City Life
What's Happening in PDX 6/13-6/14
June 11, 2009
School's out---for summer! (Cue Alice Cooper guitar riff here) I don't know about your kids, but my just-finished-with-kindergartener is ready for long summer days with friends, afternoons at the park, and the Summer Reading Program through Multnomah County Library. The Portland Metro area has a ton going on this weekend, enjoy!
Saturday, June 13th
$5 Booster Seats 10:00am until 1:00pm
Booster Seats are available to families in the Portland Safer Routes to School Program for $5.00 (Retail cost $13.99 for no back boosters and $29.99 for high back boosters). Please print this page to take advantage of this offer. Children must be present and should weigh over 40 pounds.
Families must bring their car and have lap and shoulder belts in the back seat. Supply is limited so first come, first served. Limit one booster seat per child.
Burlington Coat Factory Janzen Beach, 1718 Jantzen Beach Center ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center, 503-643-5620.
Dig In! at the Oregon Food Bank's Learning Garden 9:00am-noon
Help feed Portland! Volunteers of all ages and garden experience levels are needed to help maintain the gardens. Tasks often include digging, planting, weeding, thinning, harvesting, composting. No prior experience is necessary; training will be provided. The garden is open rain or shine, so please be sure to dress for the weather. All ages are welcome to participate in this project, but children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers under age 18 will need to bring a waiver signed by a Parent/Guardian.
Visit www.handsonportland.org to sign up and receive location information.
Cirque du Cycling noon-7pm
Schedule of Events:
Grand Central Fun Zone for Kids (714 N. Fremont) 12-3:00pm
Family Ride Registration + Bike Safety Activities
Family Ride Departs 1:30pm
Art Bike Parade 3:00pm-3:30pm
Live Performances 4:30pm
Two-Way Street Racing 5:00pm -7:00pm
Cirque du Cycling takes place on Mississippi Avenue between Shaver and Fremont. The street will be closed to traffic.
$5 Bike Helmet Sale 10:00-2:00pm
All bike helmets are only $5! Helmet fitting and adjustments available. Helmet sizes: Toddler to Adult. Bring your old helmet to be recycled.
Two locations:
2211 NE 139th St – Vancouver, WA
14986 NW Cornell Rd – Portland, OR
Metro's 2009 Gardens of Natural Delights Tour noon-4pm (Gresham area)
Check out fantastic flowers, edibles, a manicured lawn and naturescapes; enjoy short seminars on growing native plants and composting.
To register, call the Metro Recycling Information hotline at 503-234-3000. For more information about this year’s tour program or the new lineup of workshops and hands-on natural-gardening activities at Metro’s demonstration gardens in the Portland metropolitan area, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/garden.
Safety Saturday at Belmont Fire Station 10:00am-3:00pm
All ages can tour the firehouse, visit with firefighters, learn about safety, and sit in a real firetruck! Free.
900 SE 35th Ave Portland 503-823-3615
Sunday, June 14th
Lent's Bike Boulevard Ride 9:00am-noon (pre-ride activities begin at 9am, ride at 10am)
Join families and neighbors on a Bike Boulevard Ride to the opening day of the Lents International Farmers Market!
Activities are free and include: Bike Gallery bike repair station, BTA helmet fitting station (limited free helmets), Portland Bike Master Plan update, BTA Kids Safety Class & Ride for youth ages 8-12 years (bikes required). Bike parking will be provided at the Farmers Market. Raffle for fun prizes! Please contact Laura Bouma for more information: LAURA_KQB@YAHOO.COM
Kelly Elementary, 9030 SE Cooper, Portland
Pets On Parade 2 pm (Registration starts at 1pm)
"Don't miss this delightfully fun event! Everyone is welcome to dress up and show off their favorite pet (stuffed animals okay too). Winner categories include: "Dressed to Impress," "Entertainers" (tricks), "Me & My Shadow" (owner and pet look-alikes), and "It's a Small World" (small pets). Music entertainment presented by the Petropolitan Jazz Band."
Millennium Plaza Park 200 First Street, Lake Oswego
Portland Pride Parade 11am
The parade starts in the North Park Blocks and winds its way towards Waterfront Park. Bring your family
Making Tracks: Best places to watch trains
June 09, 2009
My daughter is a few years past her train obsession (she won't even admit that she used to insist her grandparents refer to her as "Thomas" and scoffs at me when I suggest going with her younger cousin to ride Thomas--Thomas? Who's that?) but I still know where to find a train on short notice in the Portland area.
