MAR 2013
iNSiDE
calendar • earthtalk • family movie time • Read & PLAY • NANNY CONNECTION • more!
The Desensitized Generation by Kim Green-Spangler
Reality or Fiction?
Y
our child spends hours sitting in front of a video game console. You know where he is. He’s at home safe and sound and isn’t getting himself into trouble, or any dangerous situations, right? Well, the answer may rest on whether he’s playing Tetris, or Mortal Komabat? If it’s the latter, the jury is still out. He may be distorting his take on reality. Parents and psychologists, alike, worry about the effects of violent television, movies and video games on cognitive, behavioral and affective processes in young minds. Why is this An Issue? Columbine, the movie theater and mall shootings, and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December of 2012 are all red flags that have parents, medical professionals and government officials wondering exactly what is impacting our society. Why are these young men, in these cases, losing their grasp on reality and reacting to situations so violently? Is it a “last straw” scenario? There seems to be a common thread of serious thought and planning in each of these cases. So, what makes someone so angry they want to kill innocent people? Are the shooters aware they are pursuing living, breathing people, some of them innocent children? Or are they in a place absent of reality while they are on their “mission?” Does it sound like a video game sequence? Plan the attack and execute the plan as flawlessly as possible? Perhaps, but according to the Media Education Foundation, did you know that “by the time the average child is eighteen years old, they will have witnessed 200,000 acts of violence”? This includes not only video games, but movies, television shows and commercials. Does this statistic have no relevance, or is it the key to the problem? How much is too much?
it’s via YouTube, the local news, or commercials interspersed between “wholesome” television shows the information available in the 2010s is very different from the media exposure of the previous generation. Remember when if a movie was R-rated, the scenes that gave it the R-rating was not shown or alluded to as trailers? Remember when men were raised to be gentlemen and you did not see or hear them belittling women on television verbally or physically? Remember when human life was taught to be valued and a murder was not seemingly an everyday occurrence?
The Reality The reality is that short of banning technology from all homes, placing children on house arrest and restricting them from all public places and access to any technology whatsoever, they are going to be exposed to screen violence. Whether
The Findings There have been several key studies performed within the last five years to determine whether children can be desensitized as a result of screen violence. While movies and television are primary culprits it’s the video gaming that comes under
fire the most. Why? Players are the aggressors in video game play. They are not bystanders, but are put in the role of avenger and/or killer. The findings from a 2006 study written by Doctoral candidate Holly Bowen, from the psychology department at Ryerson University in Toronto were interesting. Study participants were shown violent images. Participants were separated and asked to watch nonviolent games and violent games. The theory was, if they were desensitized they would have a difficult time recalling the images and would not be affronted by the content. However, it was determined that the memories and arousal of violent video gamers and nonviolent gamers were identical after exposure. Both sets were able to recall details about the images they were shown, and were able to convey evidence of having seen something horrific. However, Ms. Bowen also stated that “much
continued on page 3…
Distributed through all Eugene/Springfield and Bethel public elementary and middle schools, most area private schools, and over 420 commercial locations in Linn and Lane counties.
Q:
Publisher
Pacific Parents Publishing
A:
Editor
Sandy Kauten CONTRIBUTING Writers
Rick Epstein Jen Galvin Bonnie Harris Kim Green-Spangler Graphic Design/Layout
Springer Design & Illustration Distribution Manager
Carter Keane Advertising
Sandy Kauten 541.683.7452 Oregon Family
P.O. Box 21732 Eugene, OR 97402 541.683.7452 FAX: 541.683.7925 info@oregonfamily.com www.oregonfamily.com Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of this publication. © 2013 Pacific Parents Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior expressed written permission from Pacific Parents Publishing.
My fourteen year old daughter is beginning to be very social. She has just started at a big school, and is coming into contact with kids who are new to us. Some of her new “friends” are into some pretty grown-up stuff, and I worry about them introducing her to new ideas that aren’t what I want for her. Where do I draw the line with restricting her socially?
QA
I can understand your concern. This question goes to the very heart of the normal parent/teen dance. In this dance, the teen’s job is to gradually become independent and start to shape a life that, eventually, won’t be overseen by parents; the parent’s job in the dance is to guide the teen toward safe exploration, and (here’s the hard part) gradually let go of control. All this sounds obvious, but when it comes to watching your teenage child learn about things that might distract, confuse, or even possibly endanger them, it is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things parents have to do. In addition, there is no single answer to your question. Each teen is unique, with different risk factors, differing capabilities and highly individual capacities for resilience. Questioning and resisting authority are a normal part of adolescence, as is an increase in personal freedom, so when parents say, I won’t allow you to see that person, it often backfires and sabotages parental attempts to keep older kids healthy, happy and safe.
So how do parents maintain a little control without seeming too controlling to their kids? One way is to arrange group events or gatherings when you can get to know some of your teen’s new friends in a casual, supervised setting. A movie night or sleepover can be a great way to let your teen’s friends see your family culture, and get an idea for what is important to you. You can also reach out to their parents to make arrangements for events, and that connection with them can help you keep track of who your
teen is hanging out with and how you can stay in touch with them when they are out there in “their” world. Events such as these can give you the opportunity to build some relationship with the kids your teen wants to be with. Even a little contact with you can help other kids to see you as “present” in your adolescent’s life. Sometimes, teens who aren’t really interested in observing your guidelines will deselect themselves from your kiddo’s close friend circle once they have met you and feel welcome in your home, because the dissonance of their values and yours is apparent. This can be a gentle way of showing your teen that certain behaviors are not a good fit for your family value system.
It is a good idea to for parents of teens to really do some thinking about values. What are your hopes for your teen, and your expectations of her? Try to come up with a list of five to ten qualities or traits you want for your kiddo’s life right now. Prioritize them. What are your top three? Once you have those three top values, try to determine which are reasonable for her at this time. Have you talked with her about these topics? Does she know how important they are to you? This is a conversation you are going to want to have more than once, preferably at naturally occurring, relaxed intervals. This is not a one-sided conversation or lecture, but an attempt at honesty and connection. Hold off on setting hard boundaries at first, and try to get into your child’s world. If possible, explore questions like, how does it make you feel when you hear your friends talking about this stuff? Or,
how do you handle it when so and does those things around you? Once you have built a little rapport around how life feels to your teen, you can share your values with her and she’ll be more likely to hear you. This kind of dialogue takes a little time and energy to develop and implement, but it is great practice for your upcoming adult relationship in which you will want to be able to address one another with respect and openness, even around difficult subjects. Parent/teen communication can certainly be challenging, but is essential for the parenting role at this stage of your child’s development. The bottom line is to increase your connection with your teen and her friends as much as possible, even as your teen is actively trying to decrease it. Once you feel she is basically safe, give her some freedom to explore her world in appropriate ways, to let her know you are supportive of her needs for independence. Your job as 24/7 supervisor is drawing to a close, and the more you can help your teen to be able to make positive choices in her present the better it will serve her in her future.
Megan Turner is a mother of two terrific children. She has worked with families in Oregon since the early 80’s. Besides hanging out with her husband and kids, Megan spends her time working as a parent trainer and pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work.
Waves
of Winter Fun! YEAR-ROUND INDOOR WAVE POOL
Some say they’re local, others want to be…
We’re your neighbors in Junction City.
at Lively Park 6100 Thurston Road, Springfield 541-736-4244 • willamalane.org
Look for us at your favorite grocer. Ask for us at your favorite restaurant.
