Free MetroParent Celebrating the Portland-Vancouver area • February 2013 Our Annual Birthday Party Resource Guide Join the Team! Kids & Sports February Fun Hawthorne District • Portland Aquarium • Family Fun Calendar • School Open Houses Win a free birthday party (see page 28) 2 February 2013 metro-parent.com 4 February 2013 metro-parent.com Contents Features Join the Team .................................................................................................... 8 Getting kids started in organized sports Parents + Teachers + Students = Academic Success! ......................... 12 Playing your part in your child’s education Let’s Party! ....................................................................................................... 20 Our annual Birthday Party Resource Guide 8 PHOTO COURTESY OF MAD SCIENCE 20 Viewpoint ......................................................................................................... 38 Play Safe! Preventing youth sports injuries Departments Parent Postings ............................................................................................... 6 Announcements, community events, fundraisers and other useful information A Day in the ‘Hood ........................................................................................ 30 The Hawthorne District 34 30 Out & About .................................................................................................. 34 The Portland Aquarium February Family Calendar Family Calendar ...............................40 Family Fare ..................................................................................................... 36 Alexis Restaurant Angels Among Us ........................................................................................ 39 Boys & Girls Aid In the Spotlight ................................40 Family Favorites................................43 Advertising Sections School Open Houses .................................................................................13 – 19 Birthday Parties ......................................................................................... 21 – 29 Exclusively on Metro-Parent.com: Birthday Party Give Away: Don’t miss out on our most popular contest of the year! Just click on the “Contest” tab on our website to be entered into a drawing to win one of ten fabulous birthday party packages. Enter by Feb. 28. Our Parent 2 Parent Blog Family Fun Reviews Stay informed and connected all month long! • Sign up for our e-newsletter • Follow @Metro_Parent on Twitter • Like “Metro Parent (Portland, OR)” on Facebook metro-parent.com February 2013 5 Parent Postings Got GirlStrength? GirlStrength, a free self-defense program offered through the Portland Police Bureau for girls ages 10-17, is looking for female volunteer teachers. No experience is necessary to get involved. (The program’s adult counterpart, WomenStrength, also is seeking volunteers.) Training begins Feb. 23. Applications are due ASAP. GirlStrength and WomenStrength classes, which are offered free of charge and led by female instructors, focus on physical skills as well as non-physical self-defense strategies. GirlStrength is offering spring break classes for girls 11-14 at the Sellwood Community Center, Dishman Community Center and the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Visit portlandoregon.gov (search “GirlStrength”) or call 503-823-0239 for details. Buckman Art Show & Sell Over 140 Northwest artists and craft people will be represented at the family-friendly Buckman Art Show & Sell, with music, art, food, a photo booth and free hands-on art activities for kids. Feb. 1, 5-9 pm, and Feb. 2, 10-5 pm. $5 per person admission Friday; $2 per person suggested donation Saturday; ages 4 and under free. 320 SE 16th Ave. 503-936-2197. buckmanartshow. weebly.com. A food bank open house Neighborhood House, which runs the largest food pantry on the west side of Portland, invites families to join them March 1 from 6-8 pm to see how their operation works. Bring your kids and some non-perishable food items and learn how people using the pantry select from the shelves. A special surprise will be waiting next door at Thinker Toys. Neighborhood House, 7780 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-245-2819. nhpdx.org. 6 February 2013 metro-parent.com The Friends of the Children annual Bowl-a-Thon is a fun way to support this innovative local mentoring program. Bowling for children Friends of the Children, an innovative mentoring program for the area’s most vulnerable youth, is hosting a Bowl-a-Thon at Hollywood Bowl (4030 NE Halsey) Feb. 23 to support their important work. Bowlers of all skill levels are welcome. Each bowler is asked to raise a minimum of $100 from personal sponsors. A family bowling session runs from 1-3 pm, a happy hour session from 4-6 pm and a “party session” from 7-9 pm. This super fun fundraiser has helped Friends of the Children raise more than $430,000 since 2008. Friends of the Children works to help kids succeed in school, stay out of trouble with the law and avoid early parenting. For more information, call 503-281-6633 or visit friendspdx. org/bowl. Jammie time for foster kids As part of their ongoing efforts to support local foster kids, Sleep Country is collecting donations of new pajamas and packaged socks and underwear through March 3. As their website notes, “For nearly 20,000 Northwest foster children, nights can feel long and lonely when you’re away from familiar faces and places. Even something as simple as a pair or warm pajamas can make the nights a little easier.” Drop your donations at any Sleep Country store, or donate money online and they’ll do the shopping for you. Find your nearest Sleep Country (and the link to donate) at sleepcountry.com (scroll down to the “Sleep Country Foster Kids” link). Metro Parent Serving the Families of the Portland Metropolitan Area Wildlife abounds in Forest Park Did you know there are 45 different species of mammals in Forest Park? They range from teeny deer mice to magnificent elk, according to a report released recently by Portland Parks & Recreation. Shrews, chipmunks, skunks, porcupine, bobcats, coyotes, 10 types of bats and the rare mountain beaver are just some of the mammals living in the 5,100-acre natural area. Forest Park is home to more than 100 bird species, including owl, woodpeckers and bald eagles, and there are more than 400 types of invertebrates, mostly beetles and moths, too. Although the report notes many of Forest Park’s critters “are not always obvious since they are either nocturnal, burrowing or tend to hide under shrubs,” it’s still fun to get your kids outside to look for them. Read the full report at portlandoregon.gov/parks/53425. Two little leagues now one Two long-standing southeast Portland little leagues – Mt. Tabor and Montavilla – have merged to create the newly formed Taborvilla Little League. Changing demographics affecting the leagues’ numbers, as well as increasing field use fees, were among the reasons for the merger. The new league is looking forward to a successful inaugural season beginning in April, with registration now open for boys and girls from 4-18 years old. For more information, visit taborvillall.com. (Learn more about youth sports opportunities in the area in Join the Team, beginning on page 8.) Metro Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 Publisher Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 [email protected] Editor Emily Puro, 503-922-0893 [email protected] Managing Editor Calendar Editor Teresa Carson [email protected] Contributing Writers Ashley Cone, Susan Haralabatos, Madeline Cox Landis, Anne Laufe, Heather Lee Leap, Julia Silverman Advertising Account Executives Westside/National/Outside Metro Area Debbie Dille, 503-997-4044 fax: 503-352-4373 [email protected] Eastside/Vancouver/Washington Ali King, 503-331-8184 fax: 503-331-3445 [email protected] Design & Production Susan Bard For distribution issues, e-mail us at [email protected] For calendar submissions, e-mail us at [email protected] Metro Parent is published monthly by Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. and is copyright 2013 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Metro Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Metro Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised herein. Metro Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Metro Parent Publishing Inc. and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of Metro Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment. Avoid the flu blues This is shaping up to be one of the worst flu seasons in years, so it’s important to protect your kids and their caregivers (that means you!) from the bug, which can cause serious illness and even death. Although Oregon and Washington have not been among the worst areas hit yet, doctors recommend we all take precautions. First, get the flu vaccine every year, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website (healthychildren.org) advises. Children 6 months to 8 years should get 2 doses if they have not had 2 vaccines since July 2010. Children 9 years and older need only 1 dose. (Vaccines are safe for children with egg allergies, the AAP notes.) You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: Other highly effec- tive precautions include frequent hand washing; teaching your child to cover their cough or sneeze by coughing into their upper sleeve or elbow; and throwing out used tissues immediately after use. You’ll find more tips on keeping your family healthy at healthychildren.org. Parent Education Preparing for the Teen Years. This presentation will help parents understand what behaviors are typical for teens and when to seek help. Participants learn about social and biological influences on adolescent development and the protective power of connection. Get strategies to be more collaborative with your teens. Feb. 6, 7 pm. $10, registration required. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, 301 N Graham St. eventsvc.com/legacyhealth/. Win a fa bulous birthday party package! At Metro Parent, February is a time for celebration! Beginning on page 20, you’ll find our annual Birthday Party Resource Guide, a comprehensive guide to local party venues and suppliers with offerings from simple to extreme, for parties at home and away. On our website, you’ll find our Birthday Party Give Away, offering readers a chance to win one of ten party packages donated by a local party suppliers and venues. These range from complete birthday party packages to spectacular supplies and services sure to turn your child’s next party into an unforgettable birthday bash! Visit metro-parent.com/contest/ for a complete list of prizes and an entry form. One entry per family please. Contest closes Feb. 28, 2013. metro-parent.com February 2013 7 By Madeline Cox Landis To help you wade through all those choices and determine how and when to get your kids started in team sports, we asked local parents and experts for their insights and advice about navigating the wonderful world of youth sports. C hildren learn through play, and while open-ended exploration is important for kids of all ages, there are numerous benefits to being involved in organized team sports, too. When children play sports on a team, they learn to work cooperatively, follow directions and be a “good sport.” They develop coordination, agility and – hopefully – a love of physical activity that can help them stay healthy throughout their lives. Sherri Murrell, head coach for the women’s basketball team at Portland State University (PSU) and the mother of 4-year-old twins, says her own involvement in team Many kids are drawn to sports helped her develop confidence that team sports for the camahas carried into adulthood. raderie and will be hap“I was able to learn very early from piest playing on a team team sports that you can keep on tryalongside their friends – ing and fail, and not get it right several times,” she says, “but once you do get regardless of the sport. it, it’s such an amazing experience. That built my confidence and self-esteem very young.” Team sports also provide an opportunity for community building that might be missing when children who live in the same neighborhood attend different schools. That was the case for Lonnie Reedy, president of the Taborvilla Little League (a newly formed merger of two long-standing southeast leagues, Mt. Tabor and Montavilla). While Reedy’s six children – now ranging in age from 11 to 29 – have not attended their neighborhood schools, playing baseball and softball on a local little league team has allowed them to develop valuable Encourage your friendships with kids who live nearby. child to try a No wonder the popularity of organized variety of sports to find which youth sports has increased – and continues ones spark his or to increase – across the nation. Over 44 milher interests and lion children participated in youth sports talents. in 2008, up from under 33 million in 1997 and just over 38 million in 2000, according to a 2008 survey conducted by the National Council on Youth Sports (the most recent survey available from the organization). From the classics like baseball, basketball and soccer to the increasingly popular lacrosse, kids today – starting as early as kindergarten – can take advantage of a wide range of team sports opportunities that weren’t available a generation ago. Choosing the right sport There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a sport for your child. The first might seem obvious, but beginning with a sport that interests your child likely will result in the most positive experience. Even if you have a passion for a particular sport, or a bias against one, it’s best not to push your child in a direction he’s not naturally inclined to go. It’s also important to consider which sports your child’s friends are playing. Many kids are drawn to team sports for the camaraderie and will be happiest playing on a team alongside their friends – regardless of the sport. Parents also should consider the time commitment each sport requires and make sure they can fit it into the family schedule. Find out in advance how many practices and games are held each week and how long the season runs. Be sure your family can support the commitment as kids who miss practices and games or are chronically late are more likely to feel disconnected from the team and have a less positive experience. Join the Team! Getting kids started in organized sports 8 February 2013 metro-parent.com Getting started Murrell is a firm believer in exposing kids to a variety of sports at an early age. She recommends starting with programs that teach basic skills in a fun, age-appropriate setting, then branching out to more organized team sports as kids get older. young Locally, soccer, baseball and softball (or t-ball for the youngest players) are good options for very young children, with leagues starting kids in kindergarten or first grade. Opportunities for basketball, football and volleyball typically open up in third grade and beyond. (Minimum ages vary depending on where you live.) In recent years, lacrosse has been gaining popularity across the Portland metro area. According to the Eastside Portland Lacrosse Club’s website, lacrosse is the fastest-growing youth sport in the United States. And while many clubs offer teams starting in third grade, opportunities are beginning to open for kids as early as kindergarten. PHOTOS CO URTESY OF MA DELINE LAND IS Join the Team continues on page 10 Finding a Team A variety of youth sports leagues operate throughout the region. Many are defined by geographical area – neighborhoods or high school boundaries – but depending on the sport, there may be multiple options in your area. Below, we’ve listed some popular programs and umbrella organizations to help you locate local leagues. It’s also a good idea to ask other parents in your neighborhood or school, and even search online to find the best fit. Purchase your Valentine’s Day gifts online today! Registration typically opens up two to three months before the start of the season, but fall registration often happens in the spring. Sports are listed below under primary seasons, though some host shorter, less formal secondary seasons as well. Spa Treatments Yoga and Workshops Chiropractic Services Boutique including gifts and Medela products NOTE: Find links to North Clackamas area leagues at ncprd.com (search “youth sports”). For links to youth leagues in Clark County, Wash., visit cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/ (search “youth league links”). SPrinG SPorTS Baseball/Softball/T-Ball Oregon Little Leagues: eteamz.com/oregonll/ (Portland metro little leagues will be found in districts 1, 2 and 4) Lacrosse Oregon Girls Youth Lacrosse Association: ogyla.org US