NW Kids April 2012 Issue

2 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 3NW Kids Magazine | 3


ON THE COVER AND AbOVE: Photos courtesy of Sara Vandepas Photography.

Sara is adept at quickly becoming bFFs with your little ones, giving her unique access to

those personal, natural moments that make great portraits. From toddlers vogueing for the

camera to newborns being cuddled by mom and dad, and families gathered together, the

opportunities abound. Sessions are $250 and wouldn’t you know that the mother of the

sweetie pictured above hired Sara Vandepas Photography after seeing an ad in NW Kids.

To see more of Sara’s work visit, saravandepasphotography.com

Publisher / Advertising DirectorMichelle [email protected]

Editorialbeth [email protected]

Kelley [email protected]

Account ManagerLaurel [email protected]

Client Services Coordinator / Client Ad DesignKarel [email protected]

Advertising Inquiries:503-282-2711, ext. [email protected]

DesignRobyn [email protected]

Accounting & Business ServicesHeather [email protected]

Staff PhotographerEmma Easley [email protected]

Connect With Us:• Phone:503.282.2711• email:[email protected]• Facebook:facebook.com/nwkids• Twitter:@nwkids

NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.Printed locally; Please recycle.

CORRECTiONS:in the April issue decor spread, we printed Molly

Anderson’s website url incorrectly.it is mollyomatic.com.

Also, Shelly of Figgy’s Patterns last name should have been spelled Figueroa.

contents

30

8

14

day trip

goods

contest

outings

project

profile

health

camps

INSIDE:

8 Eating Spring’s Superfoods

10 Resource Guide: Art & Performance Camps

14 A World Awaits in Astoria

18 Found Around Town: Earthly Goods

20 best books About Nature

22 Color Me Cover Contest Details

24 Calendar Of Events

27 Egg Hunts & Earth Day Celebrations

30 Awakening The imagination: building Fairy Houses With Your Child

34 E.A.T.: Where Food, Art and Theater Meet

nwkidsmagazine.com

Kid-friendly Vegetable Gardening

NW Kids Color Me Cover Contest

E.A.T.: Where Food, Art and Theater Meet

onlinethis month


Hello, spring. We’ve missed you. Every year we anticipate the return of spring for likely the same reasons any Portlander might. April marks the return of longer days and being able to deem rain gear and puddle boots necessities worn only a few days a week as opposed to daily. And the

return of flowers, digging in the dirt, and farmer’s markets are all welcome changes and signs that summer is right around the corner. For kids, spring means more time outside; bike rides, hours of play in the sunshine and unlimited opportunities for discovery that are somewhat tempered by the quiet of rain in the winter months. It’s an exciting time and there is tons of fun to be had and earthly pursuits to enjoy.

In this issue we’re featuring another detailed camp resource guide on art and performance camps. And be sure to check out the outings this month with a great piece on fun things to do in Astoria with the kids and some listings in the calendar for Earth day activities and egg hunts. We’re also excited to announce a fantastic contest this month, one we’ve been working on for a while. The Color Me Cover Contest celebrates young artists and community, and the winner’s illustration will be featured on the June cover of NW Kids. How great is that? For more details, see page 22, and go to nwkidsmagazine.com. And see our facebook and twitter pages for updates about the contest throughout April and May.

Another great event coming up in April is the 1st Annual NW Kids Camp Expo at Washington Square on April 14th. We are partnering with 14 camps from the Portland area, so families can come out and get all the information they need to make the best decision about camps for their kids. See the back cover and nwkidsmagazine.com for more details.

As with every issue, we hope you will find a few new resources and some ideas on how to get out and enjoy the beautiful city we live in with your kids. Have fun and stay in touch.

