nwkidsmagazine.com | march 2012
Camp resource guide | Cool Kids Rooms An Interview With Emily winfield Martin Family Happy Hours | The Wonder of Learning Exhibit
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Publisher / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editorial Beth Friesenhahn beth@nwkidsmagazine.com Kelley Schaefer-Levi kelley@nwkidsmagazine.com Account Manager Laurel Ackerman laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Client Services Coordinator / Client Ad Design Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Design Robyn Barbon robyn@nwkidsmagazine.com
ON THE COVER, above and kids’ rooms photography: Photos courtesy of Emma Easley Darden for RLP Studios. RLP Studios specializes in translating the emotion and connection of life’s everyday moments into heirloom-quality art.™ Emma Easley Darden is the co-principal of RLP Studios, which specializes in creating modern portraiture that becomes heirloomquality art. She contributes to NW Kids Magazine as the staff photographer. You can find more work by RLP Studios at rlportraits.com 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.
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Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com Staff Photographer Emma Easley Darden emma@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Twitter: @nwkids
contents
INSIDE:
camps
8 Flying High With A-Wol Dance Collective 10 Resource Guide: Sports Camps
profile
16 Knickknacks and Turnipheads: An Interview With Emily Winfield Martin
décor
20 A Room Of One’s (Or Two’s) Own
goods
outing
craft
8
23 Found Around Town: Decor For Kids’ Rooms 26 Books: For Young Creatives 24 It’s Happy Hour Somewhere 32 The Wonder Of Learning: Portland Children’s Museum Exhibit Review 34 Wassily Kandinsky Inspired Décor nwkidsmagazine.com Tips for Parents: Kids’ Sports Safety Portland Jewish Academy’s 50th Anniversary
online this month
Profile: Local Mobile Maker Frazier & Wing Theater Review: Northwest Children’s Theater Presents Busytown Editor’s Picks for Spring Break
16
Exploring Experiential Learning With pdXed School Camp Quest: A Camp For Kids With Aspberger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
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listings A Mother’s Love..............................................3 Acting for Kids...............................................15 Art Cubby......................................................27 A-WOL Dance.................................................9 Barre3..............................................................2 Bennett Suzuki Violin......................................7 Big Lake Youth Camp....................................13 Building Blocks ELC.........................................9 Camp Quest...................................................25 Catlin Gabel...................................................19 Cirque du Soleil.............................................33 Clever Cycle.....................................................2 Do Jump!.......................................................27 Escuela Viva...................................................19 Farber Swim School......................................17 French American International School . ......33 French American International School - Camps.........................................................19 Fun Party Co..................................................33 German American School.............................27 Girl Scouts.....................................................19 Goodnight Room..........................................29 i9 Sports..........................................................9 Kids Backyard Store.......................................36 Kids Community Learning Center.................25 Larry Steele Basketball Camp.......................13 Little Fruit Farm Montessori..........................29 Meringue Boutique.......................................34 MetroArts Kids Camp....................................13 Mittleman Jewish Community Center.........17 My Kids to Your Kids.....................................29 My Masterpiece Art Studio...........................25 N Clackamas Aquatic Park............................35 Nit Nanny......................................................29 Northwest Childrens Theater........................31 Northwest Childrens Theater - Camps.........13 NW School of Film........................................15 ORCAS.............................................................7 Oregon Children’s Theatre...............................9 Oregon Episcopal School..............................15 Oregon Hope Chinese School.........................7 Park Family Denistry.....................................35 Pass It On Sales.............................................35 Pfeifer MusicWerks.......................................17 Philip Foster Farm Pioneer Camps................17 