Lacrosse, Oregon Chapter (boys and girls): uslacrosse.org/ chapteroregon/ LaurieL Photography Many leagues are holding sign-ups and try-outs this month. FALL SPorTS Soccer Portland Youth Soccer Association: portlandyouthsoccer.com Tualatin Hills Junior Soccer League: thjsl.org Oregon Youth Soccer Association: oregonyouthsoccer.org Football Portland Youth Football: portlandyouthfootball.com Portland Police Activities League: portlandpal.org/PAL-Football.html Tualatin Valley Youth Football: tvyfl.org WinTEr SPorTS Basketball Portland Parks & Recreation: portlandoregon.gov/parks/48527 Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation: thprd.org (search “youth basketball”) YEAr-round SPorTS Volleyball (fall, winter or spring, depending on the league) PDX-VB Volleyball Club: pdx-vb.com Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation: thprd.org (search “youth volleyball”) Youth Volleyball Association: yvbaoregon.com MorE oPTionS You’ll find more leagues run through local parks and recreation departments, Catholic Youth Organization sports (cyosports.org), the YMCA (ymcacw.org, search “youth sports”) and other sports-oriented organizations. metro-parent.com February 2013 9 Focus on Fun – and Effort If kids aren’t having fun playing a sport, they aren’t likely to continue participating. Focusing too heavily on competition with young children can turn an enjoyable activity into a stressful one, souring kids to what could be positive life-long experiences. “The highly stressful, competitive, ‘win at all costs’ attitude prevalent at colleges and with professional athletes affects the world of children’s sports and athletics,” according to a 2005 paper titled Children and Sports, published online by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). This can create an unhealthy environment and the AACAP reminds adults to be aware that attitudes and behaviors children learn through sports will carry over into their adult lives. Ken Vogt, a southeast Portland dad and coach with the Mt. Tabor Soccer Club, believes it’s natural to want to win and that some level of competition is healthy for kids and part of the fun. However, Vogt cautions that youth teams should not sacrifice the fun of playing the game or opportunities for players to develop skills and confidence just to win a game. “I like to frame competition as giving it your all, working to get better and not giving up,” says Vogt, whose kids, ages 7, 9 and 12, all play soccer. “Winning or losing should not be the determining factor as to whether or not you had a fun or positive experience.” Lonnie Reedy, president of the Taborvilla Little League, agrees, pointing out that losing can be a positive experience for children. “(Losing) lets children experience disappointment,” Reedy says. “It teaches them how to deal with some of the things that real life is going to teach them.” Join the Team continued from page 8 is it Ever Too Late to Begin? Getting an early start in team sports has its advantages, but that doesn’t mean it’s ever too late to start. Sure kids who have been playing longer have had more time to develop their skills, and many teams will have an established roster of players who have been together for several years, but children develop skills and interests at different rates and should always be encouraged to try new things. Sherri Murrell, head coach for the women’s basketball team at Portland State University, notes that during a recent PSU game, the best player on the opposing team was a young woman who didn’t start playing until her freshman year in high school. “It can help to start early because you’ll develop more skills,” she says, “but it’s never too late to start.” Finding the right league can be important, too, with numerous options available in many areas. “The league down the street may not be the best option for your child,” says Anthony Jordan, director of football for Grant Youth Football in northeast Portland. Some leagues are more serious about securing resources and creating high-quality programs, he says, so it’s important to ask questions to make sure you’re comfortable with how the league is run. Among other factors, parents should consider the quality of coaching (minimum requirements and training provided), conditions of playing facilities and gear, cost, team structure (age ranges, coed versus gender-specific, etc.), and strength of the volunteer network, given that many leagues rely largely on volunteers to operate. As kids near the high school level, Jordan adds, a good league will focus on academics to prepare kids for the fact that they’ll need to maintain good grades to continue participating in sports. Beth Griffiths, a southeast Portland mom and a coach with the Mt. Tabor Soccer Club, suggests parents seek out advice from people with whom they share similar views on youth sports, as what constitutes “quality” may differ from parent to parent. Opening doors While many kids are naturally inclined toward team sports, what can you do if your child is not interested and not willing to try? Sometimes, Murrell says, a little nudge might be in order. 10 February 2013 metro-parent.com “We really have to “I don’t believe in open doors for them bequitting during the cause they don’t know,” she says. “We have to season. The problem guide them. What they is when parents conthink is maybe not so tinue to push their much fun could really be kids beyond the first a lot of fun for them and season when they’re they won’t know that unless we expose them not enjoying it.” to it.” – Sherri Murrell, PSU Griffiths, whose kids are 11 and 7 years old, agrees. “Try one season,” she says. “Make a true effort and if it sucks, it sucks. Or it might just be great.” While some parents might shy away from pressuring their kids into sports, Murrell is quick to point out that forcing kids to give it a try is different than forcing them to participate long term. “I don’t believe in quitting during the season,” Murrell says. “The problem is when parents continue to push their kids beyond the first season when they’re not enjoying it.” The parent’s role Before you sign your kids up for a youth league, it’s important to consider not only the practices and games your child will be expected to attend, but also what will be expected of you throughout the season. This can vary significantly from sport to sport and league to league. Families often will be required to participate in fundraising or other support functions, for example, such as working in the “snack shack” selling refreshments during baseball games. It’s also important for parents to be present at games – and at practices, with very young children – and to pay attention to the experience their child is having. Every coach is different, says Reedy, as is every player, so it’s a par parent’s job to help their child have a positive team sports experience. Make sure the time commitment is manageable, and help your child learn to navigate the dynamics of playing on a team. It’s particularly important for parents to advocate for their child if he or she is getting started late in the sport, says Griffiths. Try to join a team with friends who have experience playing, for example. Sign up as early as possible and talk to other parents to find a team (or teams) that seem like a good fit for your child, then call the registrar to request your child be placed accordingly, if possible. If your child can’t join a team with existing friends on the roster, Griffiths adds, parents will need to make an effort to meet other team families, perhaps arranging a carpool or weekend play dates, to help your child become friendly with his or her teammates. While some level of competition is central to any type of organized athletic experience, the true benefits your child will receive from participating in team sports have nothing to do with winning or losing. “It’s the teamwork, dedication, effort, attitude, participation, leadership, relationships – those qualities have nothing to do with how hard you hit, how long you kick or how fast you run,” says Griffiths. “Those important lessons are also not necessarily learned in the course of games, but rather in the investment of effort in practices.” Madeline Cox Landis is a Portland freelance writer and mom. Competitive Leagues Competitive leagues – often called “classic”, “club” or “select” – are an increasincreas ingly popular option for kids who show a special talent or passion for a particular sport. Entering a competitive league can offer more opportunities to develop skills through increased playing opportunities and a higher caliber of play and coaching. There also can be drawbacks, though, such as steep costs and an intensive time commitment. Competitive leagues can cost families from several hundred dollars to $1,000 or more per player per year to cover uniforms, gear and fees. Players often are required to participate in multiple games on a single weekend and to travel throughout the region – including to different states – for games. The seasons typically are longer than recreational leagues, too – some spanning nine months of the year – leaving less time for children to pursue other interests. While many kids will thrive in a competitive league, parents should do their research, evaluate their child’s readiness and make an informed decision before considering this option as the intensity of competitive leagues can result in early burnout for some children. metro-parent.com February 2013 11 Parents + Teachers + Students = Academic Success Playing your part in your child’s education By staying informed about and involved in our children’s education, we show them we value learning and have confidence in their ability to succeed. F or children to be successful in school, parents must be actively engaged in their learning. Many studies show that parents’ involvement in school is more important to their children’s academic success than the parents’ level of education or income. By showing interest in your children’s education, you can spark their enthusiasm and show them that learning, both inside and outside of school, is enjoyable and rewarding. You can help your children succeed by participating in school or other learning activities, reading with them, assisting with homework assignments, and talking with your children’s teachers. Share the goals you have for your children with their teachers to make sure they hold all students to high standards of performance. General Tips for Parents As a parent, you have a special interest in your child’s education. Here are some simple but important things you can do at home: 12 February 2013 metro-parent.com • Encourage your child to read. It’s the single most important thing you can do to help your child succeed in school. Read with your child right from the start, and make sure there are lots of reading materials in the house. • Talk with your child. Talking and listening are major compocompo nents of children’s school sucsuc cess. By having many opportuopportu nities to use and hear spoken language, children are given a tremendous advantage, picking up the language skills they will need to do well in school. Academic Success continues on page 14 Encouraging your child to read from an early age – and to continue reading as he or she grows - is one of the most important things you can do to encourage school success. school opEn housEs metro-parent.com February 2013 13 school opEn housEs Academic Success continued from page 12 • Monitor homework, and how much time children spend watching television, playing video games, and using the Internet. Help your child get organized and provide a quiet place in the home for him or her to study. Limit the amount of time your child spends watching television, surfing the Internet and playing video games. Help your child learn to properly and effectively use the Internet. • Encourage your child to be responsible and work independently. Make it clear to your child that he or she has to take responsibility for actions both at home and at school. • Encourage active learning. Listen to your child’s ideas and respond to them. Active learning also can take place when your child plays sports, acts in a school play, plays a musical instrument or visits museums and bookstores. Helping Your Child With Test-Taking Another important way to help your child succeed academically is to support them in developing testtaking skills and preparing for exams. Here’s how: Don’t: • Don’t get upset because of a single test score. • Don’t place too much emphasis on your child’s test scores. Excessive pressure can affect his or her test performance. Do: Help your child prepare for tests, but don’t focus too heavily on a single test score. • Encourage your child and provide praise for the things he or she does well. • Meet with teachers and ask for test preparation activities you and your child can do at home. • Make sure your child attends school regularly. • Provide a quiet place for studying at home and make sure your child is well rested on school days. • Provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. • Help your child avoid test anxiety. Help reduce test anxiety by encouraging your child to do the following: • Plan ahead. Start studying for the test well in advance to avoid “cramming” the night before. Academic Success continues on page 16 14 February 2013 metro-parent.com school opEn housEs Learn More: • U.S. Department of Education: ed.gov or 1-800-USA-LEARN • The Parents Portal: ed.gov/parents/ • Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE): free.ed.gov • Parental Information and Resource Centers: ed.gov/programs/pirc/ index.html Academic Success continued from page 14 • Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. • On the day of the test, read all directions carefully before beginning work. • Look quickly at the entire test to see what types of questions are on it. This tactic will help determine how much time to spend on each part of the test. • Skip difficult questions and go on. If there is time at the end of the test, return to them and try again. This information was drawn from the larger booklet in the U.S. Department of Education’s Helping Your Child series: “Helping Your Child Succeed in School.” To read the complete booklet, and for more information on helping your child succeed in school, visit ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html. SChooL oPEn houSES And TourS Amiguitos! Preschool, Eastside: 5101 SE Aldercrest Rd, Milwaukie, Westside: 11675 SW Butner Rd, Feb. 27, 9am - 1pm, amiguitos.org, 503-596-2661 Northwest Chinese Academy, 8565 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Beaverton; Feb. 23, 10am-12pm; nwchineseacademy.org; 503-546-3455 The Madeleine School, 3240 NE 23rd, Portland, Feb. 4, Parent Information Night, 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Family Tours, 10am - 1pm, hemadeleine.edu, 503-288-9197 Archbishop Howard School at St. Rose, 5309 NE Alameda St, Feb. 6, 9:30am-11am and 6:30-8pm, archbishophoward.org, 503-281-1912 Odyssey - Hayhurst School, 5037 SW Iowa St.; Feb. 13, 6-7:30pm; odysseyprogram.org; 503-916-6300 Tiny Revolution Montessori and Suzuki School, 2036 NE MLK Blvd, Feb. 22, 10 - 11 am, tinyrevolutionmontessori.com Cedarwood School, 3030 SW 2nd Ave.; Feb. 5, 6-9pm (Adults Only); cedarwoodschool.org; 503-245-1477 Class Academy, 2730 NW Vaughn; Feb. 6, 7pm; classacademy.com; 503-223-9099 German American School of Portland, 3900 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton; Kindergarten: Feb. 13, 6pm; gspdx.org; 503-626-9089 Holy Family Catholic School, 7525 SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, holyfamilyportland.org, 503-774-8871 Horizon Christian, PreK-8th: 7400 SW Sagert Street, Tualatin; Feb.7, 6-7pm; High School campus: 23370 SW Boones Ferry Rd. Tualatin; Feb. 7, 7-8:30pm; HorizonChristianSchools.org; 503-692-9312 Small Friends School, 7475 SW Oleson Road; Feb. 7, 7-8:30pm; smallfriendsschool.com; 503-388-2266 St. Therese School, 1260 NE 132nd Ave, Portland, Feb. 15, 9 am, Feb 26, 6:30 p.m, stthereseschool. org; 503-253-9400 Summa Academy, 2510 SW 1st Ave., Feb. 26, 12:30-4pm, SummaAcademy.org, 503-287-1785 SunGarden Montessori, 2284 Long St., West Linn; Feb. 2, 10am-12pm; sungardenmontessori.org; 503655-2609 Swallowtail School, 332 NE 6th Ave. & 31620 NW Camp Ireland St., Hillsboro; Feb.2, 11am-2pm; SwallowtailSchool.org., 503-846-0336 Micha-el School, 13515A SE Rusk Rd, Milwaukie, Feb.9, 10am-12pm, micha-elschool.org, 503-774-4946 Sweet Peas Kidzone; 15320 NW Central Dr. Suite D-12; Feb. 5, 6-8pm & Feb. 16, 12-2pm; sweetpeaskidzone.com; 503-533-5252 Multisensory Learning Academy, 22565 NE Halsey St, Fairview, Feb.12, 6:30pm, mla.k12.or.us, 503-405-7868 The International School, 025 SW Sherman Ave.; Feb. 28, 6-8pm; intlschool.org/tours-mp; 503-226-2496 16 February 2013 metro-parent.com Tucker-Maxon School, 2860 