because it is only for the kids at SCH, but we will share what we can after the event.

Tickets for Sale Via Paypal

2010-08-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Wonderful news, right? You can purchase your Adult or Child tickets for the Seattle Event now, via Paypal. If you would like to save the shipping charges, please make a note in your purchase that you would like to pick your tickets up at Will-Call, and I'll make sure you get your shipping charges refunded. :)

If you are going to place a large order, and would like to do so via Paypal, please let me know so that I can invoice you with a discounted shipping charge. Thank you so much!

Tickets now for Sale!

2010-08-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

Tickets for the show are now on sale, although right now only via check. If you'd like to order, you can click here or by clicking the button to the right.

Bringing Rachel to the NW

2010-08-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

That's right, Ladies and Gentlemen! Rachel Coleman will be performing at 5 pm at the Northgate Community Center in Seattle, Washington on November 20th, 2010!

This event is being planned and orchestrated by your local Signing Time Instructor, Megan Spires of Signing For Life and Signing Time Academy Associate Director for the Northwest Region, Carissa Martos of PDX Loves Signing.

This is a benefit concert, benefiting the Signing Time Foundation in its mission to make "sign language fun and accessible to all children [and its commitment] to a vision of the world in which all children can express themselves and be understood." The money raised helps children like Lucy Coleman (Rachel's daughter ) and Julian Martos (Carissa's son), supports Deaf education in Ghana, and makes bringing Signing Time back to television a possibility. Tickets will go on sale soon, priced at $10 per adult, and $5 per child. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Foundation, but we need to meet the fundraising goal to the right as well.

In order to make this concert happen, there are a few things we need to find:

* Folding Chairs (about 400 of them) and a way to transport them:
If you, or your organization, has access to that many chairs, and would like to donate them to the event, the usage would be tax deductible. We'd also make mention of your donation in our Sponsor section of the site, and in our printed program that will be handed out to every one of the 700 attendees. If you can help with this, please email Carissa Martos of at teacher@pdxlovessigning.com

* Community Sponsors:
This is a fundraiser for the Signing Time Foundation, so we need to raise $2000 in donations other than ticket sales. Any donation you, or your business/organization made to the event would be tax deductible. For donations over $100, we'll make mention of your donation in our Sponsor section of the site, and in our printed program that will be handed out to every one of the 700 attendees. To help sponsor this event, please email Carissa Martos of at teacher@pdxlovessigning.com.

* Donors:
Most of us can't afford to donate $100, even to as worthy a cause as this. However, donations of any amount will be listed in the event program. To donate via paypal or credit-card, please email Carissa Martos at teacher@pdxlovessigning.com. Check donations, made out to the Signing Time Foundation, can be sent to:
PDX Loves Signing
408 SE 28th Ave
Portland, Oregon 97214

* Volunteers:
We're going to need people in the Seattle area to pass out fliers, email this site out to people, help fundraise and promote the event. At the concert, we'll need people to unwrap the merchandise that Rachel will be signing, people to tear tickets and people to play ushers and do other miscellaneous tasks.