What are your Community Health Priorities?

Community Health Priorities would not be the same without your comments. So we're launching a program this December to reward those who post a comment about any of the "conversation" items, news stories, or polls on this website (http://communityhealthpriorities.org/)

Here's how it works:

• Make a comment anywhere on the site during **December 2008**, and you will be eligible to win $500 for a nonprofit community group of your choice anywhere in Oregon or southwest Washington.
• One person will be randomly selected to win each week for a total of four winners for the month of December.
• You're welcome to post as often as you like, but we will only enter you once for each for week you post. To be eligible for each week, you'll need to comment at least once each week.
• Winners will be posted on the website. If you win, a donation will be made in your name to the tax-exempt organization of your choice.

Each person can only win once. There is no limit to how many times an organization can be named the beneficiary.

This is a fun and easy way to raise $500 (or more) for your group, and to add your voice to the conversation.

Join the Conversation:  http://communityhealthpriorities.org/

Survey of Mother's Sleep & Fatigue

Participate in a study on sleep and breastfeeding mothers. This study is open to all mothers with babies 0-12 months old. We would like to include breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, and women of all ethnicities and income levels.

We hope to document:

• Where & how much babies sleep
• Are mothers who breastfeed and co-sleep less tired than mothers who don't?
• Are mothers telling their friends, relatives, and health care providers where their babies sleep?
• Are there ethnic group differences in where babies sleep?
• What is the role of depression, psychological trauma and difficult birth in mothers' ongoing daytime fatigue?

The questionnaire takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete and is confidential. It has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas. The link for the survey is: http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact

Advice about my business...

Hey there fellow mamas!  Posted a few weeks ago about my childbirth education workshops with little response.  Any great ideas from other mamas out there as to how to get the word out?  Am highly qualified and offering a great service!  Check out my website www.babyloveworkshop.com and give me some feedback...thanks! Dena

Drive Less - Save More: September Giveaways!

Drive Less/Save More is partnering with REI and Metro this month to promote bicycling. We'll be raffling off an REI Quantum Computer messenger bag valued at $60 to one lucky winner. Plus, 10 additional winners will receive Bike There! maps produced by Metro.

The REI Quantum Computer messenger bag is designed for the mobile lifestyle. Foam padding provides protection for up to 17 inch laptops, and there is plenty of room for textbooks, lunch and a water bottle.

Bike There! has guided cyclists through the region's streets, paths and bike lanes for 25 years. Whether you are an avid bike commuter or recreational biker, Metro's bike map will help you find the best and safest way to travel around the region. Bike There! is water and tear resistant.

To enter, e-mail contact@DriveLessSaveMore.com with "Messenger Bag Giveaway" in the subject line and share one tip or trick that you use to drive less and save more. Offer ends September 30.

Drive Less - Save More: win a monthly TriMet pass!

What better way to reduce car trips and save money than to take advantage of Portland's world-class public transit system? Drive Less/Save More is partnering with TriMet in August to offer four lucky winners a monthly pass (valued at $86) to be used in the month of their choice.

Local transit offers easy and affordable ways for Portland residents to get around for work and play. And with gas prices hovering above $4 a gallon, using the bus, MAX and/or streetcar can translate into big savings. Check out TriMet's online Trip Planner to find out how you can take advantage of transit.

To enter the prize giveaway, e-mail contact@DriveLessSaveMore.com with "Giveaway" in the subject line and in the body of the e-mail provide us with one tip or trick you use to drive less (these will be used anonymously in the campaign's outreach).

Offer ends August 31.

Win prizes for recommending your fun ideas

Hi urbanMamas,

My name is Janelle Tsai and I run an activity publication called Dancing Meatballs (http://dancingmeatballs.com/anywhere). I am emailing you to see if there are any fun-loving parents in your group who might be interested in joining our activity suggestion network (Dancing Meatballs Suggester (aka Jester) network).

Dancing Meatballs is a free weekly e-newsletter that recommends activity ideas that are fun, family-friendly and affordable. The idea behind our e-newsletter is to save parents (and parent groups) time finding a range of fun things to do on a weekly basis. Activities we suggest include everything from unique potluck ideas with your friends to treasure hunts.

What are the benefits of joining the Jester Network?  Each jester will receive 1) surprise giveaways that are only available to her/him (we are giving away a “wii” this month);  2) $10 for every idea that makes it into our newsletter; and  3) a Dancing Meatballs avatar of her/his own that she/he can use anywhere and anytime.

If you or anyone you know who is a connoisseur when it comes to all-things fun, please pass this along (http://dancingmeatballs.com/forward/1069). This network is open to parents living anywhere in this country. You can also find more information about the Network at http://dancingmeatballs.com/jester/welcome.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at news@dancingmeatballs.com

Seeking "happy urban family" for Documentary

Hi Urban Mamas!
I am writing from Northern Light Productions, we are working on a documentary about land-use in Portland- for a series called "Making Sense of Place."
We are looking to profile a "happy urban family" that city planning works for- a family that rides the MAX everywhere- to work, to take children to the park and daycare, etc.  If you know of anyone, please send them this email.  Feel free to write with any questions.  I know it is short notice, but we are in town filming this weekend, if anyone is available this weekend.

Thank you,
Jenny Alexander
activevistamedia@gmail.com
Northern LIght Productions
http://www.nlprod.com
(Boston-based documentaries and museum pieces)

Pregnant Women Needed for Dissertation

I'm a local mom of two (soon to be three!) and I'd really like to finish my dissertation before number 3 arrives. Can you help me out?

I’d like to hear from you if you are a woman who is:

• between the ages of 20 and 39
• in her 1st or 2nd trimester (women in their 1st trimester are especially needed)
• experiencing a healthy pregnancy

In this study I will compare the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of pregnant women in all trimesters and of non-pregnant women.

I am a Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate at Alliant International University. This is a research project I’m conducting for my doctoral dissertation.

You'll receive $15 upon completion of an interview and paper-and-pencil testing session, which will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Please call Karin at (503) 925-0325 for more information and to determine if you qualify.  Thank you!

What's your ultimate bad mama moment?

Hi everybody,

We’re eagerly trying to put together a funny quote roundup for October. Could you please answer this question if you possibly can...and forward it to every mom you know? Pleeease? Thanks!

“Have you ever screamed at your kids — then shut yourself in the bathroom to get away from them? Or locked your baby in the car and been forced to call the police? Share your bad-mommy moment (c’mon, we’ve all had ‘em), and you could be published in an upcoming issue.

People can respond to me at:
Deborah.skolnik@bonniercorp.com

Mother's Support Group-Looking for more participants!

"The Idea of Motherhood"

http://www.healingcounseling.com/group.html

Are you a mom? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the realities of motherhood? You are not alone! Please join us in a counseling process and support group for mothers with children 8 years old or younger. Group meetings will focus on the emotional exploration of the idea of motherhood and the disconnect with the reality of what motherhood really means.
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 therapy group will have two evening offerings meeting from 6-7:30 and from 7:30-9 at the Wise Counsel and Comfort offices (www.portland-therapist.com), 423 NE 60th Ave. Portland, OR 97213. Starting date and meeting night to be determined.
$20 per meeting, 8 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.