— Kelley and Beth

editoR’s CORNER

listingsA Mother’s Love .............................................3Adventure WILD ...........................................21Amanda Arp .................................................35Art Cubby .....................................................21Astoria Sunday Market ................................17AWOL Dance Collective ................................23Backyard Adventures ...................................31Barbara Erskine Social Learning Groups ......33Barre3 .............................................................2Baxter Sports................................................23Bella Stella ...................................................35Bennett Suzuki ...............................................7Big Lake Youth Camp ...................................13Billings Dance Center .....................................9Camp Quest ..................................................25Canoe Island French Camp ..........................21Catlin Gabel ..................................................19Chinook Book .................................................3Clever Cycle ....................................................2Do Jump! ........................................................9ecoBabygear ................................................35EcoMaids ........................................................7Escuela Viva ..................................................19Farber Swim School .....................................23French American International School ........19Fun Party Co .................................................27German American School ............................19Girl Scouts of OSW .......................................29Himmelbjerget Danish Camp ......................21Just Between Friends ...................................27Justus Orthodontics .....................................35Little Fruit Farm Montessori .........................33Mad Science .................................................29Meadowood Springs ...................................23Meringue Boutique ......................................33MetroArts Kids Camp ...................................13My Masterpiece Art Studio ..........................13NW Childrens Theater ..................................13NW Film Center ..............................................9Opal Creek ....................................................29Oregon Children’s Theatre ..............................9Oregon Episcopal School .............................23Park Family Dentistry ...................................35Pfeifer MusicWerks ......................................21Philip Foster Farm ........................................25Play Boutique ...............................................25Portland Children’s Museum .........................3Portland Early Learning ...............................25Portland Language Arts...............................17Portland Trampoline ....................................31Purple Cow Toys ...........................................17Royal Ridges .................................................21Schoolita Alegria ..........................................25Spanky’s Legendary Consignment ..............17Spielwerk Toys ................................................7Superkids Resale ..........................................17Verdura Culinary Gardens ..............................7World of Smiles ............................................35Yu Miao Chinese Immersion Preschool .......29Zenana Spa...................................................33Zenger Farm .................................................21


As i sit here looking out the window at the snow on the ground, it serves me well to remember that spring really is on its way. We will still have our share of gloomy days, but with the spring rains we may feel that hint of warmth, with bright spots of color as everything begins to grow and bloom. One of the best parts of spring is the shift from winter’s harvest to spring’s emergence of locally grown produce available at markets, farms, and planted in our own gardens.

Eating locally grown produce has so many advantages to our environment, community, and health, they often taste better, too. The family farms in the Northwest work hard to deliver the highest quality, in-season, and nutrient rich superfoods to our tables. Superfoods are simply delicious and nutritious whole foods that benefit our bodies now and into the future. How wonderful to be able to support our local farms and our families’ health in one fell swoop.

Asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse. it has the highest amount of glutathione of all foods and is significantly rich in vitamins A, C, and selenium, all of which help prevent cancer.

Collard Greens are calcium superstars, a good source of vitamins K, A, C, and E, beta-carotene, zinc and manganese, and have four

anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting substances. These mild greens also can lower cholesterol.

Garlic is probably one of the best additions to any diet you could make. Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral (wow!), garlic has some serious cancer and heart disease fighting power. An amino acid called allicin is responsible for much of garlic’s benefits, but phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, polyphenols, zinc, selenium, Vitamin b6, and Vitamin C are all health boosters.

Mushrooms are the newest darlings of the superfoods. They are low in calories, yet pack in vitamins b6, b12, C and D, as well as niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and a lot of antioxidants. New research is showing that these little fungi can fight flu and reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.

Rhubarb is well-known for its use in pies, but this bright vegetable is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Just be sure to eat only the stems as the leaves are toxic.

Spinach is chock-full of the essential b vitamin folate, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, and enzymes. Spinach also reduces the risk of colon cancer, birth defects, heart disease, dementia, and even macular degeneration with only one to two servings a week.

bY bRENNA buRKE

Eating Spring’S SuperfoodS

brenna burke is a mama of three trying to live a green life, pursue greater health and well-being for her family and the planet, and teach her children well, all while always seeking the best tips, insight, and fun for those wanting to go a little greener. brenna blogs at almostallthetruth.com

health

Photos courtesy of Emma Easley Darden of RLP Studios

NW Kids Magazine | 9

camps

MAC – MultnoMAh Arts CenterArt, theater and dance camps for ages 4 - 12.multnomahartscenter.org

MiChA-el WAldorf suMMer CAMpFour nature inspired sessions for ages 3 - 10.micha-elschool.org

MiMosA studiosPottery fun and so much more for ages 8 and up.mimosa-studios.com

Modern doMestiCHip sewing classes and camps for beginners on up. For ages 8 - 15.moderndomestic.com

My MAsterpieCe Art studioProfessionally instructed art camp for childrenages 4.5 – 12 yrs.mymasterpieceartstudio.com

oregon College of Art And CrAftSummer camp for young artists in grades 1st – 8th. ocac.edu

pACifiC northWest College of ArtExplore, travel through time and make art.For ages 4 – 14 yrs.pnca.edu

portlAnd Children’s MuseuMArt and building camps for children ages 4 - 10.portlandcm.org

roWAnberry sChool Art CAMpChild-centered art camp for ages 3-7 yrs. rowanberryschool.com

sCrAp – CAMp sCrApGet creative, craft and learn how to reuse.For campers ages 6-12 yrs.scrapaction.org

susAn’s house of ArtFine arts camp for children ages 6 – 12. susuanshouseofart.com

