Oregon Family Magazine

Empty Nesting

Bringing Nature

INDOORS SPOTTING

ANXIETY IN KIDS

PRESCRIBED BURNS TO MITIGATE FIRES

BURNING PARCELS OF LAND intentionally, known as controlled burning, has long been a controversial practice aimed at reducing the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires. The idea is to eliminate accumulated flammable material like dead vegetation, brush and smaller trees, before it can fuel a destructive wildfire. But the effectiveness and potential drawbacks are subjects of ongoing debate among experts.

Proponents argue that controlled burns can mimic natural fire cycles, which play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. Fire-adapted plant species have evolved to rely on periodic burns to clear out competition, recycle nutrients and promote new growth. By reintroducing fire in a controlled manner, proponents say that we can restore ecological balance and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires. Moreover, controlled burns can help mitigate the intensity and spread of wildfires by creating firebreaks, barriers to stop or slow down an approaching fire. By removing potential fuel sources, firefighters gain a tactical advantage in managing wildfires, allowing them to better

suppress and contain the flames.

However, there are valid concerns and criticisms regarding the practice of intentional burning. One key concern is the potential for controlled burns to escape control and become uncontrolled wildfires

Setting and managing prescribed burns is one way to reduce the amount of “fuel” on the ground that a future wildfire could use to grow and spread.

themselves. Despite meticulous planning and execution, there is always a risk of fire spreading beyond the intended boundaries, especially under unpredictable weather conditions.

Furthermore, some argue that prescribed burning may have unintended consequences for biodiversity. While certain fire-adapted species benefit from controlled burns, other sensitive or non-adapted species may suffer negative impacts. This is particularly concerning

in areas with high levels of biodiversity, where the loss of rare or endangered species can have far-reaching ecological consequences.

Another consideration is air quality. Controlled burns release smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere,

release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, some argue that the emissions are offset by the reduction in larger, uncontrolled wildfires. However, the overall carbon balance and net effect on climate change remain complex and subject to ongoing scientific study.

which can pose health risks to nearby communities, especially individuals with respiratory conditions. Although measures are taken to minimize these impacts, the scale and frequency of prescribed burns must be carefully managed to avoid significant air pollution and subsequent health issues.

Additionally, there are concerns about the long-term effects of controlled burning on carbon emissions and climate change. While controlled burns

Given the complexity of the issue, it is crucial to consider local conditions, scientific research, and to involve stakeholders in the decisionmaking process to strike a balance between preventing wildfires and minimizing potential drawbacks. If wildfires are an issue in your region, your state probably has its own “prescribed fire council”—a group of local experts on forestry and fire —that may be able to help educate otherwise skeptical neighbors, planners and city/town councils on the merits of controlled burns. ✦

CONTACTS: Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, prescribedfire.net; Nearly 1 million Washington homes are at risk from wildfires; here’s why we’re not winning the fire fight, spokesman.com/stories/2020/ oct/19/investigate-west-nearly-1-millionhomes-at-risk-fr/

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org

Is it really a good idea to burn parcels of land on purpose in order to prevent the spread of actual wildfires?

— C. HUDSON, MESA, CA

DANE COUNTY LAND & WATER RESOURCES DEPT, FLICKRCC.

Our Contributors

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PUBLISHER

Pacific Parents Publishing

1. RICK EPSTEIN

A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also awardwinning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write.

2. BONNIE HARRIS

Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.

3. PAM MOLNAR

Pam Molnar is a writer, storyteller and mother of three. She enjoys writing about moments and events that bring people together. When she is not writing, Pam creates escape room kits and PowerPoint games which she sells in her Etsy shop, Pam’s Party Printables.

4. TAJ BARNHART MORGAN

Taj Barnhart Morgan is the Director of Content Strategy for Travel Lane County. A journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, Taj has two decades of special event management and hospitality marketing experience in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Passionate about mothering, and back to her Oregon roots, she is discovering the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region all over again through the eyes of her daughter.

