What’s to Love: We finally returned to The Stoneworks Gym in Beaverton, OR, and I’m happy to report that it’s still the same quality business that it was 3 years ago. Super… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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Stoneworks Climbing Gym
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
Our 2012 Family Resource Guide is on the stands now, with over 50 pages of new and updated listings! It’s the ONLY regional directory of family-friendly activities, destinations, businesses and resources available for FREE! Inside you’ll find everything from Educational Attractions to Visual and Performing Arts to Playgrounds, Public Fountains and Hiking Opportunities to Sports, Gymnastics and Horseback Riding to Family-friendly Restaurants and Cafes to area Farmers Markets and more. You’ll even find a comprehensive list of Resources for Parents and Families . You really should pick up your copy today! (You can read it online , too, but we think you’ll want to keep a copy handy for those “What should do today?” and “Where can we find …?” kind of days.)
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Our 2012 Family Resource Guide
For many families, the day after Thanksgiving — Black Friday — signifies the beginning of the consumerist frenzy that often overtakes the holiday season. Recently, many shoppers have added Cyber Monday to the mix, going online to purchase scads of holiday gifts on the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, we’d like to offer two alternatives: Little Boxes & Small Business Saturday: We’re not saying you shouldn’t buy gifts for the holidays or that you shouldn’t get a jump start on your shopping this weekend. But why not support our local community and our local economy by doing your shopping at locally owned businesses? That’s what Little Boxes – a Portland-area alternative to Black Friday – and Small Business Saturday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving – are all about. Last year, Tony Fuentes of Milagros Boutique wrote a wonderful online article explaining the importance of keeping our dollars as close to home as possible. We hope you’ll take a moment to read Tony’s article again this year , before you start your holiday shopping. And as added incentive to shop locally this weekend, Supportland , Portland’s own local business rewards program, is offering triple points this Friday and Saturday (Black Friday and Small Business Saturday)! For more information about Little Boxes, including a list of participating local retailers, incentives and prizes, visit littleboxespdx.com . For more info on Small Business Saturday, visit smallbusinesssaturday.com. National Day of Listening: Of course, there’s more to life than shopping. How about spending some time on the day after Thanksgiving to thank a teacher who had a positive impact on your life? That’s the theme for this year’s StoryCorps National Day of Listening, which began in 2008 as an alternative to “Black Friday.” In previous years, StoryCorps has encouraged people to interview loved ones and record their personal histories on National Day of Listening. This year, they’re asking us to take some time to honor a favorite teacher. As explained on the National Day of Listening website: “Whether posting a memory to Facebook (StoryCorps), thanking them on Twitter (@storycorps, #thankateacher), taping a tribute on YouTube or sending a ‘thank you’ card, the 2011 National Day of Listening will send a powerful and necessary message to teachers across the nation: they matter, and we as a nation are grateful for the impact they have on our lives.” The organization has also provided tools on their site to “help you record a face-to-face interview with a teacher – or anyone else you’d like to honor for the National Day of Listening,” and they encourage you to spread the love further by recording interviews in veterans’ hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters and other community gathering places. For more information, visit nationaldayoflistening.org . Happy Thanksgiving!
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Skipping Black Friday & Cyber Monday
A national effort is under way to encourage holiday shoppers to shop at small local businesses November 26.
Sunday is the last day to vote for your favorite local family-friendly businesses in our annual “Family Favorites” Reader Survey! Not only is it a great way to support the wonderful local businesses in our area and share recommendations with other parents, but every reader who votes will be entered to win a fabulous Family Fun Package including a $50 gift card to the top-rated restaurant, a $50 gift card to the top-rated children’s book shop, a $20 gift card to John’s Incredible Pizza and other family fun items. Categories include: * Family-Friendly Restaurant * Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop * Pizza Parlor * Ice Cream, Yogurt, or Gelato Parlor * Toy Store * Children’s Book Shop * Kids’ Clothing/Shoe Store * Bike Shop * Birthday Party Venue * Fitness Center * Children’s Gym * Movie Theater * Place to Swim * Indoor (Rainy Day) Destination * Outdoor Destination * Family Vacation Destination The winning businesses and destinations will be announced in our September issue. Voting ends this Sunday, August 14. (One vote per person, please.) PS: Don’t forget to enter to win a Justin Roberts concert package , too! That contest ends Friday, August 12, at noon.
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Last Chance to Vote for Your Favorites!