Willamette $2 OFF
Christian School
individual admission or $4 OFF family
willamalane
Oregon Family Willamalane ads January 2013
Where children can discover God, develop academically, and demonstrate 6100 eld HisThurston love toRoad, theSpringfi community. Expires 5/30/13 • 541-736-4244
willamalane.org
Local Fresh Milk & Ice Cream
Page 2
Enrolling students Preschool through the 8th grade www.willamettechristianschool.com 2500 W 18th Ave. Eugene 541-686-8655 Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
continued from front cover… of the research on video games and violence, however, has tested gamers soon after they played a game, and might not reflect long-term effects.” This said, it makes one wonder if repeated exposure to violent images, and the participation in the planning and execution of violence results in a build-up of desensitization over time. Ms. Bowen and her colleague did also suggest t h at a d d it i on a l study could shed more light on the t he or y w it h, “a possible limitation to the study was that the volunteers d es c r ib e d t he i r arousal to violent images rather than being monitored for heart rate and other physiological responses, and that more study was needed.” In another study titled “The Effects of Video Game Violence on Physiological Desensitization to RealLife Violence,” which was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, the authors took the baseline measurements of heart rate and galvanic skin response (the skin’s response to stress, anxiety or fright based on its electrical properties) of 257 men and women. Afterwards they were given a video game to play - both violent titles and nonviolent titles were randomly provided. After playing the games the physiological responses were again taken, and the participants were asked to watch a 10-minute
video of violent outbursts, shootings, fights, and police confrontations. The results of the final set of physiological responses found that violent video game players had a lower skin response, and also had lower heart rates than the non-violent video game players. In short, they had less of a response to the images they were
shown and were more desensitized than nonviolent gamers. Possible Solutions There are two sides to every coin. Parents who are gamers themselves will probably be less concerned about the effects violent video games may, or may not, have on their children. Parents who don’t play video games may take the opposing stance. The decision is up to individual parents to make, based on their beliefs, the maturity level of the child, and perhaps the title and contents of each game.
Some things to consider: • Psychologists have determined children younger than 8 years of age do not have the mental capacity to separate reality from fiction. Thus, allowing them to play violent video games should be avoided. • In a 2010 study conducted by Brad Bushman of the Ohio State University, it was found that the effects of violent video games were long-lasting , at up to 24 hours, when
players reveled in the game. Perhaps parents who allow violent video gaming to occur should distract players immediately following a gaming session to help them switch their thought focus to something positive. • Many violent video game players can log in successive hours spent in front of a screen. It is proven that video game playing can become addictive. Limiting the amount of consecutive time spent playing video games can help. Like anything else in life, moderation is typically ideal. • Pay attention to game ratings.
Concerts coming up at
The Shedd
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mar 9
March, 2013 3.1 Ken Peplowski 3.6-17 Siri Vik: My Funny Valentine 3.8 Blues at The Crosssroads (Hult) 3.9 Ladysmith Black Mambazo 3.10 B. B. King (Hult)
The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts
Music School Private & group lessons on various instruments and in various styles (including dance & voice), classes and vacation camps for all ages, including preschool, school age, adults & seniors.
You can can join Fall classes in process! Drop in to The Music Box any week! Call The Shedd Music School and register today!
Start private lessons any time! Register: 541-434-7015 Shedd Music School Major Supporter
The Shedd: 868 High Street (corner of Broadway & High) www.theshedd.org
OFC-Shedd 1 Check us out2013-03.indd on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
April, 2013 4.5 & 7 Evynne Hollens: Contemporary Songbook 2 4.12 Molly Ringwald 4.23 Taj Mahal & Shemekia Copeland (Hult) 4.25 John Pizzarelli 4.27 The Bad Plus May, 2013 5.1 Hapa 5.9-17 Jazz Kings: You Made Me Love You - Judy Garland 5.18 Magical Moombah! Full Moon Moombah!
The Magical Moombah! Full Moon Moombah May 18!! A m Vau usical d for ev i l le k ids !
June, 2013 6.7 Frank Vignola 6.12-16 Musical: No, No Nanette! Visit theshedd.org for more information!
Only
Shedd Presenting Sponsor
Many video games are played by youths younger than what they are rated for. Parents should not leave it up to the ratings and research the games before they are purchased or played. • If violent video game play is allowed, parents may attempt to offset the effects with another outlet, like exercise. Schedule a run, walk or planned activity after a video game session to let your child burn off the resulting aggressive behavior. It still is not definitive whether video games or violent programming desensitizes t o d a y ’s y o u t h . However, perhaps the answer is to not wait for a concrete answer and to be proactive. Perhaps the answer is that today’s children are already numb to what can be seen, because of the sheer volume of questionable content. Whatever the case, parents must make their determinations based on what they believe is in the best interests of their children. Despite the studies, ratings, and opinions on the subject, violent video games have not been proven to be the root of the traumatic events that seem to plague society today. However, it is being in touch with emotions, aware of one’s behavior and the appropriateness of others’ and having a firm grasp on reality that can help build a strong, contributing member of society. After all, isn’t that the goal every parent has?
-Ha! a H Ha
$5
2/20/2013 2:54:37 PagePM 3
Mo ieTime by Bonnie L. Harris
Vanellope and Wreck-It Ralph prove that friends come in all sizes.
There’s No One I’d Rather Be Than Me Walt Disney Pictures, Rated PG Released on home video March 5, 2013
T
here’s an amazing, thirty-year story behind Disney’s newest animated feature, Wreck-It Ralph, which deserves as much notice as this wonderful film. The little idea started back in 1980 at the Disney Studios with a pitch about a fulllength, animated feature starring video game characters. Although reworked and rewritten several times, the concept was shelved in the 1990’s and through 2000. When Pixar creator, John Lasseter, assumed leadership of the Disney Animation Studios in 2006, the story was rediscovered and given to director, Rich Moore, to develop. The project went through four different titles in three decades, but Moore decided that Wreck-It
Ralph was the perfect name for the fictionalized bad guy, who almost wrecks the organized world of the video arcade, and then becomes the hero who saves it. As a part of the Fix-It Felix Jr. video game, Ralph’s job is to destroy the brick building where all the pint-sized characters live. The hero with a hammer, named Felix, rebuilds the damage and receives a gold medal at the end of the game while everyone tosses Ralph off the roof. Finally, Ralph decides he’s had enough of getting booted off the building, living in the garbage
family > farm > fresh
our family’s best! the freshest milk and ice cream
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. stop by and stock up on cool drinks or quick, healthy snacks. We’re in the neighborhood. Come see us soon! FinD Us onLine: Page 4
www.darimart.com
70 years ~ 4 generations ~ 44 stores
Proudly serving our family’s Lochmead products www.facebook.com/darimart
dump, and being the bad guy. In order to show the other characters in Fix-It Felix that he’s also heroic,
Ralph decides to go in search of a gold medal when the video arcade powers down for the night. At Tapper’s bar, he overhears that gamers who play Hero’s Duty win a gold medal, and even though he has no idea how to be a soldier in Hero’s Duty, Ralph sneaks into the game to play. He’s confident that winning a gold medal will ultimately fulfill his wish and help change his identity. Ralph’s blundering mistakes cause Hero’s Duty to reset, and while the other soldiers are returning to base camp, Ralph climbs the beacon that contains their gold medal and takes it. As he stumbles into an escape pod clutching his medal, Ralph unintentionally activates a Cy-bug virus, which hitches a ride on the pod. After careening through Game Central Station, and scaring the daylights out of other video characters, the escape pod crash lands in the Sugar Rush game. Here the story splits into two tracks with two sets of characters who unknowingly work towards the same goal. Without a bad guy, the Fix-It Felix game shuts down and a big “Out of Order” sign is taped over the screen. Felix begins looking for Ralph so he can convince him to return to the game before the arcade owner permanently pulls the plug. Felix follows Ralph’s trail through Hero’s Duty, and together with Sergeant Calhoun, they track him
to the Sugar Rush game. Sergeant Calhoun is especially worried about the Cy-bugs, which if left to multiply, could infect and destroy all the games in the arcade. In the meantime, Ralph thinks he’s lost his gold medal in a sweet & sticky ooze in Sugar Rush, but it’s really been taken by a mischievous, glitchy character named Vanellope. The candy-themed girls in Sugar Rush are speed racers and Vanellope uses Ralph’s gold medal to enter the Grand Prix so she can race with her home-made pedal car. The other girls make fun of Vanellope, her ridiculous car, and her glitchiness, so Ralph decides to help her build a real race car and learn to drive it. While Vanellope and Ralph focus on winning the Grand Prix, Felix and Sergeant Calhoun discover the evil Cy-bugs beneath the Sugar Rush race track. Then, Ralph finds out that if Vanellope can just cross the finish line, the game will reset and cure her glitchiness. At last Felix and Ralph meet up during the Grand Prix, but they have no time to waste because the Cy-bugs begin their vicious attack. Seconds before everything is destroyed, Ralph realizes he can be a true hero by using his wreck-it strength to destroy the Cy-bug virus, rescue his friends, and save the arcade. Speeding along at the pace of a video game, Wreck-It Ralph uses incredible graphics, award-winning music, and narrative surprises to entertain young audiences. At the same time, the film is a humorous and heart-warming return to yesterday’s arcade for adult video gamers. Even if you know nothing at all about video games, Ralph’s enchanting journey to selfrealization will have you cheering for the bad guy. As an added bonus, Wreck-It Ralph has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
Read&PLAY
Spring Into a Great Book this Spring! by Jennifer Galvin
Birds chirping, flowers blooming, trees sprouting green leaves.... With March comes spring and all the beauty that accompanies it. Celebrate the arrival of spring by reading some of these fabulous books and doing some of these fun projects together!
