Our December issue is hitting the stands this week, with our annual Holiday Gift Guide and much more! We organized the gift guide by age again this year to help you find just the right presents for everyone on your list -– from newborn babies to hard-to-buy-for teens and ‘tweens. We’ve even got a few ideas for the adults on your list.

We’ve also included More…

Category: Metro Parent, New Issue // Posted on November 30, 2011 // Leave a Comment

I’m so glad the City of Portland rolled out their Portland Composts curbside composting program citywide beginning Oct. 31. I’ve felt guilty about throwing away food scraps for years, but with one small compost bin in the backyard I’ve never been able to get into a composting groove. Now the city is helping me out, and I’m loving it! Of course, it does take some getting used to. How’s it going for you? More…

Category: Uncategorized // Posted on November 28, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Now that you’ve recovered from the overload of turkey, stuffing and all that delicious pie, how about heading out for some holiday season family fun? There’s plenty happening this weekend, including our picks below. For more options, check our online calendar. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on November 25, 2011 // Leave a Comment

For many families, the day after Thanksgiving — Black Friday — signifies the beginning of the consumerist frenzy that often overtakes the holiday season. Recently, many shoppers have added Cyber Monday to the mix, going online to purchase scads of holiday gifts on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, we’d like to offer two alternatives:

Little Boxes & Small Business Saturday: We’re not saying you shouldn’t buy gifts for the holidays or that you shouldn’t get a jump start on your shopping this weekend. But why not support our local community and our local economy by doing your shopping at locally owned businesses? More…

Category: Holidays // Posted on November 23, 2011 // 1 Comment

The Cinnamon Bear began in 1937 as a radio series running from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The story followed Judy and Jimmy Barton as they searched throughout Maybeland for a missing Silver Star that belonged on their Christmas tree. The Cinnamon Bear and other colorful characters helped them on their journey.

The Cinnamon Bear still is a holiday tradition for families in the Portland metro area, with a special two-hour, family-friendly Portland Spirit “Cinnamon Bear” cruise More…

Category: Contests, Holidays // Posted on November 21, 2011 // Leave a Comment

This pre-holiday weekend brings us theater, storytelling, nature and more. Check out our picks below, then check out our online calendar for even more listings every day.

ALL WEEKEND

The Jungle Book. A musical version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic with Mowgli, Baloo and more from the Christian Youth Theater. Runs Nov. 18-20. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on November 18, 2011 // Leave a Comment

This month’s online article, a Viewpoint column by Colleen Hermann-Franzen of the American Lung Association (ALA), covers an important topic for parents: smoking in cars. We were shocked to learn that secondhand smoke in a car can be up to 27 times stronger than in a smoker’s home! Cracking a window does little to reduce the effect. More…

Category: Health and Wellness, Online Articles // Posted on November 16, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Here’s the scoop on the coupons and special deals you’ll find in our current issue:

John’s Incredible Pizza: Afterschool Special coupon gives you the all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and 40 free credits for $8 per person. Valid Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 4 pm, through Nov. 17. (Page 45)
IKEA: For every IKEA soft toy you buy, they’ll donate $1 to help educate kids. (Back cover) More…

Category: Coupons and Deals // Posted on November 14, 2011 // Leave a Comment

In honor of Veteran’s Day – and a day off of school – you’ll find a wealth of fun happenings on Friday and all weekend. Here are our picks for the weekend ahead. Check out our online calendar for more family fun every day of the month.

ALL WEEKEND

White Christmas. Based on the classic movie. Best for ages 7 and older. Runs through Dec. 18; More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on November 11, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Do your kids love animals? Do they play doctor with their stuffed animals? Perhaps they even dream of someday become a veterinarian. If so, you won’t want to miss Future Vet tomorrow, Nov. 10, from 10 to 10:30 am, at the Portland Children’s Museum!

At the event, presented by Banfield Pet Hospital, a licensed vet will show kids how to care for pets and what they need to be happy, safe and healthy. More…

Category: Events/Performances, Family Fun // Posted on November 9, 2011 // Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard the expression, “Think globally. Act locally.” We think that’s a wonderful way of approaching life, but this holiday season, we’d like to take it to the next level by saying, “Think globally AND locally, then act on both fronts as well!”

That’s why our 2011 Holiday Giving Campaign has two components -– one focused on local families in need, the other on starving families living on the Horn of Africa. Here’s the scoop: More…

Category: Charitable Giving, Metro Parent // Posted on November 7, 2011 // Leave a Comment

The holiday season is heating up with an exciting array of theater openings this weekend, plus plenty more family fun around the area. As always, check our online calendar for more listings.

ALL WEEKEND

Foiled! Krayon Kids Musical Theater Co. presents this “frantic fairy tale” featuring music, dance and comedy. Best for ages 3 and older. More…

Category: WOW! (What's On this Weekend) // Posted on November 4, 2011 // Leave a Comment