The day after Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. It’s garnered the nickname Black Friday – allegedly because it’s the day when retailers enter their big profit making period (they go from being “in the red” to “in the black”). Black Friday is notorious for stores opening REALLY early and for humongous sales. It’s chaotic and (In Our Humble Opinion) nerve-wracking and simply not worth the discounts (typically on stuff we don’t need/want/care about anyway). But we know some very nice people who really get into Black Friday, enjoying the thrill of snagging those great deals.
Others participate in Buy Nothing Day (tag line: Participate by not participating!). We’ve adopted a tradition for the day after Thanksgiving that’s closely associated with BND – we call it Buy Nothing But Socks Day. We trip over to Fred Meyer mid-morning and load up on enough half-price socks to last until the next BNBSD. That’s it.
There’s another possible way to commemorate the day after Thanksgiving. And everyone is welcome to participate. It’s called the National Day of Listening. On Nov. 27, people across the country are encouraged to set aside just one hour to record a conversation with someone important to them. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 25, 2009 // Leave a Comment

Well, almost free. We’ve got 10 “family four-packs” of admission tickets to the Providence Festival of Trees (Dec. 4 and 5) that we want to give to the first 10 of you who e-mail us after donating a minimum of $10 to Mercy Corps as part of our Holiday Giving Campaign. (E-newsletter subscribers will notice that this sounds A LOT like the offer we made in our latest edition – we have an additional 10 four-packs of tickets for this effort.)
This is such a great deal! Each set of tickets (good for two adults and two kids or four adults) is worth a minimum of $16. PLUS we’ll match your donation to Mercy Corps. A win-win-win!
Click here to make your donation to Mercy Corps. Then e-mail editor@metro-parent.com and claim your tickets! You can learn more about our Holiday Giving Campaign at this link.
And, even if you don’t end up getting the free tickets, we want to put a plug in for the Providence Festival of Trees. It is a WONDERFUL family event, featuring (of course!) beautifully decorated Christmas trees, more than 100 of them, plus a ton of entertainment, craft activities, a Teddy Bear Hospital (where kids 12 and under receive a free teddy bear as they’re “admitted”), model trains, visits with Santa and much more. The 411: 10 am to 9 pm Dec. 4 and 10 am to 6 pm Dec. 5. $5 adults, $3 ages 3 to 12, free 2 and under; benefits Providence and patients unable to pay for healthcare. 503-215-6070. Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Blvd. More info:www.providence.org/festivaloftrees.

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 23, 2009 // Leave a Comment

As citizens and parents we are so trusting. We assume that regulatory agencies actually protect our children from coming into contact with toxic substances.
But experts warn that that’s just not the case. Under the current Toxic Substances Control Act, the EPA has required testing on only 200 of the more than 80,000 chemical compounds now in use. Indeed neither the EPA the manufacturer is required to prove a chemical’s safety before it’s used.
That’s why people who care about the nation’s children are pushing for a new law to be enacted. The Kid-Safe Chemical Act would require that industrial chemicals be safe for infants and children and new chemicals be safety-tested before they are put into products.
On Wednesday, area parents and children will converge on Washington Square to demand that lawmakers take this step. The event is called the Million Baby Crawl, meant to symbolize babies crawling to Washington, D.C. to demand stronger protection against toxic chemicals.
The Portland Crawl to Action takes place Wednesday at 11 am at Washington Square Mall, Sears Court (9585 SW Washington Square Rd.) Local dignitaries will be there and there will be family-friendly entertainment. Click here for more information.

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 16, 2009 // 1 Comment

Now that we’ve got Friday the 13th behind us, what say we get out and play! Consider the following – and be sure to check our online calendar for MANY more ideas. (We counted 30 possibilities listed for Saturday alone!)

Saturday, Nov. 14
Keep Portland Weird: A Community Festival. Hands on activities, lots of performances and TONS of info on local resources. PDX Swap holds a drop-in swap (no need to RSVP). All ages. Noon to 4 pm. Free. Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave.503-988-5123. www.multcolib.org/events/kpw.html.
Free Family Day. Visit the Washington County Museum free. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 14, 2009 // Leave a Comment

…especially in a recession. Check out these FREE CHILDREN’S CLASS offerings around the area:
1. Mama Zen (located in “The Little Church”, 5138 NE 23rd) is a new family gathering place in northeast Portland, providing classes (yoga, arts) for kids and yoga for moms (childcare available!), spa sessions and more. Next week (Nov. 16 to 19), they’re offering FREE children’s classes (20 spots available). To register, RSVP at mamazenpdx@gmail.com. Visit www.mamazenpdx.com for details.
2. The Little Gym of Lake Oswego is offering 25 scholarships for their upcoming Winter/Spring semester (20 weeks of classes Jan. 25 – June 19) to families who have been hit hard by the economy. E-mail tlglakeoswegoor@thelittlegym.com by Dec. 15 and describe how a scholarship would benefit your family. For details visit www.tlglakeoswegoor.com.
3. The Multnomah Arts Center (7688 SW Capitol Hwy.) is offering a free Art Adventures class to children ages 1.5 to 4 (with parents). The class takes place Jan. 4, 6 and 7 and is available free to students who are new to MAC (never having registered for a MAC class previously). Winter term registration begins Nov. 18; parents can call 503-823-2787 or come into the MAC to register. (10 slots available). More info: www.multnomahartscenter.org.

