Move More in April

Don’t let April Showers keep you inside.  Spring is the perfect time to dust off your bike and get outside, commit to a new challenge, or walk outside and enjoy the flowers.

Remember that the Centers for Disease Control  recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate-level physical activity and 2 days a week of muscle-strengthening exercises. Check out all the events here.

Walk

Arboretum Walks – April 4^th and 18^th from the Graham Visitors Center at the Washington Park Arboretum. This free, guided walk focuses on season plants, native plants and local ecology. No pre-registration required. Call 206-543-8800 or visit http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/adulttours.htm  .

Old Redmond Historic Walking Tour - April 19^th from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Explore the history of old Redmond buildings – which was a bordello and which was an undertakers – on a guided walking tour. Tours are $8 and meet on the front steps of the Justice White House. For info, call 425-885-2919.

Seattle Architecture Foundation tours – Every Thurs, Fri and Sat. Walking tours begin at 10 a.m. and are about 2 hours long. Topics include design details, art deco, sky scrappers, and urban transformation. $15-$20. Visit www.seattlearchitecture.org  or call 206-667-9184.

Seward Park Guided Nature & Eagle Walk – April 4^th and 18th at 2 p.m. Learn about flora and fauna and take a short hike to see the bald eagle’s nest. $0 - $4, depending on age. April 25^th, tour to the eagles’ nest for free with a guide in celebration of Earth Day. For more info, visit www.sewardpark.audubon.org  or call 206-652-2444.

Tour the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden – April 4^th and 18^th at 1 p.m. Free, no preregistration required. The Shoreline garden includes over 2,000 plant species. Visit www.kruckeberg.org or call 206-546-1281.

Run

Bellevue 5K Run/Walk – April 26^th benefiting Kindering programs for youth. Registration is required. Register onsite or in advance on the web site at www.bellevue5k.com.

Redmond Elementary Hawk Walk & 5K Run – April 25^th. This family-friendly walk and run benefits student programs at Redmond Elementary. Awards are given in a variety of age categories for kids and grown-ups. Visit www.hawkwalkandrun.org  or call 425-985-4788 for info.

Shoreline Earth Day 5K and Kids Fun Run – April 19^th from Paramount Park. Every racer receives a tree to take home and plant and a portion of the proceeds support coastal habitat. Entry fee is $10 - $20. Visit www.earthday5K.org.

Bike

Biking Commute Intro – April 9^th and April 21^st at the King County Chinook Building. Seminars are from noon to 1:30 p.m. No registration required – just show up. April 9^th is room 115 and April 21^st is room 123. Seminars are taught by Cascade Bike Club representatives, open to all and free. For more info, call 206-205-5017.

Join other King County co-workers in the May 16^th Tour de Cure benefiting the American Diabetes Association. The King County team, Blood, Sweat & Gears, is recruiting new riders. Register online at http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_signup  or click here for more info on the Blood, Sweat & Gears team.

Daffodil Classic – April 19^th. Ride through the Orting valley on a family-friendly short course (1-30 miles), or choose from a 40, 60 or 100 mile loop. Supported with rest stops, maps, support vehicles and strawberry shortcake at the finish line. Registration required. Visit www.twbc.org for info or call 253-815-9061.

Mercer Island and beyond – April 5^th at 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Seattle Bicycle Club. Open to all levels of riders. Visit www.seattlebicycleclub.org  or call 206-232-1967.

Spokespeople monthly ride – April 4^th at 2 p.m. Join other new and reluctant riders for an easy round trip ride, complete with snack stop. Rides start at the Wallingford Playfield. Come 15 minutes early if you want some quick bike advice, minor adjustments or to buy a helmet for $10. www.spokespeople.us  or 206-547-9569

Boat

Free sailing - April 25^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try sailing and kayaking at Sail Sand Point in Magnusun Park. Boats available for rides. Contact 206-525-8782 or visit www.sailsandpoint.org  for info.

Lake Sammamish kayak nature tour – April 5^th at 9 a.m. The 2-hour tour includes info on native birds. $5. Call 206-527-1825 for info.

Dance

Community Contra Dance – April 12th. Dancing from 6 – 8:30 p.m. but come at 5 p.m. for a community potluck. Bring a disk to share, your own plate and utensils. Beginners welcome. www.seattledance.org.

China Harbor in Seattle:

• Various dances: April 5^th – swing, April 19^th – rumba, April 26^th – American tango. Dance lesson at 7 p.m. Dance from 8 – 11 p.m. 21 and over. www.seattledanceinfo.com  or call 425-917-1188.

• Easter Dance – April 12^th at 8 p.m. at China Harbor in Seattle. Two-step lesson at 7 p.m. Call 425-741-8687 for info.

Emerald City Contra Dance – Every Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Beginners dance workshop begins at 7 p.m. Scent free – don’t wear scented products. $4 - $7 per person. Call 206-440-9839 or visit www.seattledance.org/contra/emeraldcity.

Green Lake Folk Dancers – April 3^rd & 10^th at 7:30 p.m. join the lesson for $10. Request dancing follows from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. $5 for request dancing only. Children are welcome. 206-325-7668 or www.ratchenitza.com.

Northwest Dance Network Live Music Dance – April 4^th, 18^th and 25^th at the Leif Erikson Lodge. Dance lesson from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. and dance from 8:30 p.m. on. $10 - $15. Call 206-781-1238 or visit www.nwdance.net.

Rockin’ at the Barn – Rockin’ Horse Dance Barn in Renton. April 4^th is swing and April 18^th is nightclub two-step. Ages 18 and over. $12. For info, call 425-917-1188.

Sno-King International Folk Dance Club – dances every Saturday night by donation ($5 - $7). Lessons at review start at 7 p.m. and open dance at 8:30 p.m. All dances are at the Cedar Valley Grange in Lynnwood. Visit www.sno-king.org  or call 425-385-2088.

Steppin’ Out – April 11^th at 7:30 p.m. in Bellevue at the Vasa Park Resort and Ballroom. American tango lessons for beginners and beyond. $15. Visit www.seattledanceinfo.com  or call 425-917-1188.

Share your favorite activity or submit a Move More testimonial. E-mail health.matters@kingcounty.gov or call 206-263-6085.