Slabtown Bender this weekend – bar to also get new owner

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Slabtown Bender this weekend – bar to also get new owner

Resolutions Check

We’re nearly a month into 2012, a time when many of us start forgetting our ambitious New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m really trying to keep up with mine this year. It helps that my goals for the year weren’t too lofty to begin with, and a few are so vague they allow for pretty broad interpretation of the word “success.” Here’s how I’m doing so far (in no particular order): 1. Give up the guilt: This is an ongoing goal for me and one I’m sure I’ll be working on for the rest of my life, but I have to say I’m feeling pretty good about my progress so far this year. 2. Don’t let fear stop me from living the life I want to live: Another broad and probably lifelong goal, this one has already come up in the form of a strange and possibly wonderful opportunity which I’m hoping my family can seize next month. (More on that if it pans out!) 3. Find more activities my pre-teen son and I can enjoy together: I bought my son a puzzle over winter break (an impulse purchase as I shopped for holiday trappings) and we had so much fun doing it we’ve started doing puzzles nearly every weekend. Our whole family enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles when my son was younger, but we hadn’t done one in at least a year. My husband cut a large piece of cardboard so we can move the puzzle off the dining room table every evening at dinnertime, and now we’re back in business. It’s a great way to spend snippets of time together throughout the week/weekend and talk about anything and everything as we hunt for the right pieces. 4. (Re)learn a foreign language: I started an Italian class at PCC a few weeks ago and although I was panicked before the first class (I hadn’t taken Italian in nearly 30 years but I signed up for the second level), it all started coming back to me as soon as the class started and I love it! In fact, when our second class was canceled because of inclement weather, I was truly disappointed! (“You’re disappointed you get a snow day?,” my son asked incredulously!) 5. Learn to make great pie crust: I haven’t started on this one yet, but there’s still time, right? 6. Travel more: I’m working on this one. (See #2, above.) That’s all I’ve got for now, but having written it all down I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself. How are you doing on your resolutions, if you made any? Please share your progress and your challenges in our comments section below -– it might help you stay on track, get back on track, or even make new resolutions for the months ahead!

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Resolutions Check

Need a Night Out?

Parenting is the most rewarding job you’ll ever have, but let’s face it, we all need a night off every now and then. If you’re not one of the fortunate few with a steady, reliable babysitter ready to pop over at a moment’s notice, don’t despair. There are other options. In fact, this Saturday there’s a Parents’ Survival Night scheduled at the Little Gym of Lake Oswego , just one of the many Parents’ Night Out events held regularly throughout the area. These events offer kids an evening of active fun with other kids their age -– plus snacks! –- while parents get some much deserved “adults only” time. Here’s a handy list of local organizations that regularly schedule Parents’ Nights Out. (We lifted it from our own, newly updated Family Resource Guide !) In addition to those listed below, some local health clubs, preschools and daycare centers also host Parents’ Nights Out. Clark County YMCA : 11324 NE 51st Cir., Vancouver, Wash.; 360-885-9622; ymca-clarkcounty.org . The Little Gym of Lake Oswego : 17890 SW McEwan Rd.; 503-595-9702; tlglakeoswegoor.com . Oregon Gymnastics Academy : 16305 NW Bethany Ct. Suite 109, Beaverton; 503-531-3409; ogagym.org . The Play Boutique : 464 1st St., Lake Oswego; 503.675-7529; playboutique.com . The Playground Gym : 505 NE Grand Ave.; 503-235-7529; theplaygroundgym.com . Portland Parks and Recreation : 503-823-PLAY; portlandonline.com/parks . Call your local community center for occasional events. Precision Elite Gymnastics : 15507 SE For Mor Ct., Clackamas; 503-659-0095; sunburstgymnastics.com . Rose City Gymnastics Academy : 7056 NE Glisan St.; 503-281-1314; rosecitygym.com . Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy : 840 NW 10th Ave., Camas, Wash., 360-834-7424; 117th Ave., Vancouver, Wash., 360-254-7958; vegagym.com . We Village : 424 NW 11th Ave.; 503-935-5590; wevillage.com . Drop-in child care, open late on Fridays, Saturdays, First Thursdays and special events. Westside Dance and Gymnastics Academy : 11632 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard; 503-639-5388; westsideacademy.com .

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Need a Night Out?

Portland Trail Blazers 2012

A Portland Trail Blazer game is fun for the whole family! There are many packages and ticket options for families. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Portland Trail Blazers 2012

2012 Portland Auto Show focuses on economy

The Portland International Auto Show returns January 26, bringing 500 brand-new models to the Oregon Convention Center and showcasing eco-friendly and economic options.