Art And crAft:Ano’s Art

Summer camps for creative minds, ages 3 – 18 yrs. anosart.com

Art CubbyArt focused drop-in fun for ages 3 - 12.

kidsartcubby.edu

CAtlin gAbelArts and more for preschool - grade 12

catlin.edu

CreAtive Children’s CenterArt and science day camp and summer school

for ages 2-12. creativechildrenscenter.com

fine Art stArtsHave fun exploring different art mediums, for campers ages 4 – 6, 7 -10, and 11 + up.

fineartstarts.com

grACe Art CAMpbecome immersed in stories, culture & art of East

Africa. For children ages 4 – 12. grace-institute.org

iMpACt nW puppet CAMpLearn the art of puppet building. For kiddos ages

5 – 7 and 8 – 12.impactnw.org

Junk to funk trAshion ColleCtiveCreate your own “trashion” using cool upcycled

materials. For ages 10-18.junktofunk.org

resource guide:Art &

performAnce cAmps

camps


lAke osWego MusiC ACAdeMyFor ages 6 – 17 yrs.lomusicacademy.com

lAkeWood theAtre CoMpAnyYoung performer classes for ages K – 17 yrs. lakewood-center.org

MAde for kidsSummer theater arts camp at Concordia university for grades 2 – 8. cu-portland.edu

MetroArts kids CAMpArt, music, theater and dance for ages 7 - 12.metroartsinc.org

Motion MAgiCMovement camps for kiddos in grades K - 5.motionmagic.net

northWest Children’s theAterAnd sChoolAward winning theater camp for ages 4.5 – 18 yrs. nwcts.org

oregon Children’s theAterActing Academy for ages 5 -18 yrs.octc.org

pArk plACe string studioMusic Camps for strings ages 3 yrs. and up. lomusicacademy.com

pfeifer MusiCWerks studioMusic camps and private lessons for childrenages 4 – 14.musicwerksstudio.com

hoffMAn ACAdeMy of MusiCPiano Summer Camps for ages 5 – 7, 7 – 11 and 12 + hoffmanacademy.com

portlAnd ACtors ConservAtorySpend summer on stage, for campers ages 8 – 18. actorsconservatory.com

tinker CAMpLearn how to build things this summer. For

children ages 8 – 12. tinkercamp.org

WevillAge urbAn plAyCAreSummer art camps for ages 4 - 12.

wevillage.com

cooking: the kids Cooking Corner

Engage in cooking, gardening, sewing, crafts and more. For ages 4 – 17.

kidscookingcorner.com

Merry kitChenCook up some delicious American recipes, for

campers ages 6 -10 and 10 – 14.themerrykitchen.com

mUsic And tHeAter:AWol: dAnCe ColleCtive

Aerial foundations classes for ages 2 and up.awoldance.org

billings dAnCeDance and performing arts summer camps.

billingsdance.com

broAdWAy rose theAter CAMpExciting drama camp for kids ages 8 -11 yrs.

broadwayrose.com

ChristiAn youth theAterSinging, dancing, acting and games

for ages 6 – 14. cytvanport.org

ColuMbiA gorge sChool of theAtreDay and overnight acting camp for ages 8 – 18 yrs.

cgst.com

do JuMpPhysical theater and performance for ages 3.5 - 17.

dojump.org

camps


resource guide:Art &

performAnce cAmps

riverside perforMing ArtsAct, sing, dance and make music. Summer camps

for ages 2 – 12.riversidepa.com

roCk-n-roll CAMp for girlsForm a band, write a song.

Rock camp for girls ages 8 – 17.girlsrockcamp.org

rose City MusiC ACAdeMyMusic fun for ages 3+.

rosecitymusicacademy.com

sChool of roCkRock-n-Roll boot Camp for kids ages 9 – 18.

schoolofrock.com

sound roots sChool ofModern MusiC

Summer Rocks! band Camp for ages 6 – 14. soundrootsmusic.com

stAgeCoACh theAtre Arts sChoolMusical Theatre Summer Camp for ages 6 – 18.

stagecoachschools.com

teArs of Joy puppet theAtrePuppet making and performance fun

for ages 7 – 12.tojt.org

WilloWbrook Arts CAMpExplore drama, art, music and more in the great

outdoors. For ages 3 - 18.willowbrookartscamp.org

camps


yAst - young ACtors suMMer theAtreCreative theatre and performance for kids entering grades 2 - 5 and 5 - 12.stagesyouth.org

youth theAter northWestCreative drama and acting classes, for campers ages 3 – 18 yrs.youththeatre.org

science And fiLm:CAMp invention by invent noW For kids entering grade one through sixth. campinvention.org

