'Brain, Child' salon pdx: Summer 2009

Several months ago, a Brain, Child discussion group was hastily thrown together and ended up a (small) series of one-on-one conversations. But as soon as I picked up this season's issue, I was longing to talk to someone about it. So this time, we're doing it right, with two weeks advance notice (ish) and a proper location selected ahead of time!

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.
Place: Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, 707 SE 12th (the red house -- there is no sign)
Do I have to read Brain, Child cover-to-cover? No, but the more you read, the more we can talk. If we get enough "yes" responses, I'll order several copies from the publisher.

Respond, s'il vous plait, in the comments, and I look forward to getting all salon with a couple of other urbanMamas. Some of the articles are on the web site; you can purchase the magazine at several local bookstores and grocery stores.

The Big Bang: Celebrating the 4th with Fireworks

Growing up, our backyard featured a great view of our neighborhood's fireworks extravaganza.  We'd have a bbq every year and set out lawn chairs.  Everyone would 'ooooh' and 'aaaahhh' over every bang.  Nowadays, with our kids, I feel a bit less enthusiastic about watching firework shows on the 4th of July.  In fact, fireworks give me great anxiety, but that's a whole other story.

Do you, as a family, do the fireworks thing on the 4th?  If you do, where do you go?  An urbanMama recently facebooked us:

Where do you go to watch fireworks?  We have a 5-year old, and 2 year old twins. We were wanting to go downtown and thinking of taking the MAX, but really don't want to have to go into the large group with all the kiddies.  Any other ideas?

Down 'n' Dirty Summer 2009

As we inch toward the last days of school, everyone in the household is buzzing about the fun in store for us here in Portland.  This year, Portland Parks & Rec has outdone itself with by providing a simplified "Summer Free For All" guide to all the fun.  The highlight on the PP&R site this year: the Free This Week calendar featuring an glimpse of activities at parks and pools citywide.  There are summer concerts, generally running every day in parks citywide from July through mid-August.  Every day!  There is free open swim throughout the summer (check the calendar for locations and times), movies in the park, and drop-in playground programs, including a traveling climbing wall and free lunch programs.

Portland Parks & Rec gives us plenty to keep us busy, but there are so many other fun activities to check out:

• Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts Noon Tunes (free music and entertainment at noon every Tuesday & Thursday from 7/7 through 8/20) and Flicks on the Bricks (free movies at dusk on select Friday nights from 7/10 to 8/14)
• Free Films by Regal shows free movies at 10am on Tuesdays (rated G) and Wednesdays (rated PG) from 6/23 to 8/26.  Participating area theaters include Lloyd Mall 8, Bridgeport Village Stadium 18, Sherwood Stadium 10, Tigard Cinemas, Wilsonville Stadium, Movies on TV Stadium in Hillsboro.
• $1 Movies on Wednesdays - along the same vein - the Century Theater at Clackamas Town Center is showing $1 movies on Wednesdays from 6/10 through 812
• Then there are street fairs - a great time to get out in the neighborhood, see neighbors and other community members, hear music, visit with local vendors, and eat snow cones.  There are always snow cones.  Schedules aren't out yet, but - in previous years - we've looked forward to the Mississippi Street Fair (Saturday 7/11), Alberta Street Fair, Fremont Fest, Division/Clinton Street Fair (Saturday 7/25), Belmont Street Fair (Saturday after Labor Day), Hawthorne Street Fair (Sunday 8/16), Montavilla Street Fair.

Do you have other summer events that you look forward to that we should add?  Please share!  There is no shortage of fun to be had.

We're working to get all the summer fun activities onto the urbanMamas calendar  Welcome, summer!  Now get on out there & have some fun.

MOTHER'S DAY WALK/RUN

Wanted to let you know about a Mother's Day event of sorts in case you were interested in joining in the fun.  For the past several years, a group of urbanMama friends have been participating in the Hippie Chick, a half marathon just for women at Champoeg State Park.  So this year, when we didn't get in, we were pretty disapointed.  That's when we realized that Portland really needed to have a women only walking/running event on Mother's Day!   The 10k loop we've planned (or 5k if you're walking) passes the park playground several times where the kids can cheer us on--go Mama go!   We're spreading the word to all our friends and family:
 
When: Sunday, May 10, 2009
Time: 5k walk or 10k run begins at 9:00
Where: Mt. Tabor picnic shelter (across from the parking lot and playground)
Bring: something brunchy to share afterwards
 
We'll have coffee and hot chocolate on hand. We're hoping this might
become an annual event, a little something we can do for ourselves on
Mother's Day, together with our friends and families. Donations accepted
on behalf of Adoption Mosaic.

Hope you'll join us!

Kids love trucks: 'Pet' some today at NW library event

My boys, having many conventional boy passions, love trucks. But I am weary of reading the often very dull books about how excavators and booms and buckets and crawler treads work. In fact, I've been collecting photos to make my own book with language that's more fun to read (I'm thinking excerpts from my college poetry anthologies, but we'll see how it goes.) So I was excited when Larissa sent us info about the Truck Town Party. What better opportunity to combine my boys, trucks and books than at today's Multnomah County Library event?

Where: Con-Way Parking Lot, corner of NW 23rd & Savier St.  Entrance is on Savier, closer to 22nd. (One block south of the library.)

When: Thursday, April 23rd, from 2-5.

What:

• "Pet" the big trucks including a county Dump Truck with snowplow, Garbage Dump Box (from 2-3), Ambulance, Police Bomb Squad & robots, Police Cruiser, Fire Truck (from 3-4), and the "biggest, baddest" Tow Truck in Speed's fleet. 
• Storytime - 2:30  & 4:00.
• Crafts you can do there or take home to do later.
• Raffling off some cute truck board books.
• Toy Truck Race Track - kids who bring their toy trucks can race the track.
• Special gifts to the first 200 children.

