Nature Goes to School How Homeschoolers Connect

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Welcoming spring to the Portland-Vancouver area • Exploring the Portland-Vancouver area April 2013

Spring Flings: Summer • Columbia Springs Camps • Downtown Vancouver pages 27-34 • Earth Day Events School Open Houses

Contents

Features Mother Nature Goes to School ...... 10 Local schools take learning outdoors

How Homeschoolers Connect ...... 16

Viewpoint ...... 35 Restoring Recess: A new campaign from the National Wildlife Federation 10 16 Departments Parent Postings ...... 6 Announcements, events, news briefs and more

The Prosperous Parent ...... 22 Going Green for Less Green

A Day in the ‘Hood ...... 24 Vancouver, Wash.

22 28 Out & About ...... 28 Columbia Springs

Family Fare ...... 36 Hopworks BikeBar

Angels Among Us ...... 38 Urban Gleaners

Advertising Sections 38 40 Green Business Guide ...... 14 – 15

April Summer Camps ...... 27 – 34 Family Calendar Parties ...... 47

Family Calendar ...... 39

In the Spotlight ...... 39

Family Favorites ...... 40

Earth Day Events ...... 46

metro-parent.com April 2013 5 Parent Postings

A bevy of bargains Great ideas at the Home Looking for some great deals on & Garden Idea Fair kids’ and maternity clothes, toys, Get hundreds of ideas for mak-

baby gear, furniture and more? This ing your home, yard and garden TM is the month to shop, with two more beautiful, energy efficient and giant consignment sales offering eco-friendly at this free fair spon- one-stop shopping at seriously sored by Clark Public Utilities. The budget-friendly prices. event also features kids’ activities, a SuperKids Resale is set for 9 am- plant sale and more. Bring non- 8 pm April 18 and 19 and 9 am- perishable food donations for local 5 pm April 20 and 21 at 400 NW families in need. Eastman Pkwy. in Gresham. Presale The fair runs 9 am-6 pm April 26 shopping is available for volunteers, and 27, and 10 am-5 pm April 28. consignors, new parents, teen par- Admission is free; $6 to park. Clark ents and foster parents who register County Event Center, 17402 NE De- in advance. In addition to remark- fel Rd., Ridgefield, Wash. 360-992- able bargains on over 80,000 items, 3000. clarkpublicutilities.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPBELL SALGADO STUDIO’S FOTO PLAYGROUND SuperKids features family-friendly The new Metro Parent-PDX Kids Calendar team (clockwise, from top left): Debbie Dille, Teresa Carson, Keith Goben, Ali King, Emily Puro, Eric Houghton, Tabitha Rhodes, Christie Kline, activities all day Saturday, April 20. Susan Bard. Visit superkidsresale.com or call 503-866-1875 for more information Metro Parent & PDX Kids Calendar: A perfect union and a schedule of activities. Have you heard the news? Metro Parent has joined forces with PDX Kids Just Between Friends will be Calendar to become the region’s most comprehensive source of informa- open to the public from noon-7 pm tion and resources for families in print and online! We’ll be offering the April 26, 1-4 pm April 27, and 9 am- same award-winning editorial content you’ve come to expect along with a 2 pm April 28 at the Portland Expo

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES more robust and interactive online events calendar, comprehensive web- Center, 2060 N Marine Dr. Special Fun family activities, info booths, a plant sale based guides for family fun and more. pre-sale shopping times are available and more will be featured at the Clark Public Utilities FREE Home and Garden Idea Fair PDX Kids Calendar will continue to deliver the fantastic giveaways, April 25 for registered volunteers, April 26-28. newsletters and resource guides you love, with the added benefit of incor- consignors, first-time parents and porating Metro Parent’s exceptional editorial coverage. foster/adoptive parents. Visit Swim lesson sign-ups We’re excited about the changes ahead and we’d love to hear your feed- portland.jbfsale.com or call back! Feel free to send a note with suggestions and comments to editor@ It’s hard to believe it’s time to 503-327-4821 to learn more. metro-parent.com and/or [email protected]. After all, we’re here enroll the kids in summer swim Admission to both sales is free to help you make the most of this wondrous journey called parenthood. during public hours; parking is free lessons, but sign-ups are start- at SuperKids and $8 at Just Between ing this month. Portland Parks & Friends. Many items will be Recreation opens enrollment April 50 percent off on the last day of each 8 (503-823-5130; portlandoregon. Local author launches chat, enjoy some refreshments and sale. Check websites for information gov/parks/) and Tualatin Hills Parks learn more about making room in on consigning, volunteering, special & Recreation District opens summer Minimalist Parenting your life for the things that are most deals and more. swim lesson enrollment April 20 Northeast Portland mom Asha meaningful. Learn more at (503-645-6433; thprd.org). Dornfest is passionate about simpli- minimalistparenting.com. Vancouver-Clark Parks & Rec- fying and streamlining her life – so reation has a staggered registration passionate she recently published a system. Residents can begin enroll- book to help other parents do the Grandmas are beautiful ing online April 15. Non-residents same. The book, which Dornfest can enroll online beginning April co-authored with Boston mama Local photographer Linnea 17. In-person registration begins Christine Koh, is called MINIMALIST Osterberg has launched a special April 19. Call 360-487-8311 or visit PARENTING: Enjoy Modern Family Life portrait project called Grandmas, cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/ More by Doing Less (bibliomotion photographing grandmothers and for details. books + media; 2013). their grandchildren through mid- Dornfest, who founded the pop- summer at no charge. ular parenting website parenthacks. Osterberg will exhibit the This month brings us two enormous consign- com, is hosting a book launch party black and white photographs in ment sales with bargain basement prices on at A Children’s Place Bookstore September. For more information, kids’ and maternity clothing, toys, gear and call 503-860-6186 or visit much more: SuperKids Resale April 18-21 and (4807 NE Fremont) on April 20 from Just Between Friends April 26-28. 7-8:30 pm to celebrate. Stop in to osterbergphoto.com. PHOTO BY ANGELA OXENRIDER (PHOTOGRAPHYBYAJAY.COM); COURTESY SUPERKIDS RESALE PHOTO BY ANGELA OXENRIDER (PHOTOGRAPHYBYAJAY.COM);

6 April 2013 metro-parent.com metro-parent.com April 2013 7 Parent Postings Metro Parent Serving the Families of the Portland Metropolitan Area

Metro Parent Bowling for foster kids Camp Fire Celebrity + Radon, radon, go away! P.O. Box 13660 Have a ball bowling in your jam- Youth Talent Show Radon kills more than 21,000 Portland, OR 97213-0660 mies at Sleep Country USA’s annual Catch the music, dance and Americans every year and is the Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 Pajama Bowl April 21. The event song in this show that pits local second leading cause of lung cancer. Publisher raises money for foster kids, cover- celebs against Camp Fire youth. (Smoking is the first.) Radon is a Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 [email protected] ing the cost of everyday necessities 5 pm April 26. $75, benefits radioactive gas, naturally occurring such as shoes and coats and impor- Camp Fire’s before, during and from the ground, and can be found Editor tant extras such as music lessons, after school programs in local throughout Oregon. It can get into Emily Puro, 503-922-0893 [email protected] tutoring, summer camp and more. schools. Crystal Ballroom, any type of building or home and Teams of five must raise a minimum 1332 W Burnside. 971-340-1603. can build up to unsafe levels. Managing Editor of $250 ($50 per person) to partici- campfirecolumbia.org. Testing homes for radon is Calendar Editor Teresa Carson pate. 11 am or 2 pm April 21 at Big simple and inexpensive. Radon [email protected] Al’s in Beaverton (14950 SW Bar- test kits can be purchased at local rows Rd., 253-236-0921) or 11 am Win Money for College hardware and home improvement Director of Online, Social Media April 21 at Big Al’s in Vancouver & Marketing Strategy stores or directly from radon (16615 SE 18th St., 360-944-6118). To encourage families to save Tabitha Rhodes, 503-975-6978 testing companies. Many test kits [email protected] pajamabowl.com. for college using tax-advantaged are priced between $10 and $25. college savings plans (known as Contributing Writers The American Lung Association “529 savings plans”), the Oregon Sue Campbell, Allen Cooper, in Oregon (ALAO) offers test kits College Savings Plan is giving away Eric Houghton, Emily Kanter, Anne Laufe, for $14, which includes the cost of Heather Lee Leap, Sara Tetreault 20 $1,000 college savings accounts. shipping, handling and analysis. Parents of children 18 and younger Advertising Account Executives Residents who find high levels can enter to win by completing the Westside/National/Outside Metro Area of radon in their homes can sentence: “After college my child Debbie Dille, 503-997-4044 contact a qualified contractor fax: 503-352-4373 intends to be…” to fix the problem. Visit [email protected] “We want families to think healthoregon.org/radon for a list about how higher education may Eastside/Vancouver/Washington PHOTO COURTESY OF SLEEP COUNTRY FOSTER KIDS PAJAMA BOWL of qualified contractors in Oregon Ali King, 503-331-8184 help their children realize their Gather a team and get ready for some serious and a link to purchase ALAO fax: 503-331-3445 fun to benefit local foster kids at Sleep Country dreams, while letting them know [email protected] test kits. USA’s annual Pajama Bowl April 21. that one of the simplest ways to For more information Design & Production Susan Bard save and pay for college is through about radon, radon testing and a state 529 savings plan,” says For distribution issues, mitigation, and radon-resistant e-mail us at Michael Parker, executive director new construction, or to order a test [email protected] Got diapers? of the Oregon 529 College Savings kit, call the Oregon Radon Program Share the wealth! Network. For calendar submissions, at 971-673-0440 or visit the website e-mail us at [email protected] More than 150,000 children Learn more about the Oregon above. live in poverty in Oregon, but 529 plan – and enter the contest – Metro Parent is published monthly by food stamps and other assistance at OregonCollegeSavings.com. Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. and is copyright 2013 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. programs don’t cover the cost of Contest closes April 30. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole diapers and diapering supplies. or in part without written permission is This means some parents are forced prohibited. Metro Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, Oregon to leave kids in soiled diapers for metropolitan area. long periods of time. Some have to PDX Diaper Bank (pdxdiaperbank.org) helps Metro Parent reserves the right to refuse choose between diapers and food or get diapers and diapering supplies to families in need. advertising for any reason. Distribution forgo day care or preschool because of this publication does not constitute an they can’t supply nappies. endorsement of the products or services advertised herein. To help, Portland mom Rachel Alston created PDX Diaper Bank, a Metro Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, nonprofit that gathers donated dia- sex or sexual orientation. pers and distributes them to those Although every effort is taken to ensure the in need. Diaper Bank also serves accuracy of published material, Metro Parent elderly and disabled folks. Publishing Inc. and its agents and employees You can help, too! Diaper Bank cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained welcomes donations of cash, cloth herein. The contents of Metro Parent and its or disposable diapers, wipes and website are for informational purposes only more. For more information visit and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment. pdxdiaperbank.org.

8 April 2013 metro-parent.com Parent Education Props to the What About Boys? Counselor teachers we love Howard Hiton and pediatrician Does your child have the best Kathy Masarie present practical tips teacher in the world? OnPoint for raising boys. Learn about boys’ Community Credit Union wants biological development, learning to hear about it! The OnPoint Prize style and social pressures. Find out for Excellence in Education awards about boys’ values and the needs nearly $40,000 to deserving K-12 behind their actions, their unique teachers and public and private communication style and how K-12 schools. Two honored teach- parents can be supportive. 7 pm ers (one from grades K-8 and one Wed. April 17. $10, pre-registration from grades 9-12) will have their The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education offers big rewards to exceptional K-12 teachers. required. Legacy Meridian Park mortgages paid for a year, plus Nominate the wonderful teachers in your child’s life by April 15 (onpointprize.com). Medical Center, 19300 SW 65th their schools will receive $1,000 Ave., Tualatin. 503-335-3500. each. Runners up in each grade Credit Union, which was founded job-share classroom teacher, coun- eventsvc.com/legacyhealth/. category will receive $500, plus by teachers 80 years ago. “This selor or librarian in grades K-12 $500 for each of their schools, too. award is an opportunity to recog- in an accredited public, private More parent education and parent “Our annual OnPoint Prize nize educators who make a differ- or charter school in any county support group information can be award celebrates extraordinary ence in the lives of students and the credit union serves. (See their found at metro-parent.com. teachers whose work sparks en- the communities where we live.” website for details.) thusiasm and passion in students Anyone can nominate an Nomination forms are available and their parents,” says Rob Stuart, educator. Educators can even at onpointprize.com. The contest CEO for OnPoint Community nominate themselves. To qualify, closes April 15 and winners will be a nominee must be a full-time or announced May 22.

metro-parent.com April 2013 9

Mother NatureBy Anne Laufe Goes to School PHOTO BY RASUL AHMADI (CHESHMOON.COM)

