A Green (and Very Tiny) Thumb
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
Summer is berry-licious!
June 02, 2009
I am positively drooling at the thought of having flats of berries at my disposal in the next month or so. This summer, we are going to make freezer jam (we've make the old-fashioned stove-top version in the past with my aunt, but thought we'd try a quicker and cooler method!) berry scones, and of course, homemade berry ice cream. One of our favorite summer activities involves packing a picnic lunch and berry picking (and sampling our bounty!) Here are a few places to visit to get your berry-picking groove going:
1) Flower Farmer-Canby, Oregon. Not only does the Flower Farmer have a massive pumpkin patch, train ride, and opportunity to pet baby creatures, they also have U-Pick flowers and fruits/vegetables for sale during the summer months. You can even ride a ferry to reach the farm! Flower Farmer 2512 N Holly Canby, OR (503) 266-3581
2) Kruger's Farm is just a quick twenty minute drive from Portland, and is an amazing place to spend a hot summer's day. Pack up the kids and stay after your berry picking for a concert on the island (please see website, the future of concerts is on hold right now). If you'd rather not pick your own, you can buy what you need at the farm's market, including canning supplies and gorgeous cut flowers. For fun, follow Farmer Don's blog and keep up with what's ripe, and what's not.
Kruger's Farm 17100 NW Sauvie Island Road, Portland, OR (503) 621-3489
3) If you're looking for more of a day trip, why not head to McMinnville and visit Farmer John's Produce? You can choose from a huge variety of berries, peaches, even rhubarb. Come for the fruit, and enjoy farm fresh eggs and homemade shakes. Call ahead for seasonal availability.
Farmer John's Produce 15000 SW Oldsville Road, McMinnville, OR 503-474-3514
A really great reference for locating new U-pick locations in Oregon is here . This is the definitive guide to regional fruit/veggie U-pick farms and is chock-full of good information (what to wear, what to bring, seasonal availability) Grab a sun hat, slather on the sunscreen and prepare to get dirty!
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Resolutions and Reflections: Putting More into Portland So We Can Get More Out
January 01, 2009
At the very end of 2008, I decided to give a bit to some charities I feel are very much in the spirit of Portland -- and further my beliefs about how Portland could support families better. The more I think about how I'd like to interact with this city, it's to give more so I -- and my kids -- can get more out of Portland in years to come. Here are a few things I'd like to resolve to support more fully:
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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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