REMINDER: Working mamas lunch April 16th

Update: We have reservations at Mothers @ 12:00 on Thursday 4/16 for 20 (!) mamas. Since it is in the middle of lunch rush, we will be at two tables and they would really apprecate it if we would bring CASH. The reservation is under Courtney/urbanMamas.

How was spring break? Did you get one or just your kid(s)? Summer plans underway? Economy impacting your job? Let’s talk at a working mamas lunch. (Remember, everyone's invited to a working mamas' lunch whether or not you have a full-time office job; and babies-in-arms are welcome!)

when: Thursday, April 16 @ Noon

where: Mother’s Bistro and Bar; 212 SW Stark; http://www.mothersbistro.com/

RSVP in the comments by 4:00 pm Monday, April 13

Activistas Holiday Playdate @ Airplay Cafe

Ready to socialize again?  So are we.  Grab some dipes, wipes and/or formula for the Children's Relief Nursery and meet us at Airplay Cafe this Monday, 12.29 from 10 to noon.  There's a free storytime right at 10, too.  Details over on Activistas.  See you there!

Reminder: Kid-friendly election night party 11.4

Join Activistas, MOMocrats and Poliglots for a kid-friendly election night party on November 4th from 5 to 8ish! The party will be at the BackSpace Cafe (renamed Barackspace till the big day), which is huge, with lots of room for kids to run around and a full menu of vegetarian/ vegan food for sale. It also has a big parking lot across the street.  And remember those red & blue crayons, mamas!  Details on Activistas.

Upcoming

In case your eyes don't always wander down to the urbanMama Events list, there are a few things coming up - hope to see you at one or all of them! 

• Chat with Pdx city council candidate Charles Lewis about your mamagenda and what he plans to do about it, this Thursday, 10.16 @ 4:30 pm @ the downtown Peet's Coffee & Tea
• Children's Investment Fund Info House Party this Thursday, 10.16 @ 7:30 pm in NoPo
• Movie group: Let's watch One Woman, One Vote together this Saturday, 10.18 @ 2 PM @ Kennedy School
• Bite your finger nails together with other families on election night, Tuesday, 11.4 from 5 to 8-ish @ the Backspace Cafe in Old Town

Got an idea for a gathering of the uMs?  Send us an email. 

Kidical Mass: coming to a neighborhood near you

** updated with new ride locations ** check back for full route details **

photo credit: Jonathan Maus of bikeportland.org

Critial Mass started with a group of 45 people in San Francisco in 1992. Now, the ride is a monthly event in cities all around the world to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road.

Of course, We here at urbanMamas believe that kids and families are cyclists too! A very new effort to this end has started in Eugene, OR in August 2008.  Kidical Mass is a ride to help kids and families feel comfortable riding on our streets, especially as a larger group. Here in Portland, we’ve already had two successful Kidical Mass rides, both starting in the North Park Blocks in downtown Portland.  Rides are being organized in Tulsa, OK, Ashland, OR, Bend, OR, and Toronto, Canada.

We want to bring Kidical Mass to our neighborhoods.  urbanMamas is organizing Kidical Mass rides in N/NE Portland, SE Portland, and NW Portland (the original Portland Kidical Mass ride). 

What will you expect at Kidical Mass?

• A safety talk before we start riding
• A 3-4 mile guided ride on our neighborhood streets
• No child left behind!  We will make sure we have a sweeper biker to bring up the rear
• Tons of families and children riding with trailers, Xtracycles, tag-alongs/trail-a-bikes, bike seats, and kids riding on their own bikes
• Maps, brochures, information, bike decor for the kids
• A post-ride potluck picnic at the park where we can meet other urbanFamilies and chat about our summers, bike rides, and other Portland family fun

What should you bring?

• Tricked out and decorated bikes.  Bring your bike bling!
• Your helmets
• A picnic for your family post-ride
• Bring something to share, if you wish!

Mark your calendars now:

Kidical Mass in Portland's neighborhoods
Friday, August 15th

Locations
N/NE: Peninsula Park (meet at the NE corner of the park at N. Rosa Parks and N. Kerby).  The ride will run South on N. Kerby, west on N. Ainsworth, north on Delaware to Arbor Lodge Park, then loop back to Peninsula Park for potluck picnicking.

SE: Sunnyside School (meet at the playground near 35th and Taylor; here is the route map)

SE: Sellwood Park by the pool.  The ride will head north up the Springwater Corridor then back into North Sellwood. Perfect for those pulling trailers or bringing little ones on their micro bikes. Maps will be available for folks.

NW: North Park Blocks (meet by the playground)

SW: Meeting at Capitol Hill Elemenetary and ride a total of 1.4 miles to Gabriel Park.  At Gabriel Park there will be watermelon (and possibly a watermelon drop?) and a potluck.  Bring your bikes.  Bring some food and drink.  Oh, and bring your kids to KIDICAL MASS!

Time
6:00PM gather
6:15PM Safety Talk & Ride!
7:00PM Post-Ride Potluck Picnic

Can't make it for the ride?  Bring out your family and feel free to join us for the post-ride potluck picnic.  It's open to all!  Planning to come?  RSVP in the comments for any of the rides.  We want to know how many bikey treats & swag to bring.  Want to help guide, plan, or organize a ride?  Shoot us an email at urbanMamas@gmail.com 

Activistas Summer Playdate ~ Friday 8.8.08

It's been too long since we've talked activism, hasn't it?  If you, too, are ready to talk about workplace (in)flexibility, the lack of pad family leave, or the plethora of toxic products on the shelves, join us to rant and figure out how to change it all.  'Cause over at Activstas, we actually think we can.  We might be crazy, but at least we're optimists.  Hope to see you  - and the kids - there.

Summer, Parks, Sun, Fun - 2008

It is so hard to think that school is out and summer fun is set to begin.  Nothing but grey, but - come July - all that grey will be worth it, right?  Portland summers are gorgeous. 

Beyond clear blue skies, sunshine, and temps in the sweet spot of the 70s, Portland has free entertainment and activities throughout the summer months - fun for all ages and in all parts of the city.

