Portland Family Attractions, Events, & Activities

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Portland Sunday

PDXrover — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:29:24 +0000

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland Half Marathon will hit Portland streets Saturday, May 20.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Portland Sunday

New Oregon Zoo giraffe has an extra ‘heart’

Jeremy — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:55:15 +0000

The Oregon Zoo’s newest giraffe, Riley, is easily recognizable, thanks to a heart-shaped marking on his left side.

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New Oregon Zoo giraffe has an extra ‘heart’

Need Camps?

Jeremy — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:54:48 +0000

The sunny skies and warmer weather remind us summer’s just around the bend. Have you figured out your kids’ summer camp schedule? If not, there’s still time to get them enrolled in any number of fabulous local programs, and we can help you find them! Our 2012 Summer Camps and Learning Guide includes loads of information about local camps and other summer learning opportunities; a comprehensive list of local camp options; and articles on active camps, academic camps, and camp basics – from helping kids overcome homesickness and how camps promote healthy lifestyles to 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!

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Need Camps?

Orchard Park – Hillsboro

Samantha — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:48:10 +0000

What’s to Love: If your family is into disc golf, the 21 acre Orchard Park is worth the drive to Hillsboro. The park has a VERY nice 3-par, 9-hole course with a paved path winding throughout… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Orchard Park – Hillsboro

More Reasons to Play Outside!

PDXrover — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:51 +0000

Two studies recently caught our eye, both perfect complements to the Ages & Stages on Raising Nature Lovers we ran in our April issue. The first study , conducted by researchers at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, reports that preschoolers in the United States are seriously lacking in outdoor play time at home. Using a sample that represented four million kids, researchers found nearly half lacked even one parent-supervised outdoor play period per day. A few interesting findings from the report include: (1) moms took the kids outside more often than dads, (2) children with three or more regular playmates were twice as likely to spend time outdoors every day, and (3) non-white families had lower rates of outdoor play than white families. The second study that caught our eye came out of Oregon State University. This one suggests western society’s tendency to keep girls cleaner than boys could be detrimental to their health. OSU philosopher Sharyn Clough notes that women have higher rates of allergies, asthma and many autoimmune disorders. Pairing that with a known link between increased hygiene and sanitation and higher rates of asthma, allergies and autoimmune disorders, she suggests researchers look into a possible correlation. (Whatever they find, we encourage girls to get outside and play – without worrying about getting dirty – as often as possible!) Learn more about the beauty of dirt – including tips on encouraging “dirty” play and a “Dirtiest Kid” photo challenge – from the National Wildlife Federation . For tips on getting kids outside early and often, read Ages & Stages: Raising a Nature Lover , beginning on page 12 or our April issue.

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More Reasons to Play Outside!

Highway to Mt. St. Helens reopens Saturday

Jeremy — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:28:37 +0000

Visitors to Mount St. Helens will be able to drive close to the volcano this weekend.

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Highway to Mt. St. Helens reopens Saturday