5. NICK NORMAN, LICSW

Nick Norman is a clinical social worker and the Business Relationship Manager at Mindful Therapy Group, a diverse and collaborative network of licensed, independent mental health clinicians serving Washington and Oregon.

6. JENNIFER SINGH

Jennifer Singh, a UO graduate, is a news reporter for KEZI 9 News in Eugene. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Jennifer is excited to continue her passion for journalism in her home state. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time outside, going to the gym, trying new restaurants around Eugene, and cooking for friends.

7. BETH STEIN

Beth Stein is the Executive Director of Nearby Nature, a non-profit nature education group in Eugene, Oregon. At Nearby Nature’s home base in Alton Baker Park she might be found teaching classes, training volunteers, telling stories, writing newsletters, managing finances, or even occasionally hopping around in a Frannie Frog costume! Beth has a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Environmental Studies from Williams College. She lives in Eugene with her husband and cat Batman.

8. RODDY SCHEER

Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine

EDITOR

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Save the Home Team

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

Our last Transformers movie was 2018’s very successful Bumblebee, so there’s a lot to catch up on in the sci-fi action world. But as this sequel-prequel demonstrates, the Transformers franchise has been re-energized and rebooted for a new generation with much the same defeat-evil

TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS

Paramount Pictures

Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon

and save-the-world narrative. It’s fast paced, rock ‘em sock ‘em, battlebot excitement with a humorous streak and just enough story to explain the past and set up a new adventure. Earth is unknowingly up against Unicron, the planet destroying evil force who searches for the sacred Transwarp Key that opens portals in the universe. The Autobots disguise themselves as vehicles and hide in plain site in everyday NY, but one named Mirage, is accidentally discovered by Noah, an inexperienced thief and brilliant tech wiz. Noah is

Girl Meets World

BARBIE

Warner Bros Pictures, Rated: PG-13

In theatres and streaming on Amazon

drawn into safeguarding the Key after meeting Elena who discovers it in an ancient statue. Together with the Autobots, Noah and Elena stumble upon the Maximals who have been guarding the Key’s secret in the jungles of Peru. Maximals, part animal and part machine, reveal that Elena’s discovery is only half the Transwarp Key, and Unicron’s henchman, Scourge, is on his way to Earth to open the portal for his master. Humans and machines must find a way to bridge their misunderstandings and work together to save both

FOR the PARENTS

IT’S HARD TO believe that a film about a plastic doll could be so intriguing, inventive, thought-provoking, original, and just plain fun. Barbie enjoyed an extended time in theatres, quite a feat with our limited attention spans, and will likely be just as popular on streaming platforms. If you haven’t seen it yet because it seems like a movie for teens & kids, put aside your assumptions and hop into Barbie’s pink convertible for a very enjoyable cinematic ride. From the female perfection of Barbieland to the real world, Barbie discovers that all’s not well with her human counterpart. She sets out to fix the torn space/time continuum with Ken as an ardent stowaway. You’d think a movie called Barbie would only be about her, but like life, that’s just half the story. The other half is about Ken’s struggles after he discovers masculinity and patriarchy. Powerful concepts he imports back to Barbieland to the dismay of all the

their worlds. Hair-raising car chases, giant destructive battles, plenty of laser blasting, and super cool digital effects blend with the 1994-esque soundtrack for a terrific thrill ride. But be warned, some of the evil robots resembling spiders are pretty vicious & scary for younger viewers as is the final battle scene where Scourge is destroyed. Paramount definitely plans on continuing the Transformer franchise as the final scenes and credits attest. But count me in for the fun and pass the popcorn! ✦

Barbies. Humans struggle with disobedient dolls in their world, and the Barbies battle to restore authentic femininity in theirs. Set to a fantastic soundtrack, Barbie crackles with energy, humor, nostalgia and some great life lessons. Appreciate the cameos and enjoy the credits because wonderful surprises are everywhere.

Noah & Elena face Unicron.

Off to the real world.