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, Feb. 28, 4- 5:30 pm, tuckermaxon.org, 503-235-6551 West Hills Montessori, Vermont St. Campus: 4920 SW Vermont St.; PreK: Feb. 28, 6:30-7:30pm, Lake Oswego Campus: 4515 Parkview Dr, Lake Oswego; PreK: Feb. 27, 6:30-7:30pm; WestHills-Montessori. com; 503-246-5495 Yu Miao Chinese Immersion Preschool, 5239 SE Woodstock Blvd, Feb. 23, 10am-12pm, ahscpdx.org, 503-775-3767 CALL For A Tour Cathedral School, 110 NW 17th Ave, cathedral-or.org, 503-275-9370 Chinese American International School, 1855 South Shore Blvd., Lake Oswego; caisoregon.org; 503-348-3028 Christ the King Catholic School, 7414 SE Michael Dr, Milwaukie, ctkweb.org, 503-785-2411 Creative Children’s Center, 2515 SW 185th, Beaverton; creativechildrenscenter.com; 503-591-0604 Franciscan Montessori Earth School and St. Francis Academy, 14750 SE Clinton, fmes.org, 503-760-8220 French American International School, 8500 NW Johnson St.; faispdx.org; 503-292-7776 ext 310 Holy Cross Catholic School, 5202 N Bowdoin St, holycrosspdx.org, 503-289-3010 Holy Redeemer Catholic School, 127 N Rosa Parks Way, holy redeemerpdx.org, 503-283-5197 Joy Central, 8815 NE Glisan St, joycentral.com, 503-252-1426 Little Garden Preschool, SW Portland; littlegardenpreschool. wordpress.com; 503-892-6678 Living Wisdom, 4855 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton; livingwisdom portland.org; 503-671-9112 Oregon Episcopal School, 6300 SW Nicol Rd.; oes.edu; 503-768-3115 St. Anthony School, 12645 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard, school.stanthony tigard.org, 503-639-4179 x222 St. Cecilia School, 12250 SW 5th St, Beaverton, stceciliaschool.us, 503-644-2619 St. Clare School, 1807 SW Freeman St, stclarepdx.org, 503-244-7600 St. John the Apostle Catholic School, 516 Fifth Street, Oregon City, www.sja-eagles.com, 503-742-8230 St. Matthew Catholic School, 221 SE Walnut Street, Hillsboro, stmatthewschoolhillsboro.org, 503-648-2512 St. Pius X School, 1260 NW Saltzman Road, stpiuspanthers.org, 503-644-3244 St. Thomas More Catholic School, 3521 SW Patton Road, stmpdx.org, 503.222.6105 The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences, 16413 NE 50th Ave, Vancouver, WA, 360-574-5752, gardnerschool.org Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, 650 A Avenue, Lake Oswego, ollschool-lakeoswego.org, 503-636-2121 Valley Catholic School, 4420 SW St. Mary’s Dr., Beaverton, valleycatholic.org, Early Learning: 503-520-0214, Elementary & Middle: 503-718-6501 Portland Kinderschule, 68 SW Miles St.; portlandkinderschule. com; 503-644-4732 Village Free School, 2400 NE Broadway, www.villagefreeschool. org, 503-788-3935 school opEn housEs metro-parent.com February 2013 17 school opEn housEs 18 February 2013 metro-parent.com CATHOLIC SCHOOLS The Choice that Makes a Difference! • Academic Excellence • Faith Formation • Rich co-curricular activities • Before and After School Care • Registered and recognized by the State of Oregon • Accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools • Accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association Archbishop Howard School at St. Rose Grades PreK-8 Open House: Wednesday, February 6, 9:30 am - 11:00 am and 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 5309 NE Alameda St., Portland, OR 97213 503-281-1912 • www.archbishophoward.org St. Clare School • Grades K-8 Registering now for Fall 2013. Please call for information or to schedule a tour. 1807 SW Freeman St., Portland, OR 97219 503-244-7600 • Fax: 503-293-2076 [email protected] • www.stclarepdx.org Cathedral School • Grades PreK-8 110 NW 17th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 503-275-9370 • www.cathedral-or.org St. John the Apostle Catholic School • Grades PreK-8 516 Fifth St., Oregon City, OR 97045 503-742-8230 • Fax: 503-742-8239 www.sja-eagles.com Christ the King Catholic School • Grades K-8 7414 SE Michael Dr., Milwaukie, OR 97222 503-785-2411 [email protected] • ctkweb.org Holy Cross Catholic School • Grades K-8 Kindergarten Round-Up: Saturday, March 2 at 10:00 am. Please call to register. 5202 N Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203 503-289-3010 • Fax: 503-286-5006 www.holycrosspdx.org Holy Family Catholic School • Grades PreK-8 7425 SE Cesar Chavez Blvd., Portland, OR 97202 503-774-8871 • Fax: 503-774-8872 www.holyfamilyportland.org Holy Redeemer Catholic School • Grades Preschool-8 Individual tours available daily year-round 127 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217 503-283-5197 • Fax: 503-283-9479 [email protected] The New School Lunch continues on page 20 www.holyredeemerpdx.org Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School • Grades K-8 Call for school tour. Application information online. 650 A Ave., Lake Oswego, OR 97034 503-636-2122 • www.ollschool-lakeoswego.org St. Anthony School • Grades Preschool-8 Please call for information or to schedule a tour. 12645 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-639-4179 ext. 222 • www.school.stanthonytigard.org St. Cecilia School • Grades PreK-8 Registering now for Fall 2013. Application information online. 12250 SW 5th St., Beaverton, OR 97005 503-644-2619 • www.stceciliaschool.us St. Matthew Catholic School • Grades Preschool-8 221 SE Walnut St., Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-648-2512 • Fax: 503-648-4518 www.stmatthewschoolhillsboro.org St. Pius X School • Grades K-8 1260 NW Saltzman Rd., Portland, OR 97229 503-644-3244 • Fax: 503-646-6568 [email protected] • www.stpiuspanthers.org St. Therese School • Grades PreK-8 Open Houses: Friday, February 15, 9:00 am; Tuesday, February 26, 6:30 pm; Wed, March 13, 6:30 pm 1260 NE 132nd, Portland, OR 97230 503-253-9400 • Fax: 503-253-9571 [email protected] • www.stthereseschool.org St. Thomas More Catholic School • Grades K-8 3521 SW Patton Rd., Portland, OR 97221 503-222-6105 • www.stmpdx.org The Madeleine School • Grades K-8 Open House: Monday, February 4, Parent Information Night, 7:00 pm; Tuesday, February 5, Family Tours, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 3240 NE 23rd, Portland, OR 97212 503-288-9197 [email protected] • www.themadeleine.edu Valley Catholic School • Grades PreK-12 4420 SW St. Mary’s Dr. • Beaverton, OR 97007 Early Learning: 503-520-0214 Elementary & Middle: 503-718-6501 [email protected] www.valleycatholic.org metro-parent.com February 2013 19 ’s P Let Party! Let’s a rty! our Annual Birthday party Resource Guide By Metro Parent Staff The Portland metro area The Reptile Man; 503-824-6423; oregonreptileman.com. Exotic reptiles presented by a local expert. is a great place to celebrate a birthday, but where does a busy parent begin? Either way, keep this guide close at hand to help with party planning throughout the year. From archery to petting zoos, from intimate to extreme, you’re sure to find everything you need for your special celebration. Here’s to happy birthdays for your kids – and simple, stress-free planning for you! These listings are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as recommendations for any products or services. Amenities may vary from those listed. Research businesses as needed. Call for rates, guest minimums/maximums, recommended ages, available time slots, and to confirm all information listed here. 20 February 2013 metro-parent.com Ace of Ruin Piratical Entertainment; 317-268-8469; aceofruin.com. Pirate-themed storytelling, songs, treasure hunts, sword fighting, fire breathing, more. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAD SCIENCE In the pages that follow, you’ll find a comprehensive list of resources to help you plan your child’s dream party. If you already have a theme or activity in mind, this guide can point you to your perfect location or that just-right vendor. If you’re looking for ideas, we hope these listings will inspire you. Character and Themed Parties (tea parties, fairies, pirates, science, music and more!) Mad science brings the party to you – whether it’s your living room, your backyard or a local park or community center. CELEBrATinG AT hoME When interviewing providers or entertainers, be sure to request information about delivery charges, deposits, cancellation policies, guest minimums/maximums, age restrictions and other potential fees. Checking references and booking early also are advised. Many providers are happy to travel to other party venues – parks, community centers, etc. – sometimes for an additional fee. one Stop Shopping (equipment rentals and entertainment) All About Fun; 503-516-3878; allaboutfun.com. Inflatable bounce houses, laser tag, obstacle courses, water slides, dunk tanks, carnival games, more. Clowns Unlimited; 503-381-4462; clowns-unlimited.com. Clowns, face painters, jugglers, inflatables, carnival games, snow cones, cotton candy, petting zoos, more. Karen Reinholt Presents; 503-2817393; karenreinholtpresents.com. Fortune tellers, clowns, characters, magicians, face painters, inflatables, concessions, pony rides, more. Metro Mountain Climbing; 503327-4712; metromountainclimbing. com. Inflatables, climbing walls, concessions, gaming systems, mini golf, more. Parties Inc.; 503-641-1803, 360885-7549; partiesinc.com. Mini golf, inflatables, carnival games, laser tag, spin art, water slides, more. Party Poppers; 503-985-8769; mypartypopper.com. Party supplies, decorations, food, ideas, more. (p. 21) Portland PartyWorks; 503723-8300; portlandpartyworks. com. Carnival games, inflatables, climbing walls, water slides, arcade games, entertainers, more. (p. 23) Top Hat Productions; 503-223-5765; 360-694-5985; tophatproductions.com. Clowns, princesses, jugglers, magicians, games, reptiles, petting zoo, more. Animals Creature Feature; 503-901-1798; stevescreaturefeature.com. Hands-on exotic reptile show. Hart’s Reptile World; 503-5222695; hartsreptileworld.com. Exotic reptiles presented by wildlife educators. Renaissance Farms; Camas, Wash.; 360-852-3250; renaissancefarms. com. Pony rides. Birthday Parties Unlimited; 360-600-3047. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Ariel host your party. Darling Diva Photo Design; 503887-1182; darlingdivaphotodesign. com. Professional photography booth and props. Doll House Tea Room; 503-6536809; dollhousetearoom.com. Tea parties at their Milwaukie tea room or at your location. (Also see “Celebrating Away From Home.”) Fairest of Them All Princess Parties; 503-646-0314; fairestprincess. com. Princess parties with dresses, tiaras, wands, make-up, more. Fantastic Fairy Parties; 503-7095740; fairyparties.blogspot.com. Face painting, fairy games, more. Game Truck Party; 888-602-GAME; gametruckparty.com. Mobile video game center for up to 16 players. Imagination by Francesca; 503241-3151; ABCimagine.com. Face painting, tea parties, dress-up, more. Mad Science; 503-230-8040; madscience.org. A silly scientist puts on a high-energy, interactive science show. (p. 25) The Merry Kitchen; 503-946-8357; themerrykitchen.com. Themed cooking parties at The Merry Kitchen or in your home. (Also see “Celebrating Away From Home.”) Motion Magic; 503-975-8647; motionmagic.net. Clowns, parachute games, face painting, stilt walkers, custom shows, more. BiRthdAy GuidE NOTE: Find more information about businesses listed in color in their party ads, with page numbers indicated after each listing. Music Together; 503-236-4304; musictogether-pdx.com. Music Together teachers lead sing-a-long activities with instruments, audience participation, more. Call for teacher referrals. Peg Stilts; 503-236-7327; pegstilts. com. Instruction in stilt walking and circus arts, games, entertainment, more. Tea Party Adventures; 503-8554270; teapartyadventures.com. Tea party kits include hats, flowers, gloves, jewelry, cups, tea, more. Tumble Bus Inc.; 503-234-1883; tumblebuspdx.com. Party on a bus with trampoline, monkey bars, rings, tumbling mats, more. Yuki’s Origami; 971-678-6591. Yukiorigami.com. Japanese arts instructor teaches origami at your location. Clowns, Jugglers, Storytellers BJ the Clown; 503-282-2000; bjtheclown.com. Magic, juggling, puppets, circus tricks, comedy, more. Bizzy the Clown; 503-659-6366; bizzytheclown.com. Balloon art, face painting, temporary tattoos, more. Buttons the Clown; 503-504-1790; clownsportland.com. Clown comedy and magic show, balloon art, “dress up the dad,” more. (p. 24) Cha Cha the Clown and Mime; 503-807-2584; chachatheclown. com. Clown show, games, face painting, balloon animals, more. Circus Cascadia; 503-806-0210; circuscascadia.com. Kids and families learn puppetry, juggling, plate spinning, more. Cosmo the Balloon Wizard; 360735-7186; cosmo.balloonhq.com. Balloon masterpieces. Eartha the Ecological Clown and Friends; 503-297-8450; earthatheclown.com. Magic, live animals, puppets and comedy teach kids about endangered species, recycling, water, more. Flamebuoyant Productions; 503-314-2279; flamebuoyant.com. Circus style entertainers and spectacular feats with fire. Freckles, and Friends; 503-5157410; frecklestheclown.com. Clown, face painting, balloon art, comedy, juggling, more. Gentle Biff the Clown; 503-3278490; gentlebiff.com. Balloon art, face painting, magic, juggling. Giggles the Clown; 503-655-7997; aclassyclown.com. Comedy magic show includes puppetry, storytelling, more. Joe Mishkin; 503-799-6168; joemishkin.com. Juggling, balloon art, interactive music presentation. Unicycle/fire juggling options. Leapin’ Louie Lichtenstein; 503-425-9954; comedytricks.com. Comedy shows featuring cowboy tricks, juggling, unicycle, audience participation. Mushwog and Friends; 503-3090877; mushwogandfriends.com. Interactive stories, games, face painting, crazy hair styling, more. Olive and Dingo Productions; 503-467-8816; facebook.com/olive. dingo.productions. Stories, songs, skits, face painting, balloons, more. Themed parties available. Peppermint the Clown; 503-2817393; pepperminttheclown.com. Magic, puppetry, games, face art, balloons, more. Serious Juggling; 503-233-2577; seriousjuggling.com. Serious (and not-so-serious) juggling and unicycling performance plus workshops. Face Painting, and Face Art Many providers listed under “Clowns” and “Character and Themed Parties” also provide face painting. Fabulous Face Painting; 503-2869854; jollymolly.com. Face painting plus interactive songs, games magic tricks, balloon animals. (p. 25) Nicole’s Face Painting; 503-2700890; nicolesfacepainting.com. Face painting, temporary tattoos. Parties by Inez; 503-753-0900; partiesbyinez.com. Airbrush face painting, temporary tattoos. SweetFace Face Painting; 360-8852437; sweetfaces.vpweb.com. Let’s Party! continues on page 22 metro-parent.com February 2013 21 BiRthdAy GuidE Let’s Party! continued from page 21 Magicians Alexander, Master of Marvels; 503-331-8542; parlorofwonders. com. Sleight of hand, levitation, audience participation. Birthday child receives a magic kit. (p. 26) Adam the Great; 360-513-8688; adamthegreat.com. Comedic magic. Jimmy King, Magician; 503-2978194; rabbitinahat.com. Magic, audience participation, live bunny, more. Magic of Seth Productions; 800-926-9311; magicofseth.com. Interactive magic shows. CELEBrATinG AWAY FroM hoME The following venues make birthday parties a breeze! Many offer set-up and cleanup along with options for food, invitations, party favors, décor and more. All you have to do is show up with your birthday star. Ask about discounts for members (where applicable) and weekday events, too. Amusement Parks/Arcades John’s Incredible Pizza; 9180 SW Hall Blvd.; 503-520-0000; johnspizza.com. All-you-can-eat buffet, arcade game tokens, rides, private room, balloons, more. Birthday child gets a gift. Art and Ceramics Art ala Carte; 319 NE Wygant; 503750-0522; artalacartepdx.com. Space reserved for two hours, arts and crafts, face painting, gift for birthday child, more. Discounts available for midweek and evening parties. CeramiCafe Art Lounge; 12056 SE Sunnyside Rd., Clackamas; 503-698-5411; 14600 SW Murray Scholls Dr., Beaverton; 503-5908510; ceramicafenw.com. Cupcakes, punch, balloons, plus a souvenir tile for the birthday child. Miscellaneous Party Supplies Chocolate Craft Studio; 3936 N Williams Ave.; 503-505-0481; chocolatecraftstudio.com. Make edible chocolate decorations for your party with easy-to-use kits. Oregon Yard Cards; 971-219-0576; oregonyardcards.com. A unique way to decorate for birthdays and special occasions. Pizza.com. A national listing of pizzerias across the nation, with online ordering. Facebook followers get exclusive deals: Facebook.com/ PizzaDotcom. Puppet Shows Dragon Theater Puppets; 503-3125979; dragontheaterpuppets.com. Princesses, pirates, dragons, more. (p. 26) PHOTO COURTESY OF PENNY’S PUPPET PRODUCTIONS Penny’s Puppet Productions; 503-282-9207; pennypuppets.com. Choose from a large repertoire of “mini-musicals” or request a customized show. (p. 25) 22 February 2013 metro-parent.com A mini musical or custom show by penny’s puppets elevates your at-home party to an all-out birthday bash. Innerscape Art Center; 2037 N Skidmore Ct.; 503-827-0665. Guided art From bumper boats, mini golf, laser tag and a giant arcade projects for up to eight to the ever popular Kidopolis play structure and more, the participants for Family Fun center in Wilsonville keeps the party rolling. 