ChAMpions sCienCe AdventuresFun science themed summer camps for children ages 5 – 12.inflatiblekingdom.com

einstein WiseSummer camps for K - 7.einsteinwise.com

MAd sCienCeHalf and full day Science campsfor kids ages 4 – 13. madscience.org

oMsiDay and overnight summer camps for kids in grades 2 – 12. omsi.edu

nW filM Center’s sChool of filMDigital film, mockumentaries & animation fun for grades 2 – 12.nwfilm.org

sAturdAy ACAdeMyFor children entering grade 2 through 12. saturdayacademy.org

tuCker-MAxon sChool dAy CAMpSeven weeks of scientific, hands-on fun.For ages 3 – 9.tmos.org


camps


day trip

Eat:

blue sCorCher CAféGluten free and veggie travelers rejoice. We can’t stop daydreaming about their amazing butternut squash and kale burrito. it sounds weird, but it’s so good! Chock-full of homemade breads and baked goods, a kids’ menu, and a nice play area with a kitchen and toys. bluescorcher.com

boW piCker fish & Chips it might be one of the cutest food carts ever, a dry docked boat serving mouth-watering, beer battered albacore TuNA (not cod) and steak fries. Delicious and fun. Well worth the wait in line when the sun comes out. bowpicker.com

AstoriA Coffeehouse & bistro Love the color and décor in this vintage meets modern, cool-kid hangout. Equipped with kids’ coloring menus, Stumptown coffee, yummy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Garage door out front opens on sunny days, pin cushion black seats in the booths and a big silver plated wall with a giant mirror. astoriacoffeehouse.com

The North Oregon coast has been a longtime favorite for family day trippers. With its gorgeous sandy beaches, tumbling waves, hikes, and unlimited opportunities for adventure; there are tons of things to do with the kiddos. Astoria, located 91 miles from Portland on the south banks of the Columbia River and the north banks of Young’s bay, can practically be called a beach town, but actually sits comfortably at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. And with more family friendly businesses and restaurants opening every day, it is quickly becoming a family favorite day trip destination because it has a little something for everyone. We just keep going back for more. You could go for a simple day trip or stay for a few days to get the full picture of what Astoria has to offer. And don’t forget to watch The Goonies before for you go for reference. —BF

A World Awaitsin Astoria


day trip

fort george breWery & publiC houseHoused in the Fort George building, this spot has fantastic beer and the best brewery food we’ve had in Oregon. Friendly staff, quite nice to the kiddos and super accommodating with free music on Sunday nights. Kids can stay until 9:00. fortgeorgebrewery.com

dAnish MAid bAkery Opens at 4 am for early birds. With original 50s décor still in tact, this old diner is sweet. And looks like the perfect spot for Grandpas to hang out and share stories while drinking coffee and eating donuts. Great for a quick fill up on fuel and Scandinavian treats before the ride home.danishmaidbakery.com

Shop:AstoriA sundAy MArket in its tenth year. The Astoria Sunday Market provides a great opportunity to support up to 200 local growers and artisans, eat yummy food and hear some local music while you shop. Located on 12th street downtown. Starts May 13th, Mother’s Day-October 14th. astoriasundaymarket.com

purple CoW toys Hip kids’ toy store in business for 15 years. Filled to the ceilings with kites, handmade hula hoops, and classic favorite brands like Ravensburger and Playmobil. Great play area with loads of toys for the kids to keep busy while Mom and Dad shop. purplecowtoysastoria.com

finn WAre A great stop for all products Scandinavia including striped boat neck shirts, Marimekko, Scan Design, Taika, and more for the kitchen. And you can stock up on sauna supplies. finnware.com

the Curious CAterpillAr For little creatures. Filled with fashionable eco-friendly kids clothing, books, gifts, and toys. thecuriouscaterpillar.com

lunAr boy gAllery A little gem downtown (right next to Cargo and across the street from Astoria Coffeehouse & bistro). it’s part gallery, part shop with really cool exhibits by local artists. We can’t wait to go back in June to view The Goonies inspired artwork. lunarboygallery.com

CArgo The little sister satellite store of the Portland original in the Pearl district. We could spend hours exploring every tchotchke and imported goods that will ignite the imagination. The kiddos love it, too. cargoimportspdx.com

play:tApiolA pArk A must see playground with miniature sites and attractions of Astoria; small replicas of Flavel House, Astoria Column, Fort Clatsop, and a skatepark to boot. 900 West Marine Drive

loWer ColuMbiA boWl if you’re for more than a day and run into rain, checking out a local bowling alley is great for a round of family fun. lcbowl.com