--Holgate overpass that overlooks the Brooklyn Yards
You can get a nice glimpse of parked rail-cars, Amtrak and Union Pacific trains, retired engines, and there's a small engine shop where you can see some vintage trains. This is a great place for watching loading/unloading of containers of freight. If you drive by s-l-o-w-l-y, you can catch trains in action, or better yet, walk or ride bikes over the bridge.
--Eastbank Esplanade close to Steel Bridge
This is another destination that is bike, pedestrian, and stroller friendly. You can watch Amtrak trains cross over the Steel Bridge into downtown.
--Highway 84 East (towards Hood River
This is a great route for some prime train-watching out your little one's car window. The tracks are close to the road and continue along parallel for much of the drive.
--Highway 30 towards Linnton
Heading NW, there will be a large classification yard on your right-hand side. This is a good place for seeing a ton of trains!
--Oregon Zoo
Ride the Zoo train over to Forest Park and play on their awesome playground for awhile. (You could even take the MAX train to Washington Park first for an additional train bonanza!) The MAX station for Washington Park is especially interesting because it is 260 feet underground and is the deepest transit station in North America.
--Union Station (downtown Portland)
Even if you're not waiting to pick up incoming relatives, the Amtrak Train Station is a great place to visit with children! You can see the trains arriving/departing and take in the beauty of the historical architecture. The station was built in 1895 and is a nice, open area for little ones to stretch their legs.
--Portland Streetcars
Hop on the streetcar by Portland State University and continue down to the Main branch of the library. Make an afternoon of it by continuing on to Powell's books and Whole Foods for lunch.
--Ochoco Street by the Goodwill Bins
You can often catch sight of an engine or two if you camp out in the Goodwill Bins' parking lot in the late afternoon. My daughter was delighted to see an engineer relatively close up and hear thetrain's whistle. 1740 SE Ochoco St (near McLoughlin Blvd)
--Thomas the Tank @ Mt. Hood Railroad
As much as my six year old would like to deny it, she had the thrill of her life watching Thomas, the real Thomas! coming down the tracks! Buy tickets online for the next two weekends here.
What's Happening in PDX 6/6-6/7
June 04, 2009
Discover one of Portland's most valuable resources...its parks! PP&R staff and volunteers lead guided tours of parks, gardens, and natural areas throughout town. PP&R staff and volunteers share Portland's unique history in its parks, plants, and animals! Meet at the visitor's center. No advance registration is necessary. Hoyt Aboretum 4000 SW Fairway Blvd, Portland 503-823-3601 The Secret Garden 2:30 and 7:00 pm Classical Ballet Academy performs this sweet, classic story featuring young dance students. Tickets available at the door only. $15 adults and youth, $10 children 8 and younger. St Mary’s Academy 1615 SW 5th Avenue, Portland 503-890-6101 Buckman Community Garden Work Party 9:00am-11:30am Join Portland Parks and Recreation's Community Gardens staff, Hands on Portland Volunteers and Buckman gardeners for a garden clean-up work party. We will be weeding and mulching the perimeters of the garden and spreading woodchips on the paths. Tools and gloves will be provided. Rain or shine so dress for the weather. Buckman Community Garden, SE 18th and SE Oak 503-823-1612 Dragon Moon Festival noon-6pm Puppet show, culinary stage, karaoke, break-dancing, arts & crafts, and food merchants. Free admission. Old Town Chinatown (NW 4th and Burnside) Sunday, June 7th $2 Sunday at OMSI 9:30am-5:30pm Admission to museum is only $2 all day long with free parking. The older kids can check out the new CSI exhibit while the smaller folks can enjoy the Science Playground and Labs. 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland 503-797-4000 Living with Urban Wildlife 2:00pm-3:00pm "Bonnie Shoffer, Wildlife Rehabilitator and naturalist will teach how to coexist with those urban critters that live around our homes, tips for what to do when you find baby birds in the springtime plus much more." Free, no pre-registration required. Tryon Creek State Park Nature Center - 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. Portland (503) 636-9886 ext. 225
What's happening in PDX 5/16-5/17
May 14, 2009
It's really, really going to happen--THE SUN IS COMING OUT!! If you can bear to tear yourself away from your garden or from simply basking in the non-rainy weather, here are some fun family events in the Metro Portland area. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
Children's Nature Fair 10am-3pm Bring your family to Leach for the day to explore the garden, meet local environmental groups, and celebrate spring with hands-on activities and crafts! Suggested donation: $2 per child. My daughter still has the wooden "cookie" she made at this fun event from a few years ago. The Leach Botanical Gardens should be deliciously shady in all the hot weather we'll be getting this weekend.