90 minutes. PHOTO COURTESY OF FAMILY FUN CENTER Oaks Park; 7805 SE Oaks Park Way; 503-233-5777; oakspark.com. Unlimited midway rides, ice cream, cotton candy, soda, reserved table, more. T-shirt/picture for birthday child. Also mini-golf parties. (Seasonal: March-Sept.) (p. 27) Safari Sam’s; 16260 SW Langer Dr., Sherwood; 503-925-8000; jungleoffun.com. Jungle gyms, mini golf, bouncers, game tokens, balloons, pizza, ice cream, soda, more. (p. 29) SyKart Indoor Racing; 8205 SW Hunziker St., Tigard; 503-684-5060; sykart.com. Go-kart racing. Wilsonville Family Fun Center/ Bullwinkle’s Restaurant; 29111 SW Town Center Loop W., Wilsonville; 503-685-5000; fun-center.com. Mini golf, bumper boats, go-karts, rock-climbing wall, batting cages, arcade games, pizza, more. (p. 29) Wunderland Games; multiple locations; wunderlandgames. com. Arcade, movie theaters. Mimosa Studios; 1718 NE Alberta St.; 503-288-0770; mimosa-studios.com. Paint your own pottery; souvenir plate for the birthday child. My Masterpiece Art Studio; 7905 SW Cirrus Dr., 27G, Beaverton; 503453-3700; mymasterpieceartstudio. com. Open studio, instructive or pottery painting parties, party room. (p. 26) Pottery Fun; 7821 SE Stark St.; 503253-8070; potteryfunpdx.com. Paint your own pottery, dedicated party area, more. Ready, Paint, Fire; 529 NW 13th Ave.; 503-227-0257; readypaintfire.com. Paint your own pottery, glass fusing. SCRAP (School & Community Reuse Action Project); 2915 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; 503294-0769; scrapaction.org. Kids create art from recycled materials. Add face painting, cupcakes, hats, more. Spark Arts Center; 1805 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd.; 503-281-6757; sparkartscenter.com. Private use of art studio for two hours, t-shirt for birthday child, goody bags, more. BiRthdAy GuidE PHOTO COURTESY OF SAFARI SAM’S A private party room – like this one at safari sam’s – gives kids a comfortable space to enjoy refreshments, open presents and socialize during the party. Bowling Many Portland area bowling alleys offer kids’ party packages, including games, shoes, food and drink. Google “Portland bowling” for a list of area lanes. dance and Gymnastics BodyVox; 1201 NW 17th Ave.; 503-229-0627; bodyvox.com. Dance class with two teachers, optional craft. The Children’s Gym; 1625 NE Sandy Blvd; 503-249-5867; childrensgym.com. One hour of open gym time, half hour in a private party room. Club Sport; 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard; 503-9684500; clubsports.com/oregon/. Learn a variety of dance styles with a professional instructor. Do Jump; 1515 SE 37th Ave.; 503-231-1232; dojump.org. Theater/ creative movement games, acrobatics, juggling, trapeze. (p. 27) The Gym-Nest; 1414 SE 18th Ave. #100, Hillsboro; 503-640-6378; thegym-nest.com. Instructor-led gymnastics and games for 45 minutes plus 45 minutes of party time. Gymboree Play and Music; 17400 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Suite 290, 503-670-1683; 2210 Amberbrook Dr., Beaverton, 503-645-8080. gymboreeclasses.com. Instructor-led songs, activities. Kids Club Fun and Fitness, 13914 NW 3rd Ct., Vancouver, Wash.; 360546-5437; kidsclubfunandfitness. com. Jungle Playland with slides, ball pit, caves, mazes, more; cheerleading; martial arts; dance party; themed parties; swimming; more. The Little Gym of Lake Oswego; 17890 SW McEwan Rd., Lake Oswego; 503-5959702; tlglakeoswegoor. com; Private parties include games, music, instructor-led gym activities. Metro Gymnastics Center; 18084 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard; 503-6208939; metrogymnastics. com. Instructor-led gymnastics with foam pit, trampoline, “gymflatables,” more, plus party room. Naydenov Gymnastics; 5313 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-944-4444; ngymnastics.com. Coaches lead activities including zip line, foam pits, bungees, trampolines, more. Oregon Gymnastics Academy; 16305 NW Bethany Ct., Ste. 109; 503-531-3409; ogagym.org. Trained staff lead 50 minutes of gym activity, 40 minutes in a party room. (p. 21) The Playground Gym; 505 NE Grand Ave.; 503-235-7529; theplaygroundgym.com. Coaches lead 85 minutes of mat time; 20 minutes (or more) for snacks, gifts; cupcakes. Rose City Gymnastics; 7056 NE Glisan St.; 503-281-1314; rosecity gym.com. Private parties with one hour in gym (tumble floor, beams, vault, bars, obstacle course, more), 30 minutes in party room. SoccerPlex; 8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.; 503-297-4145; soccerplex.com. Private use of dance studio, party room. Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy; 11632 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard; 503-639-5388; westsideacademy.com. Gymnastics, hip-hop or princess party activities. dress-up, Makeovers, Spas and Tea Parties Doll House Tea Room; 3223 SE Risley, Milwaukie; 503-653-6809; dollhousetearoom.com. Tea parties include dress-up, hairstyling, makeup, fashion show, lunch, cupcakes, more. Let’s Party! continues on page 24 metro-parent.com February 2013 23 BiRthdAy GuidE Kids get creative at Art ala Carte, with discounts for mid-week and evening parties. PHOTO BY OH HAPPY DAY PHOTOGRAPHY (OHHAPPYDAYPHOTOS.COM) Let’s Party! continued from page 23 Pigtails and Crewcuts; Streets of Tanasbourne, 2219 NW Allie Ave., Ste. 1430, Hillsboro; 503-336-4778; pigtailsandcrewcuts. com/hillsboro/. Themed birthday parties for girls and boys with hair styling, dress-up, makeovers, more. Sit Still Salon; 5656 Hood St., Ste. 105, West Linn; 503-657-3975; sitstillkids.com. Hair styling, makeup, mini-manicures, keepsake photos, more. TipTop Spa; 1937 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove; 503-992-1902; thetiptopspa.com. Pedicure parties. Whipper Snippers; 29585 SW Park Pl., Ste. G; Wilsonville; 503783-3337; whipper-snippers.com. Dress-up, manicures, hairstyling, party room, more. ice Skating Lloyd Center Ice Rink, Lloyd Center Mall; 503-288-6073; lloydcenterice.com. Skating and lessons, cake or cupcakes, drinks, pizza, more. Mountain View Ice Arena; 14313 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-896-8700; mtviewice. com. Skating and lessons, cake, drinks, favors, more. Birthday child gets a gift. Sherwood Ice Arena; 20407 SW Borchers Dr., Sherwood; 503-6255757; sherwoodicearena.com. Skating and lessons, cake, drinks, favors, more. Birthday child gets a gift. inflatables/Bouncers Inflatable Kingdom; 6830 SW Bonita Rd.; 503-718-0994; inflatablekingdom.com. Play area, face painting and tattoos, arts and crafts, more. JJ Jump; 9057 SE Jannsen Rd., Clackamas; 503-723-3600; 7500 NE 16th Ave., Ste. 2-D, Vancouver, Wash.; 360-213-2524; jjjump.com. Play area, party room, party hostess, more. 24 February 2013 metro-parent.com Kids Club Fun and Fitness; 13914 NW 3rd Ct., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-546-5437; kidsclubfunandfitness.com. Jungle Playland with slides, ball pit, caves, mazes, more; inflatables; themed parties; more. Out of this World Pizza and Play; 6255 NW Century Blvd., Hillsboro; 503-629-8700; outofthisworld.net. Unlimited play on play structure/ inflatables, bottomless soft drinks, ice cream. Optional Wii, magician, pizza, sundae bar, more. (p. 25) Pump It Up; 9665 SW Allen Blvd., Ste. 110, Beaverton, 503-644-6488; 25749 SW Canyon Creek Rd, Ste. 700, Wilsonville, 503-582-1331; pumpitupparty.com. Private inflatable arena, party room, more. Pump It Up Jr.; 16205 NW Bethany Ct., Ste. 120, Beaverton; 503-645-1042; pumpitupparty. com. Inflatables, private party room, more. Miscellaneous, Themed and Specialty Parties (cooking, farms, horses and more!) Academy Theater; 7818 SE Stark St.; 503-252-1705; academytheaterpdx.com. Movie admission, pizza, popcorn, soft drinks, party room. (p. 22) Archers Afield; 11945 SW Pacific Hwy., Ste. 121, Tigard; 503-6393553; archersafield.com. Mini lesson on the indoor archery range, equipment, pizza, party table. Build-A-Bear Workshop; Washington Square Mall, 503-620-9555; Clackamas Town Center, 503-5130457; Westfield Vancouver Mall, 360-253-7105; buildabear.com. Chocolate Craft Studio; 3936 N Williams Ave.; 503-505-0481; chocolatecraftstudio.com. Fun with edible chocolate crafts, activities. Club Sport; 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard; 503-9684500; clubsports.com/oregon/. Activities include rock climbing, swimming, dance, sports, games, crafts, more. ComedySportz 4 Kidz; 1963 NW Kearney St.; 503-236-8888; portlandcomedy.com. Comedy show geared to ages 12 and under, third Sunday of every month. BiRthdAy GuidE Art parties at My Masterpiece Art Studio are a hit with kids of all ages. Emily Alexander; 1444 SE Hawthorne Blvd; 503-8930792; alexanderpreschool. com. Choose from four different puppet shows. Puppet-making activity. Glowing Greens; 509 SW Taylor St.; 503-222-5554; glowinggreens.com. Black light indoor mini golf, plus pizza, drinks, party room, party host, more. PHOTO COURTESY OF MY MASTERPIECE ART STUDIO Fir Point Farms; 14601 Arndt Rd., Aurora; 503-678-2455; firpointfarms.com/farmfun. Tours, hay rides, farm animals, more. Jim Parsley Community Center; 2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-313-1060, vansd.org/jpc. Party room, rock wall, gym, pool rental. Malibu Raceway; 9405 SW Cascade Ave., Beaverton; 503-641-8122; maliburaceway.com. Photo racing license, one sprint lap, hot dog, soda, game play, more. JJ Extreme; 9063 SE Jannsen Rd., Clackamas; 503-723-3600; jjextreme.com. Rock wall, zip line, bungee basketball, jousting, Wii, light show, party room, more. The Merry Kitchen; 5202 NE 72nd Ave; 503-946-8357; themerrykitchen.com. Themed cooking parties at The Merry Kitchen or in your home. Jump for Joy Farm;15898 South Springwater Rd. Clackamas; 503-6103276; Horseback riding, guided activities, scavenger hunt, petting zoo. Mittleman Jewish Community Center; 6651 SW Capitol Highway; 503-244-0111; oregonjcc.org. Rentals include gymnasium with rock wall, sportsplex, 25-yard indoor swimming pool, dance studio, more. Kids Central Kitchen; Parties at Cook in Color, 7327 SW Barnes Rd. #501; 971-344-0475; kidscentralkitchen.com. Hands-on baking parties, baking-related party favors, more. The Kids Cooking Corner; 5206 NE 78th St., Vancouver; 360-433-9114; thekidscookingcorner.com. Bake your own entree and cupcakes, visit with the birthday bunny, decorated party table, more. Kruger’s Farm; 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd.; 503-621-1100; krugersfarmmarket.com. Private picnic area, tractor-driven hayride, u-pick activities. (April-October only.) Little Corral; Off I-5 and I-205 in Stafford; 503-449-5087; thelittlecorral.com. Pony and miniature horse rides, indoor arena, pony handlers, party table, more. (p. 24) Mad Science; 1522 N Ainsworth; 503-230-8040; madscience.org. A silly scientist puts on a high-energy, interactive science show. (p. 25) Northwest Children’s Theater; 1819 NW Everett St.; 503-222-2190; nwcts.org. Show tickets, private party room, balloon bouquet, cupcakes, birthday crown/tiara, more. Northwest Fencing Center; 4950 SW Western Ave., Beaverton; 503277-2237; nwfencing.org. Fencing arena, equipment, coach, party table, more. (p. 26) Once Upon a Horse; Stafford area between Lake Oswego and Wilsonville; 503-635-7403; onceuponahorse.com. Ponies, party room, pizza. (p. 23) One With Heart; 4231 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 503-231-1999; 8641 N Lombard Blvd., 503-283-1313; onewithheart.com. Kung Fu games, age-appropriate martial-arts class, “kick the piñata”, more. Oregon Fencing Alliance; 6699 SW Oleson Rd.; 503-880-3512; oregonfencing.com. Party games, fencing fun for all levels. Let’s Party! continues on page 26 metro-parent.com February 2013 25 BiRthdAy GuidE Let’s Party! continued from page 25 Oregon Garden; 879 W Main St, Silverton; 503-874-2510; oregongarden.org. Several private party areas available. Discount for garden members. Warrior Room; 1928 SE Washington St. Milwaukie; 503-303-8552; warriorroom.org. Sports agility classes or disco party, plus party room. Weekends only. The PLAY Boutique; 464 1st St., Lake Oswego; 503-675-7529; playboutique.com. Exclusive use of 3,000 sq. ft. play space, dedicated play specialist, cupcake decorating, snacks, more. WeVillage; 424 NW 11th Ave.; 503935-5590; 1295 NE Orenco Station Pkwy. Hillsboro; 503-640-7529; wevillage.com. Exclusive use of indoor play space, party specialist, food, favors, more. Portland Aquarium; 16323 SE McLoughlin, Milwaukie; 503303-4721; portlandaquarium.net. Aquarium admission, behind-thescenes tour, party host, take-home craft, more. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R); multiple locations; 503-823-7529; portlandonline.com/parks/. Several PP&R community centers offer party packages, from skating and rock climbing to swimming, gym parties, more. Staff available to lead children’s activities. (p. 29) Rainbow Trout Farm; 52560 E Sylvan Dr., Sandy; 503-622-5223; rainbowtroutfarm.com. Trout fishing, party room available. Renaissance Farms; Fern Prairie, near Camas, Wash.; 360-852-3250; renaissancefarms.com. Pony rides, themed packages available. Steamers and Screamers; 8400 NE Vancouver Mall Loop Suite 105, Vancouver; 360-597-4521; steamersandscreamers.com. Party room for up to 15, 90 minutes of play/party time. Optional themes, invitations. Play kitchen, pirate ship, puppet-play area. Sky High Sports; 11131 SW Greenburg Rd., Tigard; 503-924-5867; por.jumpskyhigh.com. Wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pit, pizza, party room, more. Private jump court available. Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation; multiple locations; 503-645-6433; thprd.org (search “Parties”). Nature programs include stories in the forest, bug safari, wild habitats, amazing mammals, flying feathered friends. Ultrazone Laser Tag; 16074 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie; 503652-1122; ultrazoneportland.com. Laser tag, party host, party room, food, drinks, more. 26 February 2013 metro-parent.com Museums Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum; 500 NE Capt. Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville; 503434-4185; evergreenmuseum.org. Museum entrance, IMAX movie, pizza, cake, party host. (Also see “Swimming & Waterparks.”) OMSI; 1945 SE Water Ave.; 503797-4000; omsi.edu. Discounted group rates for 12 or more with reservations on weekdays and 20 or more on a walk-in basis any time. Portland Children’s Museum; 4015 SW Canyon Rd.; 503-2236500; portlandcm.org. Museum admission, party room. Craft, special studio time available. restaurants Chuck E Cheese’s; 9120 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, 503-774-7000; 4145 SW 110th Ave., Beaverton, 503-6432002; 7721 NE Vancouver Plaza Dr., Vancouver, Wash., 360-896-6672; chuckecheese.com. John’s Incredible Pizza; 9180 SW Hall Blvd.; 503-520-0000; johnspizza.com. All-you-can-eat buffet, arcade game tokens, rides, private room, balloons, more. Birthday child gets a gift. Munchkin Playland; 18335 NW West Union Rd.; 503-533-5438; munchkinplayland.com. Café with play area for children 42-inches and under. Private parties booked Saturday & Sunday evenings. Out of this World Pizza and Play; 6255 NW Century Blvd., Hillsboro; 503-629-8700; outofthisworld.net. Pizza, bottomless soft drinks, play structure. Optional Wii, magician, sundae bar, more. (p. 25) BiRthdAy GuidE Portland Rock Gym; 21 NE 12th Ave.; 503232-8310; portlandrockgym.com. Customized rock climbing parties. Kids will reach new heights at a circuit Bouldering Gym party, with two portland locations. Stoneworks Climbing Gym; 6775 SW 111th Ave., Beaverton; 503-6443517; belay.com. Private use of the climbing gym with staff supervision. Party room available. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CIRCUIT BOULDERING GYM Papa’s Pizza Parlor; 16321 SE Stark St. Gresham, 503-251-5555;15700 NW Blueridge Dr., Beaverton, 503531-7220; papaspizza.net. Pizza, soda, balloons, more. Birthday child gets a t-shirt. Pietro’s Pizza Parlor; 10300 SE Main St., Milwaukie, 503-659-7770; pietrosrestaurants.com. Themed parties with pizza, drinks, game tokens, more. Playdate PDX; 1434 NW 17th Ave.; 503-227-7529. playdatepdx.com. Unlimited play in the 7,500 sq. ft. play structure, private party room, cupcakes. Full café menu available. rock Climbing/Bouldering The Circuit Bouldering Gym; 6050 SW Macadam; 503-246-5111; 410 NE 17th Ave., 503-719-7041; thecircuitgym.com. Supervised bouldering with instructors. (p. 26) ClubSport Oregon; 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard; 503-968-4500; clubsports.com/ oregon/. Certified staff belay children on a 45-foot rock wall. Jim Parsley Community Center; 2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver; 360-3131060; vansd.org/jpc. Supervised rock wall climbing, party room. Mittleman Jewish Community Center; 6651 SW Capitol Highway; 503-244-0111; oregonjcc.org. Rentals include gymnasium with rock wall. North Clackamas Aquatic Park; 7300 SE Harmony Rd., Milwaukie; 503-557-7873; pdxsurf.com. Rock climbing parties with ice cream, drinks, party room. (p. 21) roller Skating, Skateboarding, in-line Skating Lake Oswego Skate Park; 5520 Willow Rd., Lake Oswego; 971-5638054 (skate park coordinator; seasonal); 503-697-6500 (year-round); lakeoswegoparks.org. Saturday morning reservations, June-August. Mt. Scott Community Center; 5530 SE 72nd; 503-823-3183; portlandonline.com/parks/. Roller rink, party room. Oaks Park; 7805 SE Oaks Park Rd.; 503-233-5777; oakspark.com. Skate session, skate rental, ice cream, soda, balloons, more. Birthday child gets t-shirt, picture. (p. 27) Skate World; 1220 NE Kelly Ave., Gresham; 503-667-6543; greshamskateworld.com; 4395 SE Witch Hazel Rd., Hillsboro; 503-640-1333; hillsboroskate.com. Skating, soda, birthday shout out, party area, more. Birthday child gets a spin on the prize wheel. Soccer (indoor) Note: Availability of indoor sports arenas is limited on weekends during winter months. Indoor Goals; 16340 NW Bethany Ct., Beaverton; 503-629-9500; indoorgoals.com. Exclusive use of indoor soccer field for one hour; 45 minutes in party room; unlimited number of guests; optional staff host. Oregon Soccer Center; 17015 SE 82nd Dr., Clackamas; 503-655-7529; oscindoor.com. Private indoor soccer field rental; video games available. Let’s Party! continues on page 28 metro-parent.com February 2013 27 BiRthdAy GuidE The following businesses have donated birthday parties for this FREE giveaway. ( * indicates the party comes to you!) The Circuit Bouldering Gym Portland Futsal; 3401 SE 17th Ave.; 503-238-8725; portlandfutsal.com. Private use of a futsal or 3v3 court for one hour; one hour in game room with soccer video games. Portland Indoor Soccer; 418 SE Main St.; 503-231-6368; Kids Central Kitchen offers hands-on baking parties for aspiring pdxindoorsoccer.com. chefs – or anyone who loves a sweet treat! Private arena rentals. For one hour class with Lil’ Kickers coaches, call 503-810-9266. 410 NE 17th Ave., 503-719-7041; 6050 SW Macadam Ave., Portland 503-246-5111; thecircuitgym.com Bouldering party for up to 12 guests. SoccerPlex; 8785 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.; 503-297-4145; soccerplex.com. Private use of indoor soccer arena, basketball court or dance studio; party room. Party coordinator available. Dragon Theater Puppets & Princesses Tualatin Indoor Soccer; 11883 SW Itel St., Tualatin; 503-885-9300; tualatinindoor.com. One hour on the field plus one hour in the party room. 503-312-5979; dragontheater.com Free animal balloons at your party.* Mad Science of Portland & Vancouver 503-230-8040; portland.madscience.org Mad Scientist party for up to 12.* My Masterpiece Art Studio 7905 SW Cirrus, Beaverton; 503-453-3700; mymasterpieceartstudio.com Arty Party for 5. Oaks Amusement Park 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland; 503-233-5777; oakspark.com Roller skating birthday party for up to 8 guests. Oregon Gymnastics Academy 16305 NW Bethany Ct, #109, Beaverton; 503-531-3409; ogagym.org OGA birthday party for up to 10 children. Out of This World Pizza & Play 6255 NW Century Blvd, Hillsboro; 503-629-8700 Out of This World Lunar Party for up to 6 guests. Party Poppers 503-985-8765; portlandpartypoppers.com $100 gift certificate toward party food, supplies or decorations. Portland Party Works 15521 SE For Mor Ct., Clackamas, OR 97015; 503-723-8300; portlandpartyworks.com Free bounce house rental. Wilsonville Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant 29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville; 503-685-5000; fun-center.com 6 Extreme All Day Passes. How to Enter: Go to metro-parent.com/contest and submit your name, phone and email address. One entry per family. Contest ends February 28, 2013. See additional conditions at metro-parent.com/contest. 28 Let’s Party! continued from page 27 February 2013 metro-parent.com Swimming & Water Parks Children of the Sea; 10170 SW Nimbus Ave., Ste. H-7; 503-620-5970; childrenofthesea.com. Exclusive use of pool and party room, party bags, balloons, more. (p. 24) ClubSport Oregon; 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Tigard; 503-968-4500; clubsports.com/oregon/. Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark; 500 NE Capt. Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville; 503-434-4185; evergreenmuseum.org. All day access to waterpark, 1.5 hours in a party room, food, beverages, cake. Jim Parsley Community Center; 2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-313-1060, vansd.org/jpc. Private pool rental, party room. Kids Club Fun and Fitness, 13914 NW 3rd Ct., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-546-5437; kidsclubfunandfitness.com. Mittleman Jewish Community Center; 6651 SW Capitol Highway; 503-244-0111; oregonjcc.org. Rentals include 25-yard indoor swimming pool with outdoor patio, warm water therapy pool. North Clackamas Aquatic Park; 7300 SE Harmony Rd., Milwaukie; 503-794-8080; pdxsurf.com. Wave pool, water slides, diving during open swim; ice cream, drinks; party room. (p. 21) Parks & Recreation Pools. Many parks & recreation districts offer private pool rentals and/or swim parties during public swim times, including private party rooms. Check with your local parks department for details: • Beaverton/Tualatin Hills: 503-645-6433, thprd.org • Hillsboro: 503-681-6120, ci.hillsboro.or.us/parksrec/ • Oregon City: 503-657-8273, orcity.org/swimmingpool • Portland: 503-823-PLAY (7529), portlandonline.com/parks/ • Tigard-Tualatin: 503-431-5455 (Tigard Pool); 503-431-5655 (Tualatin Pool); ttadpools.com • Vancouver-Clark, Wash.: 360-487-8311, cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/ PHOTO COURTESY OF KIDS CENTRAL KITCHEN Enter to Win a Free Birthday Party! BiRthdAy GuidE metro-parent.com February 2013 29 A Day in the ‘Hood You might catch a glimpse of a class at Do Jump off Hawthorne, where aspiring acrobats of all ages can develop skills in physical theater, trapeze arts and more. PHOTO BY ALI KING Explore your playful side at Kids at Heart Toys, a long-time favorite with local families. Discovering the Hawthorne District By Julia Silverman L Getting There et’s be honest: the Hawthorne District is no one’s best kept secret. Public Transportation: Tri-Met’s 14 bus line runs along Hawthorne to 50th (where it turns south toward Division). The 15 runs along Belmont, just a few blocks north. The 66 and 75 lines cross Hawthorne at Cesar Chavez (formerly 39th). Plan your trip at trimet.org. The stretch from SE 12th to SE 50th or so gets top billing in Portland guidebooks. It’s often cast as the city’s version of San Francisco’s fabled HaightAshbury district, and when 20-somethings move to Portland, a disproportionate number wind up in the cheap(ish) apartments nearby. It’s also where plenty of peacenik activists moved in the 1960s, and many have stayed put ever since. Parking: Street parking is available at no cost throughout the district. Check the signs for time limits on Hawthorne and side streets nearby. Perhaps less well known, however, is that Hawthorne is an excellent place to be a kid – and a parent. From established anchors such as Kids at Heart Toys to up-and-comers like Tabor Bread, Hawthorne has evolved to become one of Portland’s most family-friendly destinations. Grab your kids and let’s take a tour. Biking: Designated bike routes cross Hawthorne at several intersections. Download a City of Portland Bike/ Walk Map at portlandoregon.gov/ transportation/39402. 30 February 2013 metro-parent.com If it’s morning on the boulevard, the lines will be out the door at Jam on Hawthorne. Get up early to beat the rush of hipsters who start trickling in around 10 am and snag a table near one of the biggest play areas in town. (If you happen to sleep in, go for dinner instead. The kids’ dinner menu includes bean and cheese quesadillas and spaghetti and meatballs, plus healthy sides featuring fresh fruits and veggies.) After a hearty breakfast, head down the boulevard to Clever Cycles, among the most family-friendly bike shops in Portland. They specialize in cargo bikes, those spiffy models you see around town hauling kids, pets and groceries alike. Some of the bikes are spendy (a Christiana boxcycle trike, for example, sells for $2,850, which is why some families buy one instead of a car), but Clever Cycles also has a growing selection of balance bikes, big-kid bikes and assorted bike accessories, plus a small play area to keep kids occupied while you browse. If it’s Saturday, check to see if Emily Alexander, the daughter of the puppeteers who founded Tears of Joy Theatre, is putting on a second-generation puppet show at her preschool. Past shows have included The Princess and the Pea and Horton Hatches an Egg. Tickets are $5 per kid. The children’s section at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne provides a cozy respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Older kids might prefer signing up for music lessons at Artichoke Music, a well-known instrument shop offering ukulele and guitar lessons for kids. Just up the street is Clogs-n-More Kids. Be sure to keep an eye out for their semi-annual sales, when the store’s trusty train table is put away in favor of shelves full of brand-name shoes at considerable discounts. Next, head to the Hawthorne branch of that beloved Portland institution Powell’s Books. The kids’ room is smaller than the one at the flagship downtown location, but it’s cozier and less overwhelming, too – perfect for taking some time to peruse wonderful new and used books for kids of all ages. Bonus: The in-store Fresh Pot Coffee makes a mean steamer to warm up cold little hands. Time for a play break? Take a detour to Sewallcrest Park, a few blocks south of Hawthorne at 32nd. There you’ll find a pesticidefree grassy space, a community garden during the summer months, and all your standard playground equipment (minus a panic-inducing stand-alone corkscrew slide, which Portland Parks & Recreation mercifully removed last fall). A Day in the ‘Hood continues on page 32 metro-parent.com February 2013 31 There are plenty of options for sweet treats in the neighborhood, including Ben & Jerry’s and The Waffle Window, which also serves tempting savory waffles. A Day in the ‘Hood continued from page 31 The park’s big green space is an excellent place for a picnic, which you can pick up at Pastaworks, one of the city’s oldest gourmet grocery stores, or at New Seasons or Grand Central Bakery. (Note: If someone spills lunch all over their shirt and you don’t have a spare, check the racks at MamaBaby Boutique.) If you’d rather dine indoors, head to the bricks-andmortar outpost of Whole Bowl, which began as a downtown food cart and sells a tasty bowl of beans, brown rice, olives, cilantro, avocado, cheese, sour cream and their highly addictive secret sauce. At $5.50 for a bambino bowl, it’s healthy and filling. Plus, your kids will enjoy watching the fish scoot along in the restaurant’s big fish tank. For a sweet treat, you could head to Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream and other frozen treats, or to Swirl for serve-yourself frozen yogurt. If you’d rather munch on something warmer, stop by The Waffle Window, a hole-in-the-wall operation (literally – it’s a window in the Bread & Ink Cafe building) serving everything from sugar-dusted and chocolate dipped waffles to waffles smothered in all manner of sweet and savory delights. (Limited seating for The Waffle Window is available at covered picnic tables nearby and inside Break & Ink.) Still have energy? On weekends, you might catch a familyfriendly matinee at McMenamin’s Bagdad Theater, where you can enjoy pizza, drinks and other treats while you watch the show; or try to sneak a peek at a Do Jump class at the Echo Theater, just off Hawthorne, where circus arts classes for babies, preschoolers and grade schoolers are scheduled throughout the week. We like to end the day at the always packed Apizza Scholls – consistently and deservedly voted Portland’s best pizza, now taking 32 February 2013 metro-parent.com reservations via OpenTable.com – or Por Que No?, a local taqueria with a changing table in the bathroom, crayons and paper at the ready and a fun outdoor seating area with a chalkboard and chalk. Clearly you’ll need more than one day to explore the Hawthorne District in all its glory. (We’ve just begun to cover the family-friendly fun to be had!) Good thing it’s close enough for frequent family outings. Julia Silverman is a Portland freelance writer and mom. Family-friendly hawthorne Food & drink: Apizza Scholls: 4741 SE Hawthorne. 503-233-1286. apizzascholls.com Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt: 1428 SE 36th. 503-234-2223. benjerry.com Burgerville: 1122 SE Hawthorne. 503-230-0479. burgerville.com Jam on Hawthorne Cafe: 2239 SE Hawthorne. 503-234-4790. jamonhawthorne.com Grand Central Bakery: 2230 SE Hawthorne. 503-445-1600. grandcentralbakery.com New Seasons Market: 4034 SE Hawthorne. 503-236-4800. newseasonsmarket.com Pastaworks: 3735 SE Hawthorne. 503-232-1010. pastaworks.com Por Que No Taqueria: 4635 SE Hawthorne. 503-954-3138. porquenotacos.com Swirl Frozen Yogurt: 3538 SE Hawthorne. 503-235-0422. swirl-frozenyogurt.com Tabor Bread: 5051 SE Hawthorne. 971-279-5530. taborbread.com Waffle Window: 3610 SE Hawthorne. 503-239-4756. wafflewindow.com Whole Bowl: 4411 SE Hawthorne. thewholebowl.com Shopping: Clever Cycles: 900 SE Hawthorne. 503-334-1560. clevercycles.com Clogs-n-More Kids: 3435 SE Hawthorne. 503-236-0605. clogsnmore.com Goodwill Retail Store: 3557 SE Hawthorne. 503-231-3095. meetgoodwill.org Kids at Heart Toys: 3445 SE Hawthorne. 503-231-2954. kidsathearttoys.com MamaBaby Boutique: 4029 SE Hawthorne. 503-233-8130. mamababyboutique.com Powell’s Books: 3723 SE Hawthorne. 503-228-4651. powells.com Family Fun: Artichoke Music: 3130 SE Hawthorne. 503-232-8845. artichokemusic.com Bagdad Theater: 3702 SE Hawthorne. 503-249-7474 (movie line). mcmenamins.com Do Jump: 1515 SE 37th. 503-231-1232. dojump.org Emily Alexander’s Preschool: 1444 SE Hawthorne. 503-893-0792. alexanderpreschool.com Sewallcrest Park: SE 31st and Market. portlandonline.com/parks Find more family-friendly businesses at thinkhawthorne.com. metro-parent.com February 2013 33 Out & About By Anne Laufe a small crowd gathers around the touch pool, cleverly located in the seating area of an old motorboat. Kids stroke the backs of purple and orange starfish and gingerly pick up beady-eyed shrimp. On top of the same boat, an iguana basks in the warmth of the only bright light in the room as parents and children feel the beast’s leathery skin. Welcome to the metro area’s newest family-friendly attraction, the Portland Aquarium. Located in what used to be a Black Angus Steakhouse on Milwaukie’s SE McLoughlin Blvd., the 11,000-square-foot aquarium opened in December 2012 housing an impressive array of creatures, from sharks and rays to lorikeets and an albino python. Locals who are familiar with the Oregon Coast Aquarium – with its large, state-of-the-art exhibits and clear emphasis on conservation – undoubtedly will note the differences. At the Portland Aquarium, everything is indoors, exhibits are small, and there’s no mention of what visitors can do to preserve healthy ocean ecosystems. On the other hand, you don’t have to drive to the coast to get there, the price of admission is considerably lower, and the numerous hands-on exhibits are sure to appeal to many metro area families. The Portland Aquarium’s central attraction is the shark tank where, for a small additional fee, visitors can feed krill and squid to a variety of marine creatures. Jay Bowles, a marine biologist who works at the aquarium, identifies the four species of shark swimming in the pool for my family: the whitespotted bamboo, the brownbanded bamboo, the blacktip reef, and the bonnet hammerhead. All are young, with either no teeth or very small teeth that can’t hurt humans. Also swimming with the sharks are bat rays and southern sting rays, parrotfish, golden pufferfish, tangs and tiger butterfly fish. Bowles says the period between 10 am and noon is the best time to visit if you want to feed the creatures and/or watch them eat. “They’re hungry from not eating all night,” he explains. “It’s a feeding frenzy.” My family could be entertained by that one pool all afternoon, petting the rays and watching the sharks, but we tear ourselves away to give others a chance to get up close and personal with the fish. My second favorite exhibit, after the sharks and rays, is the tank filled with garden eels. The whimsical creatures poke up vertically from the sand in their search for food, reminding me of Lowly Worm from Richard Scarry’s Busytown books. 