I just started reading Stubborn Twig, this year’s Everybody Reads pick (and also the adult book choice for the state-wide Oregon Reads campaign; see editor’s note below). It’s not quite as gripping as the last book I read (The Other Boleyn Girl – GO. GET. IT. NOW! Sex, love, power, political intrigue, history – that book has it all!), but I’m pleasantly surprised at how interesting I’m finding it.
The nonfiction Stubbon Twig, written by U of O professor Lauren Kessler, is about three generations of Japanese Americans, More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 26, 2009 // Leave a Comment
“Change has come to America.” It’s official – it’s on the White House Web site.
A big part of that change is up to you. Not since JFK’s inaugural address, where he beseeched citizens to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” has there been such a strong message for all of us to BECOME CITIZENS AGAIN.
From volunteering to grass roots lobbying to simply voting, we’re all being asked to step up to the plate and do something for our nation, our communities, our schools, our neighborhoods. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 21, 2009 // 1 Comment
It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tomorrow, we’ll celebrate the inauguration of the country’s first African-American president.
I’m sure I’m not the only blogger/opiner to notice the serendipitous juxtaposition. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 19, 2009 // Leave a Comment
You’ve probably heard about the controversy surrounding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), adopted by Congress last year, which bans lead and phthalates in children’s products. Because the new law requires extensive and expensive testing to determine whether products are within acceptable levels, many products that are favored by local parents – European toys, toys made by small American companies and crafters – may be banned from toy store shelves when the law goes into effect Feb. 10. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 17, 2009 // Leave a Comment
I am not a Super Parent. Try though I might to Do The Right Thing, I’ve failed on many fronts. I did breastfeed both of my kids through their first year; I did use cloth diapers exclusively. But I had a tough time being consistent with household rules. I used the Electronic Babysitter (videos, PBS) for some much-needed solace when they were little. I (occasionally) let them dine on fast food.
But this is not the time or place for my True Confessions of Mediocre Parenting. Rather, I want to make the following (very important) point: More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 15, 2009 // 1 Comment
As a child I devoured science fiction, especially Ray Bradbury. I recall being devastated by his short story, “All Summer in a Day”, in which a little girl from Earth is carelessly locked in a closet by jealous classmates during the only sun break in history on their eternally rain-soaked planet. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 13, 2009 // Leave a Comment
Update: Since writing the below post this morning, we’ve learned that our “Home for the Holidays” effort brought in another $1,300! So the total amount that will go toward helping local homeless families into permanent housing is $6,300. Thanks to all of you who made this possible!
Here’s the earlier post:
In our November issue, Metro Parent asked its readers to open their hearts – and their wallets – to help get a homeless family off the streets and into permanent housing for the New Year. You responded – in spades. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 7, 2009 // Leave a Comment
I don’t think I’ve ever kept any of my New Year’s resolutions for a full 12 months, which is why I’m making a very simple resolution this year.
In 2009, I resolve to bring a reuseable plastic container with me every time I go out to eat, to avoid bringing home my leftovers in one of those cumbersome clamshell or otherwise-difficult-to-recycle containers. More…
Category: Metro Parent // Posted on January 5, 2009 // 1 Comment
