Holiday Ale Festival returns to Pioneer Square
The Holiday Ale Festival has returned to Pioneer Courthouse Square Park for the 16th year.
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Holiday Ale Festival returns to Pioneer Square
Tag Archives: holiday
Our Holiday Giving Campaigns
You’ve probably heard the expression, “Think globally. Act locally.” We think that’s a wonderful way of approaching life, but this holiday season, we’d like to take it to the next level by saying, “Think globally AND locally, then act on both fronts as well!” That’s why our 2011 Holiday Giving Campaign has two components -– one focused on local families in need, the other on starving families living on the Horn of Africa. Here’s the scoop: JOIN “Home for the Holidays”: Since 2008, Metro Parent and our readers have been partnering with JOIN , a local nonprofit that helps homeless people move into permanent housing, to help families down on their luck transition into stable environments – and keep them there. The cost to get a homeless family into permanent housing through JOIN is $2,500. During November and December, Metro Parent will match our readers’ donations up to a combined reader contribution of $1,250, bringing the total to $2,500. Mercy Corps/Metro Parent Match Campaign: The famine in the Horn of Africa has taken the lives of thousands -– but the suffering is far from over. The United Nations predicts that 750,000 people could starve to death over the next few months in Somalia alone. Metro Parent has been matching our readers’ donations to Mercy Corps since September. At press time, we had matched $1,410 in reader donations (for a total of $2,820). We will continue to match donations up to a total Metro Parent match of $2,500 (for a total reader/ Metro Parent donation of $5,000). To contribute to our “Home for the Holidays” effort, visit JOIN’s website and click on the Metro Parent logo on the home page , then choose “Metro Parent Magazine Home for the Holidays” from the donation category drop-down menu. To donate to Mercy Corps, visit our donation page . And be sure to pick up a copy of our sister publication, Portland Woman , to read a gripping report on The Women of Mogadishu by Mercy Corps aid worker Cassandra Nelson. Together we CAN make a difference!
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Our Holiday Giving Campaigns
Our Online Parents’ Calendar
We’re constantly amazed at the vast array of activities and resources for families in the Portland metro area, and we’re proud to provide our readers with information they can use to take advantage of all the area has to offer. From our Family Calendar and Family Fun Reviews to information about local parenting resources, we do our best to keep you up to date on local activities and events of interest. We’re especially proud of our online Parents Calendar , listing workshops, conferences, fundraisers and events of interest to local parents. What makes this resource particularly appealing -– we think –- is the fact that our readers can submit their own parenting-related events and fundraisers (school auction anyone?) to be included in our online listings. Our November Parents’ Calendar will go up Nov. 1, with a number of intriguing classes and events. You’ll find listings for a “Child Senses & Behavior” workshop at IKEA on Nov. 30, with tips on helping your child regulate sensory input during the holidays and new tools for sensory-based activities; a “Connect by Coaching Your Kid Weekend Workshop” with Dr. Kathy Masarie Nov. 4 and 5; workshops for parents of children with special needs, including “Entering Kindergarten from ECSE: What Parents Need to Know” on Nov. 16 and “IFSP, EI, ECSE, What Does It Mean? Infants and Preschoolers with Developmental Delays or Disabilities” on Nov. 29. You’ll also find listings for the Healthy Living & Gluten Free Expo in Salem Nov. 26; a National Adoption Day Celebration Nov. 19 and an Adoption Fair Nov. 6; Milagros Boutique’s annual Holiday Bazaar , a fundraiser for Mercy Corps, also on Nov. 6; and Thinker Toys’ Shop for Schools holiday fundraising event Nov. 14-16. Plus, every month we include listings for recurring classes and groups , from pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding and other parenting support groups for moms and dads to grief and cancer support groups for kids to cloth diapering and diaper-free workshops and groups and much, much more. Do you have an event to submit to our online Parents Calendar? Fill out our online form (you can also access the form by clicking “Submit an Event” on the Parents’ Calendar page), or email the information to calendar@metro-parent.com . And for even more parent education, support group and other parenting resources, check out our Parent Support and Education listings.
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Our Online Parents’ Calendar
Late snowfall makes Timberline a popular place
Another holiday hot spot not too far from Portland this weekend is popular for its much cooler, snowy weather.
Kids Bowl FREE!