Play Boutique................................................15 Playground Gym...........................................25 Portland Children’s Museum..........................7 Portland Early Learning................................15 Portland Jewish Academy............................29 Portland Spirit.................................................3 Portland Trampolines....................................36 Schoolita Alegria...........................................17 Sound Roots School of Music.......................27 Spielwerk Toys.................................................3 Superkids Resale...........................................35 Tears of Joy Theatre.......................................33 Traditional Taekwon-do................................27 World of Smiles.............................................29 Zenger Farm..................................................17 6 | NW Kids Magazine
editor’s
corner
Long before we had families, we spent hours combing estate sales and thrift stores to score some of the goods that decorate our homes today. We’re particularly fond of vintage books, fabrics, dinnerware, clothing and furniture, and have been known to drive long distances just to find something worthy of the trip. It’s not for everyone, the pursuit of one-ofa-kind or collectible goods in hopes of a much loved bargain, but when you find the now coveted item you didn’t know you needed, it’s all worth it. These days with kids in tow, we still stop at sales and go thrifting with them, just not nearly as often and never for as long as we used to. In this issue we’re featuring some amazing kids rooms. All three rooms are unique in their own way from buntings and beds to white washed walls, colorful art and plush play things found in local brick and mortars. These rooms and the families who created them are inspiring us to tackle our own kids’ spaces and get back to our love for design and thrifting. We’re also focusing on camps this month with special attention to sports camps in the Portland area. There are so many to choose from, we hope our resource guide will point you in the right direction. And be sure to check out the interview with local author and illustrator extraordinaire, Elizabeth Winfield Martin. With Spring right around the corner, we’re slowly coming out of hibernation mode and have been taking great pleasure in trying out the local, family happy hours that we’re featuring in the magazine this month. What’s not to like? Cheap eats, small plates for kiddos, cool atmospheres and a little bit of grown up time for day dreaming about your next decorating or treasure hunting adventure. Happy Hunting. — Kelley and Beth
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camps
Flying High With
A-WOL Dance Collective A-WOL Dance Collective offers aerial dance camps that focus on skill building on various aerial apparatus. Campers ages four through teen explore creative floor movement and acrobatics to enhance the skills being taught in the air. Most camps are located at A-WOL’s Portland warehouse location and they offer a special week session taught in West Linn (at Mary S. Young park) on their Art in the Dark show site, where students get to hang from the trees instead of the rafters. Jen Livengood, A-WOL’s Artistic Director says of the success of their camps, “Past campers have shown great enthusiasm and follow-through in our camps. Most of the kids that come to camp build skills so quickly and then want to continue with more classes after they finish camp.” Campers can expect to build aerial skills and strength through their weeklong camp experience. Instructors will spend the day with a warm
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up and time on the trapeze, hoop and fabric. Throughout the week they will work on a short presentation, which will be open to friends and family at the end of the camp. Each camp is themed, (superhero, jungle, circus, etc.), so campers can choose which suits them best. Each camp session lasts one week, most of them half-day camps, but this year they will be adding a full-day option combining rock climbing and aerial dance. Camps begin mid July and registration opened in February. Established in 2003, A-WOL was created as a “Collective.” The four co-founders’ intention was to form a group that could operate efficiently by using the different strengths and skills of all company members, both on and off stage and combine both dance and aerial movement. For more information on camps and classes visit awoldance.org.
camps
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camps
resource guide:
sports camps ACROBATICS & ARIAL: A-WOL: Dance Collective awoldance.org Do Jump Summer Camp dojump.org
BALLET: June Taylor’s School of Dance junetaylorschoolofdance.com Oregon Ballet School oregonballetschool.com Portland Festival Ballet portlandfestivalballet.org