• Pools throughout the city will host Fun Days, Itty Bitty Beach Parties, Teen Swim Parties, Parent Appreciation Day (July 19th at All Pools), and Dive-In Movies (featuring the "Bee Movie").  The full schedule here.
• Summer Movies at the Park start mid-July and run into September.  Movies start at dusk and happen in parks all throughout the city.
• Traveling Rock Walls - we haven't found too much info about the traveling rock wall, but if it's anything like it sounds, it's bound to be fun for the climb-lovers among us.  Looks like the rock wall will make appearances at community centers and parks throughout the city.
• Summer Playgrounds start on June 19th, offering daily drop-in recreation for kids aged 5-12 including games, sports, and arts & crafts at 23 parks throughout the city.  Free lunches for kids will be available daily midday at 17 parks.
• Mobile Playgrounds come to a neighborhood near you!  Four fun vehicles will circulate throughout town every day of the week.  Print out the schedule and keep it handy.
• And, of course, the summer concert schedule 2008 is out.  The line up is full with talented performers representing a breath of styles, including the Portland Festival Symphony.  We love seeing friends and neighbors at the park, some of whom it seems we only see at the summer concerts.
• Oregon Symphony hosts concerts in the neighborhood, this year in late August at Mt. Scott Park and Tom McCall Waterfront park
• Regal Films offers free movies (rated G and PG) on Tuesday and Wednesdays from July through mid-August.  Showtimes are 10am.  A movie theater is a great respite from the heat on hot summer days.  A complete schedule here: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=OR

We have other summer favorites, which are not FREE, but still worth the honorable mention:

• Oregon Zoo Concerts - featuring Wednesday night Zoo Tunes (free for Zoo members level "plus" and higher or $10 admission) and "Premium" concerts (running $17-24 admission)
• Kruger's Farm Concerts - happen on Thursdays in July and August from 6:30-9:30pm.  Admission is $10 per car and new this year is a $50 season pass.

With all this activity, you wonder: how will I ever keep track?  Not to fret our beleoved mamas.  The *entire* Summer Concert Series is already on the urbanMamas calendar, and we'll be sure to get up all the aforementioned fun stuffs onto the calendar lickity split.  Have some summer fun to add?  Email us at urbanMamas@gmail.com and tell us: "Put this on the urbanMamas calendar!"

Sustainable living on a budget: Am I inspired yet?

Monique Dupre was, as everyone seems to agree, not what we expected. She's too lovely, too pulled-together, too funny, too American. (For the record, she is married to a Frenchman, grew up near Astoria, and now lives in Vancouver, Wash.) I half-expect her to start her insanely popular 'Sustainable Living on a Budget' workshop with a little ledger for us to add up our errant spending and lots of judgment, but that's entirely not what she does.

She starts by saying that she just wants to inspire us, reminds us that inspire means "in the spirit," and that we don't have to do everything, just start where we are. And begins to talk about where she is.

It's at once devilishly inspiring (I will admit to having called Comcast to cut off my cable the next day, and removed the TV from the living room, although it was only minorly influenced by Monique) and crushingly overwhelming. Monique, through lots of hard work, much ability to be present and inquisitive, and the oh-so-useful French husband questioning all that is America, has created a life that is truly my dream. She gets all her food locally and organically, creating healthy and whole-foods-y meals for each and every bite her family eats. She leaves her home each morning with a clean kitchen and a small pile of laundry. Her children want nothing for Christmas because they have everything they need. Her eldest daughter can recognize fennel plants when they're an inch tall. She loves fennel!

Sunday Parkways: Ciclovia Portland-Style

The city of Bogota ciclovia is inspiring. Every Sunday over 70 miles of city streets are opened up to promote and encourage biking, walking, skating and physical activity.  On June 22, 2008, Portland is hosting on it's own mini-ciclovia with 6 mile circuit in North Portland closed to traffic.  We'd love to try to organize some type of urbanMamas event in conjunction with Sunday Parkways.  Should it be a urbanFamily ride and parade?  Should we help to organize a demonstration of family-bike set ups?  What should we do?  What would help you to ride more as a family? We'd love to hear your ideas. And if you want to help us coordinate, that would be lovely as well!

[Photo Jonathan Maus, published under Creative Commons license]

Mayoral Candidate Forum: LOCATION UPDATE

Thanks to all who weighed in on the time and place for mayoral candidates (Sam 'n' Sho) to talk family.  Majority of responses suggested Close-in Eastside as the preferred geography for the event, scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 1PM.

Now: we're scouring for ideas for an easily accessible close-in eastside location that can hold up to 100 of us mamas & papas & our kids of all ages.  Some suggestions have included Milagros, Kennedy School, Kaiser Town Hall, Multnomah Building.  We're looking for more suggestions.  Ideas, ideas?  Anyone, anyone?

urbanMamas Toy Swap and Lead Testing Event

I can't tell you how many times one of my son's friends has been over and started playing intently with something my son has ignored for the past year. And while the frequent use of my down coat reminds me that spring is certainly not around the corner, it's never too early to start some spring cleaning, right? So what better place to start than the toy box?  Yes, urban mamas, now you officially have an excuse to clear out all those toys and games gathering dust under couches and beds, all those puzzles that have been done a million times and join us for an urbanMamas toy swap.

Bring your gently used toys, games and puzzles and swap them for something "new." Nothing like a little infusion of new toys to bring peace and harmony to the household, my friends. And if you, like me, have a few toys that have been taken out of circulation pending that trip to the lead testing clinic that never happened, bring 'em along as our friends at the PDC will be on hand to test toys for lead paint. That said, please do peruse the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site to be sure you're not bringing anything that has already been recalled. All the leftover toys will be donated. We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP in the comments to let us know you will be coming!

urbanMamas Toy Swap and Lead Testing
Sunday, March 16
3 - 5 p.m.
Urban Grind
2214 NE Oregon St.

Book group update

As expected, we had a very (very) small get-together at our first book group meeting last Thursday. At our next two meetings, this Sunday, December 30, and Sunday, January 13, we'll continue to discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Between conversation here on the blog and our meetings, we'll decide upon a book for the next month.