Leach Botanical Garden 6704 SE 122 Avenue, Portland 503-823-9503
Central Library eco-roof tour 10:30 am (tour lasts 20 minutes & begins at first floor Welcome Desk)
Constructed with living plants and simulating the processes that occur in nature, eco-roofs absorb rain water like a meadow in a natural setting. The Central Library eco-roof is not accessible to the public. Frequent backstage tours allow you to see the roof from windows overlooking the roof. Check out theeco-roof and then hit Toddler Storytime at 11:00 am in the children's reading room.
Registration required; register online, in the library or by calling 503-988-5234.
Downtown library: 801 S.W. 10th Ave.
Paper Crowns at Albina Library 2-4pm
Use reclaimed art supplies to craft an elaborate paper crown; staff from SCRAP will show you how! Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, except as noted.
Albina Library: 3605 N.E. 15th Ave. 503-988-5362
Meet THE Mouse from Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie for a fun-filled costumed character storytime. 11am
Barnes & Noble (at Lloyd Center) 1317 Lloyd Center, Portland 503-249-0800
Family Outing -Apple Tree Park (along the Columbia River Waterfront) 9am-noon
"This is an easy 2.2 mile stretch with little or no elevation gain along stroller-friendly paved walkways with scenic river and estuary views and beach access. Empower your children to give back to the local community and help them understand the importance of a clean waterway. We’ll be helping Downtown Spring Clean Up and joining the wrap up party with food, prizes and entertainment in Esther Short Park afterwards. Participation is limited. Pre-registration required by May 7th. This outing is open to the public."
Meet at Who Song and Larrys Parking Lot-111 S.E. Columbia Way in Vancouver
For more information, contact Jessica Boldt at (360) 601-0526 or jessica.boldt@gmail.com
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Sundays for Families-Asian Art Galleries 12:30-3:00 pm Every Sunday in May, visitors of all ages can use calligraphy to create artwork inspired by the Asian art galleries (from 1 to 3 p.m.), take family tours of the galleries (at 12:30 p.m.), and listen to stories (from 2:30 to 3 p.m.). Free for members or with Museum admission. Museum admission for children age 17 and younger is free. Adults $15.00
Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland 503-226-2811
It's the closing weekend for Petit Rouge : A Cajun Red Riding Hood presented by the Oregon Children's Theatre. 2pm and 5pm
"Told in rhyming Creole dialect and rich in Cajun culture, a saucy swamp chorus sings backup in the Zydeco-driven score to this spicy new family musical from the writer/composer of Junie B. Jones and the Miss Nelson musicals." Appropriate for the whole family. $24 and $19 adults, $20 and $16 child, plus service charges.
Winningstad Theatre 1111 SW Broadway. 503-228-9571
Read more...These are the people in my neighborhood.
May 11, 2009
When my daughter was small, we would go out for walks every day, sometimes twice a day to "getouttathehousebeforemamastartstogocompletelyandutterlycuckoo" and while we often ended up at the park or playground, we often would visit shops nearby to check out the action and hustle and bustle. We always followed two cardinal rules when visiting:
1) We look with our eyes and use inside voices and
2) If it was a day when my daughter just wasn't able to hang out with number 1, we left immediately. (We wanted the shopkeepers to smile when they saw us coming, not run for the "Sorry, We're Closed" sign.) We tended to avoid businesses that dealt with small, breakable knick-nacks until my daughter was able to be curious from a distance.
Several shopkeepers looked forward to seeing my small, curly haired child peering in the window at their daily goings-on and would wave to her. Especially patient and kind workers may take the time to show your child how they do what they do (make a sandwich, mix a can of paint, arrange flowers, or where the mail goes after you put it through the little slot at the post office.
