Bicycle culture has taken over the Portland metro region, and next weekend bikes will take over the Oregon Convention Center during the Pedal Nation Bicycle Show.

Register online by April 2 and you might score a free ticket! (Organizers have a limited number of free tickets to give away.)

Presented by Drive Less/Save More, the show will feature activities for the whole family, including a Demo Ride Area, a Kid’s Activity Zone, Sprint Races, Bike Stunts, a BMX Jam Session, an Urban Bicyclist Fashion Show, a Pimp’d Bike Contest and more! Local bicycle experts also will lead workshops More…

Category: Events/Performances // Posted on March 31, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Our April issue is hitting the stands this week and we think you’re really going to enjoy it! In honor of Earth Day, we’ve taken a look at two back-to-basics approaches many local parents are reclaiming to nurture happier, healthier and more relaxed families.

In Backyard Bounty, we explore the increasingly popular trend toward Urban Farming, and in Free-Range Parenting, we delve into the growing movement to give kids freedom to explore the world on their own – safely, but without succumbing to unwarranted fears about the dangers of the world outside. Both of these stories More…

Category: New Issue // Posted on March 29, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Spring Break is winding down but there’s still plenty of family fun to be had. Here are a few of our picks to wrap up a fun-filled week with the kids!

ALL WEEKEND

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Northwest Children’s Theater performs this Latin-inspired musical, based on the book by Mo Willems, about a little bird with big dreams. Best for ages 4 and up. Runs through Apr. 4. Check Web site for show times. $18 to $22, plus service charges. 1819 NW Everett St. 503-222-4480. nwcts.org.

Around the World. Special activities and keeper talks celebrate spring break at the Oregon Zoo. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 26, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Yes, it’s still National Nutrition Month and we’re still hoping to encourage local families to explore new ways to improve their eating habits! Today we want to share some tips from the American Dietetic Association (ADA) about adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy to your family’s diet.

20 Ways to Enjoy More Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains and Dairy

To get the most nutrition out of your calories, choose foods packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients – and those that are lower in calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains More…

Category: Health and Wellness, Nutrition // Posted on March 24, 2010 // Leave a Comment

We know Spring Break has only just begun, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about summer camp! Many local camps have opened registration for Summer 2010, and some of the most popular ones will fill quickly – but don’t panic! Our 2010 Summer Camps and Learning Guide is available now with loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities.

You’ll find a feature on Arts Camps, from fine arts to recycled arts to performing arts and beyond. We also explore More…

Category: New Issue // Posted on March 22, 2010 // Leave a Comment

SPRING BREAK! Check out our Guide to Spring Break Fun for information about camps, classes and family-friendly fun as well as some ideas for spring break road trips.

Here are a few of our picks to get you started:

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

SOLV Oregon Spring Beach Clean Up. Help keep our beaches clean, volunteer at 44 sites. 10 am-1 pm. Dress for the weather, gloves, sturdy shoes. Advance registration required, locations upon registration. 503-844-9571 xt. 332. solv.org.

Shen Yun Performing Arts. Extravagant show of classical Chinese dance and music. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 19, 2010 // Leave a Comment

In keeping with the timely theme of our March issue – protecting our children against childhood obesity – the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has declared March National Nutrition Month. What better time to share some of their simple, family-friendly tips with you?

Last week we reported on a new study that showed our children are getting far too many empty calories from snacks with little or no nutritional value. So what’s a parent to do? Below are 25 easy to prepare, kid-friendly snacks More…

Category: Health and Wellness, Nutrition // Posted on March 17, 2010 // Leave a Comment

Spring has sprung – what better time to get outside and play? Besides, this week is National Wildlife Week (March 15-21), sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)! This year’s theme is Be Out There At Home, School and Play, encouraging kids and families to explore nature and find out how much fun the great outdoors can be as well as getting schools involved in going green.

The first National Wildlife Week was held over 70 years ago when kids spent most of their free time playing outdoors. Today, kids spend an average of only four to seven minutes outside each day. (That’s not a typo! It’s minutes!!!) Meanwhile, More…

Category: Nature // Posted on March 15, 2010 // Leave a Comment

It’s a weekend of concerts and performances for every musical and artistic taste (plus the opening celebration for the Kenton Library, Multnomah County’s newest branch, on Saturday; click here for details!). You’ll find a sampling of upcoming performances below. For a complete list of daily events, check our online calendar.

MUSIC:

An Epic Evening. Metropolitan Youth Symphony performs. 7:30 pm Mar. 12. $15.25 to $41.50, plus service charge. Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway. 503-239-4566. playmys.org.

Family Fridays Concert. In Mulieribus, female vocal ensemble, performs. 7:15 pm Mar. 12. $5 person, $15/family. Community Music Center, More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 12, 2010 // Leave a Comment

We don’t like to brag – as a general rule – but we’re so proud right now we just have to share. Metro Parent won ten awards – including first place in the top editorial category, Overall Writing! – in Parenting Publications of America (PPA) 2010 Editorial and Design Excellence Competition. In addition to the Gold for Overall Writing, we garnered Silver awards in Overall Reporting and in Ancillary Overall Writing for our supplemental issue Your Baby & You, and four of our wonderful writers (Teresa Carson, Anne Laufe, Emily Puro and Marie Sherlock) earned individual awards – two Golds, two Silvers and three Bronzes.

PPA is a national trade association of regional parenting publications with over 120 member publications across the country. Each year, More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on March 10, 2010 // Leave a Comment

In our March issue, Dr. Edward Guillery of the Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel offers ten simple tips for parents who want to protect their children against childhood obesity. In tip #7 he writes, “Limit or eliminate snacks. School-age children will not drop dead from starvation if they haven’t eaten in four hours! They may whine, and I know how hard that is, but snacking behavior is just that – learned behavior that can be modified.”

Dr. Guillery’s recommendations are more timely than even we had known, as a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs shows 27 percent of children’s daily calories come from snacks. These snacks, more often than not, More…

Category: Health and Wellness // Posted on March 8, 2010 // 1 Comment

The first weekend of March is filled with a diverse array of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Check out our online calendar for a complete list of events for each day. Here are a few intriguing options to jump start your planning:

ALL WEEKEND:

Snow Shoe with a Ranger. Tromp around 3.5 miles with a ranger and learn about the forest and history. Free. March 5 and 7, 10 am at Glade Trail, meet outside Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, 88900 E Government Camp Loop, Government Camp. 1 pm at Trillium Lake Trail, meet at Snow-Park, 2.5 miles E of Timberline Road off Hwy. 26. 503-622-3191. www.fs.fed.us/r6/.

Ski with a Ranger. Take a guided ski tour More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on March 5, 2010 // Leave a Comment