Mothers of Children ages 2-10 Needed for Survey ($25)

SmartRevenue, a national market research firm, will be conducting a study on behalf of a leading children's art supplies manufacturer. Participants will meet one of SmartRevenue's researchers at a nearby store for a short mock-shopping trip and a 30 minute interview about purchasing arts and crafts supplies.

Compensation: Participants will receive $25 dollars after the completion of the interview. The shop-along and interview will take no longer than one hour.

Dates: We will be running this project between 2/24 and 3/08. Our research team will work to schedule a time, date, and location that is convenient for you.

Eligible Participants: You must be a mother with at least one child between the ages of 2 and 10. You must have purchased any arts and crafts supplies (crayons, pencils, stickers, etc.) within the past year and plan make another arts and crafts purchase within the next 6 months. (If you have participated in a similar arts & crafts survey within the last 9 months you are ineligible for this survey.)

Please respond to: gifts@smartrevenue.biz
Subject heading: Arts & Crafts Survey - PORTLAND.

Baby Exerciser/Jumper

Does anyone know of a *modest* baby exerciser? You know those things... like a little jumpy seat that is stationary. Most of them on the market now are so overwhelming/overstimulating. They're way too busy and ugly; I really don't want my baby to have something like that.

I'm hoping to find something simple. Does anyone know of anything like this?

TIA!

-Kim (info@kmarkegard.com)

"spirited" difficult? child support group for parents

I am looking for or will help start a support group  for parents who have exhausting children of all kinds. My son is 4 and fits the "Spirited" child personality. I'd like to get ideas and support from other parents.
Also looking for playdate opportunities so that he can work on his social skills with other kids.

Volunteers needed for SUNDAY PARKWAYS

This June Portland will debut, for the first time in the US, a "ciclovia" or "Sunday Parkway" in North and Northeast Portland. Be a part of Portland history!  A five-mile loop of streets will be closed to car traffic so that people can run, walk, bike, skate, or otherwise play and exercise, car free, from 7 am to 2 pm on Sunday, June 22nd.

This program has been wildly successful around the world, in cities like Paris and Bogota, and we expect it to be a fabulous, free, fun community event for thousands of Portlanders.

But we need volunteer help. Volunteers will work either a morning or a noon-ish shift, helping to direct motorists and others, setup and tear down, and more. Visit the Sunday Parkways webpage if you can help, or for more info (and movies about ciclovias in other countries that will make you smile).

The Volunteer link is on the right-hand side of the page.

New home organizer looking for clients

I'm a Portland mama of a 2-year-old, and I am starting a home organizing business. This means I will come to your home, help you sort through and clear out your clutter, and then organize what's left in a functional, attractive way. You can hire me to do just one closet, a room or your whole house. I can also help you pack/unpack for your move. I have 7 year's experience in retail organization and visual design. Because I am looking to build my business, I am offering to help you mamas organize at a discounted price. Call me at 971-226-6055 to find out how I can turn the chaos of your home into a calming refuge!

The Idea of Motherhood

Are you a mom? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the realities of motherhood? You are not alone! Please join us in a new process and support group for mothers with children 8 years old or younger. We will meet for 6 weeks of discussion focusing on the joys and limitations of the idea of motherhood. Our group will be cofacilitated by Alison Stawicki, MS, NCC, a professional adult individual counselor and Lindsay McGrath, MS, a professional marriage and family therapist.

Our group will meet on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 at the Wise Counsel and Comfort offices (www.portland-therapist.com), 423 NE 60th Ave. Portland, OR 97213. Starting date will be determined.
$15 for entire 6 weeks of meetings.

Please contact Alison Stawicki with interest and inquiries at 503-329-4283 or alisonstawicki@yahoo.com.

Adults only please, no childcare available.

Survey: Women's Crisis Line

One of the current projects at the Portland Women's Crisis Line is to learn what the community knows about us and where folks might go for help if they need it.  This will help us do a better job of letting folks know about out services.  As part of this we are doing a short survey.  It only takes about two minutes to complete.

It would be especially helpful if you could forward the survey link to others - especially folks who might not know about the Crisis Line at all. This is not any kind of a scientific survey. We want any feedback the community is willing to provide.

Cut and paste this into your browser:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=rXXnMskQyALhTH6HQFqqAA_3d_3d

Furniture for sale

I have a pink IKEA Mammut 3 drawer chest, rrp $119, and a pink Mammut wardrobe, rrp $159, for sale. Will sell set for $200.

I also have a blue IKEA Mammut 3 drawer chest and wardrobe. Will sell set for $200 also.

All are perfect condition, bought very recently, well put together. House move is reason for reluctant sale.

Irvington, NE Pdx, nr Lloyd Center - kateinportland@aol.com

Baby Products Found With High Levels Of Lead

For Immediate Release
Feb 12, 2008

Caroline Cox, Research Director, 541.654.2626 (m)
Charles Margulis, Communications Director, 510.697.0615 (m)

Oakland, CA - Testing conducted by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has found high levels of lead in vinyl coolers used for storing bottles of breast milk and a vinyl carrying case for a baby's pacifier. The products were purchased in January from Target and Babies R Us stores in the Bay Area. CEH has informed the producers of the products and initiated legal action to alert consumers that the products violate California's Proposition 65 law.

"Parents would never expect that when storing breast milk for their newborn, it could be contaminated by lead," said Michael Green, Executive Director of CEH. "There is no reason to have lead in baby products or anything used to hold breast milk for infants."

CEH found a vinyl cooler for stored breast milk with high levels of lead from a "Pump in Style" breast pump made by Medela; also with high lead levels was a carrying case that came with a First Years "Natural Transitions" breast pump made by RC2 Brands, Inc., makers of Thomas and Friends products; a Playtex "Fridge to Go" vinyl baby bottle cooler; an NFL licensed Oakland Raiders baby bottle cooler; and a vinyl Skip Hop, Inc. "Pacifier Pocket" carrying case. The baby products tested with lead levels between two and nine times the federal legal limit for lead in paint (600 parts per million).

CEH is recommending that parents discard the vinyl coolers and vinyl cases used for storing breast milk, pacifiers, or other infant products. Vinyl is a "poison plastic" that is often made with lead, a neurotoxin that can cause learning disorders, brain and nerve damage, hearing problems, stunted growth, and digestive problems. Scientists are increasingly concerned that even small exposures to lead can cause problems, especially in young children.

In 2005, CEH brought legal challenges against the leading producers of vinyl children's lunchboxes, for high lead levels found in their products. More than twenty producers of lunchboxes have now agreed to eliminate this lead threat to children.

In addition to vinyl lunchboxes, CEH's legal work under Prop 65 has recently uncovered lead threats to children from toys, vinyl baby bibs, children's jewelry and other products. CEH has a ten-year track record of protecting children from hidden health hazards in consumer products and protecting communities from health hazards related to toxic pollution. CEH also works with major industries and leaders in green business to promote healthier alternatives to toxic products and practices.

For Sale: Bike trailer for two

I an selling an almost new, twice used, Instep Double Bicycle Trailer. Its gold/gray/black, fits two kids inside and with a rain cover.  Its easy to clip on to a regular adult bike and is great for trawling the kids along!  $50  Irvington, NE Pdx.

Kate
kateinportland@aol.com