Portland Family Attractions, Events, & Activities

Slabtown Bender this weekend – bar to also get new owner

PDXrover — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:34:05 +0000

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Slabtown Bender this weekend – bar to also get new owner

Super Bowl spending by fans up this year

Samantha — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:07:46 +0000

Consumers will spend some $11 billion on everything Super Bowl this year, setting a record.

Stoneworks Climbing Gym

Jeremy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:56:00 +0000

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

Resolutions Check

PDXrover — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:00:31 +0000

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

Portland Auto Show moves into the Convention Center

Samantha — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:57:53 +0000

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Portland Auto Show moves into the Convention Center

Holiday Giving Wrap-Up

Jeremy — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

THANK YOU! Our 2011 Holiday Giving Campaign was a great success thanks to you, our generous readers! We decided to run two campaigns this past year, one through JOIN to help a local homeless family move into stable housing, and one through Mercy Corps to help alleviate the devastating, ongoing suffering in the Horn of Africa. Readers donated a total of $1,875 to our JOIN “Home for the Holidays” effort, which, when added to our match of $1,250, gave us a grand total of $3,125. Our goal was $2,500, the amount needed to move one family into housing, so thank you thank you thank you for helping us exceed that! You also donated $2,010 to the Mercy Corps effort, which we began running in August 2011. We added $2,500 to the pot for a total of $4,510, making ours the fifth-highest earning Mercy Corps Horn of Africa pledge effort. See the results at mercycorps.org . Thank you, and a very happy new year to you all!

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Holiday Giving Wrap-Up

Need a Night Out?

PDXrover — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:00:51 +0000

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 .

Enter the Year of the Dragon

Jeremy — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:00:47 +0000

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Chuc Mung Nam Moi! The Year of the Dragon is nearly upon us, and the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year’s festivities happening around town offer an especially entertaining and engaging way to introduce your kids to different cultures. Lan Su Chinese Garden hosts two full weeks of celebrations, beginning Jan. 23 this year, including lion and dragon dances, performances, crafts, story telling and much more! Check their website for a schedule of events. You’ll also find celebratory events at local libraries, and at A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village in Salem. Here’s the scoop: Jan. 14, 19 & 28 Red Fans for Lunar New Year at Multnomah County Libraries. Decorate a fan for free. . FREE. Jan 14 from 1 to 3 pm at St. Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston Ave., 503-988-5397; Jan. 19 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm at Belmont Library, 1038 SE 39th Ave., 503-988-5382; or Jan. 28 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th Ave., 503-988-5234. Registration required. events.multcolib.org . Jan 21 Chinese New Year at the Beaverton Library. Make a craft, hear a story and celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Grades 1 to 5, with grown-up. 1:30 to 2:30 pm. FREE. Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW 5th St. 503-350-3600. beavertonlibrary.org . New Year Party at Tigard Library. Celebrate Chinese and Vietnamese new year with crafts, coloring and snacks. Ages 5 and older. 1:30 to 3 pm. FREE. Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd.503-684-6537. wccls.org . Lunar New Year Celebration at AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village. Crafts, activities, food and more. 1 to 4 pm. FREE with museum admission. (Also free with your OMSI membership card and photo ID) AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org . Jan 24 More Lunar New Year Fun at Multnomah County Libraries. Celebrate with entertainment, crafts and more. FREE. Jan. 24 from 5:30 to 7 pm at Midland Library, 805 SE 122d Ave., 503-988-5392; Jan. 25 from 6 to 7:30 pm at Holgate LIbrary, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd., 503-988-5389; and Jan. 28 from 1 to 3 pm at Gregory Heights Library, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd., 503-988-5386. events.multcolib.org . … and don’t forget Mochitsuki! For more New Year’s fun, check out Motchitsuki on Jan. 29 ! This annual celebration of Japanese New Year features entertainment, kids’ games and activities, mochi pounding and more. 11 am to 4 pm. $12 adult, $9 student, $5 ages 2 to 12, free ages 2 and under. Scottish Rite Center, 1512 SW Morrison St. mochipdx.org .

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Enter the Year of the Dragon

Comedy’s Jeffrey Ross is coming to roast the Rose City

Samantha — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:31:33 +0000

The Roastmaster Jeff Ross has made his name at the Friar’s Club celebrity roasts, skewering the likes of Charlie Sheen, Pam Anderson, Flavor Flav and laying waste to dozens more of his colleagues.

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Comedy’s Jeffrey Ross is coming to roast the Rose City

PFA Part of Oregonian News Network!

Samantha — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:29:32 +0000

Hello Everyone, Great news! Portland Family Adventures was selected to be part of the “Oregonian News Network: The best bloggers from Oregon and the Pacific Northwest,” which will… [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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PFA Part of Oregonian News Network!

Portland Trail Blazers 2012

PDXrover — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:34:28 +0000

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

PDXrover — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:08:18 +0000

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.

What’s In Your Medicine Cabinet?

Samantha — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:00:27 +0000

When most of us contemplate how to educate our children about the dangers of drugs, we think about illicit and controlled substances. We rarely think about over-the-counter pain killers, prescription medications stashed in the back of our medicine cabinets, or even our daily vitamins. But how and when we use these types of medications can play a major role in our children’s lifelong attitudes about and habits related to drugs, and proper storage of medications is essential to keeping our children safe. In this month’s online article , Oregon Partnership’s director of parenting programs, Emily Moser, explores these topics and offers simple tips for parents to keep children safe and encourage healthy habits for life.

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What’s In Your Medicine Cabinet?

Elemental Fitness Lab

PDXrover — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:55:04 +0000

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! ]]

Winter Portland Farmer’s Market opens

Samantha — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 04:03:59 +0000

Portland Farmer’s Market opened a new winter location at downtown Portland’s Shemanski Park Saturday.

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Winter Portland Farmer’s Market opens

Hollywood Theatre gets a facelift

Jeremy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:39:02 +0000

It was standing room only at the Hollywood Theatre Friday after seats at the Northeast Portland landmark were ripped out, row by uncomfortable row.

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Hollywood Theatre gets a facelift

Hiking Angel’s Rest

PDXrover — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:19:46 +0000

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! ]]

Our 2012 Family Resource Guide

Jeremy — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:42 +0000

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

January Coupons & Deals

PDXrover — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:00:19 +0000

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

PDXrover — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:42:29 +0000

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