Personal Responsibility
What's Happening in PDX 6/20-6/21
June 18, 2009
Summer is upon us! If you're not too busy picking strawberries or lazing about in your backyard enjoying the break from school, Portland is packed full of fun family activities this weekend. The Sunday Parkways event returns and looks to be an amazing community building celebration. Look for two subsequent Sunday Parkways events in Northeast/Southeast Portland later this summer!
Saturday, June 20th
Mad Science: Spin, Pop, Boom! 2-3 p.m.
"How do you know that a chemical reaction has occurred? Start with a change of color in our chemically challenging “magic” trick. Move on to an assortment of experiments featuring both chemical and physical changes. Watch in awe as the Mad Scientist creates numerous versions of erupting science! Everything is guaranteed to be amazing!" Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.
Gregory Heights Library 7921 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Portland 503-988-5386
Felty Finger Puppets 3-5 p.m.
Use felt, fabric, wool yarn, buttons and other embellishments to create your own charming finger puppets. Artist Shanon Scholian will show you how in this two hour workshop.
Belmont Library 1038 S.E. 39th Ave. Portland 503-988-5382
Balloon Fairy Workshop 3-4 p.m.
Construct your own fabulous balloon hat creation!
Rockwood Library 17917 S.E. Stark St. Portland 503-988-5396
Family Nature Walk-Sauvie Island 9:00am-1:00pm
This is an easy 2.9 mile loop with little or no elevation gain. This peaceful hike runs through white oak woodlands, grassy meadows and the shores of Sturgeon Lake. Blue herons and other abundant bird life will be seen along the peninsula. This is a good hike to bring your binoculars. Approximate walking time 1-1.5 hours. There are no bathrooms at this trailhead. This outing is open to the public.
Contact leader for announcement of location and directions.
For more information, contact Jean Rystrom at (503) 282-2905 or rydick@toast.net.
Berry Jam-11:00am-4:00pm
Head to Kruger's this Father's Day weekend to celebrate Papa and Oregon Strawberries! There will be hayrides, music from Trashcan Joe and New Iberians, Jam-making Demonstrations, Farm Animals, and fun. Face Painting, U-Pick berries, Strawberry Shortcake, Food (Fresh Roasted Corn!) & Drink available for fee.
Kruger's 17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland 503-621-3489
Meet Biscuit the Dog! 11:00am
Bring your camera and tell all your friends! Come meet a familiar pooch from some of your child's favorite stories. We'll also read Biscuit stories and have fun with Biscuit activities, too. Join us!
Barnes & Noble-Clackamas Center 12000 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland 503-786-3464
Ladybug Nature Walk 10:00am
Bring a snack and enjoy a guided hike! Learn about our local parks and the wild critters that live there!
Walks take place regardless of rain/shine. $3/child, adults free.
Laurelhurst Park- SE 39th Ave & Stark
Day Out With Thomas (Trains run every hour from 9:00am-6pm)
Peep peep! You too can go for a ride on Thomas the Tank, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and participate in a plethora of train themed activities in Hood River on the Mt. Hood Railroad. Advanced tickets recommended, check website for details and pricing.