Swallowtail School How much time do your A Waldorf-based kids spend outside each day? Swallowtail School school that serves kids in If they’re like most American 332 NE 6th, Hillsboro preschool through eighth children, the answer is prob- 503-846-0336 grade, Hillsboro’s Swal- ably “Not much!” With a full swallowtailschool.org lowtail School got its start slate of organized activities in a barn 18 years ago. PHOTO BY RASUL AHMADI (CHESHMOON.COM) combined with myriad elec- From the beginning, getting kids involved in the natural tronic entertainment devices, world has been woven into the school’s philosophy, With nearly 26 acres of farmland on the future site of its rural campus, many children rarely take the says teacher Kris Porto. Currently housed in a church in Swallowtail School in Hillsboro provides students with ample opportuni- time to step outside and smell downtown Hillsboro, the school owns nearly 26 acres ties to run, play, explore and learn in a natural environment. the fresh air. of farmland nearby. Development is underway to create a rural campus on the site, with the goal of moving at Yet, as research emerges least two classes there full-time beginning this fall. In the with a fire pit, and have applied their botany lessons by about the positive aspects of meantime, classes frequently play, plant, and study there. planting wild edibles. outdoor time and the problems “We’ve always had a rural aspect to our school and Back at the current school building, kids tend raised associated with our current dis- we’re trying to recreate that on our farm property,” says bed gardens. Many classrooms also have nature tables, connection from nature, local Porto, whose class is in second and third grade this year. where seasonally collected items are on display. schools are doing more to get (Waldorf teachers stay with one class from kindergarten Rasul Ahmadi, the father of two Swallowtail students, loves the outdoor aspect of the program. He kids outside and involved with through eighth grade.) “It’s amazing to see how much says his kids are proud of the gardens they’ve helped the natural world. Parents, the land speaks to the children.” Students spend the first week of every school year at create and come home eager to talk about what they’ve teachers, school administrators the farm campus to help them make the transition from learned. and even the kids themselves the freedom of summer to the structure of school. As When his daughter’s class studied insects last year, tout the benefits of spending the year progresses, classes visit the farm frequently. they sucked the creatures into glass jars with straws. school hours outdoors – from In the early grades, environmental study at Swallow- “It was really delightful to watch,” Ahmadi recalls. increased imaginative play to tail is all about appreciating nature, with an emphasis “It was sort of a game and play for them, but they were really learning.” the desire to become stewards on the seasons and how they change. Last year, Porto’s of our fragile earth and more. students spent four weeks observing their surroundings, he says, with a focus on con- Public and private schools trast. They examined what Franciscan Montessori Earth School “It’s amazing to see throughout the area are engag- was inside their classroom, how much the land Southeast Portland’s Franciscan Montessori Earth ing kids in the excitement of then what was outside. speaks to the children.” School (FMES) is another local school with a long his- hands-on outdoor education When it came time to Kris Porto, teacher, tory of educating children about the natural world. It draw what they had ob- and encouraging them to con- Swallowtail School is called the Earth School, after all, and St. Francis is served, most of his students nect to nature by incorporating the patron saint of animals and the environment. (The drew the juncos (small birds the great outdoors into core school is run by Jesuit nuns but welcomes children of who live on the property) working diligently to get the classes and recreational ac- all backgrounds.) seeds out of cones from a cedar tree. The program gained strength six years ago, when tivities. In honor of Earth Day, “There was a moral lesson there, as well, about the FMES hired garden specialist Marc Boucher-Colbert to we’d like to introduce you to benefits of working together,” Porto says. involve students in planning, planting and harvesting a few local schools that make Classes plant, grow and harvest food on the farm. crops on their 10-acre campus. Boucher-Colbert meets Older students have been involved in repairing the nature exploration a central with students every other week to teach thematic units riparian area by planting trees along the creek that runs focus every day. from a six-year curriculum he’s designed. through the property. They’ve created a common area

10 April 2013 metro-parent.com Garden Specialist Marc Boucher- Colbert introduces neighborhood kids to the FMES garden during a summer outreach program.

Fransciscan Montessori Earth School 14750 SE Clinton PHOTO COURTESY OF FMES 503-760-8220 fmes.org Students in the Children’s House (3-6 years old) at FMES have fun harvesting sunflowers in the fall. In the fall, Boucher-Colbert teaches first through third graders about soil and how to prepare compost to “cook” during the winter months. Come spring, these students use herbs and greens they’ve grown in the garden to prepare salads and a vinaigrette, simple things they can make at home, too. Upper elementary students plant a Garden of the Americas, which ties in with their social studies classes. Boucher-Colbert starts the unit with a chocolate tasting to entice kids, teaching them about the different kinds of chocolate and its nutritional qualities. They go on to plant corn, amaranth, beans, squash, PHOTO COURTESY OF FMES quinoa and sunflowers, which they harvest and learn how to prepare for meals. In addition to gardening activities at school and frequent visits to nearby Powell Butte Nature Park, twice each year students participate in Earth Experiences. These are overnight camping trips to study different ecosystems, including mountain, desert and ocean. Substantial class time revolves around preparing kids for these trips and assessing what they’ve learned when they return. The school has been a perfect fit for Wyatt Garnand and his son, a first grader who’s “No matter how into attended FMES since preschool. Garnand enjoys video games they are, plants and planting and everything to do with they’re still fascinated dirt and is thrilled his son already has learned by worms.” so much about growing food. Marc Boucher-Colbert, garden specialist, FMES “The most important thing is the healthy respect he has for vegetables,” says Garnand. “His favorite is kale. The other day he came in and talked about how Brussels sprouts grow. …He’s 6 and he knows the parts of the plants and all about photosynthesis.” For Boucher-Colbert, the time kids spend in the garden, at Powell Butte and on their Earth Experiences provides a connection to the earth’s systems they might not get otherwise. “They need to learn how to sustain and care for the earth,” he says. “The temptation is to be pulled away from that with Wiis and other elec- tronics, so this is just one opportunity in their day. No matter how into video games they are, they’re still fascinated by worms.” Mother Nature Goes to School continues on page 12

metro-parent.com April 2013 11 Mother Nature Goes to School continued from page 11 Tucker-Maxon School

Walk by Tucker-Maxon Tucker-Maxon School School in southeast Portland 2860 SE Holgate and you’ll hear not only the 503-235-6551 sounds of children tuckermaxon.org playing but also the clucking of chickens, the quacking of ducks and the gobbling of turkeys. PHOTO COURTESY OF TUCKER-MAXON SCHOOL With organic gardens, chickens, turkeys and more, Some days you’ll a variety of critters and crops are always on hand at hear the baaing of Tucker-Maxon School in southeast Portland. sheep as well. Amanda Schmidt, whose third grade daughter attends the The students plant, weed and harvest school, says she was an organic garden at the school, too, initially attracted to connecting them to their food and where Tucker-Maxon because it comes from. They planted apple and of the animals and the pear trees on Earth Day a few years ago, gardening opportuni- and when the fruit ripens in the fall, the ties the program offers. kids get to eat that as well. Students feed the “Everyone works hard and works animals, collect eggs, PHOTO COURTESY OF TUCKER-MAXON SCHOOL together,” says Schmidt. “It’s basically spread bark chips and like a family on a farm.” hay, plant, weed and more. Schmidt appreciates the opportunities her daughter Springwater Environmental has to see the full circle of planting and harvesting, and Sciences School also that she’s engaged in real work she enjoys. Nature is infused “They all adore it,” Schmidt says. “They’re sweaty Springwater Environmental when they get out of school because they work hard.” into everything chil- Sciences School Tucker-Maxon enrolls deaf and hard of hearing children study at Spring- 16491 S Springwater, dren along with typically hearing children in preschool water Environmental Oregon City through fifth grade. They also offer an early intervention Sciences School in Or- 503-631-7700 program. Second grade teacher Michelle Proctor says egon City, says Dawn springwaterschool.com most kids are naturally interested in plants and animals, Bolotow, the school’s so incorporating them into the curriculum is a sure-fire principal. way to get students “We focus on the core subjects and wrap them in excited about learning. a big vehicle of environmental science,” Bolotow ex- “The care and responsibil- Take the projects plains. “It’s in the songs they sing, the books they read, ity and love and respect inspired by the sheep the problems they solve.” for animals, the nurtur- that lived at the school Springwater is a public charter school serving kids ing, they learn it all and last year. One class was so in kindergarten through eighth grade. It’s located on it’s all so important.” enamored with the sheep five acres adjacent to Clear Creek, a 500-acre natural Michelle Proctor, teacher, area operated by Metro. An integral part of the school’s Tucker-Maxon School they did a research project on them, covering mission is to develop a love and respect for nature everything from what they eat to what products can be through outdoor experiences. Activities range from made from their wool. (The sheep, needing more room, working in the garden to gathering natural materials now live on property owned by one of the teachers, but for use as manipulatives in math classes to planting they still visit the school occasionally.) trees and more. “The care and responsibility and love and respect In the classroom, older for animals, the nurturing, they learn it all and it’s all so kids read books like Chew “We focus on the core important,” says Proctor. on This: Everything You subjects and wrap The students have seen some animals die, provid- Didn’t Want to Know About them in a big vehicle of ing meaningful lessons in dealing with loss. They’ve Fast Food (Houghton Mif- environmental science.” also had to figure out how to protect their chickens and flin Books for Children, Dawn Bolotow, principal, 2006), which encourages Springwater Environmental ducks from a neighborhood cat, giving them real-world Sciences School experience in problem solving. them to explore their

12 April 2013 metro-parent.com choices around food and nutrition. They learn about industrial farming, the cost of food production and how what they eat affects their health. All eighth grade students complete a capstone project for which they choose an environmental issue that captures their interest and research ways to solve a problem or improve a situation. One student studied vertical vs. non-vertical gardens, for example, along with the commercial benefits and challenges of each approach. Eighth grader Patience Humble moved from Arizona to Oregon City when she was in seventh grade. She chose Springwater because she knew she’d get to spend some of her school day outside. She’s enjoyed learning about rock forma- tions, working on compass skills in the field and creating plans for an outdoor learning structure. “In Arizona, there wasn’t much opportunity to go out into the forest PHOTO COURTESY OF SPRINGWATER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO COURTESY OF SPRINGWATER and learn about nature,” Patience says. “Springwater is really one in a million.” While much of their learning takes place on or near campus, Springwater students also travel frequently. As part of an engineering unit, students in the upper grades take a field trip to Mount Hood to build igloos, employing different types of arches. Fourth graders visit local water treatment facilities as part of a unit on electricity and water. Students in grades five through eight spend a week at a different outdoor school each year, including Opal

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPRINGWATER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO COURTESY OF SPRINGWATER Creek, Hancock Field Station, and An integral part of Springwater Environmental Beverly Beach on the Oregon Coast. Sciences School’s mission is to develop a love and respect for nature through a variety of “We really need to love our outdoor experiences. place,” Bolotow says, “and we need to get outside to experience it.”

French American International School

With a 14-acre campus in northwest Portland, the French American International School (FAIS) is another local school ideally situated for outdoor learning. FAIS students and teachers make frequent use of the outdoor classrooms, natural play area and nature trail that runs through the nearby woods. Ample time outdoors helps kids connect with the environment and notice what’s going on around them, says Kathy Fleener, director of school programs. “We want everything they learn to be as authentic as possible,” says Fleener. “… We have these amazing opportunities at our fingertips and we try to bring that to their day.”

Mother Nature Goes to School continues on page 14

metro-parent.com April 2013 13 green business guide

The Benefits of Outdoor Education In a 2010 report titled, “Back to School – Back Outside! Create High Perform- ing Students,” the National Wildlife Federation details numerous benefits of incorporating outdoor time and green spaces into traditional school programs. Here’s an excerpt from the report: The research reveals that outdoor education, greener school grounds and more outdoor play time in Above: FAIS regularly hosts work parties through the Audubon Society’s Back- yard Habitat Certification Program to restore the school’s forest areas. natural settings: PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAIS Left: FAIS students constructed a living wall of willow in the school’s nature- • Usefully employ all of a child’s based Discovery Park. native intelligences, ranging from Mother Nature Goes to School math and science smarts to inter- continued from page 13 personal communications • Are particularly effective at helping Teachers integrate With the Discovery Park, students are “given the French American nature into social stud- chance for multi-sensory play, and they have the under-resourced, low-income students International School perform measurably better in school ies, science, math and 8500 NW Johnson ability to see more of the diverse environment,” says • Quantitatively increase student English classes by having 503-292-7776 Beth Clifton, who teaches science at FAIS and has motivation and enthusiasm to learn students work in the gar- faispdx.org two daughters enrolled at the school. “They’re also • Markedly improve classroom behavior den, tend a sophisticated learning to be gentle with nature and how to take with fewer discipline referrals and composting system, care care of the area.” related problems for the school’s mason bees and observe changes in • Help students concentrate for longer the nearby wetlands, among other activities. periods and help mitigate attention Older students study deficit problems biodiversity and sustain- Whether they’re learning about environmental • Help students to learn across ability and are involved science, growing and preparing organic food, or just disciplines and make them better “They’re learning to real-world problem solvers in projects such as be gentle with nature having fun digging in the dirt and observing insects, measuring rainwater on students are being immersed in the natural world • Help keep students engaged in their and how to take care the school’s campus and every day at schools throughout the area. Not only is school work and make them less of the area.” inclined to drop out of school making recommenda- it proving to be an effective way to engage children tions to the facilities staff Beth Clifton, teacher in a variety of academic subjects, many teachers and • Measurably improve classroom and parent, FAIS performance in math, science, based on the information parents believe it’s essential for the future of our reading and social studies collected. planet. • Increase scores on statewide Younger students especially enjoy the recently “By the time they graduate,” says Kris Porto, a standardized tests in basic skills, opened Discovery Park, an area adjacent to the play- teacher at Swallowtail School in Hillsboro, “we want reading, science and math ground that allows for imaginative play and explora- them to have a reverence for nature so they can lead • Improve performance on college tion. With rocks, sticks, a nurse log and moveable this next generation and take care of the world.” entrance exams stepping stones, the park encourages kids to connect Reprinted with permission from with the world in a different way than they do in Anne Laufe is a Portland freelance writer, the mother of two and a The National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org) the classroom or on a traditional playground. self-described “card carrying dirt worshipper.”