Meeting places and times:

• Dec. 30, 1 p.m., Pix Patisserie Division (3402 SE Division)
• Jan. 13, 1 p.m., Tea Chai Te NE (2223 NE Alberta)
• Jan. 17, 7 p.m., TBD

Support one, support all: Mama groups

I've written a lot on my personal blog about mamas' groups, and how much I love them. How they've been my lifeline many a time. It's hard, you know? Being a mama. It's simultaneously isolating and stifling; it brings all your hiddenmost issues to the surface, changing your skin from calloused to transparent in an instant.

Though I have all you, and we get together a lot, and I have my friends to hang out with on holidays and birthdays and knitting days, I don't really have a group right now. And I feel like I need one -- and I know lots of you need one too.

While you all might be organizing groups offline, it's  likely many of you haven't the time or energy to coordinate. And putting together a bunch of groups individually (while it's certainly a goal) seems daunting. So what about just setting a time and a place and having those who can come, come, and separate into little groups? As I see it we need:

• Book group (yay!)
• Single mamas support
• Careers for mamas returning to work
• Partners of alcoholics (etc.)
• New mamas
• Challenged mamas (whose children are difficult or developmentally delayed or diagnosed with SID ill or...)
• Lonely mamas (that probably defines most of us!)

Favorite Must-Do Holiday Event

If there is one "must see" or "must do" event this holiday season, what would it be?  What would you recommend?  Sara wants to know! She writes:

I'd like to take my 3-year-old to one splurge-y holiday-season event this year, like a dance, music, or theater performance. My budget is tight, so I'm hoping Urban Mamas will help me identify the single Very Best Event! She loves music and dancing and stories, and will sit through engaging performances for an hour or so, but obviously it can't be too long or too boring-for-kids.

Adopt-A-Family Holiday Party: Save the Date!

Activistas invites you to celebrate the season together by providing food and gifts for a local family through Salvation Army's Adopt-A-Family program.  We'll have more details in early December, but for now, we sure hope you'll save the afternoon of Sunday, 12.16.07 to come together for a little holiday fun with a purpose.  Kids, partners & friends welcome, of course!  'Til then, mamas.

Run MAMA Run - We're OFF!

We've been pounding the pavement hard for the past few months, and - in earnest - over the past few weeks.  We've written some of our training secrets, mama-style.  We've reminisced about how scary-but-fun it was last year.  With all that and a little bit of hype, we're off again!

Wish the Run Mama Run team lots of luck and fresh-feeling legs as they kiss their babes goodbye for over a day, as they run-mam-run the 197.2 miles from Timberline Lodge all the way down to the beach at Seaside.  We should be cruising through Portland around 10:30-11PM on Friday night, so if anyone is up past their bedtime, come cheer us on at the Hawthorne Bridge!

We'll try to check in with some pics mid-way....  in true urbanMama fashion, never far from a wifi connection!

Run Mama Run: Hood to Coast 2007

With just a week to go, 12 urbanMamas rest their legs and ready themselves for Hood-to-Coast.  Run Mama Run is our team, and it's not our first appearance in the largest relay in the U.S.  197 miles, 12 mamas, 20 kids (though they're not coming for the ride!), 2 vans, 30 or so hours.  Is it fun?  Heck, we've birthed kids, so what's 197 miles, just a few hours of sleep, and 30 hours of on and off running?  If you like momraderie, then - YES - it is most definitely fun.  Expect chatting, laughing, butterflies in stomachs.  Start on Mt. Hood and miraculously end at Seaside.  It's the moment we've all been training for.

This year, Run Mama Run is being supported by some great folks at OregonLive, so check us out over at RunOregon and read all about some of our mama running secrets.  Run Mama Run also send e-shout-outs to Lara for fueling us with Larabars and to Virginia for juicing us up with VitaminWater.

We aren't the only mamas running this thing.  Last year, we counted several other mama teams: "37 kids and still counting", "I want my mommy", "Moms on the Run", "Running from our kids", "Hoochie Mamas", "Dolly Mamas".  Anyone else running Hood to Coast this year??

Will you be pedaling across the bridges?

It's the family bike event of the year, the Bridge Pedal is here!  With three route options - the 10 bridge (36 miles), the 8 bridge (24 miles) and the 6 bridge (14 miles), organizers estimate 20,000 participants to register.  And don't forget the stride (5 mile walk that includes crossing the Broadway and Steel Bridges)!   Start times begin at 7am (for the 10- or 8- bridge rides) and run until 9:30am (for the 6-bridge rides).

In previous years, the thousands and thousands of riders of all ages and levels have resulted in bottlenecks, accidents, and complaints.  I know some families who are discouraged and even afraid to ride the event, opting to leave their bike riding to their daily commutes with or without kids.  I know families (like ourselves) who keep coming back for more, even if the ride can be wrought with difficulties and some frustrations.  The views and the thrills from up top of the Marquam and Fremont bridges just can't be beat!

Will you be riding?  What are tips and tricks for the rest of the family riders?

Mid-Summer Thoughts: Concerts in the Park

A few weeks of concerts are now behind us - be it concerts at the parks, Kruger's farm concerts, Zoo concerts.  In the past few weeks, we've seen triple digit temps and rain, which has definitely affected whether we pack the picnic or not.  Last week on a rainy Wednesday, we decided to brave the weather and hope for the best: we hit Peninsula Park for some 'hot 20s jazz'.  The rain decided to stay away, but the concert was cancelled for good measure anyway.  It was just as well: we caught up with old friends and spent the evening picnicking right on the stage.

In the past few weeks, we have picnicked at Sellwood Park, Fernhill Park, Peninsula Park.  We've had several evening jaunts at Jamison, too, of course!  We have found that we all enjoy it most when:  1) the play area is within line of sight from the grassy area so the kids can play while parents catch up on the picnic blanket, 2) we are able to position ourselves in the spot that is just-so -- not too close to the music so we can still catch up with friends, and 3) we have enough provisions for the hungry picnickers.  For these reasons, we have enjoyed our concerts at Fernhill - with the merry-go-round in plain sight from the parents' perch on the grass - even though Peninsula Park is more of our neighborhood park.