FINDING PURPOSE IN AN

Empty Nest

BY PAM MOLNAR

Myyoungest child leaves for his senior year of college on Monday. For the life of me, I don’t know how that is possible. I am still trying to lose the baby fat from my pregnancy. Regardless, when I look over at my man-child loading up his car with a combination of pots and pans and video games, I know what they say is true – the days are long but the years are short…

WHILE MY SON IS approaching a new chapter and a big milestone in his life, I can’t deny that my life is changing, too. The light at the end of the parenthood tunnel is getting very bright and that means my role as a provider and decision maker in my child’s life is coming to an end. Yes, my role as a parent is changing, but my importance in their lives is not.

As parents, we give our children all the tools they need to succeed in life and now they need to take the baton and run with it. Although you might not be ready for a change, know that they have been thinking about this for a long time and can’t wait to flex their independence.

The good news is, we will always be needed as a sounding board and mentor, but they can handle the day-to-day. It’s time to start the next chapter of our lives, too.

Give yourself a little grace and a chance to grieve. You will have good days and bad ones. This chapter of life is uncharted, scary and sometimes lonely, much like how it was when you first brought your child home. It’s normal to be a weepy for a little while, but eventually, you will need to shift the focus to your new normal.

MAKE A PLAN TO STAY CONNECTED

When my daughters went to college, they often called me between classes to share their news or tell me about their new friends. My son, on the other hand, is not a chit chatter. I would only get a call or text if it was important. As a compromise, I suggested a Facetime date on Son-day and an evening goodnight text to keep in touch while he spreads his wings.

FOCUS ON YOU

For more than 18 years, the focus has been on your children. Permit yourself to be a little self-centered. Get up to date on all medical appointments you have put off. Reevaluate your diet and start an exercise routine that includes cardio, weights and stretching. Go through your closet and decide what to keep and what to update. Try out a new hair color or style to go with your new role.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS

…especially those going through the same phase of life. Just like when our children were babies, we still need the companionship and advice of other parents going through our shared experiences. We need the reassurance that we are doing the right thing and a shoulder to cry on when we are frustrated or engulfed in self-doubt.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

Remember when you told your child about putting themselves out there to new experiences? That’s good advice for you, too. If you are not sure what to do, make a vision board or a list that includes ideas. Do you want to learn something new? Start a business? Travel to somewhere on your bucket list? You can’t use your kids as an excuse anymore. Now is the time to do it.

RECONNECT WITH YOUR PARTNER

My husband and I enjoy our date nights as empty nesters. We no longer need to work dinner around soccer games or worry about teenagers walking in on us. Use this next phase of your relationship to try new recipes that the kids would never eat, join a couples pickleball league or take a long road trip to visit friends or family that have moved out of state.

EMBRACE THE CLEAN SPACES OF A QUIET HOME

While we love our kids, it is so refreshing to leave for the day and return home to the same empty sink you left in the morning. You can finally enjoy settling into bed without the vibration of music coming through the vents or the loud one-sided conversation of your child playing Call of Duty with his headphones on. This is the kind of euphoria that is easy to get used to. ✦

It’s time to start the next chapter of our lives, too.

ExperienceLANE COUNTY

Park Hoppers

BY TAJ BARNHART MORGAN

AsSUMMER FADES TO FALL, there are still plenty of places to explore outside. In fact, familiar local parks and natural areas offer a seasonal change of scenery for a fresh experience. Touched with fall color, crisp with cooler air and crunchy leaves, tread on frequently traveled paths with a new perspective — or make more discoveries visiting a new destination!

Here are some family favorites that may have been overlooked on your summer rambles.

ROLLING ROCK INTERPRETIVE PARK, LOWELL

This small town park has many unique play structures for kids to explore. Themed around the railroad and historic logging industry, a paved path with painted rails connects children to various historic logging and railway artifacts. Kids can even explore a caboose! There is also a pedestrian covered bridge and an amphitheater.