It’s that time again! Time to vote for your favorite family-friendly businesses in the Portland metro area! It’s a great way to support the wonderful local businesses in our area and share recommendations with other parents. Plus, every reader who votes will be entered to win a Family Fun Package including a $50 gift card to the top-rated restaurant, a $50 gift card to the top-rated children’s book shop, a $20 gift card to John’s Incredible Pizza and other family fun items. Categories include: * Family-Friendly Restaurant * Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop * Pizza Parlor * Ice Cream, Yogurt, or Gelato Parlor * Toy Store * Children’s Book Shop * Kids’ Clothing/Shoe Store * Bike Shop * Birthday Party Venue * Fitness Center * Children’s Gym * Movie Theater * Place to Swim * Indoor (Rainy Day) Destination * Outdoor Destination * Family Vacation Destination. The winners of the “Family Favorite” awards will be announced in our September issue. Voting will be open through August 14. (One vote per person, please.)
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Vote for Your Family Favorites
A Portland business has donated money to help a little league team play again after most of its equipment was stolen.
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Portland company helps little league team play again
Two exciting events are coming up the week of Mother’s Day — Run Mama Run and an evening with author Anne Crittenden — and we’re thrilled to offer you a chance to win free tickets to both. Run Mama Run , a Mother’s Day run/walk to support the services Adoption Mosaic provides to adoptive families, is scheduled for Sunday, May 8. The family-friendly event features a 10k run and 5k walk as well as a kids’ run, breakfast, craft activities and more. Enter today to win free registration ($45 value) . We’re also happy to offer our readers a chance to win a ticket to hear Anne Crittenden — author of “The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World is Still the Least Valued” — on May 5 from 7 to 8:30 pm. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with Oregon policy makers and business leaders connecting Crittenden’s national perspective with grassroots advocacy efforts here in Oregon. Tickets are $20 for the event; $30 includes Crittenden’s book; $50 includes the event, the book and an author’s reception. You can purchase tickets online and/or enter to win a ticket to the event ($20 value) on our website . (We’ll be giving away two!) Learn more at familyforwardoregon.org . HERE’S THE (sort of) TRICKY PART: If you’re interested in only one of the prizes, you’ll need to indicate that on our contest entry page . To do that, write the name of the prize you want to win (“Run Mama Run” or “Price of Motherhood”) after your name in the “Name” box. But never fear: If you don’t indicate which prize you want, you’ll be entered to win both! Enter to win one or both of these prizes by April 30.
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Two Mother’s Day Give Aways!
What’s better than hosting a fabulous birthday party for your child? Winning a fabulous birthday party for your child! In our February issue , you’ll find a comprehensive guide to local party resources, whether you want to host a party at home or away, something simple and sweet or elaborate and extreme. Now we’re offering our readers the chance to win one of 14 party packages donated by the following businesses, from complete birthday parties to fabulous supplies that will make any party you host spectacular. Cupcake Academy : 503-621-7520; cupcakeacademy.net . The Circuit Bouldering Gym : 6050 SW Macadam Ave.; 503.246.5111; thecircuitgym.com . Fairy Garden Parties : 503-957-9768; fairygardenparties.net . The Merry Kitchen : 5202 NE 72nd Ave.; 503-946-8357; themerrykitchen.com . Metro Mountain Climbing : 503-327-4712; metromountainclimbing.com . My Masterpiece Art Studio : 7905 SW Cirrus Drive, 27G, Beaverton; 503-453-3700 ; mymasterpieceartstudio.com . Oaks Park : 7805 SE Oaks Park Way; 503-233-5777; oakspark.com . Once Upon A Horse : Lake Oswego; 503-635-7403; onceuponahorse.com . Oregon Fencing Alliance : 6699 SW Oleson Rd.; 503-467-9891; oregonfencing.com . The Oregon Garden : 879 W Main St., Silverton; 503-874-8100; oregongarden.org . Out of this World Pizza and Play : 6255 NW Century Blvd., Hillsboro 503-681-8866; outofthisworld.net . Pizza.com : pizza.com/portland . The Portland Children’s Museum : 4015 SW Canyon Rd.; 503-223-6500; portlandcm.org . Sherwood Ice Arena : 20407 SW Borchers Dr.., Sherwood; 503-625-5757; sherwoodicearena.com . How to Enter: Go to metro-parent.com/contest and submit your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. You can also send your information to Metro Parent, P.O. Box 13660, Portland, OR 97213. One entry per family. See additional terms/details online at metro-parent.com/contest . Contest ends February 28.
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Win a Fabulous Birthday Party Package!
What’s better than hosting a fabulous birthday party for your child? Winning a fabulous birthday party for your child! In our February issue , you’ll find a comprehensive guide to local party resources, whether you want to host a party at home or away, something simple and sweet or elaborate and extreme. Now we’re offering our readers the chance to win one of 14 party packages donated by the following businesses, from complete birthday parties to fabulous supplies that will make any party you host spectacular. Cupcake Academy : 503-621-7520; cupcakeacademy.net . The Circuit Bouldering Gym : 6050 SW Macadam Ave.; 503.246.5111; thecircuitgym.com . Fairy Garden Parties : 503-957-9768; fairygardenparties.net . The Merry Kitchen : 5202 NE 72nd Ave.; 503-946-8357; themerrykitchen.com . Metro Mountain Climbing : 503-327-4712; metromountainclimbing.com . My Masterpiece Art Studio : 7905 SW Cirrus Drive, 27G, Beaverton; 503-453-3700 ; mymasterpieceartstudio.com . Oaks Park : 7805 SE Oaks Park Way; 503-233-5777; oakspark.com . Once Upon A Horse : Lake Oswego; 503-635-7403; onceuponahorse.com . Oregon Fencing Alliance : 6699 SW Oleson Rd.; 503-467-9891; oregonfencing.com . The Oregon Garden : 879 W Main St., Silverton; 503-874-8100; oregongarden.org . Out of this World Pizza and Play : 6255 NW Century Blvd., Hillsboro 503-681-8866; outofthisworld.net . Pizza.com : pizza.com/portland . The Portland Children’s Museum : 4015 SW Canyon Rd.; 503-223-6500; portlandcm.org . Sherwood Ice Arena : 20407 SW Borchers Dr.., Sherwood; 503-625-5757; sherwoodicearena.com . How to Enter: Go to metro-parent.com/contest and submit your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. You can also send your information to Metro Parent, P.O. Box 13660, Portland, OR 97213. One entry per family. See additional terms/details online at metro-parent.com/contest . Contest ends February 28.
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Win a Fabulous Birthday Party Package!
The Metro Parent 2011 Family Resource Guide is currently being distributed throughout the region. It’s the ONLY regional directory of family-friendly activities, destinations, businesses and resources made available to area parents free of charge! Inside the guide you’ll find everything from Educational Attractions to Visual and Performing Arts to Playgrounds, Public Fountains and Hiking Opportunities to Sports, Gymnastics and Horseback Riding to Family-friendly Restaurants and Cafes to area Farmers Markets and so much more. There’s also a special section with resources for parents and families and a guide to Multicultural Fairs and Festivals happening around the area all year long. Pick up a copy wherever Metro Parent is distributed, or read it online today.
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Our Annual Family Resource Guide
Once again, you’ll find a wealth of fabulous coupons and deals in our December issue , including several great bargains on toys and gifts for the holidays! It’s a perfect opportunity to save money and support some wonderful local businesses! (To find out how shopping locally benefits the entire community, read this month’s online article, The Joys of Buying Local .) Here’s what you’ll find, and where you’ll find it: OMSI Science Store: Take 20 percent off your total purchase in the store or online. (Page 19) Lakeshore Learning: Get $5 off your purchase of $25 or more; $10 off your purchase of $50 or more; or $15 off your purchase of $75 or more. (Pg. 21) Thinker Toys: Save 20 percent on one regularly priced item. (Pg. 21) Learning Palace: Get 15 percent off all regularly priced items. (Pg. 23) The Old Spaghetti Factory: Free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. (Pg. 35) Tidee Didee: Receive 1 week free with 4 prepaid weeks of diaper service. (Pg. 5) World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Get a free initial exam for kids under 2 years old. (Pg. 13) Clowns Unlimited: Take $25 off any order. (Pg. 51) North Clackamas Aquatic Park: Get a free Big Surf Swim Session with a paid session. (Pg.13) ECOMAIDS: Save 10 percent on gift cards of $100 or more. (Pg. 19) You can also save $20 ON ALL GIFT MEMBERSHIPS TO OMSI and ENTER TO WIN A 1-YEAR MEMBERSHIP TO CLUB SPORT when you click on the rotating banner ad at the top of our home page!
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More BIG Savings in Our December Issue!
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