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 11, 2009 // Leave a Comment

First, the sun is shining. Then it’s raining. Shining. Raining. Shining while raining…
WHATEVER the weather does this weekend, you’ll have plenty of options for family fun in the area. Consider the following – and be sure to check our online calendar for MANY more ideas.

Saturday, Nov. 7
Newt Day. Educational day about autumn changes in nature. Lots of fun, hands-on activities. All ages. Noon to 4 pm. $1 or two cans of food. Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton. 503-629-6350 . www.thprd.org/facilities/naturepark/newtday.cfm
Hawaiian Holiday Bazaar. Handmade holiday treasures and Hawaiian foods for sale and entertainment. Keiki Korner with kids’ activities. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 6, 2009 // Leave a Comment

Our November issue is out! And it’s chock-full of great information for parents and dozens of family fun ideas.
We discuss a variety of methods to help keep kids mentally healthy – from bonding at birth and typical preschool issues to a look at pediatric psychotropic medication and the very serious topic of teens and suicide. Heavy, but incredible important, reading.
Our feature on single individuals who choose to become parents explores who these brave souls are, why they embark on this journey alone and where they get the support they need to be successful.
We review two family-friendly destinations More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on November 2, 2009 // 1 Comment

Boo! It’s here! We’ve come up with lots of options for Halloween fun – click here and here for many more ideas. (And remember to “fall back” on Sunday morning!)

All Weekend
Howloween at the Zoo. Trick-or-treaters complete an educational scavenger hunt around activity stations throughout the zoo and get a goody bag with candy and prizes when they leave. All ages. 11 am to 4 pm Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Free with admission of $10.50 adults, $7.50 kids 3 to 11, free 2 and under. ($2 to park).
4001 SW Canyon Rd. 503-226-1561. www.oregonzoo.org.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Charlie and Grandpa Joe win a chance for adventure with the Oompa-Loompas in this Oregon Children’s Theatre production. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on October 30, 2009 // Leave a Comment

Since 1950 children from across the U.S. have been improving the lives of their peers around the globe by participating in “Trick or Treat for UNICEF.” Collectively they’ve raised over $140 million for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund, to help advance the health, education, equality and protection of children throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat. (One observation from a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF parent: the kids almost always get candy for themselves AND money for UNICEF when they participate. No one loses; everyone wins!)
UNICEF makes these recommendations for youngsters out “Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF” – but these strategies work for all kids on Oct. 31:
• Make sure your costume falls no lower than your ankles to avoid tripping. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on October 29, 2009 // Leave a Comment

So it’s raining – you’re not going to let a little precipitation get you down, are ya?
Good. Here are some ideas for family fun this weekend – check our online calendar for tons more! And check our Halloween & Harvest Fun listings for even more fun!

All Weekend
Winnie the Pooh. Last weekend to enjoy this Northwest Children’s Theater production featuring Christopher Robin, Pooh, Eeyore and all your favorites. Ages 4 and up. 7 pm Oct. 23. Noon and 3 pm 24 and 25. $22 adults, $18 youth, plus service charges. NW Neighborhood CulturalCenter, 1819 NW Everett St. 503-222-4480. www.nwcts.org.
Gem & Mineral Show. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on October 23, 2009 // 1 Comment

Two FREE family resource fairs are being held on the westside this Saturday.
The first one is open to all and takes place at the Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St. from 10 am to 2pm on Saturday. Highlights include an information fair featuring non-profit organizations and services in the Beaverton area (and beyond), free vision screening for children, raffle prizes for kids and parents and crafts and games. For all ages; parents or guardians must accompany children. Click here for more information.
The second event is the K.I.D.S. Fair, which is open to families within the Tigard-Tualatin School District area. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on October 15, 2009 // Leave a Comment

Another glorious autumn weekend! Beautiful weather, spectacular fall colors – and so very many fun events to choose from. Check our online calendar for many more. Enjoy!

All Weekend, Oct. 10 and 11
BirdFest & Bluegrass. Celebrate fall bird migration with guided hikes, children’s activities (including storytelling, raptor show, crafts, and more) at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. Oct 10 and 11, check Web site for schedule. Most activities free, $3 to park. Bluegrass fest at several venues in Ridgefield 11 am to 10 pm Oct. 10. $10 pass for all music. Exit 14 from I-5. www.ridgefieldfriends.org.
Winnie the Pooh. Northwest Children’s Theater invites you into the Hundred Aker Wood with Christopher Robin, Pooh, Eeyore and all your favorites. More…

Category: Metro Parent // Posted on October 9, 2009 // Leave a Comment