Read...
Cheer Up, Mouse!
by Jed Henry; Houghton Mifflin, $12.99; ages 3-7
What will cheer up Mouse? All of Mouse's friends think they know the answer, but as you journey along with Mouse, you'll see that they try to cheer Mouse up with their favorite things. Rabbit wants him to jump, Mole wants him to dig, and Bird even takes him up on a wire to sing and hum. None of this works and finally Mouse is able to quiet his friends down enough to show them—he just needs a hug! Animals bounce, roll, sing, and even chew through this adventure to cheer up Mouse!
Hey, Duck!
by Carin Bramsen; Random House, $17.99; ages 3-6
When a little duck meets a cat, the duck is sure the cat will be a new duck friend! The cat is not so sure. The duck thinks the cat should just join in and play. The cat tries to explain it's not a duck and doesn't want to play, until— duck leaves. Then the cat is all alone and missing that “ducky” feeling. Will these two ever make it as friends? Find out in this adorable book that shows that friends don't have to be exactly alike to have fun together!
Lois Ehlert's Growing Garden: Three Books About Our Beautiful World by Lois Ehlert; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $14.99; ages 4-8
This is a fabulous collection of books from Lois Ehlert that includes, “Planting a Rainbow,” “Growing Vegetable Soup,” and “Eating the Alphabet.” All three books are illustrated in Ehlert's bright, bold cut-paper style. Perfect for a springtime reading before you go out to play in your own garden. Maybe you'll even want to plant a rainbow of vegetables or veggies for soup yourself, just like in the books!
Lucky Ducklings
by Eva Moore; Orchard Books, $16.99; ages 5-8
A true story about five baby ducks that get saved after they get stuck down a storm drain trying to cross the street. Luminous illustrations fill this story about Mama Duck and her five ducklings, Pippin, Bippin, Tippin, Dippin, and Little Joe. As Mama Duck tries to help the ducklings cross the road, one by one, they fall into the storm drain. Fortunately someone sees and an adventure to rescue them follows. This is a story children will want to hear again and again!
Next Stop Grand Central Station
by Maira Kalman; Nancy Paulsen Books, $16.99; ages 4-8
Re-released for the one hundredth birthday of Grand Central station, this book is as delightful as ever! Filled with fun, bright, illustrations and featuring all the craziness that is Grand Central, this book is captivating! An inside look at what goes on at Grand Central, this book will make you want to go see Grand Central in action!
...and play Make some flowers to beautify your home while you are waiting for your garden to grow Materials: Coffee filters, watercolor paints, a paintbrush, a cup of water, and green pipe cleaners. Directions: Add water to your watercolor paints so they are very watery. Use your paintbrush to drop paint onto the coffee filter. Let dry. Grab the center of the coffee filter from the bottom and squeeze the filter together to form a flower shape. Twist the pipe cleaner around the bottom of the flower shape to form the stem. Make several flowers and put them in a vase to brighten up your house while you wait for your real flowers to grow.
Paint with fruits and vegetables Materials: Two apples, a potato, some celery, a carrot, a sharp knife (only an adult should use the sharp knife), white construction paper, tempera paint, and a paper plate. Directions: Cut e ach apple in half. Cut one in half vertically and the other in half horizontally. Cut a potato and a carrot in half. Pour a small amount of several colors of tempera paint onto your paper plate. Let your child dip the fruits and vegetables in the paint and then print them on the paper. The apple that is cut in half horizontally will have a star shape in the middle when he prints it. Use the fruits and vegetables to print patterns and make cool pictures.
Grow Some Runner Beans Materials: Runner bean seeds, space in a garden, poles to tie up the beans once they start growing tall, string or twine, water, and patience. Directions: Plant the beans in a circle. When the beans start to vine upward, make a teepee out of sticks for the bean plants to climb. When the beans get big enough, pick them and enjoy! Jennifer Galvin is never far from her children, a paintbrush, or a good book. You can find her on the web at www.jennifergalvin.com.
Babies, Teens & In-Betweens
Clementine and the Spring Trip
by Sara Pennypacker; Disney/Hyperion, $14.99; ages 7-10
Join Clementine for a delightful spring journey. Clementine's class is going to Plimoth Plantation. Plus, she has even planted her very own apple tree and is waiting for it to grow. Clementine is excited for the trip and pairing up with her best friend Margaret. However, a new girl arrives and Clementine gets paired up with her for the trip. And, to make matters worse, the fourth graders, who are coming on the trip, are tyrants about eating loud. How will she survive? Find out in this fun spring adventure! Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
Dr. Naoko, Dr. Todd, Christine Hurst NP
1442 South A Street
Springfield
726-4100
An independent practice providing personalized care with 24 hr. physician coverage
Page 5
Story Times and Play Groups
Blues legend B.B. King, dazzling audiences for more than half a century, returns to Eugene. Sunday, March 10th at the Hult Center.
Baby Story time (to 12mos) Fridays 10:15 & 11:15am. Wonderful Ones Story time, 10:15 & 11am, Terrific Twos Story time, Tues 10:15 & 11:00, Preschool Story time (ages 3-6), Weds 10:15 & 11:00, Sensory Storytime Eugene library, call for days and locations, Ph 682-8316 Family Story Time, Fri 11:15am Sheldon Branch Library and Fridays at 11:15am at Sheldon Branch Library. Ph 682-8316 Preschool Story time (ages 3-6) Weds 10:00am, Lapsit Story time (ages 0-3) Weds 10am, Springfield Public Library, Ph 726-3766 Weekly Lap sit: Preschool (ages 3-6) and Lap sit (infants & toddlers) story time, Weds 10am, SF Library. Ph 726-3766 Barnes & Noble weekly story time, Whimsical Weds 6:30pm. Toddler-Time, Weds 10am. Ph 687-0356 MOMS Club - An organization for at-home moms & children. Members based on zip code. http://eugenemomsclub.org/ Westside Indoor Playground – A parent run co-op playground. For at home moms/dads & their children ages 0-5 yrs. Located at 4445 Royal Ave Eugene, OR. www.westsideindoorplayground.webs.com, Ph 541-688-9085 Indoor Playground. Monday’s and Thursdays, Join your child for an active morning of indoor play in our gymnasium. We will provide the games and toys; you provide the fun. 2/3-4/28, 9-11am, $2, Ph 736-4544 Besure to check out our listings for classes and workshops at www.oregonfamily.com
On-Going Events SF Library New Readers’ Book Club, age 8 and under, third Tuesday of each month, 4-5pm. Pre-reg. Ph 726-3766
ExPlorE. DisCovEr. EngagE.
Dog Tale Time. Kids build skills by reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers courtesy of PAAWS (People and Animals
Who Serve), a local chapter of the Delta Society. Grades K-6. Eugene Library, 2-3:30pm, Ph 682-8316, FREE!
Bring your kids to the MEGGA Hunt, and find your share of more than 20,000 prize eggs! Meet E. Bunny, ride on the Willamalane Train, enjoy live entertainment and participate in crafts and games. Saturday, March 30th at Lively Park.
The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Planetarium. In the exhibit hall, “Noise!!”. Open daily 10-4pm. In the Planetarium, shows vary, Mon-Fri 2pm, Sat/Sun times vary. Springfield Gateway Farmer’s & Artist’s Market. Plenty of parking and the freshest produce of the season grown by local farmers. New LTD covered walkway; Springfield. Tuesday’s 4-8pm, Ph 747-6294, FREE! Saturday Market/Farmers Market. The oldest, open-air market in the United States offers great food, local crafts and live entertainment. Every Saturday, Oak & 8th St. Rain or shine. 10am – 5pm, Ph 686-8885, FREE!
MuseuM of Natural and Cultural H i s t o ry
Children’s Programs Little Wonders: Stories and Activities for Pre-Kindergarteners Wednesdays, March 6 and April 3 11:00 a.m.–noon Join us at the museum on the first Wednesday of each month for this free event!
Archaeology No-School Day Monday, April 1 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. School may not be in session, but the learning and fun don’t have to stop! Children ages seven to eleven will explore the fascinating worlds of archaeology and paleontology during this full day of activities. Visit natural-history.uoregon.edu to learn more about these and other museum events. 1680 E. 15th Avenue, Eugene · 541-346-3024
CAMPS ARE COMING! From March through August, Oregon Family’s Camp Directory is a parents’ survival guide covering both Spring Break and Summer camps. In addition to ads from all the area camps, the Camp Grid gives readers all the important details on participating camps at a glance. The best way to be a Happy Camper is to see and bee seen in the Oregon Family Camp Directory!
SPRING & SUMMER 2013 Advertisers get a FREE website listing with their ad!
To reserve a space in the Camps Directory, call 683-7452 Page 6
Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
Oregon Family
Public Skate @ The Ice Center. Call for skate times. Ph 682-3615 South Eugene Farmers’ Market. Local produce, free samples, free parking. This event occurs every week on Saturday. Southtowne Shoppes, 9am-3pm, Ph 895-3431, FREE! Veneta’s Downtown Farmers’ Market. Local farmers showcase their goods directly to residents and visitors. Territorial Hwy & W. Broadway, Friday’s 2-6pm, Ph 4637565, FREE! FREE admission at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History every Wednesday. Also come enjoy a FREE 45 minute guided tour every Friday at 1:00 and 3:00. Ph 346-1671, FREE!
Compost Demo by Lane County OSU Extension Service. For beginning to experienced composters, these hands-on workshops will cover the basics of how composting works, which materials to use, different methods of composting and types of compost bins. OSU Extension Service, 905 Flamingo (Springfield), 10am, Ph 344-5859, FREE! Stories and craft with Pattibuff. “Puppets!”. Springfield Library, 1pm, all ages, Ph 726-3766, FREE!
3 Sunday Panel: Eugene Counterculture: Then and Now. Panelists Kim Still (Sat Market) Judith “Sparky” Roberts (Theater Professor) Suzy Prozanski (Author) and Ron Eachus (political columnist) share stories about Eugene during the West of Center years. Jordan Schnitzer, 2pm, FREE!
march
4 Monday U of O Women’s Basketball. Come see the Ducks take on Utah. Matthew Knight Arena, time TBD, $5-15, Ph 1-800-WEB-FOOT Chamber Music Amici: Concert 4. Features Owen Quintet for Amici, Beethoven “Kakadu Variations” for piano trio, Mozart Quintet for oboe and strings, and guests Amy Goeser Kolb, oboe and Anne Ridlington, cello. Wildish Theater, 7:30pm, $95-120, Ph 868-0689 Gaye Lee Russell at Pints Gone Wild. Gaye Lee Russell and the Badass Band are coming to Pints in March on the Ninkasi patio. Hear some great music, enjoy some superb beer and support one of the most effective conservation groups in the West: Cascadia Wildlands. Ninkasi Brewery, 5:30-9, Ph 434-1463, FREE! Tween Scene. 9 to 13 year olds are invited drop by, make a craft, play a game, and have a snack. Springfield Library, 3:30-4:30pm, Ph 726-3766, FREE!
Calendar 6
Wednesday
Little Wonders: Stories and Activities for Pre-K. “Ducks Don’t Get Wet” by Augusta Goldin. Learn all about our duck friends during this rainy time of year. Children will try waterproofing feathers and they’ll make a feathered friend to take home. Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 11am-noon, FREE! Ph 541-346-5083
7
Thursday
Creswell Farmer’s Market. Every Tuesday year round. Farm fare that ranges from local fruits and vegetables to home grown meats. 4pm - 6pm, 182 South 2nd St. Creswell (Heidi Tunnel’s Bakery) Ph. 541-895-2096
Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market. The area’s largest flea market with 300 tables of vintage, collectibles, wares and services. Live music while you shop. Since 1970. Lane Events Center, $1.50, 8am-4pm, Ph 683-5589.
Family Music Time. Rich Glauber. Eugene Library, 10:15am, Ph 682-8316, FREE! Home & Garden Show. 10am-5pm, see the 7th Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour - Florence Launch. Pick up tour passports and the list of new caches. On the tour you will visit giant dunes, long sand beaches, hidden trails, and historic Old Town gems before heading east through the coast range. Driftwood Shores, 9am-11pm, Ph 484-5307, FREE! Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Just as much about physicality and choreography as it has been about brilliant vocal harmonies. The Shedd Institute for the Arts, $28-38, Ph 434-7000 The Dance Factory Jazz Companies present “Up Close”. First annual, two-day, one-of-a-kind benefit show with all net proceeds going directly towards a worthy non-profit: Courageous Kids. Wildish Theater, 7:30pm, $15, Ph 4847000 Emerald Valley Opry, featuring: Timothy Patrick, The Trammels, Satori Bob, Bob Manning and Honky Tonk Road Show, Kimberly Murray. Benefit to help Bethel Schools music programs. Powers Auditorium Willamette High School, doors open 5pm, concert 6:00-9:30pm, $3-$7, under 7 free, Ph 688-0937
10 Sunday “Up Close”. 2pm, see th 9th B.B. King. For more than half a century, Riley “B.B.” King, has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Hult Center, 7:30pm, $39-69, Ph 682-5000
11 Monday Preschool Fun with Art and Science. Springfield Library, 10:30am-11:00am, ages 3-6, FREE!
12 Tuesday Spring New Volunteer Orientation. Love nature? Enjoy kids? Learn all about leading spring school nature walks in Alton Baker Park, as well as other Nearby Nature volunteer opportunities. Training in April. Eugene Library, 6:30-8pm, Ph 687-9699
8
13 Wednesday
Friday
Blues at the Crossoads: Muddy & The Wolf. After a sucessful tour with the Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts, Blues At The Crossroads returns to celebrate the two ledgends, MUDDY WATERS and HOWLIN’ WOLF. Hult Center, 7:30pm, $27-39, Ph 682-5000
Veneta Saturday Mkt. A great place to find crafts, music, food and plants. Territorial Hwy & W. Broadway, Sat 105pm, Ph 935-2750, FREE!
9 Saturday
34th Annual Home & Garden Show. Shop, compare and enjoy over 300 home & garden exhibits! From plant and bulb sales, springtime gardens in bloom to outdoor living & garden equipment & 42 home and garden How-To’s. Bring food donations for FOOD for Lane County. Lane Events Center, 5pm-9pm, canned food donation for entry.
Home & Garden Show. 10am-9pm, see the 7th
Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings their dynamic choreography and brilliant vocal harmonies to The Shedd. Saturday, March 9th.
Opening Reception for Silent Spaces: Photographs by Jon Meyers. Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 6-8pm, Ph 541-346-5083, FREE!
Springfield Library Book Sale. Springfield Library Book Sale, fundraiser for the library. Thousands of gently used books. Most books $1 or $2. Springfield Library, 10am-5pm, Ph 746-1805, FREE! Swing Shift Jazz Orchestra presents vocalist Greta Matassa and bassist husband Clipper Anderson. From Seattle, they are are international performers with high accolades everywhere they go. Wildish Theater, 7:30pm, $10-15, tix at www.wildishtheater.com
WREN Wetland Wander. Wetland Wanders are casual walks through various West Eugene Wetlands sites. Meadowlark Prairie. 9-10:30am, FREE!
Schnitzer Cinema: The Haight-Asbury Quartet w/ Loren Sears. Loren Sears will show and discuss a selection of his early work (1967-1971) Personal documentary that uses superimposition and optical printing to portray private and communal life in SF. Jordan Schnitzer, 6-7pm, Free-$5 Family Music Time. Rich Glauber. Eugene Library, 10:15am, Ph 682-8316, FREE!
14 Thursday Making the Most of Your Kids’ Nature Experience. learn some fun techniques games & activities that will make you an awesome nature guide. Bring the whole family. REI, 7-8pm, Ph 465-1800 FREE! Siri Vik: My Funny Valentine. A re-visioning of her touching Spring 2012 tribute to Lorenz Hart, Where Or When. The Shedd Institute for the Arts, 7:30pm, $24-32, Ph 434-7000
calendar continued on neXt page…
The Corner Market. Dedicated to providing customers with fresh, local produce, this market fills up your basket with seasonal colors. Corner of Thomason & River Rd, noon6pm, Ph 513-4527, FREE!
Leaders online. Leaders worldwide.
Hideaway Bakery’s Saturday Farmers Market. Featuring local organic produce. Fresh turkey, chicken, duck and goose eggs. Goat cheese, jerky and herbs, fresh pork, and organic coffee. Behind Mazzi’s & Hideaway Bakery. Saturday’s 9am-2pm, Ph 868-1982, FREE!
Most online colleges are younger than you are, but Oregon State University has been making a global impact since 1868. That legacy inspires faculty like Mehra Shirazi, a respected leader on international women’s issues who is one of many reasons why Oregon State Ecampus is ranked among the nation’s 10 best online universities.
Youth Farm Stand. Buy fresh produce from local teens who work this three-acre organic farm. Proceeds benefit Food for Lane County. Lane County Youth Farm, Sats 10am-2pm, Ph 343-2822, FREE!
MARCH CALENDAR 1 Friday Free First Friday. Enjoy the museum’s new exhibits and old classics. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 11am-5pm, FREE!
Experience it for yourself. Choose from more than 30 online degrees. Spring term starts April 1.
Eugene Generals Hockey. See some of the best junior level hockey players take the ice as the Generals host West Sound in their regular season finale. Lane Ice Center, 7:35, $6-10, Ph 359-4154
Apply today.
First Friday. Eugene Public Library hosts West Winds Flute Choir, 6pm, Ph 682-6617, FREE!
2 Saturday Ken Peplowski. The music director of The Shedd’s annual Oregon Festival of American Music returns for another mid-winter evening of straight-ahead. The Shedd Institute for the Arts, 7:30pm, $24-36, Ph 434-7000
Mehra Shirazi, Ph.D. Assistant professor Department of Women Studies
ecampus.oregonstate.edu/family 800-667-1465
Family Music Time. Anahid Bertrand. Eugene Library, 10:15am, Ph 682-8316, FREE!
Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
Page 7
calendar cont’D… 15 Friday
20 Wednesday
Siri Vik: My Funny Valentine. See the 14th
Ease on Down the Road. Journey with us down the yellow brick road in song, dance and OS-some fun! Presented by Corridor School. Soreng Theater, 7pm, 15, Ph 682-5000
Dead Man Walking. Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, featuring Metropolitan Opera star Janis Kelly. Presented by the Eugene Opera. Silva Concert Hall, 7:30pm, $20-84, Ph 682-5000 Lego Club, ages 2-18, Springfield Library, 2-4pm, Ph 726-3766
16 Saturday Cavalcade of Crawling Creatures. Meet turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs and salamanders, and get tips on how to take care of your own cold-blooded pets at home. The Science Factory, 10am-4pm, Ph 682-7888 Oregon Preview. Kick-off the outdoor track and field season at Historic Hayward Field with this meet featuring collegiate and post-collegiate athletes. Hayward Field
Jeff Dunham Disorderly Conduct. Dunham’s famed troupe of sidekicks are back! Matthew Knight Arena, 7:30pm, $46.50, Ph 682-5000
17 Sunday Siri Vik: My Funny Valentine. 2pm, See the 14th Dead Man Walking. 2:30pm, See the 14th
19 Tuesday Special Puppet Jammie Storytime. Come in your pajamas for an evening of stories. All ages welcome. Springfield Library, 7pm, Ph (541) 726-3766, FREE!
West Side Story. Bernstein’s epic love story brings to life the struggle to rise above hatred and intolerance. Silva Concert Hall, 3pm/8pm, $37.50-57.50, Ph 682-5000 Be sure to check out our listings for Camps, Classes, and Workshops at www.oregonfamily.com
Bring in Spring 5K. Come celebrate spring with an evening run/walk at a unique location, with a fantastic post-race celebration at Ninkasi Brewing Co. Sladden Park, 6pm, $20, Ph 484-9883
Oregon Children’s Choir Concert and Dessert Fundraiser. Enjoy an afternoon of Song and Dessert! All of our choirs will be performing in a free concert, then afterwards we will have a dessert fundraiser and silent dessert auction. First United Methodist Church, 3pm, concert FREE (desserts $1-5), Ph 343-0840 Spring 2013 Family Exploration Days! Catch insects, investigate plants, watch wildlife, and enjoy experiential learning in nature. Meet at parking area on Greenhill Rd between W. 11th & Royal Ave. 10am – 2pm, bring picnic lunch, water, hat. Ph 338-7047, FREE!
MEGGA Hunt. Hunt for your share of more than 20,000 prize eggs. Meet E. Bunny, ride on the Willamalane Train, enjoy live entertainment and participate in crafts and games. Lively Park, 9:30am-noon, $5/child, Ph 736-4544
Ease on Down the Road. See the 20th
Dead Man Walking. See the 14th
Kids’ Adventure Club Spring Family Day. Experts from Geocaching.com will be on-site to teach kids and their families about geocaching basics and provide all the equipment needed to go on a geocaching treasure hunt. Free juice, coffee and snacks will be served. Lane County Adventure Center, 10am-noon, Ph 484-5307, FREE!
30 Saturday
Nano Day. Find out what scientists are doing at the molecular level and learn how new technologies are beginning to revolutionize our lives. The Science Factory, 11am-3pm, Ph 682-7888
21 Thursday
Eugene Symphony presents Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Audience favorite Stefan Jackiw returns to perform Beethoven’s endearing Violin Concerto. Also spotlights talented musicians in Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. Will leave you breathless. Hult Center, 8pm, $33-59, Ph 682-5000
Family Music Time. Anahid Bertrand. Eugene Library, 10:15am, Ph 682-8316, FREE!
of vintage, collectibles, wares and services. Live music while you shop. Since 1970. Lane Events Center, $1.50, 8am-4pm, Ph 683-5589.
22 Friday Science Factory After Dark. Enjoy this special program for adults only to celebrate science and visual arts. View Nikon’s Small World Photomicrography Competition 2012, have fun with Noise! and watch Festival of Dome Film Shorts in the Exploration Dome. 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 21+ only, $7, Ph 682-7888
23 Saturday
Don’t let a tough economy put YOU into hiding...
Puppet Show! “Jack and the Dragon” performed by Oregon Shadow Theater. Wildish Theater, 1 & 3pm, ages 5 and up, Ph 726-3766, FREE!
24 Sunday Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market. The area’s largest flea market with 300 tables
Audience favorite Stefan Jackiw returns to perform Beethoven’s endearing Violin Concerto, presented by Eugene Symphony. Thursday, March 21st at the Hult Center.
If your customers don’t see you, you’re as good as gone! Oregon Family has budget friendly advertising plans to help you reach Families! Call today for a no-cost advertising consultation, and get back in front of your customers!
541.683.7452 www.oregonfamily.com Page 8
Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
SPRING & SUMMER 2013
Spring Break Camps University of Oregon Youth Enrichment & TAG Programs
Spring Break Classes on UO Campus
Mornings and Grades 2-5 Afternoons on the UO Campus
Hands-On Equations, Creative Writing Computers and more! Visit our website at:
uoyetag.uoregon.edu or call the office for more information: 541-346-3084
SPRING BREAK CAMPS!
National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics
Camps Camps Camps!
z Gymnastics camps ages 4 - 12
Circus Camps age 7 and older z 1/2 day & Full Day Camps z Single Day Reservations Welcome z March 25th - 29th and April 1st
Here Comes the Fun... Where Fitness is Fun and Confidence Grows
Spring / summer Camps
485-4589
DUER’S
Read Ahead Camp Sum Fun Multiply & Divide Fraction Action Solve This! and More!
541.345.3018
MARTIAL ARTS
Session 1: July 7 – July 20, 2013 Session 2: July 21 – August 3, 2013
CERTIFIED TEACHERS, ONE-ON-ONE ALL SUBJECTS, GRADES K-12 TRUSTED IN-HOME TUTORS SINCE 1990
541-484-4133
al
Sp ir
itu
cs ati
g/
Aq u
mb in
Cli
mp Ca
Hik ing
rts
ing
Ro p
es
kR idi ng Sp o
eb
es
ac
rA rts Ga m
s
ate
Th e
ce
ic
dT rip Fie l
• •
Da n
Ar
ts
&
Cra f
ts
ing ter s
g/
Wr it
ce ien Sc &
din Re a
AGES
UO Youth Enrichment / TAG Program
541.346.1405 uoyetag.uoregon.edu
www.lanetutoringservice.com
At-A-Glance
June 24 - July 12 Mornings, Afternoons & All Day
uoyetag.uoregon.edu • 541-346-1404
Ma th
Camps
Enrichment for Advanced Learners Completing Grades K – 5
Residential Camp on UO Campus For Gifted & Highly Able Youth (Grades 6-10)
mp u
Outdoors, Hands-On, EWEB Scholarships
541-687-9699 www.nearbynature.org
Uo SUper SUmmer 2013!
Summer Enrichment Program
Co
ps
m er ayca m D Ages 3-15, Weekly Sessions
Send Your Brain To Camp!
duersataoregon.com for more details
um
Can be used for Spring Break & Summer camp | Exp: 3/20/13 Excludes Mini Camp | Only for new families
Spring Break Camps!
Open to all kids! Make New Friends! - Great Work-out! Have Fun! - Safe Learning! Structured Environment!
LANE TUTORING SERVICE S
Science, Discovery
www.educate.com
Mar 25-24 • Jun 24-28 Jul. 22-26 • Aug. 12-16
Summer Camps arby Nature e N Adventure
Camp discount is for a full week either half day or fullday
475 W. 5th Ave | 541-914-6040 www.kipstersgymnastics.com Downtown Eugene
Ho rs
EMFC Spring Break Camp March 26th-28th at Lane Community College Ages 6-11 from 9am-noon Ages 12-17 from 1-4pm www.emfc.org
$10 offclassorcamp
♦Dance ♦Games ♦Crafts
♦Half, full day,1-day or extra care
www.bouncegymnastics.com
Little Metros: Spring Skills Academy Ages: U6-U10 or 1st - 4th grade Begins April 15th for six weeks www.emfc.org
www.emfc.org
♦2 to Teens ♦Gymnastics ♦Trampolines
5 41-3 43-4222 / 329 W. 3rd Ave. 1-343-4222
z 344-2002 z www.naag-gymnastics.org
Eugene Metro Futbol Club 541-343-5100
March 25-2, April 1-5 & All Summer Long
Fantastic Classes & Camps for All Ages!
Mu s
In Eugene
Gymnastics & Dance Spring & Summer Camps
z
Full Day or Half Day Drop-ins Welcome
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Bounce Gymnastics Camp Harlow Duer’s ATA Martial Arts
www.bouncegymnastics.com www.campharlow.com duersataoregon.com
541-343-4222 541-683-5416 541-345-3018
4-12 5-18 4-12
Eugene Metro Futbol Club Kipsters Gymnastics Lane Tutoring Service National Academy of Gymnastics Nearby Nature
www.emfc.org www.kipstersgymnastics.com www.lanetutoringservice.com www.naag-gymnastics.org www.nearbynature.org
541-343-5100 541-914-6040 541- 484-4133 541-744-2002 541-687-9699
Sylvan Learning Center U of O Summer Enrichment
www.educate.com uoyetag.uoregon.edu
541-485-4589 541-346-1405
6-17 2-14 6-18 5-13 3-15 6-18 6-12
U of O Super Summer uoyetag.uoregon.edu 541-346-1404 U of O Youth Enrichment/TAG uoyetag.uoregon.edu 541-346-3084 Whole Earth Nature School www.WholeEarthNatureSchool.com 541-937-KIDS Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
• • •
5-11 5-11 4-teen
• • • • • •
•
•
• • • • •
• •
•
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Page 9
azine ental Mag o m r i n e Env rs of E/Th d o t E i From the
“It’s not too late to get our fishing practices back on track,” reports NRDC. “Using smart laws, policies, incentives, and market demand, we can help sustain fish populations at healthy levels for years to come.” The decisions of policymakers play the key role in marine protection, but individual choices and Credit: iStockPhoto
Dear EarthTalk: I understand that many of the world’s fisheries are on the brink of collapse, “fished out,” to put it bluntly. How did this happen and what is being done about it? —Mariel LaPlante, New Orleans, LA Many of the world’s fisheries are indeed in crisis today due to years of overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, 57 percent of global fish populations are “fully exploited” and another 30 percent are ”overexploited or collapsed.” This leaves just 13 percent in the “non-fully-exploited” category, down from 40 percent less than four decades ago. The non-profit Natural Resources
541-302-1810 • 449 Willamette St.
HOURS:
Tue, Wed & Fri 11am - 6pm Thur 11am - 9pm • Sat 11am - 5pm www.materials-exchange.org
Free for Teachers! Our Teacher Resource Room is filled with reusable stuff for art, science and projects--and a great library of project ideas!
Saturday Kids
Workshops
All-ages craft projects for kids and families. Puzzles, robots, rockets, puppets, and more!
Defense Council (NRDC) reports that many of the most popular fish, such as cod, snapper and tuna, are dangerously depleted yet continue to be overfished. Fishing operations have only been able to satisfy rising demand for fish and shellfish in recent decades by using increasingly high-tech strategies like on-vessel refrigeration and processing, spotter planes and GPS satellites. Furthermore, says Matthew Roney of the non-profit Earth Policy Institute, “Industrial fishing fleets initially targeted the northern hemisphere’s coastal fish stocks, but then as stocks were depleted, they expanded progressively southward on average close to one degree of latitude annually since 1950.” “The escalating pursuit of fish… has had heavy ecological consequences, including the alteration of marine food webs via a massive reduction in the populations of larger, longer-lived predatory fish such as tunas, cods and marlins,” reports Roney. In addition, he says, sophisticated fishing techniques aimed at maximizing catches, such as longlines and bottom-scraping trawls, kill large
Many of the world’s fisheries are in crisis today due to years of overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, some of the most popular fish -- including cod (pictured here), snapper and tuna, are dangerously depleted yet continue to be overfished.
numbers of non-target species such as sea turtles, sharks and coral. Roney is optimistic despite the trends. “In several well-studied regional systems, multiple fisheries have bounced back from collapse after adopting a combination of management measures,” he says. “These include restricting gear types, lowering the total allowable catch, dividing shares of the catch among fishers, and designating marine protected.” He cites an example of Kenyan communities removing beach seine nets and creating “no-take” zones leading to an increase in total fish, fish sizes and fishing income. And no-take reserves established around parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef led to a doubling of fish stocks and size within the boundaries of protected areas and larger populations throughout the region.
consumer advocacy also make a difference. “We can all support sustainable fishing by wisely choosing which fish to eat, spreading the word to friends and family, and contacting our lawmakers to make sure they support responsible policies,” says NRDC. Consumers can learn which fish are OK to buy by consulting with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, available for free via the web and phone apps. CONTACTS: NRDC, www.nrdc. org; Earth Policy Institute, www. earth-policy.org; Seafood Watch, www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/ seafoodwatch.aspx. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
Student of the Month
Drop in 11am - 3pm. All materials included
$3-$5 donation per child.
• Challenging Curriculum
Adult must accompany kids under age10
New projects taught each week! Saturday Kids Workshops also sponsored by
Bring this ad with you to get to a
C o n g r at u l at i o n s
Staciea Compton
FREE admission
Saturday Kids Workshop this ad sponsored by LANE COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Page 10
• Self-Directed Learning
485-4589 u Reading u Writing u Math u SAT/ACT u Study Skills
• Multi-Age Classrooms • No Tuition
Pre-Lottery tours and info: Thursday, Feb. 28, 6:30 pm Saturday, March 9, 10:00 am K-8 Fall 2013 Enrollment begins in March
For Details Call 541-681-9662 or visit www.ridgeline.org Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read conflicting reports about the dangers of non-stick cookware. I have a set of older non-stick pans and am not sure if I need to replace them. Are they harmful to use, particularly if they have a few scratches? — Miriam Jones, Montgomery, AL It may be time to upgrade your pans, given that the U.S. government has called for a complete phase-out of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE, otherwise known as Teflon) and related products by 2015, due to health concerns. When Teflon is exposed to high heat it can degrade, which causes it to release its constituent chemical, PFOA, as a gas. This phenomenon can kill pet birds, and can’t be good for humans either. While there are no known cases of airborne PFOA causing direct health problems for consumers, workers in plants where Teflon has been produced are at increased risk for cancers of the pancreas and the male reproductive tract. “Numerous studies have shown that PFOA alters reproductive hormones in the male, causing increased levels of estrogen and abnormal testosterone regulation and that PFOA or chemicals that break down into PFOA damage the thyroid gland,” reports Melissa Breyer of the website Care2. Breyer adds that four organs or tissues in the immune system and at least nine types of cells that regulate immune function are targets of PFOA, and that scientists have been unable to find a level of PFOA that doesn’t damage the immune system: “Doses given to effected lab animals were minimal—and less, relatively, than levels found in children.” The fact that PFOA exposure led to testicular, pancreatic, mammary and liver tumors in rats doesn’t bode well for what the chemical may do to humans. Of course, the risk of exposure is much lower for a person frying an egg at home than for a factory worker manufacturing PTFE for DuPont. In 2007, Consumer
Reports Magazine tested PTFEbased non-stick pans from several manufacturers and found harmful airborne emissions of PFOA to be minimal. “The highest level was about 100 times lower than levels that animal studies suggest are of concern for ongoing exposure to PFOA,” reported the magazine. “With the aged pans, emissions were barely measurable.” Some manufacturers are working on safer non-stick cookware using ceramic or silicone coatings free of PTFE or PFOA. But a 2009 survey of eight such alternatives by Cook’s Illustrated magazine did not identify any of the new choices out there high marks. “Not a single one of these ‘green’ pans was without flaws,” said the magazine. “In some, delicate eggs burned, thin fish fillets stuck, and steak charred on the outside while remaining raw within. Others stained or transferred heat inconsistently.” Some pans accumulated the browned bits known as fond when steak was seared, indicating unwanted sticking power. Many foodies have resigned themselves to the likelihood that the idea of a non-stick pan might in and of itself be too good to be true. As such, cast iron, aluminum, copper and stainless steel each rate high for even heat distribution and for holding up well at high temperatures and frequent use. Used properly—such as by employing a little oil or butter to inhibit food from sticking—such pans can last decades. CONTACTS: Care2, www.care2.com; Consumer Reports’ Kitchen Cookware, www.consumerreports.org/cro/kitchencookware.htm; Cook’s Illustrated “Green Skillets,” www.cooksillustrated.com/ equipment/overview.asp?docid=20400.
60% of students with learning problems have undetected vision problems
Comprehensive Treatment for Learning-Related Vision Problems
“The words don’t bounce around anymore!”
Carol Marusich, OD, MS, FCOVD Robin Bautista, OD 541.342.3100 Monthly Workshops on How Vision Impacts Performance
Visit our Website LifetimeEyeCare.net Check us out on-line at www.oregonfamily.com
community connection
The Joys Of Fostering a Dog or Cat
West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue is just that—an organization dedicated to rescuing animals who might otherwise be euthanized. An essential part of rescuing animals is having a warm, loving home for them to recuperate in, whether it’s from a medical procedure or from other trauma they’ve sustained. Volunteers fostering for West Coast are supplied with all the animal needs: food, bedding, medical care. You just provide the TLC! Here’s what one of our volunteer fosters has to say: Three years ago my daughter, who was doing Trap-Neuter-Release work in the community, asked me if I was interested in fostering. I thought “sure”… wouldn’t it be fun to cuddle some cute little kittens for a few weeks? How hard could that be? Three years, and close to 300 animals later, I’m still hooked! From litters of kittens a few days old to half-grown teenage kittens, young adult cats and elderly infirm cats, we have had the pleasure, and the challenge, of caring for all sorts of felines. There are dogs in need as well! Interested in becoming a dog or cat foster?? Please visit www. westcoastdogandcat.org and fill out the Feline or Canine Foster form under Volunteers. If you have questions about fostering, please send an email to: WestCoastVolunteer@gmail.com. We’d love to have you join our family!
Rescue Spotlight MOONSHINE is a beautiful tortoise-shell female about one year old. She has come a long way from when she was rescued. Although she is still nervous in new surroundings, once she warms up, she’ll roll over on her back and loves a good belly rub. She is excited to see you and to say hello. She doesn’t love dogs, but puts up with them and, in time, they could be friends. One thing she does love more than anything else is food! Moonshine needs an experienced cat owner, and should not be in a home with children under 13. Overall, she is a wonderful lap warmer and a great companion. If you are looking for a cat to just hang out and hold down the fort, this kitty is for you. Moonshine is currently living at WAGS Dog Emporium, 485 Coburg Rd. For more information call 541-338-8807, or Beth at (541) 255-9296. NOTE: Moonshine is being sponsored by a local business, and offered at a special price of $65. She has been tested for feline leukemia and FIV, is spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, de-fleaed and de-wormed, and comes with a free vet visit. West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue is a 501(c)3. Want to help cover our animals’ medical costs? Go to www.westcoastdogandcat.org and click “Donate”. Please put medical in the comment section.
Better Lawns & Gardens, Inc Lawn Restoration Leaf Pick Up One Time Projects Complete Lawn & Landscape Maintenance Dethatching & Core Aeration Commercial and Residential
Programs to Fit Your Budget free estimates
541-344-7610
www.betterlawnsandgardens.net Page 11
ein by Rick Epst
w e i V e y E s ’ d A Da It’s Always Something
What a time to be raising kids! I won’t burden you with the list of 21st-century parental woes and fears; your therapist knows what they are. And God only knows what the future holds; the only thing sure is that there will be big parts of it we won’t like. But what about the past? Weren’t there better times to be raising a family in America? In 1587 Virginia Dare was born on Roanoke Island off the coast of what is now North Carolina. She was the first native American who was not a Native American, and thus a new chapter in America parenting was begun. So here’s a question for you: In the four centuries that have elapsed since then, which era would you pick in which to do your parenting? I hope you didn’t want to be Virginia Dare’s parents, because by the time she was 3 years old the whole colony had gone missing – either adopted, kidnapped or killed by local tribes. Whatever happened, it wasn’t what Mom and Dad had in mind for their baby girl. The Chinese curse their enemies: “May you live in interesting times!” And interesting times continued all along the frontier as it was pushed west. Native YEAR-ROUND INDOOR Americans and whites fought to the death. WAVE POOL Each race was trying to secure the future of
Waves
of Winter Fun!
its own children. And neither side would spare the other’s kids when a massacre was on the agenda. Piling into a covered wagon and heading across the prairie may sound romantic, but these trips were made long before birth control. The wagon train paused for childbirth while the men stood around tapping their feet eager to resume the race against winter, starvation, cholera and the natives. If she survived, the new mother had to recuperate while jouncing across the prairie dog holes. Diapers? With no disposables and no washing machines, it must’ve been hell on wheels. Of course, childbirth anytime in the past was chancier than it is now. Two hundred years ago, expectant mothers were like soldiers on the eve of battle. They would write their wills and put their personal affairs in order as the big day approached. And the grim statistics for mothers and babies justified that anxiety. (The mortality rate among fathers has always been reassuringly low.) Did you pick any time for family life around French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 or the Civil War? Remember, all those wars were fought right HERE, with armed men running through your house and maybe pausing to commit atrocities before burning
the place down. You certainly didn’t want to become a parent anywhere near 1840 or 1900 or 1920 either, because your sons would grow up and face the enemy guns in some of the bloodiest wars in history of the world. Around 1930 and 1950 and 1980 and 1990, you’d be raising soldiers for wars in Korea and Vietnam and the Mideast. If you are Asian, African, Hispanic or Mormon, you won’t find much hospitality in American History. Neither will the Irish, Italians, Catholics and Jews. (My Jewish father told me he used to get beaten up on the playground “for killing Christ.” But I was never punished for it, and my kids hardly even know they did it. I call that progress.) Yes, the job market is awful right now. But how would you like to try to support a family in the 1930s during the Great Depression when it was even worse. Plus, unemployment insurance hadn’t yet been invented and your savings were not insured against bank failure. We’re afraid of cancer,
AIDS and flu pandemics. But imagine raising kids in the 1800s when the best doctors would treat a weakened patient by slicing open a vein to remove a pint of blood, or give you medicines containing such poisons as mercury, lead and arsenic. And while a diseased, insane, incontinent and impotent nation waited for high-quality pharmaceuticals, there were thousands of deadly and untested over-the-counter “remedies” that could be legally brewed, bottled and sold by any go-getter with a cauldron and a dream. When the healthcare community didn’t kill you and yours, there were diphtheria, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, whooping cough and typhus, which persisted as major threats well into the 20th century. And no parent who has ever cured a tot’s painful ear infection with that beloved (but slimy) pink medicine would want to take care of sick kids anytime before antibiotics were developed in the 1940s. In the 1950s, we were barely over our fear of polio, when fear of Russian A-bombs had us biting our fingernails, digging bomb shelters, and kneeling in the corridors. It’s always something. Make your own list of the dangers and drawbacks of 2013, and we can agree that this is a hard time for parenting. But you’re probably better off raising kids in 2013 than if you could whisk them back to 1913, 1813 or 1713. Besides, you wouldn’t know any babysitters there.
at Lively Park
MarketPlace
6100 Thurston Road, Springfield 541-736-4244 • willamalane.org
willamalane
Family Fun
$2 OFF
individual admission or $4 OFF family
Oregon Family WINTER SPECIAL ! Willamalane ads
2 Private lessons, a uniform, and a month of lessons for
January 2013
willamalane.org
Events
Winemaker Dinner at the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove
April 14th - 5pm - $60 4 courses paired with fine wines by
presented by
WineEventsOregon 541-221-8592
Kenpo Karate builds self-discipline, self-confidence, & concentration.
747-3181
www.eastgatekenpo.com
MarketPlace Rates
Professional Services
Help Your Child !
only $45.00
6100 Thurston Road, Springfield Expires 5/30/13 • 541-736-4244
Page 12
Classes & Lessons
ADD & ADHD
Stress with learning Spelling, Math, Reading
Northwest Fencing Academy
After School Fencing Programs for Boys and Girls ages 7- 13 We also offer Adult & Teen Programs www.fencingacademy.net • (541) 221-1695 1666 W 12th St (at 12th & Chambers)
1-2 months - $69/month 3-6 months - $59/month 7-10 months - $49/month 11-12 months - $42/month
This Spot Could Be Yours!
To Advertise Call: 683-7452
Call 541-683-7452
Language, Vision & Auditory Processing
FREE ASSESSMENT Lori Hamilton, M.S., BIT/s Practitioner Call NOW: 517-7709
HOPE CONSTRUCTION CCB#192884
Handyman Repairs Remodels Roofing No job too big or small
For a FREE ESTIMATE Call Tony 541-554-7612
$30 OFF* • Lowest rate in Lane County! • Environmentally Conscious Cleaning. • Non-toxic, effective, aroma therapeutic cleaning service.
Lisa Case 541-345-1346 *savings is $10 OFF each of 3 cleanings
Check us out at www.oregonfamily.com