BASEBALL: University Of Oregon Baseball Camp oregonstatebaseballcamp.com Academy Baseball Summer Camp academybaseball.net
BASKETBALL: AC Green Basketball Camp acgreen.com/camp Advantage Basketball Camps advantagebasketball.com Chris Dudley Foundation Basketball & Sports Camp for Kids with Diabetes chrisdudley.org
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Dan Dunn Basketball Camp dandunnbasketball.net Harlem Globetrotters Camp harlemglobetrotters.com Larry Steele Basketball Camp larrysteelebasketball.com Rip City Hoops ripcityhoops.com Royal Basketball Academy - Eugene royalbasketballacademy.com Trail Blazers Hoops Camps nba.com/blazers/makeitbetter/hoops_camp.html
BIKING: Bike First bikefirstlttw.com Community Cycling Center Bike Camp communitycyclingcenter.org
CHEERLEADING: Gym-nest thegym-nest.com Style Shock Cheer and Dance styleshockcheeranddance.com
CLIMBING: The Circuit Bouldering Gym thecircuitgym.com Portland Rock Gym portlandrockgym.com
camps
DANCE & CREATIVE MOVEMENT: Billings Dance Center billingsdance.com Body Vox Kids Dance Camp bodyvox.com Footwork Dance Studio footworkdance.com June Taylor’s School of Dance junetaylorschoolofdance.com Lake Oswego Dance danceoregon.com Motion Magic motionmagic.net Northwest Conservatory of Dance northwestconservatoryofdance.com Style Shock Cheer and Dance styleshockcheeranddance.com Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy westsideacademy.com
EQUESTRIAN: BEAT Riding beatriding.org Grandview Stables grandviewstables.com Lake Oswego Hunt lakeoswegohunt.com/lohra/equestrian_camp. htm
Oregon State Extension Service 4-H Camps oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu Riverburgh Minature Horse Camp rivenburghfarm.com/summercamp.htm River Ranch Equestrian Day Camp riverranchhorses.com
GOLF: Golfapalooza Junior Golf Series colwoodgolfclub.com/view. asp?id=193&page=8084 Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club pumpkinridge.com
GYMASTICS/TUMBLING: Children’s Gym childrensgym.com The Little Gym thelittlegym.com Gym-nest thegym-nest.com Kinetic Gymnastics Center Summer Camps kineticgc.com Oregon Gymnastics Academy ogagym.org Rose City Gymnastics rosecitygym.com The Little Gym thelittlegym.com
Once Upon A Horse onceuponsahorse.com
The Playground Gym theplaygroundgym.com
Oregon 4 H Center oregon4hcenter.org
Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy westsideacademy.com NW Kids Magazine | 11
camps
resource guide:
sports camps ICE SKATING/HOCKEY: Lloyd Center Ice Rink lloydcenterice.com Winterhawks Skating Center winterhawksskatingcenter.com
MARTIAL ARTS: Lee’s Martial Arts Academy leesmartialartsacademy.com Poekoelan KIDS Summer Camps onewithheart.com Tien Tae Jitsu Martial Arts tientaejitsu.com Traditional Taekwon-do taekwondo-pdx.com Tulen Center tulencenter.com US Wushu uswushu.com
SAILING: Willamette Sailing Club willamettesailingclub.com
SOCCER: Bernie Fagan Soccer berniefagansoccer.com Concordia Soccer Camp gocugo.com
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Portland City United Soccer Club Summer Camps pcusc.org/home Portland Timber Soccer Camp portlandtimbers.com Salmon Creek Indoor Sports Arena scsoccerarena.com SoccerPlex portlandsoccerplex.com
SKATEBOARD: All Star Adventures allstartrips.com/oregon-farmexp.html Skate Portland portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=50045 Windell’s Skateboard Camp windells.com
SKI & SNOWBOARD: High Cascade Snowboard Camp highcascade.com Mt. Hood Snowboard Camp mthood.com/snowboard_camps.htm Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camps mthood.com Windell’s Snowboard Camp windells.com
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camps
resource guide:
sports camps TENNIS: Leong Tennis Camps eliteprotenniscoach.com
SWIMMING:
Indoor Goals indoorgoals.com Kids Club Fun & Fitness kidsclubfunandfitness.com MJCC day camp oregonjcc.org/daycamp
Children of the Sea childrenofthesea.com
Multnomah Athletic Club themac.org
Farber Swim School farberswimschool.com
Oregon Disability Sports oregondisabilitysports.net
Nike Swim Camp at Lewis & Clark College ussportscamps.com/swim/nike
VARIETY: i9 Sports i9sports.com Anthony Newman’s Sports Camps anthonynewmancamps.com Boys and Girls Club Camps bgcportland.org Cascade Athletic Club cascadeac.com Club Sport clubsports.com Concordia Sports Camps gocugo.com Gym Stars gymstarkids.com
Portland Parks & Recreation portlandonline.com/parks/ Riverplace Athletic Club oregonathleticclubs.com Skyhawks skyhawks.com The Little Gym thelittlegym.com The Playground Gym theplaygroundgym.com Urban Sports Academy urbansportsacademy.org YMCA Portland ychildcare.org/summercamp.html
YOGA: Living Wisdom School Yoga Camps livingwisdomportland.org/yoga-camp.htm The Movement Center mcyoga.com
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camps
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profile