So, we ask: Which parks have been great for you and your picnicking family?  What's in your picnic basket?  (We typically have tofu slices, prosciutto, grapes, straweberries, baguette, cheese, water, wine)  How many concerts in the outdoors have you hit so far this season?  How early do you get to the park - a little early to score the perfect spot or after the first set has already begun?

Brace yourself: IKEA set to open July 25

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Or not?  The IKEA Grand Opening is fast approaching.  To prepare, the Port of Portland has even issued a traffic advisory and has prepared an IKEA traffic flow plan.  IKEA has been billed as the big-box that even Portlanders love.  Today's Oregonian tells us to brace ourselves for the traffic nightmare that this grand opening will bring.

According to all accounts, the store format will be the same as all the other 30 IKEAs in the US.  Another fun thing to look forward to will be the big bright and primary playroom where the kids can play while the adults wander through the maze of staged room after staged room.  We'll all be hungry after all that bouncing and playing (the kids) or shopping and hauling DIY furniture (the mamas & the papas), that we'll soon end up in the IKEA cafeteria, where we'll have 50 cent Swedish meatballs and other Swedish delicacies in true IKEA frugal fashion.  Kids will have bright red tables and yellow chairs, they will love their kiddie food trays and utensils.  It will be fun, won't it?

So, are you making your list and checking it twice?  Will you be heading out there on July 25th or soon thereafter?

Opening July 25!  Please bring your family for a morning of fun and festivities July 25.  Entertainment begins at 6:00 am, doors will open at 9:00 am.  July 26-29 Store & Restaurant open at 10:00 am.

6:00 am?  Will that be you waiting at the door?  That's mighty, mighty early....  but in case you'd like an earlier start:

Air out your camping gear!  Customers can begin lining up at IKEA Portland at 9:00 AM on Monday morning, July 23, 2007 - in advance of our July 25 opening.  We are going to be doing something special for everyone on opening morning so you do not have to be the first, second, or third customer* in line to share the fun.

* There will be no specific prize given to just the first, second, or third customer in line.

Family Disco Party!

Need to shake your booty while Baby Loves Disco is on summer hiatus? Well mark you calendars and get ready to dance while supporting a wonderful organization. As a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, La Leche League of Portland is hosting a Family Dance Party:

Sunday August 5th from 2pm-5pm
at the North Star Ballroom
635 N. Killingsworth Ct, Portland, OR

The LLL Family Dance Party is a family event. Adults must be accompanied by a child!DJ’d dance music, bubbles floating over the the dance floor, face painting, and healthy snacks and drinks for kids and adults.

Advance tickets are only $7 each for dancers 12 and over (kids under 12 are FREE!). Purchase your tickets on-line here!

Celebrate the 4th - 2007

The Fourth of July is sneaking up behind us.  For us working folk, it's a nice respite in the middle of the week - a day off on a Wednesday!  What are you all doing?  Courtney emails:

We are looking for fun 4th of July activities to do during the day (especially in the morning). I saw a parade in Lake Oswego (http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/default.htm). Any other resources or ideas?

Concerts in the Park

The wonderful family-friendly and FREE Concerts in Portland Parks starts FRIDAY! Parks all over the city will be filled with music. There is something almost every night this summer and something for every taste. Click here for a printable flyer listing all of the summer concerts.

We help organize the concerts at Fernhill Park and are very excited about this year's line-up. All concerts at Fernhill Park begin at 6:30 pm but there will also be art activities for kids at every concert that begin at 6 pm:

• July 6 – The Ward Stroud Band will cover the blues from the early delta style to modern standards with a healthy dose of original tunes for good measure.
• July 13 – Dirty Martini is a blissful union of three of the Pacific Northwest’s finest singer songwriters Lara Michell, Stephanie Schneiderman, and McKinley.
• July 20 – Erin Rothrock and Aaron Cross present the phenomenal Northwest Community Gospel Choir. The choir is made of singers from churches throughout Portland and has performed with the Oregon Symphony and been featured on OPB.
• July 27 – Portland Security Traders Association present Intervision. Combining elements of soul, rock, jazz, and pop, Intervision will draw you in and get you dancing with their unique and infectious groove.
• August 7 - The Buckles serve up classic honky-tonk and hard-core twang right out of the playbooks of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

Unconditional Parenting Workshop

There have been a few discussions and requests on parenting classes as well as some discussion on "discipline" styles, choices, and other issues. Alfie Kohn, the author of eleven books on education, parenting, and human behavior, is having a workshop in Portland on July 24th on "Unconditional Parenting." Here is a description of the event as well as information on how to register:

UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING: Beyond Bribes and Threats

Tuesday, July 24th 6:30 - 8:30pm

Holiday Inn Portland, NE 2nd Ave. Portland, OR 97232

Advice for raising children typically comes in two flavors: threats (known euphemistically as “consequences”) and bribes (”positive reinforcement”).  Rewards and punishments are two sides of the same coin, and unfortunately, neither can buy anything more than temporary obedience.

This presentation, by the author of UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING, will show why carrots and sticks are not only ineffective but actually counterproductive over the long haul. To raise children who are good learners and good people requires us to abandon strategies that do things to kids, in favor of an approach in which we work with them. And underlying those “working with” strategies is the message that children do not have to earn our approval, that we love them not for what they do but just for who they are.

Cost is $5 per person. Space is limited, go to pdxparentingsupport.com for reservations.

Mother's Day 2007

The years are zipping by, just zippin', zippin', zippin'. This will be my sixth Mother's Day as a mother. I can't believe it. It really is going by so quickly. Our fantastic mama day celebration last year at urbanMamas Day 2006 feels just like yesterday...

