‘Monster Foods’ opening to help wildlife habitat

Eating alligator this weekend could help save animals.

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‘Monster Foods’ opening to help wildlife habitat

Portland Teen Idol auditions this weekend

Auditions for the Portland Teen Idol competition start Friday evening and continue through the weekend.

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Portland Teen Idol auditions this weekend

April Coupons & Deals

Have you seen our April issue ? If not, you’re missing out on the coupons and deals below: Sunriver Resort: During the month of April, receive 30 percent off best available summer rates. (Page 2) Learning Palace: Shop the 30th Anniversary Sale through April 22. (Page 11) Green Drop Eco-Friendly Car Care: Take $15 off your next oil change. (Page 13) EcoMaids: A Spring Deep Cleaning for $199. (Page 13) Just Between Friends: Take $1 off the already bargain basement prices at this super resale event. (Page 15) SuperKids Resale: Save big on a host of items for kids and teens at this giant resale event, too! (Page 17) Tidee Didee: Get 1 free week of diaper service with 4 prepaid weeks. (Page 17) Bob’s Red Mill: Buy two Bob’s products at the Mill Store, get one free. (Page 19) Natural Furniture: Mention our ad for 40% off finishing in sustainable Verde during April. (Page 19) Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Get a free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 33) Clogs-n-More: Shop the spring sale event April 7-22. (Page 33) Rose Bowl: Kids bowl free every Saturday from noon to 6 pm, plus .99 cent games on Sunday. (Page 46) Hollywood Bowl: Kids bowl free every Saturday from noon to 6 pm, plus .99 cent games on Sunday. (Page 47) Play Boutique: Get $25 off your next party. (Page 47) Here’s a handy PDF version of the magazine, too, perfect for easy coupon clipping!

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April Coupons & Deals

Family Getaway – Garibaldi, Oregon

Jeff Hunter manages the Harborview Inn in Garibaldi, Oregon.  He was kind enough to send Portland Family Adventures an invitation to do some crabbing right off the local pier. Since I’ve never… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Family Getaway – Garibaldi, Oregon

The Source Climbing Center – Vancouver, WA

What’s to Love:  For climbers, especially with kids, it doesn’t get much better than here in the Portland area.  We have some world-class bouldering and climbing gyms all within a 15 mile… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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The Source Climbing Center – Vancouver, WA

Portland Easter egg hunts and more

Spring is here and Easter is Sunday. Here’s a guide to some of the things you and your kids can do to celebrate around Portland.

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Portland Easter egg hunts and more

We’ve Got a New Look!

If you’ve had a chance to pick up our April issue -– or to read it online -– you might have noticed we’ve updated our look. We’ve got a new logo, a new layout for our Table of Contents, Ages & Stages and regular departments, and a cleaner, fresher design throughout the magazine. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to bringing you interesting and informative parenting-related features, information on local parenting resources and our remarkably comprehensive daily Family Fun Calendar. We’re very proud of the work we do creating the region’s most useful and entertaining parenting magazine, but we’re always looking for ways to be even more useful and informative to our readers. Help us out by letting us know what you think of our recent redesign (it’s a work in progress!) and of the resources we bring you in print and online every month. What do you like (or not like) about the magazine’s new look? What do you like best about our magazine? (What’s most useful and/or most entertaining to you? What sections do you always read?) What would you like to see more of in our print magazine? If you follow us on Twitter , like us on Facebook , receive our enewsletter and/or read our blogs, what do you find most useful about our online postings? What would you like to see more of from us online? And if you’d like to give us any other feedback, feel free to post it below! We appreciate any and all comments. After all, we’re here to make your job as a parent easier, more effective and more fun!

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We’ve Got a New Look!

Kids’ activity calendar rescues parents

Kids and parents have a blast at OMSI, but many wish they knew about other family friendly events; now PDX Kids Calendar can help.

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Kids’ activity calendar rescues parents

Adventure Wild Day Camp

Well, it might feel like winter is just beginning around here, but it’s actually time to start thinking about summer camps for the kids!  I’m excited that “Adventure Wild Day… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Adventure Wild Day Camp

Love Your Local Library!

Last week we ran a blog post about upcoming Spring Break activities for school age kids, and every Friday we run our picks for weekend fun under the What’s On this Weekend (WOW!) header. Whenever we compile these types of lists –- whether for the magazine, our enewsletter, or our blog –- we’re always blown away by the sheer volume and diversity of activities offered at our local libraries. And most of these events are free! So we thought it was time to run a brief reminder for all the kids and parents out there to keep an eye on your local library’s events calendar, because as much as we try to list every family-friendly event and activity around town, even we can’t seem to find the space to list all the wonderful story times, performances, activities and classes offered by the region’s exceptional libraries. Here’s a list of local library websites and events calendars. We suggest you bookmark your county library’s calendar, but it’s also fun to check out neighboring library systems’ events once in a while for a special low-cost family fun day out! Multnomah County Library Events Finder Clackamas County Library Story Times (For more libraries in Clackamas County, visit lincc.org ) Washington County Library Events Clark County, Wash., Library Events We just love our local libraries! As writer Anne Herbert so eloquently put it, “Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.”

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Love Your Local Library!

Our 2012 Summer Camps & Learning Guide

Officially it’s still winter, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about summer camp! In fact, many local camps are already accepting applications for summer 2012, and some of the most popular ones will fill quickly. Luckily, we’re here to help, with our 2012 Summer Camps and Learning Guide , available now. Inside, you’ll find loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities. In addition to a comprehensive list of local camp options, we’ve got a feature on camps that will keep kids active all summer and one on academic camps . Our Summer Camp Survival Guide includes articles about helping kids overcome homesickness, how camps promote healthy lifestyles, and how you can stop worrying about your kids when you send them off to camp! Pick up a copy today, or check it out online for all the information you need to make this summer a success! Oh, and by the way, you can now pick up your copy of Metro Parent at Fred Meyer and QFC in the area!