Knickknacks and Turnipheads An Interview With Emily Winfield Martin By Elizabeth Pusack A chat with Emily Winfield Martin, Portland crafter, illustrator, and author of The Black Apple’s Paper Doll Primer and Oddfellow’s Orphanage, a lovely new middle-reader about friendship and feeling at home with one’s strangeness. EP: What does home mean to you? What is your home like? What is your dream home like? EWM: Home, in my heart, is mostly wherever the gentleman and creature I love lay their heads. However, since I am a pretty devout homebody, it is also important as a real, physical place. I live and work in the same little house, and in the little house, besides the usual rooms, is a studio stuffed with knickknacks, treasures, paints, and pencils. That’s where I spend most of my waking hours. My dream home is perched where the forest meets the sea with a garden of poppies, foxgloves and roses blooming all around. EP: Why are orphans such popular protagonists in middle-grade fiction? EWM: I think you’d probably get a dozen answers from 16 | NW Kids Magazine
a dozen people, but my sense is this: because people want to reach into the story and take care of them. Beyond that, being orphaned immediately marks the character and makes them special. Already, something out of the ordinary has happened to them (albeit something awful), and because something unusual (and awful) has already happened to them, the ordinary script for the child’s life is tossed out the window and these unconventional caretakers, unexpected friends, and strange adventures suddenly appear. They might as well have been dropped down the rabbit hole for all their new life resembles their old one. EP: Can you tell us the story of the birth of the onionhead character? Can you still eat onions? EWM: I have a good friend who received the curious nickname “Turniphead” in elementary school. My sweet oncontinued on p. 18
camps
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continued from p. 16
ion-headed boy probably grew from that, and was originally created as a protagonist for a discarded picture book idea. When I dreamed up Oddfellow’s Orphanage, I knew they would welcome a sweet vegetable misfit like Ollie. I do still eat onions. Never ones with a face, though.
characters she meets, I think I love one in which she’s back home the most. I have a fondness for the “Which Dreamed It?” chapter at the end of Through The Looking Glass, in which Alice is talking to the black and white kittens and trying to muddle through the haze between dreaming and awake. Maybe it’s because I love it when people have just woken up. Or maybe because I like scolding kittens. EP: What advice do you have for young writers? EWM: I know this is the advice everyone gives, but read! Read everything! Everything that catches your fancy, anyway. Literary books, silly books, memoirs, comics, anything interesting or transporting or astounding or hilarious or wonderful. You will find out what you might like to write, yourself. And the more you read, the more words you will know and the more ways you will learn to put those words together. Then write. Short bits, long bits. Take it seriously, especially if you’re aiming for long bits, like novels. That sort of thing requires a work ethic like few other pursuits in the world.
EP: Can you tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you have any secret writing rituals? EWM: I do a lot of planning and scheming in my mind before ever sitting down with a pen or a keyboard. I am very fixed on details and moments and small interactions, and I take these bits, the sights and feelings and then go about the business of arranging them into a story. I have no real rituals, although I do bribe myself with tea if I’m resistant to settling into any particular task, writing or otherwise. EP: What is your favorite moment in children’s literature? EWM: A dozen scenes from Lewis Caroll’s Alice books come to mind, but strangely enough, with all the bizarre and wondrous 18 | NW Kids Magazine
EP: What is your favorite monster? EWM: If we’re speaking cryptozoologically here, and I hope we are, aquatic monsters of all stripes are my favorites. But especially classic, Nessie-esque lake and sea monsters. EP: Who are your heroes? EWM: My mother and father, Anna Karina, Siouxsie Sioux, “Little Edie” Beale, The Fleischer Brothers, Dan Clowes, William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter, Richard Scarry, Arthur Rackham and about a hundred other luminaries. EP: Thank you! Elizabeth Pusack is the events coordinator at Alberta Street children’s book store, Green Bean Books. greenbeanbooks.com
camps
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décor
A Room Of One’s (Or Two’s) Own
Designing your kids’ rooms may or may not come naturally to you. But with a little inspiration and planning, you could create a room they will never want to leave. These rooms combine simplicity, organization, a few remnants from the past, treasures and art to do just that.