The past few years, my Mother's Day has begun sweetly and sleepily. I awaken to the smell of bacon or fried eggs and - of course - fresh coffee. My husband and the girls bring a huge tray of goodies to me, along with a flower and a sweet card. They wake up at the crack of dawn to start my early morning treats, and I just love the love and thought they put into making me breakfast just the way I like.

We mamas sure do work hard, and I make a promise to myself to treat myself to a little break, each Mother's Day. I vow to let everyone else take care of thinking of what to make for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I make few decisions on behalf of the family. I refrain from doing chores. I allow myself to be pampered. I deserve it.

Do you celebrate Mother's Day? For yourself or for your own mother figures? Are there emerging trends or traditions in your family?

Crafty Mamas, Motherhood Manifesto Day Wants Y-O-U!

We are proud to be sponsors of a great event: Motherhood Manifesto Day!

This special event on Saturday, May 12 at the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland) will feature a special screening of "Motherhood Manifesto" followed by a Q & A with the filmmakers, a FREE concert by Super XX Man, and a FREE Mother's Day Marketplace!

We have a few tables in the marketplace that are designated for crafty mamas. The table fee is $30 for a full 6 foot table, $15 to share a table. Tables and chairs are provided. If you would like to show your stuff at this great event, just send me us an email at milagros@milagrosboutique.com for more info. 

Local sponsors of Motherhood Manifesto Day include Milagros, Zoom Baby Gear, Purple Moon Child Development, Metro Parent Magazine, Lilaguide.com, Eclectikid, Blueprints for Footprints, Mother Tree Doula Services, Natural Light Photography, Gooseberry, Global Sistergoods, Baby Wit, Zenana Spa and Wellness Center,The Bra Lady, Sour Apple Productions, Film Action Oregon, and Mother Source.

All proceeds from this event will support Momsrising.org and the 2008 Portland Women's Film Festival (aka POW! Fest).

Anyone going to Baby Loves Disco on 4/21?

Emily is looking forward to meeting some of you at Saturday's Baby Loves Disco:

I am going to "Baby Loves Disco" this weekend. My amazing husband bought tickets way ahead of time knowing that I wanted to take my almost 2 year old daughter to shake her little booty. The only down side is that none of my other mama friends got their tickets in time. Now that the show is sold out I am wondering if any other urbanMamas are going? It would be fun to say hello while the kiddos dance.

More kid rock: The Sippy Cups

Portland's a hip-and-hoppin' place to hear kid's music! Another popular kiddie rock band is coming to town -- The Sippy Cups.

Calling kids of all ages… The Sippy Cups are coming - a high energy rock show for families whipping up imaginative original tunes and rock favorites into a whirlwind circus of humor, audience participation, and a magic party atmosphere!

Combining skilled musicianship, a love of classic rock and for children; this San Francisco group plays music under the motto “Milk, Music & Mischief.” Definitely not your average acoustic singer-songwriter type of kids music, great pains have been taken to make sure this music appeals to parents as much as their children. We’re pleased to present this magical blend of music & mirth making to Portland’s Aladdin Theater!

Showtime: Saturday, May 5, 1pm (doors open at noon)
Where: The Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue
Tickets: $15 (all ages), available at Ticketmaster and the Aladdin Theater box office

Roots and Wings, Celebrating Family and Community, March 31st

This is a fun and FREE all-day event that has something for everyone. Arrive early as t-shirts and giveaways will be snapped up quickly.

Attend Roots and Wings this Saturday, March 31, 10am-4pm at Lloyd Center Mall. This free event is put on by Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families and Community and features more than 50 booths of resources, activities, arts and crafts projects for kids and lots of fun. There will be entertainment from 10-3 featuring story time in English and Spanish,  dance performances, singing, martial arts demonstrations, marimba music, a kids' parade and much.

This event is the kick-off to Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2007. Come out and enjoy a day celebrating families and community.

urbanMamas Calendar

Got an event that you're dying to share with the urbanMamaville? Send us your event invite via Outlook, Google Calendar, or any compatible iCAL format and we will add it to our events calendar.  The more information you can provide, the better.  Also remember to provide your contact details and links to your Website.  Just navigate to our calendar page for updates of events and ideas for family friendly events!

March Crafty Mamas Bazaar

There are a lot of Crafty Mamas in PDX and we showcase a handful of them at Milagros on the fourth Saturday of every month. The next Bazaar is this Saturday, March 24, 11 am - 3 pm.

The artists featured on Saturday include:

• We have been proudly displaying Karina Potestio’s handicrafts at Milagros for a long time. She will be offering her full line of unique baby and mama clothing at the March Crafty Mamas Bazaar
• Louri DePalma of La Lu Baby will be displaying fun handmade clothing for your little miracle, including pants, tie-tops and wrap tops. We also carry Louri’s work at Milagros
• Michelle Gay of Eclectikid makes fun hand silkscreened shirts, baby blankets, tote bags, and greeting cards
• Barbara Gaines of Momentoes creates unique three-dimensional castings of babies’ hands and feet
• Rebecca Sander of Daisy Chains creates fun jewelry for children
• Jennifer Murphy of Punky Kidz will feature handmade bib’s, burpies, changing pads and baby carriers

All Bazaar sales go directly to the Crafty Mamas and we have complimentary coffee and tea service, so please come out and see what these local mamas have to offer.

If you would like to considered as a Crafty Mama Bazaar for a future event please email us at milagros@milagrosboutique.com for more info.

Milagros is located at 5433 NE 30th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211

Break!

Next week is Spring Break for Portland and Beaverton Public Schools. That's a change in the schedule for all of us. For some of us who may work fulltime, spring break means a hunt for day camps. For some of us, spring break means a search for new and fun activities for ourselves and our kids. There are things going on out there, like Free Swim Lessons at some pools and surely a whole host of other funness to be had. There are camps at the ol' standbys: the Zoo Camp or Children's Museum Camp. What else is there? Art camp at 100th Monkey Studio? Kung Fu Camp? Maybe leisurely mornings and long bike rides? Walks to our favorite parks to catch up with neighbors and friends?