U.S. Paid Leave Policies Lag Behind

PDXrover — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:00:09 +0000

The fifth in a seven-part series by guest blogger Erin Barone for Family Forward Oregon, sharing insights from their action + discussion group The High Cost of Motherhood . ————————————— The United States is one of only five nations across the globe that provide no paid maternity leave. The other four? Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea. Take a look at this visual map . It’s pretty striking. (To see the map, choose “Pregnancy, Birth or Adoption” from the left menu, then choose the “Global Map” button, then “Duration of Paid Leave for Mothers” then “Get Map.”) Surprising, yes, but keep in mind it wasn’t all that long ago that it was legal to advertise gender-specific job openings. The struggle for a family and medical leave policy has a long history in the United States. While some wanted to dissuade women from entering the work force, and companies feared the expense, feminists too had problems with maternity leave. They wanted women to be treated equally and, in their view, a woman’s place in the workforce could too easily be damaged by a focus on maternity leave. It took years of debate (and two vetoed bills) before President Clinton finally signed the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into law in 1993, just 19 years ago. So how does our family leave compare to leave policies in other countries? Let’s look at France. As a French mother, I would be given anywhere from 16 weeks (at 84 percent of my salary) to three years (with some form of reduced pay) of leave. If I were a single mother, I would receive regular government support payments until my child turned 3. And all French families, regardless of income, receive a family allowance that is more generous than any tax deduction or credit the United States offers. It’s true the French government instituted these policies to combat a declining birth rate by encouraging families to have more children, but it’s important to note that that part of their plan hasn’t worked. As a matter of fact, French families have slightly fewer children than families in the United States. What the policies do is reduce the number of children living in poverty. An unacceptable 20 percent of all U.S. children ages 17 and under live in poverty compared to about 8 percent in France. And the United States doesn’t just fall behind other countries when it comes to paid maternity leave. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway provide generous paid maternity leaves (about 30 to 42 weeks or more) as well as separate paid paternity leave, shorter work weeks, significantly more vacation time, high-quality and affordable childcare and a well-funded public education system. By stark contrast, a new mom in the United States is allowed 12 weeks of unpaid leave if she works for a company with 50 or more employees. Period. Childcare easily can cost as much as she earns. And we all know what the funding situation for our public schools looks like here in Oregon. In her book The Invisible Heart: Economics and Family Values (New Press, 2002) , Nancy Folbre takes a hard look at the programs the United States has in place to support families and children. Not only do we lag behind other countries in public support for families with young children, funding for these programs is declining – and they’re inequitable and often insufficient to achieve their goals. The repercussions of weak family leave policies and ineffective public assistance programs are huge – for families, our economy and our communities. From increased infant mortality rates to depression in mothers to lower cognitive test scores in children to poverty later in life, especially for women. The truth is, when workers get paid time off to get treatment for an illness or to care for a new baby or an ill family member, they stay employed longer. So while it may seem counterintuitive at first, offering paid leave leads to more economic security for families, which is cheaper for taxpayers, and people stay employed longer, which is good for employers. It’s time to catch up with the rest of the world. It’s time to catch up with those countries that have already realized the benefits of supporting pregnant women, families and young children. The examples are out there, with years of data to help us craft a robust and family-friendly economy. Learn more about the benefits of paid family leave: The Effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave on Employment Stability and Economic Security Rutgers Study Finds Paid Family Leave Leads to Positive Economic Outcomes Next Week’s Conversation: Next week it’s time to start thinking about solutions. What are the building blocks of a family-friendly economy? What looks promising for Oregon? Who are our allies and where do we want to start? Share Your Thoughts: What are your thoughts on the questions posed above (under “Next Week’s Conversation”)? What do YOU want for the future?

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U.S. Paid Leave Policies Lag Behind

Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park

Jeremy — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:39:34 +0000

What’s to Love: Before getting into specifics, I want to say that I haven’t been this excited about a new family-adventure-oriented-business since Sky High Sports opened in Tigard. The… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

May Coupons & Deals

PDXrover — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:00:31 +0000

Check out our May issue for these cool spring deals: MetroArts Kids Camp: Discounted rates of $200 per week or $310 for two weeks if you register by May 18. (Page 22) Sunriver Resort: During May, receive 20 to 25 percent off the best available rates for summer, starting at $139 per night! (Page 31) Hollywood Bowl AND Rose Bowl: Get $25 off any birthday or team party. (Page 47) Baby Boot Camp: Get a $20 new membership in May. (Page 27) Power Brain Training Center: Receive $50 off when you sign up for at least two weeks of summer camp, and/or get a free trial class. Expires May 31. (Page 11) Sylvan Learning Center: Free assessment ($195 value). (Page 21) A+ Grades Up Tutoring: Evaluation and learning plan for $50, plus summer tutoring for $36/hour. (Page 23) Kohlhoff & Welch, Attorneys: Get a will for $300. (Page 19) North Clackamas Aquatic Park: Get 10 percent off a birthday party! (Page 35) Bob’s Red Mill: Buy two Bob’s Red Mill products, get one free at the Mill Store in Milwaukie. (Page 16) EcoMaids: Buy one deep cleaning service and get a free fill-in service. (Page 27) Play Boutique: Get $25 off your next party. (Page 28) World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Complimentary dental exam for children under 2. (Page 18) Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Get a free initial exam for children under 3. (Page 29) Learning Palace: Take 15 percent off all regular priced items. (Page 37) Tidee Didee: Get one free week of diaper service with four prepaid weeks. (Page 43) And here’s a handy PDF version of the magazine , perfect for clipping coupons!

Rocky Butte – Joseph Wood Hill Park

Jeremy — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:41:08 +0000

What’s to Love: I’ve explored the rock climbing area up at Rocky Butte many times. I’ve been turned off by the trash and noise from highway 205, which runs underneath the bluff…. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Rocky Butte – Joseph Wood Hill Park

Cinco de Mayo at Waterfront park this weekend

Jeremy — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:15:41 +0000

The Cinco de Mayo festival this weekend at Waterfront Park features masked lucha libre wrestlers, mariachi mass and more carnival fun through Sunday.