34 February 2013 metro-parent.com numerous touch tanks are a highlight of the new aquarium in Milwaukie. PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE The lorikeets, housed in a separate enclosed area, seem a bit out of place, but kids clearly enjoy feeding them and letting the birds sit on their heads. An albino python, a panther chameleon and a few other nonmarine animals also are in this room, as well as a climbing structure where younger kids can let off some steam. While some visitors have raised concern over the lack of hand-washing facilities at the aquarium – there are only two restrooms, one each for women and men, and no hand sanitizer stations near the tanks – Director of Marketing Patti Obana explains that they don’t provide hand sanitizer because it’s toxic to the animals. The cotton towels set out near each touch tank are replaced frequently throughout the day, she says, then bleached and washed in “super hot” water. Another fishy issue is whether the animals in the touch tanks are rotated to give them a break from being petted and prodded. Obana tells us the aquarium does not rotate the animals, but they do have a regular routine with lights out from 8 pm to 10 am, giving them time to de-stress. If an animal shows signs of stress by getting sick, she adds, it’s put into quarantine and cared for by the resident wildlife veterinarian. Employees staff each of the interactive exhibits, but monitoring the behavior of large groups of kids can be challenging. Make sure you teach your own children how to handle the animals safely and respectfully ahead of time, and supervise them while they’re at the touch tanks. On the day my family visits, kids and adults marvel at the variety of sea life on exhibit. This is the third visit for Lisa Waddick and her two PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PORTLAND AQUARIUM if You Go Address: 16323 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie hours: 10 am - 8 pm daily. children, even though the aquarium opened only two weeks earlier. (Waddick, who lives in southeast Portland, bought a family membership to the aquarium and is confident she’ll get her money’s worth.) “It’s just so unique,” she says. “There’s so much you can touch. It’s so interactive.” A few more exhibits, including river otters and puffins, are slated to open in spring 2013, giving my family more than enough reason for a return visit. Contact: 503-303-4721. portlandaquarium.net Admission: $10.95 ages 12 and older, $8.95 ages 6-11, $4.95 ages 2-5, free under 2 years old. Additional $2-$3 to feed the animals. Annual family mem membership starts at $119.95. Special events: Check the aquarium’s website for information on birthday parties, sleepovers, private morning visits, school field trips, summer camps and more. Anne Laufe is a Portland freelance writer and mom. metro-parent.com February 2013 35 Family Fare D What’s Cooking: The PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEXIS RESTAURANT ining at Alexis, downtown Portland’s landmark Greek restaurant, is much more than a meal. It’s a cultural experience complete with chanting waiters, Greek folk music, belly dancers (if you go at the right time) and more. We introduced our kids to the exotic fare (think octopus and flaming cheese) when they were quite young and willing to try new things. Now that they’re teenagers, Alexis is among their favorite local eateries. Stepping off E Burnside into Alexis is like being transported to an exotic land. Alexis Restaurant best way to experience the variety of Greek dishes at Alexis is to order an Alexis Numerous small plates, dips platter, featuring homous and appetizers on the Alexis menu allow kids to try a variety (a.k.a. hummus, a garlicky of new foods in a fun and garbanzo bean spread), friendly environment. melitzano (eggplant salad), tzatziki (cucumber yogurt salad), souvlaki lamb (lamb grilled on a skewer), octopus, stuffed grape leaves, calamari, feta cheese and olives. The platter can serve as a main dish for two or three hungry kids or as an appetizer for the whole table. Dinner selections range from pork and lamb souvlaki to roasted chicken, moussaka (an eggplant casserole, prepared with or without ground lamb), and more. Popular meatfree offerings include dolmathes (grape leaves stuffed with feta cheese and rice), spanakopita (layers of filo dough with spinach and feta), and a gyro vegetarian plate (pita with grilled zucchini, feta cheese, tzatziki and more). Alexis also serves a family-style dinner for five or more people, including saganaki (pan-fried Greek cheese topped with Ouzo and set on fire), tzatziki, Greek salad, calamari, spanokopita, dolmathes, moussaka, rice and vegetables. Round out the meal with a dessert of traditional baklava (filo dough dripping with honey and nuts) or bougatsa (custard in filo) and, for the adults, thick and strong Greek coffee. 36 February 2013 metro-parent.com By Anne Laufe Liquid refreshment: In addition to soft drinks, juice, iced tea and milk, Alexis offers a full bar and a variety of Greek wines. What’s Cool for Kids: The friendly wait staff will make your children feel like they’re long-lost cousins from an old Greek village. Kids also will enjoy the opportunity to eat olives, cubes of feta cheese and stuffed grape leaves with their hands, or to scoop up homous and tzatziki with the firm and abundant homemade bread. ringing it up: The filling Alexis platter costs $19.95, while single appetizers range from $5.95 (tzatziki, homous, melitzano) to $15.95 (for a large plate of deep-fried squid). Dinners, which are served with a choice of soup or salad plus rice and vegetables, run $17.95 to $22.95. Portions are large, so the dinners easily can serve two adults, but leftovers are delicious. Family-style dinners are $23.95 per person, half price for kids under 12. Lunch items run $10.95 to $14.95, with a family-style luncheon for $12.95 per person. Desserts are $3.95 to $4.95. Keep in Mind: Located on the edge of Old Town, visiting Alexis can be an eye-opening experience for children (and some adults). If you feel your kids are mature enough, talk to them ahead of time about homelessness in our community. Still, my family has never encountered any problems in all our years of dining at Alexis, and once you step inside the warm and inviting restaurant, you’ll be transported to another place altogether. Where and When: Lunch is served from 11:30 am-2 pm Mon-Sat. Dinner is served from 5 pm-10 pm Mon-Thurs, 5 pm-11 pm Fri-Sat. 215 W Burnside. 503.224.8577. alexisfoods.com. metro-parent.com February 2013 37 Viewpoint By Dr. Susan Haralabatos, Legacy Medical Group S ports are being played everywhere in the United States and more children are involved than ever before. The National Council of Youth Sports estimates over 40 million kids play in at least one organized sport each year. While it’s great that so many children are being active, at least 8,000 children are seen daily in hospital emergency departments across the country for sports-related injuries, many of which are preventable. Sports-related injuries include acute events such as sprains, fractures or concussions as well as injuries due to excessive training. Many young children now participate in sports year-round rather than during a single season, which may also contribute to overuse injuries. Almost 50 percent of all sports injuries at the middle and high school levels are overuse injuries and half of these are preventable. Several years ago, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and others began the STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries campaign to educate the public regarding the growing number of sports-related injuries in children. Play Safe! Preventing youth sports injuries For parents, these simple steps can help reduce the risk of your child experiencing a sports-related injury: GET READY: Children should have a pre-season physical examination. Have your child participate in pre-season conditioning, including flexibility training so he’s prepared for the demands of the sport. If the sport carries a risk of concussion, baseline testing of cognitive function also should be performed. More than 20 percent of all traumatic brain injuries in children occur during sporting and recreational activity. Baseline testing is important in the event your child does sustain a concussion as it will help determine when it is safe to return to play. Choose programs and coaches wisely. The focus should be on improving skills and having fun rather than on the win-loss record. More than 20 percent of young athletes report having been pressured to play with an injury. Be certain your child’s coach puts the well-being of your child as the first priority. Make sure contact with adults in the program is positive and appropriate. Make sure the organization groups children according to their skill level, weight and physical maturity whenever possible. 38 February 2013 metro-parent.com GEAR UP: Insist your child wear the right gear (sport-specific and properly fitted) for every game and every practice. More than 60 percent of injuries happen at practice, but more than one-third of parents admit they do not require their children to take the same safety precautions during practices as they do during games. HYDRATE: Make sure your child drinks plenty of water or sports drinks before, during and after activity to prevent dehydration and heat-related illness. For events that last less than an hour, plain water is generally adequate. For more sustained physical activity, hydrating fluid should contain carbohydrates, sodium and potassium. EAT WELL: Make sure your child gets enough calcium and vitamin D in his diet to help build growing bones. The recommended intake of calcium is 1,000 mg for children ages 4-8 and 1,300 mg for children age 9 and older. Children should get at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day. LISTEN: Discomfort after a rigorous practice or game is common and expected, but persistent discomfort or pain, or pain that occurs at every practice, should not be ignored. Don’t encourage a child to “play through the pain.” He or she may have an overuse (a.k.a., over-training) injury. KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE: Allow rest. Children are still growing and their bodies need time away from sports to regroup. Children should have at least one day off from sports every week and several weeks away from a year-round activity. These tips can help you ensure your child’s experience in sports will be a positive one. As parents, we owe it to our children to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle. Find more information, sports-specific advice and tips on preventing injuries in children at stopsportsinjuries.org. Dr. Susan Haralabatos is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Legacy Medical Group – Bone and Joint, specializing in pediatrics. Her clinical interests are pediatric sports medicine and trauma. She treats children of all ages. Angels Among Us Boys & Girls Aid The Power of Permanency By Ashley Cone, Boys & Girls Aid Marketing & Communications Supervisor T hink for a minute about the lifelong connections you’ve made and the influence those relationships have had on your life. If you’re reading this, you’re doing so because someone somewhere along the way supported you, believed in you, held you accountable and encouraged you. Too often, children who run away from home or are placed in the foster care system never have the opportunity to establish a permanent bond with a stable adult who will help them make good choices, care enough to hold them accountable, encourage them and simply love them. In the field of social work, this permanent bond is called permanency, and it’s critical to every child’s success. The core purpose of Boys & Girls Aid is to promote the well-being of children in our programs – children who find us through our homeless shelter or are referred to us by agencies such as the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Youth Authority or the Clackamas County Juvenile Court – by helping them develop permanency. It is our goal that by 2030, 100 percent of the children served by Boys & Girls Aid will exit our care with a lifelong connection. Currently, 33 percent of the children served at Boys & Girls Aid exit to permanency. Boys & Girls Aid was founded in 1885 by local Portland leaders. The goal was simple: help children find adults and families to raise them, offer them guidance and support and ensure their safety and well being. Today Boys & Girls Aid is still finding families and supportive adults for the children in our care. We believe now, as we did in 1885, people – not systems – raise children. Children need and thrive with stability, guidance, support and love. Consider Sam, who had spent the past 11 years in foster care. She averaged three moves per year and changed schools at least once a year. She desperately wanted to have a family to call her own and she believed, at the age of 16, that was still a possibility. “I’m looking for a family with a compassionate foundation, a family who will allow me to be angry and grieve my losses; a family who will work with me when life is tough; a family who will support my dreams of graduating high school and going to college,” Sam told us. “I want a mom I can talk to about my life and my past struggles. Though I have never had a father, I imagine him as a man with good morals, a man who will protect me. I’ve never been loved like children should be loved. I need that love in order to learn to love and heal myself.” Sam’s need was basic, but so difficult to meet. Helping the children we serve develop permanency is our most critical work. We work with youth to prepare them to accept permanency. We advocate for permanency on their behalf with their families and case workers. We work tirelessly to find lifelong connections for them. In practice, this goal can seem daunting, but we know the impact it will have on the children we serve. “I’ve been in care several times,” Sam added. “I’ve been neglected. I’ve lost my mother to drugs. I’ve lost my siblings to adoption and I have been abused. I’ve lost pets, friends, photographs and everything I held dear. I’ve A permanent, positive bond with a caring adult is essential for all children, though many who exit the foster care system have never developed such a bond. Boys & Girls Aid works to help them develop and nurture that bond, known as permanency. never been hugged or rocked, no one ever read to me and a parent has never sat with me to do homework. My heart hurts. I’m lonely and broken. However, despite my struggles, I stand strong but I don’t want to stand alone.” Now, through the efforts of many, Sam has found a permanent, lifelong connection. She is in school, has a job and is learning what it’s like to have healthy relationships. In 2010, nearly 30,000 youth exited from foster care in the United States, about 400 of them in Oregon. At Boys & Girls Aid, we see these children far too frequently. Among these children, we know through research that: • 70 percent of the boys will become homeless; • 80 percent of those homeless boys will become incarcerated; • 71 percent of the females will report at least one pregnancy; • By the age of 21, only 30 percent will complete any college; and • Just 50 percent of these youth will be employed, most earning minimum wage. A lack of permanency for the majority of children in foster care is a critical problem with potentially devastating outcomes. Imagine, however, if Boys & Girls Aid could ensure every child we serve will exit care to permanency. That would mean all 700 youth we served last year would have left our care to permanent connections. Imagine what our community would look like if we meet just this one basic need. For more information on permanency and how you can support Boys & Girls Aid, visit boysandgirlsaid.org or call 503-542-2301. metro-parent.com February 2013 39 February Family Calendar Friday, Feb. 1 Penny’s Puppets. Feb. 1: The Remarkable Snowflake. Feb. 18: And They’re Off… 10:30. $5 each, 4 guests $17. Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st. 503-282-9207. pennypuppets.com. Story and Stroll. Naturalist-led story and walk. Best ages 2-6. 1-2:15 pm Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22. FREE, reservations required. Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 xt 225. tryonfriends.org. Target FREE First Friday. Enjoy the Portland Children’s Museum FREE from 4 -8 pm. 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org. First Friday Family Film. Showing movie Puss In Boots. Ages 2-12. 