Bring along a little notebook for your child to draw what they see on their journey. Look for all the things that start with B at the butcher, F for florist, etc. Make up songs about the people you meet and the things you see. Take along a camera to document your adventures. Count how many garbage cans, dogs, or bicycles you see while you are out. Maybe your child would like to create a piece of artwork for their favorite worker?
Here are some fun places to visit on the main drag of your 'hood with your preschooler:
--butcher shop
--pet shop
--bakery/bagel shop
--florist
--hardware store
--post office
--shoe repair
--framing shop
--tattoo shop
--barber/beauty shop
--video store
--vet's office
--copy shop
What's Happening in PDX 5/9-5/10
May 07, 2009
Bear Fair at the Oregon Zoo. 10 am - 4 pm. Bring your teddy bears and other stuffed friends to explore bear exhibits and activity filled areas. Fun includes a Repair-A-Bear vet station, games, and storytelling. Oregon Zoo -4001 SW Canyon Road. 503-226-1561
Growing Up PDX style
May 05, 2009
Two Urban walks to take this Spring with children
April 28, 2009
I will be the first to admit that I have a special place in my heart for Beverly Cleary and her fictitious characters. (My daughter is named Ramona!) When we first moved to Portland, I was fascinated by the setting of theQuimby family's stories and learned that the Hollywood branch of the Multnomah Library is home to a huge wall map to help you plan out your walking tour . Venture out with your favorite child/children to see the houses where the young Beverly Cleary grew up, Klickitat Street, and the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, where you can hug a bronze version of Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and sweet Ribsy the dog. In good weather, there are fountains to splash in. To introduce your child to the world of Beverly Cleary, reserve the books/audio books from the library to share Ramona's adventures, then set out with a sketchbook and picnic lunch to make some of your own!
Hollywood Library is located at 4040 N.E. Tillamook Street and is serviced by both bus and max (with a short walk) Map of Cleary's world is located in the Children's area.
Eastbank Esplanade Walk
The Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade stretches from the Hawthorne Bridge, past the Morrison and Burnside Bridges, to the Steel Bridge with connections to eastside neighborhoods as well as across the river to Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park. It is 1.5 miles long, so it is child-friendly and bike/stroller/scooter/roller skate accessible. There are four pieces of art to view along the floating path, as well as a series of markers and educational panels. For a fun afternoon, start out with snacks at the Eastbank Farmers Market (starting up for the season beginning May 7th), take the #14 down Hawthorne, and hop on the esplanade with your bikes. Or, begin your day at OMSI and then head out for a stroll on the Esplanade afterwards.
Thursday Market at Eastbank is located in Southeast Portland on SE 20th at Salmon between SE Belmont & SE Hawthorne -- in the parking lot of Hinson Baptist Church. Operates May 7-September 24. 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Three Budget Friendly Ways to Live Gently on the Earth
April 13, 2009
Because my husband is recently laid-off, we are quickly learning to live within the guidelines of a strict budget. Luckily, we have always lived a careful and mostly eco-friendly lifestyle, so the recent shock to our family’s income won’t mean that we have to compromise our values and purchasing habits. Here are three ways we are stretching our dollars and reducing our impact on the planet:
1. Look at the resources in your immediate area! You really can buy less, and have access to more. Form a tool cooperative in your neighborhood. Instead of each household buying mowers, tillers, or other big purchases, see if you can share with someone on your street or go in on a big-ticket purchase with your neighbors. If someone owns a truck, combine trips to buy mulch or bring yard sale leftovers to Goodwill. We’ve established a clothing chain where outfits are rotated from family to family as children outgrow them. We also do this with magazine subscriptions, toys, and even electric hair clippers. It builds community, and reduces your need to buy!
2. Buy a small freezer (you can easily find a used one in good condition on Craigslist) and keep a stockpile of fresh, local foods easily available. Pick berries in the summer and you’ll have the luxury of raspberries in your yogurt in the winter (without having to buy them out of season, trucked in from great distances). Better yet, make your own jam to preserve them. Pick up organic staples on steep discounts, like you can find at Grocery Outlet, and quickly take money off your weekly food bill (add to your savings by writing your favorite organic companies and asking for coupons). Instead of having an organic pot roast be the main course of your meal, switch to a smaller cut and use the meat as a side dish, instead focusing on fresh squash or mustard greens from the Milwaukie Farmer’s Market (due to open May 10th).
