Portland Parents

Vegetarian School Lunches?

2013-05-09T18:23:21Z

How would you feel if PPS only offered vegetarian lunches (or breakfasts) to your kids?

Straight from the pages of Parent’s Magazine (ok, from their facebook page), comes an article sure to intrigue you: Should Kids Eat a Vegetarian Lunch.

Basically, PS 244 in Queens New York is the first school in all of the USA to offer a vegetarian-only lunch.

Personally, I find it intriguing. I’m sure my kids get enough meat at home, in fact, I’ve been considering cutting it back. The important thing (to me) is that they get a diet with protein, carbohydrates, and maybe a little fat. I’d like to see more fruits and vegetables- but if I cared that much, I’d be sure to pack them their own lunches. Reading some of the comments on the article leaves me shocked and amazed, though.

…that takes away the parents and/or children’s CHOICE to eat the food they want to eat…

…soy causes estrogen in little boys and men to grow breasts…

Anyway, I think it would be an interesting analysis, but I’m not sure it would fly very far, even here in Portland.

Library News

2013-05-06T17:46:20Z

Just in time for the summer reading program, the library hours have been restored- including Monday hours! Check for your branch hours here.

This is great news- too often as services are cut we don’t see them return; wading pools, physical education in high school, many music and art programs. But with the return of these hours to our libraries based on the funding of the Library District Measure, I’m relieved.

The summer reading program, Dig Deeper starts June 14! I’ll post a link soon, but for now, the library needs Volunteers!

Free Children’s eBooks

2013-05-03T17:26:28Z

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Have you made any plans?

If you use a e-Reader, you might be looking for some free e-Books. While these books at Project Gutenberg are “older” there are still some great titles to be read. The entirety of the Oz series, for instance. Please “check out” Project Gutenberg‘s Children’s Bookshelf.

Summer is coming soon too. Are you ready for the Library’s annual Reading program?

Fluoride in the Water

2013-05-02T17:11:42Z

Clever graphics and Portland Mercury’s blog won’t change your mind if you’re already set in your decision. But if you’re on the fence or if only one thing keeps you from deciding for Flouridation in the water (for me it was the topical versus ingestion issue), then this article might help you.

And if you’re already set, then check out the great graphics

Better Living Show Returns!

2013-02-15T19:39:37Z

The Sixth Annual Better Living Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show returns to the Portland Expo Center Friday March 22 throught Sunday March 24. It’s a free three-day festival designed to encourage people to become more sustainable consumers. High-performance, eco-friendly are the words of the day.

This show welcomes presenter Marianne Cusato. Her work forcuses on the needs of homeowners today by balancing affordability and durability with the desire to love where we live. Cusato is well known for her work on the “Katrina Cottages.”

Some more features include:

Radio Disney Team Green
NW Natural Blue Home
Wellness Pavilion
Vegan Village
Energy Trust Good Energy Pavilion

Again, it’s free to the public,it’s the Northwest’s largest sustainable lifestyle show, and it takes place Friday, March 22 from noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 24 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Portland Expo Center.

Official show sponsors include Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural, Portland General Electric, Schnitzer Steel, Oregon State University, The Portland Clinic and Natural Awakenings Magazine.

Monster Jam!

2013-01-10T14:23:19Z

Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam is coming to Portland – February 9-10, 2013. They’re a great family fun event. They’re bringing their show The Party in the Pits which gives fans an opportunity to get up close and snuggle with the trucks and meet the drivers! This party will be Feb 9 from 11:30AM to 12:45PM!

For two days only, fans will witness the world’s best monster trucks battle it out in the ultimate event of intense speed, racing and destruction as Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® returns to Portland! Eight massive trucks will be part of the dirt-flying, car-crushin’ action at the Rose Garden – this year’s truck lineup includes the Portland debut appearances of Mohawk Warrior® and Monster Mutt Dalmatian®, along with other fan-favorites including World Finals Champions Grave Digger® and El Toro Loco® plus Captain USA, Double Trouble, Destroyer and Playing for Keeps!
**truck line-up subject to change

In addition to the world-class racing and freestyle competition action, die-hard fans can come to the stadium early on Saturday to enjoy the Party in the Pits pre-show experience — which gives fans unparalleled access to view their favorite trucks up-close, meet the star drivers for autographs and take photos!

One of the most popular touring family entertainment sporting events in the world, the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam is a high-flying, car-crushing explosive event of demolition, speed, power and unbelievable stunts with the world’s best monster trucks and drivers whose skills provide an awesome spectacle of “rock-and-roar” that will bring fans to their feet cheering for more!

Ticket prices range from $20 to $30 or $40. Kid tickets are available for $5 each (limited availability)

Take a Kid to the Bookstore Day!

2012-11-30T19:00:49Z

December 1 (tomorrow) is “take your child to the bookstore” day! It’s a good day to look for gift ideas that are alternatives to the traditionalxbox games, snuggies, and game boy games. And the St Johns Bookstore is giving out coupons!

Schools – Common Core State Standards

2012-11-26T17:24:44Z

Specifically, reading non-fiction rather than fiction in our elementaries.

Fiction-loving parents, it’s time to take a closer look at what your kid reads for school. This New York Times Opinion Piece by Sara Mosle reminds us that our schools are beginning to implement the Common Core State Standards. And one example is that by fourth grade, half of their reading time (in class) will come from historical texts, scientific tracts and other things like train schedules. And by the time the child is a senior in high school, a whopping seven tenths of the curriculum will be nonfiction! After you work in philosophy, studies in religious thought, and other important not-non-fiction (like that? I just coined it), the sliver of plays, poetry, and even fiction prose seems very small.

Maybe one problem is that a lot of people don’t enjoy reading non-fiction. I can’t imagine my third grade daughter picking up a copy of The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, but I do have this book on my iPad’s Kindle app and she might enjoy it: History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, Vol. I. To the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and … Ocean. Performed During the Years 1804-5-6. I might have to get her started, but I know we could connect Lewis and Clark to the rivers near our house and the beaches just to the west. Cape Foulweather? You betcha!

However, that sliver of fantasy seems very small. Let’s work on keeping our kids at home reading some fiction too. Escapism, especially for teenagers, heals a multitude of ills.

ZooLights!

2012-11-23T18:13:36Z

Have plans to explore the wonder of ZooLights? Checkout the Second Tuesday (12-11), and take the 2 for 1 coupon from Fred Meyers- you get into the Zoo itself for 4 bucks a person, then 2 for 1 admissions to ZooLights. And take a coat

More Information and Other Deals

St Johns Booksellers at IndieGoGo

2012-11-12T16:44:11Z

St Johns Books is raising some money to pay off their business debt and look ahead. In our neighborhood since 2005, they’ve held strong to these values:

We believe in being a place where neighbors can meet: Our clientele is one of the most diverse of any business in our neighborhood.
We believe in being a place where community is formed: We have welcomed local leaders to meet our neighbors, and currently host a a neighborhood Girl Scout troop.
We believe in being a place where readers and writers interact off the page: In 7 years, we have hosted over 400 special events, including open mics, children’s performances, and both local and nationally known authors. Our summer poetry series, in its 4th year, presented over 80 writers during the 22-week season!

Their goal is $50,000 and they cover what they’ll use the money for on their IndieGoGo page. Go check it out.