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Cinco de Mayo at Waterfront park this weekend

Holly Farm Park

PDXrover — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:08:13 +0000

What’s to Love: Holly Farm Park is a lovely park right off Capitol Highway in SW Portland. While next to a busy road, this small park has a nice vibe and a strong community feel. It’s… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Holly Farm Park

Care Work: Undervalued and Underpaid

PDXrover — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:00:14 +0000

The second in a seven-part series by guest blogger Erin Barone for Family Forward Oregon with insights from their action + discussion group The High Cost of Motherhood . ————————————— “What am I actually earning after I pay for the childcare I need so I can go to work?” That’s a question parents ask themselves all the time – especially mothers. And the answer is often pretty sobering. The fact is, childcare is expensive ( think college tuition expensive ), and quality care isn’t always readily available. As a new parent I found myself fairly clueless about what I should even look for. Daycare center? Home-based care? Nanny? How are the caregivers trained? What kind of oversight is there? And just as important, how much are they paid and what are their benefits? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, childcare workers earn a median income of just $9.28 per hour (minimum wage in Oregon is $8.80). Historically, domestic workers haven’t had minimum wage and workplace discrimination protection, benefits like sick leave and vacation, or overtime pay. As a result, there is high turnover and it is often the most qualified childcare workers – those who know they can earn a better living in another career – who move on to find other work so that they can better care for their own families. As more and more women enter the work force (in 2011, 70 percent of mothers with children under 18 worked or were looking for work outside the home), there is an increasing need for someone else to do the typically unpaid work of a family (cooking, cleaning, laundry and childcare, among others). Relying on family members to help care for children can be a solution, if they are willing, able, and live nearby, but it doesn’t necessarily negate the need for quality childcare. People are retiring later in life, which means more grandparents have their own jobs. Plus, there’s the very real possibility that parents might find themselves sandwiched between caring for their children and their aging parents at the same time. How Do We Value Paid Care Work? Care work historically has been seen as female work and research shows the more women in a job field, the lower the pay in that field. When we undervalue paid care work we’re undervaluing working women and contributing to the wage gap. The value we place on care work is reflected in how we pay and treat our care workers, but it’s also reflected in our social policies. Under current law, low-income stay-at-home parents who qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) can’t count caring for their own young children toward their work requirement, but at the same time they can’t afford to pay for the childcare they would need to go to work. (Check out the Woman’s Option to Raise Kids Act recently introduced by Congressman Pete Stark from California, which proposes to change that). A Working Example Right Here at Home If we do want quality, affordable childcare provided by educated care workers who are paid a living wage, we can take a cue from the U.S. military, which is well known for its coordinated, affordable, quality system. By subsidizing childcare, requiring that care workers complete training in child development, psychology, health and safety, and by giving workers good pay and full benefits, the military has created a system that encourages stable, quality care that’s affordable for families. Learn more about the military model , and then ponder how it might translate into the civilian world. My ideal? Workplace policies that provide parents the time, flexibility and living wages to support and care for their families, combined with a system of well-located, quality, affordable childcare programs. It’s being done in other countries. Surely we can make it work here, too. Next Week’s Conversation: Next week we’ll discuss how the U.S. supports families and how we compare to the rest of the world. Share Your Thoughts: What has been your experience with the tax and welfare system? What do you think the government’s role in supporting families should be? Do you think we will ever have a system like Sweden or France? Why or why not? Dive right in with this cross-country comparison. (Heads up: It’s kinda wonky, but fascinating).

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Care Work: Undervalued and Underpaid

Surprise proposal on Mt. Hood

Samantha — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:01:54 +0000

A man dressed as James Bond proposes to his girlfriend after a successful skim across the pond during the 6th Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim at Mt. Hood Meadows.

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Surprise proposal on Mt. Hood

Eat Mobile! Tasty bites and bands Saturday

PDXrover — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:42:56 +0000

This weekend in food carts, beer and music – we’ll be at the Willamette Week Eat Mobile Festival at OMSI.

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Eat Mobile! Tasty bites and bands Saturday

If You Could Change One Thing, What Would it Be?