Mt. Hood Railroad 110 Railroad Ave., Hood River, OR 800-872-4661
Sunday, June 21st
Sunday Parkways 9:00am-4:00pm
A 2-way route of city streets open to walk, bike, roll, run, jump & skip - without having to watch out for cars! The 7.5-mile North Portland Sunday Parkways route will have two loops. A 3.2-mile loop through Kenton and Arbor Lodge neighborhoods. And a 4.5-mile loop connecting Arbor Lodge and Piedmont neighborhoods via the Bryant Pedestrian Bridge and North Ainsworth. The scenic Willamette Bluff will once again be enjoyed. Featured parks/activity areas: Arbor Lodge, Kenton, and Peninsula Parks. Peninsula Park Activity Vendors/Sponsors On Point Community Credit Union Parks City Nature Food Vendors The Limp Noodle Shannon Tower Band Arbor Lodge Park Activity Vendors/Sponsors Circus Cascadia Food Vendors Super Dog Carroll Raaum Swing Orchestra Kenton Park Activity Vendors/Sponsors N. Portland Tool Library Food Vendors Café de la Soul Entertainment
FootTraffic
Hoopshine hula hooping
Clif Bar
Prananda yoga
Alberta Coop Grocery
Teatro Graxa Stilt Walkers
Pedal Bike Tours
Metropolis Cycles
North Portland Connections
Port of Portland N. Runway Extension Project
ZipCar
Sixth Street Gallery/Mosaic Arts Alliance
Portland Parks
REI/ Parks
Free Ready Rider Workshop from BTA/Bridge Pedal/Safer Routes to Schools
The Portland Pounders Wheelchair Rugby Team
Suzanne Lady DC
Piedmont Neighborhood Association
Urban Opportunities Voodoo Donuts
Headwaters Café
NW Hot Dogs
Village Crepery
Zuppa
Al Forno Ferruzza
Fuego
Entertainment
Stumptown Jug Thumpers
The Sprockettes
Portland Recorder Orchestra
Serious Juggling
Clif Bar
Clif Kids
Milagros Boutique
Kaiser Permanente
North Portland Connections
The Jumping Jackie O's
METRO & Trimet
Bike Farm
Portland Bike Tours
Daybreak Cohousing
Senior bike Program
Stay Pet Hotel
Lions Club
Rose City Roamers
Portland Parks
Pesticide Free Parks
Luna Yoga
No Po Mobile Shop
Ride Connection
Bike Empowered
Katmandu Café
Beaterville Café
Family Tree Nut Company
Spunky Monkey Coffee
Sipping Dreams
Dixon's Rib Pit
Entertainment
The Atonements
Carolina Pump Station
Vintage Fashion Show presented by AlexSandra's Vintage Emporium
Nuborn Tribe
Port of Portland
Kenton Family Wellness Center
PUMP/Gateway Green
Yakima Products Inc.
Columbia River Crossing
Community Cycling Center
Your Sustainable City
Ma-Josh-O the Magician & Brian Proctor Magic
Willamette Pedestrain Coalition
ReDirect Sustainable Business Guide
Portland Parks
U Car Share
Portland Wheelman
Portland Village School
North Portland Connections
LIFE Fellowship Church w/ Koldkist water
Kenton Neighborhood Association
Northstar Coffee House
Soup Cycle
Project Hope
Village Crepery
Elephants Delicatessen
Fuego
Dovetail Bakery
Providence Hospital Orchestra
Tater & Craig
Donna & the Side Effects
The Michael Pan Band
Berry Jam-11:00am-4:00pm
17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland 503-621-3489
Day Out With Thomas (Trains run every hour from 9:00am-6pm)
Peep peep! You too can go for a ride on Thomas the Tank, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and participate in a plethora of train themed activities in Hood River on the Mt. Hood Railroad. Advanced tickets recommended, check website for details and pricing.
110 Railroad Ave., Hood River, OR 800-872-4661
Celebrate Father's Day at the Children's Museum 9:00am-5:00pm
Spend the day with us celebrating the father figures in your life.
Nature hikes at 11am & 1pm, Create tree wood cookies 10-12, $1, Wood works from Noon-2pm. Under age 1, free. Ages 1-54 are $8Children's Museum 4015 SW Canyon Rd. Portland 503-223-6500
Oregon Historical Society: Family Day Celebrating - The Amazing World of Claymation. noon-5:00pm
Meet award winning film maker, Will Vinton and learn more about Claymation at 1pm. Family activities, include the opportunity to help make a pixelation, or better known as a stop-motion film and creating clay figures offered from, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Free admission for all.
Oregon Historical Society 1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland 503-238-7433
Read more...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
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.
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
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