6:30 pm. FREE. Bethany Presbyterian Church, 15505 NW Springville Rd. 503-645-1116. bethanypc.com. Family Park at Night. Craft, sports, indoor park toys, more. 6:30-8:30 pm Feb. 1, 15. $1.25 per child, grown-up must attend. East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th. 503-823-3456. portlandoregon.gov/parks/. Movie Night at Umpqua Bank. Wear your jammies for kid-friendly flick. 6:158 pm. FREE. Organized by Zimmerman Community Center. 1139 NW Lovejoy. 503-224-4636. zcommunitycenter.org. $5 Friday. Art workshops. $5. 3-5 pm Feb. 1: tie dye, bring something to dye; ages 5+. 3-5 pm Feb. 8: make valentines; ages 2+. 3-5 pm Feb. 15: popsicle stick frames; ages 6+. Art ala Carte, 319 NE Wygant. 503-750-0522. artalacartepdx.com. Family Trail Day Celebration of Crawdads. Observe crawdads, crawdad relay race, hike. Bring flashlight. 6:30-8:30 pm. Adult only hike 7:30 pm. $6, member discount, reservations required. Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 xt 225. tryonfriends.org. Valentine’s Party Super Saturday. Hearts and crafts. Ages 5+. 2 pm. FREE. Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C NE Tenney. Vancouver. 360-571-9696. fvrl.org. Lunar New Year Celebration. Dance, food, games, craft. FREE. 1-3 pm Feb. 2: Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy; 503-988-5386. 3-4:30 pm Feb. 10: Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th; 503-9885399. 6-7:30 pm Feb. 13: Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate; 503-988-5389. 2-4 pm Feb. 17: Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd. 503-988-5392. web.multcolib.org. Guided Nature Walk. Explore Tryon Creek Park, different topic weekly. All ages, grown-up must be with kids. 10-11:30 am Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23. FREE. 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 xt 225. tryonfriends.org. Lakeshore Learning Crafts. Kids make a craft. Ages 3+. 11 am-3 pm Feb. 2: Puppy pal. Feb. 9: Dragon puppet. Feb. 16: Pencil holder. Feb. 23: Dancing puppet. FREE. 16901 SW 65th, Lake Oswego. 503-620-9888. lakeshorelearning.com. Pearson Storytime. Aviation story, craft. Ages 0-6. 10 am. Free w/admission $7 adult, $5 ages 6-17, free ages 0-6. Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th, Vancouver. 360-694-7026. pearsonairmuseum.org. FREE Art Feb. FREE art activity for kids, shopping for adults. Ages 4-10. 3:304:30 pm Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22. Queens Mab, 1920 N Kilpatrick. 503-459-1289. facebook. com/CreativeRecyclingWorkshops. Japanese Doll Festival. Make origami box. 2-4 pm. FREE. Northwest Library, 2300 NE Thurman. 503-988-5560. web.multcolib.org. Saturday, Feb. 2 Native American Hoop Dance. Storytelling dance. 2-3 pm. FREE. Central Library, 801 SW 10th. 503-988-5123. web.multcolib.org. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Oregon Children’s Theatre presents musical journey through Narnia. Based on the classic CS Lewis story. Best ages 6+. 2 pm Feb. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17. 5 pm Feb. 2. $18$28, plus surcharge. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9571. octc.org. Kids Morning Skate. Group lesson and skate games. Ages 0-10, with family. 10:30-noon Sat. $6 per child, grown-up free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com. 40 February 2013 metro-parent.com in the Spotlight The Sky’s the Limit. Plant a pot of sweet peas and make a trellis for them. $5, reservations required. 11 am Feb. 2: Al’s Garden Center Woodburn, 1220 N Pacific Hwy; 503-981-1245. 11 am Feb. 9: Al’s Sherwood, 16920 SW Roy Rogers; 503-726-1162. 11 am Feb. 16: Al’s Gresham, 7505 SE Hogan; 503-491-0771. als-gardencenter.com. PHOTO BY LUCAS WELSH, COURTESY NWCTS Seussical! Northwest Children’s Theater presents Horton the elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and the Cat in the Hat in a musical adventure through the limitless imagination of Dr. Seuss. Best ages 4+. Noon, 4 pm Feb. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 March 2, 3. $18-$22, plus surcharge. 1819 NW Everett. 503-222-2190. nwcts.org. Anansi the Spider. Two traditional tales of the trickster of West Africa from Tears of Joy’s puppets. The first tells how Anansi tricked Lion out of his stories. The second shows how Anansi loved to eat melons, but was too lazy to grow them. Puppet craft before matinees. Ages 3+. 7:30 pm Feb. 8, 11 am Feb. 9, 16. 1 pm PHOTO COURTESY OF TEARS OF JOY THEATRE Feb. 9, 10, 16, 17. 3 pm Feb. 10, 17. $21 adult, $17 child, plus surcharge. Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-248-0557. tojt.org. Tet Festival. Celebrate Vietnamese New Year with cultural entertainment, info booths, more. 10 am-5 pm. $4, free ages 0-5, 65+, extra charge for some activities. Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK. 503-716-2728. congdongvietnamoregon. org. Play Well Baby Clothes Swap. Bring a bag of baby or maternity clothes to swap. Games, activities and prizes for the kiddos. 1-4 pm. Milwaukie Grind, 9401 SE 32nd. 503-298-5111. theplaywell.com. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on this page. Sunday, Feb. 3 $2 Day. Explore OMSI for $2 every first Sun. 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Parking $3. 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. PAM Family Tour. Docent–led. 12:301:30 pm Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24. Free w/admission $15 adults, $12 college students, free ages 0-17. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park. 503-226-2811. portlandartmuseum.org. Uke Can Do It. Cinda Tilgner leads ukulele workshop. Non-musicians welcome. Ages 11+. 3-4 pm. FREE. Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-9885385. web.multcolib.org. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on page 40. Monday, Feb. 4 Kids & Parents Yoga. Playful poses, games, activities. Ages 2-6, with grown-up. 10:30Catch story time with Olive and Dingo every Thursday at Café au Play. 11:30 am Mon/Wed. $10 per family. StumpThe Reptile Man. Slithering good time. town Yoga, 3235 SE 39th. 731-393-9642. 7-8 pm. FREE. Tigard Public Library, stumptownyoga.com. 13500 SW Hall. 503-684-6537. calendar.wccls.org. Mommy and Me. Songs, crafts, story time. 10-11 am Mon. Free w/admission $9 adults, $6 ages 3-18, free 2 and under. $4 parking. World Forestry Center, Wednesday, Feb. 6 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org. Kids Concert Series. Mo Phillips’ rockin’ interactive show. 11:30 am-12:20 pm Feb. 6, 13. $3 person. Oregon Children’s Theater, 1939 NE Sandy. 503-228-9571. Tuesday, Feb. 5 mophillips.com. Preschool Play & Skate. Group lesson, Wondrous Wednesday. $3 admission games, snack, more. Ages 0-6. 10:00to the World Forestry Center Discovery 11:30 am Tues, Wed. $6 per child, grownMuseum every first Wed. 10 am-5 pm. $4 up free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park. parking. 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com. worldforestry.org. Baby Hour. 45-minute docent-led tour, Honeybee Hike. Garden walk, craft/ followed by coffee, chat. Ages 0-1, with story. Ages 2-6, with grown-up. 10-11 am grown-up. 10 am. $5 members, $15 Wed. $2 per walking child. Leach non-members, reservations required. Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122nd. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org. 503-226-2811. portlandartmuseum.org. Ladybug Theater. Live theater for little Family Act. Family class, movement, ones. Ages 2+. 10:30 am Feb. 6, 13, 20, music, voice. Ages 2 ½+. 10:15-11:15 am 27. $4 person (cash/check). Call for show Feb. 5, 12, 19 26. $10 per family, $70-8 title and reservations. Smile Station, class punch card. Oregon Children’s 8210 SE 13th. 503-232-2346. Theater, 1939 NE Sandy. 503-228-9571. labybugtheater.org. octc.org. Symphony Storytime. Oregon SymArts & Crafts for Preschoolers. Make phony musicians show off instrument, something. 6-7 pm Feb. 5, 12, 19 26. musical stories. 1:30-2:30 pm Feb. 6, 13, FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 20, 27. FREE. Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 10660 SE 21st. 503-786-7580. 49th. 503-988-5399. web.multcolib.org. milwaukie.lib.or.us. Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. The Remarkable Snowflake. Penny’s puppets perform. 4-4:45 pm. FREE, tkts. Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. 30 min. prior. Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset. 503-988-5388. web.multcolib.org. FREE IHOP Pancakes. Get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. Make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Goal $3 million. 7 am-10 pm. For the location nearest you, visit ihoppancakeday.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVE AND DINGO The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. See Feb. 2. Thursday, Feb. 7 OMSI Agate and Mineral Show. Explore geology, 30+ exhibits. 9:30 am5:30 pm Feb. 7-10. FREE. Parking $3. 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. metro-parent.com February 2013 41 February Family Calendar Story Time with Olive and Dingo. Silly and social story, songs. 10:30-11:30 Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28. $5 donation. Café au Play, 5633 SE Division. 503-894-8506. cafeauplay.org. Monster Jam. Big noisy trucks, trick driving, car crushing. 2, 7 pm Feb. 9, 2 pm Feb. 10. $5 (kids)-$40, plus surcharge. Rose Quarter, One Center Court. 503-797-9619. rosequarter.com. Think Fun Thursdays. Crafts and play. Ages 3-8 with grown-up. 4-5 pm Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Belmont Firehouse Safety Saturday. Tour historic firehouse, safety tips. 9 am3 pm. FREE. 900 SE 35th. 503-823-3615. jeffmorrisfoundation.org. Valentine Fun. Crafts, cards. FREE. 3:154:45 pm Feb. 7: Belmont Library, 1038 SE Cesar Chavez; 503-988-5382. Noon-2 pm Feb. 9: Sellwood-Moreland Library, 7860 SE 13th; 503-988-5398. 2-3:30 pm Feb. 9: Central Library, 801 SW 10th; 503-988-5123. web.multcolib.org. Homeschool Programs. Ecosystem explorers. Learn about rainforests, deserts and the ocean. Craft. Ages 5+. 1:30 pm Feb. 7, 21. FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us. Friday, Feb. 8 Anansi the Spider. See In the Spotlight on p. 40. OMSI Agate and Mineral Show. See Feb. 7. $5 Friday. See Feb. 1. Story and Stroll. See Feb. 1. FREE Art Feb. See Feb. 1. Saturday, Feb. 9 KUIK’s Northwest Family and Kids Festival. Games, face painting, petting zoo, bounce house, more. 10 am-4 pm Feb. 9, 10. $10 per family, extra charge for some activities. Washington County Fair Complex, 873 NE 34th, Hillsboro. 503-640-1360. kuik.com. Fairy Tale Festival. Celebrate Storyland, the new exhibit with puppet show, crafts (small extra charge) and storytimes. 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Free w/admission $9 ages 1-54. Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon. 503-2236500. portlandcm.org. Raptor Road Trip. Naturalists at 4 locations educate and help spot raptors wintering over on Sauvie Island. Pick up event map at Kruger’s Farm Market. 9 am-2 pm. $10 per vehicle (cash only). 18330 NW Sauvie Island Rd. 503-2926855. audubonportland.org. 42 February 2013 metro-parent.com Family Day. Washington County Museum hosts Latino family day with crafts, games, activities honoring the Hispanic community. 10 am-1 pm. FREE. Hillsboro Civic Center, 120 E Main. 503-645-5353. washingtoncountymuseum.org. Second Saturday. Love your backyard birds. Ages 3-12, with grown-up. 1-3 pm. FREE. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia, Vancouver. 360-4877111. cityofvancouver.us/watercenter. Saturday Crafts@Ledding. Ages 5+. 2 pm. Feb. 9: valentines. Feb. 23: winter craft. FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us. Rick Meyers’ Old Time Music Show. Audience participation for pioneer music. Ages 5-12. 2:30-3:30 pm. FREE. Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy. 503-312-5979. rickmeyersmusic.com. Aaron Nigel Smith. Celebrate Read Across America with kid-friendly music. 11 am. FREE. Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th. 503-697-6580. ci.oswego.or.us. Family Dance. Heidi Vorst calling, dancers Sussefusse. All ages. 4:30-6:30 pm. $6 adults, $5 kids. $20 family. Fulton Community Center, 68 SW Miles. 503245-5070. portlandcountrydance.org. I Want Candy. Sweet crafts. 3-4:30 pm. FREE. Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th, Vancouver. 360-256-7787. fvrl.org. A Horse Named Bill. Red Yarn and his musical puppet show. 10:30-11:15 am. FREE. Albina Library, 3605 NE 15th. 503-988-5362. web.multcolib.org. OMSI Agate and Mineral Show. See Feb. 7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. See Feb. 2. Kids Morning Skate. See Feb. 2. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Anansi the Spider. See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Family Favorites PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition. discovery channel’s popular science entertainment show comes to oMsi so you can explore common myths for yourself. does toast always land butter-side down? do you get less wet walking or running in the rain? live demos and myth mirth. Runs Feb. 8 through May 5. 9:30 am5:30 pm tues-sun. $18 adults, $13 ages 3 to 13 and seniors, includes admission to the rest of the museum. parking $3. 1945 sE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. PHOTO COURTESY OF MBE, LLC Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites. This exhibits focuses on seven of the best-loved picture books: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault; The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats; If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff; The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter; Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill; Tuesday by David Wiesner; and Abuela by Arthur Dorros. It builds literacy skills through fun, hands-on activities designed for kids under 8 years old. Runs Feb. 9 through May 5. 9 am-5 pm Tues-Sun, Thurs until 8 pm. Included in admission of $9 ages 1-54. $4 to park. Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCIENCENTER TreeHouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees! A new exhibit at the World Forestry Center will have you roaming from tree to tree to discover who might live there. Uncover fascinating facts about how people and animals use trees for their homes. Runs Feb. 2 through May 5. 10 am-5 pm daily. $9 adults, $6 ages 3 to 18, free 2 and under. 4033 SW Canyon Rd. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org. metro-parent.com February 2013 43 February Family Calendar PHOTO COURTESY OF LAN SU CHINESE GARDEN Celebrate the Year of the Snake Feb. 10-24 at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Valentine Fun. See Feb. 7. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on p. 40. The Sky’s the Limit. See Feb. 2. Anansi the Spider. See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Guided Nature Walk. See Feb. 2. Lakeshore Learning Crafts. See Feb. 2. Monster Jam. See Feb. 9. Lunar New Year Celebration. See Feb. 2. Sunday, Feb. 10 PAM Family Tour. See Feb. 3. Curious Garden. Kiddo theatre, open mic at end. Best ages 0-8. 10:30 am. $5 donation. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE MLK. 503-477-9477. curiouscomedy.org. KUIK’s Northwest Family and Kids Festival. See Feb. 9. Lan Su Chinese New Year. Lion dances, demos, crafts, cultural performances. Most kid-friendly events on Fri, Sat and Sun. Feb. 10-24. See web page for details. 10 am-5 pm. $9.50 adults, $7 students. $28 family, free ages 0-5. Special lantern viewing, dragon/lion dance 6:308:30 pm Feb. 22, 23, 24. $20, member discount. 239 NW Everett. 503-228-8131. lansugarden.org. Chinese Lunar New Year Festival. Paper lantern, snake crafts, sample Chinese treats. 1:30-2:30 pm. FREE. Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall. 503-684-6537. calendar.wccls.org. DIAPER SERVICE and Natural Baby Boutique www.tideedidee.com Bring in this ad for 1 FREE WEEK DIAPER SERVICE with 4 prepaid weeks One Coupon per customer, please Vancouver and Salem (800) 540-4547 Portland (503) 777-3856 44 February 2013 metro-parent.com Papagayo. Tears of Joy puppets bilingual performance. 3:15-3:45 pm. FREE. Fairview-Columbia Library, 1520 NE Village; 503-988-5655. 11-11:30 am Feb. 16: St. Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston; 503-988-5397. 2-2:30 pm Feb. 16 (tkts 30 min prior): Central Library, 801 SW 10th; 503-988-5123. web.multcolib.org. OMSI Agate and Mineral Show. See Feb. 7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. See Feb. 2. Monday, Feb. 11 Owls. Learn about these nocturnal birds. Grades 1-3. 3:30-4:15. FREE, reservations required. Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy. 503-312-5979. hillsboro. plinkit.org. Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Mommy & Me. See Feb. 4. Tuesday, Feb. 12 Hopworks Tot Tuesday Storytime and Crafts. Every second Tuesday at 11 am. Arts activity, storytime and light snacks. Ages 1-8. FREE. Hopworks, 2944 SE Powell. 503-232-4677. hopworksbeer.com. $4 Zoo Tuesday. See the Oregon Zoo for $4 per person. 9 am-4 pm. Oregon Zoo, 4001 SE Canyon. 503-226-1561. oregonzoo.org. Lovey Babies Kids Dance Party. Make valentines, dance. Ages 0-6, with grownup. 10:30-11:30 am. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Crafts@LO. Create heart animals. Ages 3-5. 11 am Feb. 12, 13. FREE, reservations required. Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th. 503-697-6580. www.ci.oswego.or.us. Family Act. See Feb. 5. Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Arts & Crafts for Preschoolers. See Feb. 5. Thursday, Feb. 14 You and Me Valentine Tea. Tea and crafts for two. Noon-1 pm. $5 family plus admission, member discount, reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Tot Thursday. Crafts and storytime. Ages 1-6. 11 am. FREE. Hopworks BikeBar, 3947 N Williams. 503-232-4677. hopworksbeer.com. Wednesday, Feb. 13 Storytime with Olive and Dingo. See Feb. 7. Valentine Crafting Fun. Make a valentine. Age 2-11, with grown-up. 4-5 pm. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Think Fun Thursdays. See Feb. 7. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Chinese Morning. Crafting and Chinese culture during school late start. School aged. 8:30-10:30 am. $20, reservations required. Laurelhurst School, 840 NE 41st. 503-8888270. portlandchineselessons. com. Get in on the Great Backyard Bird count Feb. 15-18. And They’re Off… Penny’s puppets perform story of Chinese calendar. 6:457:30 pm. FREE. Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate. 503988-5389. web.multcolib.org. Home Education Days. Learn about the lives of the indigenous people of the Tualatin Valley. 10-11 am Feb. 13. Learn about Chinook native people, traders of the Northwest. 10-11 am Feb. 27. Ages 8+. $6 per child. Hillsboro Civic Center, 120 E Main. 503-645-5353. xt. 200. washingtoncountymuseum.org. Outrageous Otters. Find out about these cute guys. Ages 3-5, with grownup. 10:30-11 am. Free w/admission $18.95 adults, $16.95 ages 13-17, $11.95 ages 3-12, Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport. 541-867-3474. aquarium.org. Kids Concert Series. See Feb. 6. Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Honeybee Hike. See Feb. 6. Symphony Storytime. See Feb. 6. Lunar New Year Celebration. See Feb. 2. Ladybug Theater. See Feb. 6. Friday, Feb. 15 Great Backyard Birdcount. Count birds wherever you are for at least 15 minutes. Submit a species count list to the website. Feb. 15-18. FREE. birdsource.org. Ladybug Nature Walks. Naturalist-led stroll. Ages 2-5, with grown-up. 10-11 am. Feb. 15: Hoyt Arboretum (across from 4000 SW Fairview). Feb. 22: Whitaker Ponds. $3 per child. 503-823-3601. portlandoregon.gov/parks/. Artsy Fartsy Friday. Express yourself. Ages 6-8. 3:30-5 pm. FREE. Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th, Vancouver. 360-256-7782. fvrl.org. Ceili Dance. Kick off for Irish festival. Lesson 7:15 pm, dance 8 pm. Ages 8+. $10 general, $8 students. Portland Ceili Society, 618 SE Alder. portlandceilisociety.org. Happy Birthday, AC Gilbert. Cake and fun. 10 am-5pm. Free w/admission $7 ages 3-59, $3.50 ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. metro-parent.com February 2013 45 February Family Calendar $5 Friday. See Feb. 1. Family Park at Night. See Feb. 1. Story and Stroll. See Feb. 1. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. FREE Art Feb. See Feb. 1. Saturday, Feb. 16 Parent’s Survival Night. Fitness fun, crafts, music and snack for kids while parents get some alone time. Ages 3-12. 6-9:30 pm. $26, member discount, reservations please. The Little Gym, 17890 SW McEwan, Lake Oswego. 503-595-9702. tlglakeoswegoor.com. Sean-nos Northwest Irish Festival. Workshops in Irish language, singing, dancing, art, storytelling. Irish films. Kid-friendly classes Sun. Feb. 17. 9 am-8 pm Feb. 16, 10:30-6 pm Feb. 17. $45-$75. Marylhurst University, 17600 Pacific Hwy., Marylhurst. 503-206-9311. seannos.org. Young People’s Concert: Virtuoso Bass. The Portland Baroque Orchestra performs. 3 pm. $10, $5 ages 0-18, $20 family. First Baptist Church, 909 SW 11th. 503-715-1114. pbo.org. Owl Prowl. Night hike to look for owls, slideshow, more. Ages 6+, with-grownup. 7-9 pm. $10, reservations required. Cooper Mountain Nature Park, 18892 SW Kemmer. Beaverton. 503-629-6350. thprd.org. Rainy Day Fun. Art projects, games. All ages. 1:30-2:30 pm. FREE. Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall. 503-684-6537. calendar.wccls.org. Community Day. Oregon Historical Society hosts family-friendly storytelling and activities themed to two exhibits on Oregon’s black history. 11 am-3 pm activities. FREE all day 10 am-5 pm. 1200 SW Park. 503-222-1741. ohs.org. Book Jeopardy. Children’s book/movie trivia. Grades 3-6, with grown-up. 2-3 pm. FREE. Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Daddy Daughter Night. 50’s sock hop. Music, hamburgers and hot dogs, more. Ages 4-12, with grown-up. 6-8 pm. $18. Southwest Community Center, 6820 SW 45th. 503-823-2840. portlandoregon.gov/parks/. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. See Feb. 2. Kids Morning Skate. See Feb. 2. Papagayo. See Feb. 10. The Sky’s the Limit. See Feb. 2. Guided Nature Walk. See Feb. 2. Stories Alive! Lake Oswego Youth Action Council performs 2 stories. 11 am. FREE. Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th. 503-697-6580. www.ci.oswego.or.us. Lakeshore Learning Crafts. See Feb. 2. Family Sleepover. Scavenger hunt, behind-the-scenes tours, aquarium activities. Dinner, breakfast included. Families with kids 6+. 6 pm-9 am. $60 person, member discount, reservations required. Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd, Newport. 541-867-3474. aquarium.org. Sunday, Feb. 17 Junior Gardeners’ Club. Learn about birds, create a bird feeder, participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Ages 5-10. 10 am. $3. The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main, Silverton. 503-874-8100. oregongarden.org. ComedySportz4Kidz. Improv theatre performance for kiddos. Ages 0-12. 2 pm. $10 adults, $8 kidz, plus service charge. 1963 NW Kearney. 503-236-8888. portlandcomedy.com. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Future Vet. Meet a Banfield veterinarian, learn how to take care of pets. Ages 2-10. 10-10:30 am. Free w/admission $9 ages 1-54. $4 to park. Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org Sean-nos Northwest Irish Festival. See Feb. 16. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. See Feb. 2. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Anansi the Spider. See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Great Backyard Birdcount. See Feb. 15. PAM Family Tour. See Feb. 3. Learn paper airplane tricks and tips from the Paper Airplane Guy at the Evergreen Museum Feb. 23. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Monday, Feb. 18 FREE Day Japanese Garden. 10 am4 pm. FREE. 611 SW Kingston. 503-223-1321. japanesegarden.com. Talking Animals. How do animals communicate? Ages 4-6. 7:45 am-5:15 pm $49 in-district. Nature Park Interp. Center, 15655 SW Millikan, Beaverton. 503-6296350. thprd.org. Sizzlin’ Science Fair. Science and engineering activities. 10 am-5pm Feb. 18-23. Feb. 18: Mini-maker Faire demos and activities in technology and engineering and heritage skills like blacksmithing, spinning. 5-7 pm Feb. 21: Girls in Science, activities to inspire girls in science, math. 10 am-5 pm Feb. 23: Family day, egg drop, Mentos geysers, 10+ activity stations. Free w/admission $7 ages 3-59, $3.50 ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. No School Drop-In Art. Get creative. Ages 5-12. 10 am-1 pm. $5 donation. Vibe’s Creative Outlet Art Studio, Tabor Space, 5441 SE Belmont. 503-560-3592. vibeofportland.org. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. Penny’s Puppets. See Feb. 1. Mommy & Me. See Feb. 4. Tuesday, Feb. 19 Sizzlin’ Science Fair. See Feb. 18. Family Act. See Feb. 5. Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Arts & Crafts for Preschoolers. See Feb. 5. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Wednesday, Feb. 20 Tween Craft Around. President’s day themed crafts. Grades 3-8. 4-5 pm. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Messy Art for Little Kids. Ages 2-7, with grown-up. 4-5:00 pm. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Make Some Magic. Learn some magic tricks. Grades 1-5. 4 pm. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-6913074. tualatinoregon.gov. Sizzlin’ Science Fair. See Feb. 18. Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Symphony Storytime. See Feb. 6. 46 February 2013 metro-parent.com Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. Ladybug Theater. See Feb. 6. Kids can make Valentines crafts and cards at a number of events throughout the month. Kids Morning Skate. See Feb. 2. Seussical! See In the Spotlight on p. 40. Guided Nature Walk. See Feb. 2. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Storytime with Olive and Dingo. See Feb. 7. Annie Warbucks. See Feb. 22. Howling Coyotes. Explore, hike, games, craft. Ages 7-10. 3:30-5:30 pm. $13, reservations please. Cooper Mountain Nature Park, 18892 SW Kemmer. Beaverton. 503-629-6350. thprd.org. Think Fun Thursdays. See Feb. 7. Sizzlin’ Science Fair. See Feb. 18. Storytime with Olive and Dingo. See Feb. 7. Sunday, Feb. 24 The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Author James Kennedy hosts videos compressing books into 90-second films. All ages. 12:30-2 pm, 3-4:30 pm. FREE, tkts. 30 min. prior. Central Library, 801 SW 10th. 503-988-5123. web.multcolib.org. Think Fun Thursdays. See Feb. 7. Homeschool Programs. See Feb. 7. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Friday, Feb. 22 Snoopy! Journey Theater Arts (formerly Christian Youth Theater) presents this musical starring everyone’s favorite pooch. 7 pm Feb. 22, 3, 7 pm Feb. 23, 2 pm Feb. 24. $14 adult, $11 youth. Venetian Theater, 253 E Main, Hillsboro. 360-750-8550. journeytheater.org. Family Friday Concert. Nancy Curtain trio performs. 7:15 pm. $5 donation, $15 family. Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis. 503-823-3177. communitymusiccenter.org. Annie Warbucks. Musical sequel to Annie from Journey Theater Arts (formerly Christian Youth Theater). 7 pm Feb. 22, 23, March 1, 2. 2 pm Feb. 24, March 3. 3 pm March 2. $14 adult, $11 youth. Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39th, Washougal. 360-750-8550. journeytheater.org. Sizzlin’ Science Fair. See Feb. 18. Ladybug Nature Walks. See Feb. 15. Story and Stroll. See Feb. 1. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. FREE Art Feb. See Feb. 1. Saturday, Feb. 23 Paper Airplane Guy. Paper aircraft tricks at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum; fold a plane to impress your friends. Ages 5+. 10 am, 1 pm. Free w/admission $20 adult, $18 ages 5-16, free ages 0-4. 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185. evergreenmuseum.org. Thursday, Feb. 28 It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! Make umbrella mobiles with Anya Hankin. 3:30-4:30 pm. FREE. Belmont Library, 1038 SE Cesar Chavez. 503-988-5382. web.multcolib.org. Snoopy! See Feb. 22. Thursday, Feb. 21 Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. Harlem Globetrotters. Everyone’s favorite basketball team. 2, 7 pm. $15$121, plus surcharge. Rose Quarter, One Center Court. 503-797-9619. rosequarter.com. FIRST Tech Challenge. High school teams’ robots compete. 10 am-4 pm Feb. 23, 24. FREE. OMSI, 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. OMSI Teen Night. View Mythbusters exhibit, Segway rides, music and more. Ages 13-18. 7-10 pm. FREE. 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. Family Day Cascade Festival of African Films. Kid-friendly African films, hosted by Baba Wague Diakite. 2 pm. FREE. Room 104, Moriarty Arts and Humanities Bldg., PCC-Cascade, 705 N Killingsworth. 971-722-5711. africanfilmfestival.org. Eric Herman’s Cool Tunes. Comedy, music, audience participation. 10:30 am. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3074. tualatinoregon.gov. I Dig Dinosaurs. Dragon Theatre puppets perform. Ages 3+. 2:30, 3:30. FREE. Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy. 503-312-5979. dragontheatre.com. Girl’s Day. World Forestry Center hosts a special day for girls and Girl Scouts. All ages. 10 am-2 pm. $5 for everyone. 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org. Sizzlin’ Science Fair. See Feb. 18. Calendar Deadline Details. The calendar submission deadline is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. All submissions must be made in writing and e-mail submissions are preferred: [email protected]. FIRST Tech Challenge. See Feb. 23. ADvERTISERS INDEx Seussical! See In the Spotlight on p. 40. ABC Doula ................7 Snoopy! See Feb. 22. AHSC Yu Miao ........14 Annie Warbucks. See Feb. 22. PAM Family Tour. See Feb. 3. Lan Su Chinese New Year. See Feb. 10. Academy Theater ...22 Alexander, Master of Marvels................26 Kids & Parents Yoga. See Feb. 4. Mommy and Me. See Feb. 4 Oregon Symphony. 41 Hopworks ................37 Artichoke Music ......31 The International School......................13 BabyLink ..................33 Bennett Suzuki ..........9 BreastfeedingPros andcons.info ...........44 Joy Central ..............17 Kids at Heart Toys...31 Learning Palace ......44 The Little Corral ......24 Bridges Middle School......................17 Little Garden Preschool.................14 Buttons the Clown..24 The Little Gym ..........2 Childbloom® Guitar Program of Portland ...................33 Little Smiles .............35 Circuit Bouldering Gym .........................26 CLASS Academy ....15 Read! Snack! Craft! Ages 3-11. 4-5 pm. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3074. tualatinoregon.gov. Clogs -N- More Kids ..........................31 Family Act. See Feb. 5. Do Jump..................27 Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Hollywood Children’s Dentistry ..................33 Imagine Possibilities..............48 Children of the Sea 24 Tuesday, Feb. 26 Oregon Episcopal ..11 Amiguitos Preschool.................18 Braingystics ...............9 Monday, Feb. 25 Harmony Road/ Westside Music.......37 Creative Children’s Center......................17 Dentistry for Kids ......3 D’Onofrio & Associates .................7 Living Wisdom ........14 Oregon Gymnastics21 Oregon Zoo ............43 Out of this World Pizza .............25 OutSource PE .........33 Party Poppers .........21 Pediatric Dental Group ......................44 Penny’s Puppets .....25 Portland Children’s Museum...................42 Portland Kinderschule ...........16 Portland Parks & Rec .......................29 Mad Science ...........25 Portland PartyWorks,Inc. .......23 Metro Catholic Schools ...................19 Portland Youth Philharmonic .............7 Micha-el School ......13 Safari Sams..............29 Mt. Hood Ski Bowl . 37 Summa Academy ...14 Multisensory Learning Academy .................13 Swallowtail School..14 Music Together.......35 Tears of Joy Theatre ....................44 My Masterpiece Art Studio ................26 North Clackamas Aquatic Park..............9 Sweetpea Kidzone . 18 Thorsen’s Surrogate Agency ....................35 Tidee Didee ............44 North Clackamas Aquatic Park............21 Tiny Revolution Montessori ..............17 EcoMaids.................37 Northwest Children’s Theatre ....................42 Too Cute for Kids......7 Escape From Planet Earth ..........................2 Northwest Fencing Center......................26 Fabulous Face Painting ..........25 Northwest Primary Care ...........................4 Franciscan Montessori Earth School............17 Preschool Play & Skate. See Feb. 5. Northwest Surrogacy Center......................33 French American International School16 Oaks Park ................27 Honeybee Hike. See Feb. 6. The Gardner School......................18 OMSI..........................4 Symphony Storytime. See Feb. 6. German American School of Portland..17 Once Upon a Horse ......................23 Home Education Days. See Feb. 13. Gresham Pediatric Dentistry ..................37 Oregon Children’s Theater ....................45 Arts & Crafts for Preschoolers. See Feb. 5. Wednesday, Feb. 27 Dragon Theater Puppets ...................26 Odyssey School ......18 metro-parent.com Tucker Maxon .........13 Village Free School......................18 West Hills Montessori ..............18 Wilsonville Family Fun Center......................29 Women’s Healthcare Associates .................2 World Forestry Center......................41 World of Smiles ......11 Zenana Spa ...............9 February 2013 47
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