Jeremy — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:00:39 +0000

The third in a seven-part series by Family Forward Oregon; written by Lisa Frack. —————————— Our conversation during this week’s “High Cost of Motherhood” discussion + action group ended with a question to which we all, understandably, had different answers: If you could change one thing about the public policies that affect how motherhood works (or doesn’t work!) for you personally, what would it be? Of course our answers depended on our individual circumstances, but together they make a pretty good list of the changes many mothers need: One stay-at-home mom would stop penalizing mothers for caring for kids full-time. There is an opportunity cost for moms who step out of the workforce to care for kids – even if it’s only for a short time. One survey of 200 mothers with MBA degrees found that those who took an average of only 8.8 months out of the job market were less likely to reach upper-middle management and earned 17 percent less than comparable women who had no employment gaps. Another economic analysis in England estimated that a typical middle-class British mother of two forfeits almost half of her potential lifetime earnings. No wonder motherhood is a leading predictor of poverty in old age. There are creative solutions to this opportunity cost, such as: (1) enabling stay-at-home mothers to earn social security benefits, which they also forfeit while out of the workplace; and (2) enabling mothers who receive government support to count caring for their own small children as “work,” instead of the current rule that only counts paid work toward a work requirement. One unemployed new mother hopes for onsite childcare when she returns to work. Having childcare near your work makes it easier to keep nursing once you return to work, keeps kids closer to you in the event of an emergency, and makes commuting far more efficient. It’s worth noting that while employer-provided childcare can work, relying on employers to “do the right thing” isn’t a full answer for all parents, plus it is an expensive endeavor that only certain types and sizes of employers can provide. A problem with it is if you change jobs, does your child then change childcare providers, too? One idea is mapping “childcare deserts” like people are now mapping food deserts, so we start by knowing where there are plenty to serve workers and where there aren’t. Urban planning regulations often require a certain number of parking spots per square foot of an office building – why treat cars better than young children? An employed mom with two part-time jobs would like to have health care for herself; her two kids are on OHP. It is terrific that the state of Oregon offers health insurance to all uninsured children . But, the fact remains that for parents, health insurance is cheapest when provided through the workplace. Because many mothers work part-time jobs to be able to care for their children and reduce childcare costs, they aren’t eligible for health insurance, which often kicks in at 30 or 40 hours per week. We read a good bit on the negative impacts part-time work can have on employees’ pay and promotion rates, even though for many mothers it is a preferred option that enables them to support and care for their children while staying connected to the workforce, which matters for their long-term earnings potential. As for me, someone who thinks about the public and workplace policies that affect parents a lot, the one thing I would change – now that I have a 6- and 9-year-old – would be to shift our current, agrarian school calendar to something that jibes better with today’s families real lives. The typical employee gets two to three weeks of vacation annually, while most students are out of school for a full four months. The childcare/summer camp costs are exorbitant; lower-income kids who aren’t enrolled in high-quality, expensive camps fall behind; and parents need and want to spend time with their children rather than sending them to camp five days a week while they work. There have been experiments with alternative schedules and there is research on their success and impact on parents . —————————— Next Week’s Conversation: Next week we tackle the care economy : Caring for children, the elderly the sick and disabled is not seen as work in our culture. However, it is critical to the functioning of our economy and society. How can we redefine work to include care? —————————— Share Your Thoughts: What would YOU change if you could change just one thing about the public policies that affect motherhood?

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If You Could Change One Thing, What Would it Be?

Sandy River Delta: Got Dog?

PDXrover — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:22:34 +0000

What’s to Love: 1000+ acres of no-fee public trails, mud holes, bird blinds, beach access (Columbia & Sandy Rivers), and HUGE open fields for your dog to be off-leash! There are only two… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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Sandy River Delta: Got Dog?

ComedySportz “4″ Kidz

PDXrover — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:05:58 +0000

What’s to Love: ComedySportz “4″ Kidz is an improvisational comedy show that will have the whole family laughing. I’ve seen the regular “ComedySportz” version… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Third Graders: Ride on a Float in a Rose Festival Parade!

PDXrover — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:00:15 +0000

Is it really time to start thinking about Rose Festival? If you’ve got a third grader who’d like to ride on a float in a Rose Festival parade it is! Six lucky local third graders will get a chance to ride atop PGE’s “Safety Rocks” float, featuring electrifying sights and sounds and larger-than-life examples of common electrical safety hazards. With the float – and the contest they’re running to select riders – PGE hopes to empower kids to make smart choices about electrical safety and to share the safety message with others. To select float riders, PGE is holding a “Color Me Safe” contest for area third graders through May 4. Students can enter by submitting a drawing with a short description that shares fun, creative examples of what electrical safety means to them or how they make safe choices around electricity. Six winners will be selected. Three will ride in the PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade on June 2 and three will ride in the Grand Floral Parade on June 9. Learn more and download contest entry forms at PortlandGeneral.com/RoseFestival . Entries must be received by 5 pm on May 4, and all entrants must be third grade students whose families receive residential electric service from PGE. Winners will be announced May 8.

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Third Graders: Ride on a Float in a Rose Festival Parade!

Exploring Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon

Jeremy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:30:31 +0000

Smith Rock offers a myriad of activities for those seeking to experience the breathtaking beauty of Oregon's high desert country.

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Exploring Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon