Portland Parents

Getting Your Kicks by Dancing with the Rockettes!

2010-09-03T16:25:18Z

Saturday, 9/18, 2PM!

On Saturday, September 18, Macy’s in Washington Square invites kids and shoppers to Dance with the Rockettes at 2:00pm as the
ladies will share free dance instruction (just how DO they synchronize all those high kicks?) as well as secrets on what it takes to be a world-famous Rockette. There also will be plenty of opportunities for photos following the Dance with the Rockettes experience and each young dancer who joins in the fun will receive an “Honorary Rockette” certificate.

As an added incentive, any shopper who spends $50 at Macy’s the day of the event will receive a free pair of tickets to the Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular coming to Rose Garden Arena on December 23 – 26! Additionally, there will be a drawing to win a chance for an exclusive VIP Meet and Greet with the Rockettes as well as 4 tickets to the Rose Garden Arena show at this event.

Sounds pretty cool to me!

The Circus!

2010-09-02T20:50:23Z

Have you been to the circus?

Personally, I’ve never been to the circus. Well, that’s not true; I’ve been to Circus Circus in Reno. I’m told that it doesn’t really compare to the Funundrum. But that changes this week; we were invited to a behind-the-scenes look at the circus and a chance to watch as they bathed the elephants. I was happy to learn that they use a special “Elephant Soap” designed for pachyderms with a lot of vitamins and essential oils in it. And watching them, it sure looked like the elephants were enjoying themselves. They would lift one foot up so the keeper could scrub the bottom of the foot and give them a mani/pedi. And they would lay on their side in the water while the keeper threw soapy water over them and scrubbed them with a wire brush.

Yup, a wire brush like you’d use to peel paint off your wall. We were amazed, but elephant skin is very tough (and you could see big anthropomorphic smiles on the elephants as they got scrubbed).

Did you know that The RB&B&B circus does Elephant Conservation? I didn’t. One reason I haven’t been to the circus is that it felt vaguely politically incorrect. But between that (the conservation efforts) and the obvious dedication of the keepers, I’m happy to say we’re going to the circus on Friday! We’ll be seeing all sorts of things – but the stars will be the elephants!

Check out their site: ringling.com. I’ll check back with you when we get back!

Shamrock Market and Hines, OR

2010-08-12T21:20:50Z

This weekend past, the Shamrock Market burned down in North Portland. It’s been a landmark for so many years, I can’t remember when it wasn’t there. The store and products within the store were worth about 3/4 of a million dollars. It’s a total loss.

Hines, a city in lovely Harney County, is one finalist in a giveaway for a new fire truck. Their youngest truck is 25 years old. They could really use a new fire truck, and you can help, just by voting for their story: vote here.

Free OMSI?

2010-08-12T02:11:47Z

Tomorrow through this weekend are Free OMSI days: Fred Meyers is paying your general admission!

The new Einstein exhibit is open too! Hours are 9 to 9. Not included are the extras; the submarine, the planetarium and OMNIMax. But get your science on at OMSI.

Source: the Portlander

My EZ Deal Expanding

2010-07-08T23:10:50Z

Good news, Campers!
My EZ Deal’s Portland offerings are expanding!
Starting tomorrow, July 9, you’ll be able to log in to their site to get special deals on all sorts of great things- look at this preliminary list:

$15 for $30 worth of purchases at Bliss Cupcake,
$15 for $30 worth of food and drinks at Five Spice,
$12.50 for $25 worth of food & drinks at Couture,
$32.50 for $65 worth of services at Nelson Body Renewal
(and more)

And to top that off- even though you can get these great deals, your purchases will be supporting local (local-to-portland) things like

Beaverton Education Foundation,
Lake Oswego School District,
Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,
Mercy Corps,
Clackamas Education Foundation,
Race for the Cure teams
(and more)

Basically, here’s how it works: You sign up for free and get a daily email list of all possible deals for the day. Then you form a “buying block” for that item. It’s like if you met some friends and decided that you’d all go in on a Sauvie Island Garden bundle — and because you’re buying them in bulk, you get a discount. Only except that you’re not working with friends, you’re opting to purchase with some other people on the list. A great weekend at Great Wolf Lodge? They might reduce the price to half, if you can get 10 signups. This site handles the signup list- and finds the deals for you! And to put icing on the cupcake, the seller will donate some money to these local charities.

It’s a great idea, and could help your dollars stretch even further!

Kellogg Recall

2010-06-29T17:34:49Z

Foul smells from your breakfast cereal may not be your imagination. A slight chance of nausea and diarrhea from the liners but very low chance of some more serious effects have prompted Kellogg to pull boxes of Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and Honey Smacks. Check your boxes for the letters KN following the “better if used before” date.

More info

Sand In The City 2010

2010-06-18T19:27:12Z

July 16,17,18 is the weekend for Yoshida’s Sand in the City.

450 Tons of Sand, in your living room.

Come checkout the masterful sculptures, the live entertainment and the great food. Last year’s event had 15 teams and 65000 visitors- that’s a lot of flipflops!

More info

Kid Events this Weekend

2010-06-18T19:24:38Z

Here’s some free events to do this weekend. Enjoy the weather!

You can join the magical-ventriloquist Steve Taylor and his puppets for a fun summer show featuring an “aquatic” adventure — at Albina Library, 11:00 Saturday!

Sellwood-Moreland Library is having a clown show (with one clown) – 11:00 Saturday.

Learn how to raise money-smart kids in this crazy world- Gregory Heights library, 1:30PM Saturday!

The Portland Pride Parade is Sunday!

First Aid

2010-06-17T17:13:45Z

Now that school’s out in the Portland area, a lot of young people are either taking care of themselves or of their siblings. Hopefully, they’ve gone through the Red Cross babysitter course, but if they’re in a pinch, here’s a source for you. Parenting.com’s First Aid.

But seriously, don’t be afraid to dial 911 if it looks major.

Gresham Skate Park

2010-06-17T19:20:27Z

Flatfoots beware! There’s a new skate park opening in Gresham at 219 S Main Street on Monday. There will be a celebration from 4:30 to 6:30.

Monday happens to be National Skateboarding Day (it’s not a crime!)

The event will feature skating demos by Bacon Skateboards and Exit RealWorld, music, food, free skate, and lots of giveaways from event sponsors Gromshop.com, Volcom, and Bacon. There will be a short program at 4:30 p.m. to kick off the event.

Phase I, which is the 5,710 square-foot skate plaza portion of the park is complete and was largely funded by individuals, sponsorships, grants, and Parks system development charges. Fundraising is underway for construction of phases II and III of the park. When finished, the 14,000 square foot skate park will feature street elements, bowls and cover.

Skate on!