Happy July fellow CoolMoms! Summer has finally arrived. . .with a vengeance! It's time to draw the blinds to keep out the rays, pull out all the fans and send up some cool air up from the basement. If it still feels uncomfortably hot, grab a hand towel, soak it in lukewarm or warm water and squeeze tightly. Wipe your face, arms, legs, wherever you want for instant relief. The warm water evaporates off the skin for a nice cooling effect. Or, trying spritzing a little concoction of water, peppermint and birch or eucalyptus and lavender.

OK. It's not like an air-conditioned hotel lobby, but it's healthier for the body. Also don't forget to apply sunscreen. In fact, carry a tube with you (along with that shopping bag) so you're never caught short.

We need you at the public hearing on July 8 at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Co-Founder Kristy Royce will represent CoolMom and speak in support of the legislation. We could make a strong statement if 20 to 30 of us showed up in support of the move. You can bring your kids. Please contact Sonja Ling at lingsonja@yahoo.com if you would like to attend or get more information.

We will also be encouraging you all to send emails to all Council members this month. Your personal emails will be very critical. I will send out an example email to your coordinators.

JULY'S ECO TIP - Make global warming a top priority for our elected officials and write a letter to the editor! CoolMom.org partner 1SkyWashington.org has tips and links on how to do so here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5168/t/1616/letter/?letter_KEY=5

EXTRA CREDIT TIP for extra cool moms: Shop for groceries just once a week! You'll save money on groceries and gas - and lower your greenhouse gas emissions.

THIS MONTH'S EDUCATION QUESTION: True or False: Warmer weather (global warming) is a good thing. And what do a few degrees really matter? Answer here: http://coolmom.org/index.php?id=55#myth16

Expand the circle of moms who care about our Earth and our environment. If you have a friend, or a friend of a friend who's eco-minded, bring them along to the next CoolMom meeting in your neighborhood or join us on our website at: http://www.coolmom.org/join.html

You can also contact Sonja Ling to start your own CoolMom group: lingsonja@yahoo.com

The Northeast Seattle chapter includesneighborhoods east of I-5 and north of the Ship Canal. If you have questions about the kick-off meeting or cannot make it but want to get involved, e-mail the co-coordinators Kari Watkins (kariakwetee@hotmail.com) or Kim Koon (kim00rx@yahoo.com).

CoolMom.org will be ordering CoolMom adult and kid t-shirts made with organic cotton. Please let your neighborhood coordinator know if you are interested in buying one.

CoolMom Neighborhood Coordinators -- Contact these moms to join a group!

Ballard -- Elizabeth Ralston: esralston@aol.com, or Tara Broyhill: tara@tara-brian.com, Greenwood -- Carrie Barnes: Carrieb2008@gmail.com, or Brooke Doyle: brookedoyle@yahoo.com Madison Valley -- Shyla Wilcynski: shylac21@comcast.net Magnolia -- Sonja Ling: lingsonja@yahoo.com NE Seattle -- Kari Watkins: kariakwetee@hotmail.com Shoreline (in September) -- Lindsey Amtmann: lindseyamtmann@hotmail.com Wallingford -- Anne Marie Jehle: Ajehle@msn.com West Seattle -- Abby Suplizio: abigail_k@yahoo.com Sky Valley (from Snohomish to Skykomish!) -- Casey O'Roarty: coroarty@yahoo.com

If you haven't yet, read Kirsten's great Op-Ed piece that ran in the Seattle P-I last week: http://coolmom.org/index.php?id=145

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COOLMOM NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
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** Greenwood **
The Greenwood CoolMoms report that they had a great June meeting with Jemae Hoffman from Seattle's Department of Transportation, inspiring them with ways to drive less. They are gathering a group of kids and moms to march in the Greenwood Parade - July 23, 6pm. Email Carrie Barnes or Brooke Doyle to join them.

Next Meeting:
When: Thursday July 17, 7-8:30 pm
Where: Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N. 85th St.
Contact: Carrie Barnes: Carrieb2008@gmail.com, or Brooke Doyle, brookedoyle@yahoo.com They will be joined by a speaker about local food from the Local Chefs' Collaborative.

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** Magnolia **
The CoolMom Magnolia group will be promoting the Walking School Bus program in the community this summer. On Saturday mornings in July we will promote the WSB at a table in the Farmer?s Market or in front of the Starbuck?s in the Village, signing up kids to participate in the Magnolia SeaFair parade and recruiting volunteers to lead the WSB in the fall. If you are interested in helping us staff a table on Saturdays please contact Sonja Ling at lingsonja@yahoo.com

Ship to Shore Traveler has generously rented out Pop Mounger Pool on the evening of August 1st for Blaine and Lawton kids who walked to school with a WSB in May. If you are a Blaine or Lawton student who participated in a WSB and would like to attend the pool party, please RSVP with Carla Skogland at skogland@gmail.com

The pool party will also be open to the first fifty kids who sign up to help us publicize the WSB program in the Magnolia SeaFair Parade on August 2nd. There will also be free WSB t-shirts to wear in the parade. We need lots of kids, so sign up now!

Magnolia CoolMoms also welcome Carla Skogland as the new Magnolia CoolMom coordinator. Join them in welcoming her as the new coordinator at the next meeting.

Next Meeting:
When: Monday, July 28, 7 pm
Where: Swirl Wine Bar
Contact: Carla Skogland at skogland@gmail.com

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** Sky Valley **
Next Meeting:
When: Tuesday, July 1, 7 - 8:30 pm
Where: Sockeye's Restaurant, Monroe
Contact: Casey O'Roarty at coroarty@yahoo.com

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** Ballard **
Ballard CoolMoms kickoff was a great success. They are excited about keeping the energy from the meeting going and starting some action! At the next meeting, the group will begin to condense their ideas into working groups and activities. They will also plan for speakers and fun community activities with the kids. The meeting schedule for the summer is going to be inconsistent, so they will figure out what day and time work best for everybody. They plan to meet regularly from September, so stay tuned.

Next Meeting:
When: Wednesday, July 16, 7pm
Where: Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave NW
Contact: Elizabeth Ralston: esralston@aol.com, or Tara Broyhill: tara@tara-brian.com

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OTHER NEWS
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Seattle Tilth is looking for non-profit groups to host interactive, informative booths at its upcoming Harvest Fair, scheduled for Saturday, September 6. It is looking to promote CoolMom.org to the 3,000-plus fair attendees in its printed program, and to thousands more through Seattle Tilth's website and newsletter. The theme of the Harvest Fair is "celebrating local food." For more information, contact Kim Koon or Kari Watkins from the Seattle NE chapter: kim00rx@yahoo.com, kariakwetee@hotmail.com

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See more events featured by our partner, SeattleCAN.org: http://www.seattlecan.org/calendar.html

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Thanks for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events! Kirsten, Kristy, Sonja, Carrie, Brooke, Abby, Kari, Elizabeth, Tara, Shyla, Casey, Lindsey, Anne Marie, and the team at CoolMom.org.