ColuMbiA river MAritiMe MuseuM Explore the rich maritime heritage of the entire Columbia River region. Also, includes a tour onboard the lightship Columbia. crmm.org

ride “old 300” riverfront trolleyHop aboard the 40 passenger antique trolley and check out Astoria’s waterfront scenery. The kids love to watch the ships. Operates March-December. Cost $1 per ride or $2 for a day pass. homepage.mac.com/cearl/trolley

SEE:the AstoriA ColuMnLocated 600 feet above sea level on Coxcomb Hill, The Astoria Column is a sight to behold with artwork depicting the history of Astoria. The views of the mountains and ocean are worth the trip, and the kids think it’s pretty amazing, too. astoriacolumn.org

AstoriA-Megler bridgeThe Astoria-Megler bridge enormous could quite possibly be one of the most memorable landmarks in Astoria. it connects Oregon and Washington spanning 4.1 miles across the Columbia river and is the longest “continuous truss” in the nation.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

day trip


Soarin’ Sea Planeby Sprig at Child’s Play, $27

Critter Cabin at Kids At Heart, $15

Tabletop Forest Terrariumby Zelda English and Rodrigo Neto on Etsy.com, $120

Folkmanis Hand Puppets at Portland Children’s Museum, $14 and up

Bambu Kid Utensilsat Eco baby Gear, $13

Little Lark Onesieat littlelark.com, $32

FoundAround Town

8” X 10” Sun Art Paper Kitat OMSi, $15

Grimm’s Large Solid Wood Rainbow Stackerat SpielWerk Toys, $89

Gardman Roosting Pocketat backyard bird Shop, $9



camps


books

And then it is spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (HC $16.99)

Caldecott Award-Winning illustrator of

the sensational A Sick Day for Amos McGee has gifted us with another spot-on story about cultivating reciprocal relationships in the natural world. A young boy and his basset hound fret and fuss over tiny sleeping seeds as they await the arrival of Spring. Fogliano’s text is funny and fresh. “Why won’t the seeds get a move on?” wonders the blue-hoodie-sporting, bespectacled little gar-dener. “Maybe it was the bears and all that stomping, because bears can’t read signs that say things like “please do not stomp here, there are seeds and they are trying.” Will the diligent duo wake up one morning to a shining sun and a sprout filled homestead? Let’s hope!

outside your WindoW by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld (HC $19.99)

Fungi and spiderlings. Tidepooling and pond dipping. Milk-ing. Making hay. Baby birds. Outside Your Window is a ceaselessly charming first book of nature. Nicola Davies’ haiku-ish expertise on a host of creatures and natural phenomena is bewitchingly accompanied by Hearld’s dynamic multi-media landscapes replete with wellie-wearing farmers, plump purple eggplants, papercut gull feathers, and woodblock-printed winter trees.

best Books About Nature

REViEWS bY ELiZAbETH PuSACK OF GREEN bEAN bOOKS

A leAf CAn be by Laura Purdie Salas (HC $17.95)

“Soft cradle. Water ladle. Sun taker. Food maker. Tree topper. Rain

stopper. Skin welter. Bat shelter.” What a wonderful rhyming rhapsody on leaves in their many varied glories. The book concludes with an in-depth look at each of a leaf ’s roles. “Soft cradle: Certain kinds of caterpillars spin cocoons around themselves and turn into moths. Some caterpillars spin their cocoon right on leaves. The leaf acts as a cradle, keeping the cocoon safe until the moth comes out.” A brilliant book to bring along on your long leaf-hunting excursion! Why not take a leaf-laden picnic and start your very own leaf list!

World Without fish by Mark Kurlansky (HC $16.95)

New York Times best-selling author of the grown-up book COD has

created a fascinating, comic-filled fish-prim-er for budding ecologists. He illuminates human impact on our oceans’ ecosystems, and teaches readers how to help prevent the planet from morphing into a hot pink swamp filled with mammoth jellyfish and prehistoric hair-ball like bacterial growths! Chock-full of Darwin and lucid thinking on the delicacy of our dear earth.