If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of fun and affordable family activities, especially during the summer, the Kids Bowl Free program could be just what you’re looking for! The program provides coupons for kids to bowl two free games every day this summer (most programs have already begun) at participating bowling centers. All you pay for is the shoe rental. And if bowling is a family affair at your house, for a one-time fee of $24.95, you can register up to four adults in your household (this can include teens who are too old to qualify for the free program) to receive the same benefits as the kids -– two free games of bowling every day throughout the summer. My family has already been using the coupons for a few weeks at Hollywood Bowl in northeast Portland. Even though we usually bowl on Sundays, when games are only $2.50 each, we saved a whopping $15 on each of the past two Sundays. The next time we use the coupons, our Family Pass will have paid for itself, and summer hasn’t even started yet! To get started, just find your nearest participating bowling center and register online . You can print your coupons from the website each week, and they’ll send you a reminder email in case you forget. With the forecast for rain this holiday weekend, it seems like the perfect time to start bowling for free! Here’s a list of participating local bowling centers with dates and age limits. (If no beginning date is indicated, the program is already under way.) Portland: Hollywood Bowl : Runs through August 31; ages 15 and under. Rose Bowl : Runs through August 31; ages 15 and under. Beaverton: Valley Lanes : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under. Hillsboro: Park Lanes Family Entertainment Center : Runs through September 30; ages 15 and under. Milwaukie: Kellogg Bowl : Runs through September 6; ages 15 and under. Milwaukie Bowl : Runs June 1 through September 7; ages 15 and under. Gresham: Mt. Hood Lanes : Runs through August 31; ages 18 and under. Tigard: Tigard Bowl : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under. Wilsonville: Wilsonville Lanes : Runs through August 31; ages 18 and under. Molalla: Molalla Bowl : Runs through September 5; ages 18 and under. Vancouver, Wash: Husted’s Hazel Dell Lanes : Runs through September 5; ages 15 and under.
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Kids Bowl FREE!
Greening up your Christmas
Going green is a growing trend this holiday season when it comes to buying, wrapping even shipping. And you don't have to be a scrooge in order to be green for Christmas. You can make it fun.
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Greening up your Christmas
It’s Better to Give …
For our December issue , we spoke with Craig Kielburger, a passionate and compassionate young man who founded the international nonprofit Free the Children when he was 12 years old. If you want to raise kids who care and contribute, Kielburger — who recently co-authored the book The World Needs Your Kid: Raising Children Who Care and Contribute (Me to We Books, 2010) — recommends you seek out volunteer activities that are appropriate for your children’s ages, youth-friendly, meaningful and fun. Most importantly, he adds, “If you want to raise compassionate children, you have to carve out the time. It’s critical that you get the whole family involved. Where you put your intention is where you end up.” In researching the story, we found plenty of local parents who are putting Kielburger’s advice into practice, finding significant and engaging ways to get their kids involved in good works from an early age. Read on for some ideas to get your family started -– then tell us how you and your kids are giving back this holiday season and all year long. Hands on Greater Portland: Hands on Greater Portland connects thousands of people with local volunteer projects every year, including at least five Kids Volunteer! activities each month. Most of the kid-friendly activities are intended for families with children 6 and older, although some welcome kids as young as 3. Activities range from caring for abandoned pets to maintaining nature trails to making cards for the elderly and beyond. Below are a few activities happening later this month. To register for a project or find out about others, visit handsonportland.org . Oregon Food Bank – Stock the Pantry (Sat., Dec. 18; ages 6 and up): Unpack and sort donated food destined for agencies that serve low income people in Oregon. Please wear close-toed, close-heeled shoes and clothes that you won’t mind getting a little dirty. Spruce up the Tualatin Library (Sun., Dec. 19; ages 6 and up): Tasks include preparing projects, cleaning books, shelving books and beautifying the library. Families are encouraged to participate together. Natural Area Restoration in Outer Southwest Portland (Sat., Dec. 18; ages 6 and up): Join Portland Parks and Recreation Department for a morning of urban forest renewal. Dress for the weather and bring work gloves if you have them. MORE VOLUNTEER OPPS FOR FAMILIES: Children’s Book Bank: The Children’s Book Bank collects books, cleans and sorts them, and distributes them to low income families through local Head Start programs. 503-616-3981. childrensbookbank.org . Good Neighbor Center: Create a menu, pick up ingredients and prepare a meal for hungry families. 503-443-6084. goodneighborcenter.org . Loaves and Fishes: Prepare and deliver food to seniors. (Drivers must be 18 or older, but all ages are welcome to help.) 503-953-8137. loavesandfishesonline.org . Neighborhood House Emergency Food Box Program: Families stock shelves, repackage donated items, and/or work in the community garden every third Tuesday of the month from 6 pm to 8 pm. 503-246-1663, x117. nhpdx.org . (Read Angels Among Us in our December issue for more information about Neighborhood House programs.) Northwest Children’s Outreach: Sort and deliver clothes, diapers and infant care products at this faith-based nonprofit with several locations in the metro area. 503-828-1472; 360-576-8024. northwestchildrensoutreach.org . OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS: Check with organizations for age requirements. Habitat for Humanity: Get a group together to help build houses. 503-287-9529. habitatportlandmetro.org . Oregon Humane Society: Participate in basic animal care and other shelter activities. At press time, all weekend and evening slots for teens were full, but anyone interested can fill out an application for future openings. 503-285-7722. oregonhumane.org . Potluck in the Park: Help prepare food and serve meals to those in need at O’Bryant Square in downtown Portland, Sundays at 3 pm. 503-255-7611, potluckinthepark.org . SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Project): Keep stuff out of landfills and help turn it into art. 503-294-0769. scrapaction.org . What charitable activities have and your kids participated in and enjoyed together?