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Our 2012 Summer Camps & Learning Guide

Portland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

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Portland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

Spring Break Fun!

Staying in town for Spring Break? Here’s a roundup of area activities for school age kids during the week of March 26-30 to help you make the most of your extra family time! (As always, check our online calendar for more listings every day.) MARCH 26 Spring Break Around the World. Activities and crafts from a different country every day this week. Best for ages 4 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm. Free with museum admission. World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, 4033 SW Canyon Road. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org . Mad Science. Fire and ice science, including demonstrations, for grades K-8. 11 am. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . LEGO Lab/Intro to Robotics. Take a day trip to Salem for a special LEGO designing and building event in the morning and a robotics workshop in the afternoon. Both are open to kids between 8 and 12 years old. LEGO Lab is from 9 am to noon; Introduction to Robotics is from 1 to 4 pm. $31/each workshop, member discount. Reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 27 Very Hungry Caterpillar Collage. Make tissue paper art. 2 to 3:30 pm. FREE. Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd. 503-988-5389. events.multcolib.org . Garden Treasure Hunt. Search for clues in the garden. Dress for the weather. Ages 8 to 12. 1 to 2:30 pm. $6, member discount, reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . Sweater Sleeve Puppets. Make a puppet; materials provided. FREE. 1 to 3 pm. Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave. 503-988-5235. (Also 1:30-3:30 pm March 31 (reservations required) at Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd. 503-988-5386.) events.multcolib.org . Nature Illustration. Art activity for ages 9 to 14. 10 am to noon. $15, member discount. Reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . A Balancing Act! Learn about the science of balance. FREE. 1 to 3 pm March 27 at Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Pk RD. 503-988-5355; 3 to 5 pm March 29 (reservations required) at Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th Ave. 503-988-5399. events.multcolib.org (search “balancing”). Owls and Other Predators/ Micro Detectives. Take a day trip to Salem to learn about owls, bats, spiders and more in the morning and/or to work with microscopes in the afternoon. Both are designed for kids between 5 and 7 years old. Owls and Other Predators is from 9 am to noon; Micro Detectives is from 1 to 4 pm. $31/each workshop, member discount. Reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 27 & 28 Preschool Play & Skate. Skate rental, lesson, games and a snack every Tuesday and Wednesday for kids ages 6 and under. 10 to 11:30 am. $5.50 per child ages 1 and older, parents skate or walk on the rink free. Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. 503-233-5777. oakspark.com . MARCH 27, 28 & 29 Henna for Teens. Learn about henna and get a design. FREE. 2 to 3:30 pm March 27 at Capitol Hill Library, 1073 SW Capitol Hwy. 503-988-5385; 6 to 7:30 pm March 28 at Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver Ave. 503-988-5370; 2 to 3:30 March 29 at Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Park Rd. 503-988-5355. events.multcolib.org (search “henna”). MARCH 28 Desktop Ballistics. Learn how to make your own desktop catapult to hurl tiny erasers across the room. 3 to 4 pm. FREE, registration required. Hillsboro Main Library, 2850 Brookwood Pkwy. 503-615-6500. evanced.info/hillsboro . Fun with Fiber. Learn about dyes, wool and other fibers and make a project. Ages 6 and older, with grown-up. 1 to 3 pm. $34, member discount, reservations required. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) Milagros Jamboree. Lorna Miller performs, with help from the audience. Ages 8 and under. 10:30 am every Wed. $3 donation. Milagros Boutique, 5433 NE 30th Ave. 503-493-4141. littlekidsjamboree.com . MARCH 28 & 29 Do You See What I See? Explore the wonders of light. FREE. 2 to 4 pm March 28 at Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW Capitol Hwy., 503-988-5385; 2 to 4 pm March 29 at Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook St., 503-988-5391. events.multcolib.org (search “do you see”). MARCH 29 Spring Break Puppets. Dragon Theatre presents The Reluctant Dragon. 2 pm. FREE. Ledding Library, 10660 SE 21st. Ave. Milwaukie. 503-786-7580. milwaukie.lib.or.us . The Bug Chicks. Fun with insects! All ages. 10 to 11:30 am. $8, $24/family of 4 or more. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . Science Fiction Fair. Study stars and make aliens. Grades K to 5. 3:30 to 5 pm. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . Nature Bingo. Take a walk, make a craft, play bingo and more. Dress for the weather. Ages 6 to 10. 1 to 2:30 pm. $6, member discount. Reservations required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 SE 122d Ave. 503-823-1671. leachgarden.org . The Clumsy Ballerina. Penny’s Puppets perform. FREE, get tickets 30 minutes prior. 10:30 to 11 am at Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook St., 503-988-5391; 3 to 3:45 pm at Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd., 503-988-5388. events.multcolib.org (search “clumsy”). Dance Party. Rock out, with refreshments. Ages 2 and older. 10 to 11 am. FREE. Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi. 503-691-3016. ci.tualatin.or.us . Ice Age Discoveries. Paleontology lab for ages 5 and older, with a grown-up. 1 to 3 pm. $3 plus admission. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . (For more activities and attractions in the Salem area, see our Family Resource Guide .) MARCH 30 Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest OPENS. Over 40 acres of flowers, a play area, pony rides ($5, weekends only), entertainment and more. 9 am to 6 pm March 30 through April 30. $10 car weekends, $5 car M-F. 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn. 503-634-2243. woodenshoe.com . Don’t forget to check our online calendar for more listings, including live theater and activities for younger kids, every day!

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Spring Break Fun!