Nearby: Lowell Covered Bridge Interpretive Center, Dexter State Recreation Site, Fall Creek National Recreation Trail

GARDEN LAKE PARK, CRESWELL

Right off Interstate 5, Garden Park has a small pond with a dock for catch and release fishing and canoeing. This unexpected natural area also features a pavilion of interpretive signage and tributes to the 1846

Nearby: Creswell Bakery, Hobby Field Airport

MEADOW PARK, SPRINGFIELD

This 7-acre park offers multi-sports fields and courts including pickleball, basketball, softball and baseball. There are picnic shelters that include a wheelchair-accessible grill and a community garden, but what makes this fun for kids of all ages is the playground structures featuring interactive musical play pieces.

Nearby: Island Park, Main Street Springfield, Washburne Historic District

Applegate Trail. Play horseshoes or disc golf. It is also an ideal spot for birdwatching.

MCALEER / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

JHAMILTON / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

TUGMAN PARK, SOUTH EUGENE

Flat paved paths loop about this park creating ideal circuits for tricycles, wagons, strollers and smooth, easy walking. Sand play areas facilitate digging and provide a soft surface for falls. The play structures include a multiplicity of swings — including a dual contraption for parents and toddlers to swing together — climbing structures and rideables. Wide open spaces invite disc tossing, flag football and soccer play. The charm of Tugman is enhanced by a natural creek winding through the park complete with shady woods, footbridges and natural areas. Meanderings may include spotting deer, newts and waterbugs.

Nearby: Amazon Park, Hideaway Bakery, Provisions South

WAYNE MORSE FAMILY FARM, SOUTH EUGENE

Once the home of Oregon Senator Wayne Morse, the beautiful grounds now include a sizable off-leash dog park, large lawns, a picnic shelter and woods alongside the historic house. While not a playground, this park is great for tossing a disc, meandering among the trees and playing with your pup. Tours of the house are typically offered once a year during the facility’s open house event. We like to visit here in the autumn to take leafy fall photos!

Nearby: Woodfield Station, Mt. Calvary Cemetery

DELTA PONDS, WEST EUGENE

If you haven’t discovered Delta Ponds yet, it is time! This familyfriendly wetlands is bordered by walking paths and bridges enabling access to the heart of the marshy ponds. Bring binoculars and a folding chair so you can observe ducks, birds, geese, herons, turtles, nutria, fish and more. The dirt and gravel paths are well-maintained enough to accommodate strollers.

Nearby: Valley River Center

JUNCTION CITY POND & ARCHERY PARK

Just off Highway 99 is a unique park featuring a fishing dock over a large freshwater pond (stocked with rainbow trout in the spring and winter) and an extensive, no-fee, archery range. Complete with restrooms, plenty of parking and a large picnic pavilion with many tables, Junction City Ponds is great for scout excursions, camps and birthday parties. Hike around the pond, watch ducks, pick blackberries in late summer and shoot arrows at targets (bring your own equipment). Safety rules are posted in the pavilion and children must be supervised.

Nearby: Fiddler’s Green Golf Centre

MILLER PARK, FLORENCE

Recently refreshed, Miller Park offers a fenced, chip-based romping area with climbing structures and slides, rubber landing pads, swings accommodating a variety of ages, a skate park and multiple sports fields. There is a picnic pavilion and a concessions snack stand!

Nearby: Oregon Coast Military Museum, City Lights Cinema

Hopefully, you are inspired to find a new park and keep getting outside throughout the fall! ✦

KAYLA KREMPLEY / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

MELANIE RYAN GRIFFIN / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

MELANIE RYAN GRIFFIN / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

Outside In

BY BETH STEIN

OMING UP WITH PLAN B is something nature educators do all the time. When you work outdoors, and with children, you’re always prepared to pivot. Regardless of whether it’s pouring or you feel like you’re roasting in a solar oven, you have to keep kids

happily moving down the trail. Since some children toddle like turtles and others race like cheetahs, coordinated forward motion can be a challenge. But nature educators are good at modifying their plans, as are parents and other caregivers who spend time outside. These days, however, too often we’ve all

had to push way past Plan B to Plan I – stay INDOORS – because wildfires have made the air unhealthy to breathe. This has been rough on everyone, from outdoor educators who have to cancel programs to parents stuck inside with children bouncing off the walls. So how can you make the best of this difficult situation?