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It’s Better to Give …
Our December Issue!
Our December issue is on the stands, featuring our annual Holiday Gift Guide and a whole lot more! We organized the gift guide by age this year to help you find just the right presents for everyone on your list -– from the newborn baby to the adult who has everything. And because we all know it’s better to give than to receive (or at least as good! ), you’ll find a feature called Raising Kids to “Be the Change” exploring how we all can raise children who care about others and contribute to making the world a better place. We’re also proud to feature What’s Your Story? Preserving Your Family’s Unique History , with helpful tips about finding meaningful and enjoyable ways to preserve your family’s history for your children and generations to come. You’ll find all your favorite regular columns, too, from Ramona learning the joys of giving to an Angels Among Us featuring Neighborhood House to a Family Fare review of The Old Spaghetti Factory . As always, you’ll want to check our Family Fun Calendar for activities and events all month long, including a special section with festive Holiday Highlights . Pick up a copy — or read it online — today.
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Our December Issue!
Our November Issue!
Our November issue hits the stands this week with a focus on Adoption. (It’s National Adoption Month!) You’ll meet some local families who have adopted older children and learn about the unique challenges and the unique joys their experiences have brought them. Our Angels Among Us column features the Oregon Adoption Resource Exchange , a new online resource designed to improve adoption outcomes for children in the state foster care system. We also take a deep breath before heading into the holiday season with Simplifying the Season — an article offering tips for simplifying your family’s holidays to rediscover the true magic of the season — and we explore how technology can both help and hurt your family in Plugged In … Or Tuned Out? Our family fare takes you on a trip around the world right here at home with family-friendly global cuisine at Salvador Molly’s , and our Out & About column will inspire you to reach new heights at the Portland Rock Gym . Ramona visits the dentist for the first time (yes, her mom knows she waited too long!) and, as always, our Family Calendar is packed with exciting activities and events for every day of the month. Pick up your copy beginning next week, or read it online beginning November 1.
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Our November Issue!
Shopping the Re-Sales
‘Tis the season! No, not the holiday season! (Not yet, anyway!) Fall is the season for the giant consignment/resale events that have sprouted like mushrooms all over the Portland metro area in recent years. If you were so inclined, you could head to one of these supersales every weekend between now and the end of October. Something of a mix between a gigantic garage sale and a real-life version of Craigslist, each sale boasts clothes, toys and other flotsam and jetsam from hundreds of consignors, all gathered together in a bargain hunter’s paradise. For a newbie, staring at a football field’s worth of stuff to buy can be overwhelming, so we asked Brooke Unwin – coordinator of the Just Between Friends sale, one of the oldest and best-established sales in the region – for some tips on getting the most out of each sale. (After you’ve read all our tips, you’ll find a handy-dandy calendar of some of our favorite upcoming resales.) Unless you’ve got a babe in arms who loves to sleep in the sling, don’t bring the kids! You’ll want to be able to concentrate on digging out the best deals, not chasing after the children or trying to explain to them why you’re not buying that enormous bouncy castle. If you do want to bring the kids, try to find out ahead of time whether the sale you’re going to has a kids area, like Super Kids Resale in Gresham, which is hosting a face-painter this year, among other activities. Give yourself plenty of time. To get the most out of a resale can take a good 3 to 4 hours, especially when you factor in standing in line at the end to pay for your finds. Bring a friend, someone who knows your taste and can help you, in Unwin’s words, “divide and conquer!” Make a list prioritizing exactly what you need – including sizes – and make a copy for the friend you’re bringing along. Speaking of prioritizing, figure out what’s most important to you and head there first. Don’t get distracted along the way! Big items like wagons or indoor play structures go quickly so don’t dawdle. Veterans advise hitting the clothing area last. Because there’s so much of it available, there likely will be a good selection left when you get there. And don’t forget to look under the piles and on bottom racks of clothes – you might find hidden treasures. “By far, my biggest recommendation is to volunteer (to work at the sale you’re going to),” Unwin says. “Those people get what they want – and you should see the stuff … they get! It’s amazing.” That’s because volunteers – the people