Penny (3) and Loretta’s (2 months) room; a toddler room and nursery. Mom is stylist and photographer, Molly Anderson, mollyomatic.com. Bed from Seek the Unique that she had powder painted teal, uniquestorepdx.com. Bedspread fabric from Bolt, boltfabricboutique. com. Doll from Crafty Wonderland, craftywonderland.com. Most of the decor is from Molly’s collection and from her and her husband’s childhoods. 20 | NW Kids Magazine
décor
Franco (8) and Julian’s (5) room. Mom is Shelley Figueroa of Figgy’s Patterns, figgyspatterns.com. Automoblox cars, Kids At Heart, kidsathearttoys.com. Fabric design by Mo Bodell for Timeless Treasures. Fabrics and pillow patterns by Shelley. Bed, dresser and storage by IKEA, ikea.com.
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décor
Cecilia’s room (3). Mom is Mariah, stay at home mom to Cecilia and Lydia. Felt animals by Urban Creatures, urbancreatures.etsy.com. Owl from Crafty Wonderland, craftywonderland.com. Frogs from Spielwerk Toys, spielwerktoys.com. Quilt by Mariah’s sister, who is president of the Portland Modern Quilters Guild. Furniture is all from Pottery Barn Teen, pbteen.com.
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Photos courtesy of Emma Easley Darden of RLP Studios
goods
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1. Flor Modular Carpet Squares at Surface, surface-home.com, $9/tile and up. • 2. Big Play Table by Via Boxes, viaboxes.com, $400-$600. • 3. P’kolino Children’s Desk at Grasshopper Toys, grasshopperstore.com , $70. • 4. Bunting Flag by Petite Mason on etsy.com, $30. • 5. Customizable Oregon State Pillow by love, california on etsy.com, $54. • 6. Happy Mobile by Frazier & Wing at frazierandwing.com, $68. • 7. Amelia Catheart and the Flying Cats Print by Yellowcake Crafts on etsy.com, $12. • 8. Bambino Toy Bags at bambinotoybags.com, $20 for 3. • 9. Collector’s Shelves by Pottery Barn Kids, potterybarnkids.com, $39 - $62. • 10. Indian Summer Wallpaper by JuJu at jujupapers.com, $165. • 11. Oeuf Classic Collection Toddler Bed at blackwagon.com, $620.
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outing
It’s Happy Hour Somewhere Happy Hour with the kiddos? Yep, it’s possible. We’re fortunate to live in the family friendliest, gastropubbiest—with a microbrewery on just about every corner—wine and artisanal spirit craftingest city in the Northwest after all. And with new options opening all the time, we asked you, our readers and facebook friends where you go to have happy hour with the family. Here are your suggestions.
Radio Room
Loud like our children with cheap eats and yummy drink specials. Happy Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm. radioroompdx.com
The Old Market Pub & Brewery
Shuffleboard and yummy chili with great beer. Happy Hours: Daily 2 pm-6 pm. drinkbeerhere.com
Yakuza Photo courtesy of Tim Acock Photography
Uchu Sushi & Fried Chicken
Hopworks Bike Bar
For little sushi lovers! Happy Hours: MondayWednesday all day and Tuesday through Sunday 2 pm-6 pm. uchusushi.com
Laurelwood
Mini mac and cheese, outdoor seating and more meat than you can shake a stick at. Happy Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm. urbanfarmerrestaurant.com
Great food and beer with a play area donated by Spielwerk Toys. Happy Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm including patio seating. hopworksbikebar.com
Darned awesome play area and the coveted Organic Free Range Red. Four locations, two at the airport. Happy Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm. May vary at the airport. laurelwoodbrewpub.com
Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub
Craft beer and pub grub for the whole family. Hoppy (correct) Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm. maxsfannocreek.com
Pacific Pie Company
Individual savory meat pies for all. Happy Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 pm-6 pm. Pie and a pint for $7. pacificpieco.com 24 | NW Kids Magazine
Urban Farmer
Yakuza Japanese Pub| Izakaya
Fun and delicious Japanese faire. Edamame and katzus, anyone? Happy Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 5 pm-6 pm. yakuzalounge.com