When you (or your kids’ camp instructors) can’t take your kids outdoors, you can bring the outside in! With a little planning and some creative thinking, nature play inside can help you weather the storm of Plan I days no matter where you live. Read on for ideas.

1CREATE A NATURAL LOOSE PARTS BIN. Ahead of time, on good days for outdoor exploration, have your kids collect a medley of interesting small cones, stones, twigs, fallen lichen, shells, acorns, and the like. Put these natural materials into a bin that you can tuck away when your kids are not playing with them. Then on a Plan I day, designate a space where your kids can create nature art designs or build fairy houses and gnome homes with their loose parts. Add in some fabric scraps and little plastic animals for even more fun. Have kids clean up when they’re finished so you don’t feel like your living room has turned into the forest floor.

Henry Ward’s Rock Museum

2

COLLECT WILD ANIMAL DRESS

UPS. Adventure out to a thrift shop and find some animal print or fur-colored shirts for a Wild Animal Dress Up collection. Adult clothing racks will include more choices and will also provide big shirts that offer fun full coverage. Store your camo clothes in a special bin or bag so they can be taken out at specific play times rather than just mixing them in with other dress ups. For even more fun, get some face paint!

3

DESIGN A NATURE MUSEUM.

Using things from your Loose Parts collection, or other natural items you have at home, encourage your kids to create a hands-on Nature Museum. Have them design displays, make “fun fact” lists, set up activity stations, and create tickets for entry. Then have them share their collections with you or other guests.

4 SET UP AN INDOOR CAMPSITE.

If you have a small tent with self-supporting poles, set it up inside. (Or make your own tent with sheets, ropes, and clothes pins!) Also get out sleeping bags, pads, headlamps, and other camping gear. Make clear rules about how to use/not use the tent and other equipment, and let your kids have fun pretending to camp. While this may take up some floor space in your home or apartment, it will also happily occupy your energetic children for quite some time.

5

ALLOW NATURAL TUB TIME. Remember those loose parts? They can come in handy for water play as well as pretend play. Fill up the tub, plop in your kids, and let them experiment with what floats and what sinks in nature. They can also build bark and twig boats for acorn people and make shell homes for mermaids! (This one is not for everyone, and if you do it, be sure you have a good drain trap so natural loose parts don’t clog up your pipes. You can also set this up small scale in a plastic dish washing tub.)

many Nearby Nature favorites developed over 30+ years of teaching. They were formally documented during COVID times to support families in need of fun home-based activities for their children. Although some are best outdoors, many are perfect for bringing the outside in! ✦

6

READ BOOKS ABOUT OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. A couple fun ones we like include The Hike by Alison Farrell and HIKE by Pete Oswald. The Hike is about three children who take off on a hiking adventure by themselves and features Northwest plants and animals that kids actually see around here – snowberry, old man’s beard lichen, Steller’s jays, and more! Most picture books are much more East Coast centric. The HIKE is about a boy and his dad who head off on a mountain adventure together, and is wordless, but lots of fun and imagination inspiring.

7

CHECK OUT NEARBY NATURE’S EXPLORE ACTIVITIES. You’ll find our collection at nearbynature.org/ explore-activity-pages. These nature crafts, puzzles, scavenger hunts, and more include

LARGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN SPRINGFIELD INCLUDES SOMETHING UNUSUAL FOR 2023… …a Church

BY JENNIFER SINGH / KEZI TV 9

WALLS ARE NOW GOING up on the largest Protestant church building project in Lane County at this time. The Northwood Christian Church will relocate to a new facility being built in Marcola Meadows, one of the largest housing development in Springfield.

The church was able to purchase the land through community and church donations.

Northwood Christian Church Senior Pastor Barry Lind

In January 2020 the church voted to purchase eight acres of the Marcola Meadows land after struggling to accommodate their usual number of church-goers. Its current building is 22,000 square feet, while the new facility will be over double the size at 45,000 square feet.

It is fairly uncommon for developers to deliberately make space for churches in new land development plans, but the senior pastor of Northwood Church, Barry Lind, said the developers welcomed the church with open arms.