1600 NE Alberta Street503-954-2354greenbeanbookspdx.com


camps


Performances

Opening Apr 5ovo by Cirque du soleilA close-up look at and celebration of the colorful and intriguing world of insects, with all of the wonder of these unique athletes and acrobats. Don’t miss it! $33-$143.50, family packs available. Performance days and times vary. cirquedusoleil.com

Apr 9pCpA noontime showcase – dance WestCome watch talented 8th-12th grade youth from the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy dance their hearts out – ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and more. in the Rotunda of Antoinette Hatfield Hall, free, 12pm.dancewestcompany.com

Apr 13-15, 21-22tears of Joy theatre - stellalunaAdapted from the popular book by Jannell Cannon. Featuring music by Portland’s gamelan orchestra - Venerable Showers of beauty. $17-20, Fri 7:30pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2pm & 4pm. tojt.org

Apr 26Camp fire Columbia – 2nd Annual Celebrity & youth talent showEvening of celebrity fun, includes dinner, drinks, and live music. Get tickets before they’re gone! $75-95, 5:30-8:30pm.campfirecolumbia.org

Apr 28-29oregon Children’s theatre – the storm in the barnbased on the award-winning graphic novel, the story of an 11-year-old boy in 1930’s Kansas and his family’s journey through hardship. Part tall tale, part historical fiction, with original music by Portland band black Prairie. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $15-28, Sat 2pm & 5pm, Sun 2pm. octc.org

eVenTsMOns in Aprhistoric overlook house – free story hourCome listen to stories of ancient Native American myth and magic! 3:30-4:30pm.historicoverlookhouse.org

Apr 1-30Wooden shoe tulip farm - 27th Annual tulip festRows and rows of beautiful tulips, rides and games for kids, delicious food! $5-20, 9am-6pm.woodenshoe.com

Apr 4little Chick’s Art play – spring Craft day at spanky’sCome make some springtime and Easter themed art at Spanky’s Legendary Consignment! Free! 11am-4pm.littlechicksartplay.com

Apr 5belmont library – Wearable Art buttonsMake colorful buttons out of magazine pages. Ages 5 and up. 3:30-4:30pm. multcolib.org

calendar

Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.


camps


Apr 6Multnomah indoor Cinema – the MuppetsFree family-friendly move, bottomless popcorn, live music, and more. 6:30-9:30pm.multnomahartscenter.org

Apr 7safe routes to school spring kick-offA day dedicated to walking and biking safety, with workshops, bike rides, raffles, activities, games and more. Free, 10am-2pm.facebook.com/saferoutesportland

Apr 8portland Children’s Museum – spring CelebrationSpring is here! Hop over to PCM to ring in the season. Make felt rings and pins, play May flowers, and dance to the music of Greasy Kid Stuff. $8-9, additional craft fees may apply. 9:30am-3:30pm. portlandcm.org

Apr 10oregon Zoo - $4 second tuesdayVisit the animals for only $4 each! Kids 0-3 free, 9am-6pm. oregonzoo.org

Apr 10Zenana spa – train like a MotherSarah bowen Shea reads from her book, Train Like a Mother, and shares fitness tips to lead a healthier, more vibrant life. 6:30-9pm.zenana-spa.com

Apr 11Columbia slough Watershed tour: frogsLearn about a frog’s life cycle and use a net to hunt for them in the water. Ages 4 and up, pre-registration requested. $5/family suggested donation, 5-6pm. columbiaslough.org

Apr 12salon Mojo – Chop A thon for locks of loveis your hair 10” or longer? Would you like to donate it to make hairpieces for kids in need? Come get it chopped and styled into a simple bob for free. 5-8pm.everythingbabyllc.com/locksoflove.html

Apr 12-15superkids resaleFirst 500 shoppers on Thurs receive goody bags, fun activities on Sat, including face painting bouncy house, and a reptile show. Thurs-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm.superkidsresale.com

Apr 14Mount talbert nature park – family nature explorersCheck out beautiful wildflowers, glimpse chirping birds, and track forest animals in a guided outing. Ages and up, $11 per family. Advance registration required. 10am-1pm.oregonmetro.gov

Apr 14Washington square – nW kids 2012 summer Camp expoCome meet and learn about 14 different camps all over town – and say hi to us too! Free, 10am-5pm. nwkidsmagazine.com

Apr 14kennedy school – Mo phillips “Monster suit” Cd release showRock out with Mo as he celebrates the release of his third album, “Monster Suit.” Come dressed as your favorite monster! $10/family, 5pm (doors open at 4pm). mophillips.com

calendar


Apr 14-2958th Annual hood river valley blossom festivalCelebrate the arrival of spring! Yummy food, pancake breakfasts, a pansy party, a grange blossom dinner, and beautiful views of the fruit trees. 10am-4pm. hoodriver.org

Apr 15pendulum Aerial Arts – Community day and student showcaseSpend a day circus-style! interactive photo booth, juggling and hooping lessons and demos, raffles, and more. $10, 12:30-3pm.pendulumaerialarts.org

Apr 17Central library – on with the show: An evening of Musical theaterA great way to introduce the kids to classic musicals! Free, 6:30-7:30pm. multcolib.org

Apr 18pioneer Courthouse square – rip City upriseJoin your fellow blazers fans as the team prepares for Game 2 of the playoffs and get a collectible Rip City poster! Free, 12-1pm.pioneercourthousesquare.org