14 April 2013 metro-parent.com green business guide

metro-parent.com April 2013 15 How Homeschoolers By Sue Campbell Connect

A community gardening club is just one of the diverse programs offered to homeschooling children PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM through Village Home Education Resource Center, Monthly Home School Days at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville feature hands-on activities, special guests and more. with locations in Beaverton and northeast Portland. PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION

f you’ve ever considered homeschooling but worried your kids would same neighborhood, learn about a new i feel isolated or lack social interaction, you clearly haven’t met many exhibit or upcoming performance, or “The danger for home- local homeschooling families. gather a posse for a discounted group schoolers is that you end “The danger for homeschoolers is that you end up too busy,” says rate on tickets to any number of cultural up too busy. Make sure Alison Jakel, president of the Oregon Home Education Network (OHEN), events. you carve out time in your a nonprofit supporting Oregon’s homeschooling community. In fact, she When Jakel’s boys were younger week to be home.” advises parents who are new to homeschooling to (they’re now 12 and 16), she formed “make sure you carve out time in your week to a cooperative with a half dozen other Alison Jakel, OHEN be home.” families. Homeschooling 101 She’s not kidding! With all the “We’d go on hikes. We’d go to a mu- activities and resources available to seum. We’d schedule a tour of a fire station,” she says. Sometimes they’d Get more information about home- homeschooling families in and simply get together to play. schooling, including links to helpful around the Portland metro area – Connecting with parents who have different strengths and skills than resources, events, activities and more, from nature walks and organized you do can be a huge boon for homeschoolers, Jakel adds. Her 12-year-old from the Oregon Home Education museum trips to LEGO robotics son, for example, had the chance to build a dune buggy with the help of Network (ohen.org). clubs, academic classes, arts a mechanically inclined homeschooling dad. Find official state information about instruction and more – it’s never Many of the friendships that begin online develop into close, lasting Oregon De- homeschooling from the been easier to connect with the ties. Jakel says her sons “have a really nice group of friends from all over partment of Education (ode.state.or.us; area’s vibrant and active home- Portland.” Now that her oldest son is a teenager, she adds, she’s comfort- search “homeschool”) and the Washing- school community. ton Office of Superintendent of able letting him organize his own activities with friends. Public Instruction (k12.wa.us; “At 16, it becomes really important to branch out from the family and Making connections search “homeschool”). have a peer group and more independence,” she says. One of the quickest and easiest ways to engage other homeschoolers is online. Not Learning something new only can you find helpful resources and a vast array of While some parents might be intimidated by the thought of being educational tools, there are a number of local homeschooling groups that their child’s sole teacher, that’s not how most homeschooling families do offer online discussion, support and networking opportunities. it. Post a notice asking if anyone is interested in gathering for Spanish “It’s not about having it all figured out and working perfectly,” says lessons, for example, and within a matter of hours you could have a small Tracie Wahlberg, a Hillsboro mom who homeschools her two boys, ages 9 group of kids ready to practice their conversation skills. Online home- and 12. “It’s about learning and growing with your child.” schooling groups make it easy to connect with other homeschoolers in the

16 April 2013 metro-parent.com A group of homeschooled kids experiment with physics in a class at Village Home Education Resource Center.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER

There are many organizations that can help by supplementing your own knowledge base and providing some structure and routine in your child’s school week. (See Get Connected on page 19 for a list of organizations that offer classes and other activities for homeschoolers.) For Wahlberg’s family, some level of routine is important. Her children appreciate the predictability of attending a few regularly scheduled classes. It also provides them with some valuable time apart. “It’s healthy for the kids and for the mom to have a break from each other and engage other people,” she says. Village Home Education and Resource Center is one of the most promi- nent organizations offering classes and other activities for homeschoolers, serving nearly 500 kids this year. With locations in Beaverton and northeast Portland, the nonprofit offers a vast array of diverse classes for children age 4 and older – from core academic subjects to arts instruction to Drivers’ Ed and beyond – as well as field trips, tutoring and consulting services, travel opportunities and more. For many families, these types of activities “keep the learning more vibrant because there are more people involved in the equation,” says Village Home Executive Director Lori Walker. Families are free to choose the level of participation that meets their needs – from a single class to numerous daily activities or any arrangement in between. One of the biggest goals of homeschooling, says Wahlberg, is to teach kids to be independent learners. Local libraries and museums provide fantastic opportunities for self-guided exploration, and most are far less crowded during regular school hours than they are on weekends. Many libraries and museums also offer structured programs for homeschoolers, such as the reading groups hosted through Multnomah County Library. The Homeschool Book Party, designed for kids from 6-10 years old, and the Homeschool Literary Circle, for ages 10-14, give kids a chance to explore great books and discuss them with their peers. Multnomah County

How Homeschoolers Connect continues on page 18

metro-parent.com April 2013 17 Informal and organized activities make it easy for homeschooled kids of all ages to make friends and connect with peers.

How Homeschoolers Connect continued from page 17 PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION

Library also hosts OHEN presentations on homeschooling basics, provides meeting space for homeschooling groups, and even employs a homeschooling liaison to help families take advantage of all the resources the library has to offer. Milwaukie’s Ledding Library also hosts OHEN presentations several times each year, as well as an Ecosystem Explorers group, held twice monthly, where kids age 5 and older can learn about deserts, rainforests, A rare photo of grant and ryan Wahlberg studying at oceans and more. their Hillsboro home. “The reality is, they don’t spend a lot of time by themselves,” says mom, Tracie Wahlberg.

Museums are on board with programs for home- FAMILY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WAHLBERG schoolers, too. The education department at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville runs a This year’s trip was scheduled for April 1-3, but you can monthly Home School Program for students in kinder- put together a group of 12 or more to schedule your own garten through twelfth grade. These day-long sessions excursion. feature presentations and hands-on activities focused A number of other organizations offer programs on science, technology, engineering and math. Upcom- geared toward homeschoolers, too, including the ing topics include the space race, battlefield forensics, Northwest Children’s Theater and School, which hosts ancient history through science and more. Home School Theater classes on Fridays. Many public The Washington County Museum hosts Home schools also allow homeschoolers to attend classes as Education Days twice monthly, from January through space allows. April, offering an hour-long presentation and hands-on Organized competitions are another great way for activities focused on homeschoolers to stay involved in a larger academic regional social studies community. Village Home hosts the annual Scripps “It’s healthy for the kids topics. Admission Spelling Bee for homeschoolers, and this year they’re and for the mom to have a to the museum is hosting the History Bee for the Portland region as well. break from each other and included in the Students and/or teams from Village Home compete in program cost. engage other people.” the National Geographic GeoBee, the Science Bowl, The Oregon Muse- Tracie Wahlberg, Hillsboro Destination Imagination, Model UN and other competi- um of Science and In- tions each year, and Walker lists an impressive history of dustry (OMSI) offers an regional and state champions from the community. array of science education options, including classes, outdoor school and even camping in a submarine. Having fun Wahlberg gives a big thumbs up to science classes Kids need time to hang out with friends, and local offered outside the home. homeschoolers have plenty of opportunities to do that. “Who wants to do science classes at home?” she Michelle Warila, a northeast Portland mother of asks. “It makes such a mess!” five who homeschooled three of her children and has For families seeking a field-based outdoor educa- worked as a public school teacher, says public school tion experience, NatureBridge offers three- and five-day kids “often restrict themselves to interacting with other science education programs in Olympic National Park.

18 April 2013 metro-parent.com Get Connected

The following is a mere smattering of the local businesses and organizations that offer classes and host events and activities for homeschoolers: Classes and Educational Activities Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum: 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185. evergreenmuseum.org Milwaukie Ledding Library: 10660 SE 21st, Milwaukie. 503-786-7580. ci.milwaukie.or.us/library/homeschoolers Multnomah County Library: Multiple locations. multcolib.org (choose “Grow,” “Educators,” “Homeschooling”) NatureBridge: Olympic National Park. naturebridge.org (search “homeschool”) Northwest Children’s Theater and School: 1819 NW Everett. 503-222-2190. nwcts.org Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu Portland Child Art Studio: 1819 NW Everett, Ste. 204. 971-200-7554. portlandchildartstudio.org Village Home Education Resource Center: Portland and Beaverton. 503-597-9100. villagehome.org Washington County Museum: 120 E Main, Hillsboro. 503-645-5353. washingtoncountymuseum.org Physical Fun Flight School of Gymnastics: Homeschool PE. Prices vary, depending on pack- age. 1281 NE 25th, Ste. G, Hillsboro. 503-640-6797. flightschoolgym.com JJ Jump: 2 Much Fun. 9570 SE Jannsen, Clackamas, 503-723-3600, 2:15-3:45 pm first Friday of every month, $6. 7500 NE 16th, #2-D, Vancouver, 360-213-2524, 2-4 pm every Wednesday, $5.50. jjjump.com Oaks Park: Homeschool Skate. 10 am-noon second and fourth Monday of every month through May 13. $6. 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. 503-236-5722. oakspark.com

Check with your neighborhood public school to find out about academic and extra-curricular programs open to homeschoolers.

kids their age or grade.” She thinks homeschooled kids “are used to engaging maturely with whomever they encounter.” While most homeschool families find informal ways to connect and socialize, there are structured events for homeschoolers, “The kids own this place too. OHEN hosts two well attended dances and they feel like they are for homeschooled teens each year, including active participants in it a costume party around Halloween and a prom in the spring. and co-creators of their “We get teens from all over Oregon and classroom experience.” Vancouver,” Jakel says. Lori Walker, Village Home Village Home Education Resource Center Education Resource Center hosts a number of social and community building opportunities for kids of all ages, too, including recreational field trips; board game gatherings; a Teen VENT (“Very Educational Nice Time”) program in which teens lead volunteer projects, work on developing leader- ship skills and participate in other activities; and more.

How Homeschoolers Connect continues on page 20

metro-parent.com April 2013 19 Online Education: A hybrid approach How Homeschoolers Connect continued from page 19

Online charter schools, an increasingly popular choice for families through- The community aspect of Village Home – “that the children belong to out the area, lie somewhere between traditional schooling and homeschool- something greater than just themselves and their own family” – is a big ing. When you enroll your child in an online charter school, instruction takes draw for homeschooling families, says Walker. “The kids own this place place at home, but the curriculum typically is determined by the school, and they feel like they are active participants in it and co-creators of their materials are provided free of charge, and your child is supported by a classroom experience. It’s a very empowering thing and it’s credentialed teacher. also their social foundation.” Clearly there are pros and Sports and physical activities are important, too, teaching cons to this approach for kids about teamwork and good sportsmanship while giv- families drawn to home- ing them a chance to get out and have fun with their peers. schooling. Besides little league and organized sports clubs, there are a To encourage families who range of options specifically geared toward homeschoolers, want more control over from Homeschool Skate sessions at Oaks Park to Homeschool their children’s education to Physical Education classes at the Flight School of Gymnastics consider online education, in Hillsboro to programs at local community centers around Estacada Web Academy, an the area. Homeschoolers also are welcome to participate in online K-12 public charter PHOTO COURTESY OF ESTACADA WEB ACADEMY PHOTO COURTESY OF ESTACADA extra-curricular activities at area public schools. sponsored by the Estacada “The old percep- School District, is chang- ing the way they deliver tion of homeschool instruction. Estacada Web Academy hosts numerous field trips – children was that like this visit to OMSI – for students enrolled in their they were socially “We are retooling our online charter school. stunted,”says Wahl- elementary program to berg. “Homeschool- respond to the feedback the homeschooling community has given us,” says Sean Gallagher, assistant principal for the charter. “They want to maintain a ers are (only) as presence as a home instructor. They want to have greater choice of curricu- socially stunted as lum options rather than just the online curriculum. They don’t want their their parents are.” kids learning in front of a computer all day long.” Or aren’t. To serve that segment of the community, the school now offers a pre- “The trend now,” approved curriculum developed with the help of homeschool liaisons as she emphasizes, “is to well as curriculum materials from well-known educational publishers, so be out and about and families can design their own instructional programs. As an online charter, PHOTO COURTESY OF VILLAGE HOME EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER social.” the school provides materials at no cost and supports families with test- Numerous studies ing, highly qualified teachers, and other traditional school-based services. have shown the aver- Estacada Web Academy also hosts several in-person academic and social age homeschooler activities for families who choose a home-based approach to education. acquires social skills Study halls and enrichment days are held at various locations around the at least equal to his area, the charter organizes numerous field trips, and they offer an art class traditional public in Estacada and a bi-weekly PE class at an elementary school in Gresham. or private school “We serve about a 60-mile radius from Portland metro proper,” says counterpart. (Some Gallagher, “so we try to make opportunities happen all over.” studies have shown significantly higher For older students, Estacada Early College offers a dual enrollment program in which students work toward high school graduation while simulta- levels of maturity neously gaining credits toward a college degree – typically an Associate of and socialization in children who are Arts degree – by taking classes at a local community college. PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM homeschooled.) “A lot of homeschooling families, at a certain point, will look to community That’s not college to fill in the gap,” says Gallagher, who also serves as assistant prin- Above: The Tootsie Pops – a team of girls cipal for the Early College charter. When they enroll through Estacada Early between 15 and 17 years old from Village Home surprising, given the wealth of Education Resource Center – were last year’s opportunities local home- College, the charter pays their tuition and provides a stipend for books. Destination Imagination (DI) state champions schooling kids have to engage While enrolling your child in an online charter like Estacada Web Academy in the senior division. The girls took sixth in DI’s Global competition, which hosts students from with their peers and their com- isn’t homeschooling in the strictest sense of the word, it is an appealing around the world. According to Village Home munity. After all, the world is option for families who want to provide home-based instruction but Executive Director Lori Walker, of the nine Oregon appreciate the support provided by an accredited public charter school. teams who made it to the DI Global Finals last their classroom! year, four were from Village Home. For more information, call 503-630-5001, or visit: Sue Campbell is a Portland freelance Estacada Web Academy: ewa.estacadacharters.org Below: Monthly Home School Days at the writer and mom. Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in Estacada Early College eec.estacadacharters.org McMinnville feature hands-on activities, special guests and more.

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metro-parent.com April 2013 21 The Prosperous Parent

something as simple as Going Green for drying your laundry on a clothesline can add up to significant savings of Less Green money and energy. By Sarah Tetreault

People often think “going green” will be expensive, given the cost of organic food, hybrid cars and energy offset credits. The truth is, you can save resources and save money simply by adopting some old-fashioned habits. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. Stop Wasting Food: American families throw out approximately 25 percent of the food and beverages we buy at an estimated annual cost of $2,275 or more for a family of four, writes author Jonathan Bloom in his book American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half of Its

Food (and What We Can Do About It) (Da Capo Lifelong PHOTO BY SARA TETREAULT Books, 2010). To minimize your family’s food waste, make a weekly meal plan and review what’s in your freezer and a handy person? Trade services with a neighbor or friend pantry before you shop so you purchase only items you who is. need and will use. 7. Borrow and Lend Tools: Not everyone on the block 2. Buy Food from Bulk Bins: Not to be confused with needs to own a chain saw or hedge trimmer. Get to know buying in bulk, choose simple, wholesome foods from the your neighbors, learn what power tools they have and alert bulk bins at your grocery store. Many items are remarkably them to your inventory. You’ll also find tool lending librar- less expensive in the bulk bins, which typically carry name ies in southeast (septl.org), northeast (neptl.org) and north brand food without the wasteful packaging. Compare unit Portland (northportlandtoollibrary.org). prices and buy only as much as you need. 8. Walk or Ride a Bike: Get exercise while running 3. Don’t Buy Bottled Water: Designate a water bottle for errands by leaving the car at home. Shopping on foot or each person in your family, then bring it with you wher- by bike also will discourage you from buying unnecessary ever you go. For younger kids, carry a larger bottle and tuck items, and when you drive less, your car will last longer. a small cup into your purse or bag. 9. Hang Your Laundry: Dryers use on average about 6 4. Grow Vegetables to Eat, Preserve and Freeze: percent of all residential power, according to the U.S. En- Kids love to plant seeds and watch them grow, and ergy Information Association. If every household reduced vegetables that are plentiful in the summer easily can be consumption by that amount, several power plants could frozen for later use. If you’re new to gardening, try herbs be closed. Even in the rainy Pacific Northwest, you can set or hearty vegetables such as green beans, Swiss chard and up lines in your basement or garage for year-round laundry spinach. Compost your kitchen scraps to keep your soil hanging. You’ll save on utility costs and your clothes will rich for future seasons. last longer. 5. Buy Second-hand Clothing and Learn to Mend: 10. Commit to Once-a-Month Garbage Collection: As soon as you wear a new item of clothing, it’s used, Forcing yourself to generate less trash can keep your con- so why not purchase clothing used to save money and sumption of new items in check as they typically include resources? If your children are old enough to have an excessive amounts of packaging. opinion about what brands they like, put them in charge of purchasing their own clothes. They’ll soon see the value Whether you call it “going green” or just “old-fash- in buying a high-quality, gently used garment. Learn to ioned living,” adopting simple habits such as these will replace buttons and mend hems to keep your wardrobe in benefit the environment and your bank account. good shape, and never get rid of an item without trying to repair it. Sara Tetreault writes and speaks about living well on less through thoughtful 6. Repair Rather than Replace: Repair is as important spending, smart use of resources and efficient use of time. Read more of her as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and with a few tools and an tips on frugal living with style at GoGingham.com. appliance parts store, you’ll find how easy it can be. Not

22 April 2013 metro-parent.com

A Day in the ‘Hood

Home to the Vancouver Farmers Market and offering plenty of room to play, esther short Park is the hub of family-friendly Vancouver. BY ANNE LAUFE PHOTO S

Family Fun Across the Columbia Downtown Vancouver

Musicians, street performers and the occasion- If you live in Oregon, this might come as a al flash mob (last spring featured one on public and minority health!) add to the festive atmo- surprise: You don’t need a passport to cross the sphere. The market is dog-friendly, so Fido doesn’t have to miss out on the family fun. And after Columbia River and visit Vancouver, Wash. you’ve explored the market, Fido and the kids can Vancouver families already know the charms burn off some energy in Esther Short Park. If your kids are budding artists, pop into and benefits of living there, but we think it’s Young Art, a children’s art supply store offering lessons every day except Sunday. Drop-ins are high time Portland area parents took notice welcome as space allows, or call ahead for a sched- of all that downtown Vancouver has to offer. ule of upcoming classes and to reserve a spot. Their sister shop, Young Art Fashion, stocks clothing, By Anne Laufe If you visit on a weekend between mid-March and the accessories, educational toys, musical instruments end of October, start your day at the Vancouver Farmers and more. (Bonus: Both stores are holding a huge Market, located in Esther Short Park. One of the city’s biggest clearance sale this month with savings of 40-70 percent.) and most entertaining attractions, the market features over If you brought the car, it’s worth the short drive to 250 vendors selling everything from farm-fresh produce and Fort Vancouver, another of the city’s family-friendly high- locally prepared gourmet foods to organic wine, handmade lights. History comes to life on the 366-acre Fort Vancouver soap, garden art and more. campus, once home to the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company. You’ll find locally grown fruits and vegetables from ven- Through reenactments in the Bakehouse, Blacksmith Shop, dors such as Little Gnome Farm and Maryhill Orchards and Carpenter Shop and Indian Trade Shop, visitors learn about the Vineyards (home to the delicious Maryhill peaches), along region’s native people and the European settlers who arrived with pasture-raised beef, chicken and pork from Centerville’s in the 1800s. The Kids Dig program invites children to dig, Little Farms. sift dirt and document their discoveries like real archeologists. At C’est la Vie, kids enjoy watching the cooks make the Just southwest of the Fort, toward the Columbia River, sweet and savory crepes almost as much as they enjoy eating you’ll find the Land Bridge. Designed by architect Maya Lin them. Other popular treats include mini-doughnuts from as part of the Confluence Project, the Land Bridge is one of Donut Express, served with hot chocolate for the kids and seven environmental art projects in the Pacific Northwest coffee from the market’s Columbia River Roast for grown-ups. Downtown Vancouver continues on page 26

24 April 2013 metro-parent.com Getting There

Public transportation: C-Tran’s #3 “Center City” bus line serves downtown Vancouver, with several other routes skirting the area. C-Tran also runs express buses between Portland and Vancouver. Plan your trip at c-tran.com. Parking: Metered parking is available throughout downtown, but on busy weekends you might want to head to a garage. Try the one at Vancouver Center, on 6th between Columbia and Washington, or at the West Coast Bank Building, 500 E Broadway (enter on 5th). Biking: Many of the streets in downtown Vancouver and around Esther Short Park carry a low volume of motorized traffic and are ideal for biking. There’s even a dedicated bike path over the I-5 bridge, but it’s quite a haul from Portland, especially for kids. Download a City of Vancouver Biking Map at cityofvancouver.us (search “bike map”).

Family-friendly Vancouver

Food & Drink: Bleu Door Bakery: 2413 Main. 360-693-2538. bleudoorbakery.com Dolce Gelato: 535 SW 8th. 360-567-1011. Ice Cream Renaissance: 1925 Main. 360-694-3892. icecreamrenaissance.com Thatcher’s Coffee: 901 C (first floor of Vancouver Community Library). 360-258-0571. thatcherscoffee.net Treat: 210 W Evergreen, #600. 360-750-0811. treatvancouver.com

Check out the Vancouver Pizza Company: Wiener Wagon 2219 Main. 360-750-1176. for a quick bite vancouverpizza.net – and a good laugh! Wiener Wagon: 1199 Main. Woody’s Taco’s: 210 W Evergreen, #700. 360-718-8193. woodystacos.com

Family Fun: Earth, Glaze and Fire: 2106 Main. 360-737-3896. earthglazefire.net Esther Short Park: 301 W 8th. cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/ Fort Vancouver National Historic Site: 1501 E Evergreen. 360-816-6230. nps.gov/fova/ Vancouver Community Library: 901 C. 360-906-5106. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net Young Art: 420 W 8th. 360-699-3050. youngartlessons.com

Shopping: Lil’ Dudes and Divas Boutique: 1815 Main. 360-696-4717. lildudesanddivas.net Young Art Fashion: 418 W 8th. 360-567-1629. youngartlessons.com

Food, Fun & Shopping: Vancouver Farmers Market: 505 Esther, in Esther Short Park. 360-737-8298. vancouverfarmersmarket.com

metro-parent.com April 2013 25 A relative new addition to downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Community Library boasts an entire floor devoted to young readers and pre-readers. PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE

Downtown Vancouver continued from page 24

commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedi- tion. The earth-covered pedestrian bridge creates a safe path over Hwy. 14, reconnecting Fort Vancouver with the Columbia while honoring the Native Americans who long inhabited the area. Kids might not get the historical significance of the bridge, but they’ll love walking its winding path over Hwy. 14 down to the water. If you’re ready for lunch, head back downtown to Woody’s Tacos for quesadillas, burritos and tacos, or grab a hot dog from the Wiener Wagon. To satisfy your sweet tooth, check out Dolce Gelato, with exotic flavors including blood orange, grapefruit and black licorice, or the popular Treat, best known for its cupcakes but also featuring delicious cookies, brownies and hand pies. Your day won’t be complete without a visit to the Vancouver Com- munity Library, which boasts an entire floor devoted to kids. Completed in 2011, the beautiful building features an Early Learning Center especially for patrons age 5 and younger. With bright lights in the floor tiles and colorful play structures, there’s plenty of room for kids to crawl, scoot, toddle and explore. Regularly scheduled activities include story times, Funtastic Friday craft projects, a junior chess club and a LEGO drop-in group. Older kids should check out the Teen Room, where they can participate in more sophisticated activities or just grab a book and hang out. And if hunger strikes while you’re at the library, head to Thatcher’s Coffee on the first floor for Ristretto Roasters coffee and locally made pastries and cookies. Hopefully you’ll have time for a trip uptown – just a few blocks away – but if not, plan to come back another day. Among other activities, you can decorate ceramics at Earth, Glaze and Fire, which also hosts parties and monthly kids’ clay nights. Feel like doing some shopping without breaking the bank? Check out Lil’ Dudes and Divas Boutique for gently used boys’ and girls’ clothing from preemie through size 16, as well as maternity wear. (The shop accepts consignments, too.) When appetites return, choose from pizza at Vancouver Pizza Com- pany, fresh bread and pastries at Bleu Door Bakery, and/or homemade ice cream – plus cookies, cakes, pies and other desserts – from Ice Cream Renaissance. Who knew we could have so much fun visiting our neighbors to the north?

26 April 2013 metro-parent.com CAMPs

metro-parent.com April 2013 27 Out & About Explore Nature Trails and a Fish Hatchery at Columbia Springs

By Heather Lee Leap the Portland metro area is rich in urban natural areas, making it easy for families to escape city life for an hour or two and still make it home for naptime. For your next outdoor family adventure, consider a visit to Columbia Springs in Vancouver. With over 100 acres, the natural area includes a small lake, wetlands, hiking trails and the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery. On the hatchery site, children can peer into an above-ground concrete canal as 7,000 fish shimmer and swarm just below the surface, protected from predators by mesh screens tented above the tanks. In an adjacent canal, fish jump and splash in the fish rearing raceways – artificial channels with continu- ously flowing water to remove waste and maintain proper oxygenation, allowing a large number of fish to be raised in a relatively small space. Older style ponds with a circular current are arranged in rows in front of the hatchery’s main building, each containing brown trout, rainbow trout or steelhead. Your kids are sure to be lured to the one pond that has water but no mesh above it. No mesh means an unobstructed view of brown and rainbow trout, some over a foot in length. And best of all? This is the fish feeding pond, stocked with hungry trout weighing up to 20 pounds. Grab a handful of fish food from the covered container beside the pond and get a closer look as the fish zoom up for a treat. When your kids are done feeding the fish, look for the two-tone brick labyrinth near the picnic area. Round and round you’ll go, walking the life cycle of a salmon. A colorful display explains how to proceed and provides interesting salmon facts. Will you survive and make it to the center circle, or will you need to start over and choose a new stream? Read the plaques to learn your fate as you wind your way through the maze. The Vancouver Trout Hatchery was constructed in 1938-39 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The site was chosen for the cold water of the natural springs here, which are essential for raising fish. The hatchery was scheduled to close in the 1990s, but instead the Columbia Springs environmental education center was created and PHOTO BY HEATHER LEE LEAP PHOTO BY HEATHER the hatchery has remained in operation. If You Go The cold water springs create natural wetlands, home to newts, toads, waterfowl and other interesting critters. Plan to wear rubber Columbia Springs Open dawn to dusk. Admission and parking are boots to explore the nature trails surrounding the hatchery. Wooden 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy. FREE. The main parking lot is at the west end of bridges and walkways cover the lowest-lying areas, but there are plenty Vancouver, Wash. the property; continue past the first Columbia of damp patches to squish through. Two loop trails at the west end 360-882-0936 Springs sign and the main hatchery buildings to of the property are each one-third mile in length. The paved Ever- columbiasprings.org access parking. green Trail runs parallel to Evergreen Hwy. and leads to the second of the loop trails. Signs marked “half-way” on these short trails seem designed to encourage the very smallest hikers.

28 April 2013 metro-parent.com CAMPs BY HEATHER LEE LEAP BY HEATHER PHOTO S

Interpretive signs add to the educational experience for kids and adults visiting Columbia Springs.

Upcoming Events at Columbia Springs

Family Wormshop: Learn worm composting basics, with kid-friendly activities for children 5 and older. April 13, 10 am-noon. $35 materials fee includes worm bin and bedding preparation to take home. Invasive Species Invasion: Help remove invasive plants. Children under age 14 are welcome with adult supervision. April 27 & May 25, 9 am orientation. Kids’ Fishing Festival: Children from 5-14 years old are guaranteed to catch a fish to take home. Fishing gear and fishing mentor provided. May 4. Register in advance for a time slot; 10-11 am reserved for children with special needs. Stewardship Saturday: Remove invasive species, restore education stations, maintain trails and more. Children under age 14 welcome with adult supervision. May 11, 9 am-1 pm. For more information or to register for an event, contact Mariah Acton at 360-882-0936 ext. 230, or [email protected]. Find more events at columbiasprings.org.

Giant nurse logs, glistening streams and neon moss transport you away from the city, but road noise will draw you back. The Glen Jackson Bridge looms overhead and Hwy. 14 is not far beyond the trees to the north. De- spite this, we heard a wide variety of bird calls during our morning hike. Another source of transportation noise may be an added bonus for kids – an active rail line runs parallel to Columbia Springs on the other side of Evergreen Hwy.

Explore Columbia Springs continues on page 30

metro-parent.com April 2013 29 CAMPs

Wooden bridges and walkways throughout the urban wetlands make hiking more family friendly, though there are still plenty of opportunities for nature lovers to stomp around in puddles and muddy marshes.

PHOTO BY HEATHER LEE LEAP Explore Columbia Springs continued from page 29

You can explore more trails at the east end of the property. Viewing decks at both West and East Biddle Lake permit a closer look while keeping visitors away from the water’s edge. Aloof ducks paddle contentedly, seem- ingly oblivious to the foot-long fish swimming just below them. We enjoyed a game of Pooh-sticks – drop a leaf or twig and watch as it’s swept away in the current – atop the bridge on the path to East Biddle Lake. Whether you’re in the mood for a hike or simply fascinated by fish, Columbia Springs is a great place to watch spring unfold without venturing too far from home.

Heather Lee Leap is a Portland freelance writer and mom.

30 April 2013 metro-parent.com CAMPs

metro-parent.com April 2013 31 CAMPs

32 April 2013 metro-parent.com CAMPs

Weekly immersion camps in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese languages and culture through fun games, sports and arts with Kids Like Languages. [email protected]

Mention this ad for a 10% enrollment discount. Multiple attendee discount also available. Call today for more information 503-492-1700 www.kidslikelanguages.com

metro-parent.com April 2013 33 CAMPs

34 April 2013 metro-parent.com Viewpoint

What experts are saying ost adults remember Leading child health and mdaily recess as a time when development organizations they were able to let off have recognized the imporimpor- steam, exercise their bodies tance of recess to a child’s and refresh their minds. physical, social and academic Today however, as many as development. The Ameri- 9 million children (students can Academy of Pediatrics at approximately 30 percent (AAP) issued a statement in of our elementary schools) December 2012 emphasizing get far less recess time, that recess is a crucial and according to a 2011 study necessary component of a by researchers at the child’s development. The AAP University of Illinois. y il statement says “minimizing Worse still is the fact that B a or eliminating recess can schools with predominately r i D negatively affect academic non-white student popula- n g Back achievement, as growing evidence tions are least likely to have links recess to improved physical sufficient recess periods. health, social skills, and cognitive The National Wildlife Fed- development.” eration (NWF) is tackling this problem head on by launch- ing our “Ranger Rick Restores The many benefits of recess Recess” campaign. (Ranger RecessBy Allen Cooper, National Wildlife Federation One of the unintended con- Rick is the beloved mascot of NWF’s sequences of the No Child Left award-winning children’s magazines Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr.) Behind Act of 2001 is that more focus has been placed on test results and less on the overall well-being of students. The assumption is that more time focused on test prep will help performance, but in fact, the opposite Why should we care? may be true. Today’s children are less physically fit, less able to concen- Students are missing a critical part of their development when trate, and less able to relate to others than previous generations. The ef- sufficient recess is withheld from their school experience. If we want to fects are seen in the rise of childhood obesity, poor test scores and negative maximize our children’s potential, critical recess time must be a regular classroom behavior. part of their school day. There are other, less obvious benefits to recess, too. It provides children NWF will be advocating for the return of daily recess to our nation’s the opportunity to practice life skills such as cooperation, taking turns, fol- schools by working with state legislatures and state boards of education to lowing rules, sharing, communication, negotiation, problem solving and implement policies that ensure recess for elementary students. This initia- conflict resolution. Recess also gives children access to the natural world, tive is an integral part of NWF’s goal to get 10 million more kids outside even if it’s just seeing the sky and clouds, feeling the sun, watching birds, over the next three years. or checking out worms on the pavement after a rain storm. Parents also can encourage their local school district to adopt a daily recess policy as all school districts throughout the country have the Parents can play important role authority to do so. Only a few states (Connecticut, Hawaii and Missouri) have adopted a statewide recess requirement. NWF wants to bring daily recess back to America’s schoolyards. Parents can play a particularly important role by being strong advocates for recess

at their children’s schools. They can start by conducting a recess policy What a good recess policy looks like audit to evaluate a school’s current policy. You’ll find a variety of helpful According to NWF’s published recommendations, a good recess policy recess-related tools and other resources at should: nwf.org/recess. • Require at least 20 minutes per day of supervised recess • Be scheduled in addition to designated physical education and lunch periods, not as a replacement for them Allen Cooper is National Wildlife Federation’s Director • Be outdoors, except in extreme weather conditions of State and Local Education Advocacy. • Be held in a safe outdoor play area with play equipment • Provide access to a natural play area • Not be withheld from students as punishment or cancelled to make up for missed instructional time

PHOTO COURTESY OF NWF

metro-parent.com April 2013 35 Family Fare

By Eric Houghton

What’s Cool for Kids: The play Hopworks area is outfitted by Spielwerks Toys, a neighborhood favorite whose BikeBar shop is just down the block. The Lil Brewers kids’ menu keeps young HOPWORKS URBAn BREWERY (HUB) on SE Powell has diners entertained at the table with long been a family favorite for its kid-friendly atmosphere, coloring and puzzles. locally sourced sustainable menu items and exceptional house- Visit during Tot Thursday, the brewed beers. The company’s second location, Hopworks second Thursday of every month BikeBar on N Williams, delivers on all counts – with a uniquely at 11am, for seasonal crafts, stories Northwest eco- and bike-friendly vibe. and healthy snacks. (The SE Powell Visitors can fill their water bottles at a dedicated station, location hosts Tot Tuesday at view a gallery of locally designed bike frames, inflate tires using 11am the second Tuesday of each the house pump and even help generate power for the building month.) by riding the Plug-Out stationary bikes outside the front door. But what we love most is the opportunity to enjoy a generous, Ringing It Up: For kids, $5 gets family-friendly meal in a setting kids love. an entrée, drink, organic soft serve cone and choice of side. For older What’s Cooking: We started our meal with a Pint o’ Pretzels folks, appetizers range from $3.75 and a plate of Warrior Wings – five wings served on a bed of to $8.75 and burgers and sand- fries with celery and ranch dressing. We went with the mild Vel- wiches cost around $10. Calzones vet sauce for the wings out of respect for our kids’ less adventur- start around $11 and pizzas around ous palates, but Chipotle and Buffalo also are available. $16. Finish off with desserts from For the main course, I ordered a calzone and, honestly, if $2.75 to $6.75. my wife didn’t need to avoid eggs and yeast and the kids hadn’t been drawn to the Lil Brewers kids’ menu, it probably could have fed the four of us. I got the Hunter (a meat-laden treat not The bikebar’s suitable for vegetarians, though I added a variety of veggies) play area is and didn’t even manage to finish half of it. sponsored by The kids happily enjoyed their Grilled Free Range Chicken PHOTOS BY ERIC HOUGHTON neighborhood favorite spiel- and Pizza Strips meals, polished off their apples werks Toys. and were rewarded with organic soft serve ice cream cones for dessert. My wife’s bacon and bleu burger, which she ordered sans bun, arrived nestled on a salad with two thick strips of bacon crossing the top. The menu features seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with many organic options, and designated Vegetarian/Vegan and Gluten Free menus cater to diners with dietary restrictions. Vegetarian sandwiches include the black bean Keep In Mind: BikeBar burger, Portland Bella and a tofu Po Boy. Gluten- is much smaller than the HUB on free buns and pizza crusts are available, and SE Powell, so it can get crowded Vegans can enjoy pizza with Daiya vegan cheese. much faster and less predictably. For a truly Portland Still, we’ve visited twice during The kids’ menu features a range of favorites experience, help power including burgers, grilled cheese, PB&J, pasta, the building by riding fairly busy periods and waited less the Plug-Out stationary than 15 minutes each time. During pizza and more, all with a choice of fries, organic bikes outside BikeBar’s celery and carrots, or organic apple slices. front door. warmer weather, an outdoor patio adds more seating. Liquid Refreshment: BikeBar serves a full range of organic beers from their Happy Hour runs daily from 3-6 pm (and 9 pm-close), with a variety of SE Powell brewery. Sodas are available (though sadly not the house-brewed appetizers and entrees at wallet-pleasing prices. root beer on tap at the Powell location), as are coffee, tea, house-made lem- When and Where: Open 11 am-11 pm Sun-Thurs, 11am-midnight Fri, Sat. onade, organic milk and organic apple juice. 3947 N Williams Ave. 503-287-6258. hopworksbeer.com.

36 April 2013 metro-parent.com metro-parent.com April 2013 37 Angels Among Us

By Emily Kanter, Assistant Director

We soon learned few months ago, between 70 and 95 we received a frantic call percent of students at at the Urban Gleaners many of these schools A are living below the office from Kate Barker, the principal of Cherry poverty line and have Park Elementary School little or nothing to eat in southeast Portland. at home. They rely Our driver had already on free and reduced completed the weekly breakfasts and lunches delivery of donated food at school, but go home to her school. Volunteers on afternoons and had sorted the dona- weekends and suffer the tions onto long tables acute effects of hunger on a regular basis. Over and families had walked Among other innovative pro- time, we also learned down the line, filling grams to get unused food to hungry families, urban gleaners that studies prove chil- bags with what they held a Free Farmers Market at dren and teens who are needed. Within half an Ventura Park school in southeast Portland last summer. hungry are more likely

hour, all the food was PHOTO COURTESY OF URBAN GLEANERS suffer from chronic gone. The process had health conditions; be worked exactly as it usu- behind in academic ally does. But there was development; exhibit a problem. behavior problems, “There’s a little boy truancy and tardiness; crying in my office. The and are four times more lunch ladies saw him in Reducing waste and want likely to have attempted the cafeteria at lunch- suicide. time, stuffing his pockets with thirds,” explained Principal Barker. “He’s In response to this tremendous need, Urban Gleaners began our Food just told me that all he had to eat at home over the weekend was peanut to Schools Program, establishing a partnership with three elementary butter and saltine crackers. Can you possibly send out an extra box of schools in the David Douglas School District with the goal of providing food?” healthy, gleaned food for students and their families. Over the past three In 2005, Tracy Oseran heard a radio program about a woman in Bos- years, we have expanded the program to twelve schools throughout great- ton, Mass., who had begun rescuing surplus food and delivering to those er Portland. Every week, we deliver approximately 500 pounds of food to in need. each school, where volunteers sort it onto tables or into individual boxes Tracy thought, “Someone must be doing this in Portland, I should to be picked up by parents. help them.” On that Monday in October when Principal Barker called, our driver, She soon found out no such organization existed locally. Quickly, she John, was getting ready to leave for the day. Three of us ran into the corralled her two teenage kids into helping. They collected two large con- distribution center and quickly pulled together an extra cardboard box tainers of fava bean puree from Bluehour Restaurant in the Pearl District overflowing with delicious vegetables, fruit, crackers, pasta, bread and and delivered them to Blanchet House, a local soup kitchen. milk. John delivered it to Cherry Park on his way home. Ever since, we’ve That small, family effort grew into a grassroots nonprofit, then into packed a special box for the boy to take home on the bus, as his parents the robust organization Urban Gleaners is today, with four staff people, can’t make it to school during the day. over 35 volunteers and more than 40 food donors. We rescue surplus This is the beauty of the Urban Gleaners model: We are smaller than food from grocery stores, farmers markets, farms, restaurants and events. a typical food bank and able to collect donations as small as ten pounds. In 2011, we collected over 571,000 pounds of food that would otherwise When combined with dozens of other daily donations, even ten pounds have gone to waste, although it was perfectly edible and delicious – think can go a long way. Our scrappy and energetic staff take on a multitude organic kale and chard, squash and potatoes, berries and peaches, milk of roles and everyone participates in gleaning routes. And when a special and cheese, whole-grain artisan breads, gallons of olive oil and vinegar, arrangement like an extra box of food is called for, we do our best to make cookies and cakes, whole turkeys and hams, just to name a few. it happen. Since our inception, Urban Gleaners has delivered this delicious food Our mission is to reduce waste and want. Picking up and redistribut- to agencies that feed the hungry, including homeless shelters, soup kitch- ing food is a simple weapon in the fight against hunger. ens and at-risk-youth centers. In 2009, as we struggled to figure out what to do with an excess of bread donations, a young mother reached out We’re always looking for additional sources of food and for volunteers to help to Tracy and described the hunger issues facing school children in East with our gleaning routes. Learn more at urbangleaners.org. Multnomah County.

38 April 2013 metro-parent.com April Family Calendar

Monday, April 1 Symphony Storytime. Musician shows/ In the Spotlight Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest. 40+ acres of plays instrument, story. Ages 2-12. flowers, play area. Cow train ($2). 9 am- 1-2 pm. FREE, tkts 30 min prior. Hillsdale 6 pm daily through May 5. $10 car. 33814 Library, 1525 SW Sunset. 503-988-5388. 20,000 Leagues Under the S Meridian Rd, Woodburn. 503-634-2243. multcolib.org. Sea. Two Jules Verne fans tell woodenshoe.com. How and Why Stories. Jericho Knight’s the story like it’s never been Mommy and Me. Songs, crafts, story nature stories. Ages 6-11. 3-4 pm. FREE. told before in Tears of Joy time. 10-11 am April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Free Vancouver Community Library, 901 C. Theatre’s rollicking puppet w/admission $9 adults, $6 ages 3 to 360-906-5106. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net. adaptation of the classic. 18, free 2 and under. $4 parking. World Tadpole Tales. Guided nature walk, story. 7:30 pm April 12; 11 am and Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon. 503- Ages 3-5 with grown-up. 10-11 am April 1 pm April 13, 20; 1 and 3 pm 228-1367. worldforestry.org. 3, 10, 17, 24. $3 per child, reservations April 14, 21. Puppet crafts Joke’s on You. Science and myths. 1-3 required [email protected]. before Sat and Sun perfor- pm. Free w/admission $7 ages 3-59, Columbia Children’s Arboretum, mances. $21 adult, $17 kids. $3.50 ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert 300 NE Meadow Ln. 503-281-1132. Winningstad Theatre, 1111 Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. columbiaslough.org. SW Broadway. 503-248-4335. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. tojt.org. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2.

Tuesday, April 2 Preschool Play & Skate. Group lesson, Thursday, April 4 IMAGE BY JASON MIRANDA; COURTESY OF TEARS JOY THEATRE. games, snack, more. Ages 0-6. 10- Singing Books. Greta Pedersen performs. 11:30 am Tues, Wed. $6 per child, grown- Ages 0-6. 11:15 am-noon. FREE. Midland up free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park. Library, 805 SE 122nd. 503-988-5392. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com. multcolib.org. Baby Hour. 45-minute docent-led tour, Think Fun Thursdays. Groovy activity. followed by coffee, chat. Ages 0-1 with Ages 3-8 with grown-up. 4-5 pm. April 4, grown-up. 10 am. $5 members, $15 non- 11,18, 25. FREE. Beaverton Library, members, reservations required. Portland 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. Art Museum, 1219 SW Park. 503-226- beavertonlibrary.org. 2811. portlandartmuseum.org. Knee-High Naturalists. Nature walks. SCRAP It. Crafts from castoffs. All ages. Ages 2-5. 10-11 am. $8, in-district, res- 1-2, 2:30-3:30 pm. FREE, reservations ervations required. Jenkins Estate, 8005 required. Three Creeks Library, 800-C SW Grabhorn, Beaverton. 503-629-6350. NE Tenney, Vancouver. 360-571-9696. thprd.org. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net. Around the World. International crafts, Preschool Crafts@Ledding. 6-7 pm April stories, activities. Ages 3-5. 10 am-noon. COURTESY OF OCTC PHOTO BY OWEN CAREY, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. 503-786-7580. Free w/admission $7 ages 3-59, $3.50 Gathering Blue. Oregon Children’s Theatre’s world premiere based on Lois milwaukie.lib.or.us. ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert Lowry’s book set in a futuristic landscape. Kira is an exceptional weaver and Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. learns about her repressive government as she weaves ceremonial garments. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. Ages 9+. 2, 5 pm April 27, Wednesday, April 3 May 4, 11, 18; 2 pm April 28, Honeybee Hike. Craft, story, garden Friday, April 5 May 5, 12, 19. $13-$28. stroll. Ages 2-6 with grown-up. 10-11 am Winningstad Theatre, Wed. $2 per walking child. Leach Botani- Impulse. Oregon Children’s Theatre 1111 SW Broadway. cal Garden, 6704 SE 122nd. 503-823-1671. advanced acting students do improv 503-228-9571. octc.org. leachgarden.org. comedy. Best ages 7+. 7 pm April 5, 6, 11, 12, 13. $7-$12. 1939 NE Sandy. Wondrous Wednesday. $3 admission 503-228-9571. octc.org. to the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum every first Wed. 10 am-5 pm. $4 Target FREE First Friday. Enjoy the parking. 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. Portland Children’s Museum FREE from Cinderella. Northwest worldforestry.org. 4 -8 pm. 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. Children’s Theater’s lavish Ladybug Theater. Live plays for little portlandcm.org. retelling of the classic fairy tale in Broadway musical ones. Ages 2+ with good theater man- Ladybug Nature Walks. Naturalist-led ners. 10:30 am Wed. $4, reservations style will keep your toes stroll. Ages 2-5 with grown-up. 10-11 please. 503-232-2346. Smile Station, a-tappin’! Ages 5+. Noon, am April 5: April Hill Park (not stroller 8210 SE 13th. ladybugtheater.org. 4 pm April 27, 28, May 4, 5, friendly). April 12: Laurelhurst Park. April 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26; 7 pm DIY Bags. Learn basic sewing, make bag. 19: Columbia Slough. April 26: John May 10, 17, 24. $18-$22. 1819 Ages 11+. 4-6 pm. FREE, registration Luby Park. $3 per child. 503-823-3601. NW Everett. 503-222-4480. required. North Portland Library, portlandoregon.gov/parks/. nwcts.org. 512 N Killingsworth. 503-988-5394. IMAGE BY LEE MOYER, COURTESY NWCT multcolib.org.

metro-parent.com April 2013 39 April Family Calendar

There are plenty of opportunities Family Favorites to get kids out hiking this month, including Portland Parks & recreation’s Ladybug nature Walks for kids from 2-5 years old, held every Friday from 10-11 am.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OREGON AG FEST Ag Fest. Oregon agriculture comes alive with fun family activities. Dig

potatoes, watch chicks hatch, see a horse show, race a pedal tractor, plus a PORTLAND, OR & RECREATION, PHOTO COURTESY OF PORTLAND PARKS bushel full of entertainment. Touch, taste and experience life on the farm. All ages. 8:30 am-5 pm April 27; 10 am-5 pm April 28. $9 adults, FREE ages 0-12. Free parking. Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th NE, Salem. 503-535-9353. Story and Stroll. Naturalist-led story and Saturday, April 6 oragfest.com. walk. Best ages 2-6. 1-2:15 pm April 5, 12, Kids Morning Skate. Group lesson 19, 26; 10:30-11:45 am April 7, 14, 21, 28. and skate games. Ages 0-10 with family. FREE, reservations required. Tryon Creek 10:30-noon Sat. $6 per child, grown-up State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger. free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park. 503-636-9886 xt 225. tryonfriends.org. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com. Family Park at Night. Craft, sports, Queen Melissa High Tea Cruises. Dress indoor park toys, more. 6:30-8:30 pm your royal best for tea, story time, face April 5, 19. $1.25 per child, grown-up painting, games, more. Noon-2 pm Sat must attend. East Portland Community through May. $30 adults, $22 children. Center, 740 SE 106th. 503-823-3456. Portland Spirit, board 1020 SW Naito. portlandonline.com/parks/. 503-224-3900. portlandspirit.com. RAIN. Beatles impersonators play the Plant a Tree! Celebrate Arbor Week at Fab 4’s hits. 7:30 pm April 5. 2, 7:30 pm the Tillamook Forest Center by planting a April 6. $29.75 and up. Keller Auditorium, tree, plus family activities. Ages 6+. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF TRYON CREEK 222 SW Clay. 503-248-4335. pcpa.com. 10:30 am & 1:30 pm. FREE, registration Trillium Festival. Celebrate the little spring flower with guided hikes, family First Friday Family Film. Family-friendly for groups. 45500 Wilson River Hwy, programs, a native plant sale, vendors, more. 10 am-4 pm April 6, 7. FREE. flick, refreshments. Ages 2-12. 6:30 pm. Tillamook. 503-815-6800. Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 xt 225. FREE. Bethany Presbyterian Church, tillamookforestcenter.org. tryonfriends.org. 15505 NW Springville. 503-645-1116. bethanypc.com.

40 April 2013 metro-parent.com Guided Nature Walk. Explore Tryon PAM Family Tour. Docent-led. 12:30- Creek Park, different topic weekly. 1:30 pm April 7, 14, 21, 28. Free w/admis- All ages, grown-up must be with kids. sion $15 adults, $12 college students, 10-11:30 am April 6, 13, 20, 27. FREE. free ages 0-17. Portland Art Museum 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 1219 SW Park. 503-226-2811. xt 225. tryonfriends.org. portlandartmuseum.org. Build A Birdhouse Family Program. Indian Dance. Jayanthi Raman’s dancers 411 on birds, build house or feeder. All present lecture, demonstration. All ages. ages, grown-up required. 1-3 pm. $31 2:30-3:30 pm. FREE. Hillsboro Library, (3 people). Cooper Mountain Nature 2850 Brookwood. 503-615-6500. Park, 18892 SW Kemmer, Beaverton. 503-629-6350. thprd.org. hillsboro.plinkit.org. Plant a Garden in a Shoe. Materials Trillium Festival. See Family Favorites provided. Ages 2+. 11 am-1 pm. $10. on p. 40. Queens Mab, 1920 N Kilpatrick. Story and Stroll. See April 5. 503-285-5277. facebook.com/ CreativeRecyclingWorkshops. Al’s Kids Club. Plant veggie seeds. Monday, April 8 9:30 am. $5 per child, reservations Noontime Showcase. Jefferson required. Woodburn store: 1220 N Pacific Dancers. Noon-1 pm. FREE. PCPA, Hwy, 503-981-1245. Sherwood store: 1111 SW Broadway. 503-248-4335. 16920 SW Roy Rogers, 503-726-1162. pcpa.com. Gresham store: 7505 SE Hogan, 503-491-0771. als-gardencenter.com. Mommy and Me. See April 1. Lakeshore Learning Crafts. Kids make a craft. Ages 3+. 11 am-3 pm April 6: Tuesday, April 9 Animal Pictures. April 13: Clothespin Young Artists. Eight dazzlingly talented Magnets. April 20: Binoculars. April 27: Puppet. FREE. 16901 SW 65th, teen classical soloists perform. 7:30 pm. Lake Oswego. 503-620-9888. $12-$25, plus surcharge. Newmark The- lakeshorelearning.com. atre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-946-7272. metroartsinc.org. Trillium Festival. See Family Favorites on pg. 40. Hopworks Tot Tuesday Storytime and RAIN. See April 5. Crafts. Every second Tues at 11 am. Arts activity, story time, light snacks. Ages 1-8. Impulse. See April 5. FREE. Hopworks, 2944 SE Powell. 503-232-4677. hopworksbeer.com. Sunday, April 7 $4 Zoo Tuesday. See the Oregon Zoo $2 Day. Explore OMSI for $2 every first for $4 per person. 9 am-4 pm. 4001 SE Sun. 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Parking $3. Canyon. 503-226-1561. oregonzoo.org. 1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu. LO Crafts. Design a garden hat. Ages Mi Piñata. Make a piñata. Ages 3+. 3-5. 11 am April 9, 10. FREE, registration 3-4:45 pm. FREE, registration required. required. Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th. Fairview-Columbia Library, 1520 NE 503-697-6580. ci.oswego.or.us. Village. 503-988-5655. multcolib.org.

metro-parent.com April 2013 41 April Family Calendar

Saturday Crafts@Ledding. Spring craft. Ages 5+. 2 pm April 13, 27. FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us. Belmont Firehouse Safety Saturday. Tour historic firehouse, safety tips. 9 am- 3 pm. FREE. 900 SE 35th. 503-823-3615. jeffmorrisfoundation.org. Second Saturday. Creature Feature: learn about amphibians, reptiles, spiders. Ages 3-12 with grown-up. 1, 2 pm shows. FREE. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia, Vancouver. 360-487- PHOTO BY ALI KING 7111. cityofvancouver.us/watercenter. Put on your dancing shoes to hear eight marimba bands play high-energy music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana at a free concert April 20. Critter Count. Help out on annual am- phibian/reptile field survey. Training 9 am, then count. All ages. 9 am-1 pm. FREE. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. Friday, April 12 SE Columbia, Vancouver. 360-487-7111. cityofvancouver.us/watercenter. Preschool Crafts@Ledding. See April 2. Home School Days@Evergreen. Explore the space race. Grades K-12. 8:30 am-2 Three Cheers for Trees. Penny’s Puppets pm. Evergreeen Aviation & Space perform. 11 am. FREE. Lake Oswego Wednesday, April 10 Museum, 500 NE Capt. Michael King Library, 706 4th. 503-697-6580. Home Education Days. 10-11 am April Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185. ci.oswego.or.us. 10: Oregon Trail. April 24: 1880’s class- evergreenmuseum.org. Family Wormshop. Composting basics, room. $6 adults, $4 ages 6-17, free ages 3 Penny’s Puppets. Basil the Bookworm’s build a bin, kid-friendly activities. Ages and under. Washington County Museum, Trip Around the World. Ages 0-10. 10:30- 5+. 10 am-noon. $35 includes bin 120 E Main, Hillsboro. 503-645-5353. 11:30 am. $5 each, 4 guests $17. materials. Columbia Springs, 12208 SE washingtoncountymuseum.org. Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st. Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. 360-882-0936. Fabulous Feathered Friends. 411 on 503-282-9207. pennypuppets.com. columbiasprings.org. birds with craft, stories, songs, games. Ladybug Nature Walks. See April 5. Family Dance. Janet Trygstad calls, Ages 3-5 with grown-up. 10:30-11 am. Five-Euro Tip performs. 4:30-6:30 pm. Free w/admission $18.95 adults, $16.95 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. $6 adult, $5 child, $20 max family. Fulton ages 13-17, $11.95 ages 3-12, free ages See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. Park Community Center, 68 SW Miles. 2-0. Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Story and Stroll. See April 5. 503-775-6537. portlandcountrydance.org. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport. 541-867-3474. Impulse. See April 5. At the Hop. 50’s crafts. All ages. aquarium.org. 3-4:30 pm. FREE. Cascade Park Library, Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. 600 NE 136th. Vancouver, 360-256-7782. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net. Symphony Storytime. See April 3. Saturday, April 13 Art of the Story. Washington County Dia de Los Ninos y Dia de los Libros. Tadpole Tales. See April 3. Cooperative Library Systems’ storytelling Celebrate bilingual literacy with music, LO Crafts. See April 9. festival (formerly called Hearing Voices). crafts, activities. 2 pm. FREE. April 13: Ages 6+. April 13-20, future events listed Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller, by day. 2 pm April 13: Anne Rutherford, 503-988-5387. April 20: North Portland Li- Thursday, April 11 PNW Folklore. Rick Huddle, Killer Bees. brary, 512 N Killingsworth, 503-988-5394. Hopworks BikeBar Tot Thursday. Crafts FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. April 27: Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd, and story time. Ages 1-6. 11 am. FREE. 503-644-2197. wccls.org. 503-988-5392. multcolib.org. Irish Music. Innisfree performs. All ages. Hopworks BikeBar, 3947 N Williams. NW Pet & Companion Fair. Entertain- 10:30-11:30 am. FREE. Albina Library, 503-232-4677. hopworksbeer.com. ment, petting zoo, speakers, pet fashion 3605 NE 15th. 503-988-5362. show, pet adoption, vendors, pet food Adventures with Bugs! Bug Chicks and multcolib.org. their zoo. 6-7:30 pm. FREE. Hillsboro drive. 10 am-5 pm April 13; 10 am- Library, 2850 Brookwood. 503-615-6500. 4:30 pm April 14. FREE. Portland Expo Sister Tricksters. Red Yarn musical pup- hillsboro.plinkit.org. Center, 2060 N Marine. 503-528-6867. pet show, audience participation. Ages nwpetfair.com. 2-10. 11-11:45 am. FREE. Sellwood-More- Homeschool Programs. Ecosystem land Library, 7860 SE 13th. 503-988-5398. Explorers. Ages 5+. 1:30 pm April 11, 18. Marine Science Day. Meet marine multcolib.org. FREE. Milwaukie Ledding Library, 10660 scientists, special interactive activities. Cinderella Around the World. Interna- SE 21st. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us. 10 am-4 pm. FREE. Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science tional Cinderella stories, try on shoes. Think Fun Thursdays. See April 4. Dr., Newport. 541-867-0234. 1-4 pm. Free w/admission $7 ages 3-59, $3.50 ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert Impulse. See April 5. oregonstate.edu/marinescienceday. Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org.

42 April 2013 metro-parent.com Do you use our Family Fun calendar to plan your family outings? We want to know what you think. Take our survey at metro-parent.com for a chance to win some cool prizes.

metro-parent.com April 2013 43 April Family Calendar

Celebrate Arbor Week by planting trees and enjoy- ing fun family activities at the Tillamook Forest Center April 6. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OREGON DEPARTMENT

Adventures with Bugs! Bug Chicks show Story and Stroll. See April 5. off their zoo. 3-4 pm April 13: Northwest Library, 2300 NW Thurman, 503-988-5560. 4-5 pm April 17: Holgate Library, 7905 SE Monday, April 15 Holgate, 503-988-5389. multcolib.org. Art of the Story. Rick Huddle presents 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Alien Invasion! Ages 6+. 6:30 pm. FREE. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. West Slope Library, 3678 SW 78th. 503-292-6416. wccls.org. Earth Day. See Love Your Mother! pg. 46. Felt Board Stories. Enjoy a story, make a Very Hungry Caterpillar felt board. Kids Morning Skate. See April 6. 10:30-11:30 am. FREE, reservations re- Queen Melissa High Tea Cruise. quired. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. See April 6. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Guided Nature Walk. See April 6. Spring Walk. Nature stroll outdoors. Impulse. See April 5. Grades 1-3. 3:30-4:30 pm. FREE, reservations required. Hillsboro Library, 2850 Brookwood. 503-615-6500. Sunday, April 14 hillsboro.plinkit.org. Solo Flamenco. Music and dance. 11- Mommy and Me. See April 1. 11:30 am, 12:30-1 pm. Free w/admission $10 ages 1-54. Portland Children’s Mu- seum, 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. Tuesday, April 16 portlandcm.org. Art of the Story. Tall tales from Kin Curious Garden. Silly show, open mic at Weitkamp. Ages 6+. 7 pm. FREE. Forest end. Best ages 0-8. 10:30 am. $5 dona- Grove Library, 2114 Pacific. 503-992-3247. tion. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE wccls.org. MLK. 503-477-9477. curiouscomedy.org. How Does Sir Cumference’s Garden 2nd Sundays on GeerCrest Farm. Grow. Use math to plan garden, craft. House tour, activity, lunch available 11 Ages 6-10 with grown-up. 3-5 pm drop-in. am-1 pm. Open 9 am-5 pm. FREE, $5 FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. donation for lunch. 12390 Sunnyview Rd. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. NE, Silverton. 503-873-3406. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. geercrest.org. Preschool Crafts@Ledding. See April 2. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. Wednesday, April 17 PAM Family Tour. See April 7. Krafternoon. Crafts. Ages 6-11 only. 3-5 NW Pet & Companion Fair. See pm. FREE. Vancouver Community Library, April 13. 901 C. 360-906-5106. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net.

44 April 2013 metro-parent.com Weird Science. Entertaining experiments. Family Friday Concert. White Rhino Ages 6-11. 4-5 pm. FREE, reservations Marimba. 7:15 pm. $5 donation, required. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Mar- $15 family. Community Music Center, tinazzi. 503-691-3074. tualatinoregon.gov. 3350 SE Francis. 503-823-3177. communitymusiccenter.org. Puppet Workshop. Bring puppets to life. Ages 3-11. 4-5 pm. FREE. Rockwood Art of the Story. Ages 6+. FREE. 2 pm: Library, 17917 SE Stark. 503-988-5396. Bill Ratner Voices in my Head, Elsie Stuhr multcolib.org. Center, 5550 SW Hall, 503-629-6342. 7 pm: Bill Ratner, Bobbyland, Cedar Mill April Showers & May Flowers. Make Community Library, 12505 NW Cornell, posies. Ages 8-13. 4-5 pm. FREE. Beaver- 503-644-0043. wccls.org. ton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Ceili Dance. Lesson 7:15 pm, dance 8 pm. Ages 8+. $10 general, $8 students. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. Portland Ceili Society, 618 SE Alder. Honeybee Hike. See April 3. portlandceilisociety.org. Symphony Storytime. See April 3. Ladybug Nature Walks. See April 5. Tadpole Tales. See April 3. Story and Stroll. See April 5. Ladybug Theater. See April 3. Family Park at Night. See April 5. Adventures with Bugs. See April 13. Saturday, April 20 Thursday, April 18 Parents’ Survival Night. Fitness fun, crafts, music, snack for kids while parents SuperKids Resale. Huge consignment get some alone time. Ages 3-12. 6- sale. Check website for info on consign- 9:30 pm. $26, member discount, reserva- ing and special deals. Cash preferred. tions please. The Little Gym, 17890 SW 9 am-8 pm April 18, 19; 9 am-5 pm McEwan, Lake Oswego. 503-595-9702. April 20, 21. 400 NW Eastman Pkwy., tlglakeoswegoor.com. Gresham. 503-866-1875. superkidsresale.com. Marimba Madness. 8 bands play high- energy music from Zimbabwe, South Art of the Story. Ages 6+. FREE. 2 pm: Africa, Botswana. Noon-4 :30 pm. FREE. Irish storytelling by Patrick Ball, The Portland Foursquare Church, 2830 NE Springs at Tanasbourne, 1950 NW 192nd, Flanders. home.teleport.com/~marimba/ 503-629-5500. 6:30 pm: Kim Weitkamp, recital_2013.htm. A Girl Named Kimmy, North Plains Elementary School, 32030 NW North, Art of the Story. Ages 6+. FREE. 503-674-5051. wccls.org. 10:30 am: Patrick Ball, Crossing the Wa- ters, Sherwood Library, 22560 SW Pine, The Funny Thing About Spring. 503-625-6688. 1-3 pm Storytelling work- Mz. Pearl clowns. Ages 3+. FREE. 11:15- shop for ages 10+, 3-4 pm public can tell noon April 18: Troutdale Library, 2451 SW 5-minute story, Tualatin Library, Cherry Park, 503-988-5355. 10:30-11:15 18878 SW Martinazzi, 503-691-3074. April 20: Central Library, 801 SW 10th, 7-9 pm: Final Concert, 5 storytellers 503-988-5123. multcolib.org. perform, Garden Home Library, 7475 SW Copper Wire Bouquets. Make whimsical Oleson, 503-245-9932. wccls.org. flowers with colored wire and beads. All Rick Huddle. Stories, song, puppets, ages. 3:15-5 pm. FREE. Belmont Library, more. All ages. 11-11:30 am. Free w/ 1038 SE Cesar Chavez. 503-988-5382. admission $10 ages 1-54. Portland multcolib.org. Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon. Think Fun Thursdays. See April 4. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org. Homeschool Programs. See April 11. Star Parties. Astronomy Day celebration. Warm clothing, flashlight with red light. Dusk. FREE, $5 parking. Rose City As- Friday, April 19 tronomers, OMSI. Two locations. Rooster Flying Feathers, Crawling Scales. Story, Rock State Park (exit 25 off I-84) and craft, snack, exhibit tour. Ages 3-4. 10 am- Stub Stewart State Park (off OR-47). noon. $29, adult/child pair, $13 additional 503-797-4610. omsi.edu/starparties. person, member discount, reservations Eric Carle Collage. Interactive story time required. Oregon Zoo, 4001 SE Canyon. and paper collage craft. Ages 3+. 11 am. 503-226-1561. oregonzoo.org. FREE. Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th. 503-697-6580. ci.oswego.or.us.

metro-parent.com April 2013 45 April Family Calendar

Bug Safari. Use entomologist tools to The Clueless Detective. Dragon Theater Kids Morning Skate. See April 6. Bear in Tennis Shoes. Rick Huddle sings, observe insects. Ages 6+, grown-up Puppets. Ages 2-11. 2:30-3:15 pm, tells stories. Ages 3-12. 4-4:45 pm. FREE, Queen Melissa High Tea Cruise. required. 1-3 pm. $10 per person, in- 4-4:45 pm. FREE, tkts 30 min prior. tkts 30 min prior. Hillsdale Library, 1525 See April 6. district. Tualatin Hills Nature Park, 15655 Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th. SE Sunset. 503-988-5388. multcolib.org. 503-988-5399. multcolib.org. EcoFair. See Love Your Mother! SW Millikan, Beaverton. 503-629-6350. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. on this page. thprd.org. The Things We Wear. Explore interna- National Parks FREE Week. See April 22. Curious George! Stories, crafts, games, tional clothing and jewelry.1-4 pm. Free Dia de Los Ninos y Dia de los Libros. visit with George. Ages 3-8. 10:30 am- w/admission $7 ages 3-59, $3.50 ages See April 13. Preschool Crafts@Ledding. See April 2. noon. Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC Gilbert Discovery EcoFair, Oregon Garden, SOLV. Capitol Hwy. 503-988-5385. multcolib.org. Village, 116 Marion NE, Salem. See Love Your Mother! on this page. Wednesday, April 24 Mariachi Viva Mexico. 6-piece band. All 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. ages. 2:15-3:15 pm. North Portland Li- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. brary, 512 N Killingsworth. 503-988-5394. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. Sunday, April 21 Symphony Storytime. See April 3. multcolib.org. Hillsboro Latino Cultural Festival. En- Ladybug Theater. See April 3. tertainment, soccer, parade, arts village, Canstruction. See April 22. Love Your Mother! Earth Day Events more. Noon-5 pm. FREE. Civic Center Plaza, 150 E Main, Hillsboro. Tadpole Tales. See April 3. 503-726-2150. hillchamber.org. Autism Walk-A-Thon. Walk to raise Thursday, April 25 money for autism, then party with magi- Think Fun Thursdays. See April 4. cians, face painting, obstacle course, more. 9 am. Walk starts 10:45 am. Rides Symphony Storytime. See April 3. open noon. Registration fee. Oaks Park, National Parks FREE Week. See April 22. 7805 SE Oaks Park. 503-636-1676. firstgiving.com/asoautismwalk/. Friday, April 26 ComedySportz4Kidz. Improv show. Home and Garden Idea Fair. Kids’ activi- Loads of family fun Ages 0-12. 2 pm. $10 adults, $8 kidz, plus plus nature walks, a ties, booths, plant sale, more. 9 am-6 pm service charge. 1963 NW Kearney. salmon release, tree April 26, 27; 10 am-5 pm April 28. FREE, planting and more 503-236-8888. portlandcomedy.com. will be featured at $6 parking. Food donations encouraged. Clark Public Utilities’ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE EcoFair April 20. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. Defel, Ridgefield, Wash. 360-992-3000. clarkpublicutilities.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES PAM Family Tour. See April 7. Mystery Night. Parents get a break while Story and Stroll. See April 5. it’s hard to believe we’ve been Portland Children’s Museum. kids explore Cooper Mountain Nature observing earth day since 1970. Festivities from 10 am-3 pm April 21 Earth Day Run, Portland Children’s Park at night, plus pizza dinner. Ages naturally, the metro area cele- include: Recycled clock craft 10 am- Museum. See Love Your Mother! 6-12. 6-9 pm. $25. 18892 SW Kemmer. brates the day with fervor. Here are noon (extra fee); stories 11 am, noon; on this page. Beaverton 503-629-6350. thprd.org. Recycleman and the Dumpster Divers a few of our favorite festive events: Ladybug Nature Walks. See April 5. perform 11 am, 1 pm; Bug craft 1- Earth Day Run. 5 mile walk/run, 5K 3 pm. FREE w/ admission $10 ages Monday, April 22 Story and Stroll. See April 5. run, 5K doggie walk, 8:30 am April 21. 1-54 (small charge for crafts). $35 adults (child care while adults run, National Parks FREE Week. April 22-26 National Parks FREE Week. See April 22. 4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. National Parks are free. (Ore.: Crater extra charge). Kid’s races, 10:30 am, portlandcm.org. Canstruction. See April 22. $5 ages 3-6, $7 ages 7-12. Festival Lake; Wash.: Mt. Rainier, Olympic follows with games, bounce house, SOLV. The environmental nonprofit National Park, Fort Vancouver. more. Cook Park, 17005 SW 92nd, is hosting projects all over Oregon 360-816-6230. nps.gov. Saturday, April 27 Tigard. [email protected]. from 9 am-1 pm April 20. Families can Canstruction. Sculpture from cans of Meet the Reptiles. Scaly critter exhibit energyevents.com. plant trees at Rock Creek Trail exten- food displayed. 10 am- 8 pm April 22-28. tour, story, craft, snack. Ages 7-8 with sion in Hillsboro, clean up the South FREE. Fundraiser for Oregon Food Bank. grown-up. 10 am-noon. $29, adult/child EcoFair. Clark Public Utilities spon- Waterfront or participate in other pair, $13 additional person, member sors a day of activities including the Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th. 360-571-5577. important projects. Check website for canstruction.org. discount, reservations required. Oregon FREE EcoFair with family entertain- details. 503-844-9571. solv.org. Zoo, 4001 SE Canyon. 503-226-1561. ment, face painting, games, nature Recycled Crafts. Art from castoffs. Washington County Museum. Family oregonzoo.org. walks, eco info, more. 10 am-2 pm Ages 2-12 with grown up. 4-5 pm. FREE. Day Earth Day celebration with Dave April 20. Salmon Creek Greenway, Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. Children’s Day/Book Day. Bilingual Orleans, crafts, activities. 10 am-1 pm 800 NE 117th, Vancouver. 360-992- 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. music, crafts, dance performances, more. April 13. FREE. Washington County 3000. clarkpublicutilities.com. 5-8 pm. FREE. Gaiser Student Center, Museum, 120 E Main, Hillsboro. 503- Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Oregon Garden. Earth Day fun and 645-5353. washingtoncountymuseum. Tuesday, April 23 Vancouver. 360-992-2543. clark.edu. environmental info. 10 am-4 pm April org. Read! Snack! Craft! Presented by Come and Play! Art, crafts, games, 20. FREE. 879 W Main, Silverton. 503- Check our online calendar – now at 874-8100. oregongarden.org. Teen Council. Ages 3-11. 4-5 pm. FREE. more. All ages. 10 am-noon. FREE. Three PDXKidsCalendar.com – for more Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. Creeks Library, 800-C NE Tenney, Vancou- Earth Day events around the area. 503-691-3074. tualatinoregon.gov. ver. 360-571-9696. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net.

46 April 2013 metro-parent.com PArTies PHOTO COURTESY OF PORTLAND SPIRIT Young princesses and princes will enjoy tea, face painting, stories, games and more on Portland Spirit’s Queen Melissa High Tea Cruise, boarding every Saturday through May.

Junior Ranger Day. Self-guided Sunday, April 28 activities. Best ages 9-12. 10 am-3 pm. Kids Company NW. 11-11:30 am: Pea- $3 adults, free ages 0-15. Fort Vancouver, nuts! Noon-12:30 pm: Hillbilly Heaven. All 1001 E 5th. 360-816-6230. nps.gov. ages. FREE w/ admission $10 ages 1-54. Dinolandia. Penny’s Puppets on technol- Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW ogy. Ages 2-11. 11-11:45 am. FREE. St. Canyon. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org. Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston. 503-988-5397. multcolib.org. Ag Fest. See Family Favorites on pg. 40. Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros. Gathering Blue. See In the Spotlight Bilingual storytelling, song, crafts, bingo. on pg. 39. Ages 2-8 with family. 1-2:30 pm. FREE. Cinderella. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Home and Garden Idea Fair. See April 26. Komedy 4 da Kids. Angel Ocasio delights. All ages. 2:30-3:30 pm. FREE. Canstruction. See April 22. Vancouver Community Library, 901 C. 360-906-5106. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net. Monday, April 29 The Doorbell Rang. Math fun. 10:30 story, activities until noon. Ages 3-7 with Amelia Bedelia Party. Crafts, games. grown-up. FREE. Capitol Hill Library, Ages 2-12 with grown-up. 1-2 pm. FREE. 10723 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-988-5385. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. multcolib.org. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org. Rockin’ Rhyming! Anne Rutherford per- Mommy and Me. See April 1. forms. 1-2 pm. FREE. Sellwood-Moreland Library, 7860 SE 13th. 503-988-5398. multcolib.org. Tuesday, April 30 ADVERTISERS INDEx Making Music. Play international instru- The Snowflake Man. Puppet perfor- ABC Doula ...... 7 Estacada Charters ...... 17 Multisensory Learning Academy ...... 18 The Portland Montessori School ...... 29 mance. Ages 2-11. 4-5 pm. FREE, tkts Academy Theater ...... 42 Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum .31 Music Together ...... 19 Portland Spirit ...... 45 ments. 1-4 pm. Free w/admission $7 ages Active Learning Services, Ltd ...... 27 Franciscan Montessori Earth School ....12 Northwest Children’s Theater ...... 29 Royal Ridges ...... 29 3-59, $3.50 ages 1-2, free ages 0-1. AC 30 min prior. Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW African Marimba Concert ...... 44 French American International School .11 Northwest Primary Care ...... 37 Run Like A Mother...... 43 Sunset. 503-988-5388. multcolib.org. Art ala Carte PDX ...... 21 French Hill Farm ...... 33 Northwest Surrogacy Center ...... 44 Run Mama Run Event...... 40 Gilbert Discovery Village, 116 Marion NE, Baby Blues Connection ...... 43 German American School ...... 31 Oaks Park Association ...... 47 Super Kids Resale ...... 14 BabyLink ...... 37 Gresham Pediatric Dentistry ...... 25 OHSU Doernbecher Suzuki Piano Studio...... 32 Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org. Preschool Play & Skate. See April 2. Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio ...... 25 Hidden Valley Camp ...... 29 Children’s Safety Center ...... 7 Swallowtail School ...... 13 Bob’s Red Mill ...... 15 Hollywood Children’s Dentistry ...... 7 OHSU Doernbecher’s Hospital ...... 48 Tears of Joy Theatre ...... 45 Ag Fest. See Family Favorites on pg. 40. Preschool Crafts@Ledding. See April 2. Braingystics ...... 19 Hopworks Urban Brewery...... 37 Old McDonald’s Farm ...... 32 Thorsen’s Surrogate Agency, LLC ...... 26 Catlin Gabel School ...... 31 The International School ...... 17 OnPoint Credit Union ...... 23 Tidee Didee ...... 21 Gathering Blue. See In the Spotlight on Childbloom® Guitar Program Jim Parsley Community Center ...... 30 Oregon Ag Fest ...... 43 Tillamook Forest Center ...... 41 pg. 39. of Portland ...... 18 JJ Jump ...... 18 Oregon Children’s Theatre Co...... 30 Tiny Revolution Montessori...... 19 Children of the Sea ...... 21 Joy Central ...... 32 Oregon College of Art & Craft ...... 27 Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation ...... 27 Children’s Village at Fisher’s Landing ...31 Just Between Friends Portland, LLC ....15 Oregon Department Tucker Maxon School...... 11 Cinderella. See In the Spotlight on pg. 39. of Fish and Wildlife ...... 26 Clark Public Utilities - Family Eco Fair ..15 Kids Like Languages ...... 33 University of Oregon Oregon Episcopal School ...... 33 Calendar Deadline Details: The Clark Public Utilities - Learning Palace ...... 37 Academic Extension ...... 33 Home and Garden Idea Fair. Home & Garden Idea Fair ...... 45 Oregon Gymnastics Academy ...... 32 calendar submission deadline is the 1st Legacy Health Randall Vancouver Pizza Company ...... 25 See April 26. CLASS Academy ...... 4 Children’s Hospital ...... 2 Oregon Music Teachers Association ....21 Water Wellness ...... 14 of the month preceding the month of Clogs-N-More Kids ...... 25 Little Garden Preschool ...... 11 Oregon Virtual Academy - K12 ...... 13 Westside Montessori International ...... 34 Queen Melissa High Tea Cruise. publication. Submit your event online Club Sport ...... 32 Little Gym, The ...... 27 Oregon Zoo ...... 41 Westside Pediatrics Clinic ...... 7 See April 6. Columbia Gorge School of Theatre .....33 Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry ...... 21 OutSource PE, LLC ...... 21 Willowbrook Arts Camp ...... 30 at pdxkidscalendar.com or by email to Creative Children’s Center ...... 11 Living Wisdom School ...... 26 Park Academy ...... 21 Women’s Healthcare Associates ...... 9 Dia de Los Ninos y Dia de los Libros. Dentistry for Kids ...... 3 Mad Science ...... 27 Pediatric Dental Group ...... 13 World of Smiles ...... 19 [email protected]. Dragon Theater Puppets ...... 47 Metro Arts Day Camp ...... 34 Penny’s Puppet Productions ...... 47 Zimmerman Community Center ...... 7 See April 13. EcoMaids of Portland ...... 15 Micha-el School ...... 12 Portland Center Stage ...... 34

metro-parent.com April 2013 47