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books
best
Books For Young Creatives Reviews by Elizabeth Pusack of Green Bean Books My Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti (PB $19.95) With Vivien Westwood wedges to bedazzle, kimono-painting, and microcosmic nail art activity prompts; this bulky book encourages budding sartorialists to explore both the silly and serious side of fashion. Part coloring book (Cleopatra’s headdress), part craft book (safety pin charm bracelet), I would have flipped for every page as a fashion fanatical kid. This book is bubbling with whimsy and the joys of wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve. The last page reads, “If it makes you feel good, wear it!” What a mantra. D.I.Y. Kids by Ellen and Julia Lupton (PB $14.95) Zines, Ex Libris, Ketchup Dolls, Frankenstein T-Shirts! This book puts the bits, bobbles, and scraps at the bottom of your junk drawer to use in a zillion weird and wily ways. Each project features sensible step-by-steps that you don’t have to be an engineer to understand. What I like very best about this book is that it shows REAL kid-made art, full of colorful imperfections and personality. Kid Made Modern by Todd Oldham (HC $22.99) World class designer Todd Oldham turns his eagle art eye to kidlife as he coaches classy kids and parents on construct26 | NW Kids Magazine
ing fancy Luis Barragán inspired color forts, Annie Albers tin-foil ball bangles, and, of course, Alexander Calder mobiles. Includes an inquiry into the meaning of modern, color-mixing exercises and a meditation on inspiration. Kid Made Modern is one good looking craft book. Magic Books and Paper Toys by Esther K. Smith (PB $21.95) What better for a book-lover than to build her own books? Paper accordions, pocket movies, and pop-up fundamentals. This is a great primer on book structures. Emergent writers can pair their stories with Smith’s strange shifting shapes. Her simple sketched diagrams bring clarity to some complicated processes. My favorite project in this book is the thaumatrope, a spinning Victorian optical illusion on a stick. Trick your eyes with an afterimage.
1600 NE Alberta Street 503-954-2354 greenbeanbookspdx.com
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calendar
Performances
MAR 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 27 - 31
MAR 1 - 3
Northwest Childrens Theater – Busytown
Check out an exciting blend of new, original works and signature BodyVox dances. $1630, Thurs-Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm. bodyvox.com
Busytown is buzzing with activity. But what do people do all day? Take a tour of Huckle Cat’s lively neighborhood to see! Richard Scarry’s intricate Busytown books come to life in this special stage production. $18-22, 12pm & 3pm. nwcts.org
Bodyvox-2
MAR 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 Oregon Children’s Theatre – Locomotion
Based on the award-winning book by Jacqueline Woodson, this production tells the story of a poetry-writing foster child and how he learns to write about his family. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $15-28, Sat 2pm & 5pm, Sun 2pm. octc.org
MAR 9
Friends of EPES (Educación Popular en Salud) – Peter Yarrow Benefit Concert
EVENTS IN MARCH THURSDAYS
A Children’s Place Bookstore – Storytime Enjoy a story or two on a lovely Thursday morning in the Beaumont neighborhood. Free! 10:30-11am. achildrensplacebookstore.com
FRIDAYS
Portland Spirit “Spirit of Magic” cruise
Peter, Paul and Mary’s Peter Yarrow and other artists perform a benefit concert in support of EPES, an innovative grassroots health project celebrating 30 years of work in poor communities of Chile. For info and ticketing, call John Anderson at 503-850-4655. $10-20, 7:30pm. augustana.org
Experience Vaudeville style magic and comedy from Portland’s own premier magicians along with a three course dinner and a beautiful cruise through downtown Portland. Fun for the whole family! Fridays, 7-9:30pm. $75 per person. portlandspirit.com
MAR 10
Family Happy (and Music) Hour at E.A.T.