What's Spring Break '07 like for our family? Monday through Wednesday, our girls will hang with one of their bestest gal pals (a sitter share!). We have family coming in late Wednesday, who'll spend some QT with the girls on Thursday. On Friday, we'll zip away for a long weekend getway at Sunriver, and that'll be that!

How 'bout you all? Care to share some plans for your upcoming week?

What's for Easter?

For those of us that celebrate Easter, do you go to church? Go to a egg hunt to find eggs filled with stickers or toys? Paint eggs? Jess asks:

I am wondering if any families know of sugar free Easter activities. Sugar just does not work for us. If there is not anything already going on perhaps interested families could make something happen.

Experienced Entrepreneurs Share Secrets to Success

I know there are a lot of mamas in PDX who have recently launched their own business or are thinking about it, so I thought I'd invite you all to the next Portland Mamas Inc. (PMI) meeting which would be a great one for those who haven't been to any PMI meetings yet:

March PMI Meeting: “Been There, Done That: Experienced Mamapreneurs Share Secrets to Success”
featuring:

• Kathi O’Neil, publisher of Portland Picks and founder of Westover Media
• Andrea Frost, owner of Baby Wit
• Heidi Sivers Boyce, owner of PB & Ellie’s Cafe and Chief Operations Officer of Oregon Athletic Clubs.

Wednesday, March 7
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
(6:30-6:50 registration; the meeting will start at 7pm sharp!)
The PLAY Boutique
332 First Street, Lake Oswego
503.962.0350
Mamas Only Meeting (nursing babies are welcome)
Admission: Free for current PMI members; $10 cash or check to PMI at the door for non-members.
Ever wondered what it takes to make it as a successful mamapreneur? How do you survive the first few years of a start up? What is involved when you buy an existing business? What are the challenges of running an online-only business? From start-up costs to hiring issues, from sustainability practices to marketing madness, from mistakes and stumbles to pleasant surprises and big triumphs, our panelists will share their experiences being women and mothers who own different kinds of businesses. Get the real dish here from three fabulous local mamas/business owners who have made it on their own terms. Please RSVP online at the PMI events page.

For more info about the Portland Mamas Inc. organization, please visit our website. If you are interested in becoming a PMI member, please note that we will not be taking any applications from March 9th through May 31st. I'm due soon with baby #2 and things are crazy right now :). You can apply for PMI membership online through March 9th or in person at the March 7th meeting. Hope to see some of you there! 

It's Seussical!

Everyone loves Dr. Susss. The first week of March will be celebrated by many as Dr. Susss Celebration week, part of the Seussentennial fun. Theodor Geisel's birthday is March 2. In his honor, the National Educational Association has instituted a day to Read Across America. Also to celebrate, our daughter's classroom will "read away the day", coming to school in jammies, bringing loads and loads of books, and read, read, read.

Multnomah County Library has a bunch of stuff planned to celebrate Dr. Seuss. The fun starts tomorrow at a library near you. See this flyer (*pdf) for all Seussical events.

Seuss Storytime: Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with stories!

For preschoolers:
Thursday, March 1, 10:15–11 a.m. @ Midland Library
Thursday, March 1, 11–11:30 a.m. @ Central Library
Tuesday, March 6, 10:15–10:45 a.m. @ Hillsdale Library

For toddlers:
Wednesday, March 7, 10:15–10:45 a.m. @ Hillsdale Library

It's a Seuss-a-thon!: In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, drop by the Belmont Library and be read to by volunteers from neighborhood schools and the community.
Friday, March 2, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. @ Belmont Library

Celebrate Seuss!: National award-winning storyteller Christopher Leebrick shares Dr. Seuss stories as well as delightful multicultural tales. Suitable for ages 5-105!
Friday, March 2, 3–3:45 p.m.@ Northwest Library
Saturday, March 10, 2–2:45 p.m. @Rockwood Library
Thursday, March 29, 2–2:45 p.m.@ Midland Library
Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.

Seussational! Crafts! Games! Seussical snacks! Become a Daisy-Head Maisy! Play with your Green Eggs and Ham! Create your own zoo animal!
Saturday, March 3, noon–3 p.m. @ Capitol Hill Library

Discover the Lorax: Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with a reading of The Lorax, and create your own three-dimensional Truffula tree with artist and storyteller Kathy Karbo.
Saturday, March 3, 1–3 p.m. @ Capitol Hill Library
Sunday, March 4, 2–4 p.m. @ Gregory Heights Library
Saturday, April 7, 1–3 p.m. @ St. Johns Library
Registration required; call 503.988.5397.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party Celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday with stories, games and more!
Sunday, March 4, 2–4 p.m. @ Fairview-Columbia Library

Kid rock: The Grease Ball!

From Portland's own Belinda and Tova, hosts of Greasy Kid Stuff:

Greasy Kid Stuff, the hip, hit radio show for alternakids and their parents, presents the Grease Ball!

Captain Bogg & Salty, The Jellydots, A mini-squadron from The Sprockettes, DIY silkscreening from Orbitbug, designs by Jessica Wolk-Stanley. Make your own $2 Greasy Kid Stuff bandana! Plus flip books, thumatropes, and fun filmy stuff from Indiekid Films.

A $5 complete and yummy kid menu, and great food for adults too!

It's all happening Sunday, March 18, 2:30 p.m. at the Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St. in Portland. Doors open at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under (ages 2 and under free). Tickets are available in advance through Ticketmaster and may also be purchased (cash only) at the Wonder Ballroom box office (open Monday through Friday, noon–6 p.m.) and Café Wonder (Tuesday through Saturday plus show nights, 5 p.m.–close).

Ballgowns and tiaras optional!

Pass It On is Back!

PASS IT ON is a huge semi-annual children's consignment sale. There are tons of gently used items offered for sale at affordable prices. Its are tagged and displayed so weeding through is easier than at a garage sale or the goodwill bins. The earlier you get there, the better the opportunity to score some fabulous deals on clothes, toys, furniture and more.