Apr 21-29free Admission to fort vancouverTour this historic site for free in honor of National Park Week. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm.fortvan.org

Apr 22tryon Creek – A Celebration of CrowsThere’s more to crows than you think! Learn all about these intelligent birds and listen to stories from the winners of the Tall Tale Contest “How Crow Got To be So Clever.” Free, 2-4pm.tryonfriends.org

Apr 27-29Just between friends Consignment saleHead to the Expo Center to shop this super sale.Fri 12 - 7pm, Sat 9 - 4pm and Sun 9 - 2pm.jbfsale.com

calendar


egg Hunts

Apr 6st. Johns Community Center – flashlight egg-stravaganzaGrab your flashlights and headlamps for a different kind of egg hunt – in the dark! baskets provided, food, crafts, and prizes. $3, 8-9:30pm.portlandonline.com/parks

Apr 7Mt. scott Community Center – the eggstraordinary egg huntMt. Scott’s first annual egg hunt! 3 egg hunts for different age groups, a pancake brunch hosted by the Mt Scott/Arletta Neighborhood Association, and music from Radio Disney and the Shine Children’s Chorus. 9-11am.portlandonline.com/parks

Apr 7blue lake bunny bonanza egg huntA fun-filled candy egg hunt – rain or shine. Ages 4 years and younger start at 10:30am, ages 5-10 at 10:45am. Free face painting and coloring activities too! $5-7, 10am-12pm.oregonmetro.gov

Apr 7Camp namanu – spring fling! egg hunt and open houseA fun-filled afternoon! Namanu’s first annual Egg Hunt starts at 1pm. Then take a tour of Namanu, complete with a campfire, treats, boat rides, arts and crafts, and more. Free, 12:30-3pm.campfirecolumbia.org

Apr 7oregon Zoo – rabbit rompCandy “egg” hunts every 20 minutes for children 10 and under, and a very special egg hunt for

tots 0-2. bring your own basket and hunt away! $7.50-10.50, 9am-3pm. oregonzoo.org

Apr 7Alpenrose dairy – the hunt is on!The 50th Annual Alpenrose Dairy Easter Egg Hunt! Tons of prizes for egg hunters age 3-8, with a 6 foot bunny and a grand prize for the winner in each age bracket. So exciting! Age 3-5 10:30am, Age 6-8 12pm. alpenrose.com

earth Day celebrations

Apr 21streamteam earth day Celebration!Join the StreamTeam and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Rec for a fun-filled day! See and learn about wildlife, take a salmon tour, plant a tree, and more. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors. Free, 8:45am-2pm.streamteam.net

Apr 22portland Children’s Museum – earth day CelebrationThe interactive museum’s annual Earth Day Celebration and grand opening of the Zany Maze! Make your own paper, take in a special story time, enjoy awesome tunes from Recycleman and the Dumpster Divers. $8-9, 10am-3:30pm. portlandcm.org

Apr 22the Circle of life – earth day renewalA jam-packed event on PCC’s Cascade Campus, including live music and entertainment, yummy bites, interactive workshops, and Circus Cascadia for the little ones. Free, 11am-6pm.earthday.cityrepair.org

calendar


camps


It’s a bright, spring day, a Northwest drizzle is falling softly while the sun peeks its head out from behind a nearby maple. The light is magical and you almost see little winged creatures flying from bush to bush, dodging sparkling raindrops. What could they be? Bees? Butterflies? Dragonflies? Or maybe…fairies? On these spring and early summer days, when the world is starting to wake up and buzz with life, consider embarking on an activity with your child that is a surefire creative outlet for the whole household, building fairy houses. Think you’re not cut out for a career in architecture? Well, making fairy houses is as much imagination as it is construction, nurturing the practice of seeing the world from the perspective of a tiny creature,

perhaps no larger than your thumb. As an Environmental Educator with Portland Parks and Recreation, I have honed my skills in fairy house building with help from campers at Summer Nature Day Camp. And I have found that the younger you are, the easier it is to see the world from a fairy’s eye view, so let your child take the lead! The process begins with an exploratory walk to find a suitable location. Maybe you’ll discover a quiet hollow at the base of a tree, or a gnarled root that is exposed. You may even like the look of a low bush or the backside of a rock. Next, forage for materials; ferns as roofing, dried leaves for flooring, a variety of twigs for fairy furniture, moss for a mattress, flower petals as plates, acorn tops as bowls or cups, and velvety lichen for couch cushions.

bY KATE bOEHNLEiN

AWAkening your iMAginAtion:BUILDIng FAIRy HoUSES WItH yoUR CHILD

continued on p. 32

A fairy house found at Mt. Tabor Park during Portland Parks and Recreation’s Nuts About Nature homeschool program.

project

Other good materials include detached bark, pebbles, nuts, feathers, and cones. Just remember to respect already growing plants, especially in the spring when shoots are so new and when ground nesting birds are collecting materials to build their nests. But take advantage of your current location to find the best treasures, be it forest, meadow, beach, or backyard. There are many magical spots just waiting to be explored by you and your child. By employing your imagination, you will find that many locations, from your backyard to a quiet sidewalk to your local natural area, are all ideal locations for fairies to find shelter.

With the right mix of imagination, ingenuity, and secrecy, your fairy abode may be deemed habitable. And who knows, you may be rewarded with fairy gold upon your next visit.

For further inspiration in fairy lore and culture, check out:

Fairy Houses• , a series by Tracy L. Kane The two “Fairy House Box Books” by •Portland author Adrienne Keith, illustrated by Wendy Wallin Malinow

Katie boehnlein, or “Teacher Aster,” is an environmental educator with the City Nature division of Portland Parks and Recreation (portlandonline.com/parks/ee) where she has the honor of exploring the natural areas of the Rose City with young students. She grew up making fairy houses with her mother along the urban staircases of the West Hills of Portland, and always hoped that she would catch a glimpse of a special winged creature that had come to dwell in her creation. You can follow Katie’s urban adventures in her blog, “Following bliss,” which can be found at kboehnlein.wordpress.com.

An open air fairy house made by students in Portland Parks and Recreation’s Nuts About Nature, Nature’s Playground program.

A fairy house built by campers at Portland Parks and Recreation’s Summer Nature Day Camp in the “Fairy Forest” of the Hoyt Arboretum.


project


profile

You know when you have one of those ah ha moments, when you’re watching or experiencing something that puts a huge smile on your face? Well I had one of those moments while at E.A.T., a kid-friendly restaurant and performance space in northeast Portland. Sitting in one of the pews in The Old Chapel listening to Mr. Ben perform, I felt so rewarded watching what played out be-fore me, kids dancing and playing, parents hang-ing out on the floor, everyone having fun in a great atmosphere. It just made me so proud to be bringing up my daughter in a city that can stimulate so much diversity and difference. And that is exactly the goal of E.A.T.!

E.A.T. or Eat Art Theater is part of a thriving community of artists, called Milepost 5, which is located within the Motavilla neighborhood. Owner, Mark Carnahan and new Creative Di-rector Claire Willett have created an environ-ment that cultivates and fosters creative pursuits and artistic engagement, and in the case of E.A.T have created a great space for families to do the same.

“I think this is such an exciting community and it’s an unusual thing to have these artists and residents and this restaurant and performance space and these galleries all under the same um-brella, it’s a very inspiring place to be,” Willett said.

Although the vision wasn’t as clear two years ago when Carnahan found his diamond in the rough, “it had old linoleum tiles, very cafeteria style looking, but I could see the potential.”

Potential is exactly what he found, turning a bland space into something special. The restau-

rant has a great open feel, very clean and extreme-ly kid friendly. Staying true to the artist commu-nity, there is local art hung from artists within Milepost 5 and the nearby neighborhoods. Of course the food, which is very delicious, is stick-ing to basics, but certainly not boring! “We fo-cus first and foremost on fresh house made food and to keep the menu simple and fresh for the kids,” states Carnahan.

The restaurant does boast a full bar and is defi-nitely taken advantage of by parents every Satur-day when E.A.T. hosts a family happy hour, with food and drink specials and where two different kids acts perform to keep the kiddos entertained. “It’s been a smash hit ever since it started, it’s our busiest time of the week, definitely something we really enjoy doing,” Carnahan said.

But Carnahan isn’t only striving to make a successful restaurant; he has a vision for E.A.T. that’s so much more. “We’re really trying to become a community oriented space, not just a restaurant, something that the community and the area can really rely on. It is important to me because I live in this neighborhood, it forced me to have a quality family place that we can enjoy, but not just for the family but that the commu-nity can enjoy.”

For more information and the calendar please visit, eatarttheater.com. To read the complete E.A.T. profile and view more photos, go to nwkidsmagazine.com.

e.A.t. WHERE FOOD, ART

AND THEATER MEETbY JANA WiNGATE

Jana is the Mother of 4 year old Rowyn, and lives with her Husband and Daughter in North Portland. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a bA Degree in Journalism.

E.A.T.’s owner Mark Carnahan and his kids Vivian, 5 and Leo, 2.

NW Kids April 2012 Issue

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Transcript of NW Kids April 2012 Issue