3. Turn the thermostat down and let the sun heat your house. This can be harder to do in rainy Portland, but we have had lots of success with this strategy. The curtains are open in the daytime to use what sun there may be to light and heat our home. I’ve found that I can still be comfortable with the extra layer of a sweater thrown on, instead of automatically reaching to crank the furnace. When the sun sets, we close up the house to keep the warmth in. (We do the opposite in summer, and high efficiency windows have helped to maximize our strategy) In the evenings, my husband and I drink tea to stay cozy. At first, I balked at this plan, but it’s drastically lowered our bills and our dependence on resources. Find tips on weatherizing your home and residential tax credits from the Oregon Department of Energy.
Things You Must Do in Portland Before Your Child Grows Up
November 04, 2008
I've lived in Portland most of my life, and though I've traveled and lived in many vibrant, wonderful cities I can't imagine raising my children anywhere else. I can't let my kids grow up until I:
Read more...
Top Five Things to Do on a Rainy Day
October 31, 2008
The rain in Portland falls ... mainly. And what a time to launch this blog, as we squelch firmly into the rainy season (it ends in June. Usually). When it rains, we tend to spend a lot of our time inside; but this is Portland and we can't spend all the time inside. Instead, we do this:
Read more...
Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Places to Get Your Train Fix On
October 23, 2008
Oh, how my boys love trains. At first it was all Thomas, all the time, and we were among the thousands who paid up for overpriced tickets to see the cheeky engine himself in Hood River. But now it's any and all trains that get my boys going. Here are my favorite places to see trains (cheap or free): Ride the MAX over the Steel Bridge. For $2 a ticket for parents and with kids six and under Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in portland
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy portland:
Oona Baker, Sarah Gilbert
Read more Being Savvy for:
Advertisement
Recent Posts
- Top Five Things to Do on a Rainy Day
- Things You Must Do in Portland Before Your Child Grows Up
- Room to Run: Where to go to get the wiggles out
- Mozart, Moby or Miles: Music your preschoolers will love
- Budding Art Critic: A guide to not getting booted from the Portland Art Museum
- Essential books to kids in Portland: All our love to Beverly Cleary
- Resolutions and Reflections: Putting More into Portland So We Can Get More Out
- Splash: On mud puddles
- Goofy Books Guaranteed to Make You Giggle
Favorite portland Lists
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Places to Get Your Train Fix On
- Things You Must Do in Portland Before Your Child Grows Up
- Best Day Trips in About an Hour from Portland
- The Big Picture: What Does, and Doesn't, Matter Now
- Essential books to kids in Portland: All our love to Beverly Cleary
- Look at me: Discovering the little kid in the mirror
- What's Happening in PDX : May 2-3
Advertisement
Review Your Preschool
Join the hundreds of portland parents helping other parents find the right preschool for their child.
View Preschools and Daycare Centers in Other Cities
View preschools in other cities
- Akron Preschools >
- Albuquerque Preschools >
- Alexandria Preschools >
- Alpharetta Preschools >
- Anaheim Preschools >
- Ann Arbor Preschools >
- Arlington Preschools >
- Atlanta Preschools >
- Bakersfield Preschools >
- Baltimore Preschools >
- Baton Rouge Preschools >
- Bellevue Preschools >
- Birmingham Preschools >
- Boca Raton Preschools >
- Boise Preschools >
- Bronx Preschools >
- Charlotte Preschools >
- Cincinnati Preschools >
- Clearwater Preschools >
- Cleveland Preschools >
- Colorado Springs Preschools >
- Columbia Preschools >
- Columbus Preschools >
- Dayton Preschools >
- Denver Preschools >
- Detroit Preschools >
- Durham Preschools >
- El Paso Preschools >
- Fort Lauderdale Preschools >
- Fort Wayne Preschools >
- Fort Worth Preschools >
- Fremont Preschools >
- Fresno Preschools >
- Gainesville Preschools >
- Grand Rapids Preschools >
- Greenville Preschools >
- Hialeah Preschools >
- Honolulu Preschools >
- Houston Preschools >
- Huntsville Preschools >
- Indianapolis Preschools >
- Irvine Preschools >
- Jacksonville Preschools >
- Kansas City Preschools >
- Katy Preschools >
- Knoxville Preschools >
- Lakeland Preschools >
- Las Vegas Preschools >
- Lexington Preschools >
- Lincoln Preschools >