It’s never too early to introduce kids to classical music – especially when played by other kids! $15-60, 7:30pm. portlandyouthphil.org
Join in for family friendly music and happy hour food and drink specials with some of Portland’s finest kids acts! Guests include: The Alphabeticians, Professor Banjo, The Snail People, Mo Phillips, Mr. Ben, and more! 4-6pm. eatarttheater.com
Portland Youth Philharmonic – Winter Concert
SATURDAYS
Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur. 28 | NW Kids Magazine
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calendar Portland Spirit – Queen Melissa Tea Cruise Enjoy a traditional “High Tea” style cruise including dainty sweet and savory snacks, a book reading by Queen Melissa, winged-fairy face painting, whimsical games, and a photo with the Queen herself. Costumes encouraged! $15-28, 12-2pm (boarding time 11:30am). portlandspirit.com
MAR 3
OMSI - Brain Fair The largest Brain Fair in the country returns to OMSI to celebrate the closing of BODY WORLDS & The Brain. Free with museum admission ($9-12), 10am-5pm. omsi.edu
MAR 6
Kennedy School - Mommy Matinee All caregivers and their babies are welcome to enjoy the show! Check the website for the day’s movie. $3, 2:30-4:30pm. mcmenamins.com
MAR 7
Thinker Toys – Sound Roots School of Music New, free in-store Music Day the first Wednesday of every month, featuring sing- and play-alongs, with instruments for the kids! Free, 10am. thinkertoysoregon.com
MAR 9
East Portland Community Center $2 Swim Night Grab your suit and bring the whole family for an evening swim on the second Friday of the month. $2, 5:30-7pm family swim, 7-9pm open swim. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 10
City Candidate Forum for Families Gather ‘round to hear what future city leaders 30 | NW Kids Magazine
think about the city policies that matter to Portland families: paid family leave and sick time, affordable, well-located childcare, quality public schools, clean air, and more. Hosted at the Harriet Tubman School in N Portland. Childcare provided, 3-5:30pm. familyforwardoregon.org
MAR 10
Penny’s Puppet Productions – Where is Lilly the Catapilly? One spring day, Lilly the caterpillar was supposed to go to a tea party, but she doesn’t show up. Where could she be? Lake Oswego Library hosts this musical mystery. Free, 11am12pm ci.oswego.or.us/library
MAR 10
Oaks Park – Hoopla! Hoopla! is a costume party benefit for Hawthorne Family Playschool. Activities for kids, scrumptious food, beer and wine for sale, great deals on lots of local goods. Costumes encouraged! Featuring performances by Do Jump, Greasy Kid Stuff with Belinda and Hova, School of Rock and storyteller Rick Huddle. Free, 4-7pm. hawthornefamilyplayschool.org
MAR 12
Southwest Community Center – Fireside Storytime Winter’s not quite gone yet - cozy up next to the fireplace in the lobby for a story & craft! Free, 12:30-1pm. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 13
Oregon Zoo - $4 Second Tuesday Enjoy all the wonders the zoo has to offer the second Tuesday of every month! Kids 0-2 free as always. 9am-4pm. oregonzoo.org
MAR 15
Green Bean Books Bookmaking Class - Books of Three Gifts
calendar Suprise! Learn how to make a book that ends up with a pop-up present pile that you can decorate. Best for kiddos ages 6 - 11. $10 per kid, $1 off the second. 3:30 - 4:30pm. greenbeanbookspdx.com
MAR 16
McCoy Park – Ladybug Nature Walk Take a walk with your preschooler and experience nature with all senses! Rain or shine. $3, 10am. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 17 - OPENING OMSI - Art of the Brick
For a limited six-week run, OMSI’s newest exhibit features large-scale LEGO sculptures by well-known artist Nathan Sawaya, as well as other local artists. Free with museum admission ($9-12), 9:30am-5:30pm. omsi.edu, brickartist.com
MAR 18
Rockwood Library – Sunday Movie Matinee Take in a family-friendly flick with your community. Bring snacks and comfy blankets – space is limited so come early! Tickets available 30 min prior to showing. Free, 3-4:30pm. multcolib.org
MAR 24
Sellwood Community Center – Family Fun Night Come out and play, craft, dance, play games! March’s theme is Leprechaun Irish Night. $5 for a family of 4, $2/add’tl person. 6-8pm. portlandonline.com/parks
MAR 25
Mississippi Studios – Gustafer Yellowgold Gustafer is stopping in Portland on a coast-tocoast national tour. Come enjoy an equal parts pop rock concert and display of hand drawn cartoon music videos. $8 in advance, $10 at the door, 2pm. mississippistudios.com
MAR 28
In Other Words – HeART Play Group A weekly play group in NE Portland for your kiddos aged 2-5 – a place to paint, play, learn, be silly, and make friends. A chance for you to meet other neighborhood parents too! 10am-12pm. inotherwords.org