Lind said I&E Construction, the new owners of the land, said “It would be great to have a church on that property.”

“We’re really grateful for the developer that’s saying, ‘hey, we want to welcome a church in this community,’” Lind said.

ARTIST’S RENDERING

The church will be located on the edge of Marcola Meadows on the corner of Marcola Road and V street. It will accompany 92 more acres being developed in Marcola Meadows. Among other developments in the area are more than 750 new homes, a school, a convenience store, a medical office, several miles of multi-use paths and more.

The development plans follow more than a decade of vacancy in the area. Andy Limbird, Senior Planner for the City of Springfield Development and Public Works, said I&E Construction bought the 100-acre property and started development in 2020 with the intention of creating a residential community.

“It’s probably a welcome relief to a lot of people,” Limbird said.

With the original plan to complete development in 2025, Limbird said they expect to wrap up development by the end of next year and will be able to have close to 2,000 new Springfield residents in the area.

Lind said the church community is excited to see how the development brings a new community together.

“I think about this whole community of apartments and houses that are being built right around us, and how many of those folks don’t have a church,” Lind said. “We can be a welcoming home for them that we hope will bring encouragement and make a difference in their life.”

Officials say that the city’s trust is what expedited the process and they’re thankful to be in the home stretch of development. ✦

“We can be a welcoming home for them that we hope will bring encouragement and make a difference in their life.”

PHOTO: JENNIFER SINGH/KEZI

PHOTO: JENNIFER SINGH/KEZI

Towering Expectations

BY RICK EPSTEIN

“HUG THE WALL! TURN your feet sideways!” exhorts the YMCA-camp climbing coach. But the 8-year-old girl clinging to the side of the rock-climbing tower is not taking it in, and once more she swings helplessly at the end of the safety rope that’s attached to her body-harness. Ten feet up, with 20 more to go, she manages to keep a sick smile pasted onto her face.

Looking up at her is a long line of boys and girls impatiently awaiting their turn, and their equally impatient fathers. The occasion is a father-child field day at the YMCA camp. The dads and kids are all wishing the girl would either climb the wall or give it up. None of them cares whether the kid fails or succeeds, except for her own father who looks away embarrassed.

I’ll admit it: I know these people.

OK, OK, the girl is my daughter.

When we’d been awaiting her turn, we’d witnessed a couple of intense dramas. A little boy thinks climbing the tower would be fun, little knowing that the tower represents pure challenge, and little dreaming that once he secures his first foot-hold, he is no longer himself, but an extension of his father.

“C’mon, Joey!” Joe Sr. would yell. “Straighten your leg! Now, reach up!”

Joey realizes that climbing the wall is way harder than it looked and finds himself dangling like a marionette 15 feet off

the ground, with no idea how to proceed. He feels weak and afraid. Fun is nowhere around. This tower is not a mere piece of playground equipment, like a sliding board or monkey bars as he’d thought. Turns out, it is a metaphor for fatherly expectations. “I want to come down,” he wails.

“C’mon Joey, don’t give up!” If the boy comes down now, he comes down a loser.

Brian, the child ahead of him, had wanted to give up, and his dad had let him. Father and son had walked away in silence, heads down. Holding hands. If Brian’s dad had ordered him to keep trying, and THEN Brian had quit anyway, it would’ve been much worse.

Joey’s dad is gambling the other way, double or nothing. He is counting on his influence to give Joe Jr. the strength to get to the top and pull the bell-cord that hangs down from the rafters. Joey would then rapelle down the tower a winner. “Joey, you can do it! Reach out with your left foot! There’s a good foot-hold right there!” A teardrop drips off Little Joe’s nose and makes a dark line on the plywood wall near his foot. Joey rallies. He struggles upward, finally reaching the top, and his father is treated to the sweet sound of the bell. “Clang!” It’s as though Big Joe has swung the big carnival mallet and rung the bell himself. Give the man a kewpie doll!

I’ve already got one, and now it is she who dangles aloft. I want

and he is only half-trying to make my daughter’s efforts look plausible. Her climb is a little like that of a Broadway Peter Pan. She ascends to the rafters.