Pass It On is March 22 - 24 at the National Guard Armory, 848 NE 28th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR. Shopping hours are 9 am - 7 pm Thursday and Friday, 10 am - 2 pm Saturday.

Ladybug Walks 2007

Just yesterday, the Ladybug Walks for 2007 began. You can expect guided nature walks every Friday, sponsored by Portland Parks & Recreation, held at various parks and gardens througout Portland. Walks begin on Fridays at 10AM and cost $2 per preschooler (and no fee for accompanying adults!). You can "touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, look under rocks, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs, and experience many changes of the seasons." Check out a Ladybug Walk at a neighborhood park near you!

Mom's Rising Mixer

Mom's Rising Mixer
Date: 3/2/07
Location: Zenana Spa and Wellness Center 2024 SE Clinton
Sponsors: Mother Tree Birth Services, Portland Mama's Inc., More Milk Anywhere, Zenana Spa and Wellness Center
RSVP: http://www.party2win.com/momsrising/parties?e=mothertree3

You've heard about Mom's Rising. You may have missed the last showing or wish to bring back a friend. Now's your chance to join us in learning the truth about the status of Mom's in America and how we can make things better right here at home. Sponsored by Mother Tree Birth, Mom's Milk Anywhere, Portland Mama's Inc. and the Zenana Spa and Wellness Center

I hope you can join us.  It's a fun way to get together, eat dessert, and watch a special screening of a terrific new documentary film, The Motherhood Manifesto--a film for (and about) mothers, and all who have mothers!And, the film is getting great early reviews. Ann Crittenden, author of the Price of Motherhood, raved, "The Motherhood Manifesto documentary is a funny, fascinating, informative and finally infuriating film about motherhood in America. At the end of this one, you'll want to jump out of your seat, rush out the door and, start demanding change immediately!

Note: Come about 15 minutes early -- neighborhood parking. Your kids and spouses are welcome!

*Not sure if you can come? Choose "maybe" on the RSVP page that you link to by clicking on the button above. That will help me plan the party. Thanks!

Questions? E-mail jesse@mothertreebirth.com

The Next Friday Knights

Back by popular demand, Friday Knights is scheduled for Friday, February 23rd.  We went last time, and our girls had a super-duper time.  They came home with fun stuff, like journals and pens, and they spent the evening making huge life-size drawings, playing card games, and playing the night away.  The best part was that we adults could steal away for a couple of hours of grown-up time and grown-up drinks.

Mark your calendars and RSVP now!  Sydney's is modifying it's format, pricing, and timing, so here are details:

Friday Knights at Sydney's
Friday, February 23, 2007
6:30 to 8:30 PM (feel free to drop off at 6:15 to help kids get situated)
Kids ages 5 and up (Kids as young as 3 are welcome when accompanied by an older sibling)
$15 per child, $10 for first sibling, and $5 for each sibling thereafter

Advance registration required: sydneyscommunity@gmail.com or 503 241 4313.

Friday Morning Puppet Shows in North Portland

 Nothing to do on Friday mornings?  How about a puppet show from the puppeteer who performed "puppet shoes" at the Children's Museum.  Thanks for the tip, Lori!

Where:  Historic Kenton Firehouse located in North Portland 8105 N. Brandon Ave.
When:   Feb 9: Shows at 10 and again at 11;  Super Donkey
             Feb 23: Shows at 10 and again at 11; Rainy Day Tea Party
             March 3: shows at 10 and again at 11: Turtle and Rabbit
             March 16: Shows at 10 and again at 11: How to catch a Leprechaun
Admission: $2.00 each (children under 1year free). There will be free coffee and tea for the adults and stickers for the little one.

 

Celebrate! Portland Public Schools

The season of school info, selection and such is in FULL swing. Most schools are having informational events as well as providing opportunities to tour classrooms. Check with individual schools to find out what on-campus events they may have planned - including what events may be REQUIRED if you are considering a charter school.

THE BIG EVENT where you can get an overview on the myriad of educational choices at every Portland Public School is this Saturday, February 3 from 10:00 am to 3:00pm at the Portland Expo Center: “Celebrate! Portland Public Schools.”

A lot of fun activities are planned for the day in addition to learning about individual schools and the mechanics of the enrollment process. You can find out more info by calling 503-916-3304 or checking the website.

Free kid dance party this Saturday at Powell's

Belinda and Hova, hosts of Portland's own "kid rock" radio show, Greasy Kid Stuff, are staging a dance party in the children's book area of Powell's (Burnside) this Saturday to coincide with Neal Pollack's Alternadad appearance. Sure to be a fun hour of booty-shaking with music both kids and parents will love! The dance party will run from 3-4pm, and Neal will be reading afterwards.

You can listen to Greasy Kid Stuff every Saturday morning at 8am on 94/7 Alternative Portland.

Crafty Mama Bazaar This Saturday!

There are a lot of Crafty Mamas in PDX and we will be showcasing a handful of them this Saturday, January 27, 11 am - 3 pm at Milagros. Featured artists include:

• Cynthia Thompson of Zoom Baby Gear
• Christina Bissell will feature a variety of handmade toys, bibs, burp rags, book bags and more
• Gretchen Gawlik makes fun, hip, re-designed shirts and onesies.
• Elizabeth Webber creates greeting cards, gift tags, stationery, bookmarkers, magnets, and other paper art using photographs and vintage images.
• Angela Flynn helps you make a special keepsake by creating personalized ceramic hand and footprints of your little miracle.

We will also have complimentary organic coffee and tea service for the event. All the sales go directly to the Crafty Mamas, so please come out to the Crafty Mamas Bazaar this Saturday and see what these local mamas have to offer.

So, did Baby Love Disco?

I didn't make it to Baby Loves Disco a couple weekends ago. Neither did several families I know, as the event sold out and they were turned away at the door. Did you go? How was your experience? Would you go again?

Baby Loves Disco repeat performances are coming up, February 18th and March 11th.