MAR 30 thru APRIL 30
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm - 27th Annual Tulip Fest Rows and rows of beautiful tulips, rides and games for kids, delicious food! $5-20, every day from March 30 to April 30, 9am-6pm. woodenshoe.com NW Kids Magazine | 31
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The Wonder Of Learning:
Portland Children’s Museum Exhibit Review by Sara McWilliams There is an extraordinary exhibit at the Portland Children’s Museum this month. At first glance, it’s simply a series of panels showing photographs and text. There is a video projection of a day in an early childhood center. Start reading, looking, deeply listening, and you’ll discover what it really is, an exhibit honoring the vitally important work of young children and their connection to the wider world in beautiful clarity and simplicity. The Reggio Emilia philosophy arose out of the devastation of post World War II Italy, where educator Loris Malaguzzi and a group of parents began a school which would promote the ideas of tolerance and respect, experiential learning, relationships, and a myriad ways to discover the world. It places a strong emphasis on materials and the classroom environment. Children are viewed as capable partners in their learning, and teachers and parents are asked to participate fully. This collaboration is at the heart of the philosophy, for it creates a culture of community and engagement. It lets children be full citizens and participants in their families, schools, and greater society. The exhibit shows children doing simple things, discussing the day’s activities in a group, testing out various types of shoes to see what sounds they make, dancing with flowing tubes, using clay to create animals and buildings. As a teacher, I was struck by the beauty of the documentation. Photos, 32 | NW Kids Magazine
drawings, words, video and actual pieces of children’s work have been carefully curated and assembled for accuracy and inspiration. I took notice of the length of time projects took and the many ways in which a subject was investigated. For example, children doing a movement study used several mediums over several months to build more knowledge, drawing, writing, sculpting, dancing, etc. Yet, it is the implication of their endeavors that is most provocative to teachers and parents. How does it empower children when you trust them to plan their own day? What happens when you give children clay or wire and ask them to sculpt what they see, or feel? When you allow children to fully explore something and document it, how does it deepen their learning? Most importantly: what can children teach us, and how can we see their contributions to the world as not only beautiful but vital, something to be valued and protected? I recommend The Wonder of Learning to all parents, teachers, policy makers, and anyone with an interest in seeing the impact of children’s learning on the world. For more information, visit portlandcm.org. Sara McWilliams is a co-lead teacher at Trillium Charter School, and is honored to witness and collaborate with preschoolers every day. trilliumcharterschool.org/preschool
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Wassily Kandinsky inspired
Home Décor Wassily Kandinsky was an abstract painter. He painted objects as patches of color instead of painting perfect details such as facial features or individual leaves on trees. Kandinsky was trying to create the same effect on a viewer of his paintings as a beautiful piece of music has on a listener. Listen to music while painting and feel the music dance through the paint brush, just like Kandinsky. Materials • Kraft Paper • Paint (Acrylic or liquid watercolor are best) • Paint Brush • Inspiring Music
Directions
1
To paint, choose 1 color family. For example: red, orange, yellow and pink, or purple, red, blue and white, or green, yellow and blue. Multiple values of these color families add more dimension to the final outcome.
2 3 4
Turn on your favorite tunes and let your child paint away covering every spot of the kraft paper with the paint.
Move the brush to the music. Start with the lightest color. Let your child paint blocks of color with some colors overlapping to create new color values. Let paint dry. Turn artwork into home décor by professionally framing the piece and hanging as a masterwork, wrap painting around a pencil cup or lampshade or cut art into squares and collage onto a picture frame.
My Masterpiece Art Studio is located at 7905 SW Cirrus Drive, Beaverton. They offer classes and camps to a range of ages and host special events like Arty Parties for kids and adults. mymasterpieceartstudio.com
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