“Ring the bell!” says the cheery Y guy who’d hoisted her to the top.

My daughter looks a little relieved but does not feel good about the climb. She knows she hadn’t dragged herself up there with her own power. But to oblige the man, she reaches up for the bell cord and gives it a couple of yanks. The bell and the clapper coincidentally sway in unison and the clapper doesn’t make contact with the bell. Not feeling entitled to a congratulatory clang anyway, she gives the whole bell situation a dismissive “Whatever.”

With a little more instruction, she does a fair job of rapelling down the wall, and in seconds I

didn’t do very well,” she says.

“You did fine,” I say, unwinding her harness. “You might think that the important thing about the tower is having strong muscles and knowing how to climb. But I think the tower is about something else.”

“What?” she asks, as we start toward the archery range.

“It’s about not giving up,” I say. “You didn’t give up, and that makes me proud of you.”

I’m not as ruthless as Joe Sr., but neither am I ready to disavow fatherly expectations. Kids need them, and fathers can’t help having them.

Sally’s little hand grips mine and we stroll on toward further adventures. Maybe at the archery range we dads can do something more relaxing, like make the kids shoot apples off our heads. ✦

Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.

Power Back-to-School Weeknight Family Meals with Pecans

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

MEANS MANY families are busier than ever, leaving less time to plan weeknight meals. While a new school year brings plenty of exciting moments, it also adds up to early mornings, long days and late evenings, making it tough to keep nutrition top-of-mind.

To help make those simple yet tasty menu additions a reality, look to a flavor favorite and nutrition powerhouse like pecans. They’re the ideal nut to keep on hand to incorporate into favorite meals and afterschool snacks.

When the whole family comes home after a long day of school, work, games and social commitments, pecans can add a delightful crunch to air-fried favorites like chicken tenders or childhood classics like Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs.

For more back-to-school recipe inspiration, visit EatPecans.com.

BY FAMILY FEATURES

MAC AND CHEESE WITH PECAN BREADCRUMBS

Cook time: 50 minutes

Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces cavatappi pasta

• 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional for salting pasta water, to taste

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese

• ½ cup raw pecan pieces

• 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese

• 4 tablespoons sour cream

• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. Cook cavatappi in salted boiling water. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pot and stir in butter.

3. Using box grater, shred cheddar cheese.

4. Using food processor, combine 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese with pecans. Process to coarse breadcrumb consistency.

5. Add remaining cheddar cheese, ricotta, sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to warm pasta. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add egg; stir. Add 2-4 tablespoons reserved pasta water to loosen mixture; stir until smooth.

6. Pour into buttered 9-inch square or round casserole dish and top evenly with pecan topping.

7. Bake 30 minutes.

Substitutions: Use pre-shredded cheese in place of cheddar cheese block. Use pasta of choice in place of cavatappi.

with purchase

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Sunny Aina

2127 Yolanda Ave. | Springfield, OR 97477 Call 541.335.1763 to schedule, or online at www.soleilrosespa.com

Gift Cards Available!

We sell our family’s Lochmead milk and ice cream at your local Dari Mart. We milk our cows just north of Junction City, and within 48 hours, the milk is in our stores. Now, that’s fresh!

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We’re in your neighborhood. Come see us soon! /darimart /darimartsm

SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS FEELING

Stressed

THIS BACK-TOSCHOOL SEASON

BY NICK NORMAN

Stressed Stressed As

SUMMER COMES TO AN end for many kids heading back to school, it’s normal for stressors to sink in as students navigate a new grade, changing friend circles, or perhaps a new school altogether. Parents and caregivers should learn the signs of student stress and how to support kids as they make this transition.

While some signs of stress may be obvious to caregivers, it’s important to know that children and adolescents do not always express these emotions in the same way as adults. Here are a few signs to look for:

WITHDRAWING. If your child is typically outgoing and engaged, pay attention to any closing down or “shutting off” of emotion. Withdrawing can be a sign that a child is feeling overwhelmed and attempting to keep difficult feelings away.

EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS OR ACTING OUT. If stress is building up at school, it can be easier or more acceptable to expel that frustration at home. Watch for sudden mood swings or aggressive behavior. It may mean that things are getting difficult at school and those emotions are being released at home.

ACADEMIC OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AT SCHOOL. A sudden drop in academic performance or misbehaving in class may be an indicator of a new stressor in a child’s life. Teachers and support staff may be able to help identify if this is part of a larger concern.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS. Children may present physical issues rather than emotional or behavioral issues. Pay attention to unusual or recurring symptoms, such as:

• Stomach aches or digestive issues

• Body aches or headaches

• Changes in appetite

• Trouble sleeping

As always, seek the consultation of a doctor for any concerning physical symptoms.

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. Any broader symptoms of mental health difficulties should be given clear attention. While depression and anxiety can emerge during any period of life, it is common for them to appear in teenage years.

As a caregiver, here is what you can do to support your children when you see these signs:

SHORE UP YOUR HOME COMMUNITY. No matter what your family looks like, community is the best protective factor for children and adolescents. Be intentional about family time, and establish group routines like family dinners, game nights, or working as a group to tidy up the house.

ONE-ON-ONE TIME. Never underestimate the value of regular one-on-one time, no matter how brief. Some studies suggest that even 15 minutes of focused attention from a caregiver each day has a beneficial impact. Just pop into their room from time to time and ask, “how are you?” When they talk, be sure to show that you’re engaged and listening to what they choose to share.

ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO THINGS THEY ENJOY. As stress increases, children may stop doing things they enjoy. Encourage them to get up and do something pleasurable, just for the fun of it. This can give them a much-needed break from the added pressure that school can bring.

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY DIET AND HEALTHY ACTIVITY. The food we eat and the way we move our bodies are the foundation of good mental health. Encourage kids to eat fresh, unprocessed foods and to get plenty of exercise (preferably doing something fun!).

COORDINATE WITH TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. Your child’s teacher is a front-line partner for understanding your child’s needs and helping them succeed in school. Along with support staff such as school counselors, they are key allies in meeting your child’s mental health needs.

Never hesitate to seek help from qualified professionals when it comes to your child’s mental health, especially if they’re displaying signs of severe anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. Professionals can work with you to identify specific actions that can make a world of difference in your child’s life. ✦

Rescue Spotlight

Meet sweet, handsome pup, PAPA ! He is a 6-year-old German Shepherd who is a gentle boy and looking for a very loving family. He, along with 18 other German Shepherds, came into the shelter from Eugene Animal Services from an overcrowding case. Many of the dogs arrived under-socialized, never been on a leash, or received veterinary care. The shelters canine team has been working closely with the dogs building trust, teaching leash skills, basic obedience, and providing play-date interactions with other dogs. That being said, Papa is friendly, affectionate and outgoing. He walks well on leash, enjoys being outside and sniffing all the smells, and cherishes playtime with his favorite people.

Papa is food motivated and is eager to learn! He could live with another wellrounded pup that can help him show him the ropes. He is up to date on vaccinations, is neutered, and microchipped. He is looking for a household that can provide him extra TLC and help him flourish. Papa is a middle aged gentleman who is extremely loving and sweet.

The Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents RUSTY , is a big beautiful orangeand-white gentleman kitty about 9 years old who would love a home to call his own. While he does enjoy playing with string toys and watching the world out the window, one of his favorite things to do is chill out and nap with you. He needs to be the only pet member of your family, so he doesn’t have to share your attention. Rusty is looking for a quiet home where he knows he’s safe and can be company to someone who will pet and brush him. He is fine with gentle, cat-savvy kids. He’s in good health, and has been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and is negative for FIV & FeLV. To meet Rusty, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org

Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.

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Located on 72 wooded acres in Eugene, Oak Hill School is an independent, private school welcoming pre-K to 8th grade students. In addition to elevated academic standards that prepare students for higher education, Oak Hill students benefit from small class sizes, caring teachers and an immersive experience that builds character and community. Contact us to schedule a tour today!