who work the cash registers or help keep things organized during the sale – get to shop earlier than the general public. The more time you volunteer, the earlier you get in. Take your kids’ measurements before you start, including inseams, waist and arm lengths. Some people even trace their kids’ feet on a piece of cardboard so they can measure shoes, Unwin says. There are no returns and sizes can vary with brands. Your kiddo might be a 2T in Gap sizes and an 80 in Hanna Andersson’s Euro sizing. Have an idea of what they need for different brands. Before you head to the check-out line, take a little time to go through what you’ve grabbed and make sure you really need it all. Double-check for wear and tear, too; though the sales have volunteers who examine all items, they aren’t trained professionals and they may have missed loose buttons or stains. Bring reusable shopping bags to cart out your loot. Lots of people also show up with wagons to haul around their gear as they hit different parts of the sale. Bring food, and snacks. All that shopping gets tiring, and not every sale has food readily available. Bring cash, especially if you want to set a spending limit for yourself. That will force you to carefully curate your purchases. And if you’re really bargain-hunting, items are usually 50 percent off on the final day of the sale. Keep an eye out for new-in-the-box items at resale prices. After all, the holidays aren’t so very far away. If you’re hunting for media like DVDs or video games, do an inventory of the titles you already own before you leave home. After all, will you really be able to remember whether you’ve already got Bob the Builder: Dig Lift Haul , or if it’s Bob the Builder: Pet’s in a Pickle on your shelf? Finally, if you’ve got a smart phone, consider downloading a barcode scanning app like RedLaser . It lets you scan the barcode on any item and pulls up an instant comparison with retail prices so you can figure out whether you’re really getting a good deal. Now that you’re ready to shop with the experts, here are some upcoming sales for serious bargain hunters: Just Between Friends , September 17-19, Portland, portland.jbfsale.com Super Kids Resale , September 23-26, Gresham, superkidsresale.net Twice Around the Block , October 1-3, Milwaukie, tatbsale.com Sweet Repeats , October 6-9, Tigard, sweetrepeatsconsignmentsale.com Pass it On , October 15-17, Portland; October 21-24, Hillsboro, passitonsales.com Baby’s Bottom Dollar , October 22-24, Tigard, bbdsale.com Full House Moms , October 28-30, Portland, facebook.com/pages/Full-House-Moms-Resale/258645796917 by Julia Silverman
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Shopping the Re-Sales
Scrooge Lives Holiday Festival @ Gresham-OR Venue (12.02.10)
Scrooge Lives Holiday Festival When: Tonight , December 02, 2010 19:00:00 Where: Gresham-OR Venue Art ; Family ; Community ; Sports ; Holiday Event Dates: Dec. 2 & 3, 2009Shopping for the holidays? Why not peruse the handcrafted gifts and seasonal items on sale at Mt. Hood Community Colleges (MHCC) Scrooge Lives Holiday Festival, which will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the College Center on the Gresham campus.A variety of crafts will be available, including: * Fused glass art and stained glass mosaic windows made with recycled materials * Unique jewelry, including jewelry made from recycled game pieces, bamboo and Japanese paper * Wearable art accessories, including festive hats, scarves, pins, vests, wallets and purses * Original paintings in acrylic, watercolor and crayon on canvas * Watercolor note cards and handmade greeting cards * Childrens personalized books * Healthy dog treats * Origami ornaments and other Asian-inspired crafts * Bath and body products, including handmade vegan soap and goats milk soap For more information, call 503-491-7260.Individuals requiring accommodations due to a disability should contact the MHCC Disability Services Office at 503-491-6923 or 503-491-7670 (TDD). Please call at least two weeks prior to the event to ensure availability. **The date and/or time of this event has not been confirmed. Please check source event page for updates.** Venue Name: Mt. Hood Community College – College Center Lounge Rm 1051 Venue Address: Mt. Hood Community College – College Center Lounge Rm 1051 Venue City: Gresham Venue State: OR View Page At CultureMob.com
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Scrooge Lives Holiday Festival @ Gresham-OR Venue (12.02.10)
Family Day @ Oregon Historical Society (12.18.10)
Family Day When: Sat 12.18.10 , December 18, 2010 11:00:00 Where: Oregon Historical Society Family Spend the first weekend of winter break at the Oregon History Museum and enjoy a variety of fun family activities and crafts! Learn about trains during this family day and see a historic model train in action as it makes its way around the OHS Pavilion. Get into the holiday spirit as you listen to authentic costumed Dickens Carolers. Two children admitted free with one paid adult admission. View Page At CultureMob.com
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Family Day @ Oregon Historical Society (12.18.10)