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2012 Portland Auto Show focuses on economy

Elemental Fitness Lab

Sick and tired of the same old gym atmosphere? Looking for a space to work out with your partner where you’ll be supervised closely by a certified strength and conditioning coach? If so,… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Elemental Fitness Lab

Hiking Angel’s Rest

What’s to Love:  Since moving here to Portland in 1999, my wife and I have hiked Angel’s Rest too many times to count.  To this day, it remains one or our favorite hikes in the Columbia… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Hiking Angel’s Rest

January Coupons & Deals

With every new issue comes a new set of coupons and deals. Here’s what you’ll find in our current issue : EcoMaids: Your initial house cleaning is only $149. (Page 5) Dancing Brooms: Schedule two cleanings, receive $50 off your third. (Page 6) The Little Gym of Lake Oswego: Free introductory class. (Page 2) Music Together: Free demonstration class. (Page 2) Raising Our Sons/Raising Our Daughters Parenting Guides: Receive 20 percent off with code “Metro Parent.” (Page 17) Sylvan Learning: Get a free assessment for your child. (Page 18) World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Complimentary dental exam for children under 2. (Page 5) Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 15) Learning Palace: Take 15 percent off all regular priced items. (Page 19) Tidee Didee: Get one free week of diaper service with four prepaid weeks. (Page 37) (We even have a PDF version of the magazine , for easy coupon clipping.)

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January Coupons & Deals

Ripzu Indoor Skatepark

What’s to Love:  On our ever continuing 2011 skatepark tour, we managed to find this gem in Vancouver, WA.  Ripzu has been open about a year and a half, but it seems like a brand new facility… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Ripzu Indoor Skatepark

Resolutions for a Charmed Life

As the new year approaches, many of us have resolutions on the brain. What changes do we want to make in the coming year? How many of our resolutions will we actually be able to keep? My family just completed our annual list making – a Solstice tradition in our house – where we write down what we enjoyed most in the year that’s ending and what we hope to do/accomplish in the year ahead. It’s fun to look back on the current year and remember how much happened, and it’s nice to look ahead with optimism. And while New Year’s Resolutions lists often contain grand goals, it’s helpful to remember that the smallest gestures, when added up, often make the most difference. With that in mind, I’d like to share one of my favorite blog posts from the previous year: “ The Charmed Life Challenge ” from Pink of Perfection. In this mid-summer post, Pink creator Sarah McColl shares a list of small but significant gestures to make life sweeter, more beautiful and more fulfilling. I printed the list (actually a slightly edited version of the list; I don’t wear perfume or lipstick, for starters) and plan to use it to spruce up my own life in the new year. After all, happy mothers make happy families, right? If you have time, read through the list, and “ The Life Seduction Challenge ” on which it’s based. What items spark your fancy? What items would you add to your own list? What big or small changes have you included on your own New Year’s Resolutions list? Here’s to living the charmed life in 2012!

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Resolutions for a Charmed Life

Holiday Baking

This past weekend was a flurry of holiday baking activity at my house, and I know I’m not alone. I made three different sweets to eat and to share, two of my easiest/tastiest standards and one recipe that was new for me: Peanut Butter Fudge (titled online as “ Easiest Peanut Butter Fudge “); Brownies (six ingredients, one pan); and Hello Dolly Bars (which reminded me why I should always test out new recipes before planning to give them as gifts!). Brownies are my go-to dessert for potlucks, parties and play dates (though I’m not allowed to call them “play dates” anymore!), and since the fudge recipe is available online (link above), and the Hello Dolly Bars still need some serious recipe 911 action, I figured I’d post my brownie recipe here. They’re seriously delicious, as easy as boxed mixes, and use ingredients you probably already have in the pantry: Super Easy Super Fudgy Brownies Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (baker’s squares) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup flour (These brownies are quite gooey. I usually scoop slightly more than half a cup to get them a bit more cakey.) Directions: Melt butter and chocolate over medium low heat in a pan on the stovetop. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and sugar. Mix well. Add eggs. Mix well. Add flour. Mix well. Spread/pour batter into a greased 8

Local Children Are Living in Poverty

Officially, the recession might be over, but many local families are still feeling the effects. In fact, according to Regan Gray, policy director at Children First for Oregon : “Today, 21.6 percent of Oregon children — over one in five — are living in poverty, the highest rate of poverty since 1993. …Almost twice that many are in ‘low income’ households, households that are just one paycheck or one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. More than ever before, children in poverty are the children of the college-educated, the former middle-class worker, the suburbanite and the homeowner.” In this month’s online Viewpoint , Gray discusses the ongoing effects of poverty on our neighbors, the government cutbacks that are exacerbating the problem, and what we can do to help.

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Local Children Are Living in Poverty

It’s Not Too Cold to Play Outside!

Sometimes I feel like hibernating during the northwest’s long, cold, wet winter months, but spending time outdoors is important year round, especially for kids. If you find your family avoiding the great outdoors these days, check out these links for tips on getting kids outdoors -– and spending quality family time outdoors -– even when it’s cold and wet out! The Impossibly-Busy Parents’ Guide To Getting Kids Outdoors : The National Wildlife Federation knows it can be difficult for busy families to make time for outdoor play, especially when the sun sets before dinner time! Here they offer some quick and easy ways to encourage your kids to spend time outdoors. Be Out There : Also from the National Wildlife Federation, this entire site is dedicated to encouraging families to explore the great outdoors year round. If you’re looking for new places to explore nature with your kids, try the Forest Finder at Finding My Forest. The site also includes ideas for outdoor activities to help kids learn about nature. And if you need some incentive to pry your family away from the fireplace this winter, here are a few studies to remind you how important it is for kids to spend time outdoors: Kids sleep better when they spend time outdoors. Read the report if you don’t believe us! Health Benefits of Outdoor Time . Fast Facts About Outdoor Time . Now go outside and play!